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.
Miss the latest issue of Coach’s Corner? Catch up right here!
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.
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.
Ace
Guest
Skelton also cannot jump in a lineout and is slow to breakdowns.No thanks
In brief
Guest
I watch all the matches reasonably dispassionately - not too fussed who win or loses. The issue for me is not the referees so much, it is the actual interpretations.
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
Hi Nick, The RWC is 2 years ago in Rugby terms is a lifetime. the question here is for SH to improve should they concentrate on the U20 Programme? France seems to have a successful formula in how to find the next best players from their developing squads. Is the investment into Premiership Rugby and TOP 14 starting to pay dividends hence why SA Teams wanting to play in the NH? In terms of Argentina which had a bad tour, should Ledesma be replaced? His player welfare policy leaves much to be desired and the lack of rotation of players is telling.
West Aussie Exile
Roar Rookie
Hi Nick, I would be interested in your views about what we've learnt about the back row by now -Leota, Swinton have had their chance and Samu finally starting but not as effective as I had hoped. I wonder how selection influences style of play or vice-versa. For example. Harry Wilson, who I really rate -does his selection impact on Valentini at 8 and Hooper at 7?. Also, what about LSL? He has such potential. Is he a bench option for back row and second row?
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Yes they do say that, but the way it is refereed is as I've described, esp at top level - and you could see that was what all the players expected to happen.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Otago, the first time Du Pont got caught the ball was clear of the ruck, not sure about the ones after that, it was a bit all over the place there for a bit.
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Yeah I think the Wallabies and Argentina would be fighting it out for dumbest top 10….with the Pumas just winning it at the moment for mine.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
No, not at all what I am saying, DA. Drawing too long a bow there. Look at the incident carefully, compute what happened.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Sure, he was an officious little dh but they should have done their homework. They obviously didn't or got their wag's to do it for them but they weren't playing. It makes one wonder if we are the dumbest team in the top 10?
Double Agent
Guest
Because it's not deliberate.
Olly
Roar Rookie
We are only going to develop consistency if we play it week in and week out. This game change on this northern tour has not helped us at all. There is a lot I like about DR but I do not like how he keeps changing the way we play.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
I also think they get far more scrutinised by the TMO than any other team, especially when they've scored a try.
Quirky
Guest
David in my eyes it was a knock on. I do not free with the call. But the ruling was knock back so that is what it is. Your are making a pointless point here mate around the wording. The issue that we are having with refs is that the laws are being applied in a haphazard manner and not actually consistently throughout a game.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Agreed. My problem is the carry on and to my eyes the lack of understanding of the laws. It was a knock back but too many people are still calling it a knock on.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
In my initial statement yes. All about editorial review.
soapit
Roar Guru
true but if something has been reffed slightly contrary to the rules for 20 years without eception i think reasonable to feel aggireved that we're the one time they go for the 100% accuracy on it
Quirky
Guest
Yes this example of play was deemed a knock back by the ref- so it is. However, if you have an expectation of a particular outcome from a particular action, based upon experience, and that outcome is a surprise to you, it becomes a point of contention and discussion. Makes sense? Your position David seems to have more to do with editorial review rather than on field play review.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
That’s not correct. From the rugby laws site: Knock-on: When a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm, or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball touches the ground or another player before the original player can catch it No mention of dropping in front of a player. Only the direction the ball travels.
gooch
Roar Rookie
I agree with you 100% mzilikazi. I was solely referring to his WB games. I know how good he's been. That's why I'm confused.
soapit
Roar Guru
straight down i reckon, just. interesting knock on only, pretty similar to beales one. i guess the wales one his arm was motioning back more to make an initial impression of backwards (i actually think it went slightly back but accept different eyes see it different). . coming around to this historical view tho. i guess my point was its pretty rare to have one knocked back so historical trend was exaggerated. tbh i reckon most of the angst around this is because most people didnt really know the rule was only knock forward (myself included). that said even something rare youd think it would have come up previously at some point to demonstrate the actual rule and the fact it hasnt kinda proves it hasnt been applied that way. we should really be looking for examples where it went the way it did on the weekend. . good news is i can go back to outraged that we were robbed another NH win. interesting looking for a replay i found a video showing two other welsh intentional knock ons that no one really noticed. i wont link it tho as it does seem a little rassie like.