Tag: Rugby

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has defended fly-half Beauden Barrett after his poor kicking display in their 36-34 Rugby Championship defeat to the Springboks on Saturday.

Barrett’s four missed conversions ultimately proved the difference as the All Blacks succumbed to their first loss of the championship, but Hansen stuck by the back-to-back World Rugby player of the year in the post-match press conference.

Meanwhile, assistant coach Ian Foster admitted the coaching staff had considered the possibility of changing the goal-kicker, but left it to the leadership group on the field to decide.

“We talked about the possibility of changing,” Foster told the New Zealand Herald.

“Beaudy I think kicked two of the first four. I admire him for stepping up and he hit the post with his last two, so that shows you the margins. I know that they would have discussed it… but Beaudy obviously thought he was kicking pretty well.”

“I’d add to that too,” Hansen said.

“Goalkicking is a really difficult job… Tiger Woods hits a good golf ball but now and then hits a bad one. It’s part of our sport. You only have to be that much out and you don’t get the results.

“We could sit here and say, ‘yeah, kick a couple of goals and we win the game’, but that’s not why we lost the game.”

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Argentina returned to winning ways in the Rugby Championship when they claimed a hard-fought 23-19 win over Australia on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The result is a significant one for the Pumas as it ends a nine-match winless run in away matches in the Rugby Championship and it’s the first time they have beaten the Wallabies in Australia since 1983.

In a tightly contested clash, Australia outscored their visitors by three tries to two, but they committed too many unforced errors which helped Argentina to secure the result.

The win means the Pumas move into third position on the Rugby Championship table while the Wallabies are in last place.

Argentina held a slight edge during the opening exchanges and opened the scoring in the fifth minute via a monster penalty from Emiliano Boffelli from just inside his half.

The Wallabies struck back five minutes later when Will Genia rounded off a well-worked move. Dane Haylett-Petty started the attack when he put Reece Hodge into a gap with a fine offload before Hodge threw an inside pass to Genia, who crossed for the opening try which was converted by Matt Toomua.

Australia’s lead did not last too long though as Argentina responded with a Nicolas Sanchez try three minutes later. This, after they set up some phases inside the Wallabies’ half before Jeronimo De La Fuente offloaded to Sanchez, who dotted down.

Sanchez added the extras but the topsy-turvy nature of this game continued when Israel Folau left his stamp on this match in spectacular fashion midway through the half.

The cross-code star, who was playing on the wing, showed his class as he beat five defenders on a mazy run before dotting down in the left-hand corner.

Toomua slotted the conversion which gave the home side a 14-10 lead but Argentina struck back when Sanchez crossed the whitewash in the 31st minute. His joy was short-lived, however, as television replays revealed that Ramiro Moyano put a foot into touch in the build-up, after a great tackle from Genia.

Despite that setback, the Pumas continued to attack and they were rewarded in the 36th minute when Bautista Delguy crossed for their second try. Pablo Matera did well with a fine break in the build-up and although Delguy had plenty of work to do when he gathered the ball, midway between Australia’s 10-metre line and their 22, he did well to beat Haylett-Petty before cutting inside on his way over the tryline.

Sanchez’s conversion meant the visitors held a slender 17-14 lead as the teams changed sides at half-time.

Two minutes into the second half, Argentina thought they had extended their lead when Boffelli crossed the Wallabies’ tryline but, once again, the visitors had a try disallowed when the television match official ruled that the final pass from Delguy was forward.

Argentina put that setback behind them and took a six-point lead when Sanchez added a penalty in the 48th minute. The Wallabies did not panic and in the 55th minute, they reduced the deficit when Haylett-Petty ran onto a pass from Hodge before dotting down although Toomua failed with the conversion attempt which would have given his team the lead.

That proved costly as both sides battled to gain the ascendancy over the next 20 minutes. The Pumas finished stronger though and in the 77th minute Bofelli landed another long range penalty which sealed his side’s victory.

The scorers:

For Australia:
Tries: Genia, Folau, Haylett-Petty
Cons: Toomua 2

For Argentina:
Tries: Sanchez, Delguy
Cons: Sanchez 2
Pens: Bofelli 2, Sanchez

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

Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Bautista Ezcurra, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

By David Skippers

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Check out the highlights from Argentina’s victory over Australia on the Gold Coast.

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Check out the highlights from South Africa’s stunning victory over New Zealand in Wellington.

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Following a 36-34 victory for South Africa over New Zealand in their Rugby Championship game, here’s our five takeaways from the Wellington clash.

A result the Rugby Championship and international game needed: While we rightly marvel at the brilliance of New Zealand, it has become, well, boring watching the three-time world champions completely dominate the sport since 2011. No one has really come close and both South Africa and Australia have endured their issues, while Argentina are not nearly good enough yet, but this will give everyone hope that the All Blacks can be challenged. It has certainly made their tour to the northern hemisphere very interesting.

New Zealand guilty of complacency: The remarkable thing about New Zealand is their ability to bring the same intensity for effectively every match, even when they have achieved everything in the game, but their blistering start evidently gave them a false sense of security. The All Blacks began to make uncharacteristic errors, allowing South Africa back into the contest. It crucially gave the visitors belief and, despite a wobble at the end, they held on and kept the Rugby Championship alive for another week.

Pressure is king: It is funny what it can do, even to the best. While Jordie Barrett’s brain fade would usually be deemed a one-off, it provided a turning point and, as a result, New Zealand started to make some surprising mistakes. They started to force the game without front-foot ball and that led to Cheslin Kolbe’s intercept try. To their credit, they re-found their composure and roles were reversed in the final quarter with the Springboks conceding a number of penalties, which allowed the All Blacks easy possession and territory, but it was not enough and South Africa deservedly held on.

Malcolm Marx produces his best: It was surprising when the hooker was dropped for their game against Australia but it was perhaps what the Lions player needed. South Africa do not lack individual talent but too many of their key individuals have fallen below the required standard and Rassie Erasmus needed them to step up in Wellington. Marx duly did and was a crucial component in attack and defence. Several individuals provided able support and Pieter-Steph du Toit, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Franco Mostert and Warren Whiteley were all monumental, particularly defensively, but it was good to see Marx produce his best.

Beauden Barrett’s place-kicking proves costly: Whenever doubts over his kicking are cast, the two-time World Player of the Year tends to respond impressively, but his inaccuracy was a huge issue once again as the All Blacks lost by a narrow margin. He failed with four or his six conversion attempts, most of them eminently gettable, and questions will be asked as to whether someone else should take over. While it has not hampered the side over the years, simply because they are by far and away the best team, it may be a problem during a tight game in next year’s World Cup.

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Western Province claimed an emphatic 65-38 victory over the Golden Lions in Currie Cup action at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

It was the away side who opened the scoring after just 90 seconds. Juarno Augustus got the offload away while falling to the floor for Ruhan Nel, who broke the line and played the inside pass for Dillyn Leyds. The Springbok full-back still had plenty to do and showed good stepping skills to cut back on the inside and saunter in under the posts. SP Marais added the extras.

Soon after, Marais extended the lead to 10-0 with a penalty with the visitors having definitely started the brighter. However, the Golden Lions hit back five minutes later, James Venter crashing over after a brilliant barnstorming run by Lions hooker Corne Fourie in the build up as Reynolds slotted the conversion.

Marais’ 12th minute penalty made it 13-7 before a brilliant give-and-go between Leyds and Sergeal Petersen ensured the former went over for his first and his side’s second as Marais added the extras for a 20-7 lead with a quarter of an hour gone.

Province were beginning to turn on the style and scored two tries in quick succession when Petersen intercepted Lionel Mapoe’s pass to run away for the score and then Josh Stander finished off a move started with a brilliant break from replacement scrum-half Paul de Wet.

Five minutes before the interval, Marais got himself on the try column when he was on the receiving end of a well-judged Stander cross-field kick as the visitors took a 39-10 lead in to the interval.

The hosts bossed the beginning of the second half and were awarded a penalty try after Province number seven Ernst van Rhyn was yellow-carded for cynically bringing down the lineout driving maul.

But despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors immediately hit back with two tries. After good go forward ball from the scrum, they went to the blindside as Augustus went over with the pick and go. Then, JD Schickerling powered himself over.

However, it was now the Lions’chance to score two quickfire tries. First, replacement hooker Pieter Jansen went over followed by Hajcivah Dayimani going top of the Currie Cup try-scorers’ list with his 67th minute score making it 51-31.

Eight minutes from full-time, Petersen got in on the act with his side’s eighth score of the afternoon, before Dan du Plessis rubbed salt in the wounds three minutes later after good work in the build up by Leyds.

But it was Golden Lions’ flank Len Massyn who had the last laugh when he dotted down seconds before the hooter but it was a mere consolation as the home side succumbed to a disappointing 65-38 victory in the end.

The scorers:

For Golden Lions:
Tries: Venter, Penalty Try, Jansen, Dayimani, Massyn
Cons: Reynolds 4
Pen: Reynolds

For Western Province:
Tries: Leyds 2, Petersen 2, Stander, Marais, Augustus, Schickerling, Du Plessis
Cons: Marais 6
Pens: Marais 2
Yellow Card: Van Rhyn

The teams:

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Johannes Jonker, 18 Reinhard Nothnagel, 19 Driaan Bester, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Gianni Lombard, 22 Wandisile Simelane

Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 SP Marais, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (c), 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Dan du Plessis

Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Griffin Colby
Television match official: Willie Vos

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Following a 23-19 victory for Argentina over Australia in their Rugby Championship game, here’s our five takeaways from the Gold Coast clash.

Argentina are revived under Mario Ledesma: It was pretty depressing watching Los Pumas during the latter stages of Daniel Hourcade’s tenure, but Ledesma has made an immediate impact. The question surrounding the former front-rower was whether he could translate the Jaguares’ success onto the international stage but, judging by his first four games, the signs are positive. Never before had they won two games in a single Rugby Championship campaign and they could make it three with a couple of matches to come at home.

Australia need a powerhouse number eight: It would be easy to say that the Wallabies missed Michael Hooper’s energy – and they did – but their back-row still looks unbalanced, even with him there. David Pocock and Hooper are rightly guaranteed selections but they are struggling to find the individual to feature alongside those two world-class players. Lukhan Tui, Pete Samu and Caleb Timu are all solid but they are not necessarily destructive carriers. Wycliff Palu had his critics but Australia have failed to truly replace him and, as a result, they do not get enough front-foot ball.

It’s a game of inches: Argentina had two tries correctly disallowed but, had the execution been right, they could have won the game by the early stages of the second period. Nicolas Sanchez was denied first of all when Ramiro Moyano’s foot scraped the touchline before Bautista Delguy was unable to find Emiliano Boffelli with an accurate pass, which prevented the full-back from scoring. It almost cost them when, in the last minute, Israel Folau came within inches of the line, only to knock the ball on and hand the visitors a thoroughly deserved victory.

Nicolas Sanchez is invaluable for Argentina: Although the entire Pumas team deserve credit for this win – their country’s first on Australian soil since 1983 – their fly-half deserves special praise as he continued with his impressive form in the competition and delivered another superb all-round performance in this encounter. As his side’s chief playmaker, Sanchez controlled the game well and impressed with his kicking out of hand and at goal. Eventually finished with a 12-point haul courtesy of a try, two conversions and a penalty and Ledesma must be praying that the 29-year-old does not get injured as he will be difficult to replace.

Israel Folau is still a great player: Despite costing his team victory with that error in judgement in the game’s dying moments, Folau is arguably the Wallabies’ best player as he came to the fore with another superb attacking display in this Test. Although he was not in his usual full-back position, the 29-year-old was a constant threat on attack from the right wing and showed his class by scoring a superb try. Eventually finished with a team-high 82 metres on attack which showed again why is one of the global game’s true stars.

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Exeter, Bath and Saracens secured bonus-point wins in the Premiership on Saturday while Newcastle battled hard to down Worcester on the road.

Exeter Chiefs 35-18 Sale Sharks
Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs made it three wins from three with a routine home win against Sale, whose own travel woes appear a growing problem, despite being in touch for much of the contest.

The Chiefs, almost inevitably, scored a bonus-point at home and made it maximum points from their three outings following impressive defeats over Leicester and Wasps. Their attack was clear for all to see at the Ricoh last Saturday and they again showed what they are capable of.

Both sides received yellow cards at Sandy Park but it did little to change the end result. Alex Cuthbert came off the bench and scored the all important fourth try and his first in front of the home faithful.

Sale did find themselves 13-7 up with 20 minutes gone after Marland Yarde cancelled out Santiago Cordero’s opening try. However, Exeter proceeded to score a further 28 points to Sale’s five in the final hour.

Jonny Hill, Jack Maunder, Cuthbert and Tom Lawday all scored for the home side with Bryn Evans’ try all the visitors had to show for their efforts.

The scorers:

For Exeter:
Tries: Cordero, Hill, Maunder, Cuthbert, Lawday
Cons: Simmonds 3, Steenson 2
Yellow Card: Hill

For Sale:
Tries: Yarde, Evans
Con: MacGinty
Pens: MacGinty 2
Yellow Card: Ross

Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Don Armand (c), 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Ollie Atkins, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Toby Salmon, 20 Sean Lonsdale, 21 Sam Maunder, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Alex Cuthbert

Sale Sharks: 15 Byron McGuigan, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Sam James, 12 Mark Jennings, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Will Cliff, 8 Josh Beaumont, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jono Ross (c), 5 James Phillips, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Cameron Neild, 1 Ross Harrison
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Alexandru Tarus, 18 Joe Jones, 19 Josh Strauss, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Gus Warr, 22 Luke James, 23 Paolo Odogwu

Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant referees: Paul Dix, Philip Watters
TMO: Stuart Terheege

Harlequins 32-37 Bath
The Stoop

It was third time lucky for Bath as they finally recorded their first win of the campaign with a bonus-point victory at the Stoop.

It was a lot closer than it should’ve been with nine tries shared in Twickenham and, after looking firmly out of the contest, Quins secured a losing bonus-point.

Paul Gustard’s defensive background will not have been satisfied after watching his side lose at home for the first time this season. Bath, meanwhile, have steadily improved since their opening night defeat and were denied at the death last week. This time out they ensured the scoreline wasn’t close enough.

Joe Cokanasiga and Zach Mercer both bagged a brace in the capital. Cokanasiga’s second owing to a beautiful Burns offload with Mercer showing the pace and acceleration befitting a winger to score his second shortly after the bonus-point had been secured.

Jamie Roberts also scored against the club he left in the summer with his replacement Ben Tapuai watching on.

Burns notched 10 points, including a drop-goal, before he was replaced on the hour by Rhys Priestland, who himself scored.

Two tries in five minutes from Danny Care and Joe Marchant had briefly put Quins in front with a quarter gone before Bath’s attack took over.

Joe Marler’s late try under the posts meant with five minutes remaining the home side had an outside chance of snatching a losing bonus-point. Charlie Mulchrone’s effort with 30 seconds remaining did just that and Quins managed to salvage something from an outing where they were second best.

The scorers:

For Quins:
Tries: Care, Marchant, Marler, Mulchrone
Cons: Smith, Lang 2
Pens: Smith 2

For Bath:
Tries: Roberts, Mercer 2, Cokanasiga 2
Cons: Burns 2, Priestland
Pen: Burns
Drop-goal: Burns

Harlequins: 15 Aaron Morris, 14 Nathan Earle, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Charlie Walker, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 James Chisholm, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Luke Wallace, 5 Dino Lamb, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Will Collier, 2 Elia Elia, 1 Mark Lambert
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Stan South, 20 Renaldo Bothma, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 James Lang, 23 Paul Lasike

Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Max Green, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Ellis, 5 Luke Charteris (c), 4 Elliott Stooke, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Nathan Catt
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Aled Brew

Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank, Anthony Woodthorpe
TMO: David Rose

Northampton Saints 27-38 Saracens
Franklin’s Gardens

The champions made it three from three in defence of their Premiership crown with victory at one of their favourite hunting grounds.

After putting 50 points of the Saints twice here last year there must’ve been a fear that bad things come in threes. They did, but not in the same fashion it had done last year.

Saracens initially went in front courtesy of an Alex Lewington double and Ben Spencer. However, it looked as if they were going to be dealt their first defeat of the season before a late David Strettle double turned the contest of its head.

Piers Francis scored his second try of the season but that early effort was quickly cancelled out by three unanswered tries. Dylan Hartley, in typical captain fashion, scored a try on his return before fellow forward Ben Franks put the hosts in the lead.

Dan Biggar converted all three tries and notched two penalties to put the Saints in the lead with 10 minutes remaining.

It was the former Saracen turned current Saracen Strettle who scored two tries in the space of three minutes to keep the champions at 100 per cent.

The scorers:

For Saints:
Tries: Francis, Hartley, Franks
Cons: Biggar 3
Pens: Biggar 2

For Saracens:
Tries: Lewington 2, Spencer, Strettle 2
Cons: Spencer, Goode
Pens: Spencer, Goode 2
Yellow Cards: George, B Vunipola

Northampton Saints: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Heinrich Brüssow, 6 James Haskell, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alex Waller
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Francois Van Wyk, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Andrew Symons, 23 Harry Mallinder

Saracens: 15 Liam Williams, 14 David Strettle, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Mike Rhodes, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 George Kruis, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Sean Maitland

Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley, Peter Allan
TMO: Keith Lewis

Worcester Warriors 20-23 Newcastle Falcons
Sixways

Worcester once again fell agonisingly short at home as Newcastle held out for the victory and ensured the Warriors remained winless after three outings.

The Falcons were battered by Leicester last time out but looked as if they were about to hand out a battering to Worcester initially, before the home side battled back into the contest, owing much to Duncan Weir’s efforts.

Scrum-half Sonatane Takalua and Sinoti Sinoti both scored tries to put themselves 14-0 up with just under a quarter of an hour gone. They looked as if they were going to run away with it but Worcester’s penalty try with the first-half clock in the red kept the hosts in the game.

Weir scored the home side’s second try and he converted to make it a contest again at Sixways. Despite the Scotsman’s impressive effort it was Toby Flood’s personal haul of 13 points which was ultimately the difference.

Chris Pennell’s penalty on 68 minutes levelled the contest but just four minutes later Flood completed his hat-trick of penalties to push Dean Richards’ side back in front.

The scorers:

For Worcester:
Tries: Penalty try, Weir
Con: Weir
Pens: Weir, Pennell

For Newcastle:
Tries: Takulua, Sinoti
Cons: Flood 2
Pens: Flood 3
Yellow Cards: McGuigan, Williams

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryan Mill, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Marco Mama, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Pierce Phillips, 3 Simon Kerrod, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 1 Callum Black
Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Anton Bresler, 20 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Ashley Beck

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Callum Chick, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Will Witty, 4 Calum Green, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Sami Mavinga
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Jack Payne, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Gary Graham, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Tom Penny

Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Jack Makepeace, Steve Lee
TMO: Trevor Fisher

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Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has revealed that flanker Lukhan Tui is unlikely to be on Australia’s flight to South Africa on Saturday.

Tui was involved in an altercation with an irate fan after the Wallabies suffered a 23-19 Rugby Championship defeat against Argentina on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

That incident came after a difficult week for the 21-year-old whose stepfather passed away on Wednesday.

Emotions were raw to begin with but ugly scenes at the Cbus Super Stadium ensued when the fan – who had been abusing other Wallabies players in the minutes prior – fronted Tui as he was speaking with family. Tui’s distressed sister was knocked over in the melee.

The Wallabies spent an extended amount of time in the changing rooms in the aftermath and it was then revealed by Cheika that Tui had told the team he intended to take the remainder of the year off.

On Sunday Cheika confirmed the flanker was an unlikely starter when the Wallabies face the Springboks in Port Elizabeth on September 29.

“I’d say it’s unlikely yeah based on what we spoke about last night,” Cheika said.

“He’s had a big week, a pretty big week in someone’s life and this happens.

“Whatever post match isn’t in the forefront of his mind right now.

“His stepfather has just passed away and I think that’s a time where he needs to just be with his family and be together.”

Meanwhile, injured Wallaby Samu Kerevi has revealed the sledge which triggered the ugly altercation between Tui and the fan.

Kerevi was in the crowd watching the angry fan hurl abuse and was part of the group of people who pulled his Reds team-mate and the man apart.

Kerevi took to Instagram on Sunday to share his side of the story.

“Lukhan came in to help out because that guy was swearing around his family,” Kerevi wrote.

“That altercation only happened because the drunk fan told Lukhan to ‘play with some heart’.

“The fact that he was even on the field speaks volumes.

“So for everyone throwing chat at my boy… Shut your mouth!

“Know your facts before you start judging.”

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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and his captain, Siya Kolisi, hailed the team’s self-belief and courage after Saturday’s epic victory over the All Blacks.

The Boks rallied back from 12-0 down to beat the world champions 36-34 in front of a capacity crowd at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

It was the most points the All Blacks have ever conceded in New Zealand and South Africa’s first win in New Zealand since 2009.

Erasmus said the players deserve special praise for their courage on defence and execution of the game-plan. The home team dominated possession and territory and forced the Boks to make more than 200 tackles during the game.

“The boys showed guts and I’m so glad for them,” said Erasmus.

“We will take this win over the best team in the world and enjoy it, but we will keep our feet firmly on the ground. We will not get ahead of ourselves. We still have a lot of work to do and the All Blacks will be fuming when they come to Pretoria (on 6 October).”

Kolisi said the win was special, given the many in-game challenges the team had to face during the match. Both starting centres, Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am, left the field with shoulder injuries, while Willie le Roux (full-back) spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin after he was yellow carded.

“We kept our focus and we really had belief,” said Kolisi.

“We wanted to look each other in the eye and said we did the best that we could against the best team in the world.

“The boys did just that and I’m so proud of all of them. Coach Rassie and the other coaching staff did an excellent job to prepare us for this Test after we lost the previous two.

“It’s a special win, a special day and I’m so proud of the guys and just glad we could make South Africa proud again.”

Le Roux scored one of the Boks’ five tries, while Aphiwe Dyantyi (wing) bagged a brace. Malcolm Marx drove over from a lineout maul and Cheslin Kolbe scored his first try in the Bok jersey from an intercept. Handre Pollard converted four and added a crucial penalty goal.

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