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The gap is not as big as New Zealanders like to think A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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After a tough start to the Trans-Tasman competition, most Australians are conceding the next World Cup already.
The record of 18 defeats over four rounds has led many to conclude that Australian rugby has no hope against the best, but the gap isn’t as big as it seems.
There has been a clear improvement from Australian sides as the Trans-Tasman tournament progresses and a few young stars have been unearthed.
Mack Hansen scored three tries in the victory over NSW Waratahs. Photos: ACT Brumbies
THE brewing animosity that has bubbled on the surface for more than 25 years strangely spilled over into sympathetic words from Dan McKellar’s own lips.
“I feel plenty of sympathy for them,” the ACT Brumbies coach said after the game.
“Them” he spoke about was bitter enemies New South Wales and the sympathy arose from the home side’s record-breaking 61-10 result on Saturday night (February 27).
It would have been hard not to bask in the glory – a winning margin only bettered in their first Super 12 clash – of a wounded archrival haemorrhaging all over the Canberra turf after collecting not only the greatest victory against the Waratahs but of any Australian team.
Time for the Reds to shine in 2021 A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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For the rugby romantic the Queensland Reds are the most beguiling team in Australian rugby.
You might first think of brilliant sides of the 1970s and 80s with greats like the rampaging Mark Loane, the brilliant wing Brendan Moon and the late great Stan Pilecki. Pilecki was the first Queensland player to play 100 games for the team and his name adorns the annual medal for the best Reds player.
Queensland players were the backbone of the great Wallabies grand slam side of 1984, including mesmerising full back Roger Gould and bulldozing prop Andy McIntyre, while the team was captained by Queensland centre and stalwart Andrew Slack.