RC - Wallabies vs Springboks, Gold Coast Sunday 12 September 8:05 PM

[Up the Guts]

Feels like Banks is only getting picked because of his work under the high ball. Probably the one thing aside from the scrum that has been up to standard the last three games. Executing a core skill shouldn’t be enough to bag a place in the side but the situation is dire. Someone at national level needs to make some calls to Super teams and get them to play guys like Wright and Petaia at the back, we’re not winning anything with placeholders in the 15 role.

 

[PaarlBok]

I think this will be a LOT closer than people think.

Play helter skelter and get a lead and you are in with a shot. Go toe to toe and try and muscle up and you are not.

The Boks are going to slow this right down in the first fourty and risk nothing. They want to drag you into shitfight.

Agree, Wallabies at home the favourites. Our rush defense the key. Faf need to cut down Cooper space from scrums.

 

[KOB1987]

Agree, Wallabies at home the favourites. Our rush defense the key. Faf need to cut down Cooper space from scrums.

. Mods, need to add that laughing emoji with tears

 

[Dan54]

Agree, Wallabies at home the favourites. Our rush defense the key. Faf need to cut down Cooper space from scrums.

I bet even your fingers were quivering when you type that PB!!!!

Boy talk about appeasing the mocker gods

 

[dru]

Has Ikitau been put into space or a hole once in any test? If he has i missed it.

We either throw it to him in traffic or cut him out.

I'm not an Ikitau fan either, but yeah he has. Not much in that last game. I think he's been shown as serviceable, mostly. But there is Petaia and Paisami so I don't get him starting. Fine in squad, but he wouldn't be starting for me here.

Banks is the one on the chopping block IMO. Getting run down on the wing by Ioane when the kick inside was a good chance to result in a try was so hard to watch.

Feels like Banks is only getting picked because of his work under the high ball. Probably the one thing aside from the scrum that has been up to standard the last three games. Executing a core skill shouldn’t be enough to bag a place in the side but the situation is dire. Someone at national level needs to make some calls to Super teams and get them to play guys like Wright and Petaia at the back, we’re not winning anything with placeholders in the 15 role.

Banks also had a poor last game but I think showed why he is there against France. I find it hard to accept not putting the ball out - that is a killer to the pack. Still, as you say high ball work is important against the Boks. Really surprised to see him in the 23 this time when I think that Hodge just had to be in the team. Cooper/Hodge 10/15 A/D would have been interesting. Link used to have Quade at 15 not just to protect a vital player, but also because 15 gives you vision you can't get anywhere else. Really helps to read the game.

Faiinga is another one that I am having difficulty fathoming. Likewise not having another dedicated bench jumping lock. We are playing the Boks for Christ sake. Let them dominate the line out and the game is gone right there.

There really are some strange selections here, albeit in the case of Quade intrigue-ing more than strange.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I'm not an Ikitau fan either, but yeah he has. Not much in that last game. I think he's been shown as serviceable, mostly. But there is Petaia and Paisami so I don't get him starting. Fine in squad, but he wouldn't be starting for me here.




Banks also had a poor last game but I think showed why he is there against France. I find it hard to accept not putting the ball out - that is a killer to the pack. Still, as you say high ball work is important against the Boks. Really surprised to see him in the 23 this time when I think that Hodge just had to be in the team. Cooper/Hodge 10/15 A/D would have been interesting. Link used to have Quade at 15 not just to protect a vital player, but also because 15 gives you vision you can't get anywhere else. Really helps to read the game.

Faiinga is another one that I am having difficulty fathoming. Likewise not having another dedicated bench jumping lock. We are playing the Boks for Christ sake. Let them dominate the line out and the game is gone right there.

There really are some strange selections here, albeit in the case of Quade intrigue-ing more than strange.

Yep agree some strange selections and with Quade more intriguing. Interested to see how Quade goes.

Ikatau I would agree serviceable. I wonder whether Paisami at 12 and Kerevi may be better option. Banks must be nearing the end of his chances but the challenge is we are looking at a non specialist full back to replace him which is why his spot I guess less under pressure.

 

[upthereds#!]

Yep agree some strange selections and with Quade more intriguing. Interested to see how Quade goes.

Ikatau I would agree serviceable. I wonder whether Paisami at 12 and Kerevi may be better option. Banks must be nearing the end of his chances but the challenge is we are looking at a non specialist full back to replace him which is why his spot I guess less under pressure.

Paisami was originally a 13 so its a bit 6 in one, half dozen other for him Kerevi. Also I think Perese was well ahead of Ikitau prior to injury and would be a great 13 fit outside Kerevi or Paisami

ALSO still a chance that Paisami/Petaia will be Australias best domestic centre pairing so we will see how that unfolds in Super rugby 2022.

So to me, for 2022 and EOYT I think our 4 centres (the norm in a 33 man squad would be Paisami, Kerevi, Perese, Petaia.

Though likely they will travel with extra and/or Perese won't be fit yet and/or Kerevi might need to go back to Japan.

 

[upthereds#!]

Are there no other legit second rowers in the squad?

Frost is there but pretty sure more to learn then to play.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Paisami was originally a 13 so its a bit 6 in one, half dozen other for him Kerevi. Also I think Perese was well ahead of Ikitau prior to injury and would be a great 13 fit outside Kerevi or Paisami

ALSO still a chance that Paisami/Petaia will be Australias best domestic centre pairing so we will see how that unfolds in Super rugby 2022.

Nice to have options - I would have had Perese ahead of Ikatua too. Anyhow with Perese, Ikatua, Kerevi, Paisami and Petaia you have some great options and with all with many years ahead of them. Given range of centre options and lack of full back options keen to see what Petaia could do at full back. Be good if Thorn could give him same games at FB for reds next season.

 

[KOB1987]

I'm not an Ikitau fan either, but yeah he has. Not much in that last game. I think he's been shown as serviceable, mostly. But there is Petaia and Paisami so I don't get him starting. Fine in squad, but he wouldn't be starting for me here.

I read somewhere that Rennie said because he was away for 2 weeks he was only considered for the bench. That’s the same policy I used to have when I was coaching 2nd grade, this is a test match FFS. I also read that they like having Len’s left boot, I prefer that explanation however I’m yet to see him use it effectively at this level.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Frost is there but pretty sure more to learn then to play.

Can’t imagine too long before we see him get a wallaby cap if he keeps on the current trajectory

 

[Cancelled Account]

Rennie keeps rattling on about players who are performing in training. Yeah, I get you need to train well to get a look in. And, the media (the journos) keep telling us that there’s a criteria for selection; excluding players who have been away from the team for a period. i.e. JOC (James O'Connor) and Paisami. I think the coaches are missing the big picture - play your bloody best team based on ability, experience, combinations, cohesion and getting over the line. If the players who have been recovering from injury are fit and ready, play them and make sure the bench can accommodate in worse case. Backline should be 9 McDermott 10 Cooper (I’ll confirm after Sunday), 11 Koribete 12 Paisami 13 Kerevi 14 Kellaway 15 Hodge 21 White 22 JOC (James O'Connor) 23 Dangunu

 

[Warpath]

did Hodge shoulder tackle Rennie's daughter? i see no other reason why he doesn't start at 15.. Banks is crap, he is worse than Mogg who i kinda liked, might score a try a game but butchers 3 others..

 

[dru]

Paisami was originally a 13 so its a bit 6 in one, half dozen other for him Kerevi. Also I think Perese was well ahead of Ikitau prior to injury and would be a great 13 fit outside Kerevi or Paisami

ALSO still a chance that Paisami/Petaia will be Australias best domestic centre pairing so we will see how that unfolds in Super rugby 2022.

So to me, for 2022 and EOYT I think our 4 centres (the norm in a 33 man squad would be Paisami, Kerevi, Perese, Petaia.

Though likely they will travel with extra and/or Perese won't be fit yet and/or Kerevi might need to go back to Japan.

Tempting to go 12: Paisami 13: Kerevi simply to get more use out of the backline. BUT a) Kerevi is meant to have been working on the pass and offload; b) Quade is easily capable of feeding 13 direct if something is on; c) Paisami is actually a 13.

I'm not convinced that Ikitau can equate to Paisami but I don't miss that there are plenty of fans who think he can - and he has shown more than a glimpse of it. Go well Ikitau.

If Quade is on song, and subject to getting the gips, we have to accept the coaching view that he is - this is a mouth-watering proposition. Big busting Kerevi sitting one out. Koroibete ready to hit Quade's hip. Kellaway just aching for flat D and a kick-pass with accuracy. Ikitau either following Kerevi or calling for the cut out (come on bloke, you can do it).

The only thing missing is Hodge flattening the 10 channel in D and chiming in with experience from the back. It actually looks like on closing we'll have Hodge at 10 and Petaia either 13 or 15. It's an odd mix of "settle down" and "helter skelter". Add White's box and it probably favours "settle down".

All good. If we are in front.

 

[KOB1987]

did Hodge shoulder tackle Rennie's daughter? i see no other reason why he doesn't start at 15.. Banks is crap, he is worse than Mogg who i kinda liked, might score a try a game but butchers 3 others..

I sense that the forwards coach is having a bigger influence than just coaching the forwards.

 

[KOB1987]

Sounding a lot like this game will be without crowds. Surely RA got some assurances from the Qld govt when they moved the tournament there, but Anna is Anna. Hopefully they’ll just have the sense to have some localised lockdowns.

 

[Brumby Jack]

 

[Lightblue]

Rennie keeps rattling on about players who are performing in training. Yeah, I get you need to train well to get a look in. And, the media (the journos) keep telling us that there’s a criteria for selection; excluding players who have been away from the team for a period. i.e. JOC (James O'Connor) and Paisami. I think the coaches are missing the big picture - play your bloody best team based on ability, experience, combinations, cohesion and getting over the line. If the players who have been recovering from injury are fit and ready, play them and make sure the bench can accommodate in worse case. Backline should be 9 McDermott 10 Cooper (I’ll confirm after Sunday), 11 Koribete 12 Paisami 13 Kerevi 14 Kellaway 15 Hodge 21 White 22 JOC (James O'Connor) 23 Dangunu

Yes......

 

[Cancelled Account]

Coopers performance on Sunday is going to be a make or break. I hope he has a blinder. His future or intentions in Australia will be interesting. There has been a few comments about Thorn’s future involvement with the Wallabies, so as quick as he says “I’m back”, it might be “Bye bye”.

 

[Joe Blow]

I cannot see BT being involved with the Wallabies anytime soon as McKellar has just signed up.