14 June 2024
Good morning, Inexperienced and Gold Rugby Followers and welcome to a different version of Friday Information. It’s Reds and Wallabies Fan right here filling in for Hoss this week. I’ll attempt to preserve it upbeat and attention-grabbing as we enter the penultimate spherical of tremendous rugby. Particulars about what has saved Hoss from his beloved Friday Information are scant, and I’ve huge sneakers and even larger denims to fill, so let’s get straight into it.
In todays article I’ll kick it off with a quick preview of the semi-finals, cowl some normal information together with fallout from the Rebels being axed and different information, bitch just a little bit in regards to the variety of articles I appear to examine our earlier coach, delve into an age previous dilemma, and channel some Tom Cruise – High Gun vibes.
As all the time, it is a fan run website, and if you need so as to add to our story with a daily or ad-hoc contribution, get in contact with [email protected].
It’s Semi-Finals Time
Blissful, Sully, and Karl went by the groups and their forecasts for the Semi Finals on this week’s groups podcast that you could find at https://greenandgoldrugby.com/ggrs-talking-teams-podcast-the-semi-finals/
You’ll be able to learn a bit extra in regards to the video games courtesy of Nathan Williamson and Rugby Australia right here
Semi-Remaining One
Blues vs Brumbies at Eden Park, 5:05pm Friday 14 June
This must be an attention-grabbing sport to look at. The Blues have taken ahead primarily based brutality to a close to Springbok stage this 12 months and if the Brumbies don’t execute properly, they may very well be in for a protracted night time. The threats don’t end with the piggies although, there are many weapons within the backline, Caleb Clarke has been unimaginable this 12 months. He’s huge, quick, elusive, and appears hungry for work this 12 months, and might be a handful all night time for the ponies. Then on the opposite wing they’ve Mark Talea, speak about expertise.
The Brumbies come into this sport having gained their final 7 video games and 11 from their final 12. Sadly their final loss was a 46 to 7 hiding by the Blues at Eden Park again in April, so let’s look previous that one. It’s additionally a rematch of the 2022 semi-final which noticed the Blues maintain on and take the victory.
The Blues have misplaced their captain and key ahead Patrick Tuipulotu, who’s out with a knee damage, hopefully he makes a full restoration and will get again to enjoying.
The Brumbies welcome again James Slipper who has overcome the previous man damage (calf pressure) and hopefully that may convey some stability to the scrum and expertise across the park.
The Brumbies have gambled a bit with the composition of the bench (a 6-2 cut up), hopefully the backline stays on the sector and Noah has a blinder.
We wish to see extra of this, Andy Muirhead breaking tackles and scoring tries.
Each groups are fairly settled, with minor modifications from final week, the pinnacle says the Blues as the house crew will get the win, the Aussie Rugby fan says that the Brumbies will sneak the win by lower than 7 factors. Noah, Ikitau, and Tom Wright to steer the crew to a well-known away victory and arrange a Grand Remaining look.
Semi Remaining Two
Hurricanes vs Chiefs on the Cake Tin, Wellington, 2:35pm Saturday 15 June
This must be an absolute belter of a match, with the in kind Chiefs heading to Wellington trying to knock off the minor premiers and Hello-Viz sporting Hurricanes.
Each crew have been implausible this 12 months, the Chiefs actually placed on a present for the primary 25 minutes final week and put Reds to the sword, and when you wouldn’t count on the identical two weeks in a row, it reveals what they’re succesful with a sensible teaching crew, and great gamers throughout the sector.
The Chiefs have the luxurious of naming an unchanged aspect for this week, whereas the Hurricanes have some minor modifications. The Chiefs have DMac pulling the strings from 10, whereas the Hurricanes have TJ Perenara calling the pictures from halfback, these guys are the possible All Blacks half pairing this 12 months, so it is going to be a terrific battle. To be trustworthy, this one is more durable to choose than a damaged nostril, so I’m going to go along with the house aspect, however gained’t be in any respect shocked if we see loads of this man all through the night time.
Picture courtesy of Stuff.co.nz.
Some information since yesterday
Flash is gone
Loads of information articles and chats all through the day with the story that Carter “Flash” Gordon has signed with the Gold Coast Titans within the NRL for two years from 2025. That is disappointing for Australian Rugby, however not stunning. Gordon made eight appearances for the Wallabies in 2023 underneath the selecting (I couldn’t convey myself to jot down teaching, or steering, or stewardship, or different phrases usually related to nationwide coaches) of Eddie Jones together with being taken to the World Cup as the one specialist Fly-Half. As rugby followers (an usually older males) we are able to see the world as black and white and the concept of a rugby participant, and incumbent Wallaby, leaving the play rugby league as some type of betrayal, however to be trustworthy with the best way that the coach handled the crew final 12 months, the best way that the Rebels 12 months unfolded, and the best way that RA appeared to deal with the Rebels gamers, why would you presumably blame a younger man (he’s solely 23) for desirous to go and check out on a brand new job in a brand new sport with knowledgeable crew who needs him to be there.
Good luck Carter Gordon, I hope you go properly, and tear it up.
The lingering impact of Eddie Jones
For some motive, principally as a result of I’m not so tech savvy, that is the webpage that I get once I kind GREE after which hit enter into Google. It’s annoying and if anybody has any concepts of methods to reset my Google searches, or pages, or no matter is main me to take a look at this extra usually than I would love, please assist. I’m positive that recommendation on methods to reset browser preferences could be helpful for just a few of the GAGRs who’ve by accident added an additional G into their search engine.
When is an excessive amount of actually an excessive amount of? I can’t appear to go a day with out seeing some article about Eddie Jones, with English gamers, Australian gamers, and too many different “journalists” writing items about him. To any Australian primarily based “journalists”, are you able to please cease, why don’t you employ your time researching and writing articles about present and rising Australian gamers, or rugby points, and write one thing constructive. I don’t care what Eddie is doing now, I’m not going to learn your articles, please cease.
The Age-Previous Dilemma
Possibly that must be the age-young dilemma. There’s a little bit of speak this week on the discussion board and amongst the GAGR Craparazzi about a few rising Australian stars and whether or not they’re sufficiently old to play for the Wallabies this 12 months. Tim “Junkyard Canine” Ryan, and Charlie “wow he’s quick” Cale specifically have emerged this 12 months as stand outs for the Reds and Brumbies and deserve a spot within the Wallabies squads and possibly even match day squads.
There was some debate about whether or not they’re sufficiently old or seasoned sufficient to step as much as take a look at match rugby on the comparatively younger ages of 20 (Ryan) and 23 (Cale). I’m genuinely enthusiastic about your views on this, I believe that Ryan confirmed sufficient for the Reds to earn his place in a squad and to see what the coaches consider him. For Charlie Cale, if he will get by the finals sequence in good bodily well being, and performs properly, then he’s earned his spot within the squad and the crew. He’s been excellent in each sport I’ve watched this 12 months.
I assume that I’m leaning on the aspect of in case you are adequate, you’re sufficiently old. With the caveat although of accidents, if as youthful guys, they’re carrying accidents, get their our bodies proper earlier than placing them into take a look at match rugby.
Picture Courtesy of Rugbypass.com
I’ve Misplaced that Loving Shedding Feeling
Channeling some Pete “Maverick” Mitchell from High Gun (virtually), I’ve misplaced the dropping feeling this 12 months. For the previous few years, I’ve entered most weeks as a Reds and Wallabies Fan anticipating my crew to lose, whereas hoping for an upset and even only a gallant slim loss to a greater crew of sheep lovers, biltong eaters, or cleaning soap dodgers.
It’s been robust instances as a fan, and definitely none harder than 2023, however this 12 months with the Brumbies kicking on (and Noah wanting far more settled), and the Reds successful video games towards Kiwi sides, I’m able to consider in Australian Rugby once more.
Who’s with me to get on board the Wallabies band wagon and look in direction of a profitable take a look at
sequence towards the Welsh after which kick on into the Rugby Championship. If you wish to watch all the scene, and you recognize you do, you could find it courtesy of YouTube right here.
Have a terrific Weekend
That’s all for me for the week, Go the Brumbies, and don’t neglect to take a look at the weekend version by Sully and Hoss might be again on deck subsequent week.
Cheers
RAWF
