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Bledisloe Countdown: Why the Wallabies need to sledge, and sledge hard
We’re counting down to the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney, so here’s a few things to consider:
- If the Wallabies don’t sledge the hell out of the Aaron Smith situation, they’re crazy. While the All Blacks probably won’t spend a great dal of time worrying about their halfback’s ridiculous dilemma, it doesn’t mean the Wallabies shouldn’t try and remind them of it. At the present time, Smith may no even play – but a few barbs about how h can’t keep his junk in his pants or be able to spell would definitely get under the skin of the Bledisloe Cup holders.
https://twitter.com/SusanStrongman/status/897741941000912896
- Ben Smith will probably be spending a bit of time a fullback anyway. Much has been made of the selection of Damian McKenzie and how he’ll cope with Israel Folau coming at him under the high ball, but the way the All Black back three play means that Smith will mostly likely be under at least half of them. Wing an fullback have been more or less interchangeable in their game-plan of late, and a positional switch for DMac somewhere along the line will probably happen anyway.
- Liam Squire needs a big one. The somewhat shock dumping of Jerome Kaino took an added twis earlier today as he returned back to NZ, but that shouldn’t worry Squire. The fact that he’s been given th starting gig despite missing a great deal of the season with injury is a big sign that he’s the man o future proof the number 6 jersey.
- The Aussie tight five need to front up. If the Wallabies have any chance of winning, it needs to done through gaining set piece parity. Nothing exactly original there, however hopefully they’ve learned a few things collectively from the beatings they all suffered at the hands of the New Zealanders throughout Super Rugby.
- This isn’t the lowest the Wallabies have ever been, not by a long shot. Skipper Michael Hooper had to field a few questions a yesterday’s press conference regarding the significance of his match, and rightly so. A win here would be a serious shot in th arm for the XV man code in Australia, which has struggled of late to draw attention du to the shocking efforts of both the Wallabies and Super Rugby sides. However, they’ll have to get an awful lot worse than this to slid in below the 1972 Woeful Wallabies, who managed to go through a tour of NZ losing to Otago, Buller-West Coast, Hawkes Bay and Waikato. Oh, and they were destroyed in the three test matches against the All Blacks.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
31 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
31 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
111 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
111 Go to commentsWish him and his family the best in his retirement from International rugby and into the future.
1 Go to commentsSelf proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
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