Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

'Where's the pride in the jersey': All Blacks legends aim cheeky jibe at Wallabies after thrashing

By Online Editors
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has had a cheeky dig at the Wallabies after their thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks in the third Bledisloe Cup test over the weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

The All Blacks were dominant in Sydney on Saturday night, dismantling the Wallabies 43-5 to once again retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

Speaking on Sky Sport‘s The Breakdown, Kirwan said he was disappointed with the Aussies’ performance after looking strong in the first two tests.

Video Spacer

The All Blacks lock the Bledisloe Cup away | The Breakdown | Episode 41

Video Spacer

The All Blacks lock the Bledisloe Cup away | The Breakdown | Episode 41

“I think the disappointing thing for all of us was the Australian thing showed so much promise in the last couple of games,” he said.

“Even the test at Eden Park was relatively good. Then they come out with a performance like that. Let’s just hope it’s a speed bump and they continue to get better. I don’t know.

“I said the honeymoon’s over for Dave Rennie because it is. I don’t know what he’s going to do this week at [number] 10. The interesting thing for me though is the pressure now on an All Black team after 19 years, you don’t want to be the person to lose it. So that relief on the weekend was palpable. It was beautiful to watch.”

Kirwan then couldn’t help but twist the knife on the Wallabies, adding: “I really sincerely hope that the Australian side bounces back and plays incredibly well and only get pumped by 20.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Kirwan’s co-host and fellow former All Black great Jeff Wilson was also disappointed in the Wallabies’ performance, but was even more outraged at the lacklustre turnout at ANZ Stadium from the Australian fans.

“Where was the pride in the jersey?” asked Wilson. “But more importantly I’m really disappointed and frustrated that they had the opportunity to have 40,000 fans. The NRL final got 40,000 – it was full. 18,000, just over 18,000 turned up for this. For me Sanzaar here have failed.

“I don’t think New Zealand Rugby are responsible in any way, shape or form because we had a tournament planned to have it here in New Zealand with fans. We could’ve done that and we could’ve actually delivered not just to our fans, to the fans across the southern hemisphere, across the globe – a united atmosphere.

“And in the end the Wallabies would’ve probably been better off because they played better in New Zealand than they did at home. And to me, I think they have failed the fans in this case because too many people have missed out.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Wallabies will hope to avoid a clean sweep in the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks this Saturday in Brisbane.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Search