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Angus Bell

It was an alarming and unfortunate day for the Wallabies today where their big loss v Wales at the Lyon Stadium confirmed their elimination from the Rugby World Cup pool stages for the first time in history with one more match remaining v Portugal next Monday AM Australian Daylight time. Yes, the Wallabies may have scored back-to-back penalty goals in reply to Wales’s quick start with their opening TRY. However, not only Wales have stayed ahead with another few three-pointers at the same time (16-6) during the first-half, but they also went on to extend their winning share later on (2nd half) where Wales were absolutely too good (2 x tries + 3 x penalty goals & 1 x drop goal) through the finish line (40-6).

Nick Tompkins has lit up the Welsh attack alight in the No.12 shirt at Inside Centre thanks a quick start to the game followed by by a magnificent 2nd half display v the Wallabies. He just never stopped running as being tested to help out in defense, but his attacking play has been top-notch where the communication was there in order to grasp it out with the ball that led to tries here & there. Next up is reserve No.10 Gareth Anscombe, having made an impressive impact right away after he unexpectedly came on for the injured Dan Biggar earlier in the 1st half. His kicking game has been unbelievable that reflected his attacking creativity through the pitch while his conversions conversions look near perfect including that 2nd half drop goal & he never stopped working without a fight.

They have both been brilliant so far for Wales this RWC with more to come in the Quarter-Final v Samoa or Japan from Pool D sometime next month thanks to Head Coach Warren Gatland who is back from NZ for 2nd spell via the Chiefs Super Rugby side since December 2022.

And lastly, just no words to the Wallabies right now after the worst day ever in their entire existence. There is one person though who did the best possible & everyone should follow his lead in none other than Angus Bell who plays on the front row at loosehead (No.1). He showed lots of physicality with a sound defense including some pace when backing them up while having the ball in attack. It allowed him to catch the Welsh accountable earlier on that led to 2 x penalty goals thanks to his work rate via the towering reach that reflected the importance he has put in as seen both with the Waratahs at Super Rugby level as well as Internationally for a few years now.

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It’s safe to say that the Waratahs badly needed Angus Bell by their side at tighthead after his red card last week v Chiefs was overturned via appeal, as his presence played a huge part in this upset win v Crusaders. He’s such a brilliant contributor when helping out his team’s attack going forward, having both joined the ruck/maul to stop the Saders from turning over, as well as smashing through each bit at their defensive half. And his hard work tells everything about him where his talk-up & physicality saw the Saders pay the price over several ill-discipline errors. He’s such a brilliant role model the Tahs fans has in stall between now and the near future.

Next up is Lalakai Foketi down at the inside midfield engine room in the No.12 Tahs jersey. He never stopped running throughout the full 80 minutes, having came in to contribute the Tahs attack as a support player. He credits to a brilliant read towards the opposing team’s body language; that way, he shielded a couple of Saders defenders that gave them an idea on where to plant the TRY line, which played a part of the Tahs’ impressive match-up.

And Sione Havili Talitui has been a great addition since he came on for Dom Gardiner in the 2nd half. He knew his Crusaders team needed to make up some lost time, having squeezed his way past the Tahs danger zone with one TRY and an assist. There’s so much physicality to unpack when he desperately called out his half-back, before he piled some damage that threw the pressure back at the Tahs. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late when it comes to a tough result through the mirror. But he would’ve made a difference if he was given a chance to change the game as a starter on the second row alongside Sam Whitelock.

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It was a high-scoring game between the Chiefs & Waratahs where it kickstarted the three-day Super Round weekend at AAMI Park in Melbourne last night. Waratahs were lucky to have recovered from their messy first-half spell at 30-17 after the break when Jake Gordon’s 2nd TRY almost overtook the Chiefs for the lead in the 50th minute. However, the Chiefs are in cruise control when a hat-trick scoring spree later in the 2nd half from Jonah Lowe sealed them an easy win, 51-27.

The Tahs needed their attacking shape to be on the same page as Jake Gordon. Although, Alex Newsome was the other try-scorer in the 1st half. That is one huge weakness that precluded them from staying in contention over the last 30 mins of this match. Luckily, the 20-minute red card rule gave the back Tahs a full XV men where they made up some lost time. However, the momentum just wasn’t there in the end. They also would’ve benefitted from Angus Bell if it wasn’t for his red card that can form a more robust forward line to stop Jonah Lowe defensively and help brighten up the Tahs’ attack.

And the Chiefs were simply on fire last night. Their attacking shape has been sensational from Jonah Lowe’s four-try scoring spree, including the hat-trick in the 2nd half to Quinn Tuapea’s 1st half double-try. You can see the communication and a few decoy runners lined up together where you saw one player running up & protects the opposition half, while another Chiefs player in the same shirt finds that gap past the TRY line and scores. Although they will need to fix their ill-discipline where Tahs scored back a couple of times, the Chiefs were glad to get one away unscathed, thanks to the read off the Tahs’ poor attacking shape before they unleashed Lowe at the right time that changed the storyline of this game.

Chiefs will now head off to Brisbane & take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium next Friday night, while the Waratahs will host the Crusaders at Leichardt Oval in Sydney next Saturday at 5.05 pm local time.

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What a way to close out Round 3 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific, having witnessed such a close encounter with the Brumbies v Waratahs Saturday night match-up last night. Brumbies fired off with the early lead in the first half (17-6), although the Tahs have made up for some lost time after the break but fell so short by seven points (27-20).

The Brumbies were so organized when it comes to their forward pack, especially in the first 40 with two tries on the board. They handled the Tahs well thanks to the opposition team’s poor start, where they took great use in return while building persistence before the Brums were able to get the job done. Now the home side may have begun to falter with the Tahs rebound in this next run after half-time, despite the additional TRY from Irae Simone in the midfield. However, a few late changes and a huge defensive shift towards the end saw the Brumbies come out unscathed.

Meanwhile, unlucky from the Tahs with a much-improved team after half-time, where they almost extended this game through golden point & have an extended shot towards upsetting the Brums in the process. The change of attack spearheaded by fly-half Ben Donaldson saw him successfully find his path through the gate, having called out 1-2 support numbers, such as Angus Bell & Will Harris, to finish the playmaking work for him. They just wished they marry up their brilliant 2nd 40 into the first half, when a poor start saw the Tahs fall left behind before they left it too late with not much time to stay in contention.

The Tahs will be back playing on 2 pm next Sunday v Western Force at Leichardt Oval in Sydney, while the Brumbies travel to Melbourne on Friday night v Rebels at AAMI Park.

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After a winless 2021 campaign of 13 games, the Waratahs have finally ended their long-running drought last night with a comfortable 40-10 win v Fijian Drua at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, NSW.

It’s great to see the Tahs forward pack make up most of the work earlier on in the 1st half at 21-3, where Will Harris and Dave Porecki added a couple of big scores through the TRY line with credit to the Drua’s dirty work via the advantage. They’re able to build on that comfortable start after the break when another forward at tighthead in Angus Bell produced two brilliant finishes, one for an assist to Inside midfielder, Lalakai Foketi, and another for himself thanks to the offload from the returning Jed Holloway on the second row. And their skipper at half-back, Jake Gordon stole a messy Drua attacking shape, when he intercepted the ball on the 10-metre line & ran over halfway on the run home that summed up the Tahs flying start to 2022.

Meanwhile, the Fijian Drua may not get what they wanted with the loss during their first game at Super Rugby level. Their series of disciplinary mistakes not only worsened their defense but also limited their time in the attack against the Tahs territory, especially at one point in the 2nd half. They just rushed through it with numbers all over the place, before Jake Gordon exploited their weakness & ran off over half the pitch towards the touch zone that cost more huge points on the board. There are some moments made, however, when fly-half Baden Kerr scored their first-ever points on the board, while we covered skipper & No.8 Nemani Nagusa on the Top 3 players list, who scored the Drua’s first-ever TRY later in the 2nd half. It’s still early days though as it will take time to become competitive, especially when facing the Australian and New Zealand teams regularly.

The Tahs will remain at home next week, but this time they will be at Leichardt Oval where they will welcome another State of Origin rivalry v the Queensland Reds, who will be facing the Melbourne Rebels at (Suncorp Stadium) home in Brisbane tonight.

Meanwhile, the Drua will head off to Canberra for another tough encounter v Brumbies at GIO Stadium next Saturday at 2.35 pm.

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We gotta say that Angus Bell is one of the brightest stars in the making for the Waratahs at loosehead prop last night. We love the way he contributed to their attacking line, where he just never stops running and smashing through against the Fijian Drua territory. That kind of teamwork built from the beginning made him even a better player after the break, when not only did he assist Lalakai Foketi with the TRY but Bell also touched a huge score himself, as his hard work reflected the Tahs brilliant start to the new Super Rugby campaign.

Then there’s another Tahs forward to look out for is Dave Porecki in the No.2 shirt at hooker. His throw-ins have been spot-on as always before he used so much physicality to push through his opponent team into shreds that reflected an outstanding 1st half. Now he may have the early mark after just over 50 minutes on the pitch, but Poreki left the Tahs with a healthy lead at the break so they can finish the job for him while he rests up for Round 2 next Friday v Queensland Reds at home (Leichardt Oval).

Nice to have a mix of youth and experience team up together that saw the Tahs stay ahead all game long v Drua.

And yes, it may be Fijian Drua’s first game in Super Rugby with the loss but how about we applaud the skipper & No.8 Nemani Nagusa, who just scored their first-ever try during the 2nd half in the 62nd minute. He has tons of leadership and experience being taught from his time over in Europe, where his contribution when being given the ball gave his side a boost when it comes to penalties. These kinds of penalties allowed him to get the job done, having tapped and go with a bit of space and read before he crossed the TRY line down low. This team is in its early days right now as it will take time to get competitive, but it’s just not their night when a series of disciplinary errors led to an isolated defence that gave Drua little time to sort out their attack.

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Congratulations to incoming Waratahs coach Darren Coleman who just guided the LA Giltinis to an Major League Rugby Championship on their first ever season.

This is a massive achievement through a group of star-studded characters that can pass on these hometown players & learn a thing or two from them at this club.

It’s something Darren would do to bring this vibe when he returns home from Los Angeles later this year, as we haven’t seen much of this kind of structure since Michael Chieka left after 2015.

As it stands you got Jake Gordon, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Lalakai Foketi, Ben Donaldson, Alex Newsome & Angus Bell staying on, while a number of key players are coming back too such as Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway & Ned Hedigan.

And some of the new players he’d like to see at Daceyville would be the best produced & proven at club rugby level, having coached in the Shute Shield for many years including Warringah & Gordon with two titles in 2017 & 2020 respectively.

These two important characteristics shows why a three year contract is enough time for Darren to rebuild this franchise.

We’ll also see if Adam Freier and Stephen Hoiles follows Darren as well or stay in LA.

Up to the board now to back Darren with inside knowledge of the NSW rugby system & get the Tahs back to winning ways from next year regardless of the Super Rugby format.

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A few days after the Waratahs have made some progress. Despite the narrow loss against the Brumbies at home. But there is every reason to put so much heart in this rebuilding path. Ever since the Tahs began to collapse at least since 2019.

Which is the same time as the Reds were very much dismantled. Even the damage was done years before Ewen McKenzie left in 2013. Two of his successors did not do a good job. Then Brad Thorn took over as Coach in 2018. Their resurrection did not complete overnight. But eventually ever since Super Rugby AU began last year they battled in the Top 2. And now they are undefeated so far in this season.

Now the focus is here goes to Angus Bell who plays at loosehead prop. He is a very bright prospect at age 20. Having came from a rugby-led background via his dad Mark. And has made a cap or two last year with the Wallabies. In the hope of adding more later this year. Not just France. But also the Rugby Championship.

The question remains here if Angus will leave the Tahs? And join a rival Super Rugby club? This beleaguered team at the minute hit and missed plenty of opportunities. It may be a young side in progress right now. Such as Carlo Tizzano on the openside role. You got Mark Nawaqanitawase playing some minutes at wing/full-back. And Jeremy Williams put a great shift in the second row. Especially with that cameo TRY v Rebels away.

But definitely retain Angus here for 3-4 years. He has to be part of the Tahs rebuild that would finally benefit everyone else. It is up to the board to offer what he wants. As said a while ago that they have a predominately young squad. So there is not much leaders out there like Jake Gordon. Which is something the NSW need to find later this year ahead of 2022.

There is nothing against these youngsters moving to the senior setup. Just need excellent mentors who have lots of expertise & glory before. And it will no doubt benefit the current youth crop regarding competition. That includes Angus Bell who would give his hometown a helping hand. In my opinion two new wingers on each flank. Plus an extra second rower. All of them experienced would be exactly the Tahs need to buy.

So once the Tahs balance a side with youth and experience. These youngsters will be able to learn from someone who is at their prime. Or else way past it towards the twilight stages. Before they are able to become leaders of this squad. Just like a couple of Reds youngsters now who have 3-4 years experience. And played like they are used to Super Rugby level for a long time. That is a lesson the Waratahs must take note. Not only the experienced men can help them win. The youngsters would be happy to follow their lead. And pass to the next generation in 10-15 years.

It might be reasonable to see Angus join the Brumbies. They are like the Crusaders out of the five Australian Super Rugby teams. Two of their experienced props are approaching their twilight years. And the Brumbies see Angus as a natural fit. As he would be guaranteed a starting spot every week. But for the best interest that would reshape Australian Rugby. The Tahs must and should retain him in a long-term deal.

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