Wallabies coach responds to 'dirty tactics' calls from across the ditch

Well, at least I’m consistent then :silly: I’m am very bias towards my teams, always have been and always will be, which I openly and freely admit, so I won’t disagree with your points. But I do try and call them out, and the NZRFU, when I think it’s appropriate. and they carry on like pork chops. Like this vid, I would rather Plumtree had shut his mouth, or used the proper channels (which they probably did to be fair), or at the very least, not dropped in the ABs don’t cry part. I know what he is trying to say, but he said it really badly and so it comes across as a whinging contradiction.

Paulo you are unfailingly consistent as the voice of reason but also a consistent apologist for anything untoward coming from your homeland.

That's not my usual response. Matt is right, its not tiddlywinks, but you can be 'hard' without being dirty. I don't want to see any team doing that stuff, ABs included, I think I have been consistent on that. I get that threads like this, with so many Bledisloe's back to back, that this kind of vitriol we are seeing is going to continue, but I really wish it wouldn't. Its fairly unpleasant reading. That's not a comment about any one person in particular and I'm aware its coming from both sides. It just doesn't have to be like this, we can be rivals without having a go every chance we get.

I believe it’s “we’re not playing tiddlywinks”.

Off the ball stuff in the Bledisloe? Who would have thought! The usual kiwi response to such complaints is "harden up" isn't it?

Absolutely, Plumtree shouldn’t have come out like he did, there were better ways to make the point. My point was just that there seems to be admission that there was off the ball stuff, but both teams did it, so it’s ok, I.E. the old lot/kettle deference. I would rather discuss removing it entirely before someone is seriously hurt, I think both teams are better than that.

Hey, the Kiwis were the ones who chose to start this discussion with a public bleat about the Wallabies. There is nothing untoward about pointing out hypocrisy under those circumstances.

So both are black? Both did off the ball stuff? By throwing out the comparison, you place an equivalency on their behaviour. Which implicitly suggests illegal actions are ok because the other team did it.

Every good coach tries to influence the ref before the game. Whether it talking about scrum tendencies or ruck stuff. It’s why coaches meet refs before games, where normal etiquette is the both coaches go together (Cheika being the exception as he would decide the invites - then whinge that the ref has been influenced before the game). Even these these comments can influence Gardner, as he may see Rennie more favourably because of this approach. You just don’t know.

If it’s is pot/kettle situation, the assumption is that both are black. So you think the Wallabies did do some off the ball stuff?

I like him. Great hire by Raelene and Scott.

That’s a bit low mate. They’ll come good and you might eat those words

Hasn't worked out he is now the enemy. Plumtree coached in South Africa a fair while. Trying to use his former comrades on first name basis still. He made his choice best of luck to him. Being praised while competeing. But it's all about results at this level and the cash off course.

After, what, 5 years of Cheika? This is just so refreshing for me. I'm no longer cringing during the interviews with the Wallabies coach.

Very impressively handled- did not directly make mention of the incorrect calls for the Wallabies- handled it through the correct channels- classy behaviour setting a good example for community rugby. Rennie off to great start & regardless of result on Sunday the future looks bright. Let’s not forget it was Raelene Castle who secured his signature

ABs must be worried to go public. ABs off the ball antics are legendary. Pot calling kettle lack.

Dirty tactics? hardly. I'm thinking the All Blacks are just too used to playing a Wallaby team full of headless chickens.

Agree. The new AB coaching staff are clearly under a lot of criticism and pressure from the success-loving NZ rugby public. That can only be their motivation for going to the media and taking some pot shots at the Wallabies and the refereeing, including trying to influence the reffing in B2. An interesting revelation into their current mindset; one that just might have some bad endings down the track if they don't play the house down to lofty expectations real soon.

This is a great response from Rennie, Good on him for calling Plumtree out for trying to influence the ref. NZ has home ground advantage, it’s not like they need any other help.

Pot / kettle