Wednesday’s Rugby News has Matt Philip (one L) looking forward to being a Wallaby, the boyyys looking forward to Japan, the Baa Baas squad to crush NZ, and a Ben Whittaker interview.
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Philip Unfazed
He was born into this world with only one ‘L’ in Philip, so since day dot it’s been an uphil struggle for the Force’s Matt Philip.
So it’s no surprise to learn that the man lacking an L isn’t lacking fight for the Wallabies jersey.
“Training against ‘Adsy’ [Adam Coleman] al year, it’s been awesome,” the 23-year-old told rugby.com.au.
“If you can pick a fight with him at training, no one is going to realy rattle you in the competition, he’s the biggest and scariest out there, isn’t he?”
Like al Cheika players, Philip loves his physicality, etc.
“I’ve worked a lot on my bal carrying and tried to show a bit of physicality this season,” he said.
“When I watched locks when I was younger, I always used to like the ones that got realy physical with the opposition and stood out and imposed themselves as a bit of an enforcer on the field.
“I’m stil quite young so it’s a hard role to undertake but that’s what I’ve tried to do throughout the year. I think he (Cheika) likes that bit of agro, bit of physicality and that mentality.
“It’s definitely something I enjoy doing so I’ll try and put that out on the training paddock today.”
With game time not assured, Philip is just happy to be there. Why aren’t ever not happy to be there? Would make for an interesting story to write:
“I think I’m just more stoked to be training with some of the players here, being in the Walabies gear and learning part of their system,” he said.
“I’ve already learned heaps in the first two days.”
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Looking 2 Japan
The Wallabies are going to play Japan next, so naturally that’s what they’ve been chatting about.
“Every game is a tough game and whenever you go on these tours,” Bernard Foley lied to the SMH, failing to remember the time Argentina travelled to Australia and beat the Wallabies (when the Jaguares beat the Waratahs…geddit? hehe).
“You’ve just got to prepare the best you possibly can because they’ve got such quality players and they’re just such tough environments to win in.
“The Japanese are probably our biggest threat to start with because the nature of how they play. They’re a dangerous and threatening side and they’re going to challenge us in a different style.
“I know a few of the players from when I went up there [to play in the Top League] and some who play in Super Rugby. When they played those June games [against Ireland] they really backed their skills, they’ve got great energy and they work really hard. They’re definitely a formidable side.”
Turning his head to rugby.com.au, Foley continued to yammer on.
“We’re lucky to play in some great countries, Japan’s definitely one of them so excited to get back there but recognising how big the challenge is,” he said.
“They’re going to be a really tough side to play against, they’re quite unorthodox in terms of they really back themselves, they’ve got high energy and it’s going to be a good challenge.”
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All Baa baas
The All Blacks are set to play the Barbarians in Twickenham this week, as they seem to do all the time. Robbie Deans will be the coach and he’s picked 3 Australians in the team.
Taqele Naiyararararavororororo is one, Sam Carter is the other, and Nic Stirzaker is the third one. Both Naiy etc and Carter played in the Baa Baas game in Sydney last weekend.
The Baa Baas will also play Tonga…in Ireland… and the team will also feature 13 Kiwis. Steven Luatua, Ben Franks, and Julian Savea, the Savea with the more normal haircut, are part of the squad.
Barbarians squad:
Forwards Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester), Dominic Bird (Chiefs), Willie Britz (Sunwolves), Sam Carter (Brumbies), Simone Favaro (Fiamme Oro), Ben Franks (London Irish), Dillon Hunt (Highlanders), Steven Luatua (Bristol), Atu Moli (Chiefs), Kwagga Smith (Lions), Ruan Smith (Toyota Verblitz), Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), Jacques van Rooyen (Lions), Luke Whitelock (Highlanders) Backs Vince Aso (Hurricanes), George Bridge (Crusaders), Richard Buckman (Highlanders), Mitchell Drummond (Crusaders), Robert du Preez (Stormers), Andy Ellis (Kobelco Steelers), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Nic Stirzaker (Rebels), Harold Vorster (Lions)
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ARU High Performance Chat
Ben Whitaker is the ARU High Performance Manager, and he’s given an interview with rugbynews.net.au. In short:
“No one is happy about our results over the last year or so but I think what it has done is ensured that everyone has learnt along the way, so hopefully we won’t see history repeat itself.
“People are quick to forget that we actually won the Super Rugby title in 2011 and 2014, we were runners up in the World Cup when we were 20 minutes shy of beating one of the best teams ever, so it’s not as though we’re not capable, we’re just inconsistent and that’s what we need to change.”
How’s the IPRC going?
“[The ARU has] been heavily involved in looking at how the [IPRC] can be constructed so that it works to achieve all the outcomes that Andrew Forrest, WA Rugby, Australian rugby and now World Rugby wants. There are a lot of stakeholders involved that are spending a lot of time looking at multiple outcomes and it’s not easy, it’s quiet a complex issue but we’re trying to work through it.”
What about the NRC? How is it tracking?
“From a football point of view, we’re really pleased with what we’re seeing on the field. The feedback we get from players and coaches all suggest that it’s providing current and future talent with a better opportunity to develop and become better players.
“Clearly, we’ve tinkered around with how we’ve marketed and promoted the competition and we haven’t had a lot to work with, so it’s almost become somewhat of an in-house rugby competition. If you know about it, you’ll come and watch or turn it on TV, but we need to bridge that gap and get more people interested and involved. That can’t happen overnight and we knew it was going to take some time because people talk a lot about tribalism and I think that’s an important factor and something we need to improve.
“We’re also looking at the infrastructure that supports the teams. We’ve got some teams that are aligned directly to Super Rugby sides, then in NSW and QLD they have to cater for a bit more so I think we need to work on that so that every side can run an effective program.”
Could you merge it with the succesful club rugby comps?
“[The NRC] could be [merged with club comps] and we’re always reviewing what we’re doing to achieve the outcomes we’re after. A lot of people have talked about the resurgence of club rugby this year. Is it because the rest of the game stinks, or is it because club rugby is really good? It’s probably a bit of both but I think it’s more because club rugby has been really strong and competitive right around the country.
“The challenge with creating a national club competition is that you risk bastardising what makes club rugby so great.
“Who competes in a national competition? Does everyone compete, or just some sides and how will that effect the individual state competitions? Then you have to look at distributing players as well. I’m sure the clubs and the member unions are looking at it but there may be some unintended consequences of going that way. Club rugby is very local and tribal, whereas the NRC has the potential to be a lot more regional, which adds a different flavour and creates an opportunity to support other communities.
“I’d like to think that we can get the best of both worlds by keeping the two competitions separate but again, it’s certainly something that we’ll look at.”
There’s a whole lot more to the interview, which you can find over here.
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