Blyth knows storm is coming
ANGUS Blyth acknowledges the Junior Wallabies’ pair of runaway victories at the Oceania Rugby Under-20 Championship has presented them with an unusual challenge.
Australia have barely been tested so far at Bond University, dishing out floggings to Fiji and Tonga by scorelines of 51-5 and 91-7, respectively.
The standard of their opposition will spike tonight though, when they meet New Zealand in a 7pm kick-off.
New Zealand, who have never failed to win the Oceania trophy, have been similarly dominant in their opening matches with winning margins of 97 and 40 points.
It all makes for a somewhat strange build-up to the big trans-Tasman showdown.
“It will be tough not to get ahead of ourselves with these two big wins against Tonga and Fiji,” Blyth said.
“We definitely have a chance I believe. If everything goes right for us, we shouldn’t go too bad.
“We haven’t really been focusing on our attack or our scoring ability as much. We’re sort of letting that happen naturally.
“We have been focusing more on our exits and defence, getting that stuff right which I think shows with only two tries (conceded), one try against each team.”
The second-rower played off the bench in the corresponding match last year when the Junior Wallabies were thrashed 43-6.
With the archrivals to meet in the group stage of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship early next month, the result here could prove a doublewhammy as an early psychological blow for the France-based tournament.
“That’s when it all counts really, so if we get one up on them here, we’ll be in good stead for the World Cup,” Blyth said.
WE DEFINITELY HAVE A CHANCE. IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT FOR US, WE SHOULDN’T GO TOO BAD ANGUS BLYTH
The 20-year-old’s progression to status as a key forward for the Junior Wallabies comes after he penned a new Queensland Reds deal tying him to the Super Rugby franchise until the end of 2020.
“I’m loving it,” he said. “Everything is falling into place and I have just got to keep working on my game and not get ahead of myself.”
The title match will follow a third place playoff between Fiji and Tonga from 5pm.