admin

Bledisloe Cup 2015 All Blacks prepare for Wallabies’ forward onslaught

August 4, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Clearly the Wallabies are intent on changing perceptions.

Specifically the one about them having a soft underbelly for a forward pack. Their intention to stamp a physical presence and intimidate opponents at any cost hasn’t gone undetected by the All Blacks, according to Kiwis lock Brodie Retallick.

Michael Cheika’s success with the Waratahs was based on a big, menacing forward pack. They did whatever they had to. Crash, bash and smash was the collective mentality and Will Skelton is expected to lead that crusade against the All Blacks in Sydney this weekend. With a World Cup pool that includes England and Wales, the Wallabies realise they need to front in this area.

”It’s all in the game of footy. You’re going to get guys try outmuscle you. You’ve got to make a stand and match them,” All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, who is yet to lose to the Wallabies, said. “You can’t be pushed around like that. Every week we talk about the need to be physical and win that battle. This week we need to make sure we step up to the mark as a pack.

“That’s probably where they’ve made huge improvements, around their physicality and their pack. The way the Waratahs play is a combative style – they’re in your face and always running hard at you. Michael has taken that into the Wallabies as their mentality.

“We’ve got to be up for the challenge and be better and more physical than they are. If you can stop that, turn it round and make it our strength, that’ll go a long way to helping us win.”

The Wallabies are rightly buoyed after successive wins over the Springboks and Pumas. Of course, they never lack for confidence, but their performances this year hint they may finally be ready to fulfil their potential, though Tony Woodcock, Dane Coles and Owen Franks will back themselves to get the better of the Australian scrum.

These final two Tests before the World Cup are sure to produce some heated trans-Tasman antics.

“They play with a lot of physicality. I think that’s something they’ve tried to earmark to try to get them into games and they’re doing it really well,” Conrad Smith said. “The added preparation for a big tournament coming up, both teams would like to really have a strong couple of performances before that.”

Bledisloe Cup Live Streaming 2015 From 08 August to 15 August Wallabies vs All Blacks

August 2, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Watch Bledisloe Cup Live Streaming 2015 Free Game 1 and 2 Bledisloe Cup Rugby Online.Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup Match Held Saturday 08 August To , Saturday 15 August 2015. It’s Will be kick of at New Zealand All Blacks vs Australia Wallabies.Bledisloe Cup 2015 broadcast on Fox Sports, Sky Sports, SuperSport, DIRECT TV, BSkyB, FOX Sports 2 & FOX Soccer Plus,Premier Sports. and online.

Bledisloe Cup Live Stream

AUSTRALIA Wallabies VICE-CAPTAIN Michael Hooper is free to play New Zealand in Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider after his one-week ban was not extended.

Hooper was cited for a punch on Nicolas Sanchez during the Wallabies’ 34-9 win over Argentina on July 25.

SANZAR – the governing body for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa rugby – appealed the decision claiming that the punishment was not severe enough, while Australia also challenged the sanction as they felt it was too harsh.

However, a SANZAR Appeals Committee has dismissed both challenges, freeing the flanker to feature against the All Blacks in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash at the ANZ Stadium that will decide who wins the Rugby Championship.

“I’m glad it’s wrapped up and I can really look forward to this week and moving forward into the first Bledisloe,” Hooper said.

“It’s been a little bit tough but I have been preparing as if I’ve been right to play and I’ll be trying to get into the team for this week.”

Whether or not Hooper starts against the All Blacks remains to be seen. The 23-year-old wore the number 7 jersey in the win against South Africa on the opening day, before dropping to the bench against Argentina, with David Pocock starting.

Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper’s welcome-home present to Australia will be a pivotal SANZAR judicial hearing, where he will fight for his spot in the Bledisloe Cup opener after being hit with a striking charge following the win over Argentina.

The gloss of the 34-9 win over Los Pumas started to be stripped away on Sunday in Mendoza, with Quade Cooper involved in an unsavoury tweet and news that Hooper was in some doubt to face the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday week.

Wallabies management went on the front foot in dealing with the Cooper matter, putting the player and coach Michael Cheika up for interview and taking most of the air out of the story before they set foot on the plane.

But that seems like little more than a storm in a teacup compared to the potential loss of Hooper, who along with fellow No. 7 David Pocock and fullback Israel Folau has been one of the standouts for the Wallabies in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship.

Hooper will face allegations of punching or striking an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee. The incident took place in the 59th minute of the match at the Estadio Malvinas as Hooper trailed behind a rampant Dean Mumm, who would brush off some fairly comical defence to score in the corner.

The flanker was being held back by the jersey by Pumas No. 10 Nicolas Sanchez. Hooper objected and swung around with his right arm, sending Sanchez sprawling to the ground over the sideline.

A hearing will take place at 5pm next Wednesday, a day after the Wallabies touch down in Sydney and four days before they return to camp in preparation for the All Blacks, who showed their might with a stirring win over South Africa in Johannesburg.

While the incident has lavishly been described as a ‘huge punch’, Wallabies officials are adamant Hooper shoved Sanchez to the ground with an open hand and not a closed fist.

Fairfax Media has seen the frame-by-frame footage the Wallabies will use to support their argument, which shows Hooper making contact near the base of the neck on the back of the head and pushing through with his palm.

There is also a feeling within sections of the Wallabies that the Pumas were overly theatrical at times during the match. The footage shows Sanchez being shoved in the back of the head before clutching his face after tumbling to the ground.

It will be Hooper’s first trip to a judicial hearing and a clean sheet will be in his favour. But the inherent unpredictability of the sanctions means Hooper and the Wallabies have every right to be nervous as the wait for an outcome.

The charge carries a two-week entry point, which would see him miss the match against the All Blacks assuming he was named for his club side Manly on the previous Saturday.

Should it be downgraded to a one-week ban he could miss a club rugby match and still be available for what would be a very relieved Cheika ahead of his first coaching assignment against New Zealand.

Anything more than a fortnight would mean Hooper would be a spectator for the home and away Bledisloe Tests, making it an even tougher assignment for a Wallabies side that will start as heavy underdogs at ANZ Stadium.

Bledisloe Cup Game 1 All Blacks Squad Approx

August 2, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

All Blacks squad for Bledisloe Cup Tests

Hookers: Dane Coles, Hikawera Elliot, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor.

Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Tony Woodcock.

Locks: James Broadhurst, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Whitelock.

Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Victor Vito.

Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.

Five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga.

Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams.

Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Patrick Osborne, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.

Wallabies squad First Bledisloe Cup Game Uncapped prop Toby Smith gets

August 2, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Uncapped prop Toby Smith is a newcomer while Wycliff Palu and Matt Giteau return in the 31-man Wallabies squad chosen to prepare for next week’s Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand.

Smith, 26, was called in by coach Michael Cheika following a consistent Super Rugby campaign for the Melbourne Rebels.

Powerhouse No.8 Palu was rested from the opening two Test wins against South Africa and Argentina to overcome injury niggles but returns for the clash with the All Blacks at Sydney ANZ Stadium on Saturday week.

Recalled veteran Giteau is back after being rested from the Argentina trip, having taken a physical battering against the Springboks in Brisbane.

Players to miss out were No.8 Scott Higginbotham, hooker James Hanson and winger Nick Cummins.

Cheika resisted any urge to rush former Test lock Kane Douglas straight back in after he signed a three-year deal with the Queensland Reds on Friday following his return from Ireland.

Cheika indicated Wallabies staff would assess in the next week how well he had recovered from back surgery before deciding when he might come into the selection frame.

Cheika said: “We have been able to look at a few different combinations during the first two rounds of The Rugby Championship and the squad is starting to take shape.

“In addition to the 31 players, we’ll be bringing some injured and fringe players into camp to continue their rehabilitation and manage their return to play. It’s important that they remain connected and contribute to the group.

“Toby has had a solid season with the Rebels, and has been working really hard while the group has been away. Our intention was always to rest Wycliff prior to this camp, and he has come back in great shape and really eager to play.”

Douglas announced his signing with Queensland on a three-year deal. “It’s going to be a new challenge for me, but I’m looking forward to it,” Douglas, 26, said. “I know a heap of the Reds guys from playing with them at the Wallabies.

“It’s great to see the Wallabies build some depth across the park over the past 12 months, especially at lock, and I’ll be working hard to fight my way back into contention.”

Cheika, who coached Douglas at the Waratahs, said he was delighted the 14-cap Wallaby has returned to Australian rugby.

But any minutes the hard-nosed second-rower gets in before the World Cup will be dependent upon how well he has recovered from back surgery, which ruined the second half of his season with Ireland.

“It’s great to see Kane back playing his rugby in Australia for the long term,” Cheika said.

“His return will bolster our tight five stocks and that is a strong objective of ours over the next 18 months. Kane will join a very competitive race to the wear the number four and five jerseys within the Wallabies, with [Rob] Simmons, [Will] Skelton, [James] Horwill, [Rory] Arnold, [Sam] Carter and [Dean] Mumm all in the mix.

“We will see how Kane is progressing physically over the next week, before considering him for any game time.”

Wallabies squad: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Matt Giteau, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore (capt), Drew Mitchell, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White.

Bledisloe Cup Game 1 Michael Hooper cleared to play For Australia Wallabies

August 2, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Australia Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper has been cleared to play the All Blacks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider in Sydney.

After originally being slapped with a two-match ban for a hit on Argentine five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez during the Wallabies’ comprehensive 34-9 win against Argentina in Mendoza, Hooper’s suspension was then halved to one week.

It was agreed Hooper would serve this suspension by missing Manly’s club rugby semi-final on Saturday against Randwick.

SANZAR then appealed the decision on Friday, and after an hour and a half video conference on Sunday evening, the appeal was thrown out and Hooper was finally given the green light to play his ninth Test against the All Blacks in front of a home crowd.

“Yeah glad it’s over, glad it’s wrapped up and I can really look forward to this week and moving forward into the first Bledisloe,” Hooper said on Saturday evening. “It’s been a little bit tough but I have been preparing as if I’ve been right to play, of course pending selection, and trying to get into the team for this week.”

A lot has been made of the decision for Hooper to miss a club rugby game – one which he might not well have played in anyway.

SANZAR’s tough stance to request to have a formal hearing looked over by an independent appeals review officer was challenged vehemently by the ARU.

“It was found that Hooper, in circumstances of considerable frustration and in order to try and rid himself of his opponent, drew back his free right arm and … struck out at the opponent’s head and neck area with his open hand,” read the original judicial officer’s findings.

“I found no aggravating factors to be present but did find a number of mitigating factors including Hooper’s good character and repute along with his good disciplinary record.”

Australia are top of the table on for and against over the world’s number one side in New Zealand, meaning a draw in Sydney on Saturday would be enough for the Wallabies to claim their first Rugby Championship title since 2011.

As for the Bledisloe Cup, Australia need to win or draw the game if they are to regain the coveted trophy which has eluded them since 2003.