In the dust-up in Perth where the All Blacks triumphed 28-14 over the Wallabies, some stars shone while others dimmed. Here’s a breakdown of the highs and lows from this Rugby Championship face-off.
Quinn Tupaea emerged as the standout winner, delivering a performance that could only be described as "exceptional." Stepping into the outside centre spot, Tupaea not only scored twice but also fortified the defense, making him the game's top performer. His prowess prompted comments about his undeniable impact, with observers noting, "New Zealand has not seen a better performance at outside centre since the World Cup."
"With Proctor a bit banged up, giving Tupaea a chance was the right move, and boy, did he deliver,"
Scott Robertson also emerged with his reputation enhanced. Despite some enforced changes due to injuries, Robertson made bold decisions like starting Peter Lakai over the favored Wallace Sititi and resting Billy Proctor. These moves paid off, underlining his tactical nous and keeping the All Blacks’ championship hopes alive. Despite some pressure, his team controlled the game and showed that there’s still room to grow.
Fraser McReight and Leicester Fainga’anuku also shined brightly. McReight, ever the nuisance at the breakdown, finally saw his perseverance pay off with penalties in the second half. Fainga’anuku, returning to the All Blacks, looked as though he’d never been away, swatting opponents aside with ease.
However, it wasn’t all cheers in the camp. Tom Hooper found himself on the losing end after a performance marred by errors, including a costly sin-bin stint. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt also faced criticism for his handling of the fly-half position. Missteps in player rotation and game management over the past two games were seen as tactical blunders.
"Schmidt’s gamble with the fly-half position backfired spectacularly,"
was a sentiment echoed by many.
Tane Edmed and Damian McKenzie, both fly-halves, struggled under pressure, with McKenzie failing to seize his opportunity in the absence of Beauden Barrett. Meanwhile, Will Skelton’s brief appearance was cut short by a head injury, ending his game disappointingly.
As the dust settles, the winners have their eyes set on further glories, while the losers are left to ponder what might have been.
2,193 posts
In the dust-up in Perth where the All Blacks triumphed 28-14 over the Wallabies, some stars shone while others dimmed. Here’s a breakdown of the highs and lows from this Rugby Championship face-off.
Quinn Tupaea emerged as the standout winner, delivering a performance that could only be described as "exceptional." Stepping into the outside centre spot, Tupaea not only scored twice but also fortified the defense, making him the game's top performer. His prowess prompted comments about his undeniable impact, with observers noting, "New Zealand has not seen a better performance at outside centre since the World Cup."
"With Proctor a bit banged up, giving Tupaea a chance was the right move, and boy, did he deliver,"
Scott Robertson also emerged with his reputation enhanced. Despite some enforced changes due to injuries, Robertson made bold decisions like starting Peter Lakai over the favored Wallace Sititi and resting Billy Proctor. These moves paid off, underlining his tactical nous and keeping the All Blacks’ championship hopes alive. Despite some pressure, his team controlled the game and showed that there’s still room to grow.
Fraser McReight and Leicester Fainga’anuku also shined brightly. McReight, ever the nuisance at the breakdown, finally saw his perseverance pay off with penalties in the second half. Fainga’anuku, returning to the All Blacks, looked as though he’d never been away, swatting opponents aside with ease.
However, it wasn’t all cheers in the camp. Tom Hooper found himself on the losing end after a performance marred by errors, including a costly sin-bin stint. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt also faced criticism for his handling of the fly-half position. Missteps in player rotation and game management over the past two games were seen as tactical blunders.
"Schmidt’s gamble with the fly-half position backfired spectacularly,"
was a sentiment echoed by many.Tane Edmed and Damian McKenzie, both fly-halves, struggled under pressure, with McKenzie failing to seize his opportunity in the absence of Beauden Barrett. Meanwhile, Will Skelton’s brief appearance was cut short by a head injury, ending his game disappointingly.
As the dust settles, the winners have their eyes set on further glories, while the losers are left to ponder what might have been.