The Wallabies have spent Tuesday afternoon preparing for the All Blacks by apparently bashing the NRL’s Sydney Roosters in a hybrid game.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has been at pains to keep preparations for the Rugby Championship low key, with his squad training behind closed doors in Sydney since assembling on Monday in camp.
But a battle of the codes was always going to get out, with footage and banter surfacing on social media of the league and rugby stars going hammer and tong ahead of the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener on August 20 at ANZ Stadium.
Cheika is known to be good mates with Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who also attended the session at Sydney Grammar as Australia’s best from two rival codes ripped into each other, from all reports.
The Wallabies’ hopefuls attacked the Roosters, defending from 10 metres back, as they do in league, with the rugby aces defending from the play the ball, simulating – of sorts – the ruck area in rugby.
“Training up against the Chookies, it was good fun,” said Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps.
“Obviously something different that we haven’t done before but it was great training against some of those great players (from) such a prestigious club – a lot of history there.
“Their players are (at) obviously the peak of their game and getting to share a few ideas and going against each other in training against teams that we haven’t seen how they play too much is something that’s been pretty good.”
Fellow halfback Nic Frisby is a self-confessed “massive rugby league fan” and also enjoyed the hit-out.
“I am a Broncos supporter but it was a huge thrill to see some of those guys up close and then to actually train with them and against them was awesome,” Frisby said.
nerval
Guest
Ditto with American football...
nerval
Guest
So cricketers are even thicker than you imply of league players?
OJP
Guest
yep, and in american football; they have the chain gang who hold up brightly colored numbers showing what down it is... no need to count at all.
MacKenzie
Guest
There would need to a massive change in culture for the league boys to be readmitted to the family of rugby union.
Barry
Guest
Why not play in JAPAN ?? Now that is " SOFT "
Barry
Guest
Douglas Skelton and Mumm were there so that negated the wallabies lineout..
Barry
Guest
" win lineouts and scrums as well as cleaning out rucks" ?? Moore and Douglas can`t even do that mate. .I`ve seen them first hand in test matches. .Moore is past his best and Douglas never had a best ..
Hosey G
Guest
Cricketers get the umpires to count for them :)
AJ
Guest
Same
Chris
Guest
Agree and hoping it would end up with Rugby being one again as in these modern times the threat of AFL, Soccer and game stations (wait till VR kick's off) there is no need for 3 Rugby's I include 7's.
Chris
Guest
I would love to see Rugby League be absorbed (in a good way) back to Rugby Union.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
Would love to see more co-operation like this between the 2 codes. Ultimately would like to see players allowed to move freely between the 2 codes at will.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
The worst part about this article was that it reminded me that Nick Phipps is still in the squad.
Jimmmy
Guest
Are you serious? . French Rugby is far and away the softest option for Hayne. He's a fullback remember.
nerval
Guest
It's as hard for league as it as for cricket where counting up to 6 matters just as much - even harder, perhaps, than counting up to 4 for American footballers...
nerval
Guest
Not as tasty as "loig" puffs for our Springbok hardman, Bakkies...
Hosey G
Guest
It is sometimes hard to understand for leaguies as rugby people can generally count above 6, but their role is to win lineouts and scrums as well as cleaning out rucks and mauls and doing the occasional. You see they are different sports and different body types are needed in rugby not just players who can run hard and fast into a brick wall defence. Happy to help you; any other difficulties just let me know.
Bakkies
Guest
Taken the soft option
CUW
Guest
In other news the Hayne plane has landed at Gold Coast Titans http://www.planetrugby.com/news/hayne-returns-to-nrl/
Loosehead Greg
Roar Rookie
Lineouts are far and away the best and most under valued feature of rugby union. They are quick to execute compared to scrums, spectacular and skilful. The best tries in rugby come often from lineouts like this amazing one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH9FmORmbmc There has never been a league try as good as that one because league doesn't have lineouts. Anyway, does anyone know how the Roosters performed against the Wallabies at lineout time or did they play a hybrid game without including rugby's best feature?