Tui takes Bledisloe review into his own hands

Sun, Sep 2, 2018, 11:15 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Hulking prop, Taniela Tupou insists his hamstring is on the mend, hopeful of a first appearance in this year's TRC against South Africa. He and Lukhan Tui were at Norths Rugby in Brisbane ahead of a week-long Wallabies camp in Queensland.

The Wallabies are yet to dissect the Auckland Bledisloe thumping as a team but that hasn't stopped Lukhan Tui poring over the tape during his week off.

Tui was still carrying the ball with as much zest in the 80th minute as he was in the first at Eden Park and it's clear he has taken the 40-12 loss as hard as anyone.

Rather than kick back and wait for Monday's review the promising flanker took it upon himself to pick holes in his game ahead of a must-win clash against South Africa.

"We haven't had a review session but you could almost put money on it that a lot of guys would have sat down and watched that game," Tui said.

"I know I have.

"You can look at all the good things but you can look at 10 good things and then see one bad thing and you think about that bad thing more than the 10 good things.Lukhan Tui has established himself as a fixture in the Wallabies fold. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley"You can never be happy or content."

The self-prompted review session is a glimpse into the drive that has landed Tui as the Wallabies' first choice blindside flanker and the 21-year-old is feeling more comfortable on the side of the scrum.

"As you play more games you tend to be more comfortable and I'm enjoying it," he said.

"I'm enjoying being out there and putting on the gold jersey with the boys and ripping in.

"It's all about running hard and tackling hard for me but to be able to play alongside Hoops and Pocock is pretty special."

The "disappointing" results against the All Blacks will drive Tui and his teammates against the Springboks.


The Suncorp Stadium showdown will serve as a timely barometer for the Wallabies, who have have won just one of their last seven matches.

This South African side - aided by the influx of their Europe based stars - is a revamped outfit capable of going toe-to-toe with the best in the world.

They showed as much in a June Series win over England before splitting their opening two Rugby Championship Tests against the Pumas and the task at hand is not lost on Tui.

"Obviously (the Bledisloe) was disappointing but we have a big task ahead against South Africa back at home," he said.

"We're looking to rectify our last two games and move forward by getting a good win against a tough outfit."

The Wallabies face the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday September, kicking off at 8:05pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Channel Ten and RUGBY.com.au radio. Buy tickets here.

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