Dane Haylett-Petty reveals how Wallabies knew of All Blacks' secret World Cup plan ahead of must-win Bledisloe clash
Dane Haylett-Petty says the Wallabies would love to end Australia’s 17-year Bledisloe Cup drought this month, but building momentum towards the World Cup is just as important.
The Wallabies haven’t held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002 and will need to post a win against the All Blacks in Perth on Saturday night if they are to have any hope of regaining the prized trophy.
But with the Wallabies playing just three more tests before the start of the World Cup in Japan, Haylett-Petty said the back-to-back Bledisloe Cup fixtures against the All Blacks would carry a dual narrative.
“We definitely want to break that (Bledisloe Cup drought),” Haylett-Petty said.
“But this year there’s a huge goal at the end of the year as well.
“A big focus for us has been building some momentum. We’ve changed a few things, there’s a lot of competition within the group and everyone is pushing for spots, which is great.
“The biggest focus has been trying to get better each week.”
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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika experimented with his combinations in the 35-17 loss to South Africa and the 16-10 win over Argentina.
Haylett-Petty started on the wing in the loss to South Africa, but missed the squad altogether against Argentina as Cheika tinkered with other options.
Marika Koroibete took Haylett-Petty’s spot on the wing against Argentina, while Kurtley Beale replaced Tom Banks at fullback.
Haylett-Petty can play either wing or fullback, but said he doesn’t have a preference as long as he earns a starting berth.
“I get asked that a lot and I genuinely enjoy playing both positions for different reasons,” Haylett-Petty said.
“On the wing I really enjoy contesting high balls and chasing kicks and get a little bit more space at times.
“And it’s hard to stay out of the game at fullback, it’s more of a kicking game and ball playing. I enjoy both.
“But I definitely prefer starting. I find it easier to build into the game when you’ve got 80 minutes to play.”
The All Blacks are also experimenting heavily with their squad.
The most intriguing aspect has been the recent use of flyhalf Beauden Barrett at fullback, with Richie Mo’unga handed the No.10 jersey.
Haylett-Petty said that combination of two playmakers had big potential.
“I think they probably need to give it a go,” Haylett-Petty said.
“Interestingly enough, two years ago Mick Byrne (former All Blacks skills coach) was saying he thought Barrett would play 15 at the World Cup, which I found surprising.
“The combination with Mo’unga, just the two ball players playing both sides of the ruck, both are very good ball players and both are very dangerous.”
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A potential 5th star for Leinster and redemption adter losing 2 tight finals against La Rochelle against Toulouse and the chance for Jacques Nienaber to have some success without Rassie Erasmus running the show.
2 Go to commentsThanks 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.
15 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.
15 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.
15 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 …...
15 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.
2 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?
15 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?
15 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 comments