'I know Australia's in a tough position': Rebels recruit reflects on Italy's famous win
An injury-ravaged Wallabies team had a disastrous season this year, but one result in particular was especially concerning for the fallen giant of international rugby.
After starting their season with a thrilling two-point win over traditional rivals England in Perth, Australia only managed to win four of their next 13 tests.
While they showed plenty of fight and character throughout the concerning campaign – and deserved to win more matches than they did – rugby is ultimately a results driven industry.
Wins and losses dictate the legacy that a rugby nation leaves behind, as the performances from the year that was are marked in the history books forever.
International rugby may be more competitive than it ever has been before, but no player wants to be part of the first team to achieve unwanted history.
When the All Blacks lost to Ireland in Chicago six years ago, the players who donned the coveted black jersey that day etched their names into rugby folklore for all the wrong reasons.
While these losses are somewhat inevitable as the sport continues to evolve, it’s a pain that I’m sure no player wants to experience – and the rugby world saw that from the Wallabies year.
After an agonising defeat against World No. 2 France in Paris, the wounded Wallabies looked to bounce back with a win over Italy.
Coach Dave Rennie made a dozen changes to his matchday side to face the Azzurri, and the men in gold ultimately paid the price in Florence.
Debutant Ben Donaldson had a chance to win the test with a conversion after the siren, but missed his shot at goal – which sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Reflecting on last month’s incredible one-point win, Australian-born Italy winger Monty Ioane said the home side were “very confident” ahead of the test.
“Pre-game we were very confident,” Ioane told The Roar.
“We were quite surprised with the team that they put out.
“It was a good squad they put out, but it was quite young.
“Even if they had put their first (out), the boys were prepared for it and it didn’t bother us. We had a lot of confidence.”
Italy might be the most improved rugby nation of 2022, after beating Wales by one-point in Cardiff earlier this year.
The proud sporting nation also recorded an emphatic 49-17 win over Samoa in Padova, before beating the Wallabies 28-27 the following weekend.
But Ioane hasn’t been rubbing the history-making win into the faces of his new teammates after returning to Australian shores.
The 28-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
“If anything they’re the ones who bring it up to me,” he added.
“I don’t want to rub it in their faces too much because I know Australia’s in a tough position at the moment. I’m just staying in my own lane.”
Ioane has played provincial rugby in New Zealand with Tasman and Bay of Plenty, but never made his Super Rugby debut.
According to The Roar, the star winger nearly signed with the Brumbies before inking a deal with Italian club Benetton.
But after five years with the Italian powerhouse, Melbourne-born Ioane said that he was ‘stoked’ about the opportunity to “play at home.”
“Honestly, it was always in the back of my mind that one day, before I retire, I’d like to come back and play at home.
“I was trying to look for that opportunity when I was playing in New Zealand.
“My daughter was born and the Rebels never came up. The Brumbies did, I was about 23, and it was pretty hard to make that decision whether to go over.
“But having my daughter helped me make that decision.
“I was gutted to leave straight overseas because I had played there previously, so to go back there was an element of ‘I’ve done that’, but it was best for me because my daughter was born.
“I always had in my head that I would play at home. When the opportunity arose, I had to pounce on it – I was so stoked when it came up.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“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?
12 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.
10 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.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 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.
25 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
5 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.
10 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments