qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I think it's fair to say Higginbotham failed. He already had a rep of not performing at Test level and with McCalman's form you can't possibly play him over Ben again.
Wallabies v. Springboks, 18th July 2015, Suncorp, Brisbane
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I think it's fair to say Higginbotham failed. He already had a rep of not performing at Test level and with McCalman's form you can't possibly play him over Ben again.
Lorenzo
Colin Windon (37)
You'd think playing 5 seasons in the NH would see him able to slot one from 40......
Marcelo
Ken Catchpole (46)
Cooper plays at 10 and Gits plays at 12 but Cooper plays like a centre, he runs with the ball in hands too much and Gits plays like a #10, he passes the ball quickly (at least tonight). So Giteau at 10 and Cooper at 12 would be a better combination buuut To'omua won a spot tonight so:
10 Someone
12 To'omua
10 Someone
12 To'omua
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Tell us how shithouse Horwill is again mate. You've been on the money there this season.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
If he didn't make that one nice break it would have been a pretty poor performance.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Probably doesn't help when you have Delon Armitage (55+) and Leigh Halfpenny (50+) (and Johnny Wilkinson for the first 2 years) at the club. Why should he bother lining up 40+ kicks?
shanky
Darby Loudon (17)
For me, that was primarily an exercise in coaching, rather than playing.
Cheika starts an experiment in the forward pack (loose vs tight) that he probably didn't need to do (according to the entire blog-world - and in order to accommodate Hooper, it seems).
In any case, it turns out that only the ABs can have a game plan that involves 1 forward at the breakdown and your 7 in the centres, and your 6 and 8 at the wings.
Once that silliness was resolved at about 45 minutes, and we started to play like a pack, then Gits and Cooper had a half decent chance.
The big point of difference (for me) was Phipps and To'omua, mainly in execution more than anything. I could put it down to having some competition for spots. To'omua played like a man possessed. Cheika deserves some credit for creating that environment.
In any event, I hope we stick with that second half team for most of the RC.
Special mentions for Simmons and for Mitchell who both played "Heavier" than they're given credit ofr (compliment, by the way).
Isn't it great to have some DEPTH in the front row? Woo hoo! Well done Greg Holmes and Sio.
A special shout out to Schalk Burger. Jeez, I love that bloke.
Cheika starts an experiment in the forward pack (loose vs tight) that he probably didn't need to do (according to the entire blog-world - and in order to accommodate Hooper, it seems).
In any case, it turns out that only the ABs can have a game plan that involves 1 forward at the breakdown and your 7 in the centres, and your 6 and 8 at the wings.
Once that silliness was resolved at about 45 minutes, and we started to play like a pack, then Gits and Cooper had a half decent chance.
The big point of difference (for me) was Phipps and To'omua, mainly in execution more than anything. I could put it down to having some competition for spots. To'omua played like a man possessed. Cheika deserves some credit for creating that environment.
In any event, I hope we stick with that second half team for most of the RC.
Special mentions for Simmons and for Mitchell who both played "Heavier" than they're given credit ofr (compliment, by the way).
Isn't it great to have some DEPTH in the front row? Woo hoo! Well done Greg Holmes and Sio.
A special shout out to Schalk Burger. Jeez, I love that bloke.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
No way. I have been a huge fan/supporter of Quades, but his kicking tonight was just abysmal. Almost every one fielded by the Saffas and returned with interest to the Wallabies' end of the field. Nearly every one of Quade's kicks ended in a net loss of field position.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Palu will play when fit.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Horwill shit house...
Really
He made the difference to the scrum....Skelton a liability in the scrum
Really
He made the difference to the scrum....Skelton a liability in the scrum
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Maybe but McCalman's form on the EOYT and Super deserves a start first. Palu could be a good option off the bench if Pocock & Hooper start.
something
Jim Clark (26)
5 things i liked from this game (in order)
1. Pocock and Hooper worked really fucking well together
2. a GOOD reserve front row!!! shit that feels good to type
3. The guts to see out the tight one and win a game we usually wouldn't
4. Phipps/To'omua/Kurindrani solidifying their inclusion in the starting 15
5. Horwill finding some mojo and making positive contributions
1. Pocock and Hooper worked really fucking well together
2. a GOOD reserve front row!!! shit that feels good to type
3. The guts to see out the tight one and win a game we usually wouldn't
4. Phipps/To'omua/Kurindrani solidifying their inclusion in the starting 15
5. Horwill finding some mojo and making positive contributions
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
How on that game people seriously see Cooper as starting XV material is beyond me...
Cheika pulling Cooper was key tactical moment of the match
Cheika pulling Cooper was key tactical moment of the match
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Cooper certainly had a nothing game. But I believe he offers a lot more than Giteau does. Quade just needs to be given more time to overcome his injuries and get his confidence back.
Having said that, though, I wouldn't play either of them in the remaining RC matches and most probably not in the RWC either. For me, the 10/12 combo should be To'omua/Lealiifano, and as the reserve position, Foley/To'omua or Lealiifano.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Gee thats tough. I recall one nice touch finder into space and another great clearing kick from our goal line which got us 45 metres. Lots of kicks down the throat but he didn't exactly have a lot of options.
I guess my thought process is that I don't think To'omua, Gits did any better and Foley wouldn't have done any better either.
The game-plan should have been to run-it more but the actual execution of kicks weren't horrible.
Marcelo
Ken Catchpole (46)
Ok and who will be the kicker? Are you planning to include a pop star at the winger?
Are u a Believer boy?
Bairdy
Peter Fenwicke (45)
The calls for the 'harlem globetrotter' Cooper, and Giteau to be thrown on the scrap heap is definitely a kneejerk reaction when they were doing what they could with the ball they got in the first half notably.
Based on my first viewing of that game - without looking at any stats to substantiate my claims - I thought Skelton, Higgers, and perhaps Kepu were coming up second best against their counterparts.
That Bok backrow, in tandem with BdP, were immense. It was definitely fortuitous for the Wallabies that they were subbed off, or limped off injured.
Based on my first viewing of that game - without looking at any stats to substantiate my claims - I thought Skelton, Higgers, and perhaps Kepu were coming up second best against their counterparts.
That Bok backrow, in tandem with BdP, were immense. It was definitely fortuitous for the Wallabies that they were subbed off, or limped off injured.
TahDan
Cyril Towers (30)
Question is, if there isn't any space at the back how is it a tactically smart decision to kick? Kicking down the throat of the Boks back three only for them to run it back into our half was just stupid - particularly he was going it on ball that was over the gain line at times.
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