Wallabies V Samoa - Test 2011

[saulih]

Did any of the Wallabies that started the match not think that putting a few kicks in behind the Samoan giants was a good idea rather than trying to crash straight through them?

The contestable kick certainly seemed to be missing. It would have gotten the Samoans retreating to the ball, rather than advancing to the tackle. I for one would have liked to have seen how they responded to broken play, with a swarm of chasers pressuring the kick receiver. The game for me became quite predictable, with just a little more variation in the gameplan, I think the Samoans could have been opened up.

Mentioning kick chasers, reminded me of another part of the WB game which was completely missing: supporting runners. How many times did the runner breaking the Samoan line get isolated? Far too many from my recollection. That speaks to the in-urgency of the players. It is crucial for ball retention that quick recycling that this gets fixed. Players have to be ready to get down there and assist.

 

[saulih]

but what in the world was that behind the back pass?? about 5 feet forward.

I thought it was a slightly forward pass that was made to look a whole lot worse by coming off the head of one the downed Samoan players.

 

[Scotty]

If the SupeRugby final had not of been last week then I'm sure Deans would've fielded a full strength XV...

However, players need rest and it seemed like a good opportunity for fringe players...

What I have a problem with is their tactics, particularly as our forwards reverted back to ghosts...

Except that it doesn't explain why he fielded Gerrard instead of Beale.

 

[daz]

Except that it doesn't explain why he fielded Gerrard instead of Beale.

Sure it does. No offense to Mark, but it is better for him to be smashed than Beale. We need our stars for the bigger picture stuff, not a side-show.

Yes, I understand that a test is a test and we want to win them all, but no-one will give a rats about this test if we have serious silverware this year.

 

[Richo]

The only weird thing about Gerrard's selection was that kicking wasn't part of the game plan.

 

[Muttonbird]

Where's Bob Dwyer on this? Has he broken his pencil?

 

[vidiot]

He's figuring out how to blame the kiwis, or the kiwi ref, or something.

 

[Gnostic]

He's figuring out how to blame the kiwis, or the kiwi ref, or something.

He only has to blame one Kiwi.

 

[vidiot]

To be fair, there is almost too much there. Odd ball selections. No apparent cogent game plan. No answer when pushed. Blank responses in the interview afterwards.

 

[GC]

To be fair, there is almost too much there. Odd ball selections. No apparent cogent game plan. No answer when pushed. Blank responses in the interview afterwards.

IS ROBBIE A ZOMBIE? Well that explains it.

 

[drewprint]

What do we think of a McCabe - Fainga'a centre pairing for the next test match?

 

[GC]

What do we think of a McCabe - Fainga'a centre pairing for the next test match?

No - one or the other.

 

[drewprint]

No - one or the other.

I dunno, I quite like it. But I see it's already been suggested in other threads, so carry on folks.

 

[TOCC]

IS ROBBIE A ZOMBIE? Well that explains it.

im beginning to notice a trend in this team...

 

[grievous]

Or panic

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

No - one or the other.

Yep, my thoughts also. If AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) doesn't lift his game, one of those blokes will get his 13 jersey.

 

[qwerty51]

What do we think of a McCabe - Fainga'a centre pairing for the next test match?

I guess you don't want us to score any points at all!

 

[drewprint]

I guess you don't want us to score any points at all!

Haha. Well you'd certainly get the dominant tackling backline you've been wanting though qwerty!

 

[TOCC]

I guess you don't want us to score any points at all!

Whilst not supportive of that pairing, id imagine with JOC (James O'Connor)-Genia-Beale-Cooper all in the same backline the centre pairing will not be the focal point of playmaking.
There are enough ball players and distributors in those 3/4 that we dont exactly need ball playing centres.

 

[qwerty51]

Haha. Well you'd certainly get the dominant tackling backline you've been wanting though qwerty!

That's true but it needs some penetrative ability. If AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can't pick up his form, Horne would be the perfect man for the #13 job with McCabe. The opposition would be on notice running the ball.