Get your questions in for Issue 39 of Coach's Corner

To make matters worse they have Fiji in their WC group.

Nick, in your article re Seru Uru - your stat about the ball being directly in play in the Reds v Brumbies game for only 28.5 mins is an indictment on the game. Watching live, I noticed that every time there was a reset of play (particularly prior to the scrum) the trainers would come onto the field and the water would be run out wasting minutes of time. It was clearly a tactic of one team in particular to slow the game down (I won't say who, so as not to distract from my point). World Rugby needs to speed this part of the game up. I understand Refs may be hesitant to get trainers off the field when player safety is such a focus - but it is beyond a joke. Any suggestions as to how to speed up the game?

Or me? :happy:

One more question.. Do you think the Bledisloe Cup should be decided with one test? Winner takes all scenario? Spice things up.. at the moment it seems to have lost it appeal, I’m pretty sure both sides of the ditch. Also, do you think France have given away to much? As far as their tactics and strategy? If you watch the Welsh game.. They showed a very good blueprint on how to shutdown France.. despite losing, Wales could have won that one.

Not sure he would be any better than say, Scott Barrett at the spot C...

His stats this season are top drawer!

Hey Nicholas. I am not sure whether it is a long term option but from memory Foster did mention the possibility of him play at 6 for the All Blacks in an article I did read at the end of last year. My concern would be it is adding another person in that position where no one has really staked their claim. He has the advantage of youth on his side and could develop well there.

Yeah man, we need this in our pack

Hey West. Yeah Sowakula has really stepped up this year. He has been brewing for awhile and he is looking like he will push for a spot in the All Blacks. He is a great athlete and is a strong ball carrier. A good lineout option as well being an ex-Fijian rep basketballer.

The French are showing the way to beat the rush defence, they know exactly what area to target.. As many other teams are now figuring out. Usually between the pillar defenders, usually consists of 3 players each side of a ruck, where the actual line speed defence rushes up.. Reason being is the pillar defenders on the sides of the ruck can’t rush like the line defence, because they have to hold and cover for a pick n go or short attack options. So they attack the weakest area, which is where pillar defence meets the rushing line defence.

How about Chiefs Pita Gus Sowakula!! That’s a guy the All Blacks could use! He’s a strong ball carrier, solid on defence.. Need any proof, watch him against the Crusaders (all blacks) when they beat them with 21 runs for 60 metres on attack and eight tackles on defence.

Thanks Dean.

Me? :laughing:

Good one for DR to win for sure.

In fact the France team which toured Aussie in 2021 was very different: Baille, Marchand, Mauvaka, Houas, Atonio, Willemse, Alldritt, Cros, Dupont, Lucu, Ntamack, Jalibert, Fickou, Penaud all missing! That's a ton of talent.

Question - why are halfbacks small? Is it because when they turn up at U7s, the coach looks at the tiny kid and says "halfback mate"? What are the core skills: mobility, a good pass, and the ability to accelerate? Wouldn't we rather a 1.85 metre 95 kilo type than a Tate McDermott size? The best halfback on show in the Australian side of SR is Lomani, in my view, and he seems physically a cut above anybody we have to offer. Question - why do we take the ball away from a team who can't get a 15 metre lineout throw within 2 degrees, but we let it slide when the halfback rolls the ball 80 degrees off line straight into the second row? When did this become OK? Is it a symptom of the general exhaustion with re-set scrums, or is it a concern for the safety of the old fashioned hooker strike?

Hi Nick, Thanks for the opportunity to submit a request. Following the French heroic Grand Slam 6N campaign, I wondered if you could please comment on the delta between this team and the French team that toured Australia in 2021. This was seeminlgy derided at the time as a second or third tier French side that faced Australia. But it seems to me that overwhelmingly the same players have been on the frontlines for France in this current 6N (sans Dupont). Was the 2021 team so decimated that this is a different French team, or are they close-enough that the Aussies should take a more positive view of our series victory? I accept that Wall had a lot of luck both ways in that series (good luck in winning the initial test which France should have finished off; bad luck in the final game with an early red card that was later overturned post-match)...?

Coach if Eddies poor team beat the Wallabies on Australian soil is it time to tell Dave Rennie get on a Air New Zealand flight? Ta mate.

Ireland we’re very, very consistent as well. Though, they just seemed to lack the variety and that beautiful Gallic verve of the French, that was required to be a threat from anywhere on the park.

Hi Nick, I’d be interested to know your thoughts on improving the spectacle of rugby with regard to the constant scrum penalties. It is killing the game imho. Even when the half has the ball at locks feet and has to just pick it up and pass, the ref often awards a penalty to that team! Insane! I don’t like the full arm penalty usually awarded from a scrum as well, which often results in 3 points. It should be a short arm and a quick tap to the team awarded the penalty. No scrum reset, no kick for touch. Just a quick tap and get game flowing again. Thoughts?