Monday’s rugby news has Link emphasizing running rugby, Beale sweating his starting spot, some injured All Blacks and a close win for the Springboks.
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Link keeps faith in running rugby
Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie has emphasised that the team will retain their attacking focus in the second Bledisloe Cup Test after being stifled by poor conditions and scrambling New Zealand defence in Saturday’s scoreless 12-all draw. The Wallabies still need to win the remaining two games to take the Bledisloe Cup, but will take some confidence out of running for almost double the metres of the All Blacks, forcing them to make 160 tackles, and miss 20.
When asked if similar conditions would prompt a change in tactics, McKenzie emphasised, “I don’t think it brings the best out in our players.” He continued, “There’s no doubt we are going to kick it in the appropriate moments or whatever, but fundamentally we are going to carry the ball at the opposition. That’s our base approach.” [/one_half]
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Beale unsure of starting spot
While saying he was content with his performance in difficult conditions, Wallabies five-eighth Kurtley Beale has emphasised that he is unsure whether he did enough to cement his position in the team. When asked whether he ensured another start at 10, Beale said, “No probably not, obviously (Bernard Foley) and Nick Phipps came on and really turned it up for the boys at the end there and I thought we were going to come away with the win.” Ewen McKenzie said he will look closely at the replay before naming his side but also emphasized the risk of altering the team’s combinations.
Meanwhile, Wallabies stand-out performer James Slipper has emphasised that while the performance did evidence a general improvement, the team needed to execute and build pressure as a team rather than individuals trying to score off every phase. [/one_half]
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NZ stars in doubt
Australia’s prospects of taking out the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Eden Park will be boosted by the injuries to All Blacks stars Ma’a Nonu and Jerome Kaino. While both players undergo scans on Monday to determine their eligibility, Kaino’s elbow injury is thought to be less serious. Along with captain Richie McCaw, who suffered a shoulder stinger, Kaino is expected to play.
Coach Steve Hansen said the All Blacks will be “sweating on whether or not (Nonu) will be right next week.” Hansen will be able to insert All Blacks veteran Conrad Smith, who missed Saturday’s Test to witness the birth of his first child. Smith will likely combine with Malakai Fekitoa if Nonu cannot play. [/one_half]
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Springboks opening win
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has praised his young stars after scraping home in their opening Rugby Championship game, defeating Argentina 13-6 in terrible conditions on Saturday. “We had a 20-year-old (Handre Pollard) running play at fly-half and a 21-year-old (Lood de Jager) calling the line-outs and they did very well,” said the coach.
While the Springboks have traditionally dominated the Pumas, winning 73-13 in the corresponding fixture last year, Meyer also said he was pleased with the close win given the conditions. Argentina have yet to win in 13 Championship outings since a 2012 debut, but hooker and new skipper Agustin Creevy believes the team will open their account at home next weekend in Salta.[/one_half]
