Wednesday’s Rugby News has a really cool Welsh assistant coach, a sagely Sio, the Rebels signing two and the Aussie men’s 7s rack up another tournament.
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Wales Assistant Coach Tells Truth
Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards is a really really cool guy, who also believes that the Wallabies’ attack is the best in the world. He thinks it’s even better than the All Blacks’ attack! Aw shucks.
“They have immense attacking weapons, they have the most potent attacking force in the first three phases in world rugby — even more than the All Blacks,” Edwards said, who doubles up as Wales’ defence coach (via the Daily Telegraph).
“There is a multitude of outstanding backs. Karmichael Hunt debuted for the Brisbane Broncos when he was 17 which is an incredible feat.
“Whoever they play at fullback will be a potent force, whether it be Kurtley Beale etc. Folau is Folau. He is an incredible player … I am sure they’ll have someone to take his place. But am I glad he’s not playing Saturday? Just a little.”
Despite Australia’s huge record over Wales, Edwards thinks the red-dressed fellas will do better than the 32-3 game last year. Especially because they’ve had more than one training session together (unlike last year).
“Last year before we played Australia we only had one training session,” said Edwards.
“Everyone knows they are together for four months before they get here. They are like a club team. That is the advantage Southern Hemisphere teams have. That is just the way it is.
“They’re perennially a top-four ranked team and yes, we’ve failed to get the winning edge even when we have played outstandingly. I remember when we went to Melbourne in 2012 [and lost in the last minute] and once again last minute in Sydney.
“They had the edge on us last year and were all over us. Hopefully we’ll be that little bit stronger. Definitely the best part of their game is their attack.”
Hey, has anyone mentioned how cool Wales’ defence coach is yet?
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Sio En Vivo
Scott Sio has saluted Mario Ledesma, saying the Wallabies former scrum coach has instilled a love for grabbing blokes scrotums and shoving their heads together in a loving embrace, in the team.
“He’s laid a great foundation for us that I think we can keep building on,” Sio told the SMH. “I guess not having him here it has put a lot of focus on the players to step up and really demand a lot from each other at the set-piece.
“We’ve definitely lost his presence but I think a lot of the passion has rubbed off on the players.”
Without a scrum coach, Sio has revealed that Michael Cheika has stepped in to do a bit more work with forwards.
“It’s been a smooth transition … and [with] players helping as well,” Sio said. “[Cheika is] not necessarily barking orders but doing a good job sharing the work with Mick [Byrne] and just taking the meetings when they come and stepping in at training sessions.” Ooh-ah.
Sio, the man with the second-roundest head in the world (after Karl Pilkington) also touched on the Wallabies plans for strength & conditioning, at the tail end of a long season.
“Five weeks on the road last year was pretty tough and you saw it in the back end of the tour,” Sio said. “We’ve learnt from that and we’ve had great planning around it with S&C [strength and conditioning] coaches and medical staff. The boys are in good nick.”
Thanks for compliment Scott, you too.
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Rebels Sign More More More
The Melbourne Rebels last Friday announced the signing of Dane Haylett-Petty, and as it is, DHP comes as a package with his brother Ross.
Both have joined on two-year deals, which conveniently takes them up to the 2019 World Cup. Unsurprisingly, DHP was keen to continue working with Our Dave (Wessels).
“The rugby program that Dave [Wessels] runs is all about hard work and pushing each other, and I think we’re building a very competitive group at the Rebels so I know that he’s going to get the best out of me here,” DHP said, according to ESPN.
“Dane and Ross are talented, committed and hard working players,” Wessels replied, fluttering his eyelashes.
“Both have made significant strides in their development as experienced players over the last couple of years at an international and national level, but I believe they still have their best rugby ahead of them which is exciting for everyone at our club.”
According to the same news piece, the Rebels are hoping to sign Wallabies Adam Coleman and Matt Philip. No news on whether anyone wants to sign Jesse Mogg.
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Silicon Valley 7s
This is verging on old news, but whatever. The Aussie 7s triumphed at the Silicon Valley 7s last weekend, to win their third pre-season title in a row.
The Aussies beat USA in the final, 15-12. Earlier in the day they’ve blown Chile to bits 27-0. Chile, by the way, had earlier beaten New Zealand 27-0.
“It was really pleasing – we were down to eight or nine [fit players] at the end there so to tough it out and win like we did was really good to see,” GAGR Friend Andy Friend told rugby.com.au.
“It wasn’t a World Series – we did want to win but we didn’t want to take any risks so Ben O’Donnell (quad soreness), Sam Meyers (hamstring soreness) and Tom Lucas (shoulder soreness) were all kept out of that final.
“Then we had Charlie Taylor dealing with a hernia all week but he came on and played in the final and he’s been really tough for us all week.
“Lewi has been out since Rio and EJ has been struggling with injuries so I was really pleased for those guys to see them play the way they did in the final.
“They played well but the young guys are stepping up every game now and that’s exactly what we want to see.”
New superstar Maurice Longbottom, is also Friend’s new best friend.
“He’s a really special footballer,” Friend said.
“He creates a mountain of opportunities for us and defensively he can hurt the opposition in so many ways.
“He can score from anywhere on the field because he’s so good on his feet and he’s been fantastic for us.”
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