Wed 5 Nov 2014 | 04:29
Scrumhalf Augustine Pulu's thumping tackle on USA hooker in Chicago

10
Comments

The USA's 74-6 defeat to New Zealand was emphatic to say the least, and while early on in the match they appeared to match them physically, it was men against boys by the end. Never was it more apparent than when Augustine Pulu smashed the USA hooker.

A rare opportunity to attack down the wing gave the Eagles a bit of hope of scoring that elusive first ever try against the All Blacks, but replacement hooker Tom Coolican was forced to put the ball to boot, and demolished by Pulu in the process.

The Counties Manukau halfback was playing his first Test for the men in black, and made quite an impression with this particular shot, executing it perfectly as he knocking Coolican off the park.

Pulu was first brought into the All Blacks squad when Tawera Kerr-Barlow picked up a bad knee injury during their loss to South Africa in Johannesburg last month.

The 24-year-old was on the radar after a good season with the Chiefs, and some impressive outings for Counties in the ITM Cup. Coach Steve Hansen said he was an 'obvious selection'.

"The selectors have been watching Augustine for awhile, he is an exciting young player and we think the next obvious choice at halfback. We would like to congratulate him on his selection and we are looking forward to working with him," Hansen said last month.

While he's probably fourth choice if everyone is fit, he'll do well to continue taking the chances afforded to him, and at some stage will no doubt get a start against a top flight side. Even if he doesn't, this tackle will be a nice memory to hang on to for some time to come.

View highlights of the USA vs New Zealand

10 Comments

  • drg
    9:59 PM 07/11/2014

    Mate, I agree that facts are interesting but the US commentary is pretty well summed up by the Family guy cut scene with a sports commentator saying:

    "In my view, as good as the Yankees were in the first half of this game, that's how as bad they've been now."

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:40 PM 07/11/2014

    Grime, arguably one of the first 'true british' styles has a few references by the heavyweights... Wiley "On a good day freddie might have Durban" and Skepta "Rise up the cricket bat like Brian Lara" in response when they had 'Eastenders' soap opera 'beef'.. I'm sure there have been more... haven't heard any about rugby though.

  • jimmy23
    2:52 PM 07/11/2014

    I had to look up that cricket fact, and indeed there is a Compton Cricket Club. Amazing!
    Also found a song called "Bullets" by Cloth, which has to be the first cricket based gangster rap song ever?

  • 12:06 AM 07/11/2014

    Licence revoked good sir

  • 10stonenumber10
    8:36 PM 06/11/2014

    The commentators understand the game about as much as the average American sports fan, but with the added bonus of a copy of the match day program for reference. You feel like you have learned something, even if it is mostly irrelevant to how the game works. It involves fans in a 'comfort zone', from what i have seen, american sports commentary barely goes 10 seconds without a reference to some sort of stat, number, average, high school record etc. The stoppages in play let them 'fill in the gaps'. Rugby commentary is more continuous and uses a lot more words, but you need to learn the 'language' and rulebook properly.

    They are on the same level, if it was too technical people wouldn't understand, same reason Cricket never took off... except strangely enough in the home of gangsta rap, Compton, Los Angeles.

    Hopefully they will find a balance to keep both the die-hards and newcomers happy, until then, there is always the radio.

  • stroudos
    1:38 PM 06/11/2014

    I think these commentators are being a bit unfairly bashed. I have never learned so much information about the players' height and weight statistics in any other game of rugby. It really was quite informative.

  • drg
    12:55 PM 06/11/2014

    Yeh, the US commentary leaves a bit to be desired... The look on his face is hardly going to be written all over his arse now is it?!

  • 1:58 AM 06/11/2014

    Serves him right for kicking!

  • elvis15
    9:51 PM 05/11/2014

    Or until he can put away the boot at least.

  • drg
    9:38 PM 05/11/2014

    Revoke that mans front row licence immediately until he proves he can eat enough pies to bounce off any pesky 1/2's