Wallaby coach John Connolly, after having watched his side sunk by two late Francois Steyn drop goals in their loss to the Springboks on June 16, is calling for the points value of the drop goal to be reduced to one point.
“I don’t want this to come across as a case of sour grapes, but I believe field goals should be reduced to just one point,” Connolly wrote in his column for Rugbyheaven.com.
“In saying that, I’m taking nothing away from South Africa’s Francois Steyn, who showed incredible courage and skill to slot two late field goals to beat Australia at Newlands last weekend,” Connolly continued.
“But rugby is about scoring tries and I can see a bigger focus on field goals if the laws are unchanged.
“Throughout history, some big games have been decided by field goals. Australia were booted out of the 1995 World Cup by a Rob Andrews field goal. We suffered the same fate eight years later. We all remember the value of the field goal Stephen Larkham scored against the Springboks to get us into the World Cup final of 1999.
“I wasn’t complaining then! But on a serious note, I would prefer to see the law changed.”
Connolly is also busy preparing his Wallabies for their Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks this Saturday – a challenge which he says is the toughest in world rugby.
“The All Blacks are the team to beat in the World Cup.
Mentally, you have to believe you’re good enough if you are to beat them.
“There’s not a doubt in this team’s mind we can after two close games last year, when we had a number of opportunities to put them away. After leading in Auckland and a narrow loss in Brisbane, there’s a belief we are indeed good enough.
“The biggest thing I’ll stress to the team is you can’t give the All Blacks chances. When England and France played them last year they controlled territory and possession. But after a simple mistake, a simple turnover, the All Blacks can punish you because they have more pace and skill than any other team.”
Australia host the All Blacks in Sydney this Saturday.
“I don’t want this to come across as a case of sour grapes, but I believe field goals should be reduced to just one point,” Connolly wrote in his column for Rugbyheaven.com.
“In saying that, I’m taking nothing away from South Africa’s Francois Steyn, who showed incredible courage and skill to slot two late field goals to beat Australia at Newlands last weekend,” Connolly continued.
“But rugby is about scoring tries and I can see a bigger focus on field goals if the laws are unchanged.
“Throughout history, some big games have been decided by field goals. Australia were booted out of the 1995 World Cup by a Rob Andrews field goal. We suffered the same fate eight years later. We all remember the value of the field goal Stephen Larkham scored against the Springboks to get us into the World Cup final of 1999.
“I wasn’t complaining then! But on a serious note, I would prefer to see the law changed.”
Connolly is also busy preparing his Wallabies for their Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks this Saturday – a challenge which he says is the toughest in world rugby.
“The All Blacks are the team to beat in the World Cup.
Mentally, you have to believe you’re good enough if you are to beat them.
“There’s not a doubt in this team’s mind we can after two close games last year, when we had a number of opportunities to put them away. After leading in Auckland and a narrow loss in Brisbane, there’s a belief we are indeed good enough.
“The biggest thing I’ll stress to the team is you can’t give the All Blacks chances. When England and France played them last year they controlled territory and possession. But after a simple mistake, a simple turnover, the All Blacks can punish you because they have more pace and skill than any other team.”
Australia host the All Blacks in Sydney this Saturday.
365 Digital
