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Jordie Barrett

By Daniel Cullinane

Twitter: @dcullinane02

Even after the defeat by the Springboks in the last round of the Rugby Championship, the Wallabies would go into this match with quiet confidence. With home advantage against an All Blacks team who have looked shaky in this competition and beyond, they would have felt that they could get on top of their old rivals.

New Zealand would be in a better place after a resounding win against the Pumas, but there is still a sense that they are unsure of themselves. The Wallabies would seek to test the All Blacks alleged fragile state. The Wallabies set the tone for the game by advancing on the All Blacks during the Haka, signalling that they were really up for this one. However, as the game got under way it was the New Zealanders who took the initiative.

After just 3 minutes, All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho powered over the Wallabies try line to open the scoring. Following a successful conversion from fly half Richie Mo’unga the score was 0-7. The men in blacks dominance continued and was rewarded with another 3 points from the boot of Mo’unga. They were building nicely. The Wallabies were yet to turn up.

After 17 minutes, some good work by the Australians from a lineout lead to a kickable penalty. Veteran Aussie fly half, Bernard Foley who was exemplary all evening opened his account with three points. Some slick handling saw Wallaby full back Andrew Kellaway score in the corner. But on closer inspection it was clear that he had been unable to ground the ball.

The Australian team were growing in confidence and starting to impose themselves on the All Blacks. They kicked to the corner after being awarded a penalty at the scrum. There was a short drive from the ensuing lineout and then a pick and go to score by Aussie No8 Rob Valetini. Foley made it 10-10.

With an All Black going to the bin, the momentum was firmly with the Australians. Marika Koroibete charged up the field and smashed into New Zealand wing Caleb Clarke. The Wallaby forwards then dismantled the All Blacks at the resulting scrum. Although the scoreboard didn’t reflect it, Australia were on top. But then, everything changed. The Aussies hit self destruct. A superb and powerful break by Clarke ended with a pile-up near the Australian try line. Indiscipline meant that Tom Wright and Darcy Swain were sent to the bin. The tables turned almost instantly, with the All Blacks being held up over the line. Half time came, the score 10 all.

The men in Black had clearly been told to take advantage of the 13-man Australia, and did so in spectacular fashion. A testing kick in behind and then some rapid passing saw Samisoni Taukei’aho score his second try of the match. Soon the Wallabies were back to a full compliment and picked up another kickable penalty. Foley rarely misses, making the score 13-17.

More indiscipline led to Wallaby scrum half Jake Gordon going to the bin. New Zealand soon took advantage with Richie Mo’unga dissecting the Aussie backline to touch down near the posts. He converted his own try, making the score 13-24 to New Zealand.

Beauden Barrett then reminded everyone what a world-class player he is with a superbly weighted chip over the gold defence that was collected by wing Will Jordan, who raced away to score. The All Blacks were in cruise control. Australia then fired a shot of their own down the other end with Andrew Kellaway running on to a flat pass from Foley to grab a much needed score. Foley converted. Minutes later, Kellaway was at it again. Some long passes stretch the New Zealand defence allowing the full-back to score in the corner. 27-31 to Australia.

New Zealand then extended their lead through a Mo’unga penalty, but Australia weren’t finished yet. A brilliant one-two between Koroibete and Pete Samu saw the back row forward score. Foley then drew the teams level at 34 all. A remarkable comeback by Australia.

When Australia were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, the replacement scrum-half Nic White stepped up and kicked the points for Australia to take them into the lead. As expected, the All Blacks fought back but then gave away a penalty 2 metres from the Aussie try line. Then a moment of controversy saw referee Mathieu Raynal award a scrum to New Zealand for Bernhard Foley allegedly time wasting.

The All Blacks saw their chance. They won the ball, and then moved it wide, allowing Jordie Barrett to score in the corner in the 80th minute. The kick was missed, but it didn’t matter. The men in black had done enough to win the match and retain the Bledisloe cup. Australia will say they were on the wrong end of a refereeing decision, and that cost them the game. Their discipline needs to be fixed before the return fixture. Final score 37-39. Great game.

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We wrap the first week of the 2022 Super Rugby Playoffs with the fourth and last Quarter-Final tie between the ACT Brumbies and Hurricanes here at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

It was a crash and bash Opening 40 where both teams experienced a mix of infringements with Len Ikitau being sent off under a red card that gave a huge blow for the Brumbies, while Owen Franks had to sit ten minutes in the naughty chair when it comes to the Hurricanes camp.

Nonetheless, it’s the Hurricanes who has the lead at half-time, 15-22 – Having made an excellent start courtesy of Joshua Moorby’s double TRY before the Brumbies began to make up some lost time & fought back with also both tries of their own.

But the winning team that came on top is the Brumbies as they took their semi-final spot next Saturday v Blues for a shot towards a Chiefs or Crusaders Final at Eden Park in Auckland, NZ. They were eight points down at one point with 30 minutes to go before they took advantage of the Canes’ poor throw-ins and lost penalties that came back to bite them in return, courtesy of two Toms in Tom Banks & Tom Wright.

The final score here at GIO Stadium is Brumbies 35-25 Hurricanes.

Hurricanes was be gutted to be thrown out of the Final 8 by the best Australian Super Rugby team right now and not complete an all New Zealand Final 4 showdown. They got the ball rolling with two early tries & a couple of three-point penalty goals that gave them the advantage to build a lead and try to stay ahead. However, mistakes have been plugging through square pegs in a round hole where poor line-outs & continued lost penalties not only robbed their finishing opportunities with the ball, but it also spread to their defense where the Canes’ just let that slip away against a resurgent Brumbies attack.

And the only Australian Super Rugby team standing into the Final 4 belongs to the ACT Brumbies. They had to play 14 men for a while without Len Ikitau after his unfortunate red card earlier in the 1st half over a dangerous tackle on Aiden Morgan’s jaw. But not hope is all lost when the Canes also experienced some disciplinary issues that helped the Brumbies fought back with a seven-point trail at the break. Then a couple of fresh faces off the bench benefitted one way while they took advantage of the Canes’ missed opportunities going forward, as the Brumbies ultimately came out on top as the winning team.

Now the Brumbies on the cusp towards another Super Rugby Final where these supporters will be right behind them through every step of the way, whether they’re tuning in from home on Stan Sport/9Gem or travelling to Eden Park in Auckland by their side.

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Jordie Barrett was outstanding at full-back for the Canes. He just knows how to execute a well balanced attack. Especially through the wide areas through the channels. That is how his side were able to stack up the big touch scores last night.

He has so much hand eye coordination with the ball on hand. That is good for Jordie to look at the Tahs weaknesses. In which he was able to flick through to his man. It is not far away from him to keep that communication ticking. Before the Hurricanes were able to reduce his workload. And get past the opposition that is hard for the Waratahs to nail down.

We also know that Jordie is great with the kicking too. In which he demonstrated so much attacking flexibility. Such as the quick balls, cross kicks & physicality. It makes him a complete player that any opponent hates to hear. Because if they cannot add defensive pressure. After the mistakes going forward. Then the team Jordie is playing will punish ultimately them. The Canes may not done well in Super Rugby Aotearoa. But a win v Tahs in Sydney could see the Canes thrive against the Aussie teams. Watch this space over the next few weeks from Jordie Barrett.

Julian Savea

Another player who was great for the Canes is Julian Savea. He plays at right winger. So part of the backline three with Jordie Barrett at full-back. And Salesi Rayasi on his opposite flank via the left.

He is blessed with his side attacking setup going forward. Especially with the patience Jordie Barrett kept a great read on the Tahs. They were able to keep that passage of play flowing. Before the ball came to Julian at the right time. Then he controlled the game with the blistering finish. Pace, power and precision. That is three words where he touch scored twice.

He is age 30 right now with a tall near two meter build. It is like how his attacking shape kept the ball in play. Then go out wide that advised Julian to get ready. And once he has the ball. He was always involved in a sprint race down to the touch line. If you remove the ball & put him in a 100m sprint at the Olympics. He may have a decent chance to close out with the gold medal. For now the Canes has to take one step per week. His side may not be outstanding in Super Rugby Aotearoa. But can emerge out of nowhere v AUS teams.

Jake Gordon

He continued to be a great influence in the Waratahs final third. When Jake was injured in the early weeks during Super Rugby AU. It was not the same without him at scrum-half. That ultimately led to the firing of Rob Penney as Coach. Which is 24 hours after I attended in person v Reds in Homebush. Just in time before he came back & improved this Tahs team.

Jake did make up some lost time. He called in for some decoy runners to help him look at the Canes. It is important to look around their weaknesses. Before the communication was there via the short pass. Then got around with some space that saw the Tahs top up a few tries. They never gave up for the whole time. While still in contention towards a win at home.

Unfortunately they were still left with a loss against them. Even though it was a high scoring game. It was good to see the Tahs score plenty of points. If Jake was there for the 10 weeks v Australian teams alone. Then at least they would make it to the Qualifying Final. But sadly it did not go their way at the wrong time. When you look at the five powerful New Zealand teams. That puts them with even more pressure. Now it is just a fresh start for NSW after one game. They just need to keep that attacking awareness as shown last night. And show what they are made of against the Blues (away) next Saturday.

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