14 June 2024
Good morning, Inexperienced & Gold Rugby followers and welcome to a different version of Friday’s Information. It’s Reds and Wallabies Fan right here filling in for Hoss this week. I’ll attempt to preserve it upbeat and fascinating as we enter the penultimate spherical of Tremendous Rugby. Particulars about what has saved Hoss from his beloved Friday’s Information are scant, I’ve large sneakers and even larger denims to fill so let’s get straight into it.
In at present’s article I’ll kick it off with a short preview of the semi-finals, cowl some basic information together with fallout from the Rebels being axed and different information, complain somewhat bit in regards to the variety of articles I appear to examine our earlier coach, delve into an age previous dilemma, and channel some Tom Cruise – High Gun vibes.
It’s Semi-Finals Time
Completely happy, Sully, and Karl went by the groups and their forecasts for the semi-finals on this week’s groups podcast, which you could find at https://greenandgoldrugby.com/ggrs-talking-teams-podcast-the-semi-finals/
You may learn a bit extra in regards to the video games courtesy of Nathan Williamson and Rugby Australia right here.
Semi-Ultimate One
Blues v Brumbies at Eden Park, 5:05pm Friday 14 June
This needs to be an fascinating sport to look at. The Blues have taken forward-based brutality to a close to Springbok degree this yr and if the Brumbies don’t execute effectively, they may very well be in for an extended night time. The threats don’t end with the piggies. although, there are many weapons within the backline, Caleb Clarke has been unbelievable this yr. He’s large, quick, elusive, and appears hungry for work, and will probably be a handful all night time for the Ponies. On the opposite wing they’ve Mark Talea, speak about expertise.
The Brumbies come into this sport having received their final 7 video games and 11 from their final 12. Sadly, their final loss was a 46 to 7 hiding by the Blues at Eden Park again in April, so let’s look previous that one. It’s additionally a rematch of the 2022 semi-final which noticed the Blues maintain on and take the victory.
The Blues have misplaced their captain and key ahead Patrick Tuipulotu, who’s out with a knee damage, hopefully he makes a full restoration and will get again to taking part in.
The Brumbies welcome again James Slipper who has overcome the previous man damage (calf pressure) and hopefully that may carry some stability to the scrum and expertise across the park.
The Brumbies have gambled a bit with the composition of the bench (a 6-2 break up), hopefully the backline stays on the sphere and Noah has a blinder.
We need to see extra of this, Andy Muirhead breaking tackles and scoring tries.
Each groups are fairly settled, with minor adjustments from final week, the top says the Blues as the house staff will get the win, the Aussie Rugby fan says that the Brumbies will sneak the win by lower than 7 factors. Noah, Ikitau, and Tom Wright to steer the staff to a well-known away victory and arrange a Grand Ultimate look.
Semi Ultimate Two
Hurricanes vs Chiefs on the Cake Tin, Wellington, 2:35pm Saturday 15 June
This needs to be an absolute belter of a match, with the in type Chiefs heading to Wellington seeking to knock off the minor premiers and Hello-Viz carrying Hurricanes.
Each staff have been implausible this yr, the Chiefs actually placed on a present for the primary 25 minutes final week and put Reds to the sword, and whilst you wouldn’t anticipate the identical two weeks in a row, it reveals what they’re succesful with a wise teaching staff, and great gamers throughout the sphere.
The Chiefs have the luxurious of naming an unchanged facet for this week, whereas the Hurricanes have some minor adjustments. The Chiefs have DMac pulling the strings from 10, whereas the Hurricanes have TJ Perenara calling the pictures from halfback, these guys are the possible All Blacks half pairing this yr, so will probably be an excellent battle. To be trustworthy, this one is more durable to select than a damaged nostril, so I’m going to go along with the house facet, however received’t be in any respect stunned if we see loads of this man all through the night time.
Picture courtesy of Stuff.co.nz.
Some information since yesterday
Flash is gone
Loads of information articles and chats all through the day with the story that Carter “Flash” Gordon has signed with the Gold Coast Titans within the NRL for two years from 2025. That is disappointing for Australian Rugby, however not shocking. Gordon made eight appearances for the Wallabies in 2023 beneath the selecting (I couldn’t carry myself to write down teaching, or steering, or stewardship, or different phrases usually related to nationwide coaches) of Eddie Jones together with being taken to the World Cup as the one specialist Fly-Half. As rugby followers (an typically older males) we will see the world as black and white and the concept of a rugby participant, and incumbent Wallaby, leaving the play rugby league as some type of betrayal, however to be trustworthy with the way in which that the coach handled the staff final yr, the way in which that the Rebels yr unfolded, and the way in which that RA appeared to deal with the Rebels gamers, why would you probably blame a younger man (he’s solely 23) for desirous to go and take a look at on a brand new job in a brand new sport with knowledgeable staff who desires him to be there.
Good luck Carter Gordon, I hope you go effectively, and tear it up.
The lingering impact of Eddie Jones
For some cause, largely as a result of I’m not so tech savvy, that is the webpage that I get after I sort GREE after which hit enter into Google. It’s annoying and if anybody has any concepts of how you can reset my Google searches, or pages, or no matter is main me to have a look at this extra usually than I would really like, please assist. I’m positive that recommendation on how you can reset browser preferences could be helpful for a couple of of the GAGRs who’ve by chance added an additional G into their search engine.
When is an excessive amount of actually an excessive amount of? I can’t appear to go a day with out seeing some article about Eddie Jones, with English gamers, Australian gamers, and too many different “journalists” writing items about him. To any Australian based mostly “journalists”, are you able to please cease, why don’t you employ your time researching and writing articles about present and rising Australian gamers, or rugby points, and write one thing constructive. I don’t care what Eddie is doing now, I’m not going to learn your articles, please cease.
The Age-Previous Dilemma
Possibly that needs to be the age-young dilemma. There’s a little bit of discuss this week on the discussion board and amongst the GAGR Craparazzi about a few rising Australian stars and whether or not they’re sufficiently old to play for the Wallabies this yr. Tim “Junkyard Canine” Ryan, and Charlie “wow he’s quick” Cale particularly have emerged this yr as stand outs for the Reds and Brumbies and deserve a spot within the Wallabies squads and possibly even match day squads.
There was some debate about whether or not they’re sufficiently old or seasoned sufficient to step as much as check match rugby on the comparatively younger ages of 20 (Ryan) and 23 (Cale). I’m genuinely inquisitive about your views on this, I feel that Ryan confirmed sufficient for the Reds to earn his place in a squad and to see what the coaches consider him. For Charlie Cale, if he will get by the finals collection in good bodily well being, and performs effectively, then he’s earned his spot within the squad and the staff. He’s been excellent in each sport I’ve watched this yr.
I assume that I’m leaning on the facet of if you’re adequate, you’re sufficiently old. With the caveat although of accidents, if as youthful guys, they’re carrying accidents, get their our bodies proper earlier than placing them into check match rugby.
Picture Courtesy of Rugbypass.com
I’ve Misplaced that Loving Dropping Feeling
Channeling some Pete “Maverick” Mitchell from High Gun (virtually), I’ve misplaced the dropping feeling this yr. For the previous few years, I’ve entered most weeks as a Reds and Wallabies Fan anticipating my staff to lose, whereas hoping for an upset and even only a gallant slender loss to a greater staff of sheep lovers, biltong eaters, or cleaning soap dodgers.
It’s been robust occasions as a fan, and positively none harder than 2023, however this yr with the Brumbies kicking on (and Noah wanting far more settled), and the Reds profitable video games in opposition to Kiwi sides, I’m able to consider in Australian Rugby once more.
Who’s with me to get on board the Wallabies band wagon and look in direction of a profitable check
collection in opposition to the Welsh after which kick on into the Rugby Championship. If you wish to watch your complete scene, and you already know you do, you could find it courtesy of YouTube right here.
Have an excellent Weekend
That’s all for me for the week, Go the Brumbies, and don’t overlook to take a look at the weekend version by Sully and Hoss will probably be again on deck subsequent week.
Cheers
RAWF
