Politicians on deck
It’s a beautiful afternoon in Sydney. One or two fluffy clouds, but conditions are fine for the second and final Bledisloe Cup fixture.
NSW Premier Chris Minns is at Accor Arena for the clash. As is former treasurer and Ambassador of Australia to the USA Joe Hockey.
All Blacks injury, pressure on Wallabies 10s
The All Blacks are naturally favourites. $3.75 favourites, in fact. The men in black have won 12 straight Tests – a record winning streak between the trans-Tasman neighbours – and are coming off the back of a 50-19 thumping at Eden Park last week.
Both teams have been struck by injuries, with the All Blacks losing Jordie Barrett on Saturday morning. Timoci Tavatavanawai – the wrecking-ball Highlanders midfielder, who is brilliant over the ball – has come in at inside centre, with uncapped outside back Chay Fihaki coming onto the bench.
The Wallabies, meanwhile, have named 27-year-old Declan Meredith to start in the No.10 jersey in the absence of Ben Donaldson, who was ruled out on Thursday. Uncapped Western Force recruit Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 22, is on the bench. It means the Wallabies’ two playmakers have just four Tests between them compared to the All Blacks – Damian McKenzie (82) and Beauden Barrett (146) – who have 228. Will that be the telling factor?
Les Kiss defended the decision not to draft in an older experienced playmaker, with Bernard Foley (Waratahs) and James O’Connor (Force) signing short-term deals in Super Rugby next year. Kurtley Beale, 37, was also in fine form recently in the rapid-fire Super Rugby AUS. Noah Lolesio? Crickets.
Here’s what Kiss said:“Right here, right now, I’ve got Declan, and I’ve got Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. That’s who we have, and we’re going to back them fully.”
Mixed results in the sevens
Mixed results in the sevens.
Australia’s women were never at the races despite only losing 21-14. The world champions trailed 14-0 at half-time before tryscoring machine Maddi Levi scored two late tries, including one after the full-time siren. Jorja Miller – the queen of women’s sevens – was at her sparkling best, slipping tackles where her twinkle toes.
Earlier, Australia’s men’s sevens team conceded a try on the stroke of full-time to draw 19-all with Fiji.
Wallaroos hammer Scotland
Earlier, the Wallaroos made it two wins on the trot against Scotland.
Having beaten the Six Nations outfit 30-10 in Edinburgh late last month, the Wallaroos never looked troubled and demolished their rivals 56-12 this afternoon.
After running in five first-half tries and leading 35-5 at half-time, Siokapesi Palu’s side ran in another three tries to secure the comfortable win in front of a modest crowd, who took their time making their way into Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
The Wallaroos conceded the opening try of the day after just four minutes, but then turned it on. Hooker Brittany Merlo struck back for the home side, before the Wallaroos’ back three featuring Maya Stewart, Desiree Miller and Amelia Whitaker, all got on the scoresheet. Teenager Waiaria Ellis then scored the Wallaroos’ fifth try of the first half.
After Miller crossed again early in the second half, Tim Walsh’s side were made to work harder but were never seriously challenged. Whitaker’s intercept in the 64th minute and 65 metre swerving run then gave the Wallaroos some late momentum, before Eva Karpani scored a try in the final seconds.
Hello and welcome
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Wallabies’ clash with the All Blacks in Sydney.
Already it’s been an action-packed day in Sydney, with the Wallaroos putting away Scotland 56-12. Amelia Whitaker was named player of the match.
My name is Christy Doran and I’m sitting in the media box alongside my Herald colleagues Tom Decent and Iain Payten. All our game coverage, including Payto’s report and Tommy Decent’s reflections, will be right here this afternoon, so don’t stray too far.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
