Did Schmidt get it right with Wallabies squad?
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992
The last time the Wallabies won at Cape Town, in 1992, captain Nick Farr-Jones and his World Cup-winning squad played in a country filled with tension. The Springboks had been officially isolated from Test rugby for eight years due to the nation's apartheid regime, and the arrival of teams from New Zealand and Australia for two Tests was a tentative gesture of support for a country grappling with the transition to democracy. One year before Farr-Jones had lifted the World Cup in front of Queen Elizabeth, but according to many Afrikaners, it was a phoney prize. 'We went up to Pretoria [for a tour match],' Farr-Jones said. 'You've got a lot of Afrikaners up there and, of course, they [South Africa] weren't part of the 1991 World Cup, and my long-lasting memory is the Afrikaners coming up to me, recognising me, knowing who I was and basically to summarise, they would say, 'Congratulations on winning what you perceive to be the World Cup, and until you've beaten us, you've won nothing'.' In 1992, South Africa was stumbling on its first tentative steps to democracy as it attempted to transition from the institutionalised racial segregation of apartheid. Nelson Mandela had been released from prison two years earlier after 27 years behind bars, and talks between his party, the African National Congress, and the government were difficult. The invitation to New Zealand and Australia to play the Springboks in South Africa only came with the express blessing of the ANC. 'When I was a young fella, in the mid-80s, I always thought that sport and politics shouldn't cross over,' Farr-Jones said. 'But when I saw the pressure that isolation [in sport] brought on South Africa to change, I turned 180 degrees. 'I believe that that isolation was very important in getting rid of apartheid, that abhorrent culture, and so I went from someone who [believed] sport and politics shouldn't interfere, to someone that felt this was the right thing to do in isolating South Africa, economically and sport.' In the lead up to the game, Farr-Jones had the opportunity to spent time with Mandela, a man who he bonded with as a fellow lawyer and admired greatly for his courageous stance against apartheid. The Wallabies almost did not take to the field in Newlands, as the ANC and its supporters were unhappy after their requests for the apartheid-era national anthem and flag not to be used before the game against New Zealand were ignored.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992
The last time the Wallabies won at Cape Town, in 1992, captain Nick Farr-Jones and his World Cup-winning squad played in a country filled with tension. The Springboks had been officially isolated from Test rugby for eight years due to the nation's apartheid regime, and the arrival of teams from New Zealand and Australia for two Tests was a tentative gesture of support for a country grappling with the transition to democracy. One year before Farr-Jones had lifted the World Cup in front of Queen Elizabeth, but according to many Afrikaners, it was a phoney prize. 'We went up to Pretoria [for a tour match],' Farr-Jones said. 'You've got a lot of Afrikaners up there and, of course, they [South Africa] weren't part of the 1991 World Cup, and my long-lasting memory is the Afrikaners coming up to me, recognising me, knowing who I was and basically to summarise, they would say, 'Congratulations on winning what you perceive to be the World Cup, and until you've beaten us, you've won nothing'.' In 1992, South Africa was stumbling on its first tentative steps to democracy as it attempted to transition from the institutionalised racial segregation of apartheid. Nelson Mandela had been released from prison two years earlier after 27 years behind bars, and talks between his party, the African National Congress, and the government were difficult. The invitation to New Zealand and Australia to play the Springboks in South Africa only came with the express blessing of the ANC. 'When I was a young fella, in the mid-80s, I always thought that sport and politics shouldn't cross over,' Farr-Jones said. 'But when I saw the pressure that isolation [in sport] brought on South Africa to change, I turned 180 degrees. 'I believe that that isolation was very important in getting rid of apartheid, that abhorrent culture, and so I went from someone who [believed] sport and politics shouldn't interfere, to someone that felt this was the right thing to do in isolating South Africa, economically and sport.' In the lead up to the game, Farr-Jones had the opportunity to spent time with Mandela, a man who he bonded with as a fellow lawyer and admired greatly for his courageous stance against apartheid. The Wallabies almost did not take to the field in Newlands, as the ANC and its supporters were unhappy after their requests for the apartheid-era national anthem and flag not to be used before the game against New Zealand were ignored.
West Australian
9 hours ago
- West Australian
Super Rugby AUS: Wallabies great Kurtley Beale headlines Western Force squad for mini-tournament
Wallabies great Kurtley Beale headlines the Western Force's squad for the looming, four-week Super Rugby AUS campaign, with the 95-Test veteran set to extend his acquaintance with the blue jersey. Beale, who has played 10 games over the past two seasons for the Force — either side of a torn Achilles — is the biggest name in the 31-man squad named for the four-week tournament, which starts in mid-September. While the Force will be sans their Wallabies contingent for the tournament, Beale will be joined by fellow international veteran Darcy Swain, coming off the back of an impressive first season out west. Swain formed one of the best second row duos in the league alongside skipper Jeremy Williams, and earned a brief Wallabies recall before missing out on selection for the British and Irish Lions and South Africa series. Fresh off a similarly strong debut season, capped by an eye-catching showing against the British and Irish Lions at Optus Stadium, full-back Mac Grealy is also part of the squad. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will play his final games for the Force before his impending move to Fijian Drua, and homegrown talents Marley Pearce and Kane Koteka will also line up for the Force. They will be joined by fellow Force regulars Will Harris, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Max Burey, George Poolman and Henry Robertson. Divad Palu, who saw a potential breakout Super Rugby Pacific campaign derailed by a shoulder injury, has also been included, as has Australian youth international winger Ronan Leahy. Bayley Kuenzle and Nic Dolly are both unavailable as they recover from post-season surgery, while Harry Hoopert, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Doug Philipson are also unavailable as they rehabilitate knee injuries. Back-rower Papillon Sevele could make his Force debut for the first time in competitive action following knee injuries, while the squad also features 12 members of the Force's academy, including the club's Rising Star winner Albert Alcock. Acting Force head coach James Stannard, who will lead the side while Simon Cron takes a back seat to oversee proceedings, said there was a good mix of youth and experience in the side. 'The wider group returned to training a fortnight ago, putting in a good block full of hard work as we build towards the tournament,' he said. 'We're looking forward to playing some meaningful games at this time of year to help progress the ongoing growth and development of our playing squad. 'It's also an exciting opportunity for some of our younger members and academy players to play at a higher level as they transition into Super Rugby ranks.' Forwards Front-rowers: Albert Alcock, Ollie Barrett, Riley Brewis, Bradley Kuhn, Marley Pearce, Max Sawers, Tiaan Tauakipulu. Locks/back-rowers: Billy Browne, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Dane Sawers, Papillon Sevele, HD Stemmet, Darcy Swain, Mitch Watts Backs Half-backs: Luke Aiken, Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Finn Prass, Henry Robertson. Centres/back three: Kurtley Beale, Boston Fakafanua, Mac Grealy, Justin Landman, Ronan Leahy, Ryan McGloin, Divad Palu, George Poolman, Tiam Toufan.
