Wales v Australia

[Muglair]

Liking these comments.

On reflection I really like the McCalman Hooper mix but that does not help me figure on the ideal 6. I have liked Fardy as an individual in the last couple of games and 2013. Is he the right balance?

I see Palu very much the same as McCalman, just grinding out the work. We do not have a Vermuleon or a Read. Really impressed with the potential of McMahon.

Does Hodgson then become the magically all purpose well balanced reserve no matter who you pick?.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think with Hooper and Fardy we have just about the ideal 6/7 combination but the jury is still out at eight for mine. As a Force fan I want the Big Dog to be successful, but I just wonder if he has enough physical impact in that position at test level. Great work rate though.

 

[Joe Blow]

Yes. Agree it's all about balance.
Hooper is not the traditional Anzac 7 and he plays more like the normal British 7 with the added bonus of his speed and running game.
The Welsh, English and Scottish flankers are often interchangeable throughout the back row.
I don't know if Palu is the right one at 8. McCalman gives his best with a high workrate but lacks the extra impact of a Read or Vermuelen. Higgers has the size and skill but has not been consistent. However, he showed against the ABs last time out that he can perform against top opposition, something Palu has not been able to do with ample opportunity.
Fardy, Pocock and Higgers.
Higgers/Jones, Hooper, McCalman.

We need to go into the RWC with several good back row options so hopefully both Hooper and Pocock are available along with Fardy, Higgers, McCalman, Cottrell, Jones etc.

 

[Forcefield]

My dream would be to take 5 years of age and experience off Radike Samo and put them into Sean McMahon. Then you could have a McMahon, Hooper, Samo backrow. That would be awesome. Samo as the line-out jumper and the high impact player. Hooper and McMahon tackle like crazy and have the athletic explosiveness to put a lot of pressure on as well.

Not sure who you'd have on the bench in that situation. Maybe Palu, Higginbotham or Jones.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

In my ideal world I'd like to see Fardy, Hooper and Jones as the combination. A big call on Luke obviously, but I've seen him play eight for Manly and think he could be very good there at Super and test level. With the right coaching he could develop into exactly the kind of hard hitting athletic back rower we need. He's a big lad, surprisingly agile, loves the contact and has some skill. He also provides a fantastic lineout option. We might not have enough time but bugger me I'd like to see him given a crack at it.

 

[Scotty]

Jones is definitely worth a short. Sort of a Matt Cockbain mould 6 rather than a Read 8 though.

In a few years McMahon might big enough to take the 8 role. Certainly skilful and fast enough.

 

[USARugger]

Just give Hooper a year off and get him that leg-lengthening surgery and we're covered at 8 for the next decade.

 

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Brown Hornet, Interesting the ideal world of Fardy , Hooper & Jones ... given Fardy not an option at this point I think the Hooper/Jones not so silly I think they played their schoolboy rugger together & U20 World Cup and should know each others game pretty much .

 

[Braveheart81]

I finished re-watching the game last night and paid particular attention to the series of scrums that resulted in the penalty try.

It seemed to me that the problems aren't as massive as maybe the initial reaction indicated.

The first collapse happened immediately when Slipper dropped his bind. He seemed to go for a stronger than usual engagement and considering that a penalty only meant another scrum, it wasn't a bad tactic. If it had worked, it was unlikely Wales would have been able to get a strong push on and would have had to take the ball out of the scrum.

There were two more resets, one where the ball was marginally on our side when it went down and one where the ball was at the back fo the Wales scrum and we were certainly in bad shape but as it hadn't moved far, it was just a reset rather than a penalty.

The second penalty we were in disarray and even moreseo for the final scrum with the penalty try.

It appeared to me that we were in trouble well before Skelton's body shape got out of whack and our scrum split. Skelton and Simmons seemed to be bound far too losely (Skelton was bound somewhere on Simmons' back which is crazy considering how long his arms are. He should be right around his side so they can stay tight). On the initial engagement, Simmons and Skelton split a bit and you can see that Simmons ends up pushing right on the edge of Slipper's left arse cheek. When the power came on, it caused them to split further and both props ended up in terrible positions and Skelton's body shape was awful.

On the scrums where we were more successful, Skelton and Simmons maintained much tighter binds on each other which makes it much easier for them to keep their backs flat and then for McCalman to keep them tight in together and for the push to go straight through the front row.

 

[Lindommer]

Rewatched the game last night, we've certainly got the wood on the boyos ATM. A few observations:

• Cheika's/Grey's defensive systems will take a bit of learning by the non-Tahs players. Good to see some were there, just keep on improving
• Phipps has come along mightily the last year, his passing is now crisp and (mostly) accurate; by comparison Genia's was markedly laboured. Will couldn't resist the ole' point 'n' grizzle routine, he did it at least thrice in his short time on the field. If Genia doesn't pick up the speed of both his play and passing he won't make the RWC squad.
• The calm and disciplined continuity to hold the ball while working their way up the paddock before Foley's field goal was lovely, almost "un-Australian". I can't recall us grinding up the paddock before winning a match with a droppie in my lifetime. But it's been done against us many times.
• Skelton's scrummaging was shittier than I thought it was after the first watching. Why didn't one of the old lags tell him to at least kneel on the ground while setting up? Why didn't the other Super Rugby demand they change sides? Will's mauling and open play was very good, but he simply MUST get the bread-and-butter parts of Super Rugby play right.
• McMahon's a keeper. Sure, he made a few blues but I put those down to youthful enthusiasm. As long as he learns the lesson from his mistakes I'll be happy.
• Fainga'a has grasped the opportunity to take the #1 rake spot with both hands. This augurs well for the RWC2015 squad. Presumably, we'll take three hookers, looking good with Moore, TPN and Saia. Bad luck for Charles, Hanson and Bongo.
• Cheika must demand improvement from all players in the remaining games. Results against Ireland and England should tell us if the players're listening.

 

[Brumby Runner]

• Skelton's scrummaging was shittier than I thought it was after the first watching. Why didn't one of the old lags tell him to at least kneel on the ground while setting up? Why didn't the other Super Rugby demand they change sides? Will's mauling and open play was very good, but he simply MUST get the bread-and-butter parts of Super Rugby play right.
• Cheika must demand improvement from all players in the remaining games. Results against Ireland and England should tell us if the players're listening.

First, I agree with your comments on Skelton. He could be great but atm he doesn't justify selection at test level.
Second, The Wallabies (and Cheika) need to get over France before they think about Ireland or England. I think France is an even money bet given the scrum problems I expect the Wallabies to have.

 

[Forcefield]

Hypothetical: McCalman played in the second row for at least one full season at the Force. He also played there a bit at Sydney Uni IIRC. Would you get McCalman to scrum at loosehead lock and Skelton at 8 if you had 5m scrum and things were looking dire?

 

[Biffo]

Rewatched the game last night, we've certainly got the wood on the boyos ATM. A few observations:

• Cheika's/Grey's defensive systems will take a bit of learning by the non-Tahs players. Good to see some were there, just keep on improving
• Phipps has come along mightily the last year, his passing is now crisp and (mostly) accurate; by comparison Genia's was markedly laboured. Will couldn't resist the ole' point 'n' grizzle routine, he did it at least thrice in his short time on the field. If Genia doesn't pick up the speed of both his play and passing he won't make the RWC squad.
• The calm and disciplined continuity to hold the ball while working their way up the paddock before Foley's field goal was lovely, almost "un-Australian". I can't recall us grinding up the paddock before winning a match with a droppie in my lifetime. But it's been done against us many times.
• Skelton's scrummaging was shittier than I thought it was after the first watching. Why didn't one of the old lags tell him to at least kneel on the ground while setting up? Why didn't the other Super Rugby demand they change sides? Will's mauling and open play was very good, but he simply MUST get the bread-and-butter parts of Super Rugby play right.
• McMahon's a keeper. Sure, he made a few blues but I put those down to youthful enthusiasm. As long as he learns the lesson from his mistakes I'll be happy.
• Fainga'a has grasped the opportunity to take the #1 rake spot with both hands. This augurs well for the RWC2015 squad. Presumably, we'll take three hookers, looking good with Moore, TPN and Saia. Bad luck for Charles, Hanson and Bongo.
• Cheika must demand improvement from all players in the remaining games. Results against Ireland and England should tell us if the players're listening.

right on the money, Lindo
normal service continued

 

[rugbyskier]

Bumping the thread to post some photos I took at the game

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xap1/v/t1.0-9/p480x480/10846478_10152650054317763_7448944026068295578_n.jpg?oh=5c19e5a11f38194a6fe1fd6317e5525e&oe=55144515&__gda__=1426974382_2e83d58be35fdbb8d24c629ac22a675c
Military band and Welsh choir just before the teams ran out

The captains laying wreaths for Remembrance Day

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/q87/p480x480/10858350_10152650058717763_1680309091768104612_n.jpg?oh=48fb632f9683328d1405c153d9e5edc0&oe=55013099&__gda__=1426609695_94da8fb759dcb25aa1c28d5b0f5ddd69
Game on!

Try saving tackle

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/p480x480/10431681_10152650060577763_3819486062189169188_n.jpg?oh=29561a15da7edf93ead0a0d9f1c042ec&oe=5510A956&__gda__=1430689288_473c353c4c9b851be5a7cbd7b3c3b263
Lineout win

More to follow.

 

[rugbyskier]

Quick ball at the breakdown

Try time!

 

[rugbyskier]

Wallabies competing at the lineout

Izzy goes over for his second.

Foley kicks the conversion

Pic needs a caption

Tevita scores the third try.

 

[rugbyskier]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/p480x480/10153194_10152650068267763_4591180424793106098_n.jpg?oh=5f2b27ce80073dfd24ce729263c052a5&oe=553F26D9&__gda__=1425725740_8604e8e06e1c7ad5f9b59a0ce4b20cad
Lineout win from a penalty

Rolling maul

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/q85/p480x480/1922074_10152650068862763_1884292745865322248_n.jpg?oh=f82134b6d60814403586c6b3271d11b5&oe=553E5270&__gda__=1430199487_ada699ca7c31ba53b018ca486795c508
Don't drop it Ben

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/p480x480/10353545_10152650069487763_2280098940464047455_n.jpg?oh=4e06677624842e37230dcc55e7073c87&oe=553E65BE&__gda__=1427034183_a7896ba0d42f9636be4a90658ce83cb6
Two interested spectators - Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge

When Wales scored a try an animated dragon did a touch down on the big screen.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xap1/v/t1.0-9/q86/p480x480/1781939_10152650071312763_5225919604525425005_n.jpg?oh=dce6b786447acb821927bce01c3cde93&oe=550773A0&__gda__=1427311029_1b69e3f2ece10b1ca01a29b7f3e9ead9
Foley kicks a penalty

Wales makes ground with a rolling maul

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xap1/v/t1.0-9/q86/p480x480/1524598_10152650071927763_7877429049064169889_n.jpg?oh=a0b63173ab972629ef5ce4db75860fb5&oe=550DF4B2&__gda__=1427289511_50f116e9026646c7c3f910a530d7acb4
Scrum time

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/q86/p480x480/10712856_10152650073467763_7741522086521374052_n.jpg?oh=2c4b5f37fbc41a2fa33a320486a631a8&oe=550FAD25&__gda__=1430589654_4fe7e7af697ba4cb10cb3a9a7afb41d4
This is the scrum where Joubert awarded a penalty try to Wales. Was he correct?

 

[rugbyskier]

Kev wins a lineout

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xap1/v/t1.0-9/q87/p480x480/10698426_10152650074547763_7325176127916985285_n.jpg?oh=1c30414f9f0e80cc8f1076c7a9c94e72&oe=55031B74&__gda__=1427094207_f39ad414f4f13abc81f79d5ecd56aca8
Full time.

I'll post pics from the France and England games in the next day or so.

 

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Agreed , Jones has a similar work ethic to Fardy and I think Hooper & Jones know each others game pretty much having played all their Schoolboy and Australian U20's together and facing up against each other in junior reps as well as Super15 ...maybe a good combo of the three in the wings ....Moving much further down the track Hooper, Gill & Jones may be an interesting combo out of left field . I'm not a Reds fan but I like Liam , injury did interrupt his year - I hope he puts his hand up during the Super 15 . I'm not as pessimistic on the back 5 in the lead up to the RWC .As well the beforementioned players with Simmons (changing my mind) McCalman (digging deep) Higgers (has the enterprise) Fardy (starting to show up) Horwill (Injury will determine) McMahon (Showing promise) Hodgson (playing champagne football in the twilight of his career) Carter gaining experience (has he been carrying a few niggles?) and others on the periphery like Wykes , Cotterill etc . And I haven't forgotten big Will ...get fit young man! - is there a "George Daldry" type who can give him the added edge , Daldry got Arthur Beetson into shape ...I see a lot of similarities , with the right focus he could be "reliably" devastating. And Pocock is the 'Michael Clarke" of the group ...fingers crossed ....seems to be plenty to work with in the back 5 , I'll leave the front row to some "Dark Arts" expert .

 

[USARugger]

If Liam brings his NRC form over he should have a very strong season. He was a force of nature in the final against Perth.

RS - thank you for sharing the photos of this and the England match, love them.