Wallabies v Leicester Tigers
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Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
I have to say that was the most embarrassingly parochial commentary I've ever heard on a rugby game.
At one point, when Australia won one of several defensive lineouts, one of them said that it was surprising that a team like Leicester was being pressured by a team as poor at the set piece as Australia. Groan.
At one point, when Australia won one of several defensive lineouts, one of them said that it was surprising that a team like Leicester was being pressured by a team as poor at the set piece as Australia. Groan.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Hahah that was a prize whine at the end.
Leicester was shite when it mattered. Sod off.
(PS I only saw the second half but Kaplan did look poor.)
vidiot
John Solomon (38)
I believe all the set pieces are the same. Scrum, lineout, haka.
Kaplan was Kaplan
The guy has no understanding of the flow of a rugby game, in any game there are 3 million potential infringements, he generally picks the ones that makes a game stutter.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Not even Deans would pull our best player for a new cap with the game in the balance.
observer
Tom Lawton (22)
Fair point
No flair from the centres, but it was pissing down and freaking freezing. Few of my tweets from the game:
Kaplan is still shit. Wallabies played very well, dominated long passages of play, scored 2 (almost 3) tries to none. Deserved win.
Massive positive was the performance of our forwards. Dominated the scrum and lineout (till Fainga'a came on), and massive at the breakdown
Real issue with Kaplan was he impeded a contest at the breakdown, so many times there were numbers early and no turnover, or pen to attack
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Honestly I would prefer to see Edmonds as Moore's backup this weekend...
He doesn't offer anything less than Fainga'a at this stage and can at least provide a little go forward with ball in hand...
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Indeedy. A good impact player.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Edmonds is also only bettered by Beale when it comes to regathering chip kicks and scoring tries...
Richo
John Thornett (49)
Excuse the double post from the TV Coverage thread, but I figured this probably belongs here...
First 30 minutes, Australia looked good. Leicester got on top for the middle 30 as the Wobs broke out in a rash of stupid penalties, but the last 20 minutes was all Australia.
A few thoughts:
Scrum -- Looked much better, although obviously not against top-flight opposition. Not just good hits, but held up well once the scrum stabilised.
Van the Man -- Played strong and hard. Steady in the line-out and looked me like he helped make the scrum nice and tight. Put in a few big solid tackles and hit-ups. If we want to beat England on Saturday, we'd do worse than starting Van. Doubt he'd be flustered by the big moment.
Rocket Rod -- Showed little. Limited ball in the second half, but even the first he didn't do much with it. Showed some pace, but never looked close to beating his man. Kicking game was pretty poor.
Sookface -- Really a mixed game. The commentators were onto him for his goal kicking, which wasn't great, but he's probably third in line for those duties anyway. Didn't show a lot of creativity on attack but was solid in defence (except for one occasion when he got steamrolled) where he shut down a couple of promising attacks by making the right decision coming out of the line. But in the last 20 minutes he showed his real value: a steady hand, great positional kicking, and percentage rugby. He played the full 80, so clearly he's not going to start against England, but hopefully he gets on to help hold onto a lead.
Slipper -- I don't know much about scrums, but the young fella looked great to me. More active in the loose than I remember seeing him, good with the ball and in support.
Hynes -- Meh. Solid under the high ball but had a couple of dodgy kicks in play. Not gonna threaten Lachie for the bench spot.
Burgo -- MoTM, to my mind. Also played 80, but pressed his case to come on even earlier than usual against England.
McCabe & A. Finger -- Didn't see much ball, but were solid when they got it.
First 30 minutes, Australia looked good. Leicester got on top for the middle 30 as the Wobs broke out in a rash of stupid penalties, but the last 20 minutes was all Australia.
A few thoughts:
Scrum -- Looked much better, although obviously not against top-flight opposition. Not just good hits, but held up well once the scrum stabilised.
Van the Man -- Played strong and hard. Steady in the line-out and looked me like he helped make the scrum nice and tight. Put in a few big solid tackles and hit-ups. If we want to beat England on Saturday, we'd do worse than starting Van. Doubt he'd be flustered by the big moment.
Rocket Rod -- Showed little. Limited ball in the second half, but even the first he didn't do much with it. Showed some pace, but never looked close to beating his man. Kicking game was pretty poor.
Sookface -- Really a mixed game. The commentators were onto him for his goal kicking, which wasn't great, but he's probably third in line for those duties anyway. Didn't show a lot of creativity on attack but was solid in defence (except for one occasion when he got steamrolled) where he shut down a couple of promising attacks by making the right decision coming out of the line. But in the last 20 minutes he showed his real value: a steady hand, great positional kicking, and percentage rugby. He played the full 80, so clearly he's not going to start against England, but hopefully he gets on to help hold onto a lead.
Slipper -- I don't know much about scrums, but the young fella looked great to me. More active in the loose than I remember seeing him, good with the ball and in support.
Hynes -- Meh. Solid under the high ball but had a couple of dodgy kicks in play. Not gonna threaten Lachie for the bench spot.
Burgo -- MoTM, to my mind. Also played 80, but pressed his case to come on even earlier than usual against England.
McCabe & A. Finger -- Didn't see much ball, but were solid when they got it.
Nusadan
Chilla Wilson (44)
Just back in from the local...
Thoughts....McCabe played out of position
Van the Man wasn't out of place
Burgo MOTM
Barnes difference between winning and losing, methinks...
Davies didn't get any opportunities to show his wares unfortunately
Slipper looks the goods
McCutcheon looks very handy, he should be given a start against Munster
As for the rest, they didn't either improve nor decrease their chances
Not a good look for the Wallabies as Giteau didn't come on at all...guess by using Richo's reasoning above, he will start against England
Thoughts....McCabe played out of position
Van the Man wasn't out of place
Burgo MOTM
Barnes difference between winning and losing, methinks...
Davies didn't get any opportunities to show his wares unfortunately
Slipper looks the goods
McCutcheon looks very handy, he should be given a start against Munster
As for the rest, they didn't either improve nor decrease their chances
Not a good look for the Wallabies as Giteau didn't come on at all...guess by using Richo's reasoning above, he will start against England
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