Month: March 2019

Waratahs loosehead prop Tom Robertson has been elevated into a surprise starting spot for Australia’s clash with New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday.

This, after first-choice front-row Scott Sio was ruled out with injury.

Robertson, who came off the bench in June, will make just his third Test start in the Bledisloe opener after Sio’s withdrawal over a shoulder complaint.

Though the Wallabies said at the start of the week Sio had been cleared to play, he has been unable to shake off a shoulder issue that he aggravated in the side’s recent trial.

Allan Alaalatoa comes onto the bench for the Wallabies after missing the June Series with an injury of his own.

Robertson’s is the only real surprise in the starting team, with Reece Hodge taking the outside centre position after injuries to Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had no qualms about bringing hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau into the starting spot in his first Test of 2018.

He will be backed up by Tolu Latu, with incumbent Brandon Paenga-Amosa out of the side completely.

Michael Hooper will play his first match since June, named at openside after almost two months out with a hamstring injury.

Rookie utility back Jack Maddocks pipped Tom Banks for the final bench spot, putting him in line for his Test debut.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Jack Maddocks

Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19:45 local (10:45 BST, 09:45 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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England and Gloucester fly-half Danny Cipriani has been fined £2000 after pleading guilty to common assault and resisting arrest.

The pivot was arrested after a nightclub incident in Jersey in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

He appeared at Jersey Magistrates Court on Thursday and was fined £2000 and ordered to pay £250 in compensation to the police officer he bruised.

Cipriani had two other charges – larceny and acting disorderly on licensed premises – dropped.

Following the verdict, the fly-half tweeted to apologise and give an account of what happened on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/hJ9G87PHY5

— Danny Cipriani (@DannyCipriani87) August 16, 2018

Gloucester CEO Stephen Vaughan added: “We are very proud of the culture we have within the group and the stated values which we strive to deliver against. Incidents of this nature are very disappointing to be associated with, and we will deal with it in a robust but balanced way but based purely on the facts.

“As a high profile sportsperson there is often a large degree of public and media scrutiny involved, which Danny is well aware of.

“The incident in question was over in a matter of seconds and was a reaction to the conduct of other parties involved.

“He knows his responsibilities and is aware of the impact of this type of incident on the club. However, Danny is a Gloucester Rugby player and will receive our full support as we focus on the exciting season ahead.”

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Justin Tipuric will lead the Ospreys this season after he was confirmed as the region’s new skipper to take over from Alun Wyn Jones after eight years.

Jones had held the post since August 2010, making a record 115 appearances as captain – more than double the number of any other Ospreys captain.

Since making his Ospreys debut in November 2009 as a second half replacement in a Liberty Stadium Anglo-Welsh tie against Northampton Saints, Tipuric has gone on to make 155 regional appearances, his tally of 25 tries the highest by an Ospreys forward.

Capped 57 times by Wales and a double Six Nations champion, including two appearances in the 2012 Grand Slam success, the openside from Trebanos has also been on the last two British & Irish Lions tours, making one Test appearance.

Although only confirmed as skipper today, Tipuric has a wealth of leadership experience having already led the side 27 times across the last seven years, since he became the second youngest ever Ospreys captain in January 2011, aged 21, when the Ospreys faced Leinster in Dublin in the Magners League.

Speaking about the appointment, Ospreys Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:

“Alun Wyn is a proud Osprey who has led the team with great honour from the front since 2010 both as a player and as an ambassador. In Justin we have another world-class player who leads by example on and off the field.

“It’s important to remember that Al is still a major player and significant leader within our environment, but having discussed the position with him it was clear he believed the time was right for the Ospreys to have a fresh voice as a captain. An Osprey through and through, Justin is the right man for the job.

“A deep student of the game Tips has a wonderful understanding of rugby, with a steely determination and skill set to match. He epitomises the past and what we aspire to be again. I’ve no doubt he will receive the full backing of players, staff and supporters alike.

“We are fortunate to have a number of players in the environment who are leaders and captains. As well as Alun Wyn, who remains Wales captain, Dan Lydiate, Bradley Davies and Scott Williams have all captained their country, and Giorgi Nemsadze is the captain of Georgia, so Justin has plenty of experience to support him throughout this season and beyond.”

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All Black replacement prop Ofa Tuungafasi has been ruled out of the Bledisloe opener against the Wallabies on Saturday with a rib injury.

Tuungafasi’s place on the replacements bench has been taken by the Crusaders’ Tim Perry, with Tuungafasi returning home.

Hurricanes prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has been drafted in to the squad as cover.

New Zealand (revised): 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Tim Perry, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19:45 local (10:45 BST, 09:45 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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Take a look at the team line-ups ahead of Round One of the Rugby Championship.

Saturday

Australia v New Zealand
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Tom Robertson 
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Jack Maddocks

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

South Africa v Argentina
Kings Park, Durban

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi (c), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements:16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Damian Willemse

Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Agustin Creevy (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Diego Fortuny, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Tomas Lavanini, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

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Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Francois Louw and Warren Whiteley have been included in the Springbok team to face Argentina on Saturday.

All four forwards will make their first appearance this year for the Springboks after missing the June internationals with injury.

Furthermore, two uncapped players, Damian Willemse (utility back) and Marco van Staden (loose forward), were included amongst the replacements and are set to make their Test debuts off the bench at Kings Park.

Whiteley is making his first appearance in a Springbok jersey in more than a year after he suffered a groin injury last June against France.

Hamstring trouble prevented Marx, South Africa’s Rugby Player of the Year in 2017, from playing in any of the four games against Wales and England.

Etzebeth struggled with arm and back troubles but, like Marx and Whiteley, he has now recovered and is ready for Test match rugby.

The Bok forward pack has a changed look as a result of the returning quartet, with Erasmus shuffling his loose forward combination and lock pairing for the important Rugby Championship clash.

Whiteley comes back into the Springbok starting team at number eight, skipper Siya Kolisi moves over to the other side of the scrum into the seven jersey while Louw will start at six in what will be his 58th Test for South Africa.

Etzebeth and his Stormers team-mate Pieter-Steph du Toit are reunited in the Springbok second-row, while the imposing Marx will pack down at hooker between Frans Malherbe and the experienced Tendai Mtawarira, who will run out in his 102nd Test for the Springboks.

In the backline, Makazole Mapimpi will start at right wing in the place of the injured Sbu Nkosi, with André Esterhuizen partnering his Sharks team mate Lukhanyo Am in the midfield.

Erasmus insisted that he was pleased with the return to Springbok action of Whiteley, Louw, Etzebeth and Marx.

“Our forward depth is very good indeed and the competition for places in the team is healthy, which can only be a good thing for us as we continue to build the depth of our squad,” he said.

South Africa’s director of rugby added that he is expecting a very tough contest from the Pumas and reiterated the Argentineans will be energised by the appointment of Mario Ledesma as their new head coach.

“Their new coach comes with a lot of technical knowledge and experience from his previous coaching roles which is sure to add more firepower to their traditional strengths,” Erasmus said.

“They will be very confident as a result of the Jaguares’ great run on tour in Australasia, where they won all four their matches on the road, as well as their winning performances against our own franchises.”

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi (c), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Damian Willemse

Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:05 local (16:05 BST, 15:05 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

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Amanaki Lelei Mafi has been suspended by the Japan Top League side NTT Communications Shining Arcs until a verdict is reached in his assault case.

Mafi faces charges of assault for attacking Rebels team-mate Lopeti Timani after the Melbourne side’s 43-37 defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Timani is alleged to have made a derogatory comment about a member of Mafi’s family. Both players were fined 15,000 Australian dollars each.

Mafi is currently out on bail in Japan and was unable to attend Thursday’s hearing in Dunedin District Court.

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Arch rivals Australia and New Zealand resume hostilities when they face off in this year’s Rugby Championship opener in Sydney on Saturday.

This fixture also doubles up as a Bledisloe Cup clash and for the first time in years Australia head into this trans-Tasman encounter with a semblance of confidence after claiming a 23-18 victory over the world champions when these sides met in their previous Bledisloe match, in Brisbane last year.

That success means Australia will fancy their chances of beating New Zealand, although the All Blacks are a formidable force wherever they play in the world.

That was best illustrated in last year’s corresponding fixture when the world champions blew the Wallabies away in the first half in Sydney before eventually securing a 54-34 victory, which paved the way for further Bledisloe Cup success after a 35-29 win in Dunedin.

However, the victory in the third Bledisloe game was an important one for Australia as it ended a seven-match losing streak against New Zealand which stretched back to 2015. If the Wallabies want to be victorious again, they can’t afford a repeat of that first half performance in Sydney last year when the All Blacks led 40-6 at half-time.

It is easier said than done but much will depend on senior players like Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia and Kurtley Beale, who all have to be at their best to give the All Blacks a run for their money.

Folau is a real danger on attack and has scored six tries in 15 games against New Zealand. Just four players have scored more tries against the All Blacks – Adam Ashley-Cooper (9), David Campese (8), Bryan Habana (8) and Matt Burke (7).

Meanwhile, New Zealand are boosted by the return of experienced campaigners in captain Kieran Read and lock Brodie Retallick, who both missed their team’s 3-0 series whitewash of France in June.

This match will be a momentous one for Retallick’s fellow second-row Sam Whitelock, who will become just the eighth All Black to play 100 Tests when he takes to the field in Sydney.

It is fitting that Whitelock will be partnered by Retallick as they will be starting their 47th Test as a locking partnership – only Robin Brooke and Ian Jones have combined for more Tests for the All Blacks.

Head coach Steve Hansen highlighted the importance of this fixture to his side and expects another tough challenge from Australia.

“We’re all excited at what is shaping up to be another classic Bledisloe Cup encounter here in Sydney on Saturday night,” he said.

“We know that we have to earn the right to perform by preparing well and taking each moment that arises, and that mindset has been reflected in our preparation this week, which has been very good.

“The Bledisloe means a lot to this team and we have the opportunity to show just how much on Saturday night. As far as we’re concerned, neither team currently has possession of the cup and if we want it, we’ve got to front up and take it.”

Players to watch:

For Australia: Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is one player who will be determined to hit the ground running after missing the latter part of the Waratahs’ campaign due to a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old has been rushed into his country’s run-on side for this encounter and, apart from his role as the team’s leader, Hooper will also pose a huge threat on the ground as his partnership with David Pocock at the breakdown is sure to have a big influence on this match. Hooper made headlines last week when he became the first Australian to sign a new five-year contract since 2007 which highlights how highly he is rated in his country.

For New Zealand: Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett will be keen to impress and determined to prove that he is still the All Blacks’ premier fly-half. The emergence of Richie Mo’unga as a player with big match temperament during the Crusaders’ successful Super Rugby run has led to calls for him to be elevated to the run-on side at Barrett’s expense, but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen still believes the incumbent pivot is the right man to wear the number 10 jersey. A commanding display from Barrett will keep his detractors at bay and justify Hansen’s faith in him.

Head-to-head: In Reece Hodge and Jack Goodhue, Australia and New Zealand have two promising centres who are both trying to cement their places in their countries’ run-on sides. Both are aged 23 but Hodge is the more experienced of the two and has already played in various positions in the Wallabies’ backline. Hodge stole the show in the last Bledisloe Cup encounter in Brisbane last year when he landed a monster 53-metre kick which helped the Wallabies beat the All Blacks and he will be hoping to repeat those heroics this weekend. Meanwhile, Goodhue’s superb performances for the Crusaders earned him a spot in the world champions’ starting XV and he will be keen to replicate that form in this encounter.

Previous results:

2017: Australia won 23-18 in Brisbane
2017: New Zealand won 35-29 in Dunedin
2017: New Zealand won 54-34 in Sydney
2016: New Zealand won 37-10 in Auckland
2016: New Zealand won 29-9 in Wellington
2016: New Zealand won 42-8 in Sydney
2015: New Zealand won 34-17 at Twickenham (RWC Final)
2015: New Zealand won 41-13 in Auckland
2015: Australia won 27-19 in Sydney

Prediction: Like last year’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Brisbane there will be plenty of thrilling action and don’t be surprised if this match also goes down to the wire with the All Blacks sneaking in by a narrow margin. New Zealand to win by four points.

The teams:

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Jack Maddocks

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Tim Perry, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19:45 local (10:45 BST, 09:45 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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Argentina coach Mario Ledesma will be looking to get his reign off to a positive start when his side face the Springboks in Durban on Saturday.

Ledesma took over from Daniel Hourcade, who was dismissed after that record 44-15 defeat to Scotland in June, spelling the end of a torrid 18 months, which included his side failing to register a single win in last year’s Rugby Championship.

Indeed, Los Pumas’ overall tournament record makes for grim reading. Of 33 matches played, they have won just three and drawn one since joining the Tri-Nations in 2012.

But in Ledesma, they may have just the man capable of turning around the fortunes of the national side, who have won two of its last 17 matches in all competitions.

Having cut his teeth in France as a forwards coach and then with the Wallabies, Ledesma excelled in his first season as head coach with the Jaguares, taking them to the quarter-finals for the first time in their Super Rugby history.

With Gonzalo Quesada taking over at the franchise, it is a different job for Ledesma, but with the same group of players, who will be buoyed to still have their mentor around at national level.

Ledesma’s request to call on European-based players has opened the door for Juan Figallo as the only non-Jaguares player to start on Saturday and is a move that could significantly alter the fortunes of the national team if more are drafted in.

Rassie Erasmus, whose Springboks host Los Pumas on the opening weekend, is aware that this is an Argentina side on the rise.

“Mario is definitely going to give this Argentina side new energy,” he said. “With the Jaguares, he went five or six games on the trot unbeaten under difficult circumstances in New Zealand and Australia and then beat all of our franchises.

“They have beaten us here before and they will be sitting back and enjoying the underdog tag but luckily we know that they are formidable, and we have seen what they have done to our Super Rugby teams and the New Zealand and Australian teams.”

After all, the Springboks themselves were experiencing dark days not too long ago but thanks to two consecutive series victories under their belt, they can afford to breathe a lot easier.

Under Rassie Erasmus, they should now be confident that they can go one better than their third-placed finish in last year’s tournament after a convincing 2-1 series triumph over England in the June internationals.

But the fine form of the Jaguares and the appointment of Ledesma will give the visitors plenty of confidence and they could cause an upset or two over the coming weeks.

Players to watch:

For South Africa: Stormers forward Pieter-Steph du Toit has become a senior member of this Springbok side and yet is still only 25 years of age. Whether it is on the blindside flank or at lock, Du Toit has been a rock in the Bok jersey since making his debut in 2013. Du Toit made the most carries of any tier one player during the June tests (42).

For Argentina: Jaguares captain Pablo Matera has had another impressive Super Rugby season. Matera was one of just three players to average more than 10 carries and 10 tackles per game, while he also won 13 turnovers. The former Argentina Sevens and Leicester Tigers man will offer another leadership option on the park besides Agustin Creevy.

Head-to-head: Arguably the world’s two best hookers are set for a collision course this weekend. Malcolm Marx is in the form of his life having scored 12 tries in Super Rugby this season and will be chomping at the bit, after missing the England series with a hamstring injury. The Lions number two will front up against Agustin Creevy, who is integral to his side’s cause as the leader and talisman, setting the example with high work rate and physicality in the loose and set-piece.

Previous results:

2017: South Africa won 41-23 in Mendoza
2017: South Africa won 37-15 in Port Elizabeth
2016: Argentina won 26-24 in Salta
2016: South Africa won 30-23 in Nelspruit
2015: South Africa won 24-13 in London
2015: South Africa won 26-12 in Buenos Aires
2015: Argentina won 37-25 in Durban
2014: South Africa won 33-31 in Salta
2014: South Africa won 13-6 in Pretoria

Prediction: The hosts to have too much muscle. Springboks by 10.

The teams:

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi (c), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Damian Willemse

Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Agustin Creevy (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Diego Fortuny, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Tomas Lavanini, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:05 local (16:05 BST, 15:05 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

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Australia captain Michael Hooper says that they are looking for a fast start against the All Blacks in the opening Rugby Championship game.

Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup encounter marks the flanker’s return from injury having missed the end of the Waratahs’ Super Rugby campaign.

Hooper is a crucial component of the Wallabies team and the skipper is looking to make up for lost time when he takes to the field in Sydney.

“I’m going to come out all guns blazing,” the flanker told reporters. “We’re ready, we’re good to go…bring it on. I feel really ready and can’t wait for Saturday’s match.”

Hooper is renowned for his energy around the field, but sometimes that has led to the flanker and his team-mates feeling the wrath of the referee’s whistle.

The 26-year-old therefore admits that they need to improve their discipline and find the right moment to disrupt opposition ball.

He said: “The line is hard to pick. You’ve got to feel it off your gut sometimes. It’s something that certainly the leaders in our team are constantly working on to try and pick that line.

“You want to be fired up and ready to get off the line and disrupt, but when things don’t go your way – against quality teams sometimes they don’t – you’ve got to try and drag that momentum back. Not losing your head, keeping your cool and sticking to your game plan is important.

“That is very much what we’re going to do this week: stick to our stuff, bring ourselves back and play our game. Our game is ready to go for tomorrow night against these guys.

“It comes down to speed at the ruck, it’s so important at Test level…being able to retain our ball and slow their ball up.

“We’re fully capable of scoring points, we showed that in June and at other times. Back-row has a fair bit to do with the ruck attacking and defence. Getting that area sorted is paramount.”

Should Australia beat the world champions then it would see them claim successive victories over the All Blacks having defeated Steve Hansen’s men 23-18 in Brisbane last year.

However, that triumph followed seven consecutive losses to New Zealand and Hooper knows the challenge that they will face on Saturday.

“There’s no easy way around this thing. It’s going to be hard, and that’s why different teams and different players have struggled over the course of however many years,” Hooper added.

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