RWC Pool D - Wallabies v Georgia, Friday 11th October, 9.15pm ADST

[Dan54]

Well have to say I enjoyed the game, I have a feeling both teams would be happy, Wallabies with the BP win and getting a reasonable physical game to run them into shape for next weekend, and Georgia because they held them for 70 minutes of the game to reasonable score. Geez the Georgians (like the tier 2 teams seem to be doing this WC) tore into their defence work, but you actually need some ball to really test big teams, and an ability to pass and support when you do get it. Wallabies I thought played ok without being great, but did they need to be great? Rodda I thought had a bloody good game, and along with Pocock was best of forwards, I am a little concerned how almost lazy the pack looks at time at getting in and taking the ball around the corner as it was, but this could be something they holding back. Anyway reasonable win, no injuries etc so I imagine job done!

 

[Froggy]

Great set piece, but a pretty disappointing game apart from that I thought. Ball security and handling atrocious, still giving away to many penalties for high shots, and zero creativity in attack. I thought Rodda was great, along with Latu, Koro a real spark, and To'omua did what he does very well, which is run straight and hard and defend strongly, but doesn't seem to have the ability to get a backline going. I know Arnold gets great wraps on GAGR, and his lineout and scrum work was excellent as was his level of involvement, but it always surprises me how little ground he makes in attack for the biggest man on the paddock. He runs way to high, and seems to have no leg drive once he hits the defence.

We are still with this conundrum of not having a test standard 10. My inclination is to stick with To'omua, who won't let you down, but unfortunately has zero creativity. CLL is certainly more likely to get things happening in the backline, but is also far more likely to have a poor game, like Bled 2 or the Fiji match. Foley is so far out of form he doesn't warrant consideration.

In the centres my inclination is to go with Kerevi and TK, even though that hasn't lived up to expectations in the past. BR's suggestion of To'omua and TK would be fine, but I'm just not confident with CLL at 10.

 

[eastman]

I'm not confident CLL has the physicality to last the England game, let alone another potential two games after that.

I'm still holding onto hope with JOC (James O'Connor) though, I just wish he had the same explosiveness that he did when he was younger, because his ball-playing ability is now quite good and is generous with his distribution.

As most people seem to have identified, the weak link is still at 10, we just haven't found the combination to ignite the rest of the backline.

 

[gel]

Pretty poor game to watch.

Not too sure I should I have expected more given it was a match between tier 2 teams

 

[dru]

As most people seem to have identified, the weak link is still at 10, we just haven't found the combination to ignite the rest of the backline.

My read is a plan with two back lines roughly aligned behind the two pods. Kerevi is then removed from the equation as a distributor as either 9 or 10 distributes direct to 12 or 13 (one behind each pod) depending on the play.

It's not new or unknown to the Wallabies but does seem to have been underplayed recently. I would think Genia suits it better than White but both of them need to speed up delivery. It also requires less creativity than you might otherwise look for. Which possibly plays To'omua into 10.

Forwards were required to take the brunt last night against a team rumoured to play well beyond 2nd tier in the pack. And it was wet. Let's not overdo the set piece though. Scrum impressed but the line out was not as flawless as I would hope and I'm not sure Naisarani meets the spec for 3rd jumper.

It is not all doom and gloom, and strangely t s kind of on par for the bnetter side of where Cheika was likely to take us. He is a risk merchant. This presumes he has been targeting England. Which is his chance to prove.

Who knows? We all will in a week.

 

[cyclopath]

10. Lilo
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani

Kerevi on the bench

Kerevi ain't going to change his DNA in a week

Yep. If Kerevi couldn't break the Georgian defence (which was good) he isn't going to open up England, unless some nuance and sleight of hand enters our backline play in the next week. I'm not sure any combo is going to break it open though. Surely our plan isn't to hope Koroibete and Petaia do it all?

 

[fatprop]

Yep. If Kerevi couldn't break the Georgian defence (which was good) he isn't going to open up England, unless some nuance and sleight of hand enters our backline play in the next week. I'm not sure any combo is going to break it open though. Surely our plan isn't to hope Koroibete and Petaia do it all?

The passing is just one part of it, it is the belligerence of just running that same line again and again.

TK is prepared to run more\different lines and ask more questions.

I also think JOC (James O'Connor) isn't the answer at 13 and Beale looks like the HIA protocols will keep him not training (and he was again rag dolled) so the two playmakers will have to be at 10/12 and Lilo & To'omua & DHP at 15

I also have deep concerns about throwing Petaia into a RWC 1/4 that we are going to be smashed in (Eddie will take him apart), so I prefer Hodge to start so Genia & Petaia off the bench with a bunch of forwards

 

[Joe Blow]

If they do go with TK at 13, which is highly unlikely, I would play JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 with Kerevi on the bench.

It will be
10. CLL
12. SK
13. JOC (James O'Connor)

To'omua on the bench.

 

[Slim 293]

I don't have any issues throwing Petaia against England, as I believe we do need to have a bit more attacking spark in that backline........ and he's had an error free two matches and looked pretty stable under pressure.

It's concerning how much ball we had in the first half, and even with the dominant set piece couldn't score points..........

There's way too much lateral movement - I think we need to get Kurudrani back into the backline, maybe play the two big centres for the first hour and then bring JOC (James O'Connor) or Lilo off the bench when things open up later on.

 

[cyclopath]

The passing is just one part of it, it is the belligerence of just running that same line again and again.

TK is prepared to run more\different lines and ask more questions.

I also think JOC (James O'Connor) isn't the answer at 13 and Beale looks like the HIA protocols will keep him not training (and he was again rag dolled) so the two playmakers will have to be at 10/12 and Lilo & To'omua & DHP at 15

I also have deep concerns about throwing Petaia into a RWC 1/4 that we are going to be smashed in (Eddie will take him apart), so I prefer Hodge to start so Genia & Petaia off the bench with a bunch of forwards

I agree re TK. I'd be more confident Petaia will handle himself though. Hodge will get smoked by English pace out wide, methinks.

 

[drewprint]

Yeah I’d like to see vs England:
10 CLL
12 To'omua
13 Kurindrani

With DHP at fullback, I think we’ll need two player makers to get our wingers into the match. (I’d happily have Petaia start btw). Kerevi to knock some people over as a super-sub. I know this kind of screws the important continuity factor but I think this is just more potent.

 

[Finsbury Girl]

Well good on ya Georgia. Defended like absolute demons, attacked the ruck and scored a great try.

Best thing I can say about Australia is that we won & Rodda had a great game.

White is still shite & the attack was abysmal. Absolutely zero clue. Thor was good. The drunk driver threw like he had a bit of a tipple beforehand, was extremely lucky a few crooked ones weren't called.

Fuck I'm glad Cheika only has one more game left.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Jordy will be fine. He looks at home at test level and we might as well throw him in against England. I'd say DHP will play fullback.

In the pigs, Rodda was immense last night and we'll need to him to be as good next week. The back row is still a concern, because I think Cheika will play the Pooper and I honestly don't think that's the game against England. The tight five should bring 7A's back in and put TT in at reserve prop (he added some go forward last night).

 

[Slim 293]

I think this game once again highlighted how good Rodda (huge game) and Arnold are (our best locking combo for some time), and how much we're going to miss Arnold next year............

Some good young locks coming through but not ready for this level yet.

 

[Viking]

I think this game once again highlighted how good Rodda (huge game) and Arnold are (our best locking combo for some time), and how much we're going to miss Arnold next year....

Some good young locks coming through but not ready for this level yet.

Arnold took a few seasons to get this good too. A real shame he is leaving at his peak.

 

[fatprop]

Arnold took a few seasons to get this good too. A real shame he is leaving at his peak.

It is expected, it is the time for him to cash in

 

[Viking]

It is expected, it is the time for him to cash in

I feel a lot of players are judged negatively for this. But even taking away the financial incentives of heading overseas, the fact you can play a game you love whilst travelling and experiencing another culture would be pretty damn attractive too. All the best to him.

Although probably a topic for another thread.

 

[Viking]

Great set piece, but a pretty disappointing game apart from that I thought. Ball security and handling atrocious, still giving away to many penalties for high shots, and zero creativity in attack. I thought Rodda was great, along with Latu, Koro a real spark, and To'omua did what he does very well, which is run straight and hard and defend strongly, but doesn't seem to have the ability to get a backline going. I know Arnold gets great wraps on GAGR, and his lineout and scrum work was excellent as was his level of involvement, but it always surprises me how little ground he makes in attack for the biggest man on the paddock. He runs way to high, and seems to have no leg drive once he hits the defence.

We are still with this conundrum of not having a test standard 10. My inclination is to stick with To'omua, who won't let you down, but unfortunately has zero creativity. CLL is certainly more likely to get things happening in the backline, but is also far more likely to have a poor game, like Bled 2 or the Fiji match. Foley is so far out of form he doesn't warrant consideration.

In the centres my inclination is to go with Kerevi and TK, even though that hasn't lived up to expectations in the past. BR's suggestion of To'omua and TK would be fine, but I'm just not confident with CLL at 10.

Probably a bit hard to judge To'omua on this game alone regarding getting the backline going and the lack of creativity from him as the primary playmaker given a few players have already came out and said they were playing it down this game and the strategy was to hold the ball and go through phases.

So I'm hoping To'omua held back on chip kicks, inside balls, getting the backline firing, because it was against the game-plan.

Although that still leaves To'omua a bit of an unknown on how well he can manage an attack on the backline.

Hard to know who to put at 10 now, but its definitely out of either Lilo or To'omua you'd imagine.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

What was interesting to me was that for about 60 or so minutes of the game we didn't really see anything in a way of backline moves, but from about 65 onwards, a few inside balls and runners from the blind side started to appear. I guess that means it's possible that really were keeping their powder dry. The move where Simmons took that short ball and then to TT and onwards to Genia was Wallaby footy at its best. Here's hoping we see a bit more of that next weekend.

 

[fatprop]

I feel a lot of players are judged negatively for this. But even taking away the financial incentives of heading overseas, the fact you can play a game you love whilst travelling and experiencing another culture would be pretty damn attractive too. All the best to him.

Although probably a topic for another thread.

Exactly, most of these guys have a short earning period and should make the best choices for themselves

As to the rugby travel aspect, Pete FitzSimons wrote a good book on it before he became a champagne socialist prat. Hitchhiking for ugly people