KOB1987
John Eales (66)
As I said, he didn't look comfortable under the high ball..if Beale had his game everyone would be calling for his nuts on a block..
EDIT: I'm not criticising his general play BTW, just that aspect..
England v Australia
- Thread starter boyo
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As I said, he didn't look comfortable under the high ball..if Beale had his game everyone would be calling for his nuts on a block..
EDIT: I'm not criticising his general play BTW, just that aspect..
Lorenzo
Colin Windon (37)
No, he isn't. His clearing kicks are fucking awful, his approach to counter-attack is more often than not jog-back-to-the-action unsure of what to do, and his passing is below average for this level.
He's a devastating runner in space but he isn't a test fullback.
For all the merit of having him there to diffuse highballs, we are still losing to teams that employ the highball as a primary weapon. It seems that it is easy enough to direct the bomb away from him.
He needs to be on the wing and we need a proper fucking fullback.
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Sorry Brother.. Should have caveated itDamn you Tomkin. I took your advice and now thats 90mins of my life I'm not getting back!!
Thanks for the tip.
T
TOCC
Guest
Of course, give me a minute..
Ta-da!
My next trick will be pulling out a tight head prop, another lock and a blindside flanker!
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
He did a job, he did get smashed once but mostly he had a good game.
I think his neck injury affected him alot. We need to look at others but in form his a good reserve
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Needs to work on his setup - don't like the way he puts his feet so far back after the bind. More prone to collapse that way and less able to generate power and extend into the loosehead.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Except we don't have a proper fucking fullback. Mogg would be the best option as he has the best tactical kicking boot in Aus, great under the high ball and can pass the ball well. But then he is just as bad as Beale into contact, tackles like a girl, and when he's off, he's really off. I'd rather not see him in gold anytime soon.
Falou does some very good things, combined with some poor things. But I think we need to persist with him, because who else is there?
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Should I have prefaced this post with "Psssst! (Could you all come in a little closer please, I don't want Mr Doug to hear this)!"?
Lorenzo
Colin Windon (37)
We have literally shuffled players through every other position in the backline this year. There have been multiple starters at 9-14, but not 15.
We could conceivably play AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), JOC (James O'Connor) or Mogg in the 15 position.
The world cup is going to require a lot more tactical kicking than we are capable of right now, especially at the fullback position.
Otherwise, what's the solution to getting pinned in our own half? Hope we can run it out? Last night the solution was "concede points then go to kick off". Is that really our strategy?
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
My thoughts on this game, and that could be extrapolated for the tour.
1. Defence - after a shaky start the system is starting to work well. The English, Welsh and Irish had a real problem breaking it down and didn't really make breaks of their own, being tackled on or around the gain line. All their yards came from kicking, and that moves onto a fundamental flaw in the Wallabies.
2. Back three - the only fullback/back three player in Australia that can kick, as mentioned above, is Mogg. The problem is the bad aspects of his game. Why is it that even though this problem has been apparent since before the 2011 RWC, it has not been addressed? How is it that individual players like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) who has been in the system for so long has not improved in key aspects of his game (his passing is still woeful in general as his propensity to ball hog). How can a player come frm AFL and not be able to kick both long and accurately? This allows a Jake Ball approach to be so dominant against the Wallabies as they really only have one option when they take the kick from the opposition and the defensive set up of the opposition proves it, they send through one chaser on the kick receiver to pressure but then just line up behind with nobody really deep as they know no return kick will be coming. There is no complete game available to the Wallabies because of fundamental skill deficits in the Wallabies. People may blame Chieka for selections of the back three but point me to a player in Australia who could rectify this flaw.
3. The scrum, as I posted on the scrum thread, WTF has Blades done in his time with the Wallabies? Players like Alexander have not improved at all since he came into the setup. His leg positioning remains terrible as it has been his whole career. It is easy to blame him for it, but I doubt he goes into a test wanting to get reamed and humiliated and would welcome additional feedback to allow him to unleash his undoubted strength (I am amazed he can compete against some of the best props in the would with such a woeful set up). The entire pack is just far too inconsistent in the setup. It is compromising them from the start.
4. The Backrow - it was obvious that Chieka was hunting for a 6 all tour. Maybe that will be Jones. It certainly isn't McMahon. There is no balance, as so many have noted across the backrow. There is no complete coverage of the skill sets required in the backrow three, similar to the lack of coverage in the required skill sets for the back three of 11,15 &14.
For me the Wallabies were on a hiding to nothing with the resignation of Link. Even though this tour is a considerable failure in terms of results there are some positive we can look for.
1. Defence - if the Wallabies had somebody who could kick in the back three, and some actual pace (Speight is filling that whole but more is needed) the offensive kicking game from the NH opposition would be challenged and likely changed.
2. The attack - with some improvements in skills execution and a couple of personel changes in the squad I think they will be a far more dangerous side than anything seen under Link or Deans.
3. Chieka - he has had four tests/five games to totally bed in a radically new system. It has worked to some degree, and I think the Wallabies are a far better chance of getting out of the Pool stages of the RWC than they were two months ago. I am given this confidence because the side as it stands offers more threat and his comments before and after the game are telling us that he sees the forward issues and will be bringing in coaching that will fix those issues.
1. Defence - after a shaky start the system is starting to work well. The English, Welsh and Irish had a real problem breaking it down and didn't really make breaks of their own, being tackled on or around the gain line. All their yards came from kicking, and that moves onto a fundamental flaw in the Wallabies.
2. Back three - the only fullback/back three player in Australia that can kick, as mentioned above, is Mogg. The problem is the bad aspects of his game. Why is it that even though this problem has been apparent since before the 2011 RWC, it has not been addressed? How is it that individual players like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) who has been in the system for so long has not improved in key aspects of his game (his passing is still woeful in general as his propensity to ball hog). How can a player come frm AFL and not be able to kick both long and accurately? This allows a Jake Ball approach to be so dominant against the Wallabies as they really only have one option when they take the kick from the opposition and the defensive set up of the opposition proves it, they send through one chaser on the kick receiver to pressure but then just line up behind with nobody really deep as they know no return kick will be coming. There is no complete game available to the Wallabies because of fundamental skill deficits in the Wallabies. People may blame Chieka for selections of the back three but point me to a player in Australia who could rectify this flaw.
3. The scrum, as I posted on the scrum thread, WTF has Blades done in his time with the Wallabies? Players like Alexander have not improved at all since he came into the setup. His leg positioning remains terrible as it has been his whole career. It is easy to blame him for it, but I doubt he goes into a test wanting to get reamed and humiliated and would welcome additional feedback to allow him to unleash his undoubted strength (I am amazed he can compete against some of the best props in the would with such a woeful set up). The entire pack is just far too inconsistent in the setup. It is compromising them from the start.
4. The Backrow - it was obvious that Chieka was hunting for a 6 all tour. Maybe that will be Jones. It certainly isn't McMahon. There is no balance, as so many have noted across the backrow. There is no complete coverage of the skill sets required in the backrow three, similar to the lack of coverage in the required skill sets for the back three of 11,15 &14.
For me the Wallabies were on a hiding to nothing with the resignation of Link. Even though this tour is a considerable failure in terms of results there are some positive we can look for.
1. Defence - if the Wallabies had somebody who could kick in the back three, and some actual pace (Speight is filling that whole but more is needed) the offensive kicking game from the NH opposition would be challenged and likely changed.
2. The attack - with some improvements in skills execution and a couple of personel changes in the squad I think they will be a far more dangerous side than anything seen under Link or Deans.
3. Chieka - he has had four tests/five games to totally bed in a radically new system. It has worked to some degree, and I think the Wallabies are a far better chance of getting out of the Pool stages of the RWC than they were two months ago. I am given this confidence because the side as it stands offers more threat and his comments before and after the game are telling us that he sees the forward issues and will be bringing in coaching that will fix those issues.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Two things I did notice about the English scrum this week. They do not strike the ball (Hooker strike). They walk over it. When the Wallabies held their initial push the ball sat there and they did not attempt to strike.
Secondly David Wilson the English THP bond onto Slipper's arm at every scrum we had a view of. Exactly the offence that Al Baxter finished his career on, in the same manner. Slipper yelled and gestured at the ref and the touch judge numerous times but nothing was done and Wilson was not spoken to.
Now the Wallabies scrum was well and truly beaten and they retreated quite obviously, but these types of offences going totally unpoliced gives weight to the theory that the Wallabies are being judged on reputation.
Secondly David Wilson the English THP bond onto Slipper's arm at every scrum we had a view of. Exactly the offence that Al Baxter finished his career on, in the same manner. Slipper yelled and gestured at the ref and the touch judge numerous times but nothing was done and Wilson was not spoken to.
Now the Wallabies scrum was well and truly beaten and they retreated quite obviously, but these types of offences going totally unpoliced gives weight to the theory that the Wallabies are being judged on reputation.
tragic
John Solomon (38)
To be fair if a change is suggested at the moment there's 50% chance the positional change will invoke a waratah. Its just a numbers thing.
I agree it would be nice to set the conspiracy theories aside in the name of finding a way forward for a team thats consistently losing.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think the poms sensed a weakness in Slipper's ball carrying - 2 strips.
We are too deep off phase ball - that is compounding the lack of dominance in the pigs.
Cooper flattened everything up and we looked a lot better.
We are too deep off phase ball - that is compounding the lack of dominance in the pigs.
Cooper flattened everything up and we looked a lot better.
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
Some time?
He's had the job a month!
You wouldn't expect him to take the job,and immediately pot some of the squad would you?
Jason Little
Bob McCowan (2)
THE GOOD:
-Foley's style of attacking the line has been targeted, but To'omua compensated, against England at least. There are big holes in such rushing defence when you can get to the line quicker than the defence. When the Reds won the Super XV, the combination of Genia, Cooper, Ioane & Samu demonstrated how effective that can be.
-Foley has the nerve. I hope he can find more space next year if he is going to play the Larkham style 10 game. I hope Bernie takes up the offer from Cheik and works closely with the new Bernie.
-Phipps is turning into a very good halfback, and combinations with his Waratah mates are having an impact. At the Rebels, he had a great understanding with Kurtley & JOC (James O'Connor). He needs time with Quade, as Genia does with Foley.
-There is more ball in hand and a growing absence of rubbish kicks. The backs always look dangerous. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is much better in the centres than on the wing. We need our wingers to be able to break tackles and run faster than locks like Courtney Lawes. If choosing ball in hand, the fat boys need to get out of the backline, especially when behind the gain line. We are not short on talent in the backs.
-Folau remains the most dangerous runner in the game and the only Wallaby who can consistently take the high ball.
THE BAD:
-Kick off. We are ALWAYS under pressure when kicked off to, and NEVER put pressure on the other side when kicking off. Every time we score, I get mixed emotions as I dread the restart.
-Tactics. The ONE tactic that gets the Wallabies into the right frame of mind is to start like a locomotive. Bustle from the word go. It almost beat the AB's, and has done so in the past. Play like the Tahs in the first half of the Super XV final. By running the opposition forwards ragged early on, they tend to be not so dominant at the scrum and maul later in the game.
-Tactics (2). The Northern Hemisphere consistently uses the same tactics on us and have done so since pre-Deans. Dominant scrum. Rolling maul. High ball. Again & again. And we still give them little cause to scratch their heads. Why don't we try to tire their forwards and use counter-attack, like the AB's, as a real weapon? Folau will catch it, so spread it quickly.
-Panic. We've learned that holding onto the ball isn't so bad after all, so why go into a shell and inevitably make bad decisions to protect a slim lead?
-Although the opposition didn't take too much advantage, we looked very thin on many occasions out on the wing and were always in danger of an overlap.
-Lack of idea's in Opposition 22. Just about every top 8 side are finding it easy to score against us when they put the ball into the corner, yet the Wallabies are unable to do the same. The forwards need a set plan and the backs several set plans relating to in which area of the field each should be utilised.
-Discipline. It's getting better, but if you're Ben McCalman and stand in the way of a kick chase you should know that 80,000 Poms are going to ensure there is a penalty whether you think you're entitled to stand your ground or not.
THE UGLY:
-Beards. Get rid of them. It's hotter for one and it doesn't scare too many opposition players either. Same with the haircuts. I'm sure Henry could run faster without all that fluff going on and Hooper could conserve a little energy by not having to get the hair out of his eyes every 3 seconds.
-The Rules concerning the highball. Sort it out IRB! Defending players are having their arms pulled back and attacking players are getting binned. What did Cornal Hendricks do wrong against Wales? Sins Bins are a big deal in big games. It's a mess. And if you are going to bin someone, then wait until the momentum is over. Too many bin infringements give the defenders time to re-group and it's 3 points instead of 7 too often.
-Foley's style of attacking the line has been targeted, but To'omua compensated, against England at least. There are big holes in such rushing defence when you can get to the line quicker than the defence. When the Reds won the Super XV, the combination of Genia, Cooper, Ioane & Samu demonstrated how effective that can be.
-Foley has the nerve. I hope he can find more space next year if he is going to play the Larkham style 10 game. I hope Bernie takes up the offer from Cheik and works closely with the new Bernie.
-Phipps is turning into a very good halfback, and combinations with his Waratah mates are having an impact. At the Rebels, he had a great understanding with Kurtley & JOC (James O'Connor). He needs time with Quade, as Genia does with Foley.
-There is more ball in hand and a growing absence of rubbish kicks. The backs always look dangerous. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is much better in the centres than on the wing. We need our wingers to be able to break tackles and run faster than locks like Courtney Lawes. If choosing ball in hand, the fat boys need to get out of the backline, especially when behind the gain line. We are not short on talent in the backs.
-Folau remains the most dangerous runner in the game and the only Wallaby who can consistently take the high ball.
THE BAD:
-Kick off. We are ALWAYS under pressure when kicked off to, and NEVER put pressure on the other side when kicking off. Every time we score, I get mixed emotions as I dread the restart.
-Tactics. The ONE tactic that gets the Wallabies into the right frame of mind is to start like a locomotive. Bustle from the word go. It almost beat the AB's, and has done so in the past. Play like the Tahs in the first half of the Super XV final. By running the opposition forwards ragged early on, they tend to be not so dominant at the scrum and maul later in the game.
-Tactics (2). The Northern Hemisphere consistently uses the same tactics on us and have done so since pre-Deans. Dominant scrum. Rolling maul. High ball. Again & again. And we still give them little cause to scratch their heads. Why don't we try to tire their forwards and use counter-attack, like the AB's, as a real weapon? Folau will catch it, so spread it quickly.
-Panic. We've learned that holding onto the ball isn't so bad after all, so why go into a shell and inevitably make bad decisions to protect a slim lead?
-Although the opposition didn't take too much advantage, we looked very thin on many occasions out on the wing and were always in danger of an overlap.
-Lack of idea's in Opposition 22. Just about every top 8 side are finding it easy to score against us when they put the ball into the corner, yet the Wallabies are unable to do the same. The forwards need a set plan and the backs several set plans relating to in which area of the field each should be utilised.
-Discipline. It's getting better, but if you're Ben McCalman and stand in the way of a kick chase you should know that 80,000 Poms are going to ensure there is a penalty whether you think you're entitled to stand your ground or not.
THE UGLY:
-Beards. Get rid of them. It's hotter for one and it doesn't scare too many opposition players either. Same with the haircuts. I'm sure Henry could run faster without all that fluff going on and Hooper could conserve a little energy by not having to get the hair out of his eyes every 3 seconds.
-The Rules concerning the highball. Sort it out IRB! Defending players are having their arms pulled back and attacking players are getting binned. What did Cornal Hendricks do wrong against Wales? Sins Bins are a big deal in big games. It's a mess. And if you are going to bin someone, then wait until the momentum is over. Too many bin infringements give the defenders time to re-group and it's 3 points instead of 7 too often.
Benaud
Tom Lawton (22)
I was waiting for them to start just knocking it on deliberately for the almost certain penalty from the resulting scrum. Lineout, rolling maul, another penalty, ad infinitum.
I don't think it's a problem we can fix in a year. We have barely put a dent in it in the last 20. The issue is at least half the guys play league growing up so their first real coaching in the scrum is after they leave school. By then it's too late. Given the dominance of league in Aus, the scrum will likely always be a weakness we try to avoid. Rolling mauls ditto.
In the same vein, our league culture means our backs all have incredible running games, which is how we counter it. The trick is being able to maximise the effect of those running games by giving them space to work with and having at least one of them capable of kicking well when required.
To what extent can our amazing backline plays compensate for our forwards being battered? I guess we'll find out in the Cup. Despite this EOYT with a new coach, I still think the only teams likely to beat us then are our tri nations counterparts.
maxdacat
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
maxdacat
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
True but where is the odd well-placed high ball with a decent chase....would've come in handy last night.
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