Rennie makes surprising admission about man who 'keeps getting better'
The Wallabies have won four Test matches in a row for the first time since 2017 after a largely clinical 32-17 win over Argentina on Saturday night.
Returning to the Gold Coast, the Wallabies prepared to face a Los Pumas side who’d had key players caught up in Covid issues earlier in the week.
Rising star Jordan Petaia got his opportunity to shine in gold, named on the right wing with Marika Koroibete out due to personal leave. Sean McMahon and Greg Holmes were also named to make their first appearances for the national side in years.
The Wallabies impressed in their last-up win over the Pumas – who were their best and brightest? #Wallabies #LosPumas #ARGvAUShttps://t.co/CfOtb7Fx29
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 2, 2021
Tries to Folau Fainga’a and Andrew Kellaway helped the Wallabies race out to an early 15-0 lead. While Samu Kerevi would score just after the break to help make the score 20-3, the night was clearly dominated by one player.
Kellaway’s purple patch of form continued into Saturday night’s Test, with the 25-year-old adding two more in the second half to finish the evening with his first Test hat-trick. He’s been in fine form since making his debut earlier this year against France, having scored eight tries.
After he made a surprising admission about the player of the moment, Coach Dave Rennie described Kellaway as now being a “consistent part of the starting line-up” after the win.
“Kells, he’s got a nose for the line, doesn’t he? Look he’s been excellent and to be honest he wasn’t in our plans about a month before we named the squad, but he came back to the Rebels and played really well,” Rennie said following the 32-17 win.
“We didn’t have an option, he could sort of be a 15, 14, 13. Once he’s got his opportunity, he’s impressed.
“He’s a consistent part of the starting line-up now so real credit to Kells, he’s been really impressive and keeps getting better.”
The Wallabies have introduced a few Test rookies this year, who have gone on to shine on the world stage.
As well as talking about Kellaway, Rennie also highlighted the performances of Len Ikitau, who has been a regular starter for the Wallabies at outside centre. Darcy Swain has also been impressive for the Wallabies this year since making his Test debut.
The Wallabies have closed out their Rugby Championship campaign with a fourth straight victory after picking up a 32-17 win over Los Pumas on the Gold Coast. #Wallabies #LosPumas #ARGvAUS #RugbyChampionship #TRC2021 https://t.co/rMw4f54OVH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 2, 2021
“I think Lenny Ikitau has been fantastic,” Rennie said. “He’s a young man who a year ago was miles away from where he is now so he’s worked really hard.
“He’s got a really good skill set, a very good distributor, had a good kicking game, he hits hard, carries hard. He’s pretty quiet naturally but his voice has increased dramatically over the last couple of months, as has his confidence.
“Nice to see Darcy out there again starting. We think he’s got a big future and he put in a pretty solid performance again tonight.”
While Rennie was “happy to win” against Los Pumas, the scoreline arguably didn’t reflect how dominant the Wallabies were.
After leading 32-3, the Pumas scored 14-points in nine minutes to cut the Wallabies’ lead down to 15 with less than 10 minutes to play.
“We wanted to put the foot on the throat and just lacked a little bit of accuracy, discipline, and just gave them some soft possession and territory, and then we just didn’t defend well from there.
“I thought our defence was excellent for a majority of the game but disappointing in that last stage.
“The positive thing is we’re grumpy after wins. We’ve certainly raised the expectations and we know we’ve got a lot more in us.”
The Wallabies have improved considerably since their three consecutive losses to the All Blacks to start the year.
Since then they’ve gone on to beat the reigning Rugby World Cup champions, South Africa, back-to-back, before their two wins against Argentina.
As captain Michael Hooper discussed, they’re a team who are “gaining momentum” at the moment as they prepare to head to the Northern Hemisphere for four Test matches.
“What’s been pleasing is we’re gaining momentum and creating a bit of Wallaby rugby and how we want to play on the field,” Hooper said.
“At times we’re really dangerous and clinical, physical – stuff that we want to be known for.
“We’ve got to keep growing that, we’re not where we want to be. But pleasing to be gaining a lot of momentum and singing the song in the changeroom.”
The Wallabies will need to be at their best when they take the park in Oita, where they’ll face Japan. The Wallabies last played at Oita Stadium at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where they lost to England in the quarter-final.
But, as Hooper mentioned, there’s a “great opportunity” for the Wallabies to continue to develop players two years out from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
“A lot of our guys haven’t been up north (and) we’ve got a World Cup up there in two years so if we have the opportunity to go up there and play in front of full stadiums, it’s going to be great for our growth, great for playing a couple of different teams and European teams at that.
“We’ve got Japan in there who play a very different style of rugby again, very dangerous in what they can do on the park. They really move the ball well.
“Playing different teams, that’s going to pose some different problems and that’s a good challenge for us.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments