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Spring Tour

Rugby

2024 Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Wallabies: The Irish race back to still stand tall after their 3-point win in Dublin

by Sports Benches

The final International Rugby match of 2024 is now over at the hands of Ireland, who defeated the Wallabies by a three point gap win in front of a brilliant crowd at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, 22-19. 

Hats off to Ireland on what it takes to still be the World’s No.1 ranked team, having successfully played catch up after the half break where it was enough to see them out at full-time. We will see more from a few of their best players for the our Lions Tour in July-August 2025 – bring it on.

Meanwhile, love their good start by the Wallabies when they were in a good position earlier on by eight (5-13). But their inability to make some quick decisions really cost them dearly even if it’s by little. Keep working at it & sure there will be more glorious days again soon enough at the earliest with Joe Schmidt.

Now that we’ve hit December 1 from our end to start the long three-month summer, there’s Test Cricket v India with the five-test series trophy at the moment for the next few weeks going into the 2nd Test for the Day/Nighter at Adelaide Oval starting Friday, then come January it’s the three-week long Australian Open Tennis from Melbourne Park.

Can’t wait for that as Rugby will be back at our shores starting with the 11-team Super Rugby season for 2025 (it’s been 30 years now) will start a bit earlier than usual from Feb-June for 16 rounds with two byes – plus there’s a new-look six team Playoffs series before the home Lions tour plus Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and many more!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and short off-season!

Great to see two of the Irish best loose forwards on show who are both muscular, has lots of experience between them and top-notch powerful to grind no matter how you want it & when you want it. All you have to do is ask them to join for a test drive and they’ll show you how it’s done – even if it’s the toughest on all conditions.

Here comes Josh Van Der Flier on the open flank 7 & Captain Caelan Doris at 8. 

They proved to be a massive difference from turning the tide, particularly in the 2nd following the Wallabies’ excellent start, to capping off an unreal win against an improved team under someone they know well before in Joe Schmidt. Now that means business as Ireland continues to keep their spot as their No.1 ranked team.

And it was a close loss from the Wallabies when they need to make quick and clear decisions right from the word go – despite their brilliant start but they’re getting there thanks to Joseph Suaalii (outside 13).

He could’ve won that game had Taniela Tupou been able to pass the ball on time – c’mon Nella, you should be better than that but one of our best tight props also. 

Bring on Joseph in a Tahs shirt now because he loves challenges & has done so much with the Sydney Roosters in NRL.

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Rugby

From the weekend: Scotland’s phenomenal attack spells defeat for Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies team at Murrayfield

by Sports Benches

It wasn’t the weekend the Wallabies wanted at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium unfortunately when they left it so late to strike those big scores by 27-13 when they were only a few points behind at the break (7-3) courtesy of Harry Potter’s Test debut TRY off the wide left 11 who currently plays for the Western Force.

They could’ve done something better to at least be brave enough against a side who has been at their best in recent years to set the difference between winning and losing. That would have seen them go one step closer towards emulating their winning 1984 grand slam tour against the Home Nations group of teams consisting of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Now most of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series matches when our Southern Hemisphere teams flew over to play against the North’s best on their home turf across Europe were done and dusted, there’s one more left to wrap it all up this Sunday morning which would be Ireland v Wallabies at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. 

It should be one hell of a cracker no matter what happens in mark of Joe Schmidt’s grand reunion who spent the last decade there as the Irish head coach and now he still has unfinished business at our Rugby Australia HQ in Moore Park. Other than that, it’s been great having him onboard so far who knows how to win games including the last two matches earlier this month against England and of course the beleaguered Wales from a few times before during our home two-match series from July, and if it wasn’t for that poor start, he could’ve helped them win that Bledisloe I on home soil too – more to come in 2025.

Love how Melbourne-born skipper Sione Tuipulotu made his huge family proud in front of his Scottish grandma and brother Mosese, also from the Burn in Frankston with Sione together, who brings tonnes of steel to plow one, push over, and then race one over the line all game on the inside 12.

Meanwhile, Duhan Van Der Merwe has to be the one from the left wing 11, having bossed that cat v mouse game out of the hat – as his contribution allowed the Scots to sign off a successful deal of tries with an excellent pair of hands along the way.

Just couldn’t get enough of the Scottish free-flowing attack every time they crack the code on the counter & the home fans have been buzzing that ended the Wallabies’ good start of this Spring Tour.

And reserve half-back Tate McDermott should’ve been starting just like how his Reds team-mate Fraser McReight made 7 on his own – shame it was at the right place off the back of Harry Potter’s debut TRY but also wrong timing unfortunately.

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Rugby

2024 All Blacks v Italy at Juventus FC’s Allianz Stadium: A brilliant end to their 2024 tour with the win by 18 points

by Sports Benches

After a long five weeks, the All Blacks have now finished their away tour campaign earlier today at Juventus FC’s Allianz Stadium in Torino v Italy. Yes, it has been somewhat scrappy and quiet at times by both teams, but the ABs know what they’re doing to get themselves over the line including their 11 point lead at half-time (6-17) — as a win is a win after all at the end of the day by 18 points, 11-29.

All in all, there is still some room for improvement going into 2025 with some key players moving on like Sam Cane & TJ Perenara. We saw that coming last weekend when they lost to France while they almost to the Wallabies in the 1st Test here and also lost twice to the Springboks all from 2-3 months ago. But not to worry, there should still be more good days ahead for the Men in Black under head coach Scott Robertson after his first year.

It’s been great seeing Cam Roigard back on the field lately in the AB’s away tour after a long six months out from his knee injury. He’s made some terrific moments that a classic half-back could do including a few of his own like the one Cam scored earlier in the first half v the Azzurri as if he scored a goal in soccer for Juventus at their Allianz Stadium. Looks like the Canes need him to stay fit all of next year including another ABs campaign that could hopefully win the Canes a Super Rugby Grand Final – something they haven’t done in a long time since 2016.

We also saw the best of Beauden Barrett who has been doing all sorts of tricks as always on top of his excellent conversion kicks before he managed to finish off the ABs 2024 term in style. He’s at the right place at the right time when he will be back for the championship-winning Blues in Auckland & same again for the ABs next year, so he can play for the 2027 World Cup. Going to miss one of his long-time team-mates in Sam Cane though who made the openside 7 of his own over the last decade. Yes, the ABs made some mistakes too but they should be fine as long as it’s the right replacement for Sam.

And despite the loss, great to see some Italian attacking finesse on top of their good start from their outside backs, particularly in the 2nd half from super sub Marco Zanon. He’s the guy who can create all sorts of moments like how he ran off Mark Talea from the high ball thanks to Tommaso Menacello before he found Menacello again for their one & only TRY. If they had more ball & if it wasn’t for their poor discipline, then they would be right on the money with a more robust backline to make them spin out in circles like in Mario Kart.

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Rugby

Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies continue to fly high v Wales once again with the clean sweep win by 20-52 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium

by Sports Benches

Another week, another win by the Wallabies’ Green and Gold Army away from home this time being too good against Wales earlier this morning at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff by a mighty 32 points, 20-52.

They fired off well earlier on to give themselves a head start, although Wales weren’t far behind at the same time with a six-point gap between those two going into the break (13-19). 

But at the end of the day though, the Welsh still haven’t learnt their lesson with their 11th straight loss in recent matches – that goes back to the last pool stage game during the World Cup last year in France v Georgia. 

Meanwhile, the Wallabies continued to be a different beast which was a far cry their worst day out also from the World Cup also at the same time against this Welsh side under Eddie Jones of course. 

But safe to say that Joe’s Wallabies is flying high & there’s still two more games left in this Spring Tour in the hope of replicating their golden 1984 Grand Slam tour, with Scotland next up this weekend at Murrayfield before we round it off to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium the weekend after that for his Irish reunion against the No.1 ranked Ireland.

Who loves driving these tractor toys on his way towards scoring tries as if he’s looking after the farm? Well, what a rugby field day it has been from the hooker Matt Faessler after his unbelievable hat-trick haul off line-out and maul time for the Wallabies. Pretty sure he’d be a handy farmer to provide some good fruit & veggies as much him loving rugby and he handled this brilliantly every time the Wallabies were too good, especially when he plays for the Reds & also has played for Randwick before. Look out for Matty F more often in a very busy 2025 season.

There’s another hat-trick star in town at the streets of Cardiff and the turbocharged Brumby Tom Wright continues to be as good as it gets also in a Wallabies shirt from the back at 15. He at the right place at the right time as if the Wallabies let him start the car who has superior skillset handling like individual battles & most importantly, he has the extreme pace to pull off by surprise even from out of nowhere. What more does he want now? Beating Scotland next up and hopefully Ireland to finish the Grand Slam. 

And Cardiff’s Ben Thomas has been lighting up the Welsh inside 12 who can play 10, kick conversions & actually tops the midfield stocks out of both teams combined. He’s always so keen to attack as if he wants to win that dodgem carts contest so badly and he’s done that to help get over the line twice. If he was in a winning mentality, then surely we should see more trickery & skill out of his bag – especially with our home Lions tour coming up in a few month’s time. But that might not happen or even be trusted if he does makes it when the Welsh cannot simply hang him up to dry any longer & they still haven’t won for over a year now.

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Rugby

2024 All Blacks Spring Tour v France: ABs unable to get past the Les Bleus following their one-point loss by 30-29 at Stade De France in Paris

by Sports Benches

It might not be the day today for the All Blacks off the back of their two wins lately v England and Ireland, but it was certainly another good game of Rugby though in this year’s Autumn Nations Series and the French got what they wanted with the home win by a single point in Paris, 30-29.

Yes, the ABs fired off well with two early tries that sets up a seven point lead going into the break (10-17).

But unfortunately, a few injuries including one setback right away after kick-off and also risk averse tactics despite winning penalties backfired so badly – which made more and more difficult to get out of jail in the end v the scrambled French defense.

I’m sure there’s more good days to come between those two teams when the ABs welcome France on their home turf for a three-match tour in July next year, but what they need to do now is finish off the tour on a high v Italy next weekend at Juventus FC’s Allianz Stadium in Torino.

Thomas Ramos – what a performance he’s had at 10 for the mighty French side on home soil at a packed Stade De France in Paris. He has a great creativity collection of Swiss Army Knives that eventually got the home supporters pumping, especially on the counter-attack – like the Roman Baros TRY on debut & that cross kick for Louis Bielle-Biarrey to score one over with pace on the wide left after the ABs stuffed the ball up at the halfway mark. Also, he’s never shy at kicking conversions between the posts, even from long range that was enough to shut them down by just 1 point.

Then here comes the towering second rower 4 in Thibaud Flament who had a stellar performance all night long to protect the French from slipping away v the ABs. He’s bit of like a nightclub bouncer really, who doesn’t give his opponents easy passes to walk in, but he certainly kicked them out to give his French side the points they really need as his defensive strong hold was key to his country’s big win. And yes, the French nightlife went wild even more overnight thanks to their winning efforts v the ABs.

And Tamati Williams was unbelievably powerful with extreme force on the loosehead front row 1 for the ABs, particularly in the 1st half who sets up some amazing tries including winning penalties/scrums along the way. He’s been there and done that many times before including with the Crusaders as sure we will get to see more of his best work going into 2025. It would’ve been better though if the ABs went all in when it comes to winning penalties that would make Tamati even more dangerous to nail down the French for tries but when going for the safe penalty goals, um that didn’t go well.

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Rugby

All Blacks two-week tour of England and Ireland 2024 Review: They are still on song over both of the North’s best teams lately

by Sports Benches

Yes, going to Europe this year for the All Blacks may not be without any challenges, with unfinished business ahead in this Spring Tour. But so far, so good though with not one but two wins off the trot. 

One was a close win last weekend v England (22-24) at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium’s when the home reserve 23 couldn’t get it converted via the post that hit the bar, and now the ABs notched a huge win over Ireland (13-23) earlier this morning – both on their respective opposition teams’ home fortresses. 

At one point, the lead did belong to the English and later the Irish thanks to their own good headstarts ahead of the ABs, particularly earlier in the 2nd half that sent a strong message to the ABs that their good times may well be over by the North.

But at the end of the day, we all want to see a stunning contest of rugby and yet they’ve delivered both times with a phenomenal fightback, and they’re not done yet with their fight back towards being the world’s best ranked rugby team. 

They have France to play for next weekend in Paris – which isn’t going to be an easy run much like their recent games – before the ABs will finish their year in in two weeks from now at a different Allianz Stadium this time v Italy in Torino – who currently hosts the home games for Serie A side Juventus FC in Soccer/Football.

There’s no need for an introduction there in none other than outstanding All Blacks and Crusaders full-back Will Jordan, who never disappoints while he keeps on scoring a TRY or two per game. Every time someone is looking out for numbers, he puts his hand, always knows what to do it & answers this with perfection – simply a world-class player both physically and mentally. He could even dominate in any other contest Will wishes to play as well.

The next best consistent ABs star is Wallace Sititi on the blindside 6 from the Chiefs & gotta say he’s been delivering the goods that coach Scott Robertson is putting faith in him so far. Not only he’s  sound in defense, he’s also paramount when it comes to these offloads & through tackle busts – especially via the counter-which suits his game so perfectly. Again, he’s a superstar in the making now in Europe off the back of his break in 2024.

He and Will have been ticking off winning games as of late based on their consistency, the work isn’t done yet for the ABs to be on top of the world once again. 

Meanwhile, the best Irish player on show belongs to Bundee Aki on the inside midfield pack at No.12 – he’s also originally from NZ too just like a bunch of other adopted Internationals. He did a brilliant job covering & clearing up in defense in the way he offers through all areas in attack as if he’s thrown into an arm wrestling contest with loads of experience. It’s just a shame that his team fell off the rails later on like being a touch isolated while being scrappy with the ball.

And the one English player the Wallabies need to watch out for is Marcus Smith at 10. He’s the one who usually loves to convert kicks inside the posts in any kind from penalty goals, conversion goals off tries & even drop goals – he should’ve been kept through the end anyway. Is there more he can do? Yes, he’s also quick on the counter like that intercept TRY last weekend and as long he continues to find support, then he will no doubt guide England home like it was before.

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Rugby

Wallabies finish their three week 2021 European tour without a win in a close loss v Wales at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

by Sports Benches

Well it’s gutting to see the Wallabies finish their three-week 2021 European Tour without a win even though they were so close v Scotland & Wales, they fired off well & always kept themselves in contention which is a good effort 100% but there’s plenty of ill-discipline especially when Rob Valetini received a red carded in the 1st half that hit them the most & it allowed Wales to fight back before it became difficult to stop in the end.

For Wales, love the way they respond when the ball was given to them which bossed the field of play having gone from a slow start to a narrow 1st half lead at half-time (16-13). Although the momentum began to be eaten up by the Wallabies later on but the home team never slipped out of contention when another TRY plus a few penalty goals including the 80th minute was enough to derail the Wallabies day at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The final score is a one point difference (29-28) with Wales gone wild in front of their home supporters as the 2021 Autumn Internationals have came to an end, Domestic rugby will resume next week in Europe & South Africa while we get watch Cricket & Tennis back home before Super Rugby returns in February next year.

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