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!
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Will try and answer later this week H! It's actually an older system than the one with the hooker at tail-gunner. The Force scored their try against Landers when Nugget flew out too quickly!
John
Yes but Banks has made successful efforts to improve his game and bypassed other aspirants. A bit of work on his kicking game and he will be the real deal.
John
The accuracy and speed at which the Kiwis pass across the entire field is something the Oz sides are light years behind in.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Had not picked that...will look for it.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Yes, of course he can, Antony. There can be a good player in a weak and losing team. It is possible Jake Gordon will be the backup SH this year....very good player in a weak team.
Ethel McAAVaaarK
Guest
I`ll bite, not one Waratah is the best in any position this year. Some will be selected but from what ive witnessed they would have to be in the wider squad only. None can possibly be in the best 23 from what ive seen.
Antony Henrie
Guest
The Force were equally as average as the Tahs in 2017 .But they just happened to smash the tahs in the last game of 2017. Hodgson absolutely towelled up the meek Hooper in that game with no reward from Coach Clown. Tahs had over 10 selected in the Wallabies 23 meanwhile the Force had those 4 you mentioned who were never really used by Cheika in 2017 in the best 23.
Antony Henrie
Guest
On the other hand the best scrumhalf passer in Australia by far is Joe Powell.Looks like Rennie is a dope if he cant see that.That disappoints me.
Beefa
Guest
Jake Gordon does alot of those wayward passes. Its something that he still cant eradicate out of his game.He needs hurry up and practice but being 28 he is probably too old to fix it.
In brief
Guest
Which is not to say there aren’t some deliberate and cynical penalties too - I just think when a player is playing fair but makes an error a penalty is too harsh..
In brief
Guest
With the scrums becoming a lottery do you think more teams will choose to tap and go in the red zone ahead of the option of packing an attacking scrum?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
The only example you mean? An example from 15 almost years ago. There have never been any law trials in the NH that the SH never bothered with?
In brief
Guest
The best example of this influence was when the home unions scrapped 2007/2008 ELVs without even trialling them ..
In brief
Guest
You can’t blame the players for not following the current rugby laws them when this is not practically possible. Most penalties are not for cynical cheating but rather against players who are attempting to do the right thing but make a minor technical error - in the view of the referee.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
When fans don’t know the laws, but still argue and complain about a legit decision, it’s not World Rugby’s fault. The things most fans argue about are not new law changes.
In brief
Guest
Paulo, the problem with the current law interpretations is that they have been simplified - the problem is not with fans - it is world rugby..
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Give it rest. NZR and RA is very much a vital and important part of the old boys club that runs World Rugby.
piru
Roar Rookie
Not intended for anyone in particular mate, I just thought old mate might have a talking point somewhere buried underneath the derision
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I thought Kafer was often the voice of reason. Although, when teamed up with Kearns it didn’t take much to sound moderate lol
piru
Roar Rookie
This was something Rod Kafer was actually not bad at. He'd quite often correct Horan when he'd get himself confused