Wallabies v. Springboks, 18th July 2015, Suncorp, Brisbane

[Inside Shoulder]

I did


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Yeah me too but I wondered if their countrymen felt that.
I thought we were gone and while credit is due for the fightback we won't win many if we spot our opponents 13 points


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[jollyswagman]

With Genia injured, my best is that we will see Giteau moved to the bench to cover #9 should Phippps go down, while still covering #10 & #12, and offering that "old cool head" needed to close out the tight games.
To'omua will start at #12
Skelton & Howill will switch spots
It will be interesting to see what Cheicka does with Pocock next week as both he and Hooper were very bloody good last night. They both deserve to start but Pocock at #8 just doesn't seem like a long term solution.

What are the chances of Fardy getting a run at #8?

 

[Slim 293]

Nah, White will go to the bench............

Giteau won't play halfback.

 

[Pfitzy]

Have seen a few comments about how Hooper "lifted" when Pocock came on.

The reason: Higginbotham and Genia werenn't doing their jobs. When Pocock started making tackles, and Phipps started delivering quick ball, Hooper and Pocock could start terrorising mofos and we got going.

That and the Boks didn't want to play with the ball.

 

[Grant NZ]

Ok, having watched it again...

Am I mental, how come no one else has noticed that Quade threw a huge forward pass for the Wallabies first try? In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't important as the Boks still got out to a big lead. And I can understand how Owens missed it, but it's at least a couple of feet forward and obviously forward out of the hands.

 

[Train Without a Station]

And Pfitzy, don't paint me as some sort of provincial troll. I'm not hurt by your summation of Genia. Pretty sure I commented how shithouse he was last night and have been riding him all year. Been doing the exact opposite on Hooper. Last night was a real FU to everybody who doubted his physicality.

 

[Pfitzy]

And Pfitzy, don't paint me as some sort of provincial troll.

I would never do that. A troll is someone who disagrees just to be a prick.

I understand fully that you believe entirely what you say, and I will defend your right to do so.

Just as I will defend MY right to tell you how wrong you are

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Gituea last played half at test level in 2006 - is Cheika going to rely on some video from then to go to England with only 1 halfback - dont think so.

 

[ChargerWA]

Naiyaravoro isn't on the plane to Argentina....

His manager confirmed earlier in the week he was going to honour at least the first year of his Scottish contract, no matter if selected for the Wallabies or not.

I'd suggest he just moved in to Cheiks "fuck off then" squad of 1.

 

[qwerty51]

Actually that's a good point. It certainly explains how Cummins can overtake him without game time from both.

 

[FilthRugby]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...st-of-the-season/story-e6frf4pu-1227447918495

Player ratings from last night for anyone interested.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Ok, having watched it again.

Am I mental, how come no one else has noticed that Quade threw a huge forward pass for the Wallabies first try? In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't important as the Boks still got out to a big lead. And I can understand how Owens missed it, but it's at least a couple of feet forward and obviously forward out of the hands.

it was fairly bemusing alright, I just assumed it would be brought back it seemed so obvious. No replays, no mention, lets just carry on

 

[Groucho]

I don't see Hooper/Poey as a conundrum anymore. It's a deadset game changing asset. They both play hard, work hard around the park, hit hard and are A+ defenders. Pocock's point of difference is his breakdown play, Hooper's is his running. By playing both at the expense of Fardy/an 8, I really don't think we lose anything and gain everything.

Different sport, but there's been a push in the NBA the past few years to 'positionless basketball' where you get your best 5 on the floor. It's a different situation, but I think Hooper and Pocock are our best two players - we find a way to get them both on the field for 80.

In the cold light of day, I couldn't agree more.

The argument that Eddie Jones tried it and failed is like the angushed bellowing of dinosaurs stuck in the tar pits. If everything Eddie Jones tried and failed at was banished from rugby, there'd be very little left to do.

Pocock has every attribute of a great 8 except height.

If that means Skelton to the bench to make space for another lineout jumper then that's fine. Pocock is much more important than Skelton at this stage, although Skelton still has fantastic potential.

 

[USARugger]

Scratching my head at the posts saying Hooper had anything less than a great game.

On the back of his defense alone he had an absolute blinder. If he's making more dominant than non-dominant tackles during a test match it's a bit on the other forwards if we're not generating turnovers from that kind of opportunity.

I can't remember the last time I saw any player in a test match forcing players back in 1-on-1 tackles with such a freakish level of frequency.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I have to confess I'm a bit the same Groucho. It worked well enough last night with Hooper and Pocock that we should keep doing it. With that said, we can't have Skelton on the paddock at the same time if that's the case. I also worry about playing England with that size pack, but are they any bigger and meaner than the Boks?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Scratching my head at the posts saying Hooper had anything less than a great game.

On the back of his defense alone he had an absolute blinder. If he's making more dominant than non-dominant tackles during a test match it's a bit on the other forwards if we're not generating turnovers from that kind of opportunity.

I can't remember the last time I saw any player in a test match forcing players back in 1-on-1 tackles with such a freakish level of frequency.

Agree. It was one of the best defensive efforts by an Aussie forward in many a long day.

 

[drewprint]

Well after that I'm definitely coming around to the idea of starting both Hooper and Pocock. Two very different styles so they may just compliment each other perfectly. And the Wallabies don't have too many trump cards in their deck really, so we gotta play the few we do have.

Also, I'm a bit surprised at some of the grief Simmons has been getting. I tried to pay close attention to him while watching today's replay and I though he was actually quite busy.

 

[Pfitzy]

Two of those tackles on Burger. No mean feat

 

[ChargerWA]

6. Pocock
7. Hooper
8. McCalman

It just has to be.

Pocock to play open on defence and Hooper on attack.

McCalman would compliment those two beautifully and is a genuine line out option, with Skelton to the bench and another jumping lock starting.

 

[ChargerWA]

Pocock has every attribute of a great 8 except height.

My only concern with Pocock at 8 is his reach. If we're back peddling at scrum time we need an 8 with a decent reach to get in and drag the ball out. Which makes me wonder if Fardy has ever played 8?