The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Foley is great. I'm a big fan post RWC form. I agree with you on most of this post, except I doubt Foley is the best defending 10. His defence was average before the RWC. Post RWC he has silenced a few critics including myself.a lot of his defence is cover tackles. I'd easily rate Lilo above Foley, Lilo is also the primary organiser of the defensive line - something Foley is not, Gits did this during the RWC.
Also, after his wide-ball to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on his weak-side, I'd say he isn't far from being the best passer of the ball. Obviously not the best but damn good.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
I base my statements about his defence on the numbers. Lilo hasn't played 10 at test level in what? 2 years? Or even a test in that time? So really the only comparisons I am making are with Beale, Giteau, To'omua and Cooper. The numbers from memory show that only Giteau has the completion rate to compare with To'omua not getting the game time of the others. To'omua's the most dominant tackler of the set but his completion rate is effected greatly by the misses attributed to him by his rushing up for that big hit. I'd also add that nobody else in the backline has worked as hard in cover as Foley. His cover defence on breakouts was reminiscent of Gregan IMO with many last gasp tackles.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
As you note, To'omua really hasn't been given enough time in the game during the WC, but I'd invite you to have another look at his stats against Argentina (I think). Came on with less than 20 to go, and made either 6/7 or 7/7 tackles, most of them dominant. He is a better defender than Bernard Foley whetjher you look at completion rate or strength of one on one tackling.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Genia was just as good at cover tackles, not taking anything away from Foley who was also very good. Whilst his numbers may be good I don't think its a point on difference in terms of selection.
I highly doubt he was selected ahead of any of the other guys for his completion rate.
Another point which may positively affect his completion rate is that he seems to make a lot less tackles then the other guys do as he rarely defends in the line. I think it the Scotland game where he only made 1/1 tackle - great for his completion rate of 100%, but 1 tackle in the whole game, something not right there.
Foley is picked for his composure under pressure, ability to attack the line and overall wide skill-set. Hard to say Foley's defence was much of a factor at all in being chosen over the likes of Beale, Gits, To'omua, Cooper.
And I doubt it will be a factor in the future.
As I understand it -'world class' means you would select them in your 'world 15' . That is a very subjective list if you don't mind me making massive understatements.
You just have to look at some of the crazy teams named in this forum.
Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk
You just have to look at some of the crazy teams named in this forum.
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Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Yep. Here is the RWC15 Security Guard Training Video.
"Release the Tiger"
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Even more reason to play him at 12, where he has excelled. Lilo would be my backup 10, with Jack D being the development player.
southsider
Arch Winning (36)
Oh NO Sully - that was all Beale!
I mean, when has Foley even looked remotely like Larkham? LARKHAM was World Class. Did it all himself. Well him and that Gregan guy. oh and I see some old bloke called Horan played a bit at 12 during that period. And some other jokers called Herbert, Roff, Tune.
And does anyone remember if a "Matt Burke" was any good as a fullback? Says here he has nearly 900 Test points, but I find that hard to believe if Larkham was out there at the same time.
Larkham had to drag these losers kicking and screaming to a RWC title, so I guess Foley will just have to make do with being less than "world class".
Give me fucking strength.
Not aimed at you SoJ: but I would love it if they would define what they mean by this "world class" bullshit. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Its a fucking myth, is the problem. Mostly put forward by people whose own selection was proven to be not better, and often far worse.
Foley's kicking game: added 15 metres distance to his general field kicking compared to start of the year. Could be better, sure.
Foley's goal kicking: improved out of sight. Consistency is the key of course, but even "world class" players like Carter miss the odd one.
Foley's passing: short passing game currently has no peer in Australia in terms of execution and work under pressure at the line. Long passing game is not often examined because he does most of his work in traffic. If you'll turn your attention to the screens now:
So they can probably all ram that "world class" shit up to the third knuckle in their petulant arses. It might at least stop them speaking, or muffle it to a suitable level.
Who hurt you?
Jagman
Trevor Allan (34)
So looking at the SA sevens team I think it's fair to say that there will be many more Wallabies going to the olympics (if the ARU want to have any chance of a medal). Only two have put their hands up so far but I suspect that is because, a) they don't want to upset the Wallabies coach, and b) Australia have not yet qualified.
My preferred sevens side would be Hooper, Kuridrani, McMahon, Phipps, Foley, Folau, Speight (assuming he can get his speed and power back). Only two of these have never played sevens before.
If this is the case the Wallabies team for June-September 2016 will be affected and I'd say that means they will once again call upon AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mitchell, maybe even Giteau, considering the importance of the Wallabies building on the relative success of 2015. Chieka will also need to persuade Genia and Kepu to play again if we want to be any good.
Start building to the future on the EOYT.
I'd like to see Kerevi moved to inside centre, Folau to right wing and Beale to Fullback. With Pocock at number eight we could really use a 12 that can smash the gain line. Mitchell might need to stay at left wing for now because there are no left foot kickers.
Young XV that could break into the Wallabies by 2019
Allan Ala'alatoa
Alex Mafi
Taniela Tupou
Ryan McCauley
Lukhan Tui
Ned Hanigan
Lolo Fakaosilea (no chances any time soon for a tradition openside)
Ross Haylett-Petty
Harrison Goddard
Nick Jooste
Harry Jones
Sione Tuipulotu
Campbell Magnay
Onehunga Havilli
Andrew Kellaway
My preferred sevens side would be Hooper, Kuridrani, McMahon, Phipps, Foley, Folau, Speight (assuming he can get his speed and power back). Only two of these have never played sevens before.
If this is the case the Wallabies team for June-September 2016 will be affected and I'd say that means they will once again call upon AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mitchell, maybe even Giteau, considering the importance of the Wallabies building on the relative success of 2015. Chieka will also need to persuade Genia and Kepu to play again if we want to be any good.
Start building to the future on the EOYT.
I'd like to see Kerevi moved to inside centre, Folau to right wing and Beale to Fullback. With Pocock at number eight we could really use a 12 that can smash the gain line. Mitchell might need to stay at left wing for now because there are no left foot kickers.
Young XV that could break into the Wallabies by 2019
Allan Ala'alatoa
Alex Mafi
Taniela Tupou
Ryan McCauley
Lukhan Tui
Ned Hanigan
Lolo Fakaosilea (no chances any time soon for a tradition openside)
Ross Haylett-Petty
Harrison Goddard
Nick Jooste
Harry Jones
Sione Tuipulotu
Campbell Magnay
Onehunga Havilli
Andrew Kellaway
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I think you hit the nail on the head for 2016.
10: Foley, backup: Lilo, Development: Jack D
12. To'omua, backup: Lilo, Development: Goodwin/Kerevi
13: Kuridrani, backup: Horne, Development: Goodwin/Kerevi
The reality is all our backs (and forwards) will have to up their workrates off the ball if we want to really put consistent pressure on the ABs. Chasing kicks, running lines, getting back to give the catcher options, getting up and back in the defensive line, getting up and supporting the ball carrier etc etc.
Those are the things where the ABs excel and it is all down effort, selflessness and attitude.
Those are the things where the ABs excel and it is all down effort, selflessness and attitude.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I could be wrong but I reckon Godwin's ship has sailed.
Agree with Kerevi but outside him a youngster like Jim Stewart or David Horwitz could be more in their sights.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Bit harsh to say his ship has sailed especially given how young he is although he does seem like he is on the decline but I couldn't think of any other youngster's with his skill or potential.
Plus I really do like the look of Kerevi at 12 and Goodwin at 13. There's something very Nonu/Conrad about that balance. Although obviously they have FAR to go and I'm admittedly being very very optimistic.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Yeah it could be good and it would be even better if we could find a way to test out that combination at some point. Maybe in a Barbarians style game or something?
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
I'd classify Foley more as a runner than a ball player.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
And unless there's some serious fluctuations in form I think the majority of our current backline, sans Giteau and Mitchell, will likely be our first choice backline going into the next RWC...........
Experience counts for a lot, and all of those guys have that combined with good test form.