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Former Wallabies captain George Smith has assembled quite the CV, 165 Super Rugby appearances, 111 caps for Australia, stints in Japan, France and England.
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But the 38-year-old isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet, he’s agreed a short-term deal with Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears.
“I wanted a challenge and coming into the Premiership has definitely allowed that for myself. There are a lot of attractions that brought me here, Pat Lam and his coaching staff. I enjoy the style of play and also the recruitment that they’ve done this season. I had the opportunity to play with a number of the players in the team and it’s an easy fit for me to come into”, Smith told RugbyPass.
Smith has signed a six month contract, but didn’t rule out remaining with the Premiership outfit beyond that time.
“Look, first and foremost lets get through the first six months and we’ll look into it after. I am really enjoying my time at the moment and really enjoying the structures and team that is around. Let’s see how it goes in the next few months.”
Smith was notably called in by Eddie Jones to assist with his coaching of England, given Smith’s reputation as one of the world’s best opensides, particularly around the breakdown. So does Smith expect to help with the coaching at Bristol?
Smith replied, “I am coming as player. First and foremost I am a rugby player trying to do the best as I can for my team. The way I conduct myself at training and after training – passing on my experience as a player is important. Any way I can develop players I am there for that.”
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Having rebranded to the Bristol Bears, the Premiership’s promoted team are aiming to right the wrongs of two seasons ago when they plunged straight back into the Championship. Smith told RugbyPass that they are looking
“First and foremost, it’s not about us staying up. We have a team that are going to be very competitive this year and challenge a lot of the teams in the competition. We want to be a Champions Cup team next season. I think we have the game plan and also the players within our squad to really push teams within this competition.”
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Video: RugbyPass visit the Bristol Bears
The experienced Wallaby is in a good position to decipher whether or not this current vintage have what it takes to challenge at the World Cup next year considering their recent results.
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“I think after adversity it is how quickly they galvanise around each other. I think it’s too early to look, six months (too far) ahead now to look into the World Cup.
“I think their focus is very much on getting on this second encounter against a very formidable All Blacks side.
“I think the players have confidence in the personnel that they have and also the coaches have confidence in the players, so yeah (they can compete at the World Cup).”
Video: Wallaby captain Michael Hooper ahead of Bledisloe II
Read next: How to save the Wallabies lineout from an Eden Park massacre
Comments on RugbyPass
England-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
38 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
38 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
38 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
10 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
10 Go to comments