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Phipps back in favour with Waratahs, Razor rests ABs

By Online Editors
Nick Phipps. Photo / Getty Images.

Wallabies star Nick Phipps is back in Daryl Gibson’s run-on side for Saturday’s Super Rugby showdown with the table-topping Crusaders in Christchurch.

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Phipps replaces Jake Gordon to make his first start of the 2018 season.

Head coach Daryl Gibson said he planned on rotating his halfbacks during NSW’s four-game stretch against New Zealand competition, in order to showcase his players in front of Wallabies selectors.

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“Nick’s such a competitor. The chances he’s been given when he comes on, you can see the speed with which he wants to play the game and then also I’m looking at those fixtures and trying to match both their skill sets to those games,” he said on Thursday.

“Nick and Jake have got lovely contrasting styles and I think Nick’s strengths in this game are really important.

“The way he does speed the game up with his fitness and that strength will be an important factor.”

Other changes include Curtis Rona starting at outside centre in place of Lalakai Foketi and prop Shambeckler Vui earning a spot.

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Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has decided to rest some of his All Blacks for the trans-Tasman clash, with Owen Franks and Ryan Crotty set to sit out.

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The Crusaders starting side will feature an all-new starting front row, headlined by the return of All Blacks prop Joe Moody, alongside Codie Taylor and Michael Alaalatoa.

Wyatt Crockett and Andrew Makalio take spots on the bench, while Donald Brighouse has been named to provide tighthead cover.

Bryn Hall rotates in to start at halfback, while Tim Bateman accommodates the midfield with Jack Goodhue following the latter’s successful return from injury last weekend.

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Powerful winger Manasa Mataele joins his uncle, Seta Tamanivalu, in the starting XV to take on the Waratahs, with both players getting the nod on the left and right wings respectively. George Bridge drops back to fullback.

WARATAHS

15. Israel Folau, 14. Cam Clark, 13. Curtis Rona, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Michael Wells, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 6. Will Miller, 5. Rob Simmons, 4. Ned Hanigan, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 1. Tom Robertson.
Reserves: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18. Shambeckler Vui, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jed Holloway, 21. Jake Gordon, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Bryce Hegarty.

CRUSADERS

15. George Bridge, 14. Seta Tamanivalu, 13. Jack Goodhue, 12. Tim Bateman, 11. Manasa Mataele, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Bryn Hall, 8. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (VC), 6. Pete Samu, 5. Sam Whitelock (VC), 4. Scott Barrett, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 2. Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: 16. Andrew Makalio, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Donald Brighouse, 19. Mitchell Dunshea, 20. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Braydon Ennor.

In other news:

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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