Wallabies 2023

[John S]

Sixth, who gives you a better chance at winning? The team that lost by 3 points to Ireland, in Ireland, or the team that lost 43-12 to South Africa's B Team?

C'mon, give the Bokke some credit. That was no way a "b" team

 

[KOB1987]

C'mon, give the Bokke some credit. That was no way a "b" team

I think 7 of the Bokke players sent to NZ early played against the AB's - that doesn't mean they were the 'better' players however, horses for courses, Rassie is no doubt trying to figure out his WC squad as well. Regardless, the team we played against played much better than the one the ABs played - that side played like we normally play!

 

[Slim 293]

Ah your right, the first four games, I missed that he joined before and not after the first Boks game.

I'm any event, we would have lost that game if whoever was kicking at the time for the Boks could kick....

Point still stands, Laurie taking pot shots from the side isn't the wisest decision when he and the Wallabies were just as bad under his reign.

I don’t see it as pot shots…

He’s asked for his opinion and he’s given it as a coach, who is still assisting with Australia’s efforts this year.

And I still didn’t see anything wrong with what he said.

 

[stillmissit]

I’m not sure either. It looks as though he intended to instil a similar plan to that which he had with England initially, and it did not work. Let’s see what he comes up with now. Defence is obviously a big issue and that needs attention.
As always the basics of catch and pass along with holding on to the pill are problems as well. Discipline too. All the hallmarks of recent Wallaby sides.

Rome wasn’t built in a day

I think Eddie is on the wrong path with his 3 breakdowns max! The idea that we can break down the op D in 3 phases is tough gig, when we have poor D, the majority of the players are not pilferers and our players are caught between standing in the D or getting in the breakdown.

 

[fatprop]

Nah, it was clear.

That said, I actaully agree with @stillmissit in that I'm really starting to feel the idea of a 7 pilfer role is becoming a little dated. We're not good enough over the ball 1-15 and I made a comment/observation elsewhere that you can see some of the northern teams really building those skills in their juniors such as the U20's.

Oh, I agree the "fetcher" role is outdated and if the team isn't getting and planning for the dominant chop tackle with a follow up accurate clean out, any attempted clean out becomes a break even calculation between being "successful" and being penalised

 

[Bullrush]

It doesn't matter who our 7 is, they're not going to flip the scales on the entire forward pack getting completely bossed.

This is what frustrated me during the Pocock v Hooper era.

Pocock had games where he literally DID flip the scales.

Hooper has been a great servant of the game but IMO he is a notch below the legend 7’s we’ve seen in the past.

 

[stillmissit]

They lost 9 tests last year

Context matters.

First off, they also beat South Africa, Argentina, Scotland, Wales and England.

Second, they were beset with injuries and lack of availability of key players due to being overseas.

Third, they would have beaten NZ if not for the Reynauld controversy/timewasting. Similarly they lost to full-strength Ireland/France squads, on the road, by a combined 4 points. Include the loss to NZ and that's 3 losses to 3 of the top 4 teams by a combined 6 points. Yes, the point is to win the game, but margin of victory is an indicator of overall performance.

Fourth, if you watched the games you could see they were playing better and improving as the year went on.

Fifth, who cares about the Italy game when it is effectively an Australia XV.

Sixth, who gives you a better chance at winning? The team that lost by 3 points to Ireland, in Ireland, or the team that lost 43-12 to South Africa's B Team?

NA, What you are stating is my problem with Rennie's time and that was our inability to close the game out. We are developing a history of heroic failure or to add to that cliche, stealing a loss from the jaws of victory!

 

[PhilClinton]

Not sure if this has been mentioned in other threads - increasing speculation around Roosters releasing Suuallii this season, possibly in time for him to be included in Wallabies RWC squad.

Their season is pretty cooked at the moment and with a couple of high profile players coming to market, maybe they want to free up cash earlier.

I'm still doubtful.

 

[stillmissit]

Oh, I agree the "fetcher" role is outdated and if the team isn't getting and planning for the dominant chop tackle with a follow up accurate clean out, any attempted clean out becomes a break even calculation between being "successful" and being penalised

Agree, the cleanout is a specialised skill that needs practice until it is automatic.

 

[stillmissit]

This is what frustrated me during the Pocock v Hooper era.

Pocock had games where he literally DID flip the scales.

Hooper has been a great servant of the game but IMO he is a notch below the legend 7’s we’ve seen in the past.

What pissed me off in Pocock's time was he had to play 8 to allow Hooper to be a poor substitute for Pocock. It was a form of madness.

 

[Highlander35]

Not sure if this has been mentioned in other threads - increasing speculation around Roosters releasing Suuallii this season, possibly in time for him to be included in Wallabies RWC squad.

Now that would be something worth getting worked up about

 

[stillmissit]

I suggest that if Holloway is to become a good 6 he needs to lose a bit of weight and up the speed. Keeping the weight on as a possible row replacement is killing him at 6.

 

[qwerty51]

Not sure if this has been mentioned in other threads - increasing speculation around Roosters releasing Suuallii this season, possibly in time for him to be included in Wallabies RWC squad.

Their season is pretty cooked at the moment and with a couple of high profile players coming to market, maybe they want to free up cash earlier.

I'm still doubtful.

Umm he is no chance of making the RWC squad even if he was released right now. And I say that as a huge fan of his talent.

 

[Bullrush]

I think a lot comes down to rugby IQ. A large portion of our players don’t even watch the game recreationally they are more NRL fans, so don’t get the holistic view required at the highest level.

In the first couple of years of moving to Australia and while still playing rugby, I attended an end-of-season footy function and I could not get over how almost all of the players - particularly the younger guys - were watching a Raiders game instead of a Wallaby Test match which was on at the same time.

I don't know how true that is for the current crop of Super Rugby and Wallaby players but as a Dad with a 3 kids now playing the game, it is almost a requirement that we watch the games. All Blacks, Wallabies, the women's Tests (I have 2 girls)...I don't get how rugby players aren't watching.

 

[Misunderstood fan]

restated - we have the best prospect of a great 10 since quades early days (and where that went...) and we want to stick him at 12. let's develop him into a great 10!

10's don't grow on trees (or anything it seems) in Australia

On board. Carter Gordon is the most encouraging prospect we have had since Quade / Larkham. Keep him at 10 and DO NOT MOVE HIM.

 

[PhilClinton]

Umm he is no chance of making the RWC squad even if he was released right now. And I say that as a huge fan of his talent.

I don't think he will be released early regardless.

But if he was, I wouldn't write him off being brought into that squad. Eddie has been a bit rogue already with selections.

 

[dusk]

Umm he is no chance of making the RWC squad even if he was released right now. And I say that as a huge fan of his talent.

After ikitau's injury, i wouldn't write it off.

 

[Marce]

Umm he is no chance of making the RWC squad even if he was released right now. And I say that as a huge fan of his talent.

I agree and I also like the Bondi boys

 

[Bullrush]

I had an interesting conversation with a guy who has been around rugby for a long time. His view is we must get rid of Nic White immediately and bring in Tate McDermott because White kicks too much and always has done.

Totally agree re: Nic White. At best, he has always been a reserve Test halfback. I think he probably benefited from not having a lot of competition for the spot but now there is....

 

[Marce]

After ikitau's injury, i wouldn't write it off.

Sua'ali'i has been critized for his lack of defence at Roosters and you want to put him defending at 13 at international level? Lol