RWC 2015

[Hugh Jarse]

We may have played poorly on the Northern Tour. IMHO that means little WRT games that will be played in a years time.

The potential is definitely there for the Men in Gold to go quite far in the RWC15. Anyone thinking otherwise is a miseryguts pessimist who listens too much to the naysayers and Chicken Littles that abound in plentiful numbers in Australian rugby.

The QF qualifiers are rather predictable from all pools less Pool A where any one of AUS, ENG and WAL could miss out on making it to the knockout stages.

From there on, it is anyone's guess who will progress to SF and GF. History has shown this, and will no doubt repeat in 2015, despite the rampant favouritism of The Darkness.

If anything, some of the recent victories by the NH teams may lead to some overconfidence from them. Teams often learn a fair bit from a loss, putting pressure on players to perform, and introducing an edge to training and preparation to prevent recurrences.

The Wobs are in a good place. Let's wait to see who is left after the Team Rehab Selectors tap a few players (worldwide) on the shoulder between now and RWC15.

If anything the recent NH tour games have shown how slim the margin is between the 2nd and 10th Seeded teams in World Rugby.

 

[Pfitzy]

If anything the recent NH tour games have shown how slim the margin is between the 2nd and 10th Seeded teams in World Rugby.

And that's a good thing.

But the South will have had a hard lead-in campaign and all four nations from TRC will make the Quarters, and probably three will make the semis.

Those dismissing us - particularly from within our fan base - will have a stack of crow to eat.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

And that's a good thing.

But the South will have had a hard lead-in campaign and all four nations from TRC will make the Quarters, and probably three will make the semis.

Those dismissing us - particularly from within our fan base - will have a stack of crow to eat.

That will be a saving grace for us I think. The opportunity to play against some serious contenders in the lead up will be good. If we do make it out of our group unscathed then that will also put us in good stead. We've got to make it first though.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Our lead-up games to the RWC appear to me to be Rugby Championship fixtures (Springboks in July, Argentina in July, All Blacks in August) plus one more Bledisloe match at Eden Park in August.
4 tests to bed down a RWC winning combination? It looks like the Super competition will have a very large bearing on Test selections.

Should have. But given the national coach also coaches one of the Super franchises, will he see enough of each franchise's players to assess thier potential or actual form before having to make his RC selections?

 

[TOCC]

I can't see Cheika been focussed on the Rugby Championship/RWC Wallaby prep if his team makes the super rugby finals again.

How man weeks between the Super Rugby GF and first Rugby Championship match?

 

[formerflanker]

I can't see Cheika been focussed on the Rugby Championship/RWC Wallaby prep if his team makes the super rugby finals again.

How many weeks between the Super Rugby GF and first Rugby Championship match?

From the SANZAR site: finals start 19th June; Final 4th July. We kick off our RC campaign on July 18 at Suncorp v South Africa.
2 weeks to prepare for the first Test, if the 'Tahs make the final.
Plenty of time! Especially if the Australian conference sides have a similar program to Cheika's. Just how he could do that I don't know. But then I'm not the Australian coach for obvious reasons. My spirit is willing but my mind is weak.

 

[Brumby Runner]

For mine, we need the following areas to be addressed if we are to advance:

1, Front row depth. Our starting props are proven and automatic choices, but we need some blokes to be their backup. None of our reserve props at the moment are of the required standard IMHO.

2, Second row partner for Rob Simmons. It's clear that Simmons is going to run the lineout, but we're still missing a "rock shifter" style lock to really up the level of physicality in the loose. I don't see anyone at the moment who is a slam dunk for that role.

3, A dominant eight. The Big Dog has done a fine job this season, but we're either going to need him to step up to the level of a Read/Vermeulen or find someone else who can. A big ball running eight is an absolute necessity in the modern game and whilst Cliffy is a good candidate, I think he's too broken now to be consistently effective at test level.

4, Sort out who is our best 10. It comes down to QC (Quade Cooper) and Foley. I think Cheika will lean towards Foley to be our five-eighth but I still think Cooper has much to offer in the Wallaby jumper. Hopefully both of them have excellent and injury free seasons in Super Rugby next year and give the selectors a real headache.

5, Pace at the back. Speight I think will develop into an excellent test level player, but that still leaves the other wing to sort out. As much as I dislike the way that JOC (James O'Connor) has carried on in the past, hopefully he can play the house down and command a position in the squad.

6, Depth on the bench. This is a general issue and one that has cost us games this year. The starters have done the job for many of the games (e.g. Cape Town) but the guys who have come on and replaced them haven't played up to the same standard. To a large degree injuries have influenced this, but the bench players will need to step up over the next year, given that it's really a 23 man game now.

7, Fitness to play the full 80 of Cheika's game plan. Cheika clearly wants to play a style that has bodies hitting the gain line at pace and quick recycling of the ball. I think it's a good strategy and one that can be successful at all levels of the game if executed well and the playing group understand how much more fit they'll have to be to do it. We see it in bursts currently, but to close out the tight ones the forwards in particular are going to have to be more aerobically fit than they currently are.

What I think is really going to be required, given the time available, is for Cheika and the other Super rugby coaches around Australia, to have a summit and the Wallaby coach outlining the preferred style of play and the requirements for individuals positions in that style. Ideally, you'd want each of the Aussie franchises playing something resembling those patterns in each case and training accordingly. Ordinarily I don't think this would be necessary (nor would I advocate it), but with the clusterfuck that 2014 has been with the squad, coaches and selections, it may be needed. I fully expect that others will vehemently disagree with this and accordingly I'd be interested in other viewpoints.

I agree that these are some of the main deficiencies that will need to be addressed. But will they be?

Front Row Depth - who are the frontrunners to be considered as replacements for Robinson and Alexander. Maybe Sio, Toby Smith and Faulkner at LH and PAE, Weeks and Holmes at TH. None are with the Tahs so will they get the required oversight from Cheika or will their team coaches fall into line with Cheika's ways to ensure they are brought on before the RC. Will be too late imo if Cheika only gets them for the four RC tests prior to the RWC.

Second row partner for Rob Simmons. Similar problem. With the exception of Will Skelton, the probable contenders again don't play with the Tahs, eg Coleman, Neville, Wykes, Arnold. When will Cheika get the time to coach them into his way in time for the RWC?


A dominant eight. Probably needs to be Cliff Palu. Who else is in the mix. Like you, I think McCalman has been very solid on the EOYT but is not the No 8 to put fear into oppositions. Another injury to Palu and we could again be left short for the RWC. Hopefully, Fotu Auelua will regain his best form and fitness in Super 15, but he again will be a novice in Cheika's ways.

Sort out who is our best 10. IMO this is probably the easiest conundrum to fix. Quade Cooper at 10 and Matt To'omua to partner him at 12. Would probably be the one area where Cheika will have to opportunity to get him (QC (Quade Cooper)) playing the way he wants.

Pace on the wing will probably come down to Speight, JOC (James O'Connor) and Tomane (maybe Cummins if he can return for the Super season).

Bench spots might become clear as currently injured players return to the field.

Fitness to play the full 80 minutes. About the only area I can see the provincial coaches can help, or would be willing to help Cheika, as it will be in their interests and presumably complementary to their own plans.

Will be interesting to say the least to see how the working relationships between Cheika and the provincial coaches works out in 2015 and whether that has any affect on the selections for the RC tests and RWC squad.

 

[Pfitzy]

Cheika doesn't have a laptop? Or a phone? Or a clue?

Fuck you blokes are talking some shit.

Cheika will get access to the Wallaby staff who aren't up to their arm pits in Super provinces, including stats, video, etc.

 

[TOCC]

I don't think its shit, i believe Cheika has taken on too much responsibility for 2015, head coach is a full-time position and leaving himself only 2 weeks between the Super Rugby GF and the first Rugby Championship match is far from ideal preparation, this will subsequently impact on the Rugby World Cup since the Rugby Championship/Bledisloe are only 4 games.

 

[RugbyReg]

Cheika doesn't have a laptop? Or a phone? Or a clue?

Fuck you blokes are talking some shit.

Cheika will get access to the Wallaby staff who aren't up to their arm pits in Super provinces, including stats, video, etc.

What Wallaby staff? Tah assistant coach Nathan Grey or Brumbie head coach Steve Larkham?

 

[Bairdy]

What's to say he initiates a succession plan at the Tahs and gradually reduces his duties to the point where Grey and Gibson are doing the majority of the coaching long before the finals?

 

[TOCC]

What's to say he initiates a succession plan at the Tahs and gradually reduces his duties to the point where Grey and Gibson are doing the majority of the coaching long before the finals?

Do you truly believe this will occur?

 

[Viking]

I hate to bring up the Tah bias, but it is a bit unfair for the players from other provinces. Every Tah player can basically be groomed to exactly what Cheika wants in his wallaby squad. For example Foley has a massive advantage over Cooper since Cheika will be working with him for an extra 15 weeks and Cooper will have to play the way the reds coach want him to play - which could be totally different to what Cheika wants in his wallabies.

 

[Bairdy]

Do you truly believe this will occur?

I would hope so.

 

[HighPlainsDrifter]

The Waratah's face a tough year as opposition Australian Super 15 teams/ players lift to stake their claims for RWC selection in front of both coaches .... The upcoming season should be a cracker.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Cheika doesn't have a laptop? Or a phone? Or a clue?

Fuck you blokes are talking some shit.

Cheika will get access to the Wallaby staff who aren't up to their arm pits in Super provinces, including stats, video, etc.

Leaving aside the question of who those Wallaby staff are, can we really believe Cheika will be able to influence the way certain players are training and progressing via laptop, phone or smoke signal?

 

[cyclopath]

Leaving aside the question of who those Wallaby staff are, can we really believe Cheika will be able to influence the way certain players are training and progressing via laptop, phone or smoke signal?

Do you really think provincial coaches would play their squad differently to their plans just because the Wallaby coach asks? We've seen precious little evidence in recent seasons of this, I can't imagine why they'd start now. Look at how Larkham plays To'omua and Leali'ifano. Super Rugby coaches will do what's best for them. Always have. I don't recall anyone bending to Deans' or McKenzie's will in seasons past.
The situation isn't ideal, but he, and his assistants, will see plenty of players. Lots of Super Rugby games to watch each week.
Anyway, the conspiracy theorists won't be convinced, so not sure why I bother.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Leaving aside the question of who those Wallaby staff are, can we really believe Cheika will be able to influence the way certain players are training and progressing via laptop, phone or smoke signal?

There's also the question of what info the Australian coach absolutely should have eg GPS data from players returning from injury, that the opposition NSW coach absolutely should not have.

And that's not even touching the issue of the opposition coach knowing/suggesting player positions and tactics

 

[Braveheart81]

I hate to bring up the Tah bias, but it is a bit unfair for the players from other provinces. Every Tah player can basically be groomed to exactly what Cheika wants in his wallaby squad. For example Foley has a massive advantage over Cooper since Cheika will be working with him for an extra 15 weeks and Cooper will have to play the way the reds coach want him to play - which could be totally different to what Cheika wants in his wallabies.

It's a silly assumption to think that Cheika would sabotage the most illustrious job of his career by not selecting the best players in the country.

Cheika is on a hiding to nothing this RWC given how late in the piece he's taken over. He's contracted for two years past the RWC but will be dying to stay in the job to get another crack at 2019.

Thinking that his priority won't be to do as well as possible with the Wallabies seems well into tinfoil hat territory.

The players know what Cheika expects of them particularly in regards to fitness and physicality and there is no reason that they can't excel in that area regardless of which province they play for. The scrum is a huge weakness so players forming part of a dominant scrum at Super Rugby level will also surely be looked upon favourably.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I don't think its shit, i believe Cheika has taken on too much responsibility for 2015, head coach is a full-time position and leaving himself only 2 weeks between the Super Rugby GF and the first Rugby Championship match is far from ideal preparation, this will subsequently impact on the Rugby World Cup since the Rugby Championship/Bledisloe are only 4 games.

Yeah TOCC - agree

I reckon he should leave the Tahs floundering and concentrate on the big job ahead. Is he on double salary ??????

Go the Reds