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Will Genia unlikely for must-win Rebels clash against Crusaders
Melbourne halfback Will Genia is likely to sit out his team’s Super Rugby clash with the all-conquering Crusaders, but the Rebels won’t be leaving anything in the tank as they attempt to lock down a finals berth.
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The Rebels blew a golden chance to cement a maiden play-off spot with a 20-15 loss to the NSW Waratahs at AAMI Park on Friday night.
While the effort was there, they paid the price for poor discipline, too many handling errors and conceding 22 turnovers to their opponents’ nine.
Melbourne coach Dave Wessels was frustrated by their performance, although he gave credit to the Waratahs who had their season on the line.
“The Waratahs played really well and put a lot of pressure on our ball and defended well,” Wessels said.
“We probably just rushed things – we got our tails up and got a bit excited as we tried to get a ball away that wasn’t on and that’s frustrating.”
In the remaining two games, they travel to Christchurch to face the defending champion and ladder-leader Crusaders, and then they’re at home against the Chiefs.
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Test halfback Will Genia must sit out a match as part of the Wallabies’ rest policy, so while Wessels said he hadn’t decided when that would be, it makes sense that he misses the trip to New Zealand.
The remainder of their Wallabies contingent have already sat out their quota of games.
But Wessels said his team would go all out to win both games rather than target the Chiefs, who are currently last in the New Zealand conference, therefore theoretically a more winnable game.
They need to finish in the top eight overall for a maiden finals appearance.
Melbourne have had one win in four trips to Christchurch, with a 20-10 victory back in round one of 2015.
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“I don’t think we’ve got that luxury,” Wessels said.
“We’ve got to go to Christchurch with a view that we want to win.
“We’ve got a game that can cause most teams in this comp trouble, as long as we play it consistently for 80 minutes.”
AAP
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
50 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.
50 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
50 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
50 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.
50 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.
50 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.
50 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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