Wallabies v France, Brisbane, Sat 17th July, 8pm

[wamberal]

Does anybody know what the attendance was? Looked okay on the telly.

 

[tragic]

This is Hooper speaking in the post match presser, sounds like a little "this is what you miss when you go play in soulless, empty stadiums in Japan like I did. Heed my warning"

The atmosphere was fantastic - the crowd was really going off.
It’s such a good stadium.
Just wish we had a few better chants than Aussie Aussie Aussie.

 

[tragic]

Didn't Kerevi get penalised than later carded for similar at the RWC?

Yeah fair enough.
From memory I think it was a bit more borderline and almost simultaneous but consistency would be nice.
I thought the error was in the RWC call not the one last night.

 

[tragic]

Does anybody know what the attendance was? Looked okay on the telly.

From memory the scoreboard at the stadium said just under 35k

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ are crowds still capped at a % of capacity?

 

[Dctarget]

I found the high tackle on Paisami, happens at around 23:30 into the game. But the camera angle is way too wide to see anything and not good enough to zoom.

 

[Dan54]

The atmosphere was fantastic - the crowd was really going off.
It’s such a good stadium.
Just wish we had a few better chants than Aussie Aussie Aussie.

Great stadium,I really think if they get ground sorted it would be in top 3-4 in world. Well in my opinion anyway, I love it.
So easy to get in and out, great viewing etc.

 

[cyclopath]

Watched a replay of the game this morning. That was one of the most courageous victories I can remember from a Wallaby team, certainly in a very long time. They appear to be going in the right direction and for all the talk of how undermanned and inexperienced France were, our guys are a young outfit -- especially in the backs. Go back a couple of years and they would have folded with the red card, but on this occasion they stuck fat, believed in each other and adjusted.

The pack is coming along very nicely and there is some depth building too. I have to particularly call out Swinton's involvement from last night. I've been critical of his lack of discipline in the past, but he showed excellent controlled aggression in this game, exactly what you want from your blindside. If he keeps going like this he could develop into a very capable test player who makes blokes think twice about running down his channel. Swain also was excellent in all the areas you want a lock to be good in.

The backs are a work in progress but I'm particularly pleased with how Noah has continued to develop as the series went on. He looked a lot more assured last night and I think having Hunter next to him will be good too, he's got to be our 12 going forward. Like a few others have pointed out, Hodge again demonstrated his value as a utility and he gives 110% every time he's on the park. He's not got the natural gifts that other have, but he makes up for it in hard work and desire IMHO.

Finally, what can you say about Hooper. That was one of the best ever performances from him. He was everywhere, led the team well and his pace and skill had a huge impact on the team across the park. I've also been critical of his captaincy at times, but he did everything right last night.

I loved Swinton's cleanout of the French #2 where he applied just the right amount of verbal afterwards to let the French player know about it. He certainly doesn't hold back in physical confrontations, and if he can keep a lid on the stupid plays he could be quite an asset.

 

[Ignoto]

^ are crowds still capped at a % of capacity?

Nope, not in Queensland at the moment. Just had to wear a mask any time you're not in your seat.

 

[Derpus]

Confirmation bias - The press grabs the still that supports their belief.
From the front angle the contact with the elbow and forearm was on the chest and below the chin. The arm then slides up and pushes the head back

View attachment 12496

So, a penalty and not a try? You can't lead with your elbow. Argument for a yellow since it slid up and hit him in the throat.

 

[cyclopath]

So, a penalty and not a try? You can't lead with your elbow. Argument for a yellow since it slid up and hit him in the throat.

I think the framework dictates red card at the top end for leading with an elbow like that with contact to head / neck, but can be mitigated depending upon when the elbow is raised (pre or during / post contact). Surprising it wasn't at least looked at, given the ref and AR were within a few metres of it.

 

[Drew]

Noah looked a LOT more confident and I feel took charge last night.

I wonder what the change was? Maybe not having To'omua outside him freed him up to play his game? (I am completely speculating here)

Based on last night I'd love to see us stick with that 10/12/13 and build the combination.

I think Banks was good last night but definitely didn't blow the house down. I wouldn't mind seeing JOC (James O'Connor) play a test at 15 to enable us to keep Noah/Hunter/Len together but still have JOC (James O'Connor) in the team. It also give us a 2nd playmaker.

Like you say, It could be Lolesio not having a babysitter (ie To'omua) at 12 made him take more control. Harrison played with a lot more freedom at the Tahs without Hunt and Beale taking his spot at first receiver any time something was on.

 

[Braveheart81]

Confirmation bias - The press grabs the still that supports their belief.
From the front angle the contact with the elbow and forearm was on the chest and below the chin. The arm then slides up and pushes the head back

It shouldn't have mattered. It wasn't the ball carrying arm so it was a "hand off" or fend which must be with an open hand. This should have been a penalty to Australia.

If the French player had been carrying the ball in the right arm it would have been legal.

Kerevi's one at the RWC was wrong because it was his ball carrying arm which meant it wasn't an illegal hand off.

 

[whitefalcon]

Did they end up announcing a MOTM?

 

[Dctarget]

Did they end up announcing a MOTM?

I think you can vote on Lolesio, Hooper or Swain.

 

[Tex]

Such a great game. Probably one of the best captain performances I've seen in recent memory. Hooper was immense on the field and his chat with O'Keefe was on point, clearly knew the rules to an arcane level. He correctly called out the TMO for having missed the 2 phase limit for video referrals, which was insane considering the context and workload he'd put in. Anyone still carrying a shred of doubt about him should probably check themselves in for a proper mental health assessment.

Lolesio is developing well, as is Paisami. They both threw silly cut out passes with pressure on, which was disappointing, but in an intense game both held up well.

Re. the Koroibete card: disappointing but I knew it from the outset. There's just no leeway these days. I found myself yelling for their #9 to get sanctioned fter he lifted an elbow to Tate's throat, ala Kerevi vs Wales, but felt disappointed in myself. The rules are there for a reason and it's incumbent on the tackling player to void any grey zone. Big fuck to their captain for milking it though. Again, Hooper pointed out that he hadn't been referred for an HIA despite milking a red card for head high contact. Might have been canny to wait until the next break before pointing out the French and TMO hypocrisy but again, great captaincy and awareness to notice it on the spot.

At the end of the day it was a stunning win for the pigs and one of the more exciting series we've had. Chapeau all round, especially to the French who ate some covid shit sandwiches to get here and play. I hope they all shared a beer after because they were three matches played in excellent spirit and with exciting footy as the result.

Going to watch the replay again.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I loved Swinton's cleanout of the French #2 where he applied just the right amount of verbal afterwards to let the French player know about it. He certainly doesn't hold back in physical confrontations, and if he can keep a lid on the stupid plays he could be quite an asset.

Yes I enjoyed that too. The clean out and general security at the breakdown was improved in this game and Swinton's presence probably contributed to that.

 

[TSR]

Does anybody know what the attendance was? Looked okay on the telly.

Hooper appeared to know. Although I can’t remember the actual number he gave O’Keefe.

The man can literally do everything.

 

[Dctarget]

Hooper appeared to know. Although I can’t remember the actual number he gave O’Keefe.

The man can literally do everything.

He counted them in an instant.

 

[tragic]

So, a penalty and not a try? You can't lead with your elbow. Argument for a yellow since it slid up and hit him in the throat.

Yeah I thought a penalty and not a card but it’s a lottery and could have been anything depending on the referee and TMO in the moment.
That’s the problem at the moment - there’s no consistency.
The same offence can be anything from ignored to a red card.
Will be interesting to see the judiciary outcome on the MK incident.