Waratah center Easy Perez could return as the best situation for the Super Rugby quarter-finals after suffering a knee injury due to a hurricane near the hurricane.
The loss of Perez in the second half added to the frustration of those who dominated the Kiwis in the first half thanks to the efforts of All Blacks RD Sevilla and Jordi Barrett towards the end of the competition.
Perez, who helped set up a whirlwind effort for Dylan Pitts in the first half, was knocked off the field with a medial ligament strain. It could be out for six to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the injury, but coach Darren Coleman says the team has been given a glimmer of hope.
Coleman told the Sydney Morning Herald, “The doctor said it wasn’t as bad as Harry’s (Johnson-Holmes) and we’re going to push him hard to get back to the playoffs.” “It’s a four- to six-week injury, and if Ezir has good rehab, it could be a three-week injury.”
Coleman will have to pick up his team after missing a huge opportunity for the last two games of the regular season, where he felt fitness played a role.
“It’s a bit frustrating, frustrating,” Coleman said after the match.
“When they went up a notch, we couldn’t go with them. They were fresher (at the end), we felt better when we were in motion, the cream may or may not increase in the end but the Kiwis talk fitter and play longer than us and they do. “
Christie Kiwis Form No. 9
All Blacks great Justin Marshall says Blues No. 9 Finlay Christie is form halfback in New Zealand at the moment, but doesn’t think it will be enough to give him a Test start role more than Aaron Smith.
This year, however, he warned that this does not mean that he will be given a starting role in the All Blacks.
“I think in terms of balance and threat that he’s in the moment, Finlay Christie, he’s arguably the best 9 in the country in form,” the former halfback told Marshall Sangeet Radio.
“It simply came to our notice then.
“That doesn’t mean he can’t push him for a chance to start, but I imagine if you pick the team right now, he’ll be 23rd in that match.”
Aaron Smith. (Photo by Joe Allison / Getty Images)
Marshall said Christie’s performance against the Crusaders set him apart.
“He is playing good rugby, and I think he has improved his game, especially against the Crusaders. He was the real threat around the breakup, he took action and brought the players into the game, ”he said.
“His defense was very good. He’s an angry little defender. His kicking game is as good as the rest of the country.
“So I wouldn’t disagree… he’s a form player in the country jersey right now, he’s above the level everyone else is playing.
“But I don’t believe it gives him the right to set foot in the All Black No. 9 jersey right now.”
Longtime back-up is Aaron Smith’s TJ Perenara, who has played 56 reserve halfbacks in his 77 Tests.
Marshall said Pereira still has a lot to offer.
“TJ can’t do very competitive work, he brings jerseys with qualities that other countries don’t have, and you certainly can’t count a guy who went to the World Cup and delivered,” Marshall said.
“Again, he’s a player who has consistently been selected for the All Blacks team… perhaps for the last decade or so I can imagine. I am reluctant to exclude TJ Perenara from any mix that the All Blacks come up with. “
“He knows very well that other players in the country are playing well, such as Finlay Christie, Brad Weber and Folau Fakatava.”
Arrested from Springbok flight
The South African Rugby Union has confirmed that World Cup-winning springback Elton Zantzis was arrested following an on-flight incident at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
South African media reports say the 31-year-old Flyhoff was handcuffed as he arrived in Johannesburg after a flight from Dubai on Sunday.
A SARU spokesman told rugby365com: “We have been informed of Elton’s arrest.
“However, we are still in the process of gathering more information and cannot say anything at this stage.”
A police spokesman told News24 that a 31-year-old man had been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for damaging property.
“The man was arrested on arrival at Ortia [Sunday] At 08.50 in the morning.
“The suspect was on an international flight from Dubai to SA when he allegedly damaged the airline’s property.”
Jantzis was released on bail and was due to appear in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Gentz’s agent, James Adams, said in a statement that a light inside the plane had been damaged.
“We believe the incident has been unnecessarily aggravated,” Adams said.
“Our client, however, remains consistent with the investigation process and will take this issue seriously.”
Kearns goes back to the future
Phil Cairns, new to Australia’s successful bid for the 2027 and 2029 World Cups, has suggested he wants to give back some of the old hands involved in Australian rugby.
With Kearns backing the idea of bringing Eddie Jones back to some power after the 2023 World Cup, he also told RugbyPass that he would like to see former Wallabis coaches Bob Dwyer and Eoin Mackenzie back.
“He has done an amazing job with England, he has done a great job with Australia over the years and he is a person who has grown up and I think it would be great,” Kearns said of a potential Jones return.
“His heart is still with Australia and we want to get him.
“It’s not just me, other Australians have said the same thing. He has a reputation for being tough but he also has a reputation for being a great coach. ”
Cairns said he would like to see Dwyer and Mackenzie play a role in the future of the game.
“There are some people in Australian rugby who are frustrated with what has happened,” says Carnes.
“You just have to look at Eoin Mackenzie, who was an amazing coach and he just lost the game. Hopefully, something like the World Cup will bring him back somehow and there is more we can use.
“I know Bob Dwyer has been around for years (he’s 81) but he hasn’t lost his rugby brain so it’s great for Australian rugby to be reunited with people like that.”
Injury blow to Skeleton
Wallabis Lock Will Skeleton, who plays for La Rochelle in France, has been ruled out of the club’s huge European Champions Cup final against Leinster on 29 May.
Skeleton suffered a recurrence of a calf injury that cost him a month before the season.
His club coach, Ronan Gara, said: “We may not see Will again until next season – if I see him again in September, fine.”
Skeleton was called up by Dave Renny for last year’s Spring Tour and was considered a potential member of the World Cup squad.