International
Last minute try secures victory and the Bledisloe Cup
Jordie Barrett scored a controversial last-minute try to give the All Blacks a Bledisloe Cup-winning 39-37 win in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Melbourne on Thursday.
In a game that tested the lawbook in rare fashion, a first half that lasted 58 minutes and saw the Australians come back from 13-31 down to push the All Blacks to the limit, it had everything.
Three yellow cards to Australia, two of them at the same time, and one for New Zealand made it a niggly game, yet the last-minute try kept the All Blacks in the hunt to claim the Rugby Championship in the return match at Eden Park on Saturday week.
Australia tested the limits of the law and paid the consequences with three yellow cards, but all that may pale with referee Matthieu Raynal’s last-minute decision to penalise them for time wasting in front of their goalposts.
Raynal explained that when the penalty from the breakdown was awarded time was stopped. When it resumed he told Australia first five-eighths Bernard Foley to play, but he delayed, and delayed, and Raynal awarded the All Blacks the scrum that provided Barrett’s try.
New Zealand put the pressure on from the start but Australia, while rattled early, settled down and refused to bow.
Australia failed to take the kick-off to start the game and the All Blacks pounced with immediate effect. Australia conceded three penalties and each time the All Blacks put their lineout to use, finally succeeding with hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho crossing in the third minute.
Enjoying some time with the ball, much of it generated by halfback Jake Gordon, including a high kick that bounced favourably for No8 Rob Valentini who kicked it down the sideline to set up the chance for a penalty goal, and then a try to fullback Andrew Kelleway.
However, the 20th minute try was disallowed when television evidence showed All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane prevented the ball from being grounded.
Raynal twice penalised the All Blacks for closing the gap at the lineout. On the second occasion in the 24th minute, they secured a try for Valetini when the maul split. In the process, replacement flanker Dalton Papali’i, who had just come on for Sam Cane, who was having an HIA which he failed, was sin-binned for bringing the maul down.
Valetini, and flankers Pete Samu and Rob Leota, had the desired effect for Australia. Samu made a superb break that provided the momentum that lead to Valetini’s try, while Leota was strong in the breakdown and on the tackle.
The game came unstuck in the latter stages of the half which was extended to 58 minutes. Australia lost wing Tom Wright to the sinbin for cynical play after a sensational midfield run by wing Caleb Clarke.
Then the TMO saw dangerous play when replacement forward Darcy Swain hit replacement second five-eighths Quinn Tupaea with an illegal tackle to his leg when he was emerging from a ruck. Swain appeared fortunate to have only a yellow card.
Tupaea had to be assisted from the field with a knee injury, leaving both he and Havili, who failed an HIA, out of the game. That saw Beauden Barrett on to play fullback with brother Jordie moving to second five-eighths.
New Zealand went close to scoring again just before the break from a lineout drive only for Gordon to knock the ball from Taukei’aho’s hand as he attempted to ground the ball.
It took only 52 seconds to take advantage of Australia being reduced to 13 men when from the restart the Beauden Barrett kicked to Will Jordan’s wing and the ball was moved with Rieko Ioane and No8 Hoskins Sotutu running before Sotutu kicked ahead.
Kelleway took the ball but the All Blacks counter-rucked and it was prop Ethan de Groot and lock Brodie Retallick who were positioned in the backline to feed Taukei’aho who had the power to score his second.
A superb lineout drive exposed the Australian defences and Gordon was sin-binned for collapsing a maul and from the resulting lineout the move saw Jordie Barrett feeding first five-eighths Richie Mo’unga who stepped his way across in the 51st minute.
Two minutes later Jordan took a Beauden Barrett chip kick and raced away from the chasing Australian defence for a 20th try, in his 20th Test.
Australia responded with penalties getting them into the All Blacks’ 22m area. From a lineout, Foley in the midfield broke the line and fed Kelleway across.
Six minutes later, Kelleway benefited from another penalty lineout and the long pass from centre Len Ikitau put him in space for the try, to pull the score back to 27-31.
Mo’unga landed a penalty goal but Australia secured the ball from a Mo’unga kick and they moved the ball, worked the rucks and then freed it to Samu on the left flank. He broke a tackle, fed Marika Koroibete who fed back to Samu who scored.
The situation was not helped when replacement halfback Nic White slammed over a 50m penalty goal to give Australia a 37-34 lead with four minutes to play.
But the Australians felt they had secured the game when the All Blacks had kicked to the corner rather than the posts. However, Australia won a penalty at a breakdown after the maul but Reyand made his time-wasting decision and awarded the scrum to the All Blacks.
They moved the ball through Mo’unga, Jordan, who stepped, drew a tackle and then fed Jordie Barrett over in the corner.
Australia 37 (Rob Valentini, Andrew Kelleway 2, Pete Samu tries; Bernard Foley 4 con, 2 pen; Nic White pen) New Zealand 39 (Samisoni Taukei’aho 2, Richie Mo’unga, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett tries; Mo’unga 4 con, 2 pen). HT: 10-10.
Content & Images from – New Zealand Rugby
Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has today named a 42-player Summer Training Squad to begin preparations for the Bank of Ireland Nations Series and Rugby World Cup 2023.
Following the conclusion of the BKT United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup campaigns, the Ireland Coaching Team have selected an extended panel of players to assemble at the IRFU High Performance Centre on 18th June for the first block of pre-season.
The Ireland squad will train at their Dublin base through June and July ahead of the Bank of Ireland Nations Series which will see Farrell’s side fine-tune their preparations for Rugby World Cup 2023 with home matches against Italy (Saturday, 5th August – kick-off 8pm) and England (Saturday, 19th August – kick-off 5.30pm) at Aviva Stadium and a fixture against Samoa at Stade Jean-Dauger in Bayonne (Saturday, 26th August – kick-off 9pm local time/8pm Irish time).
Broadcast details for the Bank of Ireland Nations Series will be confirmed shortly, with tickets for the games against Italy and England at Aviva Stadium available to purchase via Ticketmaster now.
Farrell has included four uncapped players in his Summer Training Squad, with Ulster hooker Tom Stewart called up having been part of the extended Ireland squad during the Guinness Six Nations campaign, while Leinster backs Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne and Munster winger Calvin Nash are rewarded for their performances for their Provinces this season.
Commenting on the squad announcement, Farrell said: “It is exciting to announce our extended training squad for the first phase of Rugby World Cup preparations, and we’re looking forward to assembling in Dublin next month to hit the ground running as a group.
“It’s pleasing to see that selection has been as tough as ever, as real quality players have initially been unfortunate to have missed out. I’m sure that camp will be competitive enough as we grow minds and bodies and look to push on with our game from last season.
“In the meantime, it’s important that we freshen up for a busy and exciting summer ahead, so we’re ready to get to work on 18th June and build towards the Bank of Ireland Nations Series and to France beyond that.”
In addition to the three Bank of Ireland Nations Series matches, the Ireland squad will travel to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp in August, before Farrell’s final 33-player Rugby World Cup squad is announced in late August.
Ireland open their Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on 9th September, before further Pool B clashes against Tonga (16th September) in Nantes, and South Africa (23rd September) and Scotland (7th October) at the Stade de France in Paris.
Ireland Training Squad
Forwards (22)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University)
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster)
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf)
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)
Cian Prendergast (Connacht/Corinthians)
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)
Tom Stewart (Ulster/Ballynahinch)*
Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)
Backs (20)
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians)
Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD)
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon)
Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/UCD)*
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)
James Lowe (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)
Calvin Nash (Munster/Young Munster)*
Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas)
Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas)*
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan)
*denotes uncapped player
Bank of Ireland Nations Series Fixtures
- Saturday 5th August, Ireland v Italy – Aviva Stadium, 8pm
- Saturday 19th August, Ireland v England – Aviva Stadium, 5.30pm
- Saturday 26th August, Ireland v Samoa, Stade Jean-Dauger, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time
Rugby World Cup 2023 Fixtures
Pool B:
- Saturday 9th September, Ireland v Romania – Stade de Bordeaux, 3.30pm local time/2.30pm Irish time
- Saturday 16th September, Ireland v Tonga – Stade de la Beaujoire, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time
- Saturday 23rd September, Ireland v South Africa – Stade de France, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time
- Saturday 7th October, Ireland v Scotland – Stade de France, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time.
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Wayne Smith has been appointed as Performance Coach to the Black Ferns and All Blacks in a unique new role that will include mentoring and supporting the respective Head Coaches and enhancing the quality of coaching delivery across the two teams.
Smith has already started working with Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting but will not start his role with the All Blacks until after the 2023 Rugby World Cup when new Head Coach Scott Robertson takes up the role.
Smith said he was grateful to be able to continue his long association with the legacy of the black jersey and New Zealand Rugby (NZR).
“I have a deep connection and love for any team that wears the black jersey and particularly the Black Ferns and the All Blacks. I also have strong relationships with the respective head coaches and many of the players, so it feels like this role across the two teams is a natural fit, and one where I can hopefully add and contribute to both environments.”
Smith, who masterminded the Black Ferns 2022 Rugby World Cup championship run as Head Coach, said he would continue to challenge norms and encourage coaches and players to think outside the box.
“It’s important to consider different perspectives and solutions as coaches. As we head into a new era for the game, I am a great believer in the importance of diversity, of relationships and of people. As a coach I’ve been very fortunate to have been exposed to that through my career”.
NZR CEO Mark Robinson said Smith would be the Performance Coach to sit across the Black Ferns and All Blacks, and the new role would continue a legacy of innovation and excellence.
“Smithy’s input and insights on the shape of the game and trends in the game internationally will be of enormous benefit to coaches and players, but more than that his integrity, honesty, passion for the jersey and care for the legacy of the black jersey are invaluable.
“We are very fortunate to have someone of his calibre in our game and involved with our two top national teams the Black Ferns and the All Blacks. I know he is excited and energised by the challenge ahead and I’m confident our players, fans and stakeholders will feel the same way.”
Wayne Smith – All Black #806 – 17 Tests 1980-1985
2023: Black Ferns and All Blacks Performance Coach (commencing November 2023)
2022: Black Ferns Head Coach (Rugby World Cup winners)
2018: Kobelco Steelers Director of Coaching (Back-to-back Top League Japanese championships)
2015-2017: All Blacks Assistant Coach
2012-2014: Chiefs Assistant Coach
2012: Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby
2004-2011: All Blacks (Assistant Coach)
2001-2004: Northampton Saints Coach (England)
2000-2001: All Blacks Head Coach
1997-1999: Crusaders Head Coach (back-to-back Super Rugby titles 1998-1999)
Content & Images from – New Zealand Rugby
The Killik Cup will be on the line next Sunday (28 May, kick-off 2pm), as two of the most decorated coaches in world rugby, Eddie Jones (Barbarians) and Steve Hansen (World XV), go head-to-head for an unmissable showdown in London.
The two squads are jam-packed with world-class talent, with internationals from England, Wales, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Tonga, Japan, Scotland, Fiji and Italy all involved for the blockbuster clash at HQ.
The sides contain a total of 1,286 international caps between them – with 650 for the Barbarians and 636 for the World XV – as well as Rugby World Cup winners, British & Irish Lions tourists, and several returning Barbarians.
BARBARIAN F.C.
Forwards:
Nic Dolly (Leicester Tigers and England)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby, Wales, British & Irish Lions)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales, British & Irish Lions)
Stephan Lewies (Harlequins and South Africa)
Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears and New Zealand)
Enrique Pieretto (Glasgow Warriors and Argentina)
Carlü Sadie (Cell C Sharks)
Rob Simmons (London Irish and Australia)
Harry Thacker (Bristol Bears)
Sione Vailanu (Glasgow Warriors and Tonga)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons Rugby and Wales)
Alex Waller (Northampton Saints)
Tom West (Leicester Tigers)
Hiroki Yamamoto (Toshiba Brave Lupus and Japan)
Backs:
Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys and Wales)
Qaude Cooper (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners and Australia)
Aaron Cruden (Tokyo Sungoliath and New Zealand)
Francois Hougaard (Saracens and South Africa)
Samu Kerevi (Tokyo Sungoliath and Australia)
Teviat Li (Tokyo Sungoliath)
Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs and England)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons and England)
Seta Tamanivalu (Toshiba Brave Lupus and Fiji)
“It’s an incredible honour to be asked to coach the Barbarians for a second time,” said Jones. “I am very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium – a venue I have so many fond memories of – as head coach of the Barbarians, and I’m more motivated than ever to put on a show.
“Going up against Steve rekindles a great rivalry which first started in our days competing in Super Rugby and progressed into the international arena. It’ll be a great challenge and one we’re both relishing.”
The fixture against the World XV marks the first return to Twickenham for the Barbarians since a stunning 52-21 victory over England in June 2022. They then retained the Killik Cup in November, courtesy of a 35-31 win over an All Blacks XV in front of 35,000 people at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hansen added: “I’m really excited to be returning to Twickenham. I’ve coached both for and against the Barbarians during my career, and while you always have to expect the unexpected where they are concerned.
“You can be certain we’ll have a hugely entertaining match played in a festival atmosphere.”
WORLD XV
Forwards:
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors and Scotland)
Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby and Italy)
Elliot Dee (Dragons Rugby and Wales)
Allan Dell (Glasgow Warriors and Scotland)
Harry Hockings (Tokyo Sungoliath)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets Rugby, Wales, British & Irish Lions)
Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors and Scotland)
Michele Lamaro (Benetton Rugby and Italy)
Viliame Mata (Edinburgh Rugby and Fiji)
Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby and Italy)
Api Ratuniyarawa (London Irish and Fiji)
Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)
Backs:
Bryn Hall (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
Adam Hastings (Gloucester Rugby and Scotland)
Israel Folau (Urayasu D-Rocks and Tonga)
Marika Koroibete (Saitama Wild Knights and Australia)
Ngani Laumape (Kobelco Kobe Steelers and New Zealand)
Sbu Nkosi (Vodacom Bulls and South Africa)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets Rugby and Wales)
Nick Phipps (Green Rockets Tokatsu and Australia)
Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears and Tonga)
Semi Radradra (Bristol Bears and Fiji)
Further squad updates will follow in the coming days, with one player expected to be added to each squad.
General admission tickets for this spectacular showcase of rugby are still available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/barbarians, with ticket prices starting from just £27.50* for adults and £16.95* for Under-16s.
For a 10% discount on groups of 10 or more visit www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/events, while hospitality packages are available to purchase from £299 per person by CLICKING HERE.
Content & Images from – Barbarians Rugby
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