Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Australia chief dismisses fears over Lions series

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Thursday, 12 September 2024 02:08

The Wallabies will offer serious competition to the British and Irish Lions next summer, says Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh.

Australia suffered the heaviest defeat in their 125-year Test history on Saturday when they were swept aside 67-27 by Argentina.

It was their third defeat from four games in this year's Rugby Championship and follows a miserable pool-stage exit at last year's Rugby World Cup.

"You can see the progress is there," Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald, external when asked about the team's trajectory before the Lions' arrival Down Under in June.

"It is not nearly where we need it to be, but if we keep progressing at the speed with which we have moved things in the last six months, then there is plenty of time."

Waugh believes the headline-grabbing scoreline against the Pumas hid the improvements that have been made during new head coach Joe Schmidt's six months in charge.

Australia, who defeated Argentina the week before, led 20-3 in Santa Fe before capitulating in the second half.

They were also within two points of world champions South Africa at half-time of their August meeting before losing 30-12.

"It is a team that is, and I hate using the word 're-building', but it is a team that is re-setting, and it takes experiences in big moments to get better," Waugh added.

"Obviously the enormity of the scoreline in that second half [against Argentina] was disappointing.

"But there is context that is important... we are not the most experienced team in world rugby, and we are building that experience."

Australia will complete their Rugby Championship campaign with Tests against New Zealand on 21 and 28 September, before taking on England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in the autumn.

Big-money code-crossing import Joseph Suaalii is set to be among the Australia squad that travels to the northern hemisphere.

Read 48 times

Soccer

Chelsea captain James suffers new injury setback

Chelsea captain James suffers new injury setback

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReece James has suffered another hamstring injury and will miss Che...

Miami's Gressel: Ties were 'unacceptable' to Messi

Miami's Gressel: Ties were 'unacceptable' to Messi

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMidfielder Julian Gressel said Lionel Messi demanded Inter Miami CF...

From Salah to Sterling, Ian Darke's most impressive and disappointing players

From Salah to Sterling, Ian Darke's most impressive and disappointing players

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIf the English Premier League ended today, who would be in the runn...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: NBA ASG to have pickup-style format

Sources: NBA ASG to have pickup-style format

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe NBA's new four-team tournament-style format for the 2025 All-St...

Chris Paul, Victor Wembanyama and the duo that could change the NBA

Chris Paul, Victor Wembanyama and the duo that could change the NBA

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIT WAS THE final minute in the first quarter of Chris Paul's presea...

Baseball

MLB focusing on media rights plan for all teams

MLB focusing on media rights plan for all teams

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- For Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, the...

Pirates hire former player Hague as hitting coach

Pirates hire former player Hague as hitting coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have hired Matt Hague as their...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated