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'We will have to target their backrow' - Rennie looking for 'physicality' from Blindside Flanker says Wright
By Online Editors
Liam Wright says Lachie Swinton's all-or-nothing approach is the blueprint for whoever wears the Wallabies No.6 jersey in Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with Argentina in Newcastle.
The Pumas back-row, led by inspirational skipper Pablo Matera, kept the All Blacks back-peddling during their shock 25-15 win last round.
With hooker Julian Montoya also chiming as a pseudo backrower and their tight five dominating tackles, New Zealand struggled for momentum.
Queensland captain Wright predicted more of the same from the Pumas in their McDonald Jones Stadium match.
"For us to get quick breakdown ball we will have to target their back-row definitely and make sure we win that contact battle for the carry otherwise it's going to be a long day," Wright said on Monday.
"They are going to slow up our ball and it's hard to get go-forward.
"Their back row is quite a big row, they've got some bruising tacklers and they were good over the ball so it's going to make for an interesting match up but I think our boys are ready for it."
Making his Test debut in Brisbane against the All Blacks, Swinton only lasted 35 minutes before he was red-carded for a high tackle and is suspended for the remainder of the tournament.
But Wright said his physicality and aggression, minus the red card, was what coach Dave Rennie wanted to see.
"What Dave is looking for at No.6 is a lot of physicality and impact on the game.
"We're looking for guys to come in like Swins (Swinton) did and just fly in and rip in.
"I thought he was really good, until that card, and put in a lot of effort and had a lot of dominant contact.
"I think the other main thing for that six role is just the set piece ... and shoring that against Argentina is really important as well."
Wright came off the bench in the Suncorp Stadium victory while he has already had a taste of the Pumas as part of the Australia A side who fell to an understrength side in a warm-up match.
World Cup No.8 Isi Naisarani was a stand-out in the Pumas second trial match victory, scoring two tries to put up his hand for selection after originally been omitted from the squad.
- Melissa Woods
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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
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