1
Rennie defends misfiring young Wallabies star
By AAP
The Wallabies will rally around young star Noah Lolesio after the No.10 left 12 points on the field in an eight-point loss to the All Blacks.
Fresh from a starring role in Australia's series win over France, Lolesio kicked just two from seven attempts in a dirty night with the boot.
Lolesio missed two penalties and three conversions in the Auckland wind: his first taste of Test rugby at Eden Park.
The loss puts the Wallabies on the back foot in the three-game Bledisloe Cup, needing to win game two next Saturday to take the series to a decider a fortnight later in Perth.
Coach Dave Rennie said the 21-year-old Lolesio cut a disappointed figure in the changeroom, but downplayed the influence of his off-night on the result.
"It was tough conditions. Richie (Mo'unga) missed a few as well," Rennie said.
Rennie wouldn't guarantee Lolesio would retain his spot for game two, saying "we'll tell you on Thursday", but defended the Auckland-born Brumbies ace.
"You don't go from an ace goalkicker to a novice overnight," he said.
"We have a lot of faith in the kid. He was excellent against France.
"So he's gonna get better and better. He is 21. There's a lot of young men around him as well.
"He's growing ... he's very confident, great work ethic.
"He's spending a lot of time sitting around with Quade (Cooper) and talking about generic parts of his game.
"He's been really impressive. And he played pretty well tonight."
Cooper and Matt To'omua are possible replacements at five-eight if Rennie decides to swing a change for their must-win next game.
Captain Michael Hooper said the team would support Lolesio.
"We pick each other up ... as Dave said, his boot guided us through a series win," he said.
"In a goal-kicker's career, there's going to be nights like that.
"He'll be better from it. He'll learn from that for sure."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Lancaster takes giant stride towards immediate Racing 92 exit
3
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Joe Schmidt’s future post-Lions
4
Glasgow coach jumps to defence of McDowall who faces possible huge ban
5
Latest Comments
Recent complaints that SA players have a 12-month workload isn't of itself a credible enough excuse to lay at the door of EPCR administrators. If SA clubs want to participate in NH league and club competitions and also participate in SH internationals, then clearly something has to give.
From the EPCR perspective, I do think that the format/schedule issues can be fixed if there's a strong enough desire to remove some of the logistical challenges clubs are facing with these long and frequent trips across the hemispheres.
From the SA player workload perspective however, I'm not sure how players can participate safely and competitively at both the club and international levels. Perhaps - and as Rassie appears to be developing, SA develop a super squad with sufficient player numbers and rotation to allow players to compete across the full 12-month calendar.
Bottom line though, is the geographical isolation is always going to restrict SA's ability to having the best of both worlds.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
Go to comments