Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'We're not here to be even with England, we're here to dominate them'

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Fresh-faced Wallabies prop Angus Bell has raised the bar for the second test against England, declaring only a domination of the visitors’ set piece will do.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 21-year-old started in the 30-28 win in Perth, where Australia played for more than a half with 14 men after Darcy Swain’s red card for head-butting.

Quade Cooper (calf), Tom Banks (arm) and Allan Alaalatoa (concussion) were also injured before and during the game, while fellow prop Taniela Tupou is a good chance of returning on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.

Video Spacer

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 20

Video Spacer

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 20

Winning without them thanks to a three-try second half went against the script after eight consecutive losses to Eddie Jones’ side.

Bell couldn’t care less about that outside noise though, adamant they can improve again in Brisbane.

“Really don’t really think about it,” he said of those who had written off his side, and particularly the forward pack, pre-match.

“For me it’s about execution and I was pretty unhappy with our set piece. It could be better.

“We’re not here to be even with England, we’re here to dominate them.

“We didn’t quite get that in the right area, the red card didn’t help but we’ll bring another step up in our set piece (in Brisbane).”

ADVERTISEMENT

Tupou’s first child arrived ahead of schedule last week and coach Dave Rennie is confident the Queensland Red will recover from a calf injury to restock a depleted tighthead cupboard.

Bell can’t wait to see him in action.

“We all know Taniela’s a beast; one of the world’s best and in every single facet of the game Taniela has a massive impact,” he said.

“If he does get picked he’ll do a job.”

Meanwhile inside centre Samu Kerevi was on Tuesday named in Australia’s rugby sevens squad for this month’s Commonwealth Games.

ADVERTISEMENT

Man of the match in Perth, he said he still had improvement in his kicking and passing game to match the powerful running game he unleashed in the second half in Perth.

“Was kind of seamless to be back in with the boys,” the Japan-based centre said.

He said preparation for the game helped them put out the fires calmly when injuries and red cards struck.

“We tried a lot of different combinations and the staff kept us on our toes (in the lead-up),” he said.

“It was nothing special (for Noah Lolesio to shift from the bench to No.10); he knew exactly what he needed to do and it was another seamless transition.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

S
SK 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

If you are building the same amount of rucks but kicking more is that a bad thing? Kicks are more constestable than ever, fans want to see a contest, is that a bad thing? kicks create broken field situations where counter attacks from be launched from or from which turnover ball can be exploited, attacks are more direct and swift rather than multiphase in nature, is that a bad thing? What is clear now is that a hybrid approach is needed to win matches. You can still build phases but you need to play in the right areas so you have to kick well. You also have to be prepared to play from turnover ball and transition quickly from the kick contest to attack or set your defence quickly if the aerial contest is lost. Rugby seems healthy to me. The rules at ruck time means the team in possession is favoured and its more possible than ever to play a multiphase game. At the same time kicking, set piece, kick chase and receipt seems to be more important than ever. Teams can win in so many ways with so many strategies. If anything rugby resembles footballs 4-4-2 era. Now football is all about 1 striker formations with gegenpress and transition play vs possession heavy teams, fewer shots, less direct play and crossing. Its boring and it plods along with moves starting from deep, passing goalkeepers and centre backs and less wing play. If we keep tinkering with the laws rugby will become a game with more defined styles and less variety, less ways to win effectively and less varied body types and skill sets.

284 Go to comments
Close
ADVERTISEMENT