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It was a dire week for not just the Wallabies, but southern hemisphere rugby as well, the All Blacks and Springboks going down to France and England respectively on a memorable day of rugby action.
If you’re still reeling from the results, and want to do some more unpacking, then you’ve come to the right place: it’s time for another round of Coach’s Corner!
Every week, Nick Bishop, The Roar’s rugby expert, jumps on deck to answer all your questions about the wild world of rugby union.
Top of the agenda must be the Wallabies, Dave Rennie’s team showing all the heart they’ve displayed throughout a chaotic 2021 year, but with none of the luck.
Be it a controversial red card to Rob Valetini, or Welshman Nick Tompkins being awarded a try after a knock-on almost identical to one which saw Kurtley Beale yellow-carded just before half time, Rennie was left seething after the game when he described the officiating as ‘horrendous’.
Was he right, or is there more to the story than that? And with the Wallabies once again punished while a man down – which became two briefly when Beale was sent to the sin-bin – is it time for Rennie to address the team’s discipline issues?
Elsewhere, things keep going from bad to worse for the All Blacks, who followed up their loss to Ireland with another shock defeat to France. Just like last week, the New Zealanders were thoroughly outplayed, trailing 24-6 at half time to an electric Les Bleus outfit, before wresting their way back into the match after the break.
Nevertheless, the result is sure to put pressure on coach Ian Foster, with plenty of All Blacks fans already growing tired of his work at the helm.
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In the first result of the night, England avenged their World Cup final loss to the Springboks with a 27-26 win in front of a delighted Twickenham crowd. A Marcus Smith penalty in the final moments was the final twist in a scintillating match, and one which probably still just pips the other two matches for game of the night… no mean feat.
All in all, it was arguably the best day of rugby in many a year. We’re sure you’ve got plenty of questions for Nick about what unfolded so get asking in the comments below; and, of course, check back in right here at The Roar to see the answers.
