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'Just give George the ball and see what he can do': Justin Tipuric hails 'absolute freak' George North ahead of his 100th Wales cap
Justin Tipuric has described George North as “an absolute freak” as he closes in on making Test rugby history.
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North, who suffered a scratched eye against Ireland last weekend, could reach a century of caps for his country when Wales tackle Guinness Six Nations opponents Scotland on Saturday.
At 28 years and 306 days, he would eclipse Australia captain Michael Hooper as the youngest player to achieve that feat by 42 days.
Even if North is not cleared to feature against the Scots this weekend, a clash at home against England on February 27 would give him the chance to bring up the landmark.
Only five other players – Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams – have featured in 100 Wales Tests.
“He is an absolute freak, let’s be honest,” Wales flanker Tipuric said.
“With us this season at the Ospreys it is a bit like when you are a kid – just give George the ball and see what he can do. That is how much of a freak he is.
“It’s great when you have one player out wide who can do anything in a matter of moments. He is that x-factor player teams need to win games and trophies.
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“I think the main thing is he has got a smile on his face and he is enjoying his rugby.
“Whenever I have played with him he has always given 100 per cent, and that is all you can ask for with any player, let alone one of the quality of George.”
Whether or not North features at Murrayfield, Wales know they have got a considerable task on their hands this weekend.
Their recent record against Scotland is impressive, with 16 wins from the last 19 meetings, but they will face a team fresh from inflicting Calcutta Cup misery on England at Twickenham.
Key architects of that famous Scottish success were flankers Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson, and Tipuric knows the back-row battle is going to be intense.
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“They are absolute quality back-rowers,” he added.
“They play so well together whenever we play against them, for Edinburgh or Scotland.
“They work hard and work hand in hand. When they are both on the field at the same time we know how tough a game it is.
“You know every breakdown, every tackle and every carry is going to be a tough one.
“Obviously, they (Scotland) are favourites for the game and aiming to win the Six Nations. They are playing at home and will want to continue (their form).
“We know it is going to be a tough game, so we need to go up there and make sure we perform to the best of our ability.”
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac will name his team on Thursday, and he must make at least four changes from the Ireland game as wing Hallam Amos, centre Johnny Williams, scrum-half Tomos Williams and flanker Dan Lydiate are all out injured.
Liam Williams, Nick Tompkins, Gareth Davies and Josh Navidi are their likely respective replacements, with British and Irish Lions back Williams returning from a three-match ban.
Comments on RugbyPass
Always reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
1 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
4 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
4 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to comments