To qoute Jack Nicholson “Right here’s rugby!” Gaggers wasn’t {that a} weekend of Rugby? Take a look at Rugby! The Finest Sort! Nation upon nation. My eyes are sore from watching so many video games. And Mrs. Brisney and the ‘Tin Lids’ are a bit pissed off that they needed to transfer into the opposite room so I might watch sport after sport of rugby. However alas it’s my pleased time.
So, let’s pour into the video games, do a mini-review, after which focus on the Wallabies and their efficiency. So strap your self in, seize an enormous cup of you realize what ☕, and let’s get able to rumble.
Worldwide Exams
Samoa 33 defeated Italy 25
The constructive results of Moana Pasifika’s involvement in Tremendous Rugby Pacific have been actually on present in Samoa’s defeat of Italy this weekend. The Pacific Island boys have been capable of get well from a 10-point deficit to come back again and down Italy 33-25 in Apia on Friday. Samoa scored 4 tries to 3 in a to assist new coach Mahonri Schwalger get off to a constructive begin to his tenure.
The Italians have been favourites with the bookies for this sport, having had a very robust Six Nations in 2024 the place they have been capable of get the perfect of Wales and Scotland. And exhibiting they werent messing round they purchased just about a full energy squad to do battle with Samoa. They got here out strongly and led 25-15 across the 55 minute mark, however then fell away enormously. The oppressive warmth and humidity of Samoa actually sapped their energy they usually died within the final 25 minutes and the Samoans snatched the sport away.
Like we have now seen with Fiji Drua after they play at house, groups touring there battle. Europeans groups coming to Samoa and Tonga will meet the identical destiny I believe over the approaching years.
New Zealand 16 defeated England 15
In what was an epic battle between two heavy weights, The Darkness has come away with the choccies in opposition to the Cleaning soap Dodgers, however solely simply. The Razor Robertson period acquired off to a squeaky begin with combos not fairly gelling and a few gamers mis-firing in opposition to an England that clearly demonstrated it had been enjoying collectively for some time, and was right here to play.
England acquired off to a flying begin, and have been sticking it to the Kiwi’s, in a ‘in-your-face’ sport plan. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso acquired England off to a fast begin with a pleasant 5-pointer. However the Kiwis acquired again into the sport and each groups went to oranges with the scores stage after Sevu Reece went in for a pleasant strive. Each flyhlaves had a horror evening with the boot. Marcus Smith missed three of his 5 makes an attempt, and and DMac missed two as properly. With one conversion being taken away resulting from timing out earlier than the kick, which needs to be embarrassing at worldwide stage.
England’s rush defence troubled the Kiwis intially however by the second half that they had managed to adapt. TJ Perenara went off injured at half time resulting from a pleasant hearth leg hit that bent his knee at a clumsy angle, which appeared like it will have actually bloody harm. However credit score should go to England they actually performed laborious all through the sport, and appeared as shut as they ever need to beating NZ in NZ. Nevertheless it was to not be.
Subsequent week the 2 go at it once more at Eden Park in what’s more likely to be one other belter of a sport. However I believe the Kiwis have been higher for this hit out and can solely enhance subsequent week.
South Africa 27 defeted Eire 20
The Duch Filth farmers have ended eight years of losses by the hands of Eire when it received their 1 v 2 showdown 27-20 in Pretoria, South Africa on Sunday morning. The reigning World Champions actually re-stamped their standing , but it surely wasnt a straightforward victory. In what was one other belter of a take a look at match, these two groups wnet at one another laborious. Nevertheless, the rub of the inexperienced actually went the way in which of the house staff on this sport.
A TMO interuption (which was a little bit of a standard theme on this weekends collection of checks) discovered purpose to not give a attempt to Eire’s James Lowe, and make sure a strive for South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe. In a show of energy rugby, the South African scrum within the final 5 minutes of the sport powered by way of Eire, a lot in order that the referump awarded a penalty strive from it. And that was sufficient for South Africa to carry out the sport. Eire, attempting to win in South Africa for under the second time in 118 years, has one other probability in Durban subsequent weekend, and might sq. a collection for the primary time.
France 28 defeated Argentina 13
Fabien Galthie’s extremely modified French staff cruised previous the Argentinians 28-13 in Mendoza on Saturday. New French Captain Baptiste Serin in addition to debutants Antoine Frisch and Theo Attissogbe scored meat pies for the Froggies, who needed to do with out Antoine Dupont as he prepares to play sevens on the Paris Olympics.
Matias Orlando was Los Pumas’ solely try-scorer, because the Argentinians modify to their new coach Conteponi, who took over from the Cheikmeister publish World Cup. Conteponi made vital modifications to the Los Pumas squad, however nonetheless had loads of expertise together with Pablo Matera who ran on for his 99th cap.
After what was a very sluggish first 20 minutes for either side the Froggies opened the scoring by way of fly-half Antoine Hastoy penalty purpose. The FISMs drew stage a couple of minutes later as Santiago Carreras slotted a penalty. However the French took management of the sport with Serin making a 40m break to nail a solo strive, which was transformed by Hastoy. Going to oranges at 10-3.
Popping out of the sheds publish half time, France prolonged their lead as Frisch banged down a attempt to which was transformed to take the French out to a 17-3 lead. Los Pumas acquired themselves again into the sport with about quarter-hour left to go when Julian Montoya grabbed a meat pie taking it to 20-8. However the French regained management by way of Attissogbe who scored on debut and took the rating to 25-8. However with three minutes left on the clock Argentina scored once more by way of Orlando, but it surely was a case of too little too late. Each side meet once more subsequent week in Beunos Aires.
Scotland 73 defeated Canada 12
A second string Scottish staff have given the Canadians a whole contact up in Ottawa on Saturday. Gregor Townsend took the chance to blood 10 new gamers, they usually delivered for him.
The Canuks acquired off to begin with Captain Lucas Rumball banging down a 5-pointer due to an incredible rolling maul. However that was just about about it because the Scotts went concerning the enterprise of scoring tries. Coach Townsend will likely be pleased with the expertise for the youthful gamers, as he seems to broaden his squad publish RWC.
Canada will stay in Ottawa to host Romania subsequent Friday. On the identical day Scotland will sq. off in opposition to the USA at Audi Subject in Washington DC.
The Wallabies
Wallabies 25 defeated Wales 16
Effectively Joe schmidt has began his teaching tenure of the Wallabies with a clunky 25-16 win over the Welsh in Sydney on Saturday evening. In between a lot of kicking a rugby sport occaisioanlly broke out. Each groups began bodily, attempting to get a really feel for one another. Each side electing to take early penalties to get the rating board ticking over.
The Wallabies appeared to use stress by way of their forwards, who carried out properly in opposition to the Welsh in tight. The Tongan Thor, who was damaging at scrum time, managed to cross within the twentieth minute with a pleasant in shut power-drive to cross the road, taking the Wobs to a 13-3 lead. The Welsh have been combating their self-discipline in defence and it ended up costing this with Gareth Thomas being handed a pleasant piece of 🧀 after the Welsh had regularly infringed.
To not be out executed although, the Aussie shortly joined them with Fraser McReight copping a staff 🧀 for bringing down a maul on the strive line. Now with each groups enjoying with 14 it grew to become a good tussle between the 2 groups. Wales had the higher finish of the kicking sport, and the Wallabies gaining domince by way of their scrum. The groups went to the sheds for organges with the Wallabies up by 3 factors.
The coaches gave their steerage and out they got here for the second half, with Tupou rested and seven A’s on at tight head. Ben Thomas purchased the scores to stage pegging, but it surely wasnt for lengthy. Ex-Queenslander, Ex – Insurgent, and now Queenslander once more Filipo Dangunu burst by way of the pack and managed to slip it over the road for a pleasant 5-pointer taking the Wobs out to an 18-13 lead.
The Welsh acquired over the road, however the TMO “test checked’ and the strive was canned for an obstruction within the maul. The Wallabies went on the assault once more, and Lolo took a poor otion in a cross subject kicked that the Ginger Ninja Kellaway couldnt fairly collect in.
Tom ‘John Denver’ Wright, was positively on diamonds throughout this sport, producing a scintilating run down the wing, busting the road and aspect stepping gamers to cross for a magic strive, to take the Wallabies out to a 9 level lead. The Welsh attacked laborious however with the replacements on for the Wallabies they defended properly to carry them out. Fraser Mcreight had an incredible turnover to safe posession and hold the Wobs properly and actually within the lead.
Wallabies 25 (Tries: Tupou, Daugunu, Wright; Cons: Lolesio, Lynagh; Pens: Lolesio 2) def Wales 16 (Penalty Attempt, Pens: Thomas 3)
Gamers of Observe: Tom wright and Filipo Dangunu had a stellar evening and could have glued themselves to beginning positions for subsequent week. Tongan Thor for stable for the half that he performed. And Jimmy Slips performed sport. Our 9 / 10 mixture struggled though individually Jake gordon performed fairly properly. Lolo appeared to battle and the staff appeared to circulate higher when Lynagh and Tate got here on. Wrongas had efficiency as each Captain and again rower.
I believe there will likely be some modifications to Joe’s beginning squad for subsequent week. The staff did okay, however they appeared like a staff that had actually solely been collectively for 2 weeks. The combos want extra work, and it is going to be as much as Joe whether or not he sticks or modifications for subsequent week. However personally I might be beginning Tate and Lynagh subsequent week to take a look at how they begin. Lolo struggled with the boot, lacking a lot of simple photographs on the sticks, in contrast to his nearly metronomic kicking efficiency throughout Tremendous Rugby.
The Wallabies sport was clunky, and error crammed at occasions, however it’s constructing. I believe we kicked away possession too typically, and for no actual purpose. Lolo from tee and from hand didn’t kick properly and this affected our sport plan execution. We, as followers ought to be pleased with the win. However there’s nonetheless lots of work to do, however it’s apparent that this work is being executed, and I for one think about Joe and his teaching staff to maintain constructing. And construct we should. As a result of after watching the New Zealand V Poms sport, and the Eire V Saffa’s sport, we have now a fiar bit of labor to do to prepare for the Rugby Championships.
Outdated Man Shouting at Clouds
Only a transient bitch from the weekends video games. As talked about earlier than, this collection of checks had a collection of interuptions from the TMOs. I have to admit I’m not a fan of TMO interuptions. Until it’s for foul play, I believe the TMO ought to keep out of it except they’re known as into it by the Referump. Marius Jonkers appears to be a serial offender on this regard.
I’m hoping the second spherical of checks doesnt have this stage of interuptions.
Anyway sufficient of this outdated man jibbering crap! Over to you GAGRs, have at it.
