Wallabies self-destructed, says Knuckles
8 Jul 2006
Wallabies coach John Connolly felt his team self-destructed in gifting New Zealand tries in the 20-point Vodacom Tri Nations defeat.
Connolly, whose Wallabies had won their home matches against England and Ireland, emphasised the Wallabies were their own worst enemies against the All Blacks.
“We gave New Zealand a lot of opportunities … four tries and most of them came from our mistakes. New Zealand are a great rugby side and they gave us very little,” said Connolly, who had no option but to concede his tight five took a pounding at scrum time.
“We knew what to expect and where they would be a threat to us,” said Connolly. “Our scrum fell away badly towards the end of the first half. It came good a little bit when Greg Somerville came on. But we gifted them a number of opportunities. They are a great side and they take advantage of that. You just can’t afford to slip up against an opposition of that calibre. We are bitterly disappointed but we know we helped New Zealand’s cause with the way we played. There was no shortage or lack of effort and that was fantastic.”
The defeat was the Wallabies’ 15th in their last 17 away matches against the top six teams.
27 Comments
8 Jul 2006, 13:59 pm
That is even worse than the Boks!
8 Jul 2006, 14:08 pm
Connolly needs to learn to be gracious in defeat.
‘Practise makes perfect’ so perhaps by the end of WC07 he will be good at it!
8 Jul 2006, 14:10 pm
I somehow think i was way of the mark lol, the Aussies were awefull. Think we can beat them next weekend, would be great.
8 Jul 2006, 14:19 pm
Australia did not self destruct, knuckles had a brain explosion with the selection of Chisholm at 6, thats a big No No, then there was the AB defensive line, AB’s scored off a bad lineout throw, a McCaw try from a linebreak, A charge down and Mealamu’s 2nd from a cheeky blindside move, self destruction is what the AB’s did to them in 03 in that 50 point game, this was just not there night, knuckles needs to learn quickly that this is not Europe!!!
8 Jul 2006, 16:08 pm
I thought Farr-Jones was unusually gracious and kind tonight.
8 Jul 2006, 16:16 pm
Farr-Jones is neither he must have a one to many XXXX
8 Jul 2006, 17:13 pm
At least Knuckles didn’t “take lots of positives” out of this hiding…
8 Jul 2006, 17:23 pm
No Tackler, but Gregan did:
bwahahahaha
8 Jul 2006, 18:12 pm
Jaa, I really wouldnt mind seeing Knuckles sweat a bit more in the future. All this bs hype surrounding him, ‘John Knuckles Connoly, a rugby hardman”, wtf is that all about.
He really does seem to be fairly “too confident” seeing as he’s only coached a few games. And after trying to stirr up the AB’s with that “insider spy” sh’t earlier this week, im glad his team lost.
Old pork knuckles must have certainly been fairly rattled tonight.
8 Jul 2006, 18:54 pm
Sorry, there was a link when I posted my gloat. According to Planet Rugby, the Aussie captain said:
“There’s plenty of positives to take out of this. It is a good experience for the guys who haven’t played at this level against the All Blacks, in terms of intensity and in terms of playing it right through.
“They [All Blacks] are very good at it and it is good experience for us.
“We’ll grow from this particular experience.”
8 Jul 2006, 21:39 pm
Can we please raise the standard of rugby debate on this site by not quoting Connolly!!!
9 Jul 2006, 00:39 am
Aussies to finish last in the 3N, again! Suppose they are going to have to wait another year.
9 Jul 2006, 02:26 am
Bad result for us boys.
Boks as usual will expect a forward domination ,not get it and struggle vs Oz backs. Notice the AB’s didnt gift them a lot of ball ,avoiding the 50/50 chips and kicks,and playing with patience and belief.
Oz will improve hugely and I expect them to win in Brisbane….sadly.
Hadtehy taken the AB’s ,we would be up for them.
Me thinks Lote will scalp our 14 and I actually hope its Breyton a he is experoienced enough to not be made Lote’s *****. But he will intimidate any new boy around.
Larkham will bomb the corners with cross kicks and Mortlock will break through the middle a lot.
I hope for everything opposite but dont startthe crying and the calling for Jakes head again in 7 days time.
I dont know where we get our over confidence from but i we are Oz will give us a lesson or 3.
I cant see them looking that bad again.
9 Jul 2006, 02:51 am
The more “positives” these cliche-salesmen “take out of the game” when they lose is right up there with “we made too many mistakes”…
Loser-talk!
9 Jul 2006, 03:15 am
tackler everything u say is loser talk, turn that frown upside down
9 Jul 2006, 04:32 am
Enjoy the win Tackler….everything gets harder from here.
Good win though….just shut up and enjoy it…it was good. Finally your adopted country has real forwards.
9 Jul 2006, 04:59 am
ddrek,
I know you want to have a go at T, but our forward pack has been VG for a while – remember AB’s vs France at Paris (04), and historically this has always been the case, the exception being 98-03
9 Jul 2006, 06:50 am
Why is everyone so blind! South Africa, Australia and New Zealand has dominated Rugby Union since I was born. They have ignored the massive improvement of rugby union around the world, because of cockiness. The Wallabies should change their name to the Bats! They are confused, unorganised and have lost their love and passion for rugby. Mr John Knuckles Connonly! Sir I am a Australian citizen with a polynesian back ground who is also related to the well respected “Totai Kefu”, and your highly undoubtably answer to Wallabies scrummaging “Rodney Blake”. On the eighth of July, a burial ground was already organised in New Zealand for the Wallabies. Mr Connonly and The Wallabies (including George Gregan) You were MASSACRED physically, mentally, emotionally and even in the spirit of rugby SPIRITUALLY. Critics of Australian Rugby and South African Rugby pompously over exaggerate about their home team and will continously struggle to find unity if weaknesses aren’t recognized. Shamefully these critics are in denial. In addition to this “Phil Kearns” should be ashamed of himself after the comment he gave on channel 7 (Australian) during the game (Wallabie Vs All Blacks). An innocent happily excited All Black Spectator held his child in the air and a frustrated, immature commentator Mr Phil Kearns proudly stated that the spectator and child should be embarrassed of themsleves because they were of New Zealand nationality. You RACIST! You are a true Australian loser. I was embarrassed for my family who PROUDLY has worn the green and gold jersey in the past, present and those with goals to make the Wallabies in the future.
P.S.: For the love of rugby “Go France”
9 Jul 2006, 09:28 am
You are still classified as an alien until your children have kids in the country you reside in . So those who try to be recognized as a citizen of the country he or she is living in is referred to as a wannabe. TT take note.
9 Jul 2006, 09:41 am
Newks….key words..in denial……SO TRUE.
10 Jul 2006, 02:17 am
My apologies to Phil Kearns; It was Dan Crowley’s comment that I was refering to… Sorry
10 Jul 2006, 18:44 pm
19.. Pompies…for what country?
11 Jul 2006, 06:08 am
Post 22 New Zealand , with regards to The tackler.
11 Jul 2006, 14:10 pm
Will take a while before he’ll come to his senses. Welcome to the real world, mate. And it’s only beginning! Give credit where it’s due.
11 Jul 2006, 17:57 pm
23 Pompies…Tackler can be a citizen in 2 years. Still do not understand
12 Jul 2006, 05:08 am
Curious can tackler be elected to become prime minister of New Zealand?
12 Jul 2006, 18:44 pm
Yes. Unfortunitly so could Winston Peters
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