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Reds tyro feeling the pressure to replace 'once-in-a-generation player'
By AAP
Zane Nonggorr has leant on ACT Brumbies prop James Slipper for scrum tips in the past but they might dry up if the Queensland Reds upstart can exploit them in Canberra.
The tighthead prop admits there is a degree of pressure linked to coming into the Reds front row to replace Taniela Tupou, who's currently injured and will soon depart for the Melbourne Rebels.
But he's enjoyed the test in a 1-1 start to the Super Rugby Pacific season, with Queensland's historic 10-try mauling of the Western Force on Sunday offsetting a nasty round-one loss to the Hurricanes.
Nonggorr knows arguably his biggest test awaits in Canberra on Saturday, however, with the Brumbies' scrum and set piece a clear Australian rugby benchmark powered by Wallabies props Allan Alaalatoa and Slipper.
The 21-year-old revealed he has used his club rugby contacts to strike up post-game conversations with former Reds captain Slipper in previous tussles.
"They're a world-class scrum with two Wallaby props there and it's exciting to play against world-class players," Nonggorr said.
"You learn from mistakes, celebrate the little wins. I'm really looking forward to it."
Tupou's combination of craft and sheer strength has agitated the Brumbies' set piece in recent seasons, with home ground advantage the only difference between two evenly-matched outfits.
"Yeah, there's a bit of pressure (to replace Tupou)," Nonggorr said. "He's been pretty dominant on the field, is a once-in-a-generation player, and some of the stuff he does is pretty crazy.
"But us playing together as a team, we can be pretty dominant as well."
Former Brumby Dan Palmer's work as the ACT's scrum coach has been lauded, but the Reds have their own scrum guru in former All Blacks prop and ex-referee Kane Hames.
Replacing past Wallabies forward Cameron Lillicrap, the 34-year-old Hames has been charged with ironing out the Reds' set piece and improving their discipline.
"He's a bit more scientific and technical about how he thinks," Nonggorr said.
"But he wants us to get in there in training and have a go at each other."
- Murray Wenzel
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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