Wednesday’s Rugby News has an angry Nick Mallett, confident All Blacks, Israel Folau PhD and loads of Reds signings.
[one_half last=”no”]
Mallett Brings Out Mallet
Former Boks coach Nick Mallett has come out swinging against Japanese rugby, tell South Africa’s SuperSport (via Sport24) that “Japanese rugby officials are not taking the Super Rugby competition seriously.”
Mallett’s comments may or may not be connected to the Lions 94-7 win over the Sunwolves last weekend.
“Unless officials in that country change course, there are going to be a lot more heavy defeats in the future, some even heavier than the one this weekend,” he said.
“Sunwolves were introduced to Super Rugby so that a strong Japanese national team could be built as they prepare to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
“But many of the best Japanese rugby players are turning out for company-owned clubs in the country and not for the Sunwolves.
“The best Japanese players have to play for the Sunwolves, otherwise they are going to be embarrassed many more times.”
As Wayne Smith puts in the Australian, “the growing concern is that SANZAAR has overreached itself yet again and inflicted on Australia a Japanese side that makes both the Force and the Rebels by comparison look like title contenders.”
Anyway, back to Mallett.
“In the match against the Lions they missed 53 tackles — you cannot compete successfully in Super Rugby with that sort of statistic,” he continued, replacing his wooden mallet with a rubber one.
“The Sunwolves’ defence was non-existent and they were continually smashed in the scrums.
“The one thing supporters of any rugby team expect is commitment and effort — we saw neither from the Sunwolves at Ellis Park.”
[/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]
All Blacks All Good
Despite losing at home and having a dilemma in the centres, the All Blacks are confident they can put at least 40+ points on the Lions in Auckland on the weekend.
Ryan Crotty has been ruled out of the upcoming game, and Sonny Bill Williams has been suspended after attempting to put his shoulder into Anthony Watson’s brains. This means an all-new centre pairing will be required for the ABs.
In their thoughts are Anton Lennart-Brown, Ngani Laumape, who came off the bench last weekend, and Malakai Fekitoa, who has been brought into the squad as cover. Jack Goodhue, whoever he is, is also in the squad (as cover for Crotty) and winger Rieko Ioane is also being considered.
“We have got a number of options in midfield,” assistant coach Ian Foster said (via Fox Sports).
“It goes to show, you’ve really got to make sure you’re preparing a group of four or five at all stages just to be ready to play.
“Yes, there’s been some reshuffling and that brings its challenges but our expectations are that whoever goes out there plays at a top level whether it’s their first Test or 50th.”
Foster and Steve Hansen have been stroking their chins, trying to figure out what to do now Sonny Bill Williams has to watch from the naughty step.
We like to think we’re really smart and have a great plan,” he said.
“Last year we ended up bringing Anton in and he was a bit of a revelation. All we can really do is prepare everyone to the best of their ability, give them an opportunity and leave it up to them.”
[/one_half][one_half last=”no”]
Flyin’ Folau
After 4 years in rugby, Israel Folau has finally come to the conclusion that scoring tries from cross field kicks could be a good idea.
“Obviously I am always confident in the skills and ability I have,” Folau told rugby.com.au, doctorate in hand.
“It’s a matter of working together with Bernard and I think that’s a bit of a next phase for us, in terms of expanding our game.
“Not just in that area, but in all different areas of our game.”
With his legs crossed, and the palm of his hands on his knees, Folau spoke from the depths of incense-infused enlightenment.
“Those are things you train for and a guy like Bernard, who has a great kick, he can put the kick on the spot,” he said.
“If you want to work on little skill sets and combinations, you always try to do that in training but it matters the most when you do in a game.
“We are always open to learning and sharpen up our skills.”
Meanwhile, the Waratahs have announced the signing of lock Tom Staniforth on a three-year contract.
[/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]
Reds Signings
There’s been another spate of signings and what not. If there’s anymore, Alan Jones is going to start rattling on as if it’s a moral panic.
The Reds have re-signed three young ‘uns, with Caleb Timu, Harry Hockings and Angus Blyth all making blood sacrifices at the alter of Tim Horan innocently putting pen to paper on new contracts.
Hockings and Blyth are locks. Hockings has almost as many feet (206cm) as years (he’s 18), while Blyth (also 18) is a similarly ginormous 204cm. Nick Stiles is a fan of both.
“He’s incredibly athletic, he’s got a real toughness for someone who is only 18 years of age that I haven’t seen in a long time and you have people like Brad Thorn – who has done absolutely everything – predicting he could be a 100 game Wallaby,” Stiles said of Hockings (to rugby.com.au)
Of Blyth he said: “It’s been great to see his development from that schoolboy footballer into the U20s program and to see him starting to fill out that massive frame of his – he’s going to be a very good footballer going forward.”
Timu, 23, is a backrower, and hopefully should be learning heaps from George Smith and Scott Higginbotham. Timu’s been playing in the Brisbane club rugby comp, whatever it’s called, and has come back from rugby in the last few years after whittling away his life playing for the Broncos u20s.
Meanwhile, Alstonville boy Jake McIntyre is off at the end of the season. He’s going to try his luck with Agen in France. It’s hoped that up-and-coming Hamish Stewart will take McIntyre’s former place as Quade-to-be.
[/one_half]
