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How All Blacks Cortez Ratima and Wallace Sititi fared in Bledisloe thriller
By Finn Morton
Head coach Scott Robertson has praised young All Blacks Cortez Ratima and Wallace Sititi for their standout performances on Saturday afternoon. Ratima was named Player of the Match, while Sititi impressed in the black jersey at blindside flanker for the second successive Test.
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For the first time in their international careers, both men were named to take on the Wallabies in a crunch Bledisloe Cup clash. 68,000 fans at Sydney’s Accor Stadium witnessed a 40-minute All Blacks masterclass followed by a stunning Wallabies comeback.
The All Blacks led 21-nil after just 15 minutes but the Wallabies clawed their way back with tries to Fraser McReight and Matt Faessler. It ended up being a three-point game late in the piece, with the visitors only scoring a Damian McKenzie penalty goal in the term second term.
But, it could’ve been a very different story on the scoreboard had a disallowed try to halfback Ratima been awarded. It was a stunning coast-to-coast effort from the All Blacks, but referee Karl Dickson ended up ruling it out after consulting with the TMO.
That ‘try’ would’ve been the icing on the cake for the All Blacks who could’ve run away with it as that effort would’ve given them a 36-14 lead had it been awarded. But it doesn’t take away from Ratima’s performance, and Sititi also shone with 19 carries for more than 50 metres.
“Just pleased that they’ve got the courage to show their challenge and their skillset on the biggest stage. So early in their Test career, they step right to the occasion, don’ they, and the big moments,” Robertson told reporters on Saturday.
“It’s great when you give a young guy, young players opportunities and they take them. The last three weeks, both of them have been remarkable.
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“Great story, isn’t it?”
As Sititi ran riot and Ratima also led the team well at halfback, the All Blacks had some golden opportunities to take control of the Test during the second term. Other than Ratima’s disallowed effort, there were another two tries that were ruled out.
New Zealand also bombed an idyllic chance to score with Damian McKenzie throwing a wayward flick pass as opposed to a standard pop pass. These moments ended up being a major talking point as the Wallabies, incredibly, put themselves in a chance to win.
“I think that came off the back of a bit of steely defence,” captain Scott Barrett explained when asked about Ratima’s disallowed try which was ruled out for a forward pass.
“You see what the calibre of players can do down that left flank.
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“A game of inches I guess. It could’ve been the difference between 20 points versus three points so we’re still going to keep challenging our skillsets and go another level – get better.”
After Ratima’s disallowed effort midway through the second half, the match changed completely. All Black Anton Lienert-Brown was shown a yellow card in the 64th minute and Wallabies midfielder Hunter Paisami ended up scoring shortly after.
Suddenly, it was a 10-point game, and another yellow card to the All Blacks – to winger Caleb Clarke – saw the visitors go down to 13 men. The Wallabies made the most of that advantage with Tom Wright scoring with a couple of minutes left to play.
But time wasn’t on their side.
The All Blacks hung on.
“Really pleased. I’m just really proud of the effort,” coach Robertson said.
“Some incredible defence there and some scramble D and a couple of yellow cards. Just found a way to win it.”
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Now that the Bledisloe Cup is safe, Scott Robertson should disrespect Schmidt and show some balls by starting the following players.
Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Harry Plummer, Billy Proctor and Ruben Love.. pending they all pass being mentally, physically fit healthy and injury free..
Why not??, bugger the result.
They've all played against and beaten the bulk of these guys in SRPacific...
No better place and time for much needed game time experience.
So we've got young guys coming in and playing starring roles but retain Savea and Cane who go invisible after 50 minutes and so we nearly lose the test after losing twice in SA. The selectors need to wake up and get Dalton back into start at seven, Sititi starting at 8 and Savea on the bench for 20 with Cane. Play a 6-2 split until we fix up the final 20.
Not sure about Dalton because he also goes invisible. Until he starts to improve, Cane should keep the starting 7 jersey since they have an obsession with Savea at 8.
For all the criticism aimed at Robertson for not developing young players, he has uncovered 4 young players under age 24 who are all test starting quality now- Vaa’i, Williams, Sititi, and Ratima.
Add Sam Darry, who while not ready to start yet, is getting valuable experience off the bench and will be pushing hard for a starting spot in 2025.
I’m sure on the EOYT in November, there will be a couple more young players pushing for starting spots- Peter Lakai and Reuben Love.
That will be 7 young players under 24 in the first season of the 2027 RWC cycle introduced to test rugby which in fairness is a great start to regeneration.
It's ridiculous claiming Razor has found Vaa'i
Well there’s a positive.