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'That doesn't automatically mean they'd come up trumps': All Blacks great weighs in on Super Rugby Trans-Tasman theory
All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens doesn’t believe that New Zealand rugby sides would easily beat their Australian counterparts, ahead of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition which is set to begin in May.
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In a thought-provoking column for The Sydney Morning Herald, Mehrtens discussed a potential clash between the Brumbies and the Crusaders early in his piece, and mentioned how both sides were on top of their respective ladders going into last weekends fixtures.
Even though he may not have specifically referenced it in his article as well, this match would see two champions go head-to-head. The Crusaders won Super Rugby Aotearoa last year, their fourth Super Rugby title in a row, while the Brumbies may have begun a dynasty of their own with a Super Rugby AU title.
But what the now rugby pundit did state in his piece was that if these teams played five matches, that “the Crusaders wouldn’t be victorious in all five.”
“If a New Zealand team stepped onto the field against any Australian outfit, that doesn’t automatically mean they’d come up trumps,” Mehrtens wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald last Saturday.
“The way the Brumbies put them [the Waratahs in round two] to the sword showed that, on their day, they can match anyone in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
“I don’t subscribe to the theory that every game at the moment would be a futile exercise and lead to another drubbing at the hands of the Kiwis.”
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Mehrtens also stated that “all of the Australian sides would push” the Chiefs if they were to face.
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He did, however, highlight a potential difference between the two competitions which could be holding the teams from Down Under back. Mehrtens said that the Australian sides “should take note” when it comes to passing accuracy, and how that’s served New Zealand rugby well over the past decade.
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“Australian teams currently throw too many passes that just go to players’ shoulders.
“When a team creates an opportunity – when chances are usually limited – I don’t think we capitalise enough on them in Australia.”
At the time of writing, the Trans-Tasman competition will see the Crusaders play host to the Brumbies in round one. It’ll no doubt be one of the most highly anticipated Super Rugby matches in recent history, with the two sides not having faced since April, 2019.
Comments on RugbyPass
Nika the Georgian is the best referee in the world at the moment. Luckily we will be spared the shite SH refs and Barnes will hopefully remain retired given how shite and embarrassing he was at the RWC.
2 Go to commentsThis is the most exciting game of the summer imo, as we really won’t know in advance how both teams are going to play. - Will Robertson just reproduce his Crusaders tactics from last year, or will there be a conscious effort to borrow from the Hurricanes and Blues, and from the aspects of the ABs world cup strategy that worked well? - England under Borthwick have put in some good performances playing attacking rugby, and some good performances playing kick-oriented defensive rugby. Will Borthwick try to merge them together into a single all-court game, or will he continue switching between different approaches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition?
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
8 Go to commentsFinals are always tense affairs for the players so I do not expect this to be a spectacle of running rugby unfortunately.
2 Go to commentsBulls***': Ex-England international calls out Eben Etzebeth… Not to his face but from very far away… after he’d left. Checked to make sure he wasn’t in the building.
88 Go to commentsHopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
2 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
88 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
88 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
88 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
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