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Wallabies player ratings from record loss to Argentina, highlights, analysis, team news

The Wallabies conceded seven tries and four of them came from kicks.

If you’re looking for a reason why the Wallabies lost, that paints a pretty clear picture.

The Wallabies’ raw fullback Tom Wright was exposed. The Brumbies back has been excellent in his previous three Tests of the year, but his lack of time spent in the role was brutally exposed by Argentina, who tested his positional understanding and his aerial skills too.

He wasn’t the only one either. Marika Koroibete was found out in the air, while Reece Hodge was penalized after he made contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to compete for the ball.

The Wallabies’ scrum was edged, too, with the Argentine pack up for the challenge following their heavy defeat a week earlier.

As for James O’Connor, the recalled playmaker faces a fight to keep his place after a frustrating performance.

READ MORE

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Wallabies try BRUTALLY disallowed! | 01:22

Had his try midway through the first half not been disallowed it likely would have been a different story for the 32-year-old. It didn’t, and anyone wearing the No.10 jersey generally shoulders the blame regardless of whether they deserve it.

Here are our player ratings from the record loss to Argentina.

Tom Wright- 3.5

Given the fullback’s struggles under the high ball, Dave Rennie will likely recall Andrew Kellaway should the Rebels back be fit to take on the Springboks later this month.

Wright doesn’t deserve to be dropped. One poor game doesn’t define a player, but the Brumby is a developing 15 and could benefit from more time on the wing. He’ll be a strong contender for the No.23 jersey should Kellaway be fit.

The tough day started in the very first minute, as he fumbled a tough ball from Jordan Petaia and Argentina scored.

Moments later and Argentina won a 50-22 as the home side exposed Wright’s positional understanding.

“Pretty inexcusable from the Wallabies from set phase not to be able to defend a 50-22 in that situation,” former All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens said for Stan.

On three occasions Wright lost possession in the air. He was out leapt in the eighth minute by Emiliano Boffelli.

He didn’t get a hand on a kick in the 27th minute. He was also beaten in the air again in the 36th minute but fortunately was saved by some Marika Koroibete brilliance in defense as he forced Boffelli to spill the ball over the tryline.

Later, in the 52nd minute, Wright chose to run the ball but should have played the percentages as he was tackled and gave away a penalty for not releasing.

Tom Wright had a difficult match at fullback against Argentina.  Photo: Getty Images
Tom Wright had a difficult match at fullback against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Jordan Petaia – 6

It was a case of being so close yet so far for Petaia.

Petaia sent O’Connor in to score but the try was denied for an illegal cleanout from James Slipper.

Later he lost the ball over the tryline as the ball was ripped away.

But there was also one of those passes into touch in the 51st minute, while he also intercepted a pass in the 56th minute before quickly throwing one of his own as he sought to keep the ball in the field of play.

More promisingly Petaia got his hands on the ball. Yet the fact Australia has not put an attacking kick in for Petaia tells you a lot about the Wallabies’ attack in recent weeks.

Len Ikitau – 7.5

One of the Wallabies’ best. Ikitau scored a try, made a massive linebreak and was strong on either side of the ball.

His linebreak in the 29th minute should have led to some points. Instead, it led to a penalty to the Pumas one phase later as Nic White was pinged for a side entry at the ruck.

The Wallabies were smashed by Argentina at San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium on August 13, 2022 in San Juan. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Lalakai Foketi – 6

A couple of good touches, including in the 10th minute to slip a great ball to Ikitau.

Foketi did, however, overtrack in defense along with James O’Connor and Lachie Lonergan ahead of the Pumas’ third try.

Marika Koroibete – 6

Defensively Koroibete was excellent.

He had a fantastic trysaver on Boffelli and laid on some big shots, including one ahead of Fraser McReight’s turnover in the 10th minute.

His clearing kick beyond halfway in the 19th minute was a cracker, too.

Unfortunately Koroibete too was beaten in the air and the uncertainty in the air meant Argentina continued to pepper the Wallabies’ back three.

The little knock-on in the 41st minute at the base of the ruck straight after half-time summed up the Wallabies’ frustrating performance.

James O’Connor – 5

The Wallabies playmaker will likely shoulder some of the blame for the defeat, but that would be an unfair marker.

Had O’Connor’s try stood the Wallabies would have been in front and he would have had a great highlights moment. It didn’t and the Wallabies conceded two quick tries.

Defensively O’Connor had a couple of moments that won’t reflect well.

He was run over the top by Tomas Gallo in the sixth minute as Taniela Tupou fell off a tackle, he overtracked ahead of the Pumas’ third try and he spilled a ball in contact for the Pumas’ try after the Wallabies’ back three didn’ Don’t get hands on another kick.

There was however some nice manipulation of the defense in the 72nd minute as she ran to the line and put Ikitau through a little hole. But, as Rennie later lamented, the Wallabies pushed the pass and found the touchline.

James O’Connor (L) had a frustrating return at fly-half. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

Nick White – 5

The Wallabies’ struggles to hold onto the ball meant White had a frustrating Test.

The experienced halfback had little space to test out the Argentine defence.

Frustratingly, too, when the Wallabies had the ball in the opposition half they looked dangerous. They just didn’t keep the ball long enough to mount any real pressure.

He appeared lost with what to do in the 30th minute and had his pass intercepted.

Rob Valetini – 9

The Wallabies’ best player on the field.

Valetini’s ball carrying was a real feature.

I have powered over the gain line ahead of Slipper’s try for the Wallabies.

He was strong in defense too, producing a great counter-ruck in the 18th minute to allow McReight to get on the ball to win a penalty.

Lachie Lonergan’s nice ball sent Valetini through a huge hole in the 45th minute. It should have ended in a try as he unleashed Petaia, who was stripped over the line.

Valetini’s one blemish came in the 61st minute, as he slightly changed his direction after a chip and chase and was penalized.

Rob Valetini was the Wallabies’ best against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Fraser McReight – 5.5

Good pressure on the ball, including a great breakdown win in the 10th minute.

Unfortunately for McReight he was sent to the sin bin midway through the second half despite referee Karl Dickson playing advantages ahead of their fifth try.

Jed Holloway – 6

Holloway was effective in the lineout and had a steal, too. He had some good runs to the line as well. But he needs to demand more of the ball.

The Waratahs forward looks set for a long stint in the side and his physical prowess will help with the pack.

Darcy Swain – 5.5

After last weekend’s outstanding Test, Swain wasn’t nearly as effective. why? Quite simply the Wallabies had little set piece ball.

Swain was penalized in the 28th minute after playing on despite a ruck being formed.

Rory Arnold – 6.5

A respectable return for the Japanese-bound lock.

Arnold carried well and even took an intercept in the 29th minute.

But his real strength around the maul wasn’t able to be used because of the Wallabies’ struggles under the high ball.

Taniela Tupou struggled for the Wallabies in his return to the starting side. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Taniela Tupou – 5

Punished at the scrum, the Wallabies struggled at the set-piece. They were penalized there on a number of occasions, with Tupou pinged for not driving straight.

Tupou was also penalized for collapsing a maul in the 24th minute.

It wasn’t until the 46th minute that Tupou managed to get well over the gain line.

The massive Wallabies tight-head prop has yet to master a Test that he has started.

Lachlan Lonergan – 6

A reasonable effort, having been asked to start against the Pumas.

The young Brumby’s lineout was largely effective.

But the Wallabies’ scrum was beaten, he over tracked ahead of the Pumas’ second try and missed a tackle from the kick restart in the 55th minute.

James Slipper (c) – 6.5

One of the Wallabies’ better forwards.

Slipper’s opening 20 minutes was outstanding. Unfortunately he was penalized for an illegal cleanout, which was questionable at best.

Slipper carried strongly and showed some good hands, too. He also scored the Wallabies’ first try.

The Wallabies suffered their greatest defeat to Argentina. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

BOOK

Billy Pollard – 5.5

Came on midway through the second half and hit the mark with his throws on debut. tick.

Matt Gibbon – N/A

Came on late for Slipper, but helped the Wallabies win a penalty when he went through the middle of a maul in the 71st minute.

Puts Fa’amausili – 6

Some great shots and strong carries after coming on midway through the second half. A promising debut off the bench.

Nick Frost – 5

Wasn’t able to impose himself like he did a week ago.

Pete Samu – 6

Effective on both sides of the ball after replacing Holloway in the second half.

Tate McDermott – 6

McDermott’s 50/22 in the 69th minute was a cracker. Unfortunately Valetini got clipped first phase from the attacking lineout and was brought down before Irae Simone was pinged for side entry at the ruck.

Irae Simone – N/A

Came on late but gave away a penalty for side entry at the ruck.

Reece Hodge – N/A

Another who came on late, Hodge was penalized for making contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to catch a ball at fullback.

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David Popovici breaks 100m freestyle world record, age, who is he, European Championships, latest, updates

As David Popovici has accelerated past his older rivals in the pool this summer, it seemed inevitable that the skinny 17-year-old would threaten world records, the only surprise when he broke the 100m freestyle mark in Rome on Saturday was that he got so quick so fast

On Friday, the Romanian had become only the fourth man in history to swim under 47sec as he set a European record to win his semi-final at the European Championships in Rome.

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That was more than half a second faster than his gold-medal time at the World Championships in June.

On Saturday, he was even quicker, swimming 46.86sec to slice 0.05sec off the record set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in the 2009 World Championships, also in Rome, in the era of buoyant body suits.

“Yesterday I said that the European record was just one step in the right direction – and I was right. There was no rush and I had to be extremely patient about the world record, ”he said after his victory about him.

In the World Championships in Budapest, Popovici outpaced Caeleb Dressel, who had swum the fastest 100m in a textile suit, in the heats.

The Olympic champion withdrew from the competition before the semis.

Romania’s David Popovici set a new world record in the men’s 100m freestyle. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)Source: AFP

“It’s nice being able to say that I am the fastest to ever do it and it’s a good thing to know I clashed with all of the titans of this race.”

His coach, Adrian Radulescu said that he was too surprised by the speed of Popovici’s progress.

“It’s amazing that it is happening so early,” said Radulescu, just 32.

Asked on Thursday what makes him successful, Popovici acknowledged that success comes at a price.

“When Erling Haaland, a football player, was asked the same question, he replied ‘hard work’ So, it’s just really a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifice and it all comes down to the question of how badly do you want Item; and I really do want it, badly!”

“What are you willing to do that others aren’t? This includes living a completely different lifestyle.”

This summer, Popovici has dominated the World Championships and the European Junior Championships in his home town, Bucharest.

After Rome he plans to head to the world junior championships in Lima

“Really, all I want to get out of this meet and out of world juniors in Peru is simply having fun. The medals, the records, everything, the good times are simply a bonus. If we manage to have fun, that’s very satisfying,” he said.

Not everyone might share his idea of ​​fun.

“Everything in sports is fun. Getting extremely tired and then wanting to vomit,” he said.

“Having all sorts of lactate problems… that’s fine. It’s not fun at the time but after half an hour you don’t want to kill yourself anymore and you feel as if its all worth it.”

Popovici was nine when he joined the swimming club where Radulescu coaches.

Popovici is just 17 years of age. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)Source: AFP

“He wasn’t the easiest to train, he was mostly looking for fun, to skip his turn… But there was something special about him, he was very competitive.”

“He must have been ten years old, we were organizing a competition for swimmers of the same age,” recalled the coach.

“A 25-meter swim and the last one was eliminated… Each time, David finished second last. Ahead of him, they wanted to prove that they were good, they got tired. In the final race, the other survivor was so tired, David won.”

Popovici is unusually thin for a top swimmer.

“David has a keen sense of water,” said Radulescu.

“It’s not about how much force you can generate, but how you can put it into the speed you develop. So, yes, he is very thin, but he has enough strength to swim at higher speeds.”

But, added, the coach, Popovici’s physique will change.

“He’ll be 18 in September, his body will grow, evolve to a man’s size. It’s a challenge… to get the right balance between strength and efficiency.”

Popovici already has a nickname: ‘The Magician’.

“I was passionate about magic when I was younger, the card tricks and illusions and stuff but not anymore. It was a little hobby before swimming,” I explained.

“But yes, some people have called me The Magician because of what I do in the pool but again, I don’t think it represents me. I like to think of myself as a simple guy who just swims fast.”

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Wallabies vs Argentina, Lalakai Foketi, Giteau Law, World Cup, LIV golf, video

Amid golfer Cameron Smith’s rumored decision to take the money and run to LIV, Lalakai Foketi – the relatively unknown Test center – showed that there are still some things in professional sport that money can’t buy. In his case of him, a Wallabies jersey.

The question, however, is for how long, particularly with chatter that Rugby Australia’s eligibility laws will be blown up for next year’s World Cup.

It’s understood in March that Foketi, 27, turned down hundreds of thousands of dollars for the chance to continue his career for the Wallabies.

With his career progression at the Waratahs slowed by injuries, he was offered a large contract worth more than $500,000 to join French Top 14 club Clermont.

He turned it down, but not long after fellow Australian Irae Simone took the money and, therefore, will unlikely ever play for the Wallabies again based on Rugby Australia’s new Overseas Player Selection Policy.

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Lalakai Foketi opted to stay in Australia for the chance to play for the Wallabies instead of taking up an offer overseas.  Photo: Getty Images
Lalakai Foketi opted to stay in Australia for the chance to play for the Wallabies instead of taking up an offer overseas. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Foketi, who made his debut against Wales last November, will start for the first time in the No.12 jersey in the absence of Samu Kerevi and Hunter Paisami.

Simone is in-line to play his third Test, after curiously being named on the bench ahead of Noah Lolesio.

You wonder what Lolesio, who played all three Tests against England, and Suliasi Vunivalu, the two-time NRL premiership winner, must be thinking after being left out?

After all, it was only recently the duo re-signed with Rugby Australia.

Now both are seemingly sliding down the pecking order, while in the case of Vunivalu, the high-profile recruit has only been afforded a couple of minutes off the bench at the SCG.

Yet the decision by Foketi to turn down the money is curious.

He is not the only Australian player to turn down overseas offers, or indeed return home, for the lure of the gold jersey.

Nic White and Matt To’omua craved the chance to play for the Wallabies and returned home ahead of the 2019 World Cup to pursue their international debuts.

Others. like James O’Connor, followed suit.

Rising star Nick Frost managed to recently get out of a deal to join Robbie Deans at Panasonic. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Nick Frost, the 22-year-old rising star, also reneged on a deal to join Robbie Deans’ Panasonic Wild Knights in the Japanese League One competition.

After a cracking game for the Brumbies, Frost’s coach Dan McKellar raised the possibility of him opting out. RA, along with his management of him and the blessing on the Japanese club, skilfully managed to get the second-rower out of the deal.

It’s a different story for Foketi because as talented as the center is, he still did not make Rennie’s initial squad for the England series. Only injury, as well as Kerevi’s desire to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Games, saw the Waratah called up.

Players like Foketi, as well as Hamish Stewart who too craves a Wallabies cap, are the bread and butter of domestic rugby. Without them, the game Down Under would have invested too much in too few leaving too little for the raw talent underneath.

“I went away after I finished school. I debuted for the Rebels and then went to France when I was young and quickly realized that this is the dream and this is what I wanted to do my rugby career,” Foketi said on Friday.

“I’m grateful that I’m here and I’ve just been working hard to get to this point.

“With other options and stuff, (they) haven’t really been at the forefront of my mind. My family’s happy in Sydney, and that’s another big reason, but this is always the pinnacle of rugby, for me.”

READ MORE

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Quade’s RWC dream in doubt after devastating injury blow leaves No.10 jersey wide open

Lalakai Foketi celebrates a try at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the Waratahs. Photo; Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

It is why RA, privately and publicly, will not entertain opening the floodgates and pick widely from overseas because the fear is it will decimate Super Rugby and cripple their stakeholders, namely the Super Rugby franchises, especially in non-World Cup years.

Next year will be the litmus test. Even after Rennie floated the idea of ​​raising the possibility of adding an additional fourth “overseas” pick for the Rugby Championship before their tour of Argentina, RA was privately shutting down any hope of the third-year international coach being able to pick Rory Arnold, Kerevi, Marika Koroibete and Quade Cooper in the same squad.

Season-ending injuries to Cooper and Kerevi have saved Rennie from an intriguing decision.

Yet for months talk has bubbled under the surface that the eligibility criteria will be scrapped for the World Cup year, with as many as five or six players in the mix.

Whether that occurs remains to be seen and injuries could yet have a telling impact.

Japan-bound Rory Arnold will play for the Wallabies against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

But as world No.2 golfer Smith sits on a reported $140 million deal to join the LIV Golf Series, sports stars across the world are increasingly choosing money over legacy.

Who can blame them? Private equity, and new found success, seems like the only way to put a lid on Wallabies heading overseas.

How sustainable it is remains questionable, but given Australia is hosting a World Cup in 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s) the governing body will do everything it can to keep players at home.

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Qatar makes late schedule change to FIFA Football World Cup

The World Cup’s start will be brought forward by a day to allow hosts Qatar to play the opening game, sources told AFP on Wednesday, just over three months before the competition gets underway.

Qatar will now play Ecuador on November 20, 24 hours earlier than planned, in a move that FIFA’s ruling council was expected to confirm soon, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

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The change will see the tournament, which was switched to November-December to avoid the Gulf country’s searing summer heat, keep to its tradition of the hosts playing the opening match.

Senegal and the Netherlands had been scheduled to play the first game on November 21, followed by England against Iran and then the official opening match, Qatar’s World Cup debut, that evening.

“There were discussions and agreement between the two respective teams and there was a request from CONMEBOL — the South American confederation,” one World Cup source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity as no official decision has been announced.

“We wanted to follow the tradition that either the reigning champions or the host country be involved in the opening match,” the source added.

FIFA and the Qatari organizing committee declined to comment on the change to the mega event that ends on December 18.

But another tournament source said action would be taken to help fans with tickets for the November 21 game.

“Any disruption will be dealt with so the impact is minimal,” the source told AFP.

Under the change, Netherlands v Senegal in Group A would be moved from 1pm local time on November 21 to a 7pm start. “It is a better slot for both teams for television and other areas,” said the World Cup source.

England’s Group B match against Iran is not changed.

Companies with major deals linked to the World Cup expressed confidence that the unusual schedule change could be handled smoothly.

“It is something we will deal with,” said Jaime Byrom, chairman of Match Hospitality, which has a deal with FIFA to organize hospitality packages for World Cup matches and has locked in 450,000 tickets for the tournament.

“It is really not — compared to the other challenges that we could have faced or have faced in the past — a particularly large problem,” Byrom told AFP.

“We have to focus on those customers who are most affected and I guess in this case we will be looking at our Ecuadorean customers who are traveling from overseas, and making sure that they are on time for the match.”

Some pundits ridiculed the schedule change, asking why the move hadn’t already been considered.

New York Times reporter Tariq Panja tweeted: “Qatar and FIFA has had 12 years to plan for the 2022 World Cup now with just over 100 days and — with tickets sold, travel booked — they now want to start the tournament a day earlier so Qatar could play the first game (which could always have been the case). But here we are.

“What I suspect has happened here is that because it’s ‘only’ Ecuador and not a big European country, it has probably been easier to switch the game. What has never been made clear is why Qatar had not been placed in the opening game as per the original schedule.”

Journalist Grant Wahl wrote: “This late change to accommodate Qatar (and cause problems for Ecuador, including its fans) is of a piece with what I saw during the bid process for World Cup ’26 cities: FIFA does so much by the seat of its pants these days.”

The opening match is scheduled to be held at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium, one of seven new venues purpose-built for the tournament since Qatar was controversially awarded the World Cup in 2010.

The wealthy Gulf state is preparing a spectacular opening ceremony in the stadium, whose structure was inspired by traditional Arab tents.

Moving forward the opening match will also mean changing the 100-day countdown that had been scheduled to start on Saturday, with special events across the tiny nation of 2.8 million people.

After a row over the bidding process, Qatar has faced criticism over labor rights and its treatment of the LGBTQ community. But FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said the tiny, gas-rich state will host the “best ever” World Cup.

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Wallabies forced into more changes for Argentina Test, Hunter Paisami injury, Quade Cooper, video

The Wallabies will be forced to go to the well again, with Hunter Paisami expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test against Michael Cheika’s Los Pumas in San Juan.

It’s understood the center, who laid on the Wallabies’ bonus point win with a sublime run and offload in the final play of the game, has suffered a head knock.

His injury will see yet another backline reshuffle, with Lalakai Foketi expected to be named in the No.12 jersey. Irae Simone, who was a late call-up to the squad and will head to Clermont following the two-Test tour of Argentina, is firming for a remarkable return via the bench.

Foketi won’t be the only change either.

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The change at inside center could see the Wallabies opt for the experienced head of James O’Connor to fill the No.10 jersey following Quade Cooper’s devastating season ending injury.

Should Dave Rennie indeed turn to O’Connor, the Test shapes as a crunch one for the 32-year-old, who lost some backers following his poor second half against England in Brisbane last month. Never mind that he was under done and playing away from his preferred position and the lack of time in the saddle showed.

Part of the thinking could be that in Bledisloe III, 2020, Rennie was forced to select the uncapped duo of Noah Lolesio and Simone at 10 and 12 and their inexperience showed as the All Blacks smashed the Wallabies at the Olympic Stadium. Rolling out Lolesio, who is still growing as a player at 22, and Foketi, who will play his second Test, could leave them short of experience and leadership in the backline.

Wallabies bag late, late bonus point try | 00:43

Utility Reece Hodge, who stepped into the hot seat at No.10 early in the second half and was assured and kicked his goals, all but confirmed he wouldn’t start when he indicated on Wednesday that either O’Connor or Lolesio would start in the role.

“Rabs (O’Connor) has got his body in really good shape and he’s been training well the last month and really pushing for selection,” Hodge said.

“Whether it’s him or Noah who get the nod heading into this weekend, we’re confident that both of them are in great physical shape and both training really well, so whoever steers us around will have the full confidence of the squad.”

Meanwhile, Allan Alaalatoa’s (personal reasons) return to Australia has opened the door for Pone Fa’amausili to make his debut off the bench.

The Rebels tight-head prop has long been knocking on the door and been a part of the Wallabies’ squad since 2020.

But stuck behind Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou, who will start against Los Pumas, and plagued by injuries, the giant wrecking-ball, who was compared to the ‘Tongan Thor’ before the series by Rennie, he has been forced to bide his time and get himself into physical shape.

The potential of Fa’amausili is immense, but the weekend’s Test will be his moment of truth.

Elsewhere, Rennie could yet be swayed to return to Rory Arnold – one of Rennie’s international picks – and having been eased back into the squad following a minor injury, he could yet start.

The Test shapes as a significant one for the Wallabies.

Hunter Paisami is expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test.
Hunter Paisami is expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test.Source: Getty Images

If they pull off back to back wins it will leave them in great shape to give The Rugby Championship a real shake.

The rejigged format of the competition, which includes tours for the first time, will see the Wallabies have the luxury of playing three of the next four Tests on home soil, including consecutive matches against the world champion Springboks.

For the first time in years too, the All Blacks are vulnerable and down on confidence having lost three straight Tests. A fourth consecutive loss to the Springboks could force a coaching change, with Ian Foster on the chopping block.

Cheika’s Pumas will be out for revenge, however, noting their second half disaster, where they were penalized out of the game and smashed at the rolling maul, killed them.

With an inexperienced, lighter front-row to come off the bench for the Wallabies though, the Pumas have the chance to go after their opposition.

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Business

Woman buys $2600 designer coffee table: Finds ‘penis’ design

An architect who spent a whopping $2600 on a designer coffee table was horrified when it turned up sporting what looked like a giant penis.

Brazilian architect Ana Julieta Garcia had purchased the table for an interior design project she was working on for a client in Spain.

The 32-year-old paid $2,619 for the handmade piece.

But at the time of paying, she had not seen the specific design she would get, as the tables are made from volcanic lava and are each individual.

Ms Garcia, who also works as a DJ, was astonished when the delivery arrived with the likeness of a penis covering the tabletop.

“It’s a handmade table made from volcanic lava, which is enamelled by hand. You can’t know the final design until it comes out of the oven,” she said.

“That’s the beautiful part of the story, you never know how your product will turn out.

“I saw the example – but it really went wrong in the oven.”

“All the dark pigments clumped together in the middle. Normally, they’re separated,” she added.

“Usually, the final image looks like it is multidimensional. But my order turned out really – interesting – I’d say.”

She joked: “Help! You work your whole life and now your reference is a huge blue d*ck.

“When you put ‘Ana Julieta’ into Google, only this will appear. Nothing about an architect or a DJ.”

She added: “The company sent me the product advising that it hadn’t turned out like they’d hoped.

“It’s just that the table has a long production time. I left it with my client, and the new tabletop is already under production.

“When I handed it over, I said, ‘If you want to keep it, fine. If not, I understand.’”

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Jiu-jitsu legend shot, how did he die?

Legendary Jiu-jitsu fighter Leandro Lo was fatally shot at a concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to reports.

A lawyer for the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu world champion confirmed that his client, 33, died after being declared brain-dead from the shooting, according to a report by MMA Fighting.

The killing allegedly took place during a confrontation between Lo and Police Officer Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo, the outlet reported.

Witnesses said Velozo grabbed a bottle from Lo’s table and that the fighter took the cop down and held him, according to the outlet, citing a police report.

MMA Fighting reports after the pair were separated, Velozo allegedly pulled out a gun, firing a round into Lo’s forehead.

Lo had dominated the sport since 2011, winning eight World Championship titles – which made him one of the most decorated Jiu-jitsu fighters of all time. Just earlier this year, he won another World Championship in California.

Tributes came flooding in after the shock news of his death.

“A very sad day for the BJJ community,” analyst and former UFC fighter Kenny Florian tweeted. “Leander was a legend.”

Combat sports analyst Luke Thomas tweeted: “Oh my god.”

UFC commentator John Gooden tweeted: “Saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Leandro Lo. One of the greatest Jiu-jitsu players ever. Absolutely tragic. My condolences to his family and friends of him.”

This article first appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

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Sports

Leandro Lo dead at 33: Jiu-jitsu legend shot, how did he die?

Legendary Jiu-jitsu fighter Leandro Lo was fatally shot at a concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to reports.

A lawyer for the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu world champion confirmed that his client, 33, died after being declared brain-dead from the shooting, according to a report by MMA Fighting.

The killing allegedly took place during a confrontation between Lo and Police Officer Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo, the outlet reported.

Witnesses said Velozo grabbed a bottle from Lo’s table and that the fighter took the cop down and held him, according to the outlet, citing a police report.

MMA Fighting reports after the pair were separated, Velozo allegedly pulled out a gun, firing a round into Lo’s forehead.

Lo had dominated the sport since 2011, winning eight World Championship titles – which made him one of the most decorated Jiu-jitsu fighters of all time. Just earlier this year, he won another World Championship in California.

Tributes came flooding in after the shock news of his death.

“A very sad day for the BJJ community,” analyst and former UFC fighter Kenny Florian tweeted. “Leander was a legend.”

Combat sports analyst Luke Thomas tweeted: “Oh my god.”

This article first appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

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Sports

Rugby Championship, Michael Hooper leave, mental health, explained, Australia return to play

When Michael Hooper withdrew less than 48 hours before the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener in Argentina, it shocked the world.

An outpouring of support was issued across the globe from Will Carling to Karmichael Hunt, as it was revealed that Hooper’s “mindset” was not right and he would miss the Test and fly home.

Yet for those closer to the situation, it was not as surprising.

RECAP: Wallabies’ stunning, bonus-point victory as Quade ruled out for the year

Wallabies bag late, late bonus point try | 00:43

Hooper has been pushed to the point of breaking for some time, with few others afforded time in the saddle in his position despite the emergence of talented players like Fraser McReight.

Instead, with precious victories and coaching living by results, the Wallabies – and Super Rugby franchises, perhaps with the exception of the Brumbies and recently the Waratahs – have rolled out their premier players for fear of failure.

A talismanic leader, Hooper had not only been holding the Wallabies together on and off the field for years, he had been putting his head in few places dare go.

The second youngest Wallabies captain of all time, Hooper was the youngest player of all time to play 100 Tests.

Last year, he surpassed George Gregan’s (59) record of Tests captained last year, and he is just 18 shy of the 1999 World Cup-winner’s national record of 139.

Michael Hooper withdrew less than 48 hours before the Wallabies' Rugby Championship opener.  (Photo by May Bailey/Getty Images)
Michael Hooper withdrew less than 48 hours before the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener. (Photo by May Bailey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

All this at the tender age of 30, where he has been handed the captaincy by the past three Wallabies coaches after first being capped by another, Robbie Deans, in 2012.

At some point, age, or at least the sheer minutes he had spent on the playing field, he was going to catch up with him.

Of Hooper’s 121 Tests, he has started in 115 of them and gone the full distance in 95 of those Tests. He has missed just 11 Tests, including the weekend’s 41-26 victory over Michael Cheika’s Argentina, since his debut against Scotland off the bench in Newcastle.

By comparison, Richie McCaw, who started in 141 of his 148 Tests, missed 37 Tests during his decorated career.

Interestingly, in the four years before he retired following the World Cup final in 2015, McCaw started 44 of 45 Tests during the period but only played the full 80 minutes in 33 of those Tests.

But, as age, his durability and the weight of captaining the All Blacks for so many years caught up to him, he missed nine Tests during that golden period.

New Zealand Rugby also afforded him a sabbatical in late 2012 and saw him make his comeback in mid-2013. He didn’t play, but rather cooled his heels.

In May, Hooper laughed off suggestions he could make it through to the home World Cup in 2027 by saying he was more likely to be having a “beer” in the stands at that point.

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But it’s not just the home World Cup that feels like an eternity away for Hooper, it’s the 2025 British and Irish Lions series and, indeed, next year’s World Cup too.

It’s believed after years bouncing back up on a Sunday, the heavy knocks are starting to take their toll.

Recently, Hooper played in Brisbane against England despite being struck down by the flu during the week.

When he copped an early hit after being bounced by Ellis Genge, there was an element of concern around whether he had taken another head knock.

A week later, with the Wallabies’ injury toll stretching to double figures, he backed up for the series decider despite having a crook back.

Earlier in the year, Hooper copped a high tackle from a replacement Crusaders forward, which drew a red card, and he spent two weeks on the sidelines.

Privately the Waratahs and Australian officials were filthy because the culprit, Hamish Dalzell, had also been penalized for a high shot moments earlier that didn’t earn any further punishment.

Concussion is something Hooper is particularly cognizant of.

It’s also understood the Wallabies are being belted on the training field.

It is unclear when Hooper will next play. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Numerous sources, including at Rugby Australia, have also raised questions about the strength and conditioning methods being used under Dean Benton.

Questions have arisen after a number of players have suffered injuries at training in recent months.

There is a belief that the current group needs to be whipped into shape because they are not up to Test match standards.

For now Hooper, who arrived back in Australia on Sunday, is expected to rest and spend time with his family.

No timeframe has been given when the No.7 will next play.

Sources believe he will miss the home Tests against the Springboks.

Fortunately the Wallabies have discovered they can play without Hooper and succeed.

But they might have learned too that humans are not machines.

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Categories
Business

Elon Musk says he would fight Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin

Elon Musk has thrown the gauntlet down at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after challenging Russian President Vladimir Putin to physical blows earlier this year.

speaking to the full-send podcast, Musk said in the hypothetical scenario posed to him that he “wouldn’t say no” if the North Korean leader wanted to fight him.

In March, Musk went viral for a tweet in which he challenged the Russian President to fight.

“I hereby challenge Vladimir Putin to single combat,” he wrote.

“Stakes are Ukraine.”

When asked who Musk’s biggest “enemy” was at the moment, the billionaire mentioned his challenge to the Kremlin.

“I am not sure if they are going to send him, but I did challenge him on Twitter,” he said.

So how exactly would Elon Musk battle against the Russian leader known for his military martial arts background?

Easy. Musk says it’s a little known technique called “the walrus”.

“Listen, (the fight will) be a pay-per-view,” the Tesla and SpaceX CEO envisioned.

“It’ll be an interesting question because (Putin’s) good at martial arts and he’s pretty buff. You’ve seen those pictures of him on a horse.

“He has won like Judo championships… so he is pretty good, but I think I am 30 per cent bigger than him.”

Musk said his “weight advantage” would help him overthrow Putin with his ultimate MMA move.

“I’m going to use a move called ‘the walrus’, where I just lie on you. You can’t get away.”

While Musk is known for making controversial commentary that even he worries “could really backfire” on him, the billionaire has focused part of his Starlink efforts to aid Ukrainians.

As Ukraine enters its fifth month during the Russian invasion, Musk has deployed thousands of Starlink satellites to aid the Ukrainian defensive effort.

Musk activated the broadband service in Ukraine, after a Kyiv official urged the tech titan to provide his embattled country with stations.

“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine,” Musk tweeted, adding “more terminals [are] enroute.”

The Satellites have been a vital resource allowing Ukrainians to maintain access to the internet with encrypted data as Russia seeks to target Ukrainian power grids in attempts to disrupt information sharing.

Read related topics:Elon Musk

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