If changes made to the All Blacks squad named ahead of the Tri-Nations test are to allow for player rotation, that is one thing. If not then it must be for experimentation’s sake. That, in itself, is not an alien tactic for rugby teams. The Wallabies are themselves experimenting to a degree, yet the situations […] READ MORE
Tag: Dave Rennie
Bledisloe Cup secured after record All Blacks victory margin
Prized as highly as the Webb Ellis Cup, the Bledisloe Cup was secured [yet again] in Sydney, as the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 5-43. Playing on hostile ground, it was hyped as a test in the balance. Pundits had more confidence in the Australian team holding their ground on home soil. Holding off a […] READ MORE
Neither will be particularly happy with a Drawn Test match
As neither side will be particularly happy with a drawn test match, one side will have a better grasp on how well they played (than the other). Both sides will feel displeased to not take away the advantage in the annual trans-Tasman contest yet, Dave Rennie will feel much better because his side held the […] READ MORE
ACT Brumbies win Super Rugby Australia, over Queensland Reds
In a Grand Final that saw the ACT Brumbies win Super Rugby Australia, they have secured the title over the Queensland Reds 28-23 in Canberra. Competing in a semi-final and the winner takes all final was the difference between the Australian competition versus the New Zealand one. The Crusaders were victorious over the Tasman, yet […] READ MORE
‘Nobody’s perfect’ and John Eales still giving back to rugby
Phoning in for a radio interview, John Eales laconically states, “if I hadn’t got that kick, you might not be speaking to me.” That kick being the one in 2000 where, in Wellington, he sunk the hearts of All Blacks fans. Recapturing the Bledisloe Cup, it was a moment where one player stepped up. With […] READ MORE
Bledisloe Cup home tests sealed, yet ‘trouble at Mill’
With the Bledisloe Cup home tests sealed, you might assume that New Zealand Rugby were jumping for joy after announcing the two fixtures. Yet there is ‘trouble at mill’. Two matches, each uniquely scheduled for a Sunday kick-off is the bouquet. However, the trouble it took to secure those, the ignominy and frustrations caused the […] READ MORE
Rob Baxter ‘Proud of Composure and Fight’ in Glasgow win
In his pre-match notes, Tony Rowe spoke of the importance of transferring “our form from the Gallagher Premiership”. Rob Baxter and the Exeter Chiefs were able to deliver such a performance, as his side end the first block of games on top of Pool two. It was a cagey affair in the first half but, […] READ MORE
Kiwis increase ‘value’ of international rugby coach
News that Dave Rennie will step into the Australian head coach role appears to reinforce a common belief that many of the best choices are commonly New Zealanders. This appointment reinforces the idea that Kiwis (New Zealanders) increase the value of the International rugby coach. Not a statement of fact, although the evidence and widespread […] READ MORE
Champions Cup Pool 2 in Focus – Round two
The Champions Cup kicked off with a bang last weekend, continuing his focus on Pool 2, David Challis has all the lowdown on this weekend’s matches. Sale and La Rochelle face off in a match that could decide their destiny even though it is only round 2 after they both lost last weekend. Conversely, Exeter […] READ MORE
Dave Rennie announced as new Australia head coach
Following the departure of Michael Cheika after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Australia have announced Glasgow Warriors’ Dave Rennie as their next head coach. Dave Rennie announcement confirmed Australia has tonight announced that Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie will take over the Wallabies role after he finishes the season in the Guinness Pro14. He […] READ MORE