Scotland v Australia 12Nov16 Saturday

[Scotty]

A few observations:

Foley lacked the ability to organise the team and change the game up when needed. Last week he was great but I suspect it was the exception. We need to see if Cooper offers anything better.

Kuridrani should not be commended too much for that try. He very nearly butchered it by not giving it to Folau.

Will Skelton proved the view of most fans that he doesn't deserve to be in the Wallabies. Cheika needs to rectify his mistake immediately.

 

[amirite]

Kuridrani should not be commended too much for that try. He very nearly butchered it by not giving it to Folau.

Whilst it is well documented that Kuridrani could've passed for a higher percentage finish, here are the reasons it wasn't that big of a deal:

1. It was discussed in the press conference he reacted to the defence and ran a different line to the one he was meant to for the play. So, he made the opportunity not just by running hard, but by thinking on his feet.
2. If he didn't pass, he would've been tackled for a big meterage gain (with support). So there was a potential try in the next couple of phases.
3. He scored the try. At the end of the day, he got it done.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I initially thought that TK should have passed, but on reflection it's was the lower percentage play. Izzy had almost overrun him by the time TK was in a position to offload.

 

[I like to watch]

He was never passing.
But his strength is his running game,that's why he's in the side.
He scores almost every time in that situation.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

You're right ILTW. His record is so good in that situation that I should have just trusted him ;-)

 

[Lee Grant]

I'll fossick about for a new quote, and will try to resist the urge to use "Darryl Gibson has been quite magnificent coming inside Andrew Mehrtens, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the same today."

I can guarantee that was genuine Mexted - nearly pissed myself laughing.

Didn't know before then that Merhts and Daryl were such good friends.
.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

except the ball would be turned over, there were 3 scots closer to folau than any wallaby

not sure which of the 3 hail marys you are referring to but lets take the biggest - the one he lobbed in the air.
Even if there were 3 scots closer they were all coming backwards and had to enter from the hindmost foot whereas the players in support from oz would naturally enter from that position and clean out any scot who did manage to get on the ball or near it.
This is a serious issue: we will not win tight games against good opponents if we lack the patience and faith to set up the next phase rather than throw the hail mary: its called a hail mary for a reason and confident effective teams don't throw them.

 

[PeterK]

not sure which of the 3 hail marys you are referring to but lets take the biggest - the one he lobbed in the air.
Even if there were 3 scots closer they were all coming backwards and had to enter from the hindmost foot whereas the players in support from oz would naturally enter from that position and clean out any scot who did manage to get on the ball or near it.
This is a serious issue: we will not win tight games against good opponents if we lack the patience and faith to set up the next phase rather than throw the hail mary: its called a hail mary for a reason and confident effective teams don't throw them.

he only threw 2, also there were would be tacklers in front of him and coming across in cover. If everyone was coming backwards i.e no one in front of him he would of scored a try. The tackler can get up and take the ball from any angle.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

he only threw 2, also there were would be tacklers in front of him and coming across in cover. If everyone was coming backwards i.e no one in front of him he would of scored a try. The tackler can get up and take the ball from any angle.

You can tackle from behind.
He can try and take it - assuming he can get to his feet and once off them he must release. If we cant secure possession from the ensuing ruck we are bigger clowns than I thought.
Even you opened with 4 questionable passes courtesy of IF - I only counted 3 and a dodgy bit of defending.
Put him on the wing.

 

[Scrubber2050]

he only threw 2, also there were would be tacklers in front of him and coming across in cover. If everyone was coming backwards i.e no one in front of him he would of scored a try. The tackler can get up and take the ball from any angle.

Pretty simple really

Either a lack of skills or poor decision making

Nothing more, nothing less

You decide

 

[PeterK]

You can tackle from behind.
He can try and take it - assuming he can get to his feet and once off them he must release. If we cant secure possession from the ensuing ruck we are bigger clowns than I thought.
Even you opened with 4 questionable passes courtesy of IF - I only counted 3 and a dodgy bit of defending.
Put him on the wing.

Why don't you look at the video on brian smith's analysis.

http://giphy.com/gifs/3o6ZsUMUxOiKebjmMM?utm_source=iframe&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=tag_click

It clearly shows Folau being tackled from behind at the time AND a scottish jackler right in front of him ready to take the ball so he threw the hail mary.

Furthermore there were 2 more scottish guys between any nearby ewallabies. He made the right choice in that instance.

He only threw 2 hail marys and one was the right decision.

He made 4 successful offloads.

 

[PeterK]

Pretty simple really

Either a lack of skills or poor decision making

Nothing more, nothing less

You decide

Correct decision.

He took the best choice available which was a high risk with high reward , a try , if it came off, but better than a certain turnover.

http://giphy.com/gifs/3o6ZsUMUxOiKebjmMM?utm_source=iframe&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=tag_click

 

[I like to watch]

Why don't you look at the video on brian smith's analysis.

http://giphy.com/gifs/3o6ZsUMUxOiKebjmMM?utm_source=iframe&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=tag_click

It clearly shows Folau being tackled from behind at the time AND a scottish jackler right in front of him ready to take the ball so he threw the hail mary.

Furthermore there were 2 more scottish guys between any nearby ewallabies. He made the right choice in that instance.

He only threw 2 hail marys and one was the right decision.

He made 4 successful offloads.

So, those guys in the yellow jerseys,who did they play for?

And that Scottish guy wasn't going to be the jackler,,he was going to be the victim.
Look who was in those yellow jerseys

 

[PeterK]

se

So, those guys in the yellow jerseys,who did they play for?

And that Scottish guy wasn't going to be the jackler,,he was going to be the victim.
Look who was in those yellow jerseys

seriously the scot was right over folau as he was going down. The wallbies were to the side and back. No way would they get to him before a turnover or a penalty. The scot did not have to run even 1 metre just bend over and go at the ball, he was ready to do so.

 

[Lee Grant]

Let's move on guys.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

oops just saw lee's post

 

[Kev]

I dont think the Scots are copping well with the constant 1 point losses haha

 

[ForceFan]

Ruck Involvements – Scotland v Wallabies – Edinburgh


How fortunate to see a Scotland 22:23 Wallabies scoreline with the final whistle.
Can’t help but think that the Scots were trying to defend their 22:13 lead after their 3rd try. If they’d switched on the effort they showed in the last 10-15 minutes a bit earlier then the outcome may have been different. There was a lot to like about the way they utilised their player talent.

The Battle at the Breakdown was a hard fought affair.
Made even more so by the lack of involvement by the Ref. Lacey’s Rules = Rafferty's Rules?

According to ESPN, Wallabies won 97% of their rucks (113/116) and the Scots 96% (95/98) with only Pocock having a consistent impact upon the dark blue hordes. By my count Pocock had 1 clean TOW and forced at least 3 Penalties.

Generally the Scots were much quicker to the initial contact after the tackler.

Once again both teams were standing off Defence Rucks: Scotland 45%; Wallabies 61%.

Remember:
1. Early means 1st or 2nd of player’s team AFTER the ball carrier has been tackled and brought to ground.
2. Impact means active engagement: strong physical contact, changed shape of ruck, clean-out, protecting ball etc. (more than hand on someone’s bum or arriving after the hard work has been done). Yes it’s subjective - but as I collect all data at least it’s consistent.
3. Impact DOES NOT equate to Effectiveness. I’ve concluded that coming up with an effectiveness measure is just too hard in the time that I have available – but open to suggestions.

Impressive individual efforts by Scotland’s Gray brothers. Leading ruck involvements for their team and 23 or 24 tackles each (none missed).

Another hard day in the office by Pocock who had 28% of the Wallabies’ Defence Ruck Involvements (DRIs). Simmons and Mumm showed strong support for their ball carriers. Simmons top tackler (14) followed by Moore and Pocock (13)

Ruck Involvements by Backs:
Speight – 17 Total (13 Attack/4 Defence); Hodge – 13T (13A/0D); Folau – 10T (10A/09D).

Dunbar - 13T (8A/5D); H Jones - 12T (9A/3D); Maitland - 12T (8A/4D).


Ruck Involvements over Time

Scotland strongly supported their ball carriers – averaging 2.9 support players per ruck
(OOPS - Spreadsheet operator error!)
Average breakdown numbers for both teams were about the same: Scotland 2.5 players/Attack ruck and Wallabies 2.4 (close to SR2016 average involvement).
Wallabies averaged 0.6 players per Defence Ruck; Scotland 0.7. (SR2016 average about 0.75).

Both teams up the intensity of work in the 2nd half.
Wallabies’ ruck involvements and mix very close to those against Wales.
Scotland’s total ruck involvements close to that of the Wallabies.

1st half leading DRIs
Pocock,- 10; Hooper – 6; Timani, Moore, Simmons & Folau – 3.
Watson – 7; Barclay, J Gray & Hardie – 5.

2nd half leading DRIs
Pocock - 6; Hooper & Speight – 3.
Watson – 6; J Gray – 5; Hardie – 4.


The post below includes some additional data.

 

[wamberal]

I hope you get paid for this work, mate.

 

[amirite]

I dont think the Scots are copping well with the constant 1 point losses haha

View attachment 8681

I heard this from a few Scottish mates too, but in what world was a try from an easy missed tackle and one from a lucky bounce of a kick a dominant performance?

I know you make your own luck, but seriously.