Potential Wallabies rookie Will Harrison lathered in praise after guiding Waratahs to maiden Super Rugby victory
Emerging NSW Waratahs five-eighth Will Harrison has earned praise from his coach and Springboks stalwart Elton Jantjies after steering his side to their first Super Rugby victory of the season.
Highly regarded Harrison distributed the ball well and also ran effectively as the Tahs ran in five tries in their 29-17 victory in Sydney on Friday.
The Junior Wallabies playmaker has started all four of the Waratahs’ games but has struggled at times in his last couple of matches behind a beaten pack.
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“Will’s mental toughness and resilience, call it what you want, to go out and perform like he did today on the back of a couple of tough performances, shows the level and depth of his character, which is great for the future,” Waratahs’ coach Rob Penney said.
“It doesn’t mean he’s a finished product yet, but it’s a great comeback from where he was maybe last week.”
Harrison was directly opposed to Lions captain and pivot Jantjies, a 37-times capped Springbok, who was part of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup winning squad.
“I think he (Harrison) went well, he made some good decisions,”Jantjes said.
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Penney attributed the Tans’ sharpest attacking display of the season to playing with a dry ball after toiling in wet conditions in previous games and the players willingness to express themselves.
“We’re nowhere near where we need to be yet but it’s a great step in the right direction,” Penney said.
He was also pleased with his team’s vastly improved defensive effort and the way his leadership group lifted the team in the time since their last start loss to Melbourne before last week’s bye.
“Simmo (captain Rob Simmons) needs to take a lot of credit for what he’s done, he showed a lot of real leadership credentials, which is wonderful,” Penney said.
Asked what the leadership group had done lock Simmons said: “We wanted to stand up and I think we took a lot of responsibility on ourselves to really voice what a good game looks like and we trained that day in day out,” Simmons said.
Rieko Ioane is set to be targeted by @THESTORMERS after switching from wing to centre for the @BluesRugbyTeam this weekend. #SuperRugby https://t.co/jcKluGyg1l
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 29, 2020
“Our four big sessions since the Rebels, we came off the field feeling like we played a game.
“There was a big focus on raising our intensity and I think that showed on the field today.”
Simmons lauded another non-stop effort from flanker Michael Hooper, the man he succeeded as captain.
“He’s an impressive athlete, isn’t he? His work rate is unbelievable,” Simmons said.
Simmons (ankle) and halfback Jake Gordon (hamstring) will both undergo a scan after coming off early on Friday.
– AAP
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Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments