As we settled in for the mid-year internationals, there were a few things well worth keeping an eye on.
We have a spread of games by geography and what kind of attendant volatility in rulings would that bring, a number of lower ranked sides were stacked up against the big boys, and for the first time we were seeing multiple cross-geography matches taking place with the approach to using quicker ruck ball a key interest.
Wallabies vs France Game 1 coverage
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And of course, for the first time, the big dogs of world rugby – South Africa, New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions – strolled out onto the field on the same weekend.
The following are a few things worth a mention.
What a delight it is to watch the Japanese national side play rugby union. An emphasis on ball movement, a focus on quick ruck-ball, which was in place before the directives changed, and the individual ball-skills with transfer by either hand or foot encouraged across the side.
Disappointing that Kazuki Himeno went down in the warm-up as his grunt around the ruck would have made things even more difficult for what was a quality Irish loose forward trio. These guys show what coaching to your strengths can do for the sum of the parts. Surely that Jamie Joseph-Tony Brown combo has a part to play at All Black level some time in the future?
Find a rock-solid tighthead and a dominant lineout forward and Japan will be a real threat to many – perhaps a scour of the Sumo stables may be in order?
Speaking of the ex-Highlanders duo, it is worth noting that six of the southern men represented the Maori All Blacks forwards versus Samoa on the weekend, a game tighter than the final score indicates – a nice way to celebrate the sixth anniversary of our Super Rugby win on July 4 2015 in Wellington.
One would think this Samoa side will have too much about them for Tonga even when they add some quality out of quarantine.
While the princesses were racking up some impressive stats out wide, how good to see the performances of the halfback/loose forward combinations close to the ruck taking advantage of the faster game. Particular mentions go to Josh van der Flier, Hamish Watson, Luke Jacobson and Brad Weber, while Cobus Reinach threw a serious spanner into the Springbok-selection works with a performance perfect for how the new game is being played. His performance makes the selection of Conor Murray as the Lions’ captain even more intriguing.
Cobus Reinach (Christiaan Kotze/AFP/Getty Images)
A real bonus for our game was an article by Wayne Barnes on Friday acknowledging the recent, clear restatement of focus by World Rugby head of officials Joel Jutge on three things — safety, speed and space. Jutge noted how the three referees for the Lions-South Africa series, all from differing nations, are discussing being consistent with these themes. We only want consistency guys so let’s deliver. I must remember to send Mr Jutge a Christmas card.
While there were not too many positives to be taken from the heavily skewed New Zealand vs Tonga match, a Twitter exchange did get my attention. Andy Goode, half of the dumb and dumber duo on a UK rugby podcast, took the now standard cheap shot about the All Blacks stealing players from the islands, but ignorantly included the Auckland born Charles Piutau in his sweeping generalisation. But that wasn’t the key part.
He was firmly put in his place by Simon Raiwalui, Fiji’s general manager of high performance:
“Just because a players surname is of Pacific Island heritage doesn’t mean they have been taken from the Islands…born, bred, raised & developed in NZ means they are from NZ with Pacific Island heritage…let’s get this ‘taken’ mindset out of our heads…
“[W]ithout NZ pathway systems, what do a lot of other national programs look like… They provide a lot more than they take? When pointing fingers we may also have a look in the mirror, last time I checked, Tuilagi, Cokanasiga, Rokoduguni & Hughes were not from the Lakes District!”
Wonderfully put Mr Raiwalui, and thank you.
The Roar’s very own Jacko wins the office sweep on when South Africa will prove the ‘500 minutes’ story was the greatest work of fiction since the French put vows of fidelity into the marriage service (thanks for that Edmund Blackadder), as it’s overturned in their very first Test match.
A nod to football people for producing a tournament of upsets and excitement so far at the Euros, with the big winners being The Lightning Seeds, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, who wrote the ‘Football’s Coming Home’ anthem – they must be getting rich all over again.
Next stop, Wallabies vs France for a mid-week interlude.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
I really think players should be citizens of the country they play for rather than term of residence. Cheers.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Fine by me. Every current England squad member would qualify and we’d have a number of additional players currently playing for other 6 Nation countries.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Parenting should also be done away with. Either born in the country or by 5 year residency.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
While that hand is holding a pint.
NH Fan
Guest
Bit late to the comments. NZ showed why they are one of the top teams. Being able to score 100 points requires focus and with no motivation it can be hard to keep going. Food's comment is born out of the lie that the PIs still produce loads of players. Samoa and Tonga are now NZ players with PI connections. WC puts to much focus on them compared to other T2 nations. Until the corruption gets sorted the PIs will just get worse. The 500 minutes I don't get. They have played 480 minutes in the rainbow cup. Add in the tournament in SA in Feb/Mar before that plus the Euro based players coming off a 25 game season. Plenty time to get 500 mins. Japan are coming along nicely but need a bit more set piece skill.
Highlander
Roar Guru
hardly fair is it
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Yeah it certainly is a tricky one. Any solution will have its naysayers. The one switch in allegiance is a good one. I also think the Olympic loophole needs to be changed as that only suits backs and loose forwards. A prop is highly unlikely going to be able to play 7s.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Thanks for the insight into the schools approach Carlin, really interesting. I don’t think there is a simple solution here, we have the 5 year rule, maybe the idea of needing to be here before a certain age like 16 or 18 might work. The more I think about this the more uncomfortable I am about any restrictions on anyone not being to play for their adopted country if for all intents and purposes they have grown up there. That goes against all my views on individuals rights and restraint of trade beliefs. Maybe the way to do it is we award those of Pacifika birth or heritage a pass to re-elect their country of representation, but you only get 1 turn. It would help the island teams in the most direct way possible.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Grandparenting should be gone, funny how we never hear about Anscombe, Parkes, Maitland, Thompson, Shields, Gibson-Park, Lowe all going north and playing rep code.' Both Shields' parents were born in England. Interesting that you should get that wrong given the context of the article.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Thanks Highlander for a great summary. Japan are a joy to watch. I only saw some highlights from their game against Ireland but it is very noticeable how high their skill level is. Passes are made with players running onto the ball at speed and their support play is great. Luke Jacobson was my man of the match in the All Blacks game. He continued his good form for the Chiefs. He offers a lot with his workrate, mobility and is a great ball player. He has laid in a good marker down and I do hope he gets a game against one of the bigger nations at Number 8. With the so called NZ Rugby taking from the Islands, I noticed there was concerns when Samisoni Taukei'aho was called into the All Black camp this week that he may get a cap and not be able to play for Tonga. He captained a Tongan Under 15 team that came to NZ and then a school offered him a scholarship. The main reason those Tongan age group teams came to NZ was to get their players into the New Zealand system. I know this as a school I worked at hosted one of the teams and their manager emailed me the next to say thank you and was there any scholarships on offer. When I said no as we were a public school we were never asked to play them again.
Those sorts of contacts take years to develop Highlander so kudos to you for developing them. The test matches we saw last weekend were certainly a mix of quality and for me the Japanese were the standouts for a few reasons so Joseph/Brown must be culturally fitting in and working well with the Locals. I like the idea of NZ picking a coach and also picking the assistants rather than have the HC pick the assistants. A few assistants like Brown, Joseph, Razor etc would be a strong minded group.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It's rare that you do something you're proud of when drunk. At my age, I can count them on one hand
Highlander
Roar Guru
It was a ridiculous story and good on you for calling it out. Would love to know which of the SA wise men came up with that one. Re the info, i do get sent a lot of things to look at from like minded rugby fanatics.
Looking pretty bad at this stage. Hopefully we get some rugby out of it but you do wonder at what point they pull the pin.....
Thanks Highlander Im really looking forward to the first prize of an all expenses trip for someone's wife and I ( Brad Pitts Ex wife would be fine ) to watch the Lions 3 tests and feel that should SARU desire a scientific genius on board Im happy if you forward them my details..... WHAT.......Prize cancelled due to covid??????? Damn....Murphy's law strikes again.....Bloody Murphy :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Where do you get all this info from Highlander? I search a lot for some stories and never seem to find the levels of info you come up with. Cheers...
All I did was go out and play ( over 55’s ) rugby Machooka. I was ready for test rugby after just 200 mins so I knew this SARU statement was BS. :laughing: :laughing:
LOL I am happy to say I get things wrong Geoff. Just last week I thought I made a mistake but I was "wrong" I hadnt... :laughing: :laughing: You have to wonder who was the genius who thought we would just accept the 500 mins as gospel....
Faith
Roar Rookie
Once Japan starts beating Tier 1 nations in the North Goode will be up in keyboard (or microphone) arms ...
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Of course the difference between the kiwi and aussie borns who play for the Pasifika nations, and the Tongans who play for Japan, is that the former have been Samoan kiwis or whatever their entire lives. Other than that I agree wholeheartedly and would only allow residential qualification by moving as a child with your family for non rugby reasons, like Carbary. Even five years can only benefit the rich nations. Grandparents qualification only benefits the rich too.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Agree on big support for Drua and Pasifika Grandparenting should be gone, funny how we never hear about Anscombe, Parkes, Maitland, Thompson, Shields, Gibson-Park, Lowe all going north and playing rep code But if anyone decides to make, say NZ or Aus, their home – I dont like the idea of finding reasons not select them if they happen to turn into good rugby players one day. The WR 5 year residency requirement now is a good thing