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Brumbies edge Rebels in pre-season blowout in Wagga Wagga
By AAP
Len Ikitau's second-half double was enough for the ACT Brumbies to skip clear after the Melbourne Rebels had fired their first shots ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Brumbies led early but needed a second-half surge in a 35-33 win in Wagga Wagga on Saturday.
The Rebels, beaten 24-0 by Fijian Drua in their only other trial game, held sway and led 19-12 early in the second half after stalling the Brumbies' rolling maul and finding space on the left flank.
But Wallabies centre Ikitau produced the critical plays, twice tumbling out of tackles to score his tries in the Brumbies' comeback.
His second put them nine points clear before the Rebels scored a consolation try after the siren.
Rugby sevens recruits Corey Toole continued his fine pre-season form with a try for the winners, while fellow sevens product and Tokyo Olympian Joe Pincus made the most of his early minutes with a first-half double.
Pincus was on after Ray Nu'u was helped of f with a right knee injury, while Rebels five-eighth Carter Gordon was also limping when he exited in the 60th minute.
The emerging playmaker was sharp before that, throwing the pass for Pincus's first try and running at the line with confidence.
Playing fullback, Reece Hodge was also impressive while Jack Debreczeni was smooth in pulling the Brumbies' strings in the No.10.
Victory for the Brumbies followed a tight win over the Waratahs in their other pre-season game, returning coach Stephen Larkham to enter the season later this month with a perfect record.
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Latest Comments
Refs make mistakes and they make 50/50 decisions that people don't like. Everyone knows that. And if we're aiming for a world in which people can't discuss those decisions then we're being idiotic.
But there is a big difference between questioning a decision and questioning the integrity of a referee. I don't mind a player or coach saying that they disagree with a Busby decision about Barrett, for example. In fact I am fine if they want to go and produce a tape and a commentary about it. Refs are in the public eye just as much as players are, and it's cool for people to analyze their performances IMV.
What's not OK is to say that they are biased, have hidden agendas, or intentionally favor certain teams or individuals. Nor is it great to call into question their competence, notwithstanding the obvious fact that some refs are more talented and/or experienced than others. Stick to discussing what they did, not who they are or what there intentions may be.
Also, while I think it should be fine (and not penalized) for a player or coach to disagree with certain decisions, I would observe that great teams don't blame "uncontrollables" for their losses and failures. As a player Hansen should treat refereeing the same as the bounce of the ball, the weather or injuries in the team. Uncontrollables are part of the challenge, regardless of how fair you think they are in any particular case.
Go to commentsBailey took someone else's spot though. Every year England name a 36 man squad for the six nations, but in 2022 they named 35 men + Orlando Bailey.
England have a finite amount to spend on player wages, so can't just add young players to the squad for free.
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