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Aussie Club Grades - Week 12
By Robert Seltzer
Two more Trans-Tasman matches, two more losses for the Australian teams. Will this hoodoo ever be broken? Here are how the teams fared this week:
Rebels – E
That is five losses on the spin for the Rebels.
It is a sorry state of affairs that sees them still in with a chance of the playoffs as no other Australian team can seem to put a run of form together.
It was always going to be a tough task with the defending champions in town but they held them to a three point lead at the break. You would have expected the Rebels to fly out the blocks after half-time but alas, it was another second half meltdown which saw the Crusaders secure their biggest ever win in Australia and leave the Rebels wondering where the next win is coming from.
Let's hope the injury sustained by Will Genia isn’t too bad.
Continue reading below...
Waratahs – E
There were some positive things to come out of this game.
1) They outscored a New Zealand team three tries to two; 2) Moving the game to Brookvale Oval really helped generate an atmosphere and 3) If the game had gone on five minutes more then they probably would have won. That being said, it didn't and they didn’t.
The Blues are not having the best of seasons themselves and managed to overcome the Waratahs despite the men from Sydney having over 70% territorial advantage, over 60% possession and the Blues at one point being down to 14 men.
Next up they travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders, and you can’t see them picking up any points there.
The Reds and Brumbies did not play this week.
Their next games are against the Sunwolves and Rebels respectively. A bonus point win for either of the teams will put them right back in the hunt for the playoffs considering the Waratahs will not be fancied in Christchurch.
The 'Tahs are the only Australian team currently with a positive points difference. A lot of work still needs to be done.
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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