Winter Tour; Wallabies v France Wednesday 7 July, Brisbane

[Slim 293]

I agree with reg that our tight five, including the bench players, all put in a very good performance...........

Valetini didn't provide as much impact as I would've liked, although he seemed to always be present putting in a lot of work off the ball.

Hopefully we can see a bit more cohesion in the backline for the next test, with a lot of mixed performances - a lot of good and bad from those players.

Koroibete once again great with ball in hand, but I would like to see him occasionally after eluding all those defenders pass it to the open man.

Preferably, I would not make any changes for the next match.

 

[Slim 293]

Failure to get the ball out of our scrum which led to turnover and a try to France.

To be fair, the blame for that one should fall on Wilson who failed to control the ball and it shot out from his foot.........

 

[Wilson]

I wouldn't be too quick to write off any of our forwards on that game alone. A few of them came out looking pretty flat, but given all the talk of how hard they were training and the need to build fitness that's not too surprising. The next two games should give a much better indication of how they're traveling.

Thought the 3 debutantes that got on all looked good, in particular Swain did not look at all out of place. Will be interesting to see what happens with the backline, Paisaimi and Koroibete were the only starters that really performed.

We looked so disjointed with Gordon at 9, I just don't see how he can start the next game, and I'd be pretty nervous if we started him in the 3rd if the series is in the balance. Should still be ok off the bench though, might do better when the rest of the team has had a chance to settle into the game before he comes on. Lolesio grew into the game and will likely get another shot in one of the other tests. To'omua was largely anonymous, I'm guessing will see Paisami - Ikitau if O'Connor is fit, otherwise it might be Hodge - Paisami in 12-13. Wright was fine but didn't show a lot so Kellaway, Daugunu and Muirhead are all a chance of getting a look in above him for the next two tests. Banks was ordinary but likely gets another shot, with Hodge the only other option in the squad to start at 15.

 

[cyclopath]

To be fair, the blame for that one should fall on Wilson who failed to control the ball and it shot out from his foot...

Yeah, that was a bollocksed up attempt to hold the ball in and win a penalty. Not sure why they were trying that in that part of the field when a reasonably quick ball and exit our half somehow looked a solid choice. Unless they thought the ref was playing an advantage, which he wasn't.

 

[Wilson]

To be fair, the blame for that one should fall on Wilson who failed to control the ball and it shot out from his foot...

Control at the back of the scrum is probably the biggest weakness in his game, it has improved since last year but it's something he still needs to work on. Wouldn't mind seeing him and Valentini swap spots for the moment, particularly if our starting scrum is otherwise the same.

 

[Tah Man]

A lot of negatives being focused on here. Personally I thought our lineout, scrum and rolling maul were excellent - the Dan McKellar effect!

Also take out the first 20 minutes, in which we were awful, we outscore the frogs 23 - 6 with a few genuine try scoring opportunities gone begging.

A lot to work on obviously, but certainly a lot to build on there as well

 

[Tomikin]

I take a lot of positivity out of that game. Was super impressed with that French side. While they haven’t played may tests I’d suggest they’ve played heaps more professional games (including 6 Nations U20s etc) than our lads. That makes a real difference.

Backrow was very good. Valetini still not quite imposing himself like we want but he was involved. I liked the work of both locks. Lots of dirty work. In fact I think the tight five all did their job early. It was a tough battle. The French really took it to them.

Gordon was messy. Loloesio still finding his way but I think he’s doing a terrific job for one so young. Paisami I’ll back. He looked our most dangerous back and I liked his kick to kellaway option. A few too many handling errors though. To'omua was fine. Not much more.

Fullback is a concern. Banks still not showing enough. Obviously a very shaky start to the game but his option taking his questionable and he just doesn’t pose a threat in attack.

Will be very interesting next team they name.

who are you and why you posting on GnGR with such balanced thoughts.

 

[wamberal]

Paisami is a try maker and a heart breaker.

 

[Tomikin]

I wouldn't be too quick to write off any of our forwards on that game alone. A few of them came out looking pretty flat, but given all the talk of how hard they were training and the need to build fitness that's not too surprising. The next two games should give a much better indication of how they're traveling.

Thought the 3 debutantes that got on all looked good, in particular Swain did not look at all out of place. Will be interesting to see what happens with the backline, Paisaimi and Koroibete were the only starters that really performed.

We looked so disjointed with Gordon at 9, I just don't see how he can start the next game, and I'd be pretty nervous if we started him in the 3rd if the series is in the balance. Should still be ok off the bench though, might do better when the rest of the team has had a chance to settle into the game before he comes on. Lolesio grew into the game and will likely get another shot in one of the other tests. To'omua was largely anonymous, I'm guessing will see Paisami - Ikitau if O'Connor is fit, otherwise it might be Hodge - Paisami in 12-13. Wright was fine but didn't show a lot so Kellaway, Daugunu and Muirhead are all a chance of getting a look in above him for the next two tests. Banks was ordinary but likely gets another shot, with Hodge the only other option in the squad to start at 15.

He really stepped up in the absence of Neville at the Brumbies, and has taken that fearlessness and skills into his test debut. The lip service, aggression and confidence was great to see for a debutant and the talk about wanting the Wallabies to be the best lineout in the world his now trying to make it so.

 

[Derpus]

A lot of negatives being focused on here. Personally I thought our lineout, scrum and rolling maul were excellent - the Dan McKellar effect!

Also take out the first 20 minutes, in which we were awful, we outscore the frogs 23 - 6 with a few genuine try scoring opportunities gone begging.

A lot to work on obviously, but certainly a lot to build on there as well

I wonder if it was just composure then. Because they did control the game fairly well, a few individual errors aside, from 20 minutes onwards.

 

[Joe Blow]

Ive said it before here and last night confirmed that Lolesio is still a fair way from being a serviceable test 10. He may never be one. There are a couple of other youngsters that look more natural in the role in a fast game. Every test is a fast game.

Gordon was gash, pure and simple.

I would retain that pack, maybe switching AAA and TT.
The backs need a major rebuild. If fit JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia, Vunivalu, Hodge and Daugunu come straight into the 22. Tate starts with Lonergan on the bench.

 

[Joe Blow]

*Of course White comes in if fit

 

[Tah Man]

I wonder if it was just composure then. Because they did control the game fairly well, a few individual errors aside, from 20 minutes onwards.

Yep, they struggled to hold onto the pill and build pressure. Let down by poor skills and shit kicks.

Christ, Scomo's vaccine plan has more phases than what the Wallabies put together in a row last night!

 

[Slim 293]

The backs need a major rebuild. If fit JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia, Vunivalu, Hodge and Daugunu come straight into the 22. Tate starts with Lonergan on the bench.

6 new backs to come into the 23?

Who are they all replacing?

 

[KOB1987]

I have little doubt Hanigan would be better than Valenti whomever he is. But Valetini is a class above Hanigan. FFS, get the names right will you. I might then take your comments seriously.

We're probably struggling to take you seriously as well seeing that you gave Banks 3 points on the 3-2-1 thread.

 

[Joe Blow]

6 new backs to come into the 23?

Who are they all replacing?

That might be a little steep but…….
Lolesio, To'omua, Kellaway, Banks, Ikitau(hes done nothing wrong but is not first choice), Gordon.

 

[TSR]

I don’t think Petaia is in the squad

 

[Joe Blow]

I don’t think Petaia is in the squad

He is but most likely not fit.

 

[Derpus]

Paisami did okay to get over the advantage line but he often chewed up all the space on his outside in doing so. We also went quite lateral generally and the straighter runs from To'omua didn't really get us over the gain line.

That backline is really missing a bigger body to run the old TK line.

 

[Ignoto]

6 new backs to come into the 23?

Who are they all replacing?

Banks and To'omua would be a good starting spot.

Wright didn't do much to inject himself into the game so I could see either Kellaway or Vunivalu going straight on the wing.