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Akira Ioane

Rugby

Mark Nawaquanitawase’s 2nd Half double TRY for the Waratahs was cancelled out by the Blues fightback response & Zarn Sullivan’s match-winning drop-goal at Leichhardt Oval

by Sports Benches

What a game to look back from last night when I had the chance to watch the Waratahs v Blues on-site at Leichhardt Oval. It was a quiet first-half by both teams where the Tahs made plenty of chances going forward but without any score, while the Blues were held back by a series of lost penalties & ill-discipline before they took a late three-point penalty goal ahead of half-time.

The 2nd half though was wild where the Tahs led the way courtesy of Mark Nawaquanitawase’s sensational double tries that almost shocked the reigning Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champions. But in the end, the Blues were the better team; Not only responded really well, but they never gave up until the very end where that sensational drop-goal from Zarn Sullivan was enough to secure them the win, 17-20.

Unlucky from the Waratahs with the narrow loss here last night at Leichhardt Oval. The Tahs got the breakthrough they needed with the renewed momentum after half-time where Mark Nawaquanitawase scored a double TRY from his own end on the right-wing. However, they just couldn’t get the best of executions despite plenty of chances being created in the first-half off the back of a good defensive structure & winning penalties. That one huge weakness, as well a small lead just wasn’t enough for the Tahs to fend off the Blues towards the homestretch.

And congratulations to the Blues who snatched the win at the last minute that sent the Tahs supporters a huge blow on their home turf. They were lucky to get away from a dangerous Tahs attack when Ill-discipline stalled their progress in the first-half, as the Blues lost Adrian Choat & Akira Ioane to the naughty chair for a while at one point. It almost came back to bite them when Mark Nawaquanitawase’s double TRY gave the Blues some alarm bells to turn around in a race against time. But a change of tactics including some fresh faces off the bench helped the Blues respond to this fight, before Zarn Sullivan’s increased kicking responsibilities was enough to leave Leichhardt Oval with the win via a three-point drop goal.

So the Tahs will now face the Chiefs from Waikato on early Saturday afternoon instead of the 3rd placed Brumbies in the Quarter-Final if it’s not for that heartbreaking defeat. Meanwhile, the Blues will find out tonight on who they will face their 8th placed opponent for Quarter-Final No.1 on Friday; Is it the Western Force if the Melbourne Rebels can answer their favour v Highlanders as long as their opponents don’t take the bonus point, or the Highlanders beat the Rebels that will leave the Force outside the Top 8 Playoffs bubble.

The final game of the regular Super Rugby Pacific between the Rebels v Highlanders will take place on 2pm this afternoon at AAMI Park in Melbourne, while I will continue my big sporting weekend today at Sydney Motorsports Park in Eastern Creek, NSW, for the ARG SpeedSeries.

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Rugby

Rugby News, Top 3 players from 2021 Bledisloe Cup Game 3: Wallabies v All Blacks in Perth

by Sports Benches

David Havili was fantastic in the All Blacks midfield on the inside throughout this afternoon.

He did well to protect his defense every time the Wallabies struggled to execute that won turnovers/penalties/intercepts, then the real work begins when Havili became so destructive after half-time with two tries that wowed the All Blacks supporters watching him.

Next up is Akira Ioane who also played a huge role on the blindside back row that distance his All Blacks team further away from the Wallabies.

Not only he spotted the Wallabies attacking struggles through the final third defensively but gave a helping hand when contributing the attack that made his backline a lot easier to score which is excellent communication & support play that reflected their big win today.

And Samu Kerevi learned a lot during the Tokyo Olympics while playing rugby sevens for Australia when he ran through the break with transferrable skills prepared at 15s level.

Look at the link-up play when he was side by side with team-mate Marika Koroibete earlier in the 1st half & he may have continued to create these chances throughout today but Kerevi lacks support regarding the executions and that’s lost points stolen which was scored by the All Blacks.

#BledisloeCup #AUSvNZL #RugbyChampionship #Wallabies #AllBlacks #Rugby #InternationalRugby #RugbyUnion #SamuKerevi #AkiraIoane #David Havili

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Rugby

Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman RD1: Top 3 players from the Rebels v Blues Game

by Sports Benches

We will start with Karl Tu’inukuafe at loosehead prop for The Blues. Where he made a big contribution last night. Both to look after the defense. Alongside his attacking offerings that hurt Melbourne.

He possesses a great read which is important to protect his zone. Especially when the Rebels were struggling for some support up front. And not only he helped mark one or two players. Karl also had a look at their scrum feed. Even when Joe Powell has the first feed in against his side. That is how he used his packed muscle to lock them out with the collapse.

It convinced the referee to give the ball to The Blues. Where they made up a couple of successful three pointers. Followed by a couple of touch scores. Karl did not even have to complete the whole game. When his side were good to go towards an easy win. After he came off for Ofa Tuungafasi in the 52nd minute. At 135kg it is hard to get past this sort of stature like Karl. If any one cannot get back up. Whether when they tried to clear out or score tries. Then he will hold them back. And let his Blues side execute with the hard work he put in.

Akira Ioane

There are so many Blues players who made such an impact. But I will have to go to Akira Ioane off the bench. This side were a bit of trouble. When Adrian Choat was punished in the naughty chair. It was exactly in the same role he played on the openside back row. And since Akira came on Blues seemed to be settled with him.

He was so involved going forward in all areas. Especially when his side were able to get around the Rebels half. Got himself ready towards the execution. Based on a wonderful read to keep that passage of play. Before Akira unpacked it with so much physicality & pace. And that is how he touched down both scores to make it half-century. Even in the 2nd 40 alone.

I may not have followed Super Rugby Aotearoa for much this year. But Akira did his fair share to put himself back at No.7 next Saturday. He is such an impact player who changes the game. The defensive test is demonstrated. When he gets to read the opposition bring isolated without numbers. Before he was blessed through the patient attacking setup. And that helped him execute into an even all-round star. It is something any opposing team would be punished by his attributes.

Rob Leota

It is so hard to get through such a big loss against them. Even on their home crowd at AAMI Park in Melbourne. But only one player who did his best last night. And that is Rob Leota who plays at lock. So on the left hand side (No.4) at second rower.

The defensive setup was there at the beginning. Where the Rebels kept it simple along the way. He read well with The Blues earlier handling errors. As well as the improper communication going forward. It gave them a few resets for his side to try and get themselves ahead. As well as a few winning penalties. Where the Rebels only kicked one three point goal.

But unfortunately his side were unable to make up the attack. Especially when they struggled for support numbers. So does the poor line-out. It sums up the miscommunication which forced The Blues hand. Not only it limits their chances with the ball. It ultimately gave their forwards a hard time to defend. That is how Rob expressed his frustration post-game last night. He may be happy to play against five New Zealand teams. Which is going to be a long-term benefit. But needs help to unpack the best of the attack next time. If they are to stay in contention for the full 80. Especially with a change of head coach recently in Kevin Foote.

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Rugby

Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa: Top 3 players from Blues v Highlanders Game

by Sports Benches

Akira Ioane is all rounder in the starting blindside spot for the Blues. Where he looked after his own forwards pack. In which added a robust defensive setup.

Highlanders are unable to get themselves over the line. Especially with a lack of decoy runners out there. Akira was alert to mark one down alone. Before he turned around that saw the ref hand that penalty/turnover to the Blues. This is pure hard work with plenty of physicality. But wait there is more about his runs in the attack.

Like how his backline troops talked well with him defensively. Where they were able to assist his aim to help win the ball on hand. Akira exactly gave a helping hand in return. He ran forward to keep an eye on Emoni Narawa. After Sam Nock cleared out. Then Narawa passed to his brother Rieko. And that talk up when the inside pass went to him. It was so easy for Akira to close out with the TRY. As he deserves an all-round Blues Performance.

Caleb Clarke

Another Blues star who was unstoppable on the left wing is Caleb Clarke. He just could not stop running all day. Credit to his forwards with the great defensive work. And the opposition lack of fire.

It gave them plenty of time to sort out his attacking setup. Caleb was ready straight away. Where he sprints towards the finish line. Thanks to a great offload from Rieko Ioane. And he touched down beautifully.

Caleb provides that pacey dimension in the Blues final third. As said with the poor discipline & lack of conversions from the Highlanders today. He went out there to help plant his team’s foundations. And the way they want to play. Which was not hard to put themselves ahead. Blues stayed there with the consistency for the whole game. Well done to Caleb who was destructive to the Highlanders own half.

Ash Dixon

I think the fresh change not long after the break have climbed back a bit. Meet that hooker who came off the bench. And made an impact straightaway. His name is Ash Dixon who plays for the Highlanders.

The way he brings so much physicality such as the throw-in. Handled the maul very well that successfully flipped the touchdown. Then forming these defensive blocks. This is something the away team have missed out on during the first 40.

His presence really gave what Ash can offer for the Dunedin-based side. He hopes to start in the No.2 shirt ahead of Liam Coltman. But just not his day today to witness the Blues win. When there was plenty of ill-discipline involved. Plus a lack of finishing to create difficulty on the other end. Not his fault though with very little time to compensate their poor 1st half. His run today would need more time to give the Hurricanes a tough road ahead.

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