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Ted Hill breaks silence on red card that cost him England place
Worcester skipper Ted Hill is hoping to make up for lost time this winter to force his way back into the England squad reckoning after a Gallagher Premiership red card and ban prevented him from competing for an Autumn Nations Series place. Having earned his second cap during the summer series, the Warriors back-rower was included in the 45-strong squad chosen for the two-day mini-camp in London at the end of September.
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However, the 22-year-old Hill had his hopes of making it into the England squad for the matches versus Tonga, Australia and South Africa dashed when he was sent off against Gloucester on October 2 and banned a few days later for three matches.
Originally capped as a teenager versus Japan in November 2018, it was a big deal for Hill to get back and win his second England cap after such a long gap when coming off the bench versus the USA in July. He was unfortunately injured, though, at England training in the lead-up to the following week’s match versus Canada and his October suspension confirmed that any designs he had on winning a third cap will have to wait until 2022.
“It was unfortunate,” said Hill to RugbyPass about the suspension for a tip-tackle on Gloucester’s Lloyd Evans. “My ban just fell at a bit of annoying time. I spoke to him [England boss Jones] before that camp and it is what it is.
“It is one of those things where I was happy with where I was going and what I was doing but the ban comes at an annoying time where I can’t show the best of what I can do and it is difficult to get into that squad.
"In terms of how it came about, I can’t answer that"
– With the Worcester stage set for Steve Diamond to start work next Monday, @heagneyl 👨💻 has heard from Jonathan Thomas about the prospect of having a no-nonsense line manager #Warriors #GallagherPremhttps://t.co/tHPhJv769w
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 24, 2021
“I am really happy for the guys who played over the autumn, they did an excellent job and got some excellent wins and they are really looking to expand their game. They played a different style of rugby and they did it really well. I am pleased for them. Hopefully, I can keep working hard here and see what the future holds.”
So frustrated were Worcester with the framework surrounding the tip tackle law that head coach Jonathan Thomas spoke to Joe Schmidt of World Rugby to outline his concerns. “We have an issue with the framework on that particular law and it is something that needs looking at by World Rugby because I just find it astonishing that a player is going to get a three-game ban for essentially getting kicked in the neck,” explained Thomas last month.
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How does Hill now look back on an ordeal where he was initially kicked in the neck by the ball catcher’s outstretched leg and grabbed hold of it in the aftermath, leading to the tip? “When you are looking at those sorts of incidents it is all about timing, when you are chasing kicks it is all about getting your timing right.
“Personally I thought my timing was good, I thought my timing was there. I thought the high foot played a factor in it and it made it a little more difficult but if I was in that situation again I would try and slow down a little bit and look to maybe hold him a little bit and bring him to the ground a bit softer but it is difficult.
“These things are split-second decisions so it is a tough one to make. It’s all about timing, getting your timing right. Hopefully, I can just get better at that.” The incident was Hill’s first red card in his burgeoning career and the judicial hearing is something he hopes not to go through again.
“They did it really well here at the club, they explained everything really well to me and made sure I was clear on what would happen. We had a Zoom… and I was just honest with them on what had happened and they had the footage. It was my first time doing that sort of stuff and it was hopefully my last time.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Blackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
9 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
9 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
9 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
9 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
9 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
9 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
9 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
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