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Fans hit back at SANZAAR after Sunwolves pick up win at Waratahs
By Josh Raisey
A week after beating the champions Crusaders, the New South Wales Waratahs slumped to a loss at home to the Sunwolves on Friday.
It was the Japanese side’s first win on Australian soil in Super Rugby, to go alongside their first win in New Zealand earlier this season against the Chiefs.
The Australian side rested some key players, and their absence was certainly noticed, particularly Bernard Foley’s, but that does not take anything away from a Sunwolves team that defended superbly, and took it to a Waratahs defence that had received a lot of plaudits going into the match.
The Sunwolves have had a lot of attention this past week, after being controversially axed from Super Rugby following the 2020 season. In light of this news, and their performance, many fans have questioned the decision-making of SANZAAR on Twitter. This is what they are saying:
Of course, the decision to remove the Sunwolves from Super Rugby had many more factors to it than simply their performances, as there was financial difficulty. However, based on how they played against the Waratahs, many fans are bewildered that the decision has been made.
While their performance was not great against the Lions in Singapore last weekend, the Sunwolves came to prove their doubters wrong in Australia this weekend. Many fans feel that this is the perfect response from the Japanese team, who would have been licking their wounds this week.
The Sunwolves played good rugby against the Waratahs, and it is clear that they are a team that are progressing in their fourth season in the competition, and fans were saying that out of the two teams, it is hard to believe that the Sunwolves are getting the ones getting the chop.
Nonetheless, after what has surely been a turbulent week, this was the perfect way for the Sunwolves to make a statement.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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