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Joined September 2019
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Ex Kiwi living for many years in my adopted country of Australia. Proud (tragic??) All Black supporter when they’re playing. Wallaby supporter at all other times.
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Great article, Geoff. We really are at the sharp end now.
Some thoughts on the England-South Africa game. – The strengths that got England to the semi-final were the things that prevented them prom winning it – Borthwick, unlike Eddie Jones, had gone for really pared-back, simple game plan that played to his selection’s strengths. That meant though, they came to this particular game either unwilling or unable to score in increments of greater than 3 points.
At about 65 minutes that looked enough – but they were only 9 points ahead – that is less than two scores. So when SA flicked the switch off the back of their 2nd half scrum dominance, and they executed when they had their chance, England had nowhere to go.
I think I’m right in saying that Farrell passed the ball for the first time only AFTER they had relinquished the lead at about 78 minutes.
Either way, a one point game – either England or SA would’ve been worthy finalists and SA proved thay have what it takes to win it. It makes for a fantastic final match up.
The Wrap: There's a reason Boks and All Blacks are at the big boys' table - the rest have to earn their way onto it
Fiji’s coach Simon Rawailui on refs following the loss to England……..
“There’s obviously decisions where they go 50-50. The referees do a brilliant job, it’s the hardest position and you’re isolated. Sure, there’s things that you contest, there’s things that maybe you don’t agree on.
“We’re a huge supporter of every facet of the game and that includes refereeing. They do a wonderful job. They don’t go out there to pick a team and have their favourites. Sometimes there’s mistakes, sometimes the rub of the green doesn’t go your way.
“It is important that we support them and not isolate them. I’m very appreciative of everything they do.”
This should be tattooed onto every coaches forehead. That way when they’re asked a leading question by a journalist looking for a quote following a loss they can just point to it.
Good, the Bad, the Eddie: Bok hails AB for 'best display I've ever seen', Kolbe confounds, 'classless' Rieko claim
Well said mz.
I’m not a believer that there is a “right way” of playing Rugby. I thought Foster missed an opportunity re – the Springbok/Ireland game. My view is that Rugby offers teams the ability to play to their strengths. So on one hand you get a compelling, competitive, hard game like SB v Ire and equally you can get high scoring, open games of the type Fos is trying to deliver with the ABs. Great teams can play a range of styles.
The Laws of rugby merely state that “The game’s objective is to score as many points as possible against an opposing team by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball, according to the laws of the game, its sporting spirit and fair play.”
It doesn’t say that “my style is better than yours.”
Has Fozzie been foxing? Ireland beware, the All Blacks could be about to reignite
Yep. They sure are. Extremely well balanced.
SPIRO ZAVOS: Portugal prove Cup critics arguing against the true spirit of rugby, what's sparked Ireland's rise as contender
An observation I’d make about Ireland is that they engineer tries very well. My definition of a well engineered try is that the try scorer has almost no work to do – often receiving the last pass with a relatively easy run to the line and all the hard work having been done earlier in the move. Irelands first two tries were like this. There was (if you were a Scotland supporter) a dreadful inevitability about the tries being scored. Great All Black sides had this ability as well.
Some early starts coming up this weekend!!!
SPIRO ZAVOS: Portugal prove Cup critics arguing against the true spirit of rugby, what's sparked Ireland's rise as contender
It looks like Jones’ game-plan & selection policies have been found to be designed by OceanGate. Unfortunately, both Fiji & Wales have provided a sterner audit than KPMG.
More than anything, this world cup looks to be about squad depth with every team being tested in this department, having to manage injuries.
Australia had a thin squad to start with. I thought the selection of Skelton was inspired, but he’s only one man and, as soon as he was out, there was a gap that couldn’t be filled.
'F--- mate, what didn't go wrong?' 'Raw, devastated' Wallabies 'got bashed' - players react, Foley weighs in, after disaster
I think you’re right. What I’ve seen is that France, Ireland and South Africa have greater squad depth than NZ and are also managing their benches better. NZ are down a few “big” players at the moment – Frizzell, Scott Barret and Jordie Barret – and that showed against France. Frizzell, particularly, balances the back row, allowing Cane & Savea to do their jobs. There’s too big a gab between our #1 selection and the rest. What do you think of Blackadder’s selection?
SPIRO ZAVOS: Skelton a force of nature, All Blacks' strategic error that has put their World Cup in peril
Great to have you back commenting, Spiros. An accurate and well thought out article.
It’s great to see Will Skelton playing well and not just wearing but filling the captain’s jersey.
Re – the All Blacks – sadly, everything you wrote rang true for me. Can they fix it? Unfortunately, we won’t really find out until the QF.
Oh, and GO Fiji!!
SPIRO ZAVOS: Skelton a force of nature, All Blacks' strategic error that has put their World Cup in peril
I know Raynel isn’t everyone’s favourite ref – but at least he let the game go.
There were at least three occasions that, with another ref, could very easily have been yellow cards. He chose to go with penalties only. Within the context of this one game, that was a level consistency that I liked.
The Wrap: All Blacks and Wallabies show off all of Test rugby’s perfection and imperfections
Great article, Brett. Some real challenges for the Wallabies between now & the RWC. Like you, I’m frustrated that we keep getting fed the “all kicking is un-Australian” line. Stats only tell us quantity – not the quality of the the execution.
That said, there were some little gems against the Pumas.
Like that one good golf shot in an otherwise terrible day – enough to keep me coming back for more.
The two-week observation: The Wallabies can play low possession rugby OR find the Australian way – but not both
It strikes me that it’s flawed to think that the “Aussie way” is only to run and kick only as a last resort. Great Wallaby teams had licking as part of their game plan, not tacked on. Kicking, as they say, is only as good as the chase so – it’s got to be planned. Chasers have to be in motion before a kick – not reacting to it after the event.
I think Eddie is a great coach, but he’s sending a confused message (at least that’s what I’m receiving.) Luckily the players are smarter than me.
The two-week observation: The Wallabies can play low possession rugby OR find the Australian way – but not both
Great article, Geoff.
I’m reminded of an article by the late NZ rugby writer, Terry McLean in 1978 or thereabouts. In describing some of the Wallabies troubles at the time he described “the internecine politics of Australian Rugby.” Some things seem to never change!!
While I liked Rennie and what he brought, he may have suffered from not achieving the short term results which would’ve bought him the time to achieve his long term goals.
Whatever happened, I’m a firm believer that the two days that define your relationship with an employer are your first day and your last. Dave Rennie’s last day does not reflect well on his ex-employer. The decision may have been warranted but the manner was poor. I hope he goes on to greater things.
As for Eddie Jones, I hope he can “do a Bob Dwyer” and have a successful second stint as the Wallabies coach. His view of the Wallaby Coaching position appears to be different from Rennie’s – Rennie, I think, took a minimalist approach, very much concentrating on the players and their performances. Jones, meanwhile appears to have taken on a much wider role.
Perhaps he understands the internecine politics of Australian rugby better.
The Wrap: Rugby Australia get their man but at what cost to their 'junk bond status' reputation?
Totally agree, HIghlander and scrum. It’s instructive that Australia’s periods of greatest success – the Alan Jones side that achieved a Grand Slam in ’84 and then a series win in NZ in ’86, Bob Dwyer’s WRC winning side of ’91 and, of course Rod McQueen’s side of ’99 – all, I would say, played “intelligent rugby” rather than “running Rugby” – with the skill & talent to run from anywhere but the smarts to know when.
Mark Ella’s tries (one in every Grand Slam win) was running Rugby with at least one of these build off solid defence. Timmy Lawton’s try at Cardiff Arms Park was the antithesis of running rugby.
These sides were all balanced and smart. The hallmarks of great sides, I think.
A dispassionate look at the Eddie Jones appointment
Interestingly, Kirkpatrick named Ray Price as a flanker in his “World XV” in to play against his best All Blacks in his book.
He wrote that Price was “the most destructive” player he’d played against.
A great compliment.
Beer with an All Black: Ian Kirkpatrick
I’ve got to say I agree with broadly with the idea behind this article. I believe Rugby is richer for there being different styles played by different teams or nations. There used to be a thing called a “national style” – The French flair, the Irish foot rush. The professional era has seen these styles disappear to some extent as coaches and players become more mobile. Terry MacLean (NZ Journalist and author ) once said (Circa 1978) that playing the Boks was like playing against a boa constrictor – they just strangled the life out of you.
But it’s also true to say that teams styles evolve over time as player rosters and coaches change. England were known for brilliant backs in the 60s & early 70s. By the time the 80s had rolled around, they had become much more forward orientated.
I personally prefer a 15 man game – but I respect any coach and team for thinking it through and coming up with different ways of winning.
Why I don't understand the Springboks hate
If you haven’t already, have a read of Laidlaw’s book “Mud in your eye”. One of the best rugby books I’ve read.
Why Sid Going was one of the most unique players to play for the All Blacks
I saw a doco on BG a few years ago.
In his role as Patron of the Ponsonby Footy Club, he said he always looked for players who “put their hand up, not out.”
I can’t think of a better quote about attitude and I’ve shared that with my kids.
Always been a fan of Williams.
Why Bryan Williams is my rugby hero
Great article. I once saw Going play for Northland against Auckland. The Auckland Number 8 broke off the back of a scrum and got up a head of steam. Going tackled him at knee-height and stopped him dead in his tracks. He then proceeded to lift him and topple him back the way he came onto I his back. The strength required to do that from such an awkward, low, tackling position was incredible. Great memories!
Why Sid Going was one of the most unique players to play for the All Blacks
One NZ journalist once wrote that Chris Laidlaw had pass so long and accurate that “he could make a pommy soccer player look like a good 1st 5”
Why Sid Going was one of the most unique players to play for the All Blacks
That’s a good point. To give you an AB fan’s point of view, I was texting with my brothers in Auckland (I’m Brisbane based) during the game. At about 15 minutes into the 2nd half my brother texts “All Blacks look clueless as they did in Wellington.”
This at a time they were 26 points up!!
His frustration was fully evident as the ABs lost momentum in that 3rd quarter.
For my part I hope that Dave Rennie looks at this 3rd quarter and challenges his team to replicate that effort for 80 minutes. It might be boring but it was effective and it took the ABs some time to adjust to the higher level of physicality and intent that the Wallabies brought in that period. We’ll see.
Bledisloe III: The game none of us needed
Fantastic post, Play on. “Both teams appear to have an awesome servant culture to each other and country. A steely resolve to leave it all out there next Saturday. All I can do is watch it unfold.” Love your attitude.
The Wrap: There's a reason Boks and All Blacks are at the big boys' table - the rest have to earn their way onto it