Raynor Massage Perth : May 2021

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Involving Japan requires transforming the Trans-Tasman into a champions league

If the main issue for New Zealand Rugby is increased injuries and player welfare due to the intensity of a straight Super Rugby Aotearoa, then simply follow the European model and play Super Rugby Trans-Tasman throughout Super Rugby Aotearoa on designated weekends.

This would give the New Zealand teams plenty of breaks from playing each other. It would also allow Australia to keep Super Rugby AU while getting continual exposure to the New Zealand teams throughout.

Because there are only 18 weeks or so in which to fit any model between the end of February and the July Tests, Super Rugby Trans-Tasman would be divided into three divisions: Cup, Shield and Plate (for want of better names).

In the Cup division, you would have the top two teams from Super Rugby Aotearoa and the top two from Super Rugby AU. In the Shield division, you would have the next two best teams (third and fourth) from each and in the Plate division, you would have teams placed fifth and sixth from each.

Within each division, you would play everyone not from your own domestic competition twice, home and away, for four games plus a final for five weeks total. And you end up with a Cup, Shield and Plate winner.

The rankings for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman would be based on the previous year’s Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa. If a team wants to move up into a higher division of the champions league, they need to embrace the challenge of improving their position in their respective domestic competition.

Now if the format of Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa is a home-and-away double round-robin with six teams each, including finals, you would need 12 weeks plus five weeks for the champions league plus one bye for 18 weeks. A perfect fit.

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The Super Rugby season would look as follows:

Week 1: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 2: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 3: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 4: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round 1
Week 5: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 6: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 7: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round 2
Week 8: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 9: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa (week off for all Test players in camp)

Week 10: Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup (week off for all non-Test players)

Week 11: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 12: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman round 3
Week 13: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 14: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa
Week 15: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman round 4

Week 16: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa (semi-final)
Week 17: Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa (final)
Week 18: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final for each division: Cup, Shield, Plate

However, if we are serious about involving the Japanese teams and creating a revenue-rich, power-house rugby-block in the Asia-Pacific region, then this format easily allows for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman to be transformed into a champions league involving all 12 teams from Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU and the best teams from Japan’s Top League.

In the Cup division, you would simply add the top two teams from the Top League, the next two best teams from the Top League (third and fourth) to the Shield division, and teams placed fifth and sixth in the Top League to the Plate division.

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

No extra weeks would be needed. Within each division, you would play everyone not from your own domestic competition once for four games plus a final for five weeks total. And again, you end up with a Cup, Shield and Plate winner.

Every team would still get a minimum of two home games and two away games each in the champions league.

The season would run similarly. So for example:

Week 1: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 2: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 3: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 4: Champions league Round 1
Week 5: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 6: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 7: Champions league Round 2
Week 8: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 9: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League (week off for all Test players in camp)

Week 10: Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup (week off for all non-Test players)

Week 11: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 12: Champions league Round 3
Week 13: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 14: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League
Week 15: Champions league Round 4

Week 16: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League (semi-final)
Week 17: SR AU/Aotearoa/Top League (final)
Week 18: Champions league final for each division: Cup, Shield, Plate

Every team from Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa would be involved in the champions league at some level, and every team would get a minimum of seven home games and seven away games each year.

And again, the New Zealand teams would get plenty of ‘breaks’ throughout Super Rugby Aotearoa with games against Australian and Japanese teams.

While divisions in the champions league are necessary in order to fit within the 18-week window, they also keep the best New Zealand teams only playing the best Australian and Japanese teams, and the lower-ranked Australian and Japanese teams only playing the lower-ranked New Zealand teams. This is important to help make games more competitive with fewer blowout scores (hopefully!).

In any case, the season is only short and the rankings within Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa will change from year to year. Teams will be able to improve and move up divisions in the champions league pretty easily.

So forget the debate about whether we should move to a full-season trans-Tasman in 2022 or keep the current format of Super Rugby AU/Aotearoa followed by Super Rugby trans-Tasman.

Any format for Super Rugby needs to fit with an engaging champions league for fans and spectators from all countries involved in the Asia-Pacific region. That’s where the big money is.

The next step would be to invite Japan to be part of the Rugby Championship.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/28/involving-japan-requires-transforming-the-trans-tasman-into-a-champions-league/

https://therugbystore.com.au/involving-japan-requires-transforming-the-trans-tasman-into-a-champions-league/

Rugby World Cup 2021: England open campaign against Fiji in New Zealand

England will open their Rugby World Cup campaign next year against debutants Fiji at Eden Park in New Zealand.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57273290

https://therugbystore.com.au/rugby-world-cup-2021-england-open-campaign-against-fiji-in-new-zealand/

British and Irish Lions 2021: Touring party vaccinated before South Africa tour

The British and Irish Lions squad receive their first coronavirus vaccinations before the summer tour of South Africa.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57261092

https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-2021-touring-party-vaccinated-before-south-africa-tour/

A full-season Trans-Tasman competition is no better than the current format

With the first two rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman completed, it might be assumed that the problem for the Australian Super Rugby teams is they have been too insular by only playing against themselves in Super Rugby AU, and that the solution is more exposure to the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman competition.

Yes, the Australian teams do need exposure to the New Zealand teams to improve, but it’s worth noting that they would not be playing against the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman anymore than they are this year in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

So, suggesting that the only alternative to embracing a full-season Trans-Tasman is shrinking back to play with your own ball in your own space is a bit of a false dichotomy.

Another option is simply retaining the current format of Super Rugby AU followed by Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

However, the argument can still be made that playing against the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman would be a lot better for rugby in Australia than the current Super Rugby format, which suddenly showcases the gap between Australian and New Zealand teams all at once.

It is said that a full-season Trans-Tasman would help to rectify that because the New Zealand teams would also be playing against each other.

And there is merit in the argument that the current Super Rugby format needs to change – but to what?

While a full-season Trans-Tasman competition might appear advantageous over the current format, it still won’t solve the real problem for the Australian Super Rugby teams. In fact, it will only accentuate it.

The real problem for the Australian teams is insufficient depth. It’s not the only problem, but it has been their main problem since Super Rugby began to expand after 2005. And no amount of exposure to the New Zealand teams over the years has solved that problem.

<img src="https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/McKenzie-and-Swain-handshake-755x515.jpg" alt="Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs shakes the hand of Darcy Swain of the Brumbies." width="755" height="515" class="size-large wp-image-1128747" / (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images) Australia simply doesn’t have the depth (currently) to fill five teams in a competition against New Zealand’s five teams. And no amount of trying hard, embracing the challenge, or coaches' pep talks are going change that. And if there are two to three Australian teams always hovering around the bottom of the ladder in a full-season Trans-Tasman, it is going to have the same effect on rugby in Australia as the old Super Rugby did. Even two Australian teams winning Super Rugby in 2011 and 2014 couldn’t help Super Rugby engage the Australian market. Having insufficient depth means that even if one team improves, another teams declines. The problem is not for the Australian players or coaches. They are ready and willing to embrace the challenge. And the problem is not for Australian rugby fans on forums such as this one. I can imagine most Australian rugby fans on The Roar would continue to watch Super Rugby even if they might continue to call for change.

The problem is for the vast amount of Australian spectators who might otherwise like to watch rugby, even if they primarily follow another code. We saw the potential of the Australian market during Super Rugby AU this year.

I’m not suggesting a way forward in this article. I’m just wanting people who are calling for a full-season Trans-Tasman to stop and appreciate that it won’t solve the real problem for Australia’s Super Rugby teams, and that it could actually make things worse for Australian rugby.

Having said that, I understand Rugby Australia has been thinking about how to increase the depth of the Australian teams.

Some ideas have been mentioned, such as the recruitment of up to three foreign players per team, using private equity to drive significant constitutional reform and establishing a central contracting system like New Zealand, and using private equity to retain players rather than losing them to overseas teams.

If ideas such as these worked to increase the depth and competitiveness of the Australian teams, a full-season Trans-Tasman could work.

Alternatively, retaining the current format of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman following on from Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa could also work.

But until the depth problem is solved for the Australian Super Rugby teams, keeping the current format is probably the better option for Australian rugby.

Not only does the current format still provide the same amount of games against the New Zealand teams, but with Super Rugby AU alongside it, it probably gets more people interested in rugby and playing the game, which then attracts better athletes to the sport rather than them otherwise being drawn to different codes.

And that also would improve Australia’s depth.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/27/a-full-season-trans-tasman-competition-is-no-better-than-the-current-format/

https://therugbystore.com.au/a-full-season-trans-tasman-competition-is-no-better-than-the-current-format/

Friday, May 28, 2021

Melbourne Rebels stranded in Victoria with doubts over Trans-Tasman clash

Melbourne are relying on the Victorian-New Zealand travel bubble reopening by Saturday or a travel exemption to play their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match against the Highlanders in Queenstown on Sunday.

The Rebels were set to fly out of Melbourne on Friday morning ahead of their round-three clash but the New Zealand government announced the bubble would be paused for 72 hours from Tuesday 6pm AEST after a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.

Initially told of a later NZ deadline, the club started scrambling to get out of the state on Tuesday night, looking to relocate to Sydney before going on to Queenstown later in the week.

But the Rebels and SANZAAR officials were caught out by the early cut-off and couldn’t find enough seats for all players and staff on a flight departing by 6pm.

Rebels boss Baden Stephenson said they remained hopeful the match would go ahead as planned, with both countries’ prime ministers set to attend.

“We will now fly out on Saturday which is a day later than scheduled but we’re still confident we will be able to play,” Stephenson told AAP.

“If things worsen and the bubble isn’t reinstated then we will look to get some kind of travel exemption … so we will see how the week plays out.”

The Rebels were in Wellington last weekend to take on the Hurricanes but opted to return to Melbourne.

They intended staying on in Queenstown after the Highlanders match ahead of the round-four clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton and wanted to limit the time players were away from home after four months on the road last year due to the pandemic.

Stephenson said it was a feeling of deja vu when they got news they needed to try and get out of Melbourne after being forced to flee to Albury last year with almost no notice.

He said logistically it was too difficult to manage another cross-border dash.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/26/melbourne-rebels-stranded-in-victoria-with-doubts-over-trans-tasman-clash/

https://therugbystore.com.au/melbourne-rebels-stranded-in-victoria-with-doubts-over-trans-tasman-clash/

Welsh Rugby Union hopes for 10,000 at Canada and Argentina games

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips hopes 10,000 fans can watch each of Wales's three Tests in July at Principality Stadium.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57244935

https://therugbystore.com.au/welsh-rugby-union-hopes-for-10000-at-canada-and-argentina-games/

Rob Burrow, Stephen Darby & Doddie Weir on their bond and fight for MND awareness

Rob Burrow, Stephen Darby and Doddie Weir talk to BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent about their bond and fight for motor neurone disease (MND) awareness.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/57227301

https://therugbystore.com.au/rob-burrow-stephen-darby-doddie-weir-on-their-bond-and-fight-for-mnd-awareness/

Get your questions in for Issue 14 of Coach’s Corner

After another disappointing weekend for Australian rugby, we need your questions for this week’s edition of Coach’s Corner.

If you’re new here, Coach’s Corner is the weekly Friday column where our very own rugby guru Nick Bishop answers all your questions about the greatest game.

» Didn’t see Coach’s Corner last week? Get up to speed on all the talking points here

A second clean sweep for the New Zealand sides in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman has led to plenty of doom and gloom about the state of the sport in Australia, with even Crusaders coach Scott Robertson bemoaning the gulf in class from across the ditch. Are there any positives to take out of the weekend’s action, and can someone – anyone – step up to break the duck?

This week’s matches are headlined by the Reds looking for redemption from their horror loss to the Crusaders when they battle the Chiefs, while the Force and the Brumbies will each be hoping they can be the ones to secure that long-awaited Lucky Country victory.

Elsewhere in the world of rugby, the Japanese Top League wrapped up with another title for Robbie Deans’ Panasonic Wild Knights, while Cheslin Kolbe and Antoine Dupont led Toulouse to glory in the European Rugby Champions Cup tournament.

Nick is on hand to answer your questions about the ongoing Super Rugby competition, as well as all the other action from around the globe. Something on your mind? Be sure to leave it in the comments section below, and don’t forget to check back in on Friday to see what he has to say!

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/25/get-your-questions-in-for-issue-14-of-coachs-corner/

https://therugbystore.com.au/get-your-questions-in-for-issue-14-of-coachs-corner/

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Six talking points from Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Round 2

Why did the Super Rugby AU side cross the road?

To avoid another loss to an Aotearoa team.

This is getting very close to being ridiculous. One round of all Kiwi victories was one thing but with two rounds of convincing wins now in the can, it’s getting to that awkward part of the School Sports Day where the staff are wondering if they’ve brought enough participation trophies.

However, despite the one-sided league table and talk from people like Scott Robertson of the gulf between the two competitions, there’s still plenty to argue about, so let’s get stuck in.

Stop kicking the ball away
One of the consistent factors that has caused the Australian teams issues has been their poor kicking. Whether it’s exiting their 22 or box kicks or cross field kicks, every week sides are putting themselves under so much pressure with poor kicking.

Ryan Lonergan was guilty of this a lot this week against the Chiefs but his poor kicking from the base of the ruck is repeated by far too many Aussie scrum halves. First of all the kicks are so obvious that the defences have plenty of time to set up. Secondly, more often than not the kicks are too long so that the defence have time and space to take the catch and launch a counter.

Whilst we’re on it, what’s just as frustrating as the poor kicking is the poor chasing. The prime example was again the Brumbies where as the ball came down from an up and under, there were four Canberra men watching the ball and one Chief actually trying to catch it. This has got to break coaches’ hearts – it’s not about skill, or fitness. It’s just about trying to catch the damn ball!

The ball is a precious thing in rugby. The Kiwi teams have some pretty decent back three groups. So why give that precious ball to talented ball runners who are just waiting for an opportunity to run back at you?

Kiwi teams dominating the first 20 minutes
The scorelines come the final whistle have been far too one-sided but the issues are all starting in the opening 20 minutes of the games.

The Kiwi sides are getting off to such good starts that even if and when their Australian opponents launch a fightback, there’s just too much ground to make up.

The Reds, down by 21 points after 15 minutes. The Brumbies, behind by 7 points after 20 minutes and then 14 points by the half-hour mark. The Tahs 15 points down by the same point. Too many times Aussie sides are struggling to exit their 22 effectively from kick offs and it just puts pressure on themselves straight away.

The Rebels look like winning (a wooden spoon)
It’s not just that the Rebels lost again – the entire AU competition can lay claim to that sad title – it’s how they lost the game that is frustrating and concerning.

The good news is that they didn’t get blown apart like they did in Round 1. In fact with 25 minutes to go they were only behind by six points and were still very much in the game. But at this point the game really turned and it turned in such a disappointing fashion.

The Rebels had the ball and Isi Naisarani takes it up into contact. He gets picked up and dumped back by two Canes defenders and then the Canes are able to counter ruck and steal the ball back. Bill Proctor darts ahead, breaks through two or three tackles and then unleashes Julian Savea to score his second try of the night.

So many frustrations! First, as Naisarani is tackled and tries to present the ball back there are six of his Rebel teammates standing around him who then do pretty much nothing useful in terms of securing the ball. A couple have overrun the big No.8 whilst others sort of just assume the Canes will let them have it.

Where’s the intensity to get that ball, where’s the basic skills?

Marika Koroibete. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

It’s not surprising that then two internationally capped Rebels – Powell and To’omua – then miss the tackle on Proctor when you consider that the team as a whole missed 30 per cent of their tackles all night long.

Yes the Rebels were better than last week but you know what, not by much and let’s not even mention how it’s possible that they have a player like Marika Koroibete and can’t help him score a single try all season.

Expect future articles from many writers to focus on the well-visited topic “Why the Rebels have no place in Super Rugby.”

Is it possible to have consistency when interpreting “dropping into the tackle”?
It’s right to protect players safety and clamping down on head high impact is important, but this round has shown that there is still work to be done on how the “dropping into the tackle” is being addressed.

In the Force vs Highlanders game and Chiefs vs Brumbies we had two situations that were very similar but one led to a yellow card and one just a penalty. That can be a crucial difference in a match.

We can’t get into a situation where defenders are being penalised for something they have no control over. There are those who feel that a defender shouldn’t put themselves in the position where they can end up on the wrong side of the rules, but surely there is a limit here to how much we can expect of the defender in a split second.

If they are aiming to tackle an opponent around the chest that is perfectly fair and it’s not good for the game if they can end up getting sin-binned because an attacker slips or ducks to mean the tackle ends up higher.

Rob Valetini vs Luke Jacobson was fascinating
Two of the most impressive players this season have been the No.8s from the Brumbies and Chiefs. Both are young (Valetini is 22 Jacobson just two years older) and both have had a taste of internationals without yet firmly establishing themselves as first XV starters.

On Saturday they came head to head and Jacobson walked away with the honours. The attacking stats show a big difference when it comes to impact on the game:

Jacobson scored two tries, made 16 runs for 84 metres and beat 4 defenders. Valetini scored one try, made just seven runs for 28 metres and beat zero defenders.

Valetini didn’t have a bad game but Jacobson had a really good game and was a constant threat to the Brumbies as their defence kept having to cope with the big runner.

To be fair, in terms of defence, the Brumbies back-rower was more effective than his opponent but with their scrum being dominated, what the visitors really needed was a big offensive performance from Valetini to get his team on the front foot.

It was a great battle to watch and showed some interesting differences between approaches with Jacobson regularly able to run into gaps in the Brumbies defence whereas Valetini gained hard-earned metres running into defenders. The scoreboard helps you to decide which was more effective.

We may well get to see these two again in the Bledisloe and it’ll be another fascinating battle….probably with the same result.

Are there any benefits for the Aussies in this weekly demolition?
Now there are still three rounds to go – that’s 15 matches where Australian sides could pick up some wins. But let’s face it – of those 15 games, the Kiwis are going to win at least 10 of them if not more.

With the combined scoreboard currently sitting at 416 versus 214 and an average losing margin of 20 points you do have to start wondering whether there are any benefits to the Trans-Tasman competition for the Australian teams.

There are those that are saying that it’s crucial to play against the best to learn how to get better. That makes theoretical sense for sure but when you factor in that the Aussie teams have been playing against the Kiwis for many years there doesn’t seem to be any evidence that playing the best in the world is helping the AU teams get better.

It’s perhaps highlighting how crucial it is that Rugby Australia stop losing talent to overseas leagues. With Marika Koroibete likely heading to Japan at the end of this season, Australia loses yet another top-quality player to the lure of a new experience, a new culture and a significant pay rise.

It’s great to see crowds back in the stadia of course – you do worry however whether those crowds will stay the same if every week the home Australian side is 90 per cent likely to get beaten up.

So given that the Kiwi teams are running away with the competition in 2021, what should success look like for each AU team? The Reds and Brumbies surely should be aiming at three wins each. The Tahs and the Rebels – well maybe conceding only 4 tries per game? And the Force – perhaps a victory and showing that they can be just as hard to beat on the road as they are in Perth?

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/24/six-talking-points-from-super-rugby-trans-tasman-round-2/

https://therugbystore.com.au/six-talking-points-from-super-rugby-trans-tasman-round-2/

Premier 15s: Saracens edge out Loughborough after Harlequins beat Wasps

Saracens edge out Loughborough Lightning and will face Harlequins in a third straight Premier 15s final next weekend.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57213056

https://therugbystore.com.au/premier-15s-saracens-edge-out-loughborough-after-harlequins-beat-wasps/

European Champions Cup: Toulouse edge out La Rochelle to claim record fifth title

Toulouse claim the European Champions Cup for a record fifth time with a 22-17 win against 14-man La Rochelle at Twickenham.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57214852

https://therugbystore.com.au/european-champions-cup-toulouse-edge-out-la-rochelle-to-claim-record-fifth-title/

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

“A real shame”: Scott Robertson laments the “gulf” between NZ and Australian rugby

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson laments the undeniable gulf while Michael Cheika says Australian rugby has been “welcomed to first grade” after New Zealand sides again dominated Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

The Queensland Reds’ record 63-28 loss to the Crusaders in Saturday’s battle of the respective Super Rugby champions made it two perfect rounds and a 10-0 head-to-head record for New Zealand teams.

It followed a heavy loss for the Brumbies, while the NSW Waratahs suffered a franchise-record 10th straight loss and defeats for the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force ensured Australian outfits occupy the bottom five spots on the ladder.

A combined score of 416-214 across the 10 games, with an average margin of 20 points – even with the Brumbies’ and Force’s two and one-point losses last week – has swallowed up the feelgood factor that had built in Australian rugby ahead of Tests against France in July.

Robertson believes the Reds, the new benchmark of Australian rugby after pipping the Brumbies in the final a fortnight ago, have all the pieces but not the intensity to match his well-oiled champions.

“The Aotearoa was tough, brutal and the guys talk about it like playing Test matches,” he said of the New Zealand competition they won.

“I would have liked Australian teams to knock off a few of the Kiwi teams to make the ladder a little more even.

“There’s a gulf isn’t there, which is a real shame.

Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs shakes the hand of Darcy Swain of the Brumbies. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

“The rest of this comp’s really important for Australian rugby to show a bit for their supporters.”

Former Wallabies coach Cheika wants to see an immediate response but admitted the Reds, who went 8-1 through the domestic competition including the final, had been toyed with by arguably the world’s best provincial outfit.

“We had a saying in the old days, ‘welcome to first grade’, and it was first grade tonight. They were top quality,” Cheika said of the Crusaders on Stan Sport.

“They play like a piano accordion; they spread you out, then tighten you up, then spread and tighten you up again.

“The Reds got a bit rattled, started following the Crusaders around and they’ll lead you on a merry dance.

“We’ve been pumped alright, but you just have to fight back next week, get over it and get back up on your bike and win the next game.”

Reds coach Brad Thorn, who won a title as a player with the Crusaders in 2008, said the result was proof a purely domestic format was not the answer.

“I’ve said all year we need to play the New Zealanders if you want to get better,” he said.

“Tonight you get a punch in the face, but you sit in the locker room afterwards and think, ‘that’s it, that’s where we want to be’.

“We need to play these guys, we want to play them and we want to win.

“But there’s a team that’s far superior tonight and you’ve got to wear that … welcome to world-class, now you’ve got to get in the ring with them.”

The Force play the Hurricanes on Friday while on Saturday the Reds host the Chiefs in Townsville, the Waratahs meet the Crusaders in Wollongong, the Brumbies visit the Blues at Eden Park and on Sunday the Highlanders host the Rebels.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/23/a-real-shame-scott-robertson-laments-the-gulf-between-nz-and-australian-rugby/

https://therugbystore.com.au/a-real-shame-scott-robertson-laments-the-gulf-between-nz-and-australian-rugby/

Monday, May 24, 2021

Ill-disciplined Force fall to Highlanders

The Western Force have been made to pay dearly for their ill discipline during a 25-15 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman loss to the Highlanders in Perth.

The Force trailed 20-3 after 36 minutes of Friday night’s match before launching a brave comeback that almost saw them reduce the margin to three points.

Down by ten points early in the second half, the Force came close to scoring on three occasions – only for penalties to bring them undone each time with the line in sight.

A 60th-minute yellow card to reserve prop Greg Holmes – and a Highlanders try a minute later – killed off the Force’s victory hopes in front of 13,587 fans at HBF Park, ensuring Australian teams remain without a win after seven matches against Kiwi sides.

The penalty count read 9-3 against the Force at halftime and 12-6 late in the match before the Highlanders committed some ill-disciplined acts in the dying minutes for the final count to read 12-9.

“First half, we let ourselves down a fair bit. It was a 9-3 penalty count at halftime,” Force coach Tim Sampson said.

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“We let the opposition off the hook too often there. There were too many errors and penalties. It’s hard to get into a game when you’re turning ball over so frequently.”

The Force suffered a blow before the game when former All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush became a late withdrawal.

And flyhalf Jake McIntyre lasted just 22 minutes before being knocked unconscious in a sickening clash of heads with Highlanders winger Patelesio Tomkinson.

Winger Jona Nareki scored the opener in the 12th minute when the Highlanders pulled off a smooth line-out move and scrumhalf Aaron Smith broke through Feleti Kaitu’u’s tackle to provide the assist.

The Force were brought undone at the line-out again in the 23rd minute when the Highlanders threw it short and formed a rolling maul for prop Ayden Johnstone to barge over.

Alarm bells were ringing in the 36th minute when a rolling maul congested the Force defence before the ball was offloaded to inside centre Scott Gregory to touch down.

But the home side hit back on halftime with their own piece of magic from a lineout. Winger Jordan Olowofela made a sharp 20-metre break before dishing off to centre Henry Taefu.

Taefu’s pass was knocked down but scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli swooped on the loose ball and shook off a tackle in a sprint to the line.

Domingo Miotti’s conversion made it 20-10 at halftime, and the Force dominated long periods early in the second half, only for untimely penalties to bring them undone on three occasions close to the line.

Holmes’ yellow card for a high tackle that was swiftly followed by a second try to Gregory extended the margin to 15 points, but the Highlanders were denied a bonus point when Force substitute Angus Wagner scored in the 79th minute.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/22/ill-disciplined-force-fall-to-highlanders/

https://therugbystore.com.au/ill-disciplined-force-fall-to-highlanders/

Challenge Cup final: Leicester Tigers 17-18 Montpellier - Leicester miss out on European title

Leicester Tigers miss out on a first European trophy in 19 years as Montpellier edge a feisty Challenge Cup final at Twickenham.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57186246

https://therugbystore.com.au/challenge-cup-final-leicester-tigers-17-18-montpellier-leicester-miss-out-on-european-title/

Mike Brown: Harlequins full-back to appeal against six-week ban

Harlequins full-back Mike Brown is to appeal against his six-week ban for his sending-off against Wasps.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57191250

https://therugbystore.com.au/mike-brown-harlequins-full-back-to-appeal-against-six-week-ban/

Sunday, May 23, 2021

O’Connor re-signs with Reds and Wallabies until 2023

James O’Connor has re-signed with the Queensland Reds and will remain in Australian rugby until the 2023 World Cup in France.

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) and Rugby Australia (RA) have secured the signature of Reds flyhalf James O’Connor.

The 30-year-old has re-signed for the next two seasons that will see him remain at Ballymore and in Australian Rugby until the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

“Queensland is my home. I was born here. I love this State, I love pulling on the maroon jersey, and this is where I want to finish my career,” O’Connor said.

“We have a great team now and I think we are going to do some special things. I’m excited to be part of it and to help take them forward.”

O’Connor captained the Reds to a breakthrough premiership, scoring every point in the 19-16 victory over the Brumbies to secure the Super Rugby AU title a fortnight ago.

MORE TO COME

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/21/oconnor-re-signs-with-reds-and-wallabies-until-2023/

https://therugbystore.com.au/oconnor-re-signs-with-reds-and-wallabies-until-2023/

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Tipping panel week 14: Bounce back week

A really interesting opening round of Super Rugby trans-Tasman, with three comfortable New Zealand wins and a couple of heartbreaking Australian losses.

The question now is going to be whether the comfortable wins just confirm suspicions, or whether the heartbreaking losses will see some recognition of the Australian sides.

Either way, this second week is going to see bounce back of some sort.

Whether that’s from the Rebels, Reds, and Hurricanes, or from the Crusaders and Chiefs is anyone’s guess. Some teams will have been enthused by their showing, and others will and should be really disappointed.

A big test for a number of teams – and a number of coaches – is already here.

LAST WEEK: Harry, Dan, Digger, and Geoff 5; The Crowd 4, Brett 3.

OVERALL: Dan 38, Harry 37, Geoff 36, The Crowd 35, Digger 33, Brett 31.

Dan
TIPS: HURRICANES, FORCE, BLUES, CHIEFS, CRUSADERS

It was an absolutely dire start to the Trans-Tasman competition for the Rebels, and a trip over to Wellington with a six-day turnaround means things get no easier in Round 2. It’ll be a surprise if the Canes don’t take their season points total to more than a century after this one.

The Western Force are going to become the first Australian team to beat a Kiwi Super Rugby side this year. Didn’t think I’d ever write those words, but here we are.

They matched it well with the Chiefs, will be considerably more rested than the Highlanders’ last opponents, and home-ground advantage is enough to nudge this one in their favour.

Domingo Miotti of the Force passes the ball. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

It’s nice to see the Waratahs click in attack, but they’d do well to model their defence on something other than melted Swiss cheese. Soft and full of holes is going to make for a rough outing against the Blues.

Then we have the two matches of the round. Both the Brumbies and Chiefs have improvement in them after last week’s showings, but we’ll likely see more from the latter as they return to their home deck. If they figure out how to keep 15 men on the field for most of the game, they should have enough to edge the Ponies.

The Reds will relish a chance to rebound from last week’s disappointment against the Crusaders, and this one could genuinely go either way. Queensland will be closer to full strength than they were last time out, but they’ll still be missing Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia.

If James O’Connor’s name is added to the injury list, it’s hard to see them toppling the visitors, and the Crusaders have the edge regardless of who the opposition flyhalf is.

SURE THING: The next kick after the 80-minute mark will go sailing over the black dot.

Harry
TIPS: HURRICANES, HIGHLANDERS, BLUES, CHIEFS, CRUSADERS.

Nothing will get easier for Australian teams in Round 2 of the Baby Bledisloe. The Canes may be leaky, but the Rebels have zero confidence and less attack, and this Wellington mob looks like they’ll score at least forty.

The Highlanders kick and defend better than the Chiefs; the Force will have to earn every point. I see this as an arm wrestle, and a foot wrestle. Aaron Smith is the best 9 in the world because he makes his teammates so much better.

I genuinely fear for the physical and mental health of the Waratahs as they face the stampeding Blues. Blues by 70.

The Brumbies should be competitive in Hamilton, they play the Chiefs well, and they travel the best of the Aussies. But I’ll tip Damian McKenzie to kick better and take the biscuits at home.

Tom Banks. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The Reds will probably win the first half. Then the Crusaders will crunch and bunch and have Tasman Thor for lunch.

SURE THING: it’s no picnic crossing the Ditch south-east if rugby’s on the menu.

Geoff
TIPS: HURRICANES, HIGHLANDERS, BLUES, BRUMBIES, CRUSADERS

The good news for Hurricanes and Rebels fans is that there is only one way for their teams to go this week – upwards! But because the ‘Canes are starting from a higher point, they’re the obvious tip.

Hopefully, Stan Sport have fed the hamsters and we get to see more of the Perth match this week. The Force have the game to niggle and frustrate the Highlanders out of it, but I don’t like tipping against Aaron Smith.

To Saturday, and it’s the Blues by plenty. And because we’re due for an Australian win, and because their superior organisation often frustrates the Chiefs, it’s the Brumbies in Hamilton.

The Reds will be better this week, but stung by criticism of their shallow exit kicking, don’t be surprised if they get burned by kicking long to Will Jordan. Crusaders for mine.

SURE THING: The Waratahs won’t be scoring seven tries this week.

Digger
TIPS: HURRICANES, FORCE, BLUES, BRUMBIES, CRUSADERS

Friday night begins with the match of the round, a cracking start with the defenceless Hurricanes up against the attack-less Rebels. Mouth-watering stuff, ‘Canes by plenty please.

Over to Perth for the battle between the two scrappers of their respective comps where neither side really knows when they’re dead and despite the incredible form ole Aaron Smith is in, I will plump for the Force to get the first Aussie win on the board as I think they will frustrate the Highlanders out of the game, probably.

I expect the Waratahs to give as good as they get but suspect the Blues will prove too big and powerful and down in Hamilton, I believe the Chiefs are running out of legs and desperately need a breather and I fully expect the well-structured Brumbies to take advantage and register another Aussie win for the weekend.

And to top it all off in the battle of the champs, I simply do not like what the Reds are dishing up tactically at present, sure this can be fixed but I am unconvinced a week is enough time, and the Crusaders are the wrong side to try and turn it around against. Crusaders to win the battle of the Red jerseys.

SURE THING: I won’t have to blog any of the games through WhatsApp to Australians this weekend as I am sure STAN will have sorted their coverage issues, maybe.

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Brett
TIPS: HURRICANES, FORCE, BLUES, BRUMBIES, CRUSADERS

Right then, I see Digger is back in ‘protecting the margin’ mode!

I’m going to jump around a bit for this week’s round because as a starting point, the Hurricanes and Blues at home, against tackle-shy Australian opposition, look as obvious as Fox Sports’ general pettiness towards anything to do with Australian rugby.

But then to follow, chalk me up for wins to the Western Force and Brumbies, thanks very much.

The Force will be buoyed hugely by last week’s near miss and look likely to play in front of their biggest crowd of the year which, if they can repeat the late-game noise and atmosphere from last week, will make for an intimidating environment for the Highlanders from the deep south, after three days of travel.

And I do think the Brumbies will win in Hamilton, but perhaps not because of the supposed good record they have over the Chiefs, as I’ve seen referenced a little bit this week.

Curious, I looked up the record, and though the Brumbies beat the Chiefs in Hamilton just 15 months ago, that win was their first in seven starts going back to 2009. But, having spent the week preparing in New Zealand, while the Cooks spent much of that time returning from Western Australia, the Brumbies look the goods this week.

That just leads me to Brisbane, and with lots of big questions the Reds need to answer ahead of the Champions versus Champions blockbuster.

Will James O’Connor play? (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

I think they can bounce back after last week’s disappointment, and even hope they do, but I’m not sure it provides a level of confidence to pick them.

But I’ll certainly be pleased to get this one wrong.

SURE THING: After a disastrous platform failure on Saturday night, followed by crisis management by silence ever since, Stan Sport will see furious social media anger rain down upon them if they so much as make a spelling mistake this weekend.

They need the biggest bounce back of all this weekend.

	Harry	Brett	Dan	Digger	Geoff	The Crowd
HUR v REB	HUR	HUR	HUR	HUR	HUR	?
FOR v HIG	HIG	FOR	FOR	FOR	HIG	?
BLU v WAR	BLU	BLU	BLU	BLU	BLU	?
CHI v BRU	CHI	BRU	CHI	BRU	BRU	?
RED v CRU	CRU	CRU	CRU	CRU	CRU	?
Overall	37	31	38	33	36	35
Last week	5	3	5	5	5	4

Get your tips in now.

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Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/20/tipping-panel-week-14-bounce-back-week/

https://therugbystore.com.au/tipping-panel-week-14-bounce-back-week/

British & Irish Lions: Japan match at Murrayfield set to have 16,500 spectators

A crowd of 16,500 is set to watch the British and Irish Lions' warm-up match against Japan at Murrayfield.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57170632

https://therugbystore.com.au/british-irish-lions-japan-match-at-murrayfield-set-to-have-16500-spectators/

London Irish 12-31 Exeter Chiefs - Sam Simmonds sets try-scoring record

Sam Simmonds breaks the Premiership try-scoring record for a season in his side's 31-12 win at London Irish.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57088881

https://therugbystore.com.au/london-irish-12-31-exeter-chiefs-sam-simmonds-sets-try-scoring-record/

Friday, May 21, 2021

Why the Queensland Reds hit a speed bump in Dunedin

Forget the power merchants. Forget those who tell you the only way to win matches is by brute force. That is the long and winding route to oblivion for the game of rugby.

Speed, and more accurately speed of thought, kills. Six of the nine teams to have won a World Cup have been based squarely on it. A seventh – South Africa in 2007 – hired it on their coaching staff in the form of Eddie Jones, just before the tournament began. They had the on-field brain they needed, with Fourie du Preez a world-leading intellect at scrumhalf.

Sir Clive Woodward abbreviated this rugby essential to TCUP in the build-up to England’s 2003 World Cup success: thinking correctly under pressure. England sides of the past had always tended to respond to pressure by trying to exert more force, or put more size on the field. Not by thinking more clearly or correctly.

Woodward changed the culture, at least temporarily, in England’s prime years of the professional era between 2001 and 2003. Speed and accuracy of intelligence was the key to most of his selections. He gave a smart flanker who had been told in no uncertain terms he was too small to play international rugby – Neil Back – a chance to play. Back went on to become a vital cog in one of the best units in England rugby history, alongside Richard Hill and Lawrence Dallaglio.

The kings of speed in thought and deed, but especially in the top two inches, are of course New Zealand. Their players tend to be fit and lean, they tend to resolve their contact situations more quickly, and their attacking schemes are designed to move the ball in and to all parts of the field.

The major concern ahead of the Trans-Tasman competition for Australian sides was how they would handle not the only increase in overall game speed, but the sudden changes in tempo at which all Kiwi sides excel.

The answers from the first round of the tournament were a mixed bag. The two most structured sides in Super Rugby AU (the Brumbies and the Force) coped better, even though ultimately they lost their games in the final moments. The other three franchises were blown out.

The Super Rugby AU champion Queensland Reds in particular have some issues to resolve over their four remaining games. Not all of those ailments will be cured by the return of the first choices missing at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday evening.

Starters like Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson up front, and Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia behind will help greatly of course, but they cannot change the basics of the tactical framework in which they operate.

The Reds averaged the lowest time in possession, the lowest number of ball-carries, and the fewest rucks built in the whole of Super Rugby AU. That means they kick a lot of ball away, and kick returns just happen to be one of the greatest points of strength in New Zealand rugby.

In Dunedin, the Reds could not find an exit strategy which prevented the Highlanders from either scoring or camping for long periods in the Queensland 22.

Out of ten exit attempts in their last third, eight were clear victories for the Highlanders’ kick return team. They generated four tries, five clean breaks and a total of 26 points either directly from returns or from the positions they established from them.

The try right from the opening kick-off set an unfortunate tone for the rest of the game.

Angus Blyth found himself in the passing path between Kalani Thomas and James O’Connor, and the spilled ball led to a position from which the Highlanders could use the full width of the field with some crisp handling.

The man at the heart of the move is All Blacks number nine Aaron Smith, and his speed of thought and deed posed the Reds defensive problems they had not encountered throughout Super Rugby AU.

Where the Queensland exits were soggy, the Highlanders were razor-sharp:

Smith begins by finding touch on the Reds’ 40-metre line from the middle of his own 22. I’ve included the previous phase to flag up an example of his superb passing from the base:

He can hit the far man of the forward pod outside him, and engage the fourth defender out from the ruck with the length of his delivery. He does not sacrifice any speed to get the ball to him. The pass flies out true and flat. This became an important factor in the Clan attacks later in the game.

On the next occasion, Smith used the success of the previous exit to set up a neat attack on the short-side guard closest to the ruck, from the same position in midfield:

He gives his number eight Kazuki Himeno a subtle wink as the ruck processes, and Himeno switches from left to right to overload Angus Scott-Young. Suddenly, the Landers are up to halfway with a minimum of risk.

Smith has TCUP in spades. Even when the Highlanders won a turnover penalty in the shadow of their own posts in the second half, he was already two steps ahead of everyone else and looking for the easiest exit from the 22 – even if it meant making a long pass off his left hand to find the space:

Smith signals out to the right before tapping the ball as Queensland forwards are still talking to the referee, and again the Reds find themselves back on the wrong side of halfway.

‘Nugget’ has always been one of the savviest number nines in his management of those vital situations around the base of the ruck. ‘Cleaning base’ means the ability to force a decision out of the referee when defenders are getting in the way on the wrong side:

Hamish Stewart (in the white headgear) does not do a lot wrong in the first example, but Smith milks the penalty by not offering to play a loose ball placement by Pari Pari Parkinson. In the second, he makes sure he collides with Scott-Young as the Reds number six gets up clumsily from the tackle.

But it was Smith’s ability to engage the fourth defender through the extra length and accuracy of his pass, even off his left hand, that was the critical factor:

The first notable looseness in line spacing occurs between the fourth and fifth Queensland defenders, and Smith can get the ball into that space with one action:

There are two nice options for the far man in the forward pod when he receives the ball – short to Siate Tokolahi, or out the back to Mitch Hunt.

The third Highlanders try of the game was all about Smith.

He forces the first Reds back, Jock Campbell, to plant by running around the base, then unleashes a pass off his left hand which consumes the last two defenders, Filipo Daugunu and Bryce Hegarty, in the first ruck:

One pass has taken out the whole of the front line, and there is still half the field to work with on the next phase as Stewart wraps around the ruck desperately in cover. There is no prospect of him reaching Sio Tomkinson on the end of another terrific 25-metre bullet from Smith.

It is safe to say that no other scrumhalf in Super AU, or perhaps on the face of the planet, could have produced those two deliveries off the left hand in swift succession.

The Queensland defence found itself stressed in ways entirely unfamiliar from the domestic competition:

Smith takes a step out to engage the inside defenders, then hits the far man in the forward pod, Himeno, again. That mini-break sets up an easy run-in on the following play:

Summary
It was a virtuoso display from Aaron Smith, the golden nugget in the world of TCUP. The Queensland Reds would have seen nothing like him in Super Rugby AU, and they struggled to adjust to the speed of pass, and the speed of thought from the base.

Despite the short six-day turnaround and squad rotation which left starters on the sideline, it is never pleasant to be beaten out of a game so conclusively. That will have come as a big culture shock to the Reds players.

Without a top-notch kicking game off nine, they were generally forced to exit from further back, and that strategy was dragged into question by the quality of the Highlanders’ kick returns.

The Reds found themselves trying to play out from their own last third of the field, or defend desperate situations close to the goal-line far too often for comfort. That is what sudden changes of tempo, and the extra speed in thought and deed provided by players like Aaron Smith, can do to you.

Aaron Smith. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

It is no coincidence that the Australian teams who came closest to winning in the first round of Trans-Tasman games – the Brumbies and the Force – also boasted the two highest average times of possession during Super Rugby AU. They are both more structured than the Reds in their approach, and know how to keep the ball when they get it. That helps in any battle with teams from New Zealand.

It is not going to get any easier for the Reds, with the mighty Crusaders up next at Suncorp Stadium. This is rugby life at the next level, and they have to prove they can breathe in that more rarefied atmosphere.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/19/why-the-queensland-reds-hit-a-speed-bump-in-dunedin/

https://therugbystore.com.au/why-the-queensland-reds-hit-a-speed-bump-in-dunedin/

Premiership: Bristol Bears 39-7 Gloucester - leaders brush aside struggling visitors

Premiership leaders Bristol Bears comfortably beat 14-man Gloucester 39-7, despite having eight tries ruled out.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57088695

https://therugbystore.com.au/premiership-bristol-bears-39-7-gloucester-leaders-brush-aside-struggling-visitors/

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Get your questions in for Issue 13 of Coach’s Corner

It’s that time of the week, rugby fans: the weekend’s games are all done and dusted and we need your questions for the next edition of Coach’s Corner.

If you’re not familiar with the series, Coach’s Corner is the weekly Friday column where Nick Bishop answers your rugby-related questions.

» Miss the latest Coach’s Corner offering? It’s not too late to catch up on last week’s issue

With the first weekend of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in the books, there have been plenty of Antipodean talking points from the last week. While it was a clean sweep for the Kiwi sides and there was plenty to cheer about for Highlanders, Rebels and Hurricanes fans to cheer about (although less so for the latter’s defence coach), the Brumbies and Force only lost after missed conversions after full-time.

This weekend is offering up a host of tantalizing clashes, as the two domestic runners up face off on Saturday evening as the Chiefs host the Brumbies before each country’s champion meet in Queensland when the Reds take on the Crusaders.

So if you have any questions about the recently finished or upcoming Super Rugby action – or anything else which is going on in the rugby world – be sure to leave them in the comments section below. Don’t forget to check back in on Friday to see which ones Nick has answered!

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/18/get-your-questions-in-for-issue-13-of-coachs-corner/

https://therugbystore.com.au/get-your-questions-in-for-issue-13-of-coachs-corner/

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Why Australian rugby should go it alone

How good was it to see 42,000 screaming rugby fans watching the two best rugby teams in Australia fight out an epic final on home soil in prime time on free-to-air TV?

Exhilarating. Spine-tingling. Rugby’s back, baby!

As a proud Brumbies supporter I’ll admit to a few sour grapes over one or two decisions on the night, but it was a fitting end to an enjoyable competition and a great night for the sport in this country.

Let’s fast-forward a week. Our teams have just been handed a reality check by our Kiwi cousins, we’re zero from five and things are not likely to get better. There was a sense that the Super Rugby AU optimism had been crushed.

Before Super Rugby Trans-Tasman started I thought the Reds and Brumbies would be competitive, with one of them a good chance to make the final, the Rebels and Force might have grabbed a win or two each, and the Tahs would provide cannon fodder for all – maybe ten to 12 wins from the 25 games.

Now I think we’ll be lucky to get five wins, and maybe one of our teams might make the top half of the table.

Any sense of optimism has evaporated. The Kiwis are just bigger, stronger and faster. Their skills are better, they play quicker and run harder and their kicking game and tactics are miles ahead. Worst of all is they’re smarter rugby players too – and I feel dirty after writing that.

At a national level the comparison between New Zealand and Australia is stark. They have created an incredible system for developing rugby players, ours is stuck somewhere around 1986; rugby is their national sport and attracts their best athletes, rugby is a fringe sport in Australia and our best athletes play league or AFL; their administration is competent, professional and laser-focused on global domination, ours are a collection of private school old boys dedicated to Scotch whiskey appreciation, leather elbow patches and propping up the Shute Shield; their coffers are brimming with private equity money, we would struggle to find enough cash to hold a chook raffle.

In short, I do not believe that Australia can sustain five competitive teams in Super Rugby. Repeated drubbings at the hands of the Kiwi teams will erode interest and support in Australia and probably in New Zealand too. If we continue with the status quo, we will go from circling the bowl to being flushed for good. So what should we do?

I will present four options, starting from the least likely.

Salesi Rayasi (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Option 1
The first idea is to implement a draft that would distribute talent more equally across all teams in the competition. It’s rugby socialism, essentially moving some New Zealand players to Australian teams and shifting a number of Aussie players to New Zealand teams. A salary cap and draft would be required in this scenario to ensure fair-ish player distribution.

This would create a more balanced Super Rugby competition, would probably make the Wallabies stronger and would probably make the All Blacks weaker. Sounds awesome! It’s a good option, but the only problem is that the New Zealand Rugby Union would never, ever in a billion years agree.

Option 2
My next option is that Rugby AU finds a fairy godmother billionaire who is willing to sprinkle a portion of his/her fortune on Australian rugby – paging Andrew Forrest; other eligible billionaires may also apply. With this extra dough we could compete with European and Japanese club wages and get some of our better players back on home soil. We might also attract a higher class of foreign talent, the odd league mercenary and a few of those schoolboy superstars who flirt with union before signing with league.

I really like this option, but unfortunately fairy godmothers are in short supply.

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Option 3
Next: remove two or possibly even three of our teams and consolidate their better players in the surviving teams, essentially what the New Zealand Rugby Union tried to force on us last year. The remaining teams would likely be more competitive.

A quick look at the history of Super Rugby shows we became much less competitive as we added teams. With three teams in Super 12 over ten years we had 11 semi-finalists who made six finals and won the competition twice. With four teams in Super 14 and Super Rugby (after the Force were cut) over seven years we had four semi-finalists who made one final. With five teams over seven years we had six semi-finalists and three finalists, winning the competition twice.

So who gets cut? New South Wales and Queensland have the votes on the Rugby AU board, so it’s the Force (again), the Rebels and maybe the Brumbies. We now have two or three possibly more competitive teams, but the damage to the game would be huge. Supporters of the defunct teams would be somewhere between devastated and furious, Rugby Australia would have even less revenue, there would be less content for the local broadcaster, promising players would be denied a pathway or forced overseas et cetera.

I hate this option. I like the Force and the Rebels and I support the Brumbies. Our fans deserve a team to follow. Also, the Waratahs suck.

Kyle Godwin. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Option 4
Let’s bite the bullet and go it alone. Why do we need to torture ourselves with weekly comparisons to the clearly superior Kiwi teams or tear the game apart by cutting teams?

There a few options here, so let’s consider two. First, we keep Super Rugby AU and double the length. Each team plays four games against the others, giving us a 22-week competition, including four byes and finals. It’s perhaps the least risky option, but playing the same team four times in season may start to feel a bit stale.

A second option is a tweaked NRC model. Add three teams – one from NSW (Western Sydney makes sense), one from Queensland, and either another NSW team or a Fijian or Pacifica team. Eight teams playing home and away will give us an 18-week competition with two byes each and two weeks of finals.

Assuming no private equity or magic billionaire money, our existing funds would have to cover the wages and costs of three new teams, which would mean pay cuts for all existing players, and some form of salary cap and/or draft would be required too. Many of our highest profile players would leave for overseas clubs, to be replaced by club players on much lower wages.

Our policy of only selecting local players for the Wallabies would also have to be abandoned, as most of the Wallabies squad would be playing overseas until the local competition matured and was able to offer higher wages, which could take a decade or more. If the competition were successful, it could be expanded to ten or 12 teams in the future.

Obviously there are a few more options than what I’ve touched on above. If there’s a good response to this article, I will write a follow-up considering options for a domestic rugby competition in more detail.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/17/why-australian-rugby-should-go-it-alone/

https://therugbystore.com.au/why-australian-rugby-should-go-it-alone/

Pro14 Rainbow Cup: Dragons 26-42 Ospreys

Ospreys secure their second Pro14 Rainbow Cup win with a 42-26 bonus-point triumph against Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57111902

https://therugbystore.com.au/pro14-rainbow-cup-dragons-26-42-ospreys/

Premiership: Leicester 35-29 Harlequins - Genge scores brace as Tigers beat play-off contenders

Leicester Tigers survive a ferocious fightback to check Harlequins' play-off hopes with a thrilling 35-29 win at Welford Road.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57088563

https://therugbystore.com.au/premiership-leicester-35-29-harlequins-genge-scores-brace-as-tigers-beat-play-off-contenders/

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Brumbies fall heartbreakingly short in titanic struggle with Crusaders

Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio has missed a sideline conversion on the final siren as the Crusaders escaped with a thrilling 31-29 win in Christchurch.

The Crusaders were cruising to victory after skipping out to a 31-17 lead with just 10 minutes remaining in Saturday night’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash.

A magical solo try to Brumbies fullback Tom Banks – when he shook off three tacklers in a 62 metre sprint to the line – got the visitors back in the game in the 72nd minute.

A 79th-minute yellow card to Crusaders substitute Ereatara Enari further opened the door, and the margin was just two points when a clever inside flick from Brumbies winger Tom Wright sent No.8 Rob Valetini over.

It left Lolesio with a chance to draw the game, but he squeezed the tough sideline conversion to the left to narrowly miss as the final siren sounded.

Lolesio hunched over in disappointment, but his teammates ran in to console him after what had been a remarkable late fightback from the Brumbies.

“Definitely proud of the effort, especially the fight we showed in the second half,” Brumbies captain Allan Ala’alatoa told Stan Sport after the match.

“Looking at the boys, we’re devastated at the loss. We came out here to win.”

Tom Wright charges forward. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Crusaders captain David Havili praised the Brumbies for their fighting effort.

“The Brumbies came and took it up to us,” he said.

“(We had) tired legs from last week, but you can’t blame that. It’s a new competition and you’ve got to step up. It wasn’t good enough, but we came away with the win.”

The first 20 minutes was a dour affair filled with failed scrums and uncharacteristic handling errors.

The one bright spark was a fifth-minute try to flanker Ethan Blackadder, who got on the end of a nice Crusaders move to touch down in the corner.

Scott Sio barged over on 27 minutes to give the Brumbies the lead, but the Crusaders hit back with two more tries to finish the half.

Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga threw a dummy to fool the Brumbies defence in the 29th minute.

And seven minutes later Havili intercepted a pass from Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan before embarking on a 50 metre sprint to the line, giving the home side a 19-7 halftime lead.

The Crusaders dominated the early stages of the second half, but it was the Brumbies who struck first when Simone picked up the ball from a breakdown and touched down under no pressure.

Brumbies substitute Luke Reimer pulled off a brilliant try-saving tackle to deny Blackadder in the 60th minute, but tries to Brendon O’Connor and Cullen Grace within six minutes of each other looked to have sealed the win.

The Brumbies attacked hard at the death, and they came within a whisker of coming away with the draw in a gutsy effort against the NZ champions.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/16/brumbies-fall-heartbreakingly-short-in-titanic-struggle-with-crusaders/

https://therugbystore.com.au/brumbies-fall-heartbreakingly-short-in-titanic-struggle-with-crusaders/

Bath 20-24 Sale: Sharks earn late bonus-point Premiership win at The Rec

Sale survive three sin-binnings as they come from behind to win at Bath and boost their Premiership play-off bid.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57087666

https://therugbystore.com.au/bath-20-24-sale-sharks-earn-late-bonus-point-premiership-win-at-the-rec/

Monday, May 17, 2021

Lions tour schedule revised due to COVID

The British and Irish Lions’ match schedule for their rugby tour of South Africa has been changed to mitigate the risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic, while there will almost certainly be no fans at any of the games.

The announcement on Friday gave final confirmation that the tour will go ahead in July and August with the Lions playing eight games, including three Tests against the reigning world champion Springboks.

But seven of the eight games will now be in either Johannesburg or Cape Town, with the other in the capital, Pretoria. That means the Lions will not travel to Durban, Port Elizabeth or Nelspruit, as originally planned for the tour.

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said they were hopeful that the South African government might relax some restrictions on fans being allowed back into sports stadiums by July “but, for the moment, we are planning for an event behind closed doors.”

The Lions regularly take tens of thousands of their supporters with them on their once-every-four-years tours to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Their fans’ presence is a key part of the spirit of the tour, but the pandemic has likely meant that can’t happen this time.

“While things will undoubtedly look different to a typical Lions tour, together with SA Rugby we are determined to deliver an uninterrupted series for the players who will take the field, as well as the many millions of people watching at home,” British and Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley said.

“We would like to thank all Lions supporters for their patience and understanding as we continue to navigate our way through the impact of the pandemic.”

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/15/lions-tour-schedule-revised-due-to-covid/

https://therugbystore.com.au/lions-tour-schedule-revised-due-to-covid/

Alex Goode: Saracens and England full-back returns from loan for Championship run in

Saracens welcome back full-back Alex Goode from his season-long loan at NEC Green Rockets in Japan.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57107926

https://therugbystore.com.au/alex-goode-saracens-and-england-full-back-returns-from-loan-for-championship-run-in/

Coach’s Corner Issue 12: Can Taniela Tupou keep it straight for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman?

Statistically, who are the most effective loose forwards in Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa?

– KiwiHaydn

How does Fraser McReight go about his business and what roles does he fulfil in the reds attack and defence?

– Numpty

Everyone rates the work rate of carries and tackles etc of McReight, how does he compare to Hooper last year in this regard?
– PeterK

With the new Antipodean crossover competition kicking off this weekend, it is the right time to return to this question, which originally spanned the back-rows on both sides of the Tasman.

The following table includes the top All Black candidates from Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2021, plus the likeliest Wallaby counterparts in each position. Michael Hooper’s 2020 Super Rugby AU stats are also added as a point of comparison. First, on attack:

	Min played	Mins between carries	Gainline +/-	Defenders beaten/offloads	Decisive outcomes (breaks/assists)	Lineouts won/stolen
Akira Ioane	437	7.3	11	22/5	8	4
Luke Jacobsen	565	9.6	12	8/8	6	11+2
Shannon Frizell	593	6.2	16	22/12	9	22
Rob Valetini	790	9.5	19	17/4	7	3
Ardie Savea	439	8.4	14	16/5	8	1
Dalton Papalii	422	16.9	7	6/5	6	2+1
Du’Plessis Kirifi	469	13	4	5/0	4	1
Sam Cane	291	14.6	1	3/2	2	2
Fraser McReight	707	9.9	19	12/5	15	0
Michael Hooper*	616	8.2	11	5/7	4	1+1
Hoskins Sotutu	600	6.5	18	15/9	11	19
Harry Wilson	556	7.3	1	4/4	5	6

*2020 statistics

Some fascinating pointers to the different back-row expectations in Australia and New Zealand emerge from this table.

Australian number sevens like Fraser McReight and Michael Hooper are expected to contribute far more as ball-carriers than their Kiwi counterparts.

New Zealand number sixes and eights do the bulk of the ball-carrying and lineout winning, with the figures posted by Hoskins Sotutu, Akira Ioane and Shannon Frizell throwing Harry Wilson’s becalmed season into sharper relief.

Rob Valetini’s numbers hold up well in the comparison – there may be a case for shifting him to number eight in 2021 for the Wallabies.

Ardie Savea remains an enigma, the ball-carrying impact of a number six or eight built into the athletic body of a number seven.

Now, the figures on defence:

	Mins played	Mins between tackles	Tackle completion	Passive tackles	Turnover/discipline in contact
Akira Ioane	437	10.7	91%	-5	-7
Luke Jacobsen	565	10.7	88%	-12	-1
Shannon Frizell	593	8.8	88%	-9	-10
Rob Valetini	790	7.9	93%	-9	-5
Ardie Savea	439	12.5	80%	-6	2
Dalton Papalii	422	5.6	95%	-9	1
Du’Plessis Kirifi	469	4.9	89%	-11	-7
Sam Cane	291	4.8	94%	-1	0
Fraser McReight	707	6.4	95%	-7	-4
Michael Hooper*	616	6.1	90%	-16	-3
Hoskins Sotutu	600	14	90%	-15	-5
Harry Wilson	556	6.8	89%	-13	-9

*2020 statistics

New Zealand number sevens are far more active on defence than their sixes and eights with extremely high work rates – averaging one tackle every five minutes. This may represent the more varied range of attack in New Zealand, with the ball moved wider more often.

The selection emphasis for a number six or eight in New Zealand lands squarely on ball-carrying and lineout ability – a perception backed up by Dave Rennie’s initial picks for the Wallabies in 2020. In Australia, there is more emphasis on all-rounders who can contribute in attack and defence, but less at the set-piece.

The premier opensides all show excellent discipline in contact, with takeaways balancing the number of balls given up and penalties conceded in the tackle.

The contest between Fraser McReight and the Kiwi opensides promises to be one for the connoisseur, and there is every reason to believe the young Queenslander will emerge from the competition with his reputation enhanced.

Fraser McReight. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

I would like to know how you think international referees would have handled the scrums in the Super Rugby AU final? If he is within the law, then Taniela Tupou is an unbelievable asset for the Wallabies. If Tupou’s scrummaging is a problem, then his team value is going to be very questionable.

– Ray

If he is such a fantastic scrummager and could scrum straight and square, why doesn’t he?
– David

Ethan de Groot of the Highlanders has made noises about having a plan to deal with Taniela Tupou on Friday night in Dunedin. He states that Aussie refs have been lenient on him regarding his scrumming technique and that he will not get the same leeway here. Do you think De Groot’s statement has validity?

– Otago Man

Typically, coaches or players try to influence the referee’s perception beforehand because they are worried about negative impacts in a specific area of the game. I suspect this is the case with Ethan de Groot.

Let’s rewind Super Rugby AU 2021 a short distance, back to my article at the end of March, to provide some context for the Queensland scrum.

The second half of the piece examined the Reds’ habit of spinning the scrum around their loosehead in order to win penalties. Since then, they replaced Dane Zander with Feao Fotuaika at loosehead and started Brandon Paenga-Amosa more regularly at hooker alongside him. The scrums stopped spinning and started moving forward on both sides together:

There is no attempt to walk around the loosehead side in this example from the first half of the match against the Force. There is some shift from right to left but the scrum goes forward equally on both sides. At the referee’s eye level – without the spider-cam privileges enjoyed by a TV audience – it an easy call for the man in the middle.

The formation of the scrum is asymmetrical, not symmetrical. There is an open and a closed side. The player on the closed or tighthead side must contend with the pressure from two angles, exerted by the opposing hooker and loosehead prop. If he does nothing but scrum straight and square, he is a sitting duck to be popped out.

A good tighthead prop will fight back by changing his angle and body height to increase the discomfort for his opposite number:

In this, the first scrum from the grand final, Brumbies loosehead Scott Sio is struggling to contain Taniela Tupou’s power. Tupou is able to drive past Sio and onto hooker Lachlan Lonergan, which leaves the ACT man facing in at a 90-degree angle to the far sideline, and eventually collapsing in the tunnel.

Paenga-Amosa and Fotuaika are pushing straight, and the scrum is moving forward on both sides:

The alarm bells start ringing in the referee’s head when the scrum advances on only one side and begins to spin on its axis:

There is no major difference in the angle taken by Taniela Tupou, who is still dominating his side of the front row. The difference is that Fotuaika is meeting sterner resistance from Allan Alaalatoa, and therefore the scrum begins to turn around the Queensland tighthead. That persuades Nic Berry to award a penalty against Tupou.

On at least one other occasion, he rewarded him in a very similar scenario:

Tupou’s angle is probably even steeper, but nonetheless it is clear that it is the Brumbies scrum which is fragmenting under pressure.

The tighthead prop is fully entitled to scrum in the gap between the two opponents facing him and change his angle when he smells weakness. When Ethan de Groot and Tupou come off the bench tonight, it is up to the Highlanders prop to do a better job than Scott Sio and Harry Lloyd could manage last Saturday.

Taniela Tupou. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

It would appear that the level of analyst information available to Australian players at top levels is deficient in comparison to that which players receive when playing for the likes of the Crusaders, La Rochelle, and Leinster. How far behind are Australian teams in this area? Are the Brumbies ahead of the pack, despite their knife-edge losses to the Reds this season?

– Mzilikazi

Four of the coaching staff for the Boks during the World Cup honed their skills in Pro 14 at Munster. Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber, Felix Jones and Aled Walters. That has just reinforced the perception that rugby’s intellectual heartland now lies firmly in European territory.
– Just Nuisance

The gap is closing, and that is a function of the structure of the domestic competition now in place. Increased depth in the preparatory work is possible when the number of opponents is drastically reduced.

In the last full season of Super Rugby back in 2019, there were 16 rounds against 15 potential opponents from all over the world, with games played week-in, week-out, and considerable travel and recovery time eating into the portion set aside for preparation. In Super Rugby AU, there are four opponents and the travel is local. Most of the individual strengths and weaknesses will already be well known to the coaching staffs and players.

There were plenty of examples of great prep work during Super Rugby AU, which I have attempted to track throughout the season. Having said that, I would go along with Scott Fardy’s statement that players’ capacity to absorb information is probably still greater in the northern hemisphere.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The Lions’ coaching team apparently used their 37th selection to pick Saints’ Courtney Lawes, who is actually the most legitimate bruiser in the second row now; and the 36th pick may have been Elliot Daly, selected first as an outside centre. What can we tell from this? Did the Alun Wyn Jones-Maro Itoje-Iain Henderson-Johnny Hill stocks look a bit light or small or tame? Who starts at 13: Daly or Chris Harris?

– Harry Jones

It’s Lions watch time! The selection indicates that the Lions will look at either Courtney Lawes or Tadhg Beirne for number six in the Test series, with Maro Itoje and Alun-Wyn ahead of them in the second row.

There is no chance of Elliot Daly starting a Test at outside centre in South Africa. At least two England players who weren’t taken on tour (Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph) are far better defenders in that spot – not to mention Jonathan Davies and Garry Ringrose.

Outside centre in particular, and the midfield from 9 to 13 in general, is much the weakest area of the selected Lions squad. I do not see Chris Harris as a 13 in the same class as those I’ve mentioned (or Manu Tuilagi, for that matter), and I believe the Lions will end up moving Robbie Henshaw there, with Bundee Aki at 12 and either Owen Farrell or Dan Biggar at flyhalf in the Tests.

Once again, many thanks to all of those who answered the callout for questions.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/14/coachs-corner-issue-12-can-taniela-tupou-keep-it-straight-for-super-rugby-trans-tasman/

https://therugbystore.com.au/coachs-corner-issue-12-can-taniela-tupou-keep-it-straight-for-super-rugby-trans-tasman/

Sunday, May 30, 2021

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Friday, May 28, 2021

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Friday, May 21, 2021

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Tuesday, May 18, 2021

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