Ryan Lonergan's rise to Wallabies first-choice No.9 has been built on consistency — and this piece traces one unexpectedly specific reason for it. After struggling with grip in wet conditions using standard strapping tape, Lonergan picked up a Japanese taping product from Barbarians teammate Kaito Shigeno in 2023, and has used it ever since. He credits it with giving him the reliable pass in sweaty match conditions that underpins his distribution game. Combine that with a renewed love of goalkicking — 30 from 34 this season — and it goes some way to explaining why he was the standout in the Wallabies' 42-38 win over the Boks in Perth, converting seven of eight attempts. With the All Blacks Test at Eden Park next, the piece also picks up Lonergan's read on Cam Roigard and the threat he poses around the ruck and set-piece.
The Japanese tip that's sharpening Lonergan's edge against the Boks
The piece profiles how Lonergan's grip technique — courtesy of a Japanese scrumhalf's tip in 2023 — has underpinned his consistent goalkicking and distribution form, including his starring role in the Wallabies' four-point win over the Boks in Perth.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Gelant not treating Barbarians clash as Bok audition
Warrick Gelant, the only Springbok in the Barbarians squad for the June 20 clash against South Africa in Gqeberha, says he will not treat the match as a Bok trial, insisting the experience with the invitational side stands on its own merits.
Contepomi: Boks have cracked the balance — and that's what makes them dangerous
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger lies in their evolving balance between forward dominance and expansive attack — and flags sustained possession as the best way to exploit their defence.
Robertson warns rivals: fall into the Boks' blueprint and you're caught in the matrix
Robertson's post-match verdict after the Baa-Baas' 80-31 loss doubles as a scouting warning: get caught in the Boks' scrum-and-maul cycle and the game is over before you realise it. Contepomi adds that South Africa's attacking evolution makes them even harder to approach defensively.
Mallett: Robertson's Barbarians role is breathing space, not redemption
Mallett argues Robertson's Barbarians role is about recovery, not reinvention — and expects the Boks to win comfortably in Gqeberha.