1
All Blacks 35 Wallabies 29 - IMMEDIATE REACTION
- Beauden Barrett just kicked the All Blacks to victory. Yes, Beaudy brought his boots tonight and it was a very good thing for the All Blacks that he did. His five conversions were the difference between the two teams, however he was helped by Bernard Foley managing the rare feat of hitting the posts THREE TIMES.
https://twitter.com/jwcoetzee/status/901377356299988992
- The All Blacks were as bad in the first 20 minutes as they were good in the first half last week. Taking nothing away from the Wallabies, it seemed like the All Blacks hands were covered in oil because they’d drop everything that went out to the backs. Sonny Bill Williams in particular had a nightmare.
- So being in front of a team mate knocking the ball down and playing it IS a penalty? According to Nigel Owens it is, he pinged the Wallabies for the exact same crucial offence that Roman Poite let the Lions off with in the last test of their tour.
- Brodie Retallick almost got in trouble for getting up. But somehow Owens, the touch judges and the TMO all missed Dane Coles coming through and smacking Ned Hannigan in the face only seconds prior.
- A captain’s knock. How about that from Kieran Read, stepping up and claiming the kick off moments after it’d looked like the Wallabies had clinched the game. Then following it up with the crucial pass to set up Beauden Barrett for the winner. That may be the biggest play of his 102 match All Black career.
https://twitter.com/CharlieFelix/status/901383163682934784
- Even the most biased New Zealander has to respect the Wallabies tonight. That would have to be the biggest turnaround since 1996, when the Wallabies were thrashed 43-6 in the first Bledisloe Cup test and almost won the second a week later after shooting out to a big lead in Brisbane. Australian rugby desperately needed the Wallabies to show some backbone, and they got that as well as guts, heart and Kurtley Beale’s blood all over his face as he scored what would’ve been the winning try. While they didn’t win, the Wallabies showed that they’re far from being lowered into the grave just yet. This will set up a fantastic third match in Brisbane later in the year.
- That was the best test you’ll see in a long time. This one had everything: a massive reversal in fortunes from the Wallabies in a week, a titanic effort at scrum time by the All Blacks, one of the best displays at halfback this season by BOTH Aaron Smith and Will Genia, a kicker hitting the posts three times and a thrilling punch and counter punch finish. Take a bow, both sides.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and welcome back 😁 Vulavalu does look better this year, and about time. I suspect Schmidt will knock the hubris out of him. That one handed put down was so embarrassing. Mind you, I had thought Kiss would deal with that. Leaving aside the different games and skills, in NRL he had a very good (but no bullshit) type of coach in Bellamy, something he hasn't had in Union until this year. Bellamy would have roasted him unmercifully for an unprofessional put down.
11 Go to commentsYou’d think the first step would be taking responsibility for the stupid sh*t you did and to stop blaming other people. Does he seriously think that people believe him when he says it just magically got into his system without him knowing anything about it? You’re gonna notice if you’re on the juice, bruh.
2 Go to commentsI watch the Reds now, and many of their players, and think back to watching London Irish in their last two years under Michael Kiss. I recall Nick Phipps looking a very competent scrumhalf, Rob Simmons a lynch pin in the lineouts. Both men writen off by many on the rugby sites. There is no question in my mind that Kiss has a very different touch to any coach the Reds have had in years. It will take time, but this team could develop into a very good team, hard to beat by any one down here in the SH. You highlight two players especially, Nick. Vunivalu and Paisami are thriving this year, especially the latter. And so many others. The now heavier Fraser McReight, his great mate Harry Wilson, and the “Fardy” man, Liam Wright. That is only three, ut in reality every player is acroos the whole squad is the better for the new regime.
11 Go to commentsRecord Score Downloading…………..
1 Go to commentsWonderful insightful interview with Crusader Johnny McNicoll. He was exceptional in the wins over the Chiefs and Rebels and I am sure he will get a contract again for 2025. He was an excitement machine for Canterbury and the Crusaders in 2011-16 and he still is. He has added to the attack particularly. Had a fine career with Wales in the intervening years.
1 Go to commentsAmazing what decent coaching can do! I always felt Folau never improved much as a player and never had a great coach using his talents. Suli seems different at qld this year.
11 Go to commentsI’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
11 Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
1 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
2 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
1 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
11 Go to commentsSo sad, god rest him. Too young to be gone. RIP
2 Go to commentsRIP big man 🙏
2 Go to commentsThe GB coach. “Just because we don’t get together as much as other teams we don’t use that as an excuse for performances when we don’t hit the mark”. Why mention it at all then?
1 Go to commentsNo mention of the yellow card for Harlequins which really cost them.
4 Go to commentsThought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
11 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
4 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
7 Go to comments