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Watch: Wallabies centre fends off ex-All Black to set up 100-metre length of the field try

(Source/Stan Sport)

Wallabies centre Len Ikitau sparked a length of the field try in his side’s thrilling 39-38 win over the Force in Perth combining with Brumbies’ teammate and Wallaby fullback Tom Banks to go coast-to-coast.

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Receiving the ball on his own goal posts, Ikitau stood up Kyle Godwin one-on-one with some smart footwork before fending off ex-All Black lock Jeremy Thrush square in the chest on the inside.

The Brumbies outside centre was able to squeeze past the Force pair before turning on the gas to break upfield. Looking for support, he found the perfect support player in speedster Tom Banks who turned on the jets to add misery on the Force.

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      Banks outran former Chiefs wing Toni Pulu to score the long-range try and extend the Brumbies lead to 20-3 after 27 minutes of play.

      “That is absolutely brilliant from the Brumbies. You will never see a better try in the West, unbelievable,” Stan Sport’s commentator praised.

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      Minutes later after the superb effort, the Brumbies fullback was sent off in the 29th minute for what had appeared an accidental head clash with Toni Pulu while the Force wing was trying to bring in a bouncing ball five metres from the try line.

      Banks was red-carded for the tackle and ended up having to be hospitalised with a suspected fractured checkbone, forcing the visitors to play a man down for 20-minutes.

      The Force were awarded a penalty try which sparked a furious comeback, where they scored three tries while the Brumbies were down a man.

      Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar was critical of the decision which could have cost his side dearly, as they escaped with a 39-38 win in the end.

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      “It’s a high-speed, high-collision game,” Brumbies head coach McKellar told Stan Sport.

      “Banksy is coming across at full speed, TP changes direction and there’s a head clash.

      “If Tom Banks has a nasty bone in his body or goes out there to deliberately hurt someone, then I don’t know the bloke.

      “I thought the decision was wrong, and as a game we have to look at those sort of things.”

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      S
      Soliloquin 18 minutes ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

      His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

      But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

      And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


      I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

      For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

      But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


      As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

      Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


      And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

      So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

      France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

      233 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 35 minutes ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

      But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

      He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

      Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

      He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

      He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


      I really hope that:

      -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

      -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

      -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

      233 Go to comments
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