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Simon Poidevin

November 2024

Joseph Suaalii models the Wallabies jersey to be used in the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour

Sua’ali’i is right to start for the Wallabies – next, Nathan Cleary

Selection gambles don’t come bigger than this, but Joseph Sua’ali’i is ready and his success should lead to a killer recruitment for the 2027 World Cup.

August 2024

Joe Schmidt with Laurie Fisher bring a wealth of experience to the Wallabies.

Why the stars are finally aligning for the Wallabies

Australia’s challenge against South Africa on Saturday is huge, but coaching changes and new rules designed to speed up the game bode well for the Wallabies.

October 2023

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi kisses the Webb Ellis Cup after leading his team to their second consecutive Rugby World Cup Final victory.

South Africa’s Rugby World Cup win is a lesson in discipline

Everyone knew that keeping the referee happy would be more important than ever in this World Cup, and New Zealand proved it at their own expense.

Bongi Mbonambi will take the field as New Zealand and South Africa vie to become the first four-time winners of the Rugby World Cup.

What SA and NZ must do to win the Rugby World Cup

South Africa’s high-risk team selection tells us a lot about their strategy, and what New Zealand must do to blow up the ‘bomb squad’ in the Paris wet.

Handre Pollard of South Africa kicks the winning penalty goal.

In the World Cup semis, ‘bomb squad’ rugby wins the day

The bold tactical moves the brought South Africa home against England illustrate why they and New Zealand are the last teams standing.

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Emiliano Boffelli of Argentina has an enviable kicking record.

Where the Rugby World Cup semis will be won and lost

Don’t believe reports that the semi-finals will be walkovers for New Zealand and South Africa.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 15: Kurt-Lee Arendse of South Africa breaks to the try line to score his team’s first try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris, France.

Classic matches show the best of rugby, and what the Wallabies must do

It’s hard to remember a set of four quarter-finals of this quality, showing just how good rugby can be when played at its best.

Ireland’s Johnny Sexton (left) and Tadhg Beirne celebrate after the Rugby World Cup Pool B win over Scotland.

Winning strategies for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

A deep dive into the performance stats reveals how the teams should approach these four matches between northern and southern hemisphere nations.

Rodrigo Marta of Portugal scores his team’s third try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Fiji and Portugal at Stadium de Toulouse.

A weekend of rugby drama sets up titanic quarter-final clashes

A match with two winners confirmed the Wallabies as the Rugby World Cup’s biggest losers, and sets up a mouthwatering series of Rugby quarterfinals.

Samu Kerevi makes a break during the Wallabies win against Portugal in Saint-Etienne on October 1.

Crunch games as Wallabies’ World Cup hopes hang by a thread

Australia still have a slim chance of reaching the quarter-finals if Portugal beat the favoured Fiji in the last round of group games at the Rugby World Cup.

Samu Kerevi makes a break against Portugal

Wallabies’ World Cup survival now depends on the team they just beat

After a bonus point win over Portugal, Australia’s hopes of staying in the World Cup now depend on the very same team winning well against Fiji.

September 2023

Australia’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Wales in Lyon effectively dumped the Wallabies out of the World Cup and sparked a wave of recriminations.

The future of Australian rugby is in Queensland’s hands

There is a solution to Australian rugby’s crisis that everyone can see, so why have years gone by without anyone doing it? It’s time for Ballymore to get on board.

Ruthless Welsh deliver disastrous day for Australian rugby

Australia’s record loss to Wales is a disaster for Australian Rugby and Eddie Jones could very well resign.

Do or die: Time for the Wallabies to step up against Wales

The world has got very ugly for the Wallabies since their loss to Fiji, and will get worse unless they bring the mongrel, determination and smarts needed to beat Wales.

Fiji’s Josua Tuisova on the way to scoring for Fiji in their win over Australia at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne.

Poidevin’s take: Wallabies hang by a thread after Fijian heroics

Australia were dominated by an inspired Fiji, and with key forwards still unfit that is a big headache for Eddie Jones.

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Wallabies captain Will Skelton is in doubt with a calf injury picked up in training.

Fiji’s globetrotters pose threat to wounded Wallabies

Fiji are like the Harlem Globetrotters of rugby and their stats against Wales will be a worry for Eddie Jones’ injury hit team.

Australia’s Ben Donaldson crosses for one of the two tries.

Donaldson bet pays off, England tactical masterclass

Former Wallaby captain and Rugby World Cup winner Simon Poidevin on what has been revealed in the opening matches of this edition of the tournament.

Ben Donaldson at Stade de France in Paris on Thursday ahead of Australia’s clash with Georgia.

The four weekend matches that will help decide the Rugby World Cup

Results in the opening games will play a big part in deciding who qualifies and in what order from all four groups.

Eddie Jones (far right) with Wallabies  at a training camp in April. Left to right: Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Andrew Kellaway, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper and Nic White.

For Eddie Jones, Wallaby salvation will come from ‘on-the-run’ rugby

Eddie Jones is trying to build a team that plays more intuitively, as teams did so successfully in the ’80s and ’90s.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/by/simon-poidevin-p53712