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How the Aussie men have defied the odds to make Singapore semis
Coach John Manenti has revealed the full extent of Australia’s depleted ranks at SVNS Singapore with the squad going down to just 10 players during their journey to a blockbuster semi-final against traditional rivals New Zealand.
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The Aussies were already missing the likes of Maurice Longbottom and Josh Turner for their trip to Southeast Asia, but they’ve been hit harder at the National Stadium with a couple of players injured and another returning home.
James Turner scored a double in Australia’s tournament opener against SVNS Series heavyweights Argentina, and the experienced campaigner was back on the field later on Friday after being named to start against Canada.
But that would be Turner’s last appearance in the gold jersey at the three-day tournament. The Sydneysider flew home to Australia on Friday night after hearing that his partner had gone into labour during the match against the Canadians.
“The leadership group thought it was really important that he get home for that,” coach John Manenti told RugbyPass on Saturday evening.
“We knew there was a sacrifice to the team but we thought it was something that was important to us that he tries to get home for it.
“I don’t know if she’s had the baby yet, we haven’t heard from him for a few hours.
“That was obviously a shame (to lose Turner) because amongst other things he’s been playing really well.”
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While Turner returned home, the Aussies also had an injury to manage and assess. Henry Paterson, who is Australia’s reigning Sevens Player of the Year, missed the first three events of the season and has now picked up another injury.
A golden point winner 🤯
Who else but captain Malouf 😮💨#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP | @Aussie7s https://t.co/6l5gAvQv37 pic.twitter.com/W9serowcPE
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) May 4, 2024
Paterson, 27, didn’t take the field on the second day at the Singaporean venue with coach Manenti explaining the Aussie sevens ace had been ruled out with a disk complaint in his back.
“Then, (Henry) Patto hurt his back yesterday, a bit of a disk thing which will certainly keep him out of today – we’ll go home and review him tonight. Hopefully, he might be able to kit up tomorrow,” Manenti said.
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“Whatever it is mat we’re just gonna fight. We get the Kiwis again and we weren’t pleased with our game against them before s we’ll certainly get a shot at them now.
“We need to be better next game.”
Australia will also be without former Junior Wallabies captain Teddy Wilson who was carried off the field on the medic cart with a neck brace during Australia’s pool stage loss to New Zealand.
Without Turner, Paterson and Wilson, the Aussies rallied by putting in a quarter-final performance that fans back home would be proud of.
South Africa have been one of the form teams of the tournament so far but the Blitzboks were stunned by a Nathan Lawson double, and tries to Dietrich Roache and Henry Hutchison.
But South Africa refused to throw in the towel, and after incredibly sending the match to golden point, looked to complete a famous comeback – but it wasn’t to be.
Australia’s Nick Malouf received a sublime short ball from playmaker Hayden Sargeant to run in untouched for the match-winning score.
The Aussies will have an opportunity to redeem their pool stage defeat to the All Blacks Sevens when they come up against their familiar foe in a blockbuster Trans-Tasman semi on Sunday.
“I’m really impressed with South Africa this weekend. They’ve looked really class,” Manenti discussed.
“I think our attack has actually been pretty sharp all weekend, we just didn’t get a lot of ball against New Zealand. They had the whole first-half possession. Even when we fired a few shots we got a few scores.
“I know it’s stating the obvious but if we can just get a little bit more possession, our attack is asking questions and we’re staying in the fight.
“Looking forward to tomorrow.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
2 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
1 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
6 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
2 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
6 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
6 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to comments