Ahead of tonight's Bledisloe Cup clash between the All Blacks and Australia, 1News sports presenter Andrew Saville takes the temperature in Sydney and looks back at a big week for rugby.
Jim's big day
Highlanders fans unite and celebrate: your man Timoci Tavatavanawai (nicknamed Big Jim or Jim the Difference) has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to impress today in Sydney.
With Jordie Barrett ruled out of the test match late due to a tight calf, Tavatavanawai now starts Bledisloe 2, giving him the opportunity from kick-off to prove his worth.
We’ve seen his stocky, bowling-ball frame dominate Super Rugby at times – now we need to see him try to steamroll the Wallabies in the midfield and wreak havoc at the breakdown.
After a soggy week, Sydney has turned on the weather for the test match, so Big Jim and his backline mates could have a field day on a firm surface, with a 4pm kick-off, local time as well.
Rennie's redemption
You just get the feeling there’s a little more bite in tonight’s game for one man in particular, and that’s Dave Rennie.
Unceremoniously axed by Rugby Australia just before the 2023 World Cup, Rennie’s coaching back in Oz for the first time since then.
Most involved in the game here still shake their heads and can’t work out why Rennie had the rug pulled out from under him.
After last week’s big win in Auckland, another similar performance and scoreline would please the new All Blacks coach no end.
Up the Whas
Two men in particular were locked into last night’s stunning Northland win over Otago, the Taniwha now making their first-ever top-tier NPC final.
Northland-born and bred loosehead Simon Parker, of course, but also proud father and scrum coach Jason Ryan.
His son Olly plays for Northland (yes, at prop). Maybe some divided loyalties tomorrow, though. Ryan senior’s old team, Canterbury, is hosting Taranaki in the second semi-final. A win and the Cantabs host the final again (on Labour Day Monday!) … a Taranaki win and Whangarei will witness scenes never seen before!
In from the cross-code cold
It’s been amazing and refreshing to see ideas shared and doors opened between the All Blacks and the Kiwis league team this week.
Both squads have been in Sydney all week, the Kiwis for that ripper of an opening World Cup game on Thursday night.
At the start of the week, NRL coaches were seen at All Blacks training, while several union stars turned up to Kiwis training on Wednesday.
Most of the players, especially Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, were seen chewing the ears off Kalyn Ponga and Jahrome Hughes. Both codes’ finest attacking weapons sharing notes! Great to see.
At training on Thursday, NRL head coaches Cameron Ciraldo and Jason Ryles were in the stands at All Blacks training, where Rennie held an impromptu session after training.
These meetings would’ve been frowned upon for many years (maybe NZR administrators still feel iffy about it today?).
In the mid-80s, Kiwis coach Sir Graham Lowe and All Blacks boss, the late Sir Brian Lochore, broke the ice, getting the two national teams together. Officials told them not to... they did it anyway!!!
Ponga vs Walsh
My word, that league Cup opener was something to behold on Thursday night! The show put on by Kalyn Ponga and Australian fullback Reece Walsh was worth the ticket price alone.
It’s a blow not only for the Kiwis but for the whole event, losing Ponga to a broken arm.
His decision to switch to NZ is still causing a fair amount of angst over here, but given the display he put on a few days ago, it was a no-brainer.
The Kangaroos have many riches in many positions. The Kiwis don’t have the same depth but make up for it in passion.
It’s a shame there’s not much fanfare here for the Cup. Compared to the NRL and State of Origin, promotion of the event is scarce.
Sydney or bust
Sydney sort of grows on you, doesn’t it? (maybe) It’s such a massive city nowadays with all its issues. Being close to the water helps, but Uber drivers are angry, hordes of pedestrians seem angry... and prices are angry and rising (especially using the Kiwi dollar!).
Maybe I need to get down to Darling Harbour or The Rocks or Manly tomorrow after the test, but the inner city doesn’t have that old “gidday mate, she’ll be right” Ocker feel to it anymore.
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