RWC: AUS v WAL (Twickenham): POOL A; 2:45am (AEDT) Sunday 11 October

[Cardiffblue]

Gloom at failure to ground a try was tempered by Wales qualfying for euro 2016. First major tournament since 1958!!

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I think I am absolutely blown away to think how good a forward pack we have now compared to last year.

I mean cripes at the moment we probably have the world best back 3 or at least competing for that. And to have players of McCalman and Mcmahon as potential subs shows we have great depth here. And we now have some decent locks (lets not understate that given where we were last year), and a very good front row - with Sio having raised his stature in this RWC and still so young.

Wow what a difference a year makes as I can't believe how much progress we have made. Hats off to Cheika, his coaching staff and ARU for making it happen.

 

[Tahtrajic]

Yep I think we all now know why Cheika was so desparate to have Douglas in his squad. He has been immense in the pool games and stepped up a couple of gears in last 2 matches.

Worth also noting that thought Foley followed up his last match with another very good performance, who was also subject of much conjecture as starting 10. Think won't have much noise on that front now also. Good to also see better acceptance and understanding of what Giteau does for this team as well. Another player who was subject to a lot of conjecture on merits of having him as starting 12 who has so far proved the doubters very wrong.

I'd also like to say many people qustiioned the Foley/Giteau defence combo. The coaching team obviously where confident they had the players and structures to handle what ever was thrown at them.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Dunno why you keep focussing on that. It's actually one of the better things he's done

That forearm smash he got away with? Dunno why you have no problem with it. Had he been pinged like he should have been, maybe he'd think twice before taking a yellow card later on.

 

[Braveheart81]

Just watched the Cuthbert knock down again. I'd just like to vote it the worst example of a deliberate knock on i've seen in years.

It would have gone well on the basketball court.

 

[Tahtrajic]

What was happening with the Aussie lineouts? Why did the go for quick throw ins and 'funnies' rather than standard throws

Could be just trying different options.The Welsh do have a pretty good lineout so the plan may have been to keep them off balance.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

If you can get that much hand onto the ball why the fuck wouldn't you go for the intercept

It was an incredible BrainLock Byron moment.

Dung-browed, cross-eyed, pretty much the nadir of mankind's opposable thumbness

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[Cardiffblue]

Could be just trying different options.The Welsh do have a pretty good lineout so the plan may have been to keep them off balance.

You're probably right. But somehow it seemed weird

 

[WOOLI]

I missed 20 minutes of the second half.

Anyone know where I can find a full replay?

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Ook to start at 13, Morgan to Bench, Cuthbert permanently exiled?

North was good at 13 - suspect this is where will end up towards latter part of his career. Alex Cuthbert, once upon a time was such a good player...what happened?

 

[Cardiffblue]

North was good at 13 - suspect this is where will end up towards latter part of his career. Alex Cuthbert, once upon a time was such a good player.what happened?

Count how many times George passes. You won't need many fingers! As long as they come back Scott Williams and foxy, Tyler Morgan all better options

 

[mxyzptlk]

I think I am absolutely blown away to think how good a forward pack we have now compared to last year.

I mean cripes at the moment we probably have the world best back 3 at the or at least competing for that. And to have players of McCalman and Mcmahon as potential subs shows we have great depth here. And we now have some decent locks (lets not understate that given where we were last year), and a very good front row - with Sio having raised his stature in this RWC and still so young.

Wow what a difference a year makes as I can't believe how much progress we have made. Hats off to Cheika, his coaching staff and ARU for making it happen.

The Wallabies are also not exactly the most physically imposing team of the tournament, especially the half-backs and backs (save for Folau). Both of Wales centers were a half-foot taller and 50 lbs heavier than Giteau. Given the rest of the world's tendency toward larger and larger players, this should send a message -- that skill and savvy can still take a side a long ways against teams made up of monsters.

Plus they were just more fit. That helps. Have to wonder if their fitness took Wales by surprise when they just didn't crumble in the second half.

 

[Tahtrajic]

I missed 20 minutes of the second half.

Anyone know where I can find a full replay?

Not sure if it a full replay but FoxSport 502 4.30-6pm this afternoon

 

[Rugbynutter39]

The Wallabies are also not exactly the most physically imposing team of the tournament, especially the half-backs and backs (save for Folau). Both of Wales centers were a half-foot taller and 50 lbs heavier than Giteau. Given the rest of the world's tendency toward larger and larger players, this should send a message -- that skill and savvy can still take a side a long ways against teams made up of monsters.

Plus they were just more fit. That helps. Have to wonder if their fitness took Wales by surprise when they just didn't crumble in the second half.

In fairness - Wales are equally a very fit side. Wales still a big threat for knock out stage by my books.

 

[Cardiffblue]

The Wallabies are also not exactly the most physically imposing team of the tournament, especially the half-backs and backs (save for Folau). Both of Wales centers were a half-foot taller and 50 lbs heavier than Giteau. Given the rest of the world's tendency toward larger and larger players, this should send a message -- that skill and savvy can still take a side a long ways against teams made up of monsters.

Plus they were just more fit. That helps. Have to wonder if their fitness took Wales by surprise when they just didn't crumble in the second half.

I think gatland knew exactly what to expect in terms of fitness. We've had enough last minute losses to realise Australia ain't gonna give up.

I wouldn't go measuring forward power just using a single metric of the scrum. There were some concerns today

 

[Tahtrajic]

I think gatland knew exactly what to expect in terms of fitness. We've had enough last minute losses to realise Australia ain't gonna give up.

I wouldn't go measuring forward power just using a single metric of the scrum. There were some concerns today

Your right on the concerns CB. I think both coaches won't be happy with either teams attack at times. Both of them need work.

 

[mxyzptlk]

In fairness - Wales are equally a very fit side. Wales still a big threat for knock out stage by my books.

Hey, the important thing is England wasn't fit enough.

 

[BDA]

Don't count your chickens yet huw. You were out played for most of that game and in many individual match ups. Survived due to massive tickers and defensive skill. Even with the gnome whispering in my ear I wouldn't back Wales to beat Ireland every game. There are aspects where Ireland that are better than us.

?!? ... yeh, nah. The Wallabies were comfortable winners in the end. The Wallabies put a lot of pressure on themselves in the second half with those yellow cards, but they soaked up the pressure and then when thy went back to 15 men, they dominated the final 10 minutes.

Not trying to dismiss the Welsh. They played well.

 

[Cardiffblue]

?!? . yeh, nah. The Wallabies were comfortable winners in the end. The Wallabies put a lot of pressure on themselves in the second half with those yellow cards, but they soaked up the pressure and then when thy went back to 15 men, they dominated the final 10 minutes.

Not trying to dismiss the Welsh. They played well.

We ll see who s right when they meet again in a couple of weeks

 

[Viking]

The welsh looked scary in the first 15mins, dominated every aspect of the game but they are just unable to score tries. I think they had 90% of the possession then.

When we finally got the ball we looked dangerous but accuracy let us down, mainly in passing.

I'm not worried though, we attacked well verse England and in patches last night and our defence has now proved to be rock solid. Lots of positive vibes going forward, we are so close to carving up on attack, just need to be that 5-10% more clinical.