Wallabies scrum facing its toughest challenge

Updated September 13, 2012 17:48:36

The Pumas may be ranked eighth in the world but Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau believes their forward play is without peer in the southern hemisphere.

Polota-Nau has warned the Wallabies forwards face their toughest assignment in the Rugby Championship on Saturday night by rating Argentina's pack the best in the competition.

The Pumas may be ranked eighth in the world but Polota-Nau believes their forward play is without peer in the southern hemisphere.

The tournament newcomers have certainly made an instant splash in the four-nation competition by unsettling both New Zealand and South Africa in the opening three rounds.

Polota-Nau spelt out the danger the big, aggressive Argentine forwards pose at scrum time and at the breakdown by remarking their play was superior to the world champion All Blacks and Springboks.

"It's on par, but if anything better," the 37-Test rake said.

The Pumas' bruising defence and their ability to turnover possession by throwing numbers into the rucks and mauls were a highlight in their 16-all draw against the Boks before scaring the All Blacks at 9-5 down 65 minutes into last weekend's Wellington Test.

"They probably have the stats for the highest turnovers and it's because of all their forwards working so well in the defensive area and jackling (winning the ball) and creating such a mess at the breakdown," Polota-Nau said.

"Technically if we're not sound we'll get punished.

"So as a contest it's on par or if not better because I think from (numbers) one to eight they can all be jacklers."

Winger Digby Ioane also underlined the challenge at the tackle area for the Wallabies at Gold Coast's Skilled Park: "They're ruthless at the breakdown so that's our main focus."

Australia's scrum performed solidly in their past two outings but the selection of 122kg lock Kane Douglas, over the lighter Rob Simmons, to replace the injured Sitaleki Timani has shown they're also wary about being outmuscled by the Pumas in the set-piece.

In scrummaging work, the Wallabies have prepared for all matter of surprises from a team renowned for their hostility and power up front.

"That's the beauty of the Argies, they're quite the unorthodox team so we actually don't know what to expect," Polota-Nau said.

"We're prepping by all means necessary to make sure that any scenario we can (1) stop but (2) stick to our plan - of getting the ball in and out and let the backs do the rest."

Pumas prop Marcos Ayerza stressed the tourists see scrum dominance as a huge mental and physical boost.

"It's historically been a main objective for any Argentinian team, to have a solid scrum and build from that psychological domination, and we're trying to bring that back," he said.

"From that dominance, even if it might be an inch, you start building your confidence with every part of the game."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, robina-4226, qld, australia

First posted September 13, 2012 17:48:36

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Lions boss Gatland ready for 'hell of a challenge'

Updated September 05, 2012 13:21:53

Warren Gatland said he was ready for a "hell of a challenge" after being appointed head coach of the British and Irish Lions for next year's tour of Australia.

The New Zealander, currently coach of Wales, will be looking to lead the Lions - a combined side made up of players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland - to their first Test series win in 16 years following their 1997 success in South Africa.

"There is no question it is one hell of a challenge," Gatland, who has led Wales to two Six Nations Grand Slams and the semi-finals of last year's World Cup, told a news conference in London on Tuesday. "Playing in the southern hemisphere is one of rugby's hardest challenges."

Gatland said coaching the Lions was a "massive responsibility".

"It's a responsibility to the players and coaches that have gone before me and to 125 years of Lions history," he explained.

"For a player it is the pinnacle of their career. It is the same for the coaches involved.

"This is the highest honour, to be selected as the Lions coach.

"It is the pinnacle of anyone's coaching career."

Gatland, an assistant to then head coach Ian McGeechan when the Lions lost in South Africa in 2009, also said: "I really enjoyed the experience as one of the assistant coaches in 2009 and since then have harboured ambitions to lead the tour to Australia next year.

"The Lions came close in South Africa and our ambition is to win the series in 2013, and I believe we have the players to do that."

Outstanding record

Tour manager Andy Irvine, the former Scotland and Lions full-back, said of Gatland's appointment: "Warren has an outstanding record as a coach and has been fully embedded in rugby in the UK and Ireland since 1989.

"His achievements include steering Wasps to English and European club success and more recently he has overseen Wales to two Grand Slams and a semi-final at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

"He has an intimate knowledge of the Lions, the challenges they face and the processes that need to be put in place to ensure the squad had every chance of being successful," Irvine added.

Gatland will be the second overseas coach of the Lions following fellow Kiwi Graham Henry, in charge during the 2-1 series defeat in Australia in 2001.

The 2013 tour begins against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1 before they play the first of three Tests against Australia in Brisbane on June 22.

Gatland, 48, who played against the Lions, will coach Wales in their November Tests against New Zealand and Australia but otherwise he will be seconded full-time to his new post.

He is expected to confirm his full Lions coaching team in October.

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, united-kingdom

First posted September 05, 2012 11:27:03

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Reds undaunted by Brumbies challenge

Luke Pentony

Updated May 24, 2012 18:05:37

Queensland young gun Liam Gill says the Reds are expecting a "grand final" atmosphere when they meet the Brumbies in Saturday night's crucial clash at Canberra Stadium.

The result of the match will go a long way to determining who finishes on top of the Australian conference and earns an automatic play-offs berth, with the Brumbies currently leading the standings on 44 points, eight ahead of the Reds.

The Brumbies have surprised many observers with their resurgence under new coach Jake White this season and they have won four of their past five matches since they lost to the Reds 20-13 at Lang Park in round seven.

But they will meet a Reds outfit that has hit a rich vein of form themselves, the defending champions coming off back-to-back bonus point wins over the Chiefs (42-27) and the Lions (34-20).

The Reds also have close to a full complement of players available following a horror injury run and the return of Quade Cooper has been a further boost, as they look to eat away at the Brumbies' lead on the Australian conference standings.

Gill, who has been a stand-out performer for the Reds this season at openside flanker, says he and his team-mates are more than aware of the importance of Saturday night's encounter.

"It's arguably a grand final match and I think we really look forward to a stage like that," he said.

"We're excited about the prospect of going down there and playing."

Gill, 19, has not been the only young openside flanker to turn heads this season, with the Brumbies' number seven Michael Hooper having also impressed.

The 20-year-old Hooper plays hard on the ball at the breakdown in a scavenger role like Gill, who leads the competition for the number of pilfers with 15.

Hooper is second to Gill with 10 pilfers and he has been considered fortunate to be cleared to play the Reds after being cited by SANZAR for a lifting tackle on Hurricanes back rower Victor Vito during the Brumbies' 37-25 win in Wellington last Friday night.

He was issued with an off-field yellow card that allows him to face the Reds and Gill is relishing the chance to face off against his former Australia under 20 team-mate.

"It will be another big test, I do look forward to it," he said.

"It's great that he has got the opportunity to play and I think it will give me a lot of confidence coming off the back of playing against the Braid brothers, and Richie (McCaw) and Matt Todd and hopefully it will go down well, and it will be a good contest."

Back row options

The Reds may start with two specialist openside flankers after Beau Robinson was included in a 23-man squad to travel to Canberra.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie will finalise his matchday line-up of 22 on Friday but he hinted Robinson would be included in his starting XV at blindside flanker.

This would likely mean Jake Schatz would be dropped to the bench, but McKenzie would not regard this as a demotion.

"Whatever we pick will be a difficult selection, but we know that the guys that come off the bench will value add, so it's the performance over 80 (minutes) and you've got to get there," he said.

"It's no good being good for 70 minutes, you've got to get there over 80, so we think we've got a squad that will get the job done."

The Brumbies have not been backward in talking up the importance of Saturday night's match, highlighting the confidence they have built in putting together a 7-4 record from their 11 appearances.

This has not escaped the attention of McKenzie, who is undaunted about taking the Reds to Canberra where they have won just once in Super Rugby since 1996.

"I think we've heard a lot from the Brumbies already this week about where they're at," he said.

"But we'll go into the game very positive about our prospects and our potential about putting a lot of pressure on them.

"They're playing at home in front of their home crowd. It will probably be the biggest crowd they've had in a long time, so for us it's a good stage be at our best."

Should the Reds beat the Brumbies they will secure the Rod Macqueen Cup for the first time since its inception in 2005.

Reds squad:

Forwards - Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, James Horwill (captain), Eddie Quirk, Beau Robinson, Jake Schatz, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Adam Wallace-Harrison

Backs - Quade Cooper, Chris F'Sautia, Anthony Faingaa, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted May 24, 2012 12:45:11

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Teenage Gill geared for McCaw challenge

By Luke Pentony

Updated July 5, 2011 15:54:00

Queensland teenager Liam Gill says he "can't wait" to get an opportunity to face off against Crusaders captain Richie McCaw in Saturday night's Super Rugby final at Lang Park.

The 19-year-old openside flanker is set to retain his place on the Reds' reserves bench for the season decider and it is likely he will see match time at some stage in the second half to help counter McCaw at the breakdown.

Gill replaced starting number seven Beau Robinson in the 65th minute of the Reds' 30-13 win over the Blues in last Saturday night's home semi-final.

While Reds coach Ewen McKenzie could employ a similar tactic in the final, he might opt to use both scavengers on the pitch at the same time to mirror the Crusaders' expected strategy.

The Crusaders played McCaw for the full 80 minutes in the 29-10 win over the Stormers in Sunday morning's (AEST) second semi-final in Cape Town, but brought on his understudy Matt Todd to replace blindside flanker George Whitelock.

Substituting Whitelock may have left the Crusaders a target down in the line-out, but the use of the talented Todd, who has been a stand-out in his debut Super Rugby season, gave the New Zealanders greater presence at the breakdown with two on-ball specialists.

McCaw and his Wallabies counterpart David Pocock are widely regarded as the best openside flankers in the world and Gill is relishing the chance to face off against the All Blacks captain at some stage on Saturday night.

"I can't wait," he told Grandstand.

"I got my first (run-on) debut opportunity against David Pocock, so hopefully I'll get another chance to see the other best in the world."

Gill made his Super Rugby debut off the bench against the Brumbies back in round three, but had to wait until last month before he registered his maiden start when he lined up against Pocock and the Western Force in Perth.

He was deputising for Robinson, who was sidelined with a fractured elbow, and having survived the baptism of fire he impressed with a try in the Reds' 19-11 win over the Chiefs in the final round of the regular season in Hamilton.

Gill moved back to the bench when Robinson made his return against the Blues, but the two starting opportunities gave him the self belief that he belongs to the Super Rugby arena.

"I think the two starts gave me a big stepping stone in terms for my confidence," he said.

"It just helps me know that I can fit in and that I can be up to the level to perform, so that's the major thing that I'll be running off that confidence.

"I haven't come across the Crusaders yet and from what I know they're a big physical pack.

"They belted the Stormers, so it will be a big task. The Chiefs were not an easy option, so that will give me confidence, but I think the nerves and hopefully the adrenaline will get me over."

Boom prospect

The Melbourne-born Gill was contracted to the Reds at just 17, his potential identified when a student at Brisbane's St Joseph's, Gregory Terrace from where he captained the Australian Schoolboys in 2009.

At the same age he made his international sevens debut on the IRB World Series and played a starring role at last October's Delhi Commonwealth Games, where Australia went down the final to New Zealand.

McKenzie had made it a priority to sign Queensland's best young talent when he took the helm at the Reds in late 2009, mindful that Pocock was lost to the Force when still a schoolboy at another Brisbane rugby nursery, Churchie.

Gill is repaying the faith shown by McKenzie, displaying a distinct lack of intimidation when up against more experienced opponents.

"That's it, at this level you've got to go in and front-foot it," he said.

"You can't hold back, you can't afford not to be confident, as that's where you get injured, that's where you get shown up.

"I've just tried to have a big focus on getting in there, getting my first few involvements and playing off that and then working my way into the game."

McKenzie will name his matchday squad on Thursday with winger/full-back Luke Morahan a possible inclusion on the bench if he proves his fitness after being sidelined with a hamstring tear.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, brisbane-4000

First posted July 5, 2011 15:42:00

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