British and Irish Lions: Prolific Josh Adams hopes for Test spot

Wales wing Josh Adams is hoping his British and Irish Lions try-scoring exploits have put down a marker for a Test spot against South Africa.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57713504

#mens_rugby_boots #perth_rugby #rugby_australian_rugby #rugby_boots #rugby_boots_for_kids #rugby_boots_in_australia #rugby_in_perth

Get your questions in for Issue 20 of Coach’s Corner

It’s all systems go for the Wallabies ahead of Wednesday’s first Test against France, with selection surprises throwing one last curveball at Coach’s Corner.

Every Friday, The Roar’s resident rugby expert, Nick Bishop, will be on hand to answer your questions about the world of rugby.

Miss the latest issue of Coach’s Corner? Catch up right here!

Being the last man standing hasn’t helped Tate McDermott win a spot in the starting 15, with Jake Gordon making a miraculous recovery from a knee injury to bolt into the line-up.

Is Rennie making the right call to shelve the Reds’ rising star for now? Will Gordon be fit to don the number nine jersey at Suncorp Stadium?

The international rugby season is in full swing now, with the Springboks beating Georgia and the British and Irish Lions taking care of Lions in the first match

And who could forget the All Blacks, who dominated Tonga to such an extent that they have come under fire for even scheduling the match in the first place. Will the 102-0 hiding do Tonga harm or good in the long run?

Meanwhile, the Waratahs claimed another Super W title with a rampant 45-12 win over the Reds, to continue their dominance of women’s rugby in Australia.

Got a question for Nick? Be sure to leave it in the comments section below, and come back later in the week to see what he has to say!

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/05/get-your-questions-in-for-issue-20-of-coachs-corner/

#mens_rugby_boots #perth_rugby #rugby_australian_rugby #rugby_boots #rugby_boots_for_kids #rugby_boots_in_australia #rugby_in_perth

British and Irish Lions: Who might have played their way into Warren Gatland’s Test side?

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland says he is keeping an “open mind” about his Test side following his side’s impressive first victory.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57709803

#mens_rugby_boots #perth_rugby #rugby_australian_rugby #rugby_boots #rugby_boots_for_kids #rugby_boots_in_australia #rugby_in_perth

Obliteration: All Blacks raise the bat with record thumping of Tonga

Winger Will Jordan scored five tries as the All Blacks opened their 2021 campaign with a record-equalling 102-0 trouncing of an inexperienced Tonga side on Saturday at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium.

Looking to make a statement after managing only a 50 per cent win record last year, New Zealand ran in 16 tries against a team boasting fewer combined Test caps than All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock alone.

Tonga, featuring 13 debutants in their matchday 23 after COVID-19 travel restrictions deprived them of their Europe-based players, were simply outgunned and outsmarted in a mismatch of a contest.

Beauden Barratt, back in the famous black shirt after a sabbatical in Japan, converted the final try after coming on as a replacement to equal the score in the mauling the Tongans suffered at Albany in 2000.

Jordan came up one short of the All Blacks record for most tries in one match, which was set by Marc Ellis in the 145-17 win over Japan at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.

“It was good to get out there,” said Whitelock, who was playing his 123rd Test.

“The Tongan team were here to play and it wasn’t easy out there.”

Will Jordan runs home a try. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Fullback Damian McKenzie crossed for the first try in the second minute and, after Dalton Papalii had touched down and Will Jordan and Brad Weber had grabbed a brace of tries each, the All Blacks were 38-0 up in the 20th minute.

Tonga managed to stem the torrent of tries temporarily by abandoning the tactic of kicking away possession but flanker Papalii grabbed his second try in the 37th minute to give the home side a 43-0 lead at the break.

No.8t Luke Jacobson crossed soon after the restart with winger Jordan and scrumhalf Weber completing their hat-tricks before the 50th minute.

The Tongans, many fresh out of quarantine, started to tire and the All Blacks backs put on an exhibition with Richie Mo’unga crossing, Jordan adding his fourth and fifth tries and centre Rieko Ioane racing away to touch down.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu burst through the defensive line to take the score into the 90s with three minutes remaining and winger George Bridge crossed on the overlap after the fulltime siren to take them to the century mark.

“We didn’t get the result tonight but I’m very proud of my brothers here,” said emotional Tonga captain Sonatane Takulua.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/03/obliteration-all-blacks-raise-the-bat-with-record-thumping-of-tonga/

#mens_rugby_boots #perth_rugby #rugby_australian_rugby #rugby_boots #rugby_boots_for_kids #rugby_boots_in_australia #rugby_in_perth

Alun Wyn Jones: British and Irish Lions hope for return of Wales captain

Alun Wyn Jones has the credentials to defy the odds and return for the British and Irish Lions Test series against South Africa, kicking coach Neil Jenkins says.

Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57689876

#mens_rugby_boots #perth_rugby #rugby_australian_rugby #rugby_boots #rugby_boots_for_kids #rugby_boots_in_australia #rugby_in_perth

Darren Coleman’s not the Messiah, he’s just bloody good

Darren Coleman’s acceptance of the poisoned chalice which is the NSW Waratahs has been met with resounding applause and fanfare.

He is seen by many as the Messiah of NSW Rugby, having gained experience across a 20-year coaching career, most notably rapidly resurrecting the fortunes of Warringah and Gordon in the Shute Shield.

He brings overseas coaching experience from the LA Giltinis, and the ability to rapidly transform a group of players to achieve immediate results. This can be seen in his success as the Central Coast Rays coach in the 2007 ARC competition (they won), and with Warringah and Gordon in the Shute Shield. In each role he’s been able to gather devout followers who trust in him and his vision for the future. For further proof of this, see the amount of Aussies currently playing at the LA Giltinis.

Sounds pretty Messianic to me.

The Challenge Ahead
However, I am not convinced that his appointment alone will cure the ailments of NSW Rugby, even if he does experience short-term success (which I hope he does).

If we cast our eyes back to the departure of Rob Penney, most rugby fans throughout Australia recognised that Penney was not solely to blame for the failures of the Tahs. Yes, his record was abysmal in 2021, but how much of that was he responsible for? There were actually some positive signs emerging from their 2020 campaign.

Penney inherited his player roster from the less than successful Darryl Gibson. In his first year as coach Australia was hit by a plague of biblical proportions, shutting down the competition and slashing player wages for the sustainability of the game.

Darren Coleman has been appointed as Waratahs coach (Rugby Australia)

Adding to the pain, the Waratahs reportedly spent $1 million under the $5.5 million salary cap, cut their operating staff down to the bone, and removed all community development officers throughout NSW (though this has been recently denied by CEO Paul Doorn). Penney and Rapp first didn’t know how much money they had to spend on players in 2021, and then had to watch as key players such as Michael Hooper, Ned Hannigan, and Rob Simmons all left for various reasons. Supposedly Penney wasn’t behind the decision to not offer other players like Jed Holloway and Karmichael Hunt new contracts either.

Issues in Australian Rugby
Now, back to Darren Coleman. If Coleman is given the financial resources and support to recruit quality players, perhaps some of the major issues of the Penney era can be addressed in terms of player recruitment and retention.

However, the appointment of a new coach doesn’t fix the systemic issues that plague NSW Rugby, and, in a broader sense, Australian rugby as a whole. Geoff Parkes wrote an excellent article about this issue .

Will a new coach change the fact that approximately 70 percent of rugby’s wealth is situated in Europe?

Will his appointment convince mid-tier players who are unlikely to make the Wallabies squad, but are incredibly valuable for Super Rugby teams, that it’s better to stay in Australia rather than be paid 2-3 times more overseas?

Will his appointment convince up-and-coming junior players not to take paid contracts at League or AFL clubs and instead toil through Shute Shield or various academics in the hope of one day being selected?

Darren Coleman – A New Hope?
Yes, Coleman’s appointment may address the disconnect between the Waratahs and the Shute Shield clubs. He may convert some rusted-on Shute Shield fans to come and watch the Waratahs, or according to some reports come and watch him!

He may also help the Tahs hold on to players who go on to enjoy successful careers elsewhere. Names such as Mack Mason, Will Miller, Will Skelton, Cameron Orr, Angus Ta’avao, Michael Wells, and Michael Ala’alatoa spring to mind.

There are all possibilities. But if you’re expecting Darren Coleman to heal the illnesses which are plaguing NSW and Australian rugby, you’ll be sorely mistaken. The issues are broader than the remit of the one Super Rugby coach.

He’s not the Messiah, he’s just bloody good.

Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/07/02/darren-colemans-not-the-messiah-hes-just-bloody-good/

#mens_rugby_boots #perth_rugby #rugby_australian_rugby #rugby_boots #rugby_boots_for_kids #rugby_boots_in_australia #rugby_in_perth