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Former Wallaby brands Wales 'second tier' opposition

Sam Costelow of Wales looks on during the match between Queensland Reds and Wales at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Former Wallabies flanker Jeff Miller has branded Wales as a ‘second tier’ side in an interview with South African publication Rapport.

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Miller made his debut for Australia in 1986 and went to earn 26 caps for the Wallabies between 1986 and 1991.

The 62-year-old was quizzed on the chances of the revamped Wallabies at this year’s Rugby Championship. The side who struggled under former head coach Eddie Jones are currently unbeaten under new head coach Joe Schmidt.

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Despite last year’s disastrous Rugby World Cup where the Wallabies got grouped, many in Aussie rugby circles are feeling optimistic heading into the Rugby Championship.

Miller, however, is not convinced that the winning start to the Schmidt regime can be seen as a bell weather for the tournament.  He dismissed Australia’s opponents to date, including Wales and Georgia, as ‘second tier’ opposition.

“Winning three Tests in a row will give the men a bit of confidence, but it was really against second-tier teams,” Miller Rapport. “I would like to see them be competitive but I think the Springboks and All Blacks will have all the advantages of combinations and also be a more physical presence.”

Given Wales’ dire run of results, maybe ‘second tier’ status might be such an unreasonable claim. Wales were beaten 41-13 by South Africa at Twickenham in June, before losing the opening Test against Australia 25-16 in Sydney and again 36-28 at AAMI Park a week later. It was their ninth consecutive Test defeat.

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Wales’ last Test match win was against Georgia in a pool game at the 2023 World Cup ten months ago, with a narrow victory over the Queensland Reds the only bright spot in an otherwise abysmal 2024.

Miller also downplayed the idea that the Wallabies would be in contention to win the Rugby Championship.

“I think we are starting to see improvements in our structures in attack and defence,” he said.

“But I wouldn’t say the Wallabies are now real contenders for the Rugby Championship.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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