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'We're clear on what we're trying to achieve': How the Wallabies plan to snap silverware drought

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has urged his team to make the most of a chance to win an overdue piece of major silverware by beating Argentina in their next two tests.

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The Wallabies’ Tri-Nations destiny is well and truly in their own hands after the All Blacks‘ shock loss to the Pumas last Saturday.

Wins over Argentina on Saturday night in Newcastle and again on December 5 at Bankwest Stadium will guarantee the Wallabies the Tri-Nations trophy, regardless of what happens on Saturday week when New Zealand again meet the Pumas.

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The Wallabies last won The Rugby Championship, this year being played as a Tri-Nations series because of South Africa’s late withdrawal, in 2015.

Their Bledisloe Cup barren spell of 18 years is even longer, not to mention a World Cup drought stemming back to 1999.

“We want to grow as a team and be a consistent team, and with that we make no bones that we want to put some silverware in our closet again,” Hooper said.

“To do that we need to build some solid performances and (coach) Dave (Rennie) talks a lot about (that) every day, so that’s reflected in our training.

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“That’s the focus for us, talk about that day by day and what that builds is good outcomes and good results. It keeps you moving forward at a consistent rate.

“You have to talk about the end goal which is holding up some silverware.

“We’re clear on what we’re trying to achieve. The pressure is on for us to want to be able to do that.

“We had the Bledisloe Cup (before the Tri-Nations) and it’s unfortunate we weren’t able to hold that up this year.

“This opportunity’s arisen now and we’re doing everything we can now to make it happen.”

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Among those standing in the Wallabies’ way of winning the Tri-Nations is their former coach Michael Cheika, who is part of Argentina’s staff for this series.

Cheika’s motivational skills were crucial in giving the Pumas the belief and confidence they could beat the All Blacks last weekend, and he’s bound to again pump up the Argentines before kick off on Saturday night.

“I’ve been really happy for ‘Cheik’ to be in that environment, in that role … it’s going to be good,” Hooper said.

“I don’t really know what he’s saying. He can speak a lot of languages but he can’t speak Spanish that well, so I don’t know how his communication’s going but I’m sure he’s bringing a lot to that environment.

“He can offer a hell of a lot. ‘Cheik’s’ a great coach. I’m sure he’s keeping those guys on their toes after their performance last week … but it’s imperative for us to focus on ourselves and what we want to deliver.

“That’s the thing with test match rugby. It’s us versus them and who wants to play their game harder.”

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Tom 4 hours ago
Will Bristol's daredevil 'Bears-ball' deliver the trophy they crave?

Also a Bristol fan and echo your sentiments.


I love watching Bristol but their approach will only get them so far I think. Exeter played like this when they first got promoted to the prem and had intermittent success, it wasn't until they wised up and played a more balanced game that they became a consistently top side.


I really want Bristol to continue playing this brand of rugby and I don't mind them running it from under their posts but I don't think they need to do it every single time. They need to be just a little bit more selective about when and where on the pitch they play. Every game they put themselves under so much needless pressure by turning the ball over under their posts trying to do kamikaze moves when it's not required. By all means run it from your goal line if there is a chance for a counter attack, we all want to see Bristol running in 100m tries from under their posts but I think until they learn when to do it and when to be pragmatic, they are unlikely to win the premiership.


Defense has been a real positive from Bristol, they've shown a lot of improvement there... And I will say that I think this kamikaze strategy they employ is a very good one for a struggling side and could be employed by Newcastle. It's seems to have turned around Gloucester's fortunes. The big advantage is even if you don't have the biggest and best players, what you have is cohesion. This is why Scotland keep battering England. England have better individuals but they look muddled as a team, trying to play a mixed strategy under coaches who lack charisma, the team has no identity. Scotland come out and give it full throttle from 1-15 even if they struggle against the top sides, sides like England and Wales who lack that identity drown under the relentless will and synergy of the Scots. If Newcastle did the same they could really surprise some people, I know the weather is bad up there but it hasn't bothered the Scots. Bristol can learn from Scotland too, Pat is on to something when he says the following but Scotland don't play test matches like headless chickens. They still play with the same level of clarity and ambition Bristol do but they are much better at picking their moments. They needed to go back to this mad game to get their cohesion back after a couple of seasons struggling but I hope they get a bit wiser from matches like Leinster and La Rochelle.


“If there’s clarity on what you’re trying to do as a team you can win anything.”

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