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Wales have great opportunity after avoiding group of death - North
George North has spoken of his relief at avoiding the “group of death” at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and dismissed talk of Australia having a psychological edge over Wales.
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Wales were this month drawn to face the Wallabies and Georgia in Japan, as well as a yet-to-be-decided nation from Oceania and another from the Americas in Pool D.
North and his Wales team-mates advanced from the toughest pool at the last World Cup in England, finishing runners-up to Australia and ensuring the hosts failed to qualify along with Fiji and Uruguay.
British and Irish Lions wing North welcomed a more favourable draw for the tournament in two years’ time and thinks Warren Gatland’s side can make their presence felt on the biggest stage of all.
BREAKING: Your Pools for #RWC2019 in Japan are as follows… pic.twitter.com/rXKezsg9qQ
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) 10 May 2017
“I think we have to look at it as a good draw. We are glad to avoid the group of death and it is a great opportunity for us, one which we will relish,” North told Omnisport.
“We will go to the World Cup with confidence, as we should have a good blend of youth and experience.”
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Wales have gone 12 Tests without beating the Wallabies, a dismal run stretching back to November 2008, but North said they have no fear of facing Michael Cheika’s men.
“It’s easy to look at the stats and see that we have a bad record against Australia, but there have been some close games,” added the Northampton Saints flyer, who was speaking at the launch of Maximuscle’s new product range.
“They are very fine margins in international rugby. We don’t see them have a psychological edge over us and always back ourselves.”
Wales finished a disappointing fifth in the Six Nations this year, but North believes they are among the sides that can end England’s dominance in the 2018 tournament.
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He said: “The Six Nations is one of the toughest competitions there is, but we will be going out to win it. We showed glimpses of what we are capable of this year and we will learn from it.
“England have been superb. Eddie Jones has completely transformed them and instilled a great mindset, but they have showed weaknesses and we will look to exploit that.”
– Maximuscle Athlete George North was speaking following the launch of Maximuscle’s new product range, helping you to get in peak shape for the summer. To find out how visit: https://www.maxinutrition.com/ibiza/
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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