Add Category
3. Laurie Fisher’s addition answers a long-held question
The addition of Laurie Fisher to the Wallabies set-up is a welcome one. It has always been something of a mystery why Fisher hasn’t been used by the Wallabies before now, given his approach to the game is so closely aligned to what is important at Test level.
Laurie Fisher has been called up to the Wallabies.Credit:Getty
I have no doubt he’ll come in and make an impact, much in the way former Crusaders coach Jason Ryan has clearly improved the All Blacks in just two or three weeks. The Wallabies have issues defensively, conceding fewer than 20 points only once in the past nine tests.
It is probably an issue that has slipped underneath the radar due to the issues at No.10. Fisher should be able to hit the ground running because even the better teams in Super Rugby Pacific found it hard to break down the Brumbies.
4. All Blacks’ Joe Schmidt decision is their biggest move in five years
Ireland have gone to a new level since Schmidt departed in 2019, with players praising coach Andy Farrell for improving the mood of the camp. But that should not take away from the extraordinary impact Schmidt had on Irish rugby.
Joe Schmidt’s role in the All Blacks has been formalised and strengthened.Credit:Getty
He took an inconsistent side, where rugby is far from the national sport, and got them to No.1 in the world rankings. He is self-evidently an outstanding coach and the All Blacks will be a different side as his methods take hold.
I don’t think the Wallabies’ brains trust would have been overjoyed by the appointment - not since Wayne Smith left in 2017 have the All Blacks had access to this sort of coaching.
Loading
5. Change may be coming across the ditch
Super Rugby player drafts? Trade windows? There is plenty of talk about fan engagement in New Zealand, with widespread belief that the game must change. An Australian is spearheading the conversation. Justin Nelson, who has an AFL background, invigorated New Zealand’s NBL competition with relentless energy and focus on what supporters want.
Now, he is a heavyweight at broadcaster Sky Sport and has not been backward in coming forward about what he thinks needs to change in New Zealand rugby. Australia, clearly, would be a beneficiary of such an approach. Are these the first tentative steps in a process that might lead to a current All Black playing for the Waratahs, or Force?
Watch every match of The Rugby Championship on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Returns Saturday 27 August with Wallabies v South Africa (Saturday 3pm AEST) and New Zealand v Argentina (Saturday 5.45pm AEST). All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.