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The week that was: All Blacks, Boks show Wallabies how it's done

14th October, 2013
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Brodie Retallick has been the victim of a number of concussions. (Source: AFP PHOTO / Michael Bradley)
Roar Guru
14th October, 2013
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The All Blacks and Springboks put on a masterclass, the Roosters mastered the Sea Eagles and the Little Master announced his retirement…

All Blacks, Springboks, daylight… Australia?
After watching arguably the best game of rugby of the last 10 years, one thing is clear: The Wallabies are way off the pace – physically, mentally and skill-wise.

The Springboks and All Blacks put on a master class of Test rugby. What was most impressive is that the intensity level didn’t drop from go to whoa.

To be able to execute the way they did while under pressure from enormous opposition was testament to both sides.

The All Blacks deservedly won a classic. It was great to see everyone from the players to the coaching box so emotionally invested, I could watch an entire 80 minutes of Heineke Meyer and be entertained.

The Wallabies too seemed to have found their stride, but it still was a long way from what was offered up in South Africa.

Zeroes to heroes
What a season from the Sydney Roosters. Dominant throughout most of the regular season, they claimed the NRL’s most coveted prize.

It was a blueprint for any team on how not to panic. Early in the second half Manly scored two wonderful tries that would have seen a less confident team looking at the clock, possibly thinking “there just isn’t enough time to claw that back.”

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Not the Roosters though.

Several of their leaders stepped up. Sonny Bill Williams awoke, Michael Jennings showed exactly what a grand final mentality is, chasing to the final six centimeters of the field of play everything and Jared Wareara-Hargreaves started attracting more and more defenders as he charged forward.

In the end the Roosters clawed back the margin and then some.

But a championship ring? Spare me.

It’s not child’s play
The Sonny Bill Williams-Toho Harris affair need not be one. This is the New Zealand national rugby league team; not under 8s, where everyone gets a go.

Harris has every right to be disappointed, but not to feel hard done by. This is the Rugby League World Cup where, if available, every country’s best should be on show.

With his decision to stay in rugby league for a further season, SBW became available and should have been immediately on the team sheet.

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It was disappointing decision for Harris, but the right one for tournament.

Speaking of the Rugby League World Cup…

It’s a farce
This is not written as a rugby guy looking for a cheap shot at League, however, the rugby league World Cup does more harm than good for the game’s international credibility.

Rugby league should be content with what is has, one of the best club competitions in the world and the pinnacle that is State of Origin.

The league World Cup can only be won by two teams, New Zealand and Australia. Only one other team has any hope of coming within 30 points of these two teams and that is Great Burgess… I mean Britain. Farcical.

The eligibility rules are farcical. Visited Vegas? Here’s an American Jersey. Drunk a Guinness? Congratulations, you’ve made the Irish Team. Like Spaghetti? You know where I’m going with this.

Junior Paulo is a featured player of the American team on the RLWC website, despite being born in New Zealand and playing for Samoa last tournament.

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If even the players treat the World Cup as a farce, choosing surgery to be ready for the upcoming club season ahead of representing their country at a World Cup, then you reap what you sow.

Rugby league, your international game has become a laughing stock.

Sachin ‘the Hitman’ Tendulkar
The best there is. The best there was. The best there ever will be.

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