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‘He’s a grub bro’: All Blacks star on why Scott Barrett shushed Nic White
All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga has playfully labelled teammate Scott Barrett a “grub” after the lock shushed Wallaby Nic White during last weekend’s Bledisloe Cup clash at the MCG.
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But Mo’unga was only joking, of course. It’s just the nature of the rivalry between New Zealand and Australia – it can make “you do some funny things.”
With more than 83,000 fans at the world-famous venue on Saturday evening, the All Blacks took a hard-fought lead into the break after withstanding the Wallabies’ attacking pressure.
While the All Blacks may have been in control on the scoreboard by the end of the half, the Wallabies looked like the better team during the majority of the first term.
But Australia appeared to be somewhat lost for answers.
The Wallabies dominated possession during the opening 18 minutes of the second 40, but again, they couldn’t convert their opportunities into points.
Against a team like the All Blacks, that was always going to be a costly mistake.
Prop Taniela Tupou was yellow carded, and also left the field with an injury, which gave the All Blacks an opportunity to kick for the sideline – and they made the most of it.
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Replacement Caleb Clarke ended up scoring the first points of the half in the 59th minute, which saw the All Blacks extend their lead to a seemingly unassailable margin.
Not long after the All Blacks burst into a momentary celebration following the score, a replay on the big screen showed lock Scott Barrett shushing a Wallaby rival.
Practically everyone in attendance burst out into laughter – except for Wallaby Nic White who was on the receiving end of the gesture, and hooker Jordan Uelese who was standing nearby.
“In the heat of the battle, there’s probably a few words (to the ref) of holding him at the breakdown,” Barrett told reporters after the 38-7 win.
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“Probably cleaned him out a couple of times earlier too so it wasn’t the first time I heard him complain to the referee.
“Not usually like me, I usually get back to halfway and worry about the kick-off.
“It’s probably the heat of the battle I guess,” he added. “A few words of advice to the ref so I was quietly trying to say something there I think.”
Eye-eyed fans have since spotted a second instance of Barrett attempting to shush Nic White – except this time, it was far more literal.
As the replays on Stan Sport show, Barrett cleaned White out of a breakdown before pressing his finger against the halfback’s lips.
Richie Mo’unga, who won seven Super Rugby titles in as many years with Barrett at the Crusaders, has explained why “Scooter” told the Wallaby to be quiet.
“That’s the one thing people don’t know about Sooter, he’s a grub,” Mo’unga joked on SENZ. “He’s a grub bro.
“He’s actually not bro. I kind of cringed when I saw that, it’s just not him.
“As you know (Israel) Daggy, the Bledisloe makes you do some funny things.”
The All Blacks take on the Wallabies at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the second of two Bledisloe Cup clashes this year. For some All Blacks, it’ll be their final Test on New Zealand soil.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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