Why Dave Rennie can right the Wallabies

Rennie is a man with a mission.

With Rennie at the helm the Wallabies are no longer a shipwreck waiting to happen, with previous skippers thrown or leaping overboard. The Wallabies crew needed a strong leader to navigate this rugby ghost ship.

For years the green and gold jersey has struggled – struggled to impose themselves on the world of rugby, struggled to intimidate the top three teams and struggled to be recognised as something valuable and worth following.

It’s strange how far the Wallabies have drifted off course when you consider they’re the closest team to the All Blacks, not just geographically but also culturally. The two nations share common interests, strengths and ambitions.

Both countries seem to put extracurricular activities ahead of educational values.

The youth are exposed far more to sporting legends than academic superstars. They look up to sports men and women for inspiration. Legends like Tom Carroll in surfing to Mal Meninga in rugby league or Cathy Freeman in athletics, to name a few.

This focus on sporting achievement is a major driving force within Australia. You only have to look at the Aussie Olympic results to see how much effort and determination is put into sports and athletes Down Under.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It’s no secret that Australia has this underlying competitive nature lurking beneath the surface. It’s a side to them that thrives in certain individuals.

However, in some cases there needs to be a special leader or mentor to stir this competitive nature within them – an insightful person who knows what buttons to push and bring it up to the surface.

That’s what the Wallabies have been lacking, a mentor who can stir the emotions and draw out that focused competitive nature.

Unfortunately for years there’s been a negative attitude within the Wallabies environment. There was a negativity that a lot of past Wallabies carried around with them almost like a badge of honour.

This negativity is disguised under a stereotype. You may recognise it when you hear phrases like ‘underdogs’ or ‘backs against the wall’ thrown around frequently during a rugby season.

These are the words from a battle-scarred people.

This is also a type of victim mentality that’s been imposed on the Wallabies, hammered into the team by many coaches as well as past representatives. There’s a belief they’re not equal, that they have to kick and scream to be taken seriously. The Aussie battler is all nice and fluffy, but this team needs to go beyond that.

The Wallabies have to cast away past burdens if they want to be taken seriously. Allow Dave Rennie to shape and mould a strong and powerful force. It will take courage by the players and the Wallabies establishment to allow Rennie to forge ahead in a completely different direction.

One of Rennie first tasks and possibly biggest challenge will be breaking the shackles of the past, not so much in his new squad, who are yet to feel the effects of battle fatigue, but more the battle-weary public and ex-Wallabies who are burdened with negative thinking.

This negative thinking has held this team back for far too long. Victimhood has taken its toll on the Wallabies following.

Also being a victim, this is the kind of attitude that’s held many good Australian athletes from reaching their full potential and becoming great Australian athletes.

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Dave Rennie will develop a new culture, a new perspective on the way things are and the way things should be.

Rennie is a hard taskmaster from New Zealand. For a lot of New Zealand players it’s a dog-eat-dog world where egos are checked regularly on the field. If a player gets ahead of himself as far as his talent or skill are concerned, he’s soon put in his place by a superior player.

New Zealand rugby players are judged constantly by attitude and work ethic. There’s no tolerance for arrogance or lack of discipline.

Coach Rennie is still old school in his principles and values. Take the recent incident with some of his key players, who were out drinking and putting themselves ahead of the team. Rennie couldn’t care less about who they are or how important they think they are. He made an example of them all. No-one is above the Wallabies jersey or this team.

I’ll expect Rennie will be instilling a sense of pride and passion that’s been lacking in the Wallabies jersey for a long time.

Don’t get me wrong, Michael Cheika had plenty of passion for the Wallabies, but it was misguided. He was a prime example of playing the victim role, and the worst part was he allowed his players to believe in it as well. This intense passion soon became deluded and ineffective.

For the Wallabies, the true essence of a competitive nature has been dormant for some time. I’m not just talking a ‘turn up and try your best, fellas’ kind of attitude but about converting it into a commitment to putting your bodies on the line kind and, most importantly, checking your egos at the door.

If you’re not willing to step up, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

That’s where Upper Hutt-born Rennie could has the potential to revolutionise the Wallabies.

Rennie knows the ins and outs of New Zealand rugby and he knows the characteristics of a quality rugby player better than most. He’s been involved extensively within New Zealand rugby, from coaching the Manawatu Turbos to coaching the New Zealand under-20s and winning three consecutive world titles and also the Super Rugby title.

He also has invaluable experience in northern hemisphere rugby with the Glasgow Warriors. In Rennie’s first season Glasgow Warriors made the Pro14 semi-finals.

For the 2018-19 season Rennie’s Glasgow Warriors reached the Pro14 final at Celtic Park in Glasgow. This kind of experience will pay huge dividends for Rennie as well as the Wallabies in years to come.

More Rugby

• Why Dave Rennie can right the Wallabies
• Losing all control: The 2021 Lions tour of South Africa
• Welcome back Lachie! Swinton confirmed as Wallabies name their team
• Where to next for Aussie club rugby?
• The Thursday rugby two-up: The Rugby Championship is here (somewhere)

Rugby

With Dave Rennie as head coach the Wallabies will be taught key lessons that will be imprinted on the players, principles that will follow these men not just for their time within the Wallabies but in all aspects of their lives.

Rennie also knows when he’s found talent or a skill set that can be utilised to gain an advantage on his squad.

So my advice is if you have a concern about any member of the squad or a selection issue, relax. Put your faith in Rennie and his methods, and be patient. Some systems take time to find maximum accuracy.

One other thing Rennie will bring – and this may be unfamiliar territory for some Wallabies and the broader community – is a culture without an escape clause. There will be no-one else to blame. The buck has to stop with the individual. The players must be responsible for their actions.

Rennie isn’t a man who hides behind excuses. His truth is his words and his words are his truth.

The Wallabies have been mollycoddled for long enough. As the old saying goes, a ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

So batten down the hatches, let Dave Rennie take the wheel and sail the Wallabies beyond the horizon.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/12/why-dave-rennie-can-right-the-wallabies/

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/why-dave-rennie-can-right-the-wallabies/

How two elite sportsmen learned to live with a stammer

Former Scotland rugby union captain Kelly Brown and Seattle Seahawks' Brandon Shell discuss how they used sport to help them live with stammers.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/58135453

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/how-two-elite-sportsmen-learned-to-live-with-a-stammer/

Wallabies DIY player ratings from Bledisloe 1: The results

The Wallabies had flashes of brilliance and some rough patches in their 33-25 loss to New Zealand. We asked you to rate every single player – here’s how you saw it.

Following his strong series against France, Michael Hooper was again named the best Wallabies player, with the skipper being the only visitor to post a score above seven.

Andrew Kellaway wasn’t far away, finishing at 6.91, while Tate McDermott’s 6.19 was enough to see him round out the podium.

In his column for The Roar, Will Genia was full of praise for Kellaway, Rob Valetini and Matt To’omua off the bench.

“I was hoping would be someone who really steps up. For me, he looks like he’s still searching for that performance to really cement himself in that position. He had a little bit of a shaky start, but he really worked his way into the game,” he said.

Wallabies Bledisloe 1 player ratings

1. James Slipper
Average score: 6.07
Most common rating: 6 (34.7%)

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
Average score: 5.20
Most common rating: 5 (33.2%)

3. Allan Alaalatoa
Average score: 6.00
Most common rating: 6 (36.1%)

4. Darcy Swain
Average score: 5.40
Most common rating: 5 (31.1%)

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Average score: 5.48
Most common rating: 5 (34.7%)

6. Rob Valetini
Average score: 5.77
Most common rating: 6 (32.8%)

7. Michael Hooper
Average score: 7.08
Most common rating: 7 (32.9%)

8. Harry Wilson
Average score: 5.73
Most common rating: 6 (31%)

9. Tate McDermott
Average score: 6.19
Most common rating: 6 (31.6%)

10. Noah Lolesio
Average score: 4.94
Most common rating: 6 (27%)

11. Andrew Kellaway
Average score: 6.91
Most common rating: 7 (40.5%)

12. Hunter Paisami
Average score: 5.76
Most common rating: 6 (29.2%)

13. Len Ikitau
Average score: 5.58
Most common rating: 5 and 6 (32% each)

14. Jordan Petaia
Average score: 4.21
Most common rating: 5 (29.1%)

15. Tom Banks
Average score: 5.42
Most common rating: 6 (25.9%)

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16. Jordan Uelese
Average score: 4.21
Most common rating: 6 (33.5%)

17. Angus Bell
Average score: 5.95
Most common rating: 6 (34.5%)

18. Taniela Tupou
Average score: 6.04
Most common rating: 6 (36.1%)

19. Matt Philip
Average score: 5.91
Most common rating: 6 (36.2%)

20. Fraser McReight
Average score: 5.85
Most common rating: 6 (34%)

21. Jake Gordon
Average score: 5.11
Most common rating: 5 (36.5%)

22. Matt To’omua
Average score: 6.18
Most common rating: 6 (33.9%)

23. Reece Hodge
Average score: 5.45
Most common rating: 5 (38.5%)

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/11/wallabies-diy-player-ratings-from-bledisloe-1-the-results-2/

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/wallabies-diy-player-ratings-from-bledisloe-1-the-results/

England back Sarah McKenna signs new Saracens deal

Versatile England back Sarah McKenna signs a new one-year contract with Premier 15s club Saracens.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58157071

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/england-back-sarah-mckenna-signs-new-saracens-deal/

British and Irish Lions: How will the South Africa tour be remembered and what next for the Lions?

After a Lions series full of rancour and underwhelming rugby, how will the tour be remembered and where do the team go from here?

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58146218

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-how-will-the-south-africa-tour-be-remembered-and-what-next-for-the-lions/

Plenty for the All Blacks to build on in Bledisloe 2

It was an interesting game we were presented with on Saturday night. Conditions weren’t the best, and errors and poor discipline created a stop-start match.

Front row
George Bower and Nepo Laulala had a solid showing. The scrum held up well against the Wallabies where they said they would target. Replacements coming on were up and down in the scrum.
On attack the front row combined had a couple of solid carries. Laulala was quiet, Codie Taylor and Bower contributed the most. Taylor was solid in lineout throws.

Locks
Both Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick were at their best disrupting the lineout for the Wallabies and securing the ball for us. In play Retallick brought some mongrel into his game but also infringed a few times. Both were solid on defence, and we missed Retallick in that final 15.

Patrick Tuipulotu coming on certainly affected our dominance from the prior 15 minutes. With Beauden Barrett dropping out we struggled not having that physically dominant lock on.

Brodie Retallick. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)

Loose forwards
It was a solid game from Akira Ioane. He has grown over the last few years and we are seeing him come through nicely, with dominant tackles throughout the game. He solidified the scrum and had good carries throughout the game, leading up to all three tries, as we needed him to do. Again, we missed his dominance in the final 15 – both him and Retallick being off made a negative difference.

Dalton Papalii had a good defensive game. Most rucks from both teams were well protected in this match, and turnover opportunities were limited. Ardie Savea had an up-and-down game that didn’t really go his way, with a few handling errors and carries that were there in the build-up to the tries.

Forwards overall
The All Blacks tried to start off with a hiss and a roar, going wide and lateral when instead we needed to keep it tight and control the middle early on. They couldn’t dominate on attack, with it coming between the 50th and 65th minutes, which was some fine rugby. Watching Aaron Smith bring them together with some cohesion was great to see, but we needed to play tightly like this in the first 15 to 20 minutes, with the forwards to have gained control and allowed the game to evolve from there.

The changes around the 65th minute really affected the dominance we had just gained, and we couldn’t get it back at all. We needed either Ioane or Retallick to stay on or a similar player to on, which Barrett would have been. Maybe next time Savea can go off for Luke Jacobson.

Halfbacks
Aaron Smith had a solid game behind a forward pack that didn’t go massively forward at times. His kicks went well, his direction around that 15-minute mark in the second half was great positional play, leadership and rugby.

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First five
Richie Mo’unga contributed with his intercept and three penalty kicks, which become extremely valuable in the end. He had a shaky game in the first half, unsure at times which option to take, which put pressure on the team. David Havili was used at first receiver to get him onto second-phase ball, which never really eventuated in that first half because of infringements or handling errors. He will be better for it in the long run, watching where he can improve behind a pack and not going forward for 45 minutes.

Barrett, a charged kick and a missed tackle to his name, didn’t really contribute, with the Wallabies dominating the final 15 minutes.

Midfield
Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown are coming along. Havili used at first receiver and crash ball option, with some gains coming from him, and he did well with Lienert-Brown to take the tackle when things went stale on attack to let a reset happen. There were some handling errors from both they will be disappointed about, but both were solid in defence and great with spot tackles to keep the Wallabeis from the gain line.

Wings
Ioane had another solid outing on the left wing. He brought some size out there where we miss Caleb Clarke. He ran some great lines in a lateral backline. Sevu Reece got in there, getting a try off a ruck.

Fullbacks
Damian McKenzie popped up around the place with his lateral running. He was flattened a few too many times in this game. He popped into first receiver to relieve Mo’unga near the end of the first half at times. I think Will Jordan deserves a run to see how he goes.

Backs overall
In a disjointed, error-riddled first half the backs struggled. There was no real direction at times. What they did was very lateral, a couple of times getting bundled out over touch. They didn’t use the wind to gain territory early on, but kicks were non-existent in this game from the All Blacks. Ioane had a couple of decent runs and looked good on the left wing.

The backs contributed to the build-up to the three tries in the second half, linking with the forwards well, keeping the momentum going forward. Changes in the last 15 minutes led to some disjointed defensive work, letting the Wallabies kick through and score.

More Rugby

• Plenty for the All Blacks to build on in Bledisloe 2
• Why Paisami isn't to blame for Mo'unga’s Bledisloe intercept
• Analysis: The 25 minutes when Bledisloe 1 got away from the Wallabies
• 'It would be a travesty': Jones says Lions tours must continue
• WILL GENIA: We have to back ourselves when the game is still there to be won

Rugby

All Blacks overall
Captain Whitelock did well to take the points on offer after 15 minutes. It kept the scoreboard ticking over when we couldn’t connect with a high tempo plan of attack at the start, the passes not sticking, and discipline letting the side down. Taking the lineout option at the end and rumbling it up with the forwards, keeping it tight and going over, gave us a good lead into halftime.

Coming out in the second half and keeping it tight with what ball they had paid off with three nicely built tries. There was some good, solid running from Savea and Ioane and passing from Smith. This is the kind of play we want all game, or at least for 60 mins, with a defence to maintain the lead for the rest.

It was a rough period of play in those final few minutes when the Wallabies were very dominant. We lost it with starting players going off. The bench didn’t really gel on the field. With both Retallick and Akira off we struggled to maintain the dominance we had built, and we couldn’t contain the Wallabies bench players, who finished well.

Next week
I’m looking forward to next week to see whether the All Blacks can reduce the handling errors and really control their discipline around the park. They need to get some structure from the start and build that into a dominant display.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/10/plenty-for-the-all-blacks-to-build-on-in-bledisloe-2/

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/plenty-for-the-all-blacks-to-build-on-in-bledisloe-2/

British and Irish Lions 2021: Alun Wyn Jones defends right to be 'emotional' after loss

British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones defends his right to be "overly emotional" after his spectacular injury return ended in a narrow series loss to South Africa.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58138564

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-2021-alun-wyn-jones-defends-right-to-be-emotional-after-loss/

‘It would be a travesty’: Jones says Lions tours must continue

Alun Wyn Jones admits it would be a “travesty” if British and Irish Lions tours were to fade from the international calendar after his own illustrious career in the red jersey ended in heartache.

The Lions are having to fight increasingly hard for their place in a cluttered global programme, with their fruitless trip to South Africa squeezed from six weeks to five.

Head coach Warren Gatland has repeatedly stated his desire for prospective series to be protected when rugby’s powerbrokers discuss the future of the world schedule.

Veteran captain Jones, who conceded the agonising 2-1 defeat to the Springboks will be his fourth and last series after appearances in 2009, 2013 and 2017, echoed Gatland’s view and believes Lions contests remain among the pinnacle of the sport.

“It’s funny, being involved in 2009, I remember the furore after that – the Lions is this, the Lions is that. Should it exist? he said.

“… In its most basic concept it is something that is very special and it ignites the imagination in children and adults and it is something that rugby has hung its hat on for a long, long time…

“It is up there with all of those international competitions and rugby World Cups.

“It is very special and if rugby were to lose it, it would be a travesty.”

History repeated itself on Saturday as a late Morne Steyn penalty secured glory for South Africa, just as it did on Jones’ debut tour 12 years ago.

The Wales lock – rugby’s most-capped player – fought back tears at the end of the decisive 19-16 loss in Cape Town.

With a trip to Australia scheduled for 2025, he used a forceful outgoing speech to remind teammates of the importance of being selected.

“I’m never going to put this jersey on again, I am never going to have this chance again,” the 35-year-old, who overcame a dislocated shoulder to face the Springboks, said.

“I made a point to the guys that whoever is on the next one, make sure you go as hard as hell because it is a very special privilege to be involved in.

“I’ve already had a bit of stick for being overly emotional and I don’t give a f*** if people think I’m over-emotional, that’s what it means to me.”

Lions tours date back to 1888.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/09/it-would-be-a-travesty-jones-says-lions-tours-must-continue/

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/it-would-be-a-travesty-jones-says-lions-tours-must-continue/

South Africa 19-16 British and Irish Lions: Morne Steyn's late penalty wins series

The British and Irish Lions lose an agonisingly close series decider to South Africa as Morne Steyn's late penalty seals a 19-16 victory.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58130765

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/south-africa-19-16-british-and-irish-lions-morne-steyns-late-penalty-wins-series/

NZ View: All Blacks’ ‘one man show,’ Wallabies ‘not a million miles away’

Richie Mo’unga was hailed as the difference maker in a breakthrough performance as the New Zealand media reacted to the All Blacks’ 33-25 win in the Bledisloe Cup opener on Saturday night.

Mo’unga was preferred in the No.10 jersey to Beauden Barrett after they shared duties in the Pasifika Series and was instrumental as well as scoring a blistering intercept try and out-kicking his young Wallabies rival Noah Lolesio.

“Just as he did for the Crusaders all season, Richie Mo’unga dug deep into his bag of tricks to turn the first Bledisloe Cup Test and push the All Blacks into an assailable position,” wrote Gregor Paul in the New Zealand Herald.

“It was clunk, clunk, clunk for 50 minutes and then, with little warning the All Blacks were suddenly in fifth gear, punching big holes when they ran from deep and monstering the Wallabies all over the field.

“And the spark for this incredible transformation came from Mo’unga. That’s been his special thing all year – finding a way to produce one brilliant moment that changes the shape and direction of the game.

“Time and again he rescued the Crusaders with something brilliant, but this was the first time he’s had that same effect at Test level.”

Paul said the game was bogged down before Mo’unga blew it open.

“This was a game that was going nowhere after 50 minutes and needed a hero to break it free from the tyranny of mediocrity,” Paul wrote.

“Mo’unga was the sole beacon of light at times in a meandering, error-strewn Test that had more penalties than it did successful passes and a stuttering fragility about it until the All Blacks No. 10 flicked that magic switch and made everything flow and stick for long enough to get the victory over the line.”

Liam Napier, writing in the NZ Herald, said the All Blacks didn’t have to get out of third gear to take a firm grip on the Bledisloe Cup once more.

“Being a Wallabies supporter must be disheartening, particularly when it comes to Eden Park,” Napier wrote. “From an Australian perspective, it’s where eternal hope gets cremated, time after time.”

But he felt the All Blacks had to take their game up a notch or two.

“Emerging from three Tests in July, the All Blacks selected their top side for the first time this season and it’s clear those combinations are a long way from gelling. The attack at times was far too lateral, struggling to click other than a couple of Rieko Ioane bursts from the left edge.” Napier wrote.

Marc Hinton, writing for stuff.nz, described the game as “somewhat two-paced, scratchy at the start, off-key at the finish but had a high-quality four-try chunk in the middle that in the end delivered the all-important victory.

“The Wallabies looked well off the pace for much of the match, but will take a lot from their whirlwind finish,” Hinton wrote.

“First five Noah Lolesio’s five missed shots at goal were costly in the end, but fullback Tom Banks, wing Andrew Kellaway and the always fiery skipper Michael Hooper led a promising enough effort.

“They are not a million miles away from a series-levelling display.”

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

David Long, writing for stuff.nz, said the decision between Mo’unga or Barrett at No.10 “is one that divides the nation, just like the one between Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer once did.”

“When Ian Foster was asked on Thursday why he picked Mo’unga rather than Barrett as his starter for Bledisloe I, the All Blacks coach bluntly said: “we just believe he’s right for this game.”
“Well, Foster was correct, even if he chose not to be very eloquent with his words,” wrote Long.

He complained about the standard of the game in the first half as “the Wallabies couldn’t win a lineout and the All Blacks couldn’t hold onto the ball.

“Put it down to rustiness from both teams, the wind, or nerves, but this wasn’t the kind of rugby to warrant over $200 for a decent ticket.

“The All Blacks didn’t play well, but the Wallabies were worse, and it would be concerning for Foster at how they got caught out twice in the first half from Wallabies lineouts.

“Whoever it was who decided to change things up with the Wallabies lineout is a genius. After losing their first three, they caught the All Blacks napping twice just before the break, firstly with a short one to the front, then a long range throw to the back, which resulted in a try to winger Andrew Kellaway.

“But the second half was a Mo’unga masterclass, just like next weekend will probably be too.”

Paul was not convinced that next Saturday’s match at the same venue is a fait accompli.

“The All Blacks can’t afford to finish or start as badly as they did again,” he wrote.

“The lack of flow and cohesion in the first half was on the alarming side. The All Blacks came into the first Bledisloe Cup Test last year cold – without having had any kind of game behind them, which could serve as an excuse for their rustiness.

“But this year they had the Pasifika Series, three games, two of which were solid workouts, to generate some kind of structure and basis from which they could work.

“There was scant evidence of that, though in the first 50 minutes which bordered on being unwatchable.

“Mo’unga saved them this week, but the All Blacks need to be more than a one-man show.”

All Blacks coach Ian Foster gave the Wallabies credit for pushing the All Blacks to the end.

“It’s the first test in a Bledisloe, and they were always going to be a massive test. They came over here very well prepared and threw everything at us,” said Foster.

“The way we came back and really squeezed it was pleasing, and we were doing really well at 33-8. Then it was disappointing … we take a lot of pride in how we finish and we didn’t finish that well.

“There are some things we’ll take away and work on and people will talk about that all week. But at the end of the day it’s 1-0, and we’ll go into next week with a nice list of things to improve.

“ are a good young team, playing with plenty of passion and they’ll take a lot of confidence from the way they finished that game and we’ll take a lot of confidence from the result. I guess both camps will go away and figure things out.

“It was a great learning curve for us. You talk about their young backs and young midfielders, but David has played his first big Test in midfield and he’ll learn a lot from that too. There’s a bit of growing in both camps at the moment.”

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/08/nz-view-how-kiwi-media-reacted-to-all-blacks-one-man-show-in-bledisloe-defeat-of-wallabies/

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/nz-view-all-blacks-one-man-show-wallabies-not-a-million-miles-away/

British and Irish Lions v South Africa has 'huge implications', says Ronan O'Gara

The British and Irish Lions' decisive third Test in South Africa "has huge implications for the future of rugby", says three-time tourist Ronan O'Gara.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58119049

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-v-south-africa-has-huge-implications-says-ronan-ogara/

The massive experience gap young Wallabies face against All Blacks as Auckland plans wild welcome

The Wallabies will be out to change 35 years of history at Eden Park on Saturday night in their Bledisloe Cup opener with the All Blacks. New Zealand, in contrast, will be celebrating it.

Aaron Smith will become just the tenth All Blacks player to notch 100 Tests when he runs out in Auckland.

Right alongside Smith will be captain Sam Whitelock, the only other current Kiwi centurion, just as he was 19 years ago.

The pair first met on the way to their first day of high school in Feilding, a town of 17,000 people set in the beautiful rolling hills of the Manawatu.

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“I remember it really clearly,” Whitelock said.

“Walking across the school grounds and little short Maori boy with a big afro yelling out at me going, ‘Oh bro, are you coming here?’

“I was like, ‘I’m dressed in school uniform walking to the first day of school so it’s pretty obvious’.”

Halfback Smith, 35 centimetres shorter than the imposing Whitelock, would take two years longer than his school mate to represent the All Blacks.

(Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

“It’s pretty cool that we’ve both gone down different pathways, but we’re both here together,” Whitelock said.

“It’s pretty humbling for ourselves, but also the school and the community.

“People don’t see his hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

“He is the guy that’s always writing things down, putting a plan together and making sure that everything he’s doing is for the betterment of the team.”

Smith has played more than twice the number of Test matches than the entire Wallabies’ back line selected by Dave Rennie: just one of the reasons Australia will start as underdogs against the New Zealanders.

More Rugby

• The massive experience gap young Wallabies face against All Blacks as Auckland plans wild welcome
• 'Don't tell us how to play': Boks bristle at 'boring' taunts ahead of Lions decider
• 'Tortured souls': Why everybody loves to hate the All Blacks
• Is it time to boot the box kick?
• Foster vows All Blacks fans will see a 'significant shift forward' as they defend incredible Eden Park record

Rugby

The other chief reason would be 35 years of hurt. Not since 1986 have the Wallabies beaten New Zealand at Eden Park, a run that has helped keep the coveted Bledisloe Cup in New Zealand since 2003.

One factor that could help Rennie’s side snap the streak is the weather. Australia secured a heart-stopping 16-16 draw with New Zealand on their first-up Test in New Zealand last year, achieved in ferocious winds and rain at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

A gale force wind warning issued for Auckland on Saturday was not lost on All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

“(Australia are) a very committed physical ruck-and-run type team,” he said.

“They’ve spoken about dominating us up front and playing a fast physical game.

“The Wellington Test last year, my recollection was there was a lot of rain and wind and it was a very different game. The ball was swirling around.

“Hopefully we get a slightly different day here.”

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/07/history-calls-for-wallabies-and-all-blacks/

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/the-massive-experience-gap-young-wallabies-face-against-all-blacks-as-auckland-plans-wild-welcome/

Alun Wyn Jones wants less talk, more action

British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones wants to maintain the tempo of the game and urged his players to engage less with under-prepared South Africa.

He will talk less to referee Mathieu Raynal and has urged his players to avoid scuffles with South Africa that will slow down the play in their series decider with the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.

Last weekend’s second Test lasted more than two hours with breaks in play due to confrontations among the players, injuries and Television Match Official referrals, which played into the hands of the Boks as they ran away comprehensive 27-9 winners.

With the home side’s preparations for the series having been severely disrupted by a COVID-19 outbreak in their squad that meant many of their leading players couldn’t train, the Lions should have the edge in fitness and the greater vigour for the closing stages of the game.

That is if they can avoid the multiple stoppages that allowed the Boks to catch their breath in the second Test.

“I won’t be talking to the referee unless I have to and they (scuffles) always happen but you don’t want to entertain them. It is not a case of taking a step back, but just an awareness of keeping the game flowing,” Jones told reporters.

“We want to maintain the tempo of the game. We should stay away from anything that might slow us down from getting to the next set.”

He conceded he was unsure if there will be more running rugby in the third Test after the first two encounters were dominated by kicking.

“It has the potential to be that way, sometimes finals can be attritional, but they can open up as well. I would like to think we are prepared for both. We don’t want to stifle ourselves with too much reliance on the kicking game,” Jones said.

“It’s a balance and that’s something that we probably didn’t have last week in the second half. We have to have the ability to play both ways and be ready for both (from the Boks).”

As for where the Lions need to improve for the decider, Jones is clear in his mind.

“Simplicity, discipline and accuracy…and to display the energy that we have shown throughout the tour,” he said.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/06/alun-wyn-jones-wants-less-talk-more-action/

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/alun-wyn-jones-wants-less-talk-more-action/

British and Irish Lions: Ken Owens proud of first start in South Africa series decider

Wales hooker Ken Owens will finally make his first British and Irish Lions Test start on Saturday in the series decider against South Africa in Cape Town.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58099716

https://blog.therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-ken-owens-proud-of-first-start-in-south-africa-series-decider/

Bledisloe teams named: Mo’unga given No.10 jersey, McKenzie stays at 15 for All Blacks

New Zealand have opted for Richie Mo’unga at No.10 over Beauden Barrett as they named their team for the opening Bledisloe Cup match against Australia on Saturday.

Mo’unga started at No.10 for the first Test of the campaign against Tonga before Barrett replaced him for the first of two Tests against Fiji. Mo’unga got the job again for the second Test and has retained it for this match.

The starting front row remains intact from the most recent Test with loosehead prop George Bower, hooker Codie Taylor and tighthead Nepo Laulala first choice ahead of props Karl Tu’inukuafe and Angus Ta’avao, and hooker Dane Coles.

Brodie Retallick returns to start alongside Samuel Whitelock at lock.

Ardie Savea has been named at No.8, Dalton Papalii at No.7 and Akira Ioane at No.6 with Luke Jacobson providing loose forward cover.

David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown combine in the centres with Rieko Ioane moving to the left wing, Sevu Reece to right and Damian McKenzie at fullback, with Jordie Barrett and brother Beauden among those on the bench.

Bledisloe One team sheet ????#BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/DlK34NfOEy

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 4, 2021

All Blacks coach Ian Foster said props Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi weren’t considered for selection as they return from injuries, while the selectors will ease back Will Jordan after a hamstring strain.

“There is huge excitement in our group at what lies ahead this weekend,” Foster said.

“There is such a huge history with the Bledisloe Cup, the rivalry between the All Blacks and Australia goes back a long, long way, and it’s always a massive contest. The Cup isn’t ours; we have to go out and win it again. We can’t wait for the weekend.”

The Wallabies are set to name their team at 2.30am AEST, after delaying the announcement from 10.30am. Missing will be winger Marika Korobiete, one of three members of the squad stood down for drinking beyond curfew last weekend.

All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown said he expected Australia to be feeling strong after beating France in their recent series.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“They will be confident,” he told stuff.nz. “They won the series and played pretty well. We know they are going to be physical and they are going to want to outwork us.

“There are not a lot of things that are going to surprise us but we know they are going to be up for this game and we have got to match them physically.”

The All Blacks were less troubled in beating a weakened Tonga and Fiji twice, than Australia were in the French battle.

“They have played in close matches and the three games we played were not as close. But we have got a lot of experience in this group, and a lot of boys who have played big games and that all counts as well.”

The All Blacks are smarting from their 2020 campaign, where they only won half of their matches.

“Last year for us was not good enough,” he said. “It is not the All Blacks standards, so we want to be better and we are driven to be better. This is a massive challenge for us to start in the right way.”

Eden Park will host the opening two Tests over the next two weekends, with a change in dates due to COVID restrictions. Sky Stadium in Wellington was due to host the third Test on August 28.

The third match will now be played at Optus Stadium in Perth on that date, a week lagter than first scheduled.

All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith will play his 100th Test on Saturday and said the back-to-back games at the team’s fortress, where they haven’t lost to the Wallabies since 1986 or anyone since 1994, was something they had to take advantage of.

“I’ve never had it before. We’ve got to make the most of that opportunity,” Smith told reporters.

“That puts things in our favour very well.

“But the way the Australians are playing, the way I know Dave Rennie coaches, they’re not going to worry about that. It’s a big opportunity for them to make a statement.

“Eden Park doesn’t make you play any better, but knowing that the stadium is full, knowing the history of that field, knowing the standards that Eden Park demands … it’s good pressure.”

Smith said the All Blacks were in tune after the Pasifika series

“We put in lot of hard work, built some great connections, and started building some things around our game,” Smith said.

“We got a really good test from Fiji physically which was great. It’s something we’re going to need going forward.

“We’ve had that break at home, and come in refreshed for a big couple of months. It’s still unknown how that all looks but we know we’ve got two weeks of Bledisloe rugby, and that’s bloody exciting.

“We love that cup. It’s no one’s at the moment, and we’ve got to go out and earn it. You can really tell in our preparation it’s in the back of everyone’s minds. You know it’s a big game when it’s sitting there and bubbling away.

“I love that feeling. I love getting ready for a big game, and there’s been a real edge around the boys knowing there’s a big one coming.”

Foster praised Smith ahead of his milestone appearance.

“He’s a special man, he’s achieved so much in the black jersey and has been an iconic player for us over the last decade,” Foster said. “We know it’ll be a special night for him, his wife Teagan and his family.”

All Blacks team (Tests)
1. George Bower (3)

2. Codie Taylor (58)

3. Nepo Laulala (31)

4. Brodie Retallick (83)

5. Samuel Whitelock (125) – captain

6. Akira Ioane (4)

7. Dalton Papalii (5)

8. Ardie Savea (50)

9. Aaron Smith (99)

10. Richie Mo’unga (24)

11. Rieko Ioane (37)

12. David Havili (5)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (50)

14. Sevu Reece (10)

15. Damian McKenzie (30)

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles (76)

17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (18)

18. Angus Ta’avao (16)

19. Scott Barrett (42)

20. Luke Jacobson (5)

21. Brad Weber (9)

22. Beauden Barrett (91)

23. Jordie Barrett (25)

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/05/bledisloe-teams-named-mounga-given-no-10-jersey-mckenzie-stays-at-15-for-all-blacks/

https://therugbystore.com.au/bledisloe-teams-named-mounga-given-no-10-jersey-mckenzie-stays-at-15-for-all-blacks/

Australia trio dropped from New Zealand opener after curfew breach

Australia drop Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani and prop Pone Fa'amausili for Saturday's match against New after breaking a team curfew with a drinking session.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58086862

https://therugbystore.com.au/australia-trio-dropped-from-new-zealand-opener-after-curfew-breach/

How Rassie Erasmus (over)ruled World Rugby in the second Test

If it had been a boxing contest, it would have been stopped to prevent further punishment. The triumph of the South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was not only over the British and Irish Lions, but over World Rugby in the build-up to the second Test at Cape Town.

There is no other governing body in professional sport which would have given Erasmus such license to criticise its officials and not issue immediate sanction.

Rassie has swapped roles effortlessly, from director of rugby, to water-boy, to social media influencer.

By the end of the game, the shape-shifting was complete. He was orchestrating the officiating crew from the sideline as expertly as Nigel Owens used to do in his pomp from the middle of the pitch. The broad grin on his face told you everything you needed to know.

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AFL

Erasmus broke one of rugby’s great unwritten rules by criticising referee Nic Berry publicly, in the aftermath the first Test. At a deeper level, he was also undermining the vision of the game World Rugby set out in their 2020 law amendments.

International teams are afforded the right to discuss law interpretations both before and after a game is played. The understanding is that the fruits of those meetings remain private and the topics under discussion are not aired in the public domain.

Coaches in football are penalised severely for issuing opinions on the performance of the referee, even in short media interviews after the event. To the best of my knowledge, no football coach has yet taken to social media to deliver a 62-minute video critique of alleged officiating errors.

The sanctions are strict if a coach steps out of line. Back in 2016, the executive chairman of the English Premier League, Richard Scudamore, made the situation crystal clear:

“Premier League football and English football is known at home and abroad for being competitive and compelling, but also played in the right spirit.

“We and our clubs have been discussing concerns that certain elements of player behaviour are overstepping the mark – the mass confrontations, overt displays of dissent and offensive language. We are viewed by millions week in week out – including lots of young people – and it is our collective position that these types of behaviour should no longer be tolerated.

“That is why the Premier League, EFL and FA have tasked the Professional Game Match Officials with confronting these types of incidents and issuing appropriate sanctions in the form of cautions and sending-offs.

“Things happen in the heat of the moment during fast and highly competitive football; we still want to see the passion fans enjoy and demand, but players and managers have to be aware there are lines that should not be crossed.

“That is why we are working together with our EFL and FA colleagues to promote positive behaviour from all participants in the game.

“This shift in emphasis will involve PGMO referees responding more directly to these incidents and we will be communicating this to our managers, players and fans over the summer, ahead of what we hope will be another fantastic season of football.”

Two years later, match officials were given the right to issue red and yellow cards to managers and their support staff on the sidelines. Items on their menu included inappropriate language or gestures towards officials, the kicking of throwing water bottles, sarcastic clapping, the waving of imaginary cards and outright dissent.

Rugby’s proud tradition of respect for referees has been undermined by Erasmus’ recent outburst. He has opened Pandora’s box and in the process, he proposed a different model of the game to that envisaged by World Rugby in its 2020 law changes.

Key to those changes were two elements: a reduction of tackle height to the waist in order to prevent head injuries, with harsher sanctions for high tackles; and law amendments at the tackle area designed to produce cleaner, quicker ball for both sides at the ruck.

In a 62-minute outburst, Erasmus achieved the head coach’s dream. He got the law-makers and its officials playing by his rules, or the rules that suit his team the best.

The referee from New Zealand, Ben O’Keefe, unwittingly followed Rassie’s instruction manual to the letter. He shunned the Lions’ captain, Alun Wyn Jones, who had been so influential in the first Test, and he awarded 31 penalties.

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There were a colossal 35 minutes of stoppage play buried within the 80 minutes the game was supposed to last, and a combined total of 81 kicks out of hand (including kick-offs and drop-outs) by both sides. Fifteen of those kicks were launched in the opposition’s half of the field.

There was little sustained, skilful attacking play with ball in hand by either team, so fearful were they of losing the ball in the wrong areas of the field. It was just as well there was nobody in Cape Town Stadium able to watch it all unfold.

This is emphatically not what World Rugby had in mind when it issued its new law guidelines in 2020. Now it has to take a stand and defend the vision of the game they embody.

There is ample material for Warren Gatland and his analytical team to present to the referee, Frenchman Matthieu Raynal, in the build-up to the third and decisive Test at the same venue next weekend, and right the wrongs of the week before.

In the interests of fairness and balance, chief among the issues will be South Africa’s attitude to the tackle and the play immediately following it. The Springboks want to get as much pressure on the receiver of a kick, or a ball-carrier as possible.

This means they make a lot of mistakes in the high kick chase, frequently taking out the ball-carrier in the air.

That is right wing Cheslin Kolbe taking out Lions fullback Stuart Hogg in the air early in the first Test. The pattern was repeated at the beginning of the second game, on this occasion with South Africa’s left wing Makazole Mapimpi chasing on to Dan Biggar.

It was only a matter of time before a more serious incident occurred.

Kolbe again runs straight through the space underneath the receiver (Lions halfback Conor Murray) and that creates a dangerous situation. O’Keefe’s officiating crew decided the offence was only worthy of a yellow card, not a straight red.

In the action of making a tackle, South Africa’s players habitually do not follow World Rugby’s 2020 guideline about reducing tackle height to waist level – “Rationale: Forcing players to tackle lower may reduce the risk of head injuries to both the tackler and tackled player. It may also encourage more offloads and expansive play.”

Early in the first Test, Lukhanyo Am tackled his opposite number Elliot Daly.

As the hit is delivered, the defender’s body is upright, with the left shoulder very close to the ball-carrier’s head and neck. The wrap with the arms is strictly token in nature.

A similar scenario led to a nasty clash of heads between Kolbe and Lions flanker Tom Curry early in the second game.

As Nigel Owens pointed out in the Sky TV commentary, “it’s head-on-head. You go in high like that, you’re in trouble… That is what you want to stop – you want to stop the head contact.”

There is no attempt made by the tackler to bend at the hips and therefore, head contact is inevitable. The incident crystallises a serious player welfare issue.

The serial offender from a Lions’ viewpoint would be Faf de Klerk. Warren Gatland rightly drew attention to De Klerk’s illegal challenge on Josh Navidi during the South Africa ‘A’ game:

There is no lowering of body height, and no wrap with the arms, as the scrumhalf tackles Navidi with his head.

There were two further examples from the second Test.

De Klerk’s head is at the same level as Murray’s when contact occurs and there is no serious attempt to wrap with the arms. The review of this incident by the officiating crew could be (politely) described as cursory.

In the second half, De Klerk then launched himself like a missile at Lions’ left wing Duhan van der Merwe.

The stream of high challenges was one reason for the mountain of stoppage time during the game. The last one occurred only five minutes from the end.

At least Franco Mostert tries to bend at the hips as he homes in on Owen Farrell, but he is still looking away from the target as his left shoulder flirts with Farrell’s head and neck.

The assault on World Rugby’s law amendments was intensified further at the post-tackle. The cardinal point is as follows: “Tackler (Law 14): 14.5 – must a) Immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground and b) Immediately move away from the tackled player and from the ball or get up.”

It was here that the habits O’Keefe has picked up in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman really benefited the Boks.

There is no release by Makazole Mapimpi after he makes the tackle on Biggar. It was a repeated theme.

This situation would be familiar to followers of Trans-Tasman. The assist tackler (Mapimpi) never obviously releases the ball-carrier and the primary tackler sits directly in the path of the cleanout by the Lions’ support players.

The major plank in South Africa’s defence after a tackle is made is ‘no clear release’.

Most of the refereeing latitude was directed towards the defender, not the attacking side.

Malcolm Marx has clearly dropped one knee on to the ground in order to avoid the cleanout, but is nonetheless allowed to get back on his feet again and steal the ball.

Summary

New Zealand and Australia have always played the most constructive football of the professional era and been at the forefront of law changes that favour attacking play. It is time for them to do so again, and insist that the 2020 law amendments regarding tackling technique, and the production of quick ball at the breakdown are respected.

They would receive the support of the English Premiership clubs and referees, and that of the big European luminaries like Leinster and Toulouse. They are all headed in the same direction.

Rassie Erasmus won his battle with both the British and Irish Lions and, more importantly, World Rugby last week. His social media rant went unchallenged and that passed all the pressure back on to the officials for the second Test. They responded with a glut of penalties, yellow cards and stoppages in play.

More importantly, Rassie’s Springboks have thrown down the gauntlet to World Rugby in relation to their guidelines about high or dangerous tackle techniques, and release of the tackled player after a tackle is completed.

It is up to rugby’s governing body to screw its courage to the sticking place, and insist its officials implement its vision of the game for the future now. The current series does not provide a realistic model for either player welfare, or the good of the game as a whole.

Rassie won the battle, but he must not win the war.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/04/how-rassie-erasmus-overruled-world-rugby-in-the-second-test/

https://therugbystore.com.au/how-rassie-erasmus-overruled-world-rugby-in-the-second-test/

British and Irish Lions: Warren Gatland wants quicker third Test

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland says he will be speaking to the referee about speeding up the game before the deciding third Test against South Africa.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58073124

https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-warren-gatland-wants-quicker-third-test/

South Africa: Rassie Erasmus faces misconduct hearing for criticising officials in defeat by Lions

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will face a misconduct hearing after his criticism of the match officials following their first-Test defeat by the British and Irish Lions.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58064491

https://therugbystore.com.au/south-africa-rassie-erasmus-faces-misconduct-hearing-for-criticising-officials-in-defeat-by-lions/

Bledisloe dawn: The questions for the Wallabies ahead of Game 1

Well, the Wallabies are in New Zealand ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup Test, and I must say, it’s a bit surprising we still don’t know where the second match will be played yet.

Of course, there’s good reason for that, and one of very many would be that the Nine Network in Australia is working feverishly with the NRL and several state governments around plans and possibilities and numerous contingencies around how to keep rugby league being played in a rapidly-changing COVID situation in Sydney and Brisbane.

Games being played in other sports, even games little more than a week away, would be down the priority list at the moment, and that would make things difficult for Rugby Australia to gain the clarity they would most certainly need for the rest of the series and The Rugby Championship beyond.

Hopefully, the next week questions are answered soon enough.

This week, on the other hand, raises different kinds of questions that can only be answered on the field with the first match of the series now just days away.

What is the back row strategy?
The team being named later in the week will partly answer this one, but it will be interesting to see which approach Dave Rennie takes into the first Bledisloe on Saturday.

(Andrew Phan/supplied by Rugby Australia)

The Rob Valetini-Michael Hooper-Harry Wilson unit were generally effective in the first two Tests against France, even if by the second game Les Bleus finished well on top of the breakdown ledger. But the unit didn’t survive intact for the third game.

For the third game, Rennie promoted Isi Naisarani from the bench into number eight, left Wilson out completely and then pushed Valetini back to the bench to bring Lachie Swinton in.

It was a clear shift in approach. Valetini’s heavy physicality and Wilson’s wide channel speed was swapped out for Naisarani’s centre corridor presence and Swinton’s work rate, and though it felt a bit curious at the time, the two combined surprisingly effectively with Michael Hooper’s typically productive game.

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

A surprising combination in the same way Hooper ‘just worked’ when buddied up with Scott Fardy and David Pocock back in the day.

My strong suspicion is that that third France Test trio will be favoured again, if for no other reason than to lay a physical benchmark for the rest of the series. The Wallabies learned the hard way in Melbourne the folly of playing wide before going forward, and repeating that mistake against New Zealand at Eden Park is a recipe for disaster.

When to bring Taniela Tupou on?
The third match against France seemed to confirm – for now at least – that Taniela Tupou is best suited to coming off the bench for maximum impact, and that Allan Ala’alatoa is very much your starting benchmark setter.

Certainly, Ala’alatoa doesn’t offer anything of the bench impact that Tupou does; he just isn’t wired that way.

But Tupou is, though curiously his numbers from the last two Tests against France are surprisingly comparable from an output point of view. Starting the Second Test and coming off the bench in the Third, Tupou’s minutes-per-carry are remarkably similar. He didn’t make a tackle in the decider, but you’ll recall the Wallabies enjoyed pretty much exclusive possession in the last half an hour.

Getty Images

The difference, of course, is the quality of his involvements and the physicality he imparts on a game. Against tiring forwards nearing the hour mark of a game, the force of a 140kg monster is huge. Ala’alatoa just can’t do that.

So if it’s clear that Ala’alatoa starts, the question then becomes the timeframe in introducing Tupou to the contest.

There’s a train of thought that bringing him on before halftime allows Dave Rennie the chance to double-dip – five or ten minutes of impact before the break, reload and go again for another forty.

I’m not sure that works against New Zealand, though. The All Blacks will know Tupou’s first-contact tackle isn’t always great, and they’ll work him over to blunt his energy level and dampen his impact.

Again, we’ll find this out soon enough, but I suspect the final half-hour will remain the plan for now.

The scrumhalf conundrum
It’s one thing to bring Nic White back into camp because you expect him to be right for the back half of The Rugby Championship, and state lockdowns would prevent a timely late arrival, but is there a chance he could actually be right for this weekend?

He was hopeful rather than confident at a Canberra Stadium announcement back during the France series, but there’s genuine confidence to his tone now: “I’m back training now so fingers crossed I’m able to contribute in some capacity over the next couple of weeks,” he said before the Wallabies left Australia last week.

Certainly, he’s one of those guys who you pick if fit. The underlying question, however, is how fit is fit enough?

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

To kick for line or not at all?
Is there enough confidence in the lineout set-piece to remove the threat of backfield All Black counter by simply putting the ball into row B at every opportunity?

Obviously, it held up pretty well against France, but French experience levels may have been a bigger factor in that, given the abundant French talent on show.

But this might yet be the biggest sign of Dan McKellar’s input into the Wallabies coaching set-up. And suddenly, if the Wallabies are more confident about taking on the likes of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick than giving the broken field ball to the All Blacks’ back three, then that really will be a significant step forward.

More Rugby

• Bledisloe dawn: The questions for the Wallabies ahead of Game 1
• Rassie Erasmus to face World Rugby misconduct hearing over 62-minute ref rant
• Get your questions in for Issue 22 of Coach's Corner
• The Wrap: Springboks victory surge vindicates Erasmus, but at what cost?
• 'Sport will not survive this sort of escalating behaviour': Why World Rugby needs to nip Rassie's rant in the bud

Rugby

Are the outsiders about a bigger plan?
This is more around Duncan Paia’aua than Quade Cooper, I’ll admit, but both are certainly curious inclusions in this current Wallabies squad; Paia’aua as a selected squad member, Cooper as an intriguing consultant-type mentor who can still drill blokes 30 metres away while on the run.

What is Dave Rennie really playing at here? Is it a very strong enticement campaign, hoping to get Paia’aua back into one of the Super Rugby sides? Is it the first sign of a weakening of the previously firm stance on overseas-based players? Is it somehow COVID-forced to overcome a lack of available options left in Australia?

And is Paia’aua really in the frame to play this weekend or next?

Again, we’ll find this answer and all the others later in the week.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/03/bledisloe-dawn-the-questions-for-the-wallabies-ahead-of-game-1/

https://therugbystore.com.au/bledisloe-dawn-the-questions-for-the-wallabies-ahead-of-game-1/

The Wrap: Springboks victory surge vindicates Erasmus, but at what cost?

When all of the nonsense associated with this Lions versus South Africa series is stripped away – and that will take some doing – what will be left is a measure of both sides against rugby’s base elements.

Who won the contest for possession, who won the contest at the gain line, who limited their errors, who took opportunities to convert field position into points?

The first 120 minutes of the series delivered near to a stalemate. But Saturday’s second half, a 21-0 whitewash, accurately reflected the Springboks’ dominance in all of those key aspects, and in the process, has shifted all of the pressure back to Warren Gatland and the Lions to find a way to eke out a series victory next weekend.

To say that there has been little expressive, open rugby played is to state the obvious, however this is a series dominated by exceedingly well organised defensive lines, compressing and squeezing space from the field, while executing with ruthless precision on the tackle.

Both groups may have parked their attacking ambition, but frankly, is it any wonder when space on the field has been harder to find than an Australian state premier who gives a fig about the national interest?

What little backline play that has been seen, has been marked by both sides being forced across the field; a natural reaction to the wall of steel in front of them, but on such an angle to render the tactic useless.

Multiple phase play, with players in motion off quick ruck ball has been absent. Not because the referees have failed to ensure a clean breakdown, but because of the assertive quality of the tackling, and the speed at which both sides have blocked off both sides of the ruck.

More Rugby

• The Wrap: Springboks victory surge vindicates Erasmus, but at what cost?
• 'Sport will not survive this sort of escalating behaviour': Why World Rugby needs to nip Rassie's rant in the bud
• Lions' Hogg denies biting Boks' le Roux
• The Springboks handle the British and Irish Lions 27-9 to level the series
• Why Sid Going was one of the most unique players to play for the All Blacks

Rugby

It was as if a switch had been flicked after halftime, the Springbok scrum at first edging into superiority, then the second front-row unit going right on with the job, denying the Lions a stable platform, then winning the penalties that ensured the territory stats were swung right around.

But it was their lineout maul that provided the vital incision, a massive, twisting and rolling effort in the 60th minute opening a window for Faf de Klerk to nudge into the in-goal for Lukhano Am to score.

A tenuous 11-9 score-line suddenly became 18-9 and it was evident, even that far out, that there wasn’t another ten points in the Lions.

Earlier, it was a clever cross-field flip into space by Handre Pollard that created a perfect reverse angle run for Makazole Mapimpi to score the first try. Given what has happened in the first two matches, nobody could be surprised that both tries came from kicks. But unlike so much of the contestable kicking, these were clever, inventive kicks into space. Genuine scoring plays.

It was a similar kick that provided the Lions with their best chance of the match, Robbie Henshaw denied on halftime only by the arm of Siya Kolisi getting between ball and ground.

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Kolisi had complained on Friday that he hadn’t been shown due respect by last week’s referee, Nic Berry. He’s a World Cup-winning captain. He knows better than anybody that the way to earn respect is by doing exactly what he did; saving tries, carrying strongly and wrestling manfully at the breakdown.

The press conference, calculated to open the door to accusations of implied racism against Berry, was not Kolisi’s finest hour. But this may have been his best Test as a Springbok.

At halftime, the Lions must have felt that everything was on track, unfolding just as it had last week. But in the championship quarter, where the Springboks found another gear, the Lions engine began to splutter and misfire.

Adopting a strategy of playing in the air is only as good as the ability to secure the contestable ball. Haring forward, the Lions runners began knocking the ball forward in the contest, or slapping it as far back as from where it had been kicked. And receipt of the Springboks’ kicks increasingly became a lottery.

In a word, what the Lions lost was control. With the weight of possession turning against them, the penalties started to flow the same way, and captain Alan-Wyn Jones began asking questions of referee Ben O’Keeffe he already knew the answer to.

Whatever the nonsense that will be written and talked this week – and we all know there will be plenty – one truth is that it is now Warren Gatland who is under extreme pressure, having to decide on the personnel and tactics to win.

Short of options and time, Gatland’s pragmatic nature will ensure that there will be no radical, high risk approach. That’s a strategy that would almost guarantee the ball being jolted free somewhere way behind the advantage line, for Mapimpi, Am or Cheslin Kolbe to streak away.

Better handling alone will be enough to have the Lions right in the contest. But can they squeeze an extra ten percent out of their scrum? Or manufacture a wee bit of fractured play to bring Anthony Watson and Stuart Hogg into the game? Easier said than done.

With such a ridiculous amount of focus being placed on the match officials, O’Keeffe will be delighted how, just like Berry the week before, his performance had no bearing on the result. He was calm and assured throughout, and despite the players often showing a desire to act like school bullies, there was never doubt as to who was in charge.

The only time O’Keeffe’s knees buckled was in the awarding of Am’s try. In real time, it looked like Am scored, on replay it looked like Am scored, yet O’Keeffe kept asking for more angles.

That was only asking for trouble, as was his extended explanation to the players afterwards; just as he had done after deciding on a yellow card for Kolbe. Clear communication with players is always a good thing, but sometimes the best thing to do is to simply make the call and move the game along.

What this tells us is that, no matter how competent a referee is, the pressure of a Lions series is at another level altogether. The decision Romain Poite got wrong in 2017’s final Lions Test against the All Blacks was not whether Ken Owens was offside or accidentally offside, but to be gripped by the high stakes of the moment and call in his TMO, and cede control of the situation.

Single moments are elevated to such a level that officials, in their effort to get things right and not become the story, sacrifice the very attributes that got them to the top of their profession in the first place; feel for the game and application of common sense.

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Usually, a lot of that pressure is generated by the media, but in this case the catalyst – or should we say, culprit – was South Africa’s Rassie Erasmus.

The contents of his hour-long video targeting Berry don’t bear repeating here, but the implications may well represent a critical juncture for rugby.

Let’s be clear, Erasmus was not accusing anyone of racism. It isn’t even clear that Erasmus genuinely believes half of what he claimed. His sole intention was to spark a bush fire – by any means – to take media attention away from the failings of the first Test, keep coach Nienaber out of the spotlight, and to galvanise fans behind a ‘victimised’ team.

There can be no argument that he succeeded. And whether the Springboks finding their rhythm in the second half is down to Erasmus’ grandstanding or not, 27-9 is the only measurement that matters.

Or is it? Erasmus may not care what the rest of the world thinks about his actions, and that the ends justify the means. If he and Kolisi are happy to burn the goodwill and capital generated by the World Cup win, that’s their business.

But rugby is bigger than the self-interest of any coach, captain, director of rugby or waterboy. A central tenet of the sport, taught from the earliest age, is to show respect for the referee. No raising of the stakes, no World Cup final, no Lions tour, should ever undermine that principle or excuse any violation of it.

That the abuse of Berry is less about Berry’s failings as a referee than it is a convenient device to pursue another agenda, does not mitigate the action. It makes it worse.

It is to be hoped that the only reason World Rugby has yet to address the matter is because the last thing this series needs is more controversy. But come this time next week, win, lose or draw, Erasmus must be called to account for his actions, and heavily sanctioned.

Anything less risks a little piece of the soul of the sport being cut adrift, and reinforces a message that it is now ok to play the man and not the ball. It isn’t.

Rassie may have had the last laugh. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Despite the absence of one of the things that makes sevens rugby what it is – a noisy, pulsating crowd – the Olympic Games delivered in spades, in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

A gold medal won’t improve health or economic outcomes in covid-ravaged Fiji, however the symbolism behind their men’s victory, as it was in Rio, cannot be overstated. The quality of their play, too, entirely admirable.

Women’s winner New Zealand had their shaky moments, but saved their best for the final, shutting down a high-quality French team, and in the process, going one better than their Rio silver. But anyone wondering what to do with some spare cash might want to get on early for 2024; Fiji to complete the men’s and women’s double.

The tournament highlight however, came with Argentina eliminating the more highly fancied South Africa, en-route to a bronze medal.

Anyone who has played sevens knows what excruciatingly hard work it is. Covering a rugby pitch with just seven men requires the engine of a 747 and the heart of Phar Lap. Playing eleven of fourteen minutes with six men, and the final, tense play with just five, takes things into the realm of the ridiculous.

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In the Argentinian way, tears were shed; from the players on the pitch, from the injured comrades, and from the banished. It was a timely reminder that the very best of sport doesn’t always need crowds; it just needs skilled, committed athletes who are prepared to give their all for the cause.

Both Australian teams had their moments, but when a side like Fiji can afford to sit human wrecking ball Semi Radradra on the bench, the message is clear. By comparison to the other leading sides, men and women, Australia lacked players with size, power, pace and athletic ability.

Whoever picks up the reins for Australian sevens from here is faced with a substantial recruitment challenge.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/02/the-wrap-springboks-victory-surge-vindicates-erasmus-but-at-what-cost/

https://therugbystore.com.au/the-wrap-springboks-victory-surge-vindicates-erasmus-but-at-what-cost/

Kyle Sinckler: British and Irish Lions prop cited for 'biting' during second South Africa Test

British and Irish Lions prop Kyle Sinckler is cited for an alleged bite during Saturday's second Test defeat by South Africa.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58051015

https://therugbystore.com.au/kyle-sinckler-british-and-irish-lions-prop-cited-for-biting-during-second-south-africa-test/

South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions: Springboks level series in fiery encounter

The British and Irish Lions' series with South Africa will go to a decider after the Springboks win a fiery second Test 27-9 at Cape Town Stadium.

Original source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58041234

https://therugbystore.com.au/south-africa-27-9-british-and-irish-lions-springboks-level-series-in-fiery-encounter/

The Springboks handle the British and Irish Lions 27-9 to level the series

The British and Irish Lions have lost 27-9 to South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town, with the three-match series now level at 1-1.

South Africa backs Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am have scored second-half tries as the Springboks beat the British and Irish Lions 27-9 to win the second Test at the Cape Town Stadium and level the series.

Handre Pollard added five penalties and a conversion for a 17-point contribution while the Lions points all came off the boot of Dan Biggar in a niggly and ill-tempered contest on Saturday that was again one for the purists rather than the enthusiast.

The result sets up a decider next Saturday after the Lions had won an attritional first Test 22-17.

The Lions were 9-6 up at halftime but the Springboks bounced back with a dominant second-half performance.

They scored 21 unanswered points in the second period, a reversal from the first Test when it was the Lions who roared to the win with forward dominance after halftime.

“That was special, it was what we needed,” South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said. “It has been a tough week. For me, personally, as a leader it has been the toughest week I have had to face.

More Rugby

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• Why Sid Going was one of the most unique players to play for the All Blacks
• Warren Gatland is ready for a Lions-Boks 'cup final'
• 'I didn't feel respected': Springboks captain backs Erasmus rant on Aussie ref
• Rassie forgets rugby Law 0.0 'all things in rugby are okay as long as the ref misses it!'

Rugby

“But I’m thankful for the coaches who made us focus on the mistakes we made in the first Test. Our maul and scrum was much better this week.

“I’m grateful we stood up to the challenge, that is how I know us as a team.”

The Lions were clearly fired up from the start, led by captain Alun Wyn Jones, as they piled into tackles and beat the Boks back, but it was the home side who took the lead from an early penalty.

Biggar then slotted two penalties to put the Lions in front before both sides were reduced to 14 players within a few minutes of each other.

First Duhan van der Merwe received a yellow card for a cynical kick at the shins of Bok wing Cheslin Kolbe before the latter was also sent to the sin-bin when he upended Lions scrumhalf Conor Murray in the air.

It was a contentious moment that could have seen him given a red card, but he was perhaps saved by the fact he had his eyes on the ball all the way and there was a lack of malicious intent.

South Africa levelled through a Pollard penalty just past the half-hour mark, but Biggar added to his tally and the Lions led 9-6 at the break.

Handre Pollard of South Africa Springboks passes the ball. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The Boks, crucially, struck first in the second period when they swarmed into the Lions 22, and Pollard’s cross-kick was collected by Mapimpi on the right wing and he was able to score the first try of the game.

Both teams emptied their benches onto the pitch just before the hour mark, and it was the Boks who came out the stronger.

They drove a maul a full 25 metres into the Lions’ 22, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk’s clever grubber kick was pounced on by Am just before it went over the dead-ball line and the home side led by nine points.

They continued to force the Lions into errors at the breakdown and set-piece, and Pollard extended the lead with his boot.

“The momentum shift was like last week, but this time in South Africa’s favour,” Lions captain Jones said.

“We came off second-best in the breakdown and aerial battle in the second half.

“They had the ascendancy with their maul game and we have plenty to work on.”

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/01/the-springboks-handle-the-british-and-irish-lions-27-9-to-level-the-series/

https://therugbystore.com.au/the-springboks-handle-the-british-and-irish-lions-27-9-to-level-the-series/