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'Showed us up a bit': World Cup hopeful stars for Tahs in cross-code training session
St George Dragons prop Aaron Woods has highlighted a Wallabies World Cup hopeful for showing “us up a bit” during an ambitious cross-code training on Monday.
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Former New South Wales Blues prop Woods was among a talented list of rugby league stars to travel to Waratahs HQ for the intriguing opposed session.
The Waratahs mixed up their pre-season program against another side with plenty to prove in 2023, as they went head-to-head in both union and league.
While the Dragons’ attempt at a lineout was less than flash, both teams clearly took a lot of positives out of the session.
Woods said the experience “was really fun” and enjoyable for the Dragons, as he praised 95-test veteran Kurtley Beale for his performance.
“It was good fun today,” Woods said, as reported by Fox Sports.
“They were just different. The games and the styles are different.
“I think the first game we played was the union one and we didn’t adapt to the rules and it took us a while to get going because we were going back 10 metres and you only had to go back one.
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“They played to their strengths, and I think Kurtley Beale showed us up a bit there.
“They are both different toughness and fitness, but it was really fun and we really enjoyed it actually.”
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said “there aren’t many better” than a fit and healthy Beale, after the experienced campaigner starred in the session.
Utility back Beale has hit the ground running after returning to Australian shores, as the 33-year-old looks to stake his claim for a fourth World Cup appearance.
As reported last week, a stunning Wallabies recall during last year’s end-of-season tour “reignited the fire” for Beale to play international rugby.
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After a few decorated years plying his trade with French powerhouse Racing 92, Beale is back in Sydney for his fourth stint with boyhood club the Waratahs.
The Wallabies had an injury-ravaged campaign this year, which failed to answer a number of questions ahead of next year’s World Cup.
More than 50 players donned Wallaby gold this year, but Australia’s first-choice fullback is still seemingly unknown – although Tom Banks can be considered a strong candidate.
But Coleman, who is preparing for his second season in charge of the Tahs, believes Beale can be “right in the mix” for the No. 15 jersey “if he has a good Super Rugby season.”
“That No. 15 jersey is really open, and if he has a good Super Rugby season he’s right in the mix,” Coleman said, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s the fittest I’ve seen him in a while, and he wouldn’t have done a pre-season for eight or nine years (because) he’s either been with the Wallabies or ‘bludging’ in France.
“He’s down to his fighting weight, he’s down to 92kg or 93kg, he looks good with his shirt off, and with all the Wallabies away at the moment, he is a really good leader to have in eh group.
“If Kurtley is in the right frame of mind and he’s fit, there aren’t many better.”
As it does every year, the Super Rugby season will undoubtedly creep up on us all following the festival season.
The Waratahs kick-off their Super Rugby campaign against rivals the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on February 24.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments