Wilson Calls for TMO Protocol Change
All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson has urged World Rugby to change their TMO protocol, expressing frustration at the number of interruptions in recent Nations Championship games. Wilson said he was “frustrated” by the level of interference from video officials during New Zealand's 47-17 win over Italy and Australia's 42-26 defeat to France.
“I was frustrated, both with that game in Wellington and the game in Australia. The TMOs are now looking at reasons not to give tries, finding all of the little things which I think not just frustrate the players, the coaches but the fans,” Wilson said on The Breakdown. “You cannot be inside a stadium and not know what is going on, the fans have to know.”
Wilson added: “We went a long way in Super Rugby, we almost went to the extreme, but for me I found it frustrating that those two games in particular really lacked any flow. If this is what World Rugby wants, we’ve got an issue. When you start having these sort of stoppages, a delay for this and a look at this, and you go, ‘was that a neck roll?’ For me I find it difficult for any game to be entertaining and flow.”
Adams: Springboks Clash Will Answer Questions
Wales star Josh Adams says there is “no harder test” than the Springboks as he prepares to face Rassie Erasmus' side this weekend. Wales were convincingly beaten by Argentina on Saturday, failing to back up their opening Nations Championship win over Fiji. They now travel to South Africa to close their 2025/26 season against the Boks, who have beaten both England and Scotland.
“There's probably no harder test,” said the Cardiff wing after the Argentina clash. “It's certainly something that will test this group and it'll probably answer a lot of questions about where we are. How can we react from the Argentina game? The physicality, contact area, movement is all magnified against a team like South Africa so we have to be at the races.”
Adams added: “We can talk about lots of areas of the game, but we've got to move quickly, hit hard and stay in the fight. Those are the simple things we need to work on this week.”
Slade Credits Wilkinson for England Return
Henry Slade has revealed that advice from World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson paved the way for his England return. Slade’s most recent appearance before this month’s tour was against Argentina in November, a match he feared might be his last at Allianz Stadium. He has fallen in and out of favour under Steve Borthwick, but outstanding form for Exeter and injuries have propelled him back into the starting XV.
“My career has not been plain sailing, there have been ups and downs and times when I’ve had to come back and prove people wrong,” Slade said. “I speak to Jonny Wilkinson. He comes into camp and does a lot of kicking stuff with us. He’s been good to talk to about things and he said you’ve just got to control what you can control. You’ve got to believe in yourself and work hard and stick to the process and hopefully the opportunity comes around again.”
Slade added: “It’s all you can do because selection is out of your hands – it’s opinions and how other people want to piece a team together. For me it’s about how well I prep my body each day, how I turn up for training and how well I play for Exeter at the weekend.”
Pollock Sets Sights on Starting Spot
Henry Pollock is eyeing a starting spot in England’s back row after his hat-trick in Saturday’s 73-8 victory over Fiji. Former England stars Ben Youngs, Chris Ashton and Jeremy Guscott have called for Pollock to be promoted from his supporting role. Pollock himself shares that ambition.
“A big thing for me at the minute is wanting to get that starting shirt,” he said. “Steve said to me before the Fiji game to just go out there and be myself. I hope I did that and hope he saw enough in me. But at the same time, the depth in the squad is crazy good, so I’m happy with any role I’m playing as long as I’m in the team.”
Pollock mimicked Jude Bellingham’s celebration after his hat-trick and now has six tries in 12 Tests. Reflecting on his performance, he said: “It is like a unique thing where I’m able to back myself like that. I had the confidence and the ability to take boys on the outside.”
