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Former All Blacks teammates to face off in Top League quarter-finals

05 May 2021

Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Kieran Read, Matt Todd and Sonny Bill Williams following their final match for the All Blacks. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Sean McMahon and Harry Hockings might be getting an additional breather, but there will be plenty of other Australians in action when three Top league quarter-finals are played in Japan this weekend.

The Australian pair, along with their injured countryman Samu Kerevi, received a free pass into next week’s semi-finals when Damien Hill’s Ricoh Black Rams were forced to withdraw from Sunday’s quarter-final against Suntory Sungoliath due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Testing last week revealed 22 cases among players at the former Melbourne Rebels mentors’ club.

The panel of Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall talk about all the action and news from the week of rugby in New Zealand and across the world.

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The panel of Ross Karl, James Parsons and Bryn Hall talk about all the action and news from the week of rugby in New Zealand and across the world.

This left Ricoh unable to field a team and forced to concede the match based on rules catering for COVID-related interruption to the schedule.

Despite Tokyo and Osaka both slipping back into a state of emergency last month, the success of the strict health and safety protocols enforced by the league has been such that Sunday’s game is just the second from 80 so far, to have been scrubbed because of the pandemic.

The abandonment means Suntory, the tournament favourites, will not have played for three weeks when they tackle the winners between the Kobelco Steelers and Kubota Spears in the last four.

Sunday’s quarter-final reprises the 2019 title decider, when Dan Carter-led Kobe to a convincing 43-7 victory over Kubota, who were in their first final.

While Carter is no longer in residence at Kobe, the All Blacks influence remains predominant with Brodie Retallick, Ben Smith and Aaron Cruden among eight New Zealanders on the roster.

Former Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley does not lack for star power around him at Kubota either, with the Spears also fielding Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx, ex-All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty and Japan’s flanker from the Rugby World Cup, Pieter ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne.

On the other side of the draw, Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and his former All Blacks counterpart Kieran Read could set up a reunion with their ex-coach Robbie Deans should Toyota Verblitz successfully negotiate its way past the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Saturday’s first quarter-final.

Japan star Kazuki Himeno has been named Super Rugby Aoteaora Rookie of the Year following an impressive debut campaign with the Highlanders this season. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/81sRAp6bmb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 5, 2021

The Panasonic coach introduced Hooper to the Wallabies and Read to the Crusaders during his time overseeing those respective sides, but could have to outwit the pair to stay on target for a fourth title in Japan.

The Wild Knights feature in the second game on Saturday, pitted against the Canon Eagles whom they beat 47-0 on their way to winning the league’s white conference.

Panasonic have been captained in their most recent matches by Australian No 8 Jack Cornelsen.

Should Toyota end the Red Hurricanes’ season, focus would turn to the future of TJ Perenara.

The All Blacks halfback revealed to international media last week that he will decide whether to join the Roosters in the NRL once his commitments in Japan were finished.

– Matt McIlwraith

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍