Rugby News: Wallabies vs England: Richard Cockerill sledges Australia over headbutt, what time does Australia A play Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup.

They’ve punched Darcy Swain in the face and pulled her hair, slapped Michael Hooper during trial celebrations and pinned Nic White’s head to the loop with an elbow to the throat, but England have claimed high moral ground as niggle-gate dominated leading up to Saturday’s decider test in Sydney.

While White said he was surprised by the level of sloppiness in the series, he was ridiculed by Eddie Jones, England assistant coach Richard Cockeril, saying that Wallabi’s focus on England’s dark arts raised questions about rugby in Australia.

Cockerill admits “Ellis [Genge] last week may have crossed the line” in his showdown with White in Brisbane, but added that the England coach didn’t want to “hold the players back either.”

“I keep hearing about the distractions England are bringing. I don’t know how Australian rugby is, but I don’t see it as a hassle,” said Cockerill.

“It’s been pretty tame so far. We will continue the game. Good set piece, we’ll make some tough tackles, we’ll clear up the fuss. We will be as physical as we can be. And as hard as we can in the laws of the game. I don’t think it’s a particularly dirty series so far at all.

“I didn’t see any of our guys sent off for a headbutt.”

Australia coach Dave Rennie admitted England won the physical battle early on in Brisbane as they went 19-0 up in the space of half an hour.

Cockerill said the statement had been processed by the tourists and they were also ready to take it to the next level.

“Mentally we are in a very good place. And if the brain wants, the body will follow,” Cockerill said.

“We have no doubt that we will be able to bring the same physique and more.

“I know Australia are talking about ‘we need more than last week. That’s what we will do. We will bring more physicality than last week because we know if we do it puts us in the best place to win games.

“I hope they attack us physically. They lost a physical battle early in the game last week so they want to improve. Everyone is watching Origin and everyone wants to start a game like that. Let’s see if we can do it.

“We probably wouldn’t have put in five tackles like Queensland did from the start. But we know the physical part is going to be very important.

“They will react because in the first 30 minutes or so we beat them physically. So they will come with more physique. Unsurprisingly, neither do we. ”

Cockerill said he appreciated the needle between the team.

“Oh, how good is it?” he says. “That’s good, isn’t it? Because everything is on the line. We lost the first Test and everyone erased us and we are under pressure. Under pressure, the England team came back very well.

“You want competition don’t you? You want a little spiky for the game. I don’t watch rugby league but I watch Origin because you know they’re going to bump into each other like crazy. First 15-20 minutes on Saturday let’s move on because this is what it’s all about. It would be very boring if they were 2-0 up. Especially for us!”

Meanwhile Rugby Australia defended his team’s itinerary in response to Eddie Jones’ suggestion that he and his team were doing more to promote the Test match in Sydney than the Wallabies, who arrived in town on Thursday night and had one media event on the ground – on Friday with Michael Hooper. .

“It was decided that the camp was the best choice for the team’s preparation for this series. Probably not for the upcoming series,” an RA spokesperson told The Roar. “In the meantime, we look forward to the sale tomorrow night – it’s going to be awesome!”

Stan’s commentators clash over knock down laws

Former internationals turned Stan Sport pundits Justin Harrison and Andrew Mehrtens are at odds over the deliberate knock-down law that earned Izzy Perese and Marcus Smith yellow cards in Brisbane.

In a fiery exchange on the Rugby Heaven show, Mehrtens asked Wallabies linebacker Nic White if he thought Perese attempted an intercept attempt, and White agreed.

“That’s enough,” said Mehrtens, which sparked a heated reaction from Harrison.

“That doesn’t validate it. Mehrts, you’re crazy,” Harrison said.

“It didn’t get Izzy Perese to catch the ball. He dropped the ball. If Izzy Perese misses the ball – let me finish – and the England winger catches it, he almost scores, doesn’t Whitey? I know you’re on the cover and you’re the best at it, but he’s a big chance to score too, isn’t he? ”

White agreed to which Harrison replied: “The defense lies, that’s all, thank you very much, the argument is over Mehrts,” Harrison said.

Mehrtens did not back down and after continuing to debate his case Harrison replied: “I’m out.

“It’s like arguing with Donald Trump. The answer is to check the law, take it to World Rugby.

“Don’t make headlines, ‘World Rugby doesn’t care about us and that kind of stuff,’ it doesn’t do anything.”

Latu is not Tah first

Controversial Wallabies slut Tolu Latu, who is currently serving an 11-week ban due to a red card in French rugby, is still working on a deal to join Waratah next season. While it was reported this week that the deal taking him to the end of the World Cup had been finalised, a spokesman for Waratahs told The Roar “no contracts have been signed.”

If Latu’s agent can get a final deal, he will likely play behind Dave Porecki and challenge for a place on the World Cup team.

RTS reacts to AB . calls

All Blacks code-hopper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was clearly destined to wear the black jersey after being courted by New Zealand Rugby, and got his first chance at that level in the third Test against Ireland.

“You have to value this opportunity,” Tuivasa-Sheck told reporters after being named on the bench.

“This is a dream. As a competitor, an athlete, you want to play on this big stage. If you want to tell yourself ‘I want to be the best in the world’, this is the step you have to prove. To get this opportunity, it was every competitor’s dream.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in action during a New Zealand All Blacks training session at the Hutt Recreation Ground on 12 July 2022 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

“You walk into the dressing room, you see your jersey, with your name on it, your All Blacks number. This would be a bit overwhelming but I need to get in as soon as possible. Right now, it’s really exciting. ”

David Havili Crusaders Center supports RTS to make an impact.

“He’s going to bring a lot of energy and the X-factor when he takes to the pitch,” said Havili. “This is a special moment for him and his family. I know how much he wanted to go out there and get stuck.

“He brings different skills to the midfield. It’s nice to understand how he views our game. He fits perfectly. I can’t wait to see what he can do when he’s out of there.”

Foster reflects pressure AB

Under pressure All Blacks coach Ian Foster said he was “definitely aware” of the fan sentiment surrounding his performance and promised the team are working to bounce back in the third Test against Ireland.

“Internally, there’s been a lot of reflection in what we’re doing,” Foster said.

“Then you get ready and start really nailing next week. So there I am, I can’t wait.

“Everyone is learning that this is a high-quality team that we are up against, it’s a great test for us. We have to show that we are smart and we also learn.

“This is where you want to be in terms of excitement.”

Ireland’s stunning win at Dunedin raised calls for AB to sack Foster before next year’s World Cup, with the NZ Herald poll of nearly 1000 readers showing 86 per cent want him to leave.

He would go on to the Rugby Championship without fellow voter Grant Fox, with the AB legend resigning his life in rugby.

“I had to stop this game, because I needed my weekend back,” Fox told the Between Two Beers podcast. “Since I left school, I have been involved with this game for 40 years without a break. Now it’s time for me to make sure that I have more time to attend elsewhere.

“Is there any emotion? No, not really, because it’s not about me; it’s about the group and their performance. I’m in my 11th season doing this and it’s been a great journey and a great privilege, but it’s time to stop.

“It’s time for me to spend more time at home and at the beach, and spend more time with the grandchildren. In that sense, I’m actually looking forward to what lies ahead of me, rather than reflecting on what has happened.”

Two changes for the PNC final

Australia A head coach Jason Gilmore has made two changes to the starting team for the Pacific Nations Cup final against Tonga at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji (10am and live at Stan).

The Aussies could still claim the trophy with a win and a win by Fiji over Samoa would leave everything but Tonga with two wins from three wins.

Brumbies slut Billy Pollard replaces Matt Faessler while Will Harris will get the No.6 jersey.

Australia A with the ball during the World Rugby Pacific Nations match between Australia A and Samoa at the HFC Stadium on July 2, 2022 in Suva, Fiji. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)

Tom Ross got a place on the bench for Archer Holz while West Squad defender Tim Anstee replaced Jackson Pugh.

Hamish Stewart will return to the bench after last appearing in the opening loss to Samoa while Mark Nawaqanitawase left the group to join the Wallabies.

Gilmore said in a statement: “The group has worked hard over the last two weeks to get a good result against Fiji.

“Beating a strong Fijian team in Fiji was a special moment for everyone, especially Seru (Uru), Filipo (Daugunu), Langi (Gleeson) and Mark (Nawaqanitawase).

“But we need to back him against Tonga, they will be desperate to win and will bring a lot of physicality early on.

“We know what is expected and needed to make our actions count.

“Kids are excited for the challenge ahead.”

Australia A will compete to win the Pacific Nations Cup this Saturday 16 July at 10:00 AEST at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji with every moment live, ad-free and on demand at Stan Sport.

Australia Side to face Tonga

1. Matt Gibbon
2. Billy Pollard
3.Tom Robertson
4. Hugh Sinclair
5. Exclaiming Uru
6. Will Harris
7. Fraser McReight (vc)
8. Langi Gleeson
9. Ryan Lonergan (C)
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. Lalakai Foketi (VC)
13. Hudson Creighton
14. Dylan Pietsch
15. Jock Campbell

Reserve

16. Matt Faessler
17. Harry Hoopert
18. Tom Ross
19. Jeremy Williams
20. Team Anstee
21. James Tuttle
22. Tane Edmed
23. Hamish Stewart

#Rugby #News #Wallabies #England #Richard #Cockerill #sledges #Australia #headbutt #time #Australia #play #Tonga #Pacific #Nations #Cup