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10 reasons to watch the Brisbane Tens this weekend

The Brisbane Global Tens is rugby in a strange new format and no one really knows how it’s going to go. Here’s why it’s worth a look this Saturday and Sunday.

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1. When have you ever watched Tens before? Really, the only exposure to this shortened form of the game for most rugby fans is from local club tournaments. Expect more cover tackles than a game of Sevens, but fewer scrum resets than 15-a-side. It seems that the New Zealand teams are pretty unfamiliar with the concept too, with both the Blues and Crusaders yet to train, while Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has admitted he knows nothing about the format. Good news for them, they can rely on…

2. Andrew Ready’s rule explanation videos. The Reds hooker was selected to perform the duties of informing the public of both the rules and the somewhat confusing tournament structure. Ready was clearly channelling his inner Marlon Brando, who was also heavily reliant on cue cards. However, it’s unlikely he’ll follow in The Godfather’s footsteps when the Oscars get handed out.

3. Marika Koroibete. Ever since the former NRL star decided that rugby union would offer a greater challenge (read: an instant pay rise and fast track to the Wallabies), there has been much conjecture over whether he’ll make the grade as a union player. With the extra space he’ll get at this tournament, he could either propel the Rebels into something resembling relevance, or get the ‘bust’ tag laid on him before the season has even begun.

4. Suncorp Stadium. Easily the best football venue in Australasia, Suncorp has been home to many memorable Origin, Broncos and Bledisloe clashes. It’s been a while since the Reds have been able to be spoken of in the same breath, but at least for one weekend Queensland fans can enjoy watching a bunch of better teams playing each other.

5. Blasts from the past. Chris Latham is pulling on the boots for the Reds, while the Brumbies have recalled Stephen Larkham and Andrew Walker for the tournament. All three are in their early forties, and could potentially be lining up against guys half their age.

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6. Samoa actually get to play. Rejoice, someone has actually listened to rugby fans and included a Pacific Island team in the competition. Let’s hope it’s a sign of things to come for Super Rugby.

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7. The Panasonic Wild Knights. The Sunwolves certainly won a few fans in their debut Super Rugby season even if they didn’t win a lot of games. The Wild Knights could go one better at the Tens – they are actually quite stacked, boasting former Wallaby Berrick Barnes, Japanese captain Shota Horie and former Highlanders cult hero Fumiaki Tanaka.

8. There’s only one South African team. The Bulls are the only side from South Africa making the trip, which is probably a good thing considering the state of South African rugby lately.

9. It’s a good way to scout young Super Rugby talent. Obviously teams won’t be risking all of their top players – Super Rugby kicks off a fortnight later – so there will be a few wider squad members involved in the tournament. These are the sort of guys that pop up out of nowhere later in the season when someone gets injured, so at least this year we’ll know a little bit about them.

10. Because it’s something different! Ever since the end of regular tours the rugby season has become slightly monotonous. That’s not to say it’s been bad, just that every season follows more or less the same structure. This tournament offers a fresh alternative to scrappy preseason games, plus it’s all over and done with in the space of a weekend.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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TRENDING Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss
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