Wales vs Australia, 5 November 2016, (1:30am 6 November AEDT) @ Millenium Stadium

[USARugger]

Lee, I don't know if Quade would have done any better, or worse for that matter.

But I think this game has basically told us nothing in that regard as the question was never if either could perform well beyond a very dominant pack. It's what we get behind the beaten pack that really needs to guide the decision.

On Hodge I must say it was noticeable how beneficial his big kick was. There was one point where he put a 22 out on their 22, Wales went for the quick line out and then kicked out themselves, and suddenly we had a line out on around halfway.

That's the type of thing that will be invaluable behind a beaten pack.

For me it's not even about beaten pack vs. dominant pack - it's about what happens when we come up against a side that's actually going to use effective territorial kicking in between the 22m lines and will pressure us much harder on exits from our own 22. None of our kickers really had to deal with either very regularly on the weekend.

I do remember the moment you cited specifically and I'll say it had me out of my chair more than any other individual moment in the test.

 

[TOCC]

SH teams definitely have an advantage on the Spring Tour compared to the NH teams in June.. June is more of an even playing field, NH teams have marginally more time together, but SH teams have home ground advantage... Come October though, SH teams have been together for months and played a full Rugby Championship.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Lee, I don't know if Quade would have done any better, or worse for that matter.

But I think this game has basically told us nothing in that regard as the question was never if either could perform well beyond a very dominant pack. It's what we get behind the beaten pack that really needs to guide the decision.

On Hodge I must say it was noticeable how beneficial his big kick was. There was one point where he put a 22 out on their 22, Wales went for the quick line out and then kicked out themselves, and suddenly we had a line out on around halfway.

That's the type of thing that will be invaluable behind a beaten pack.

Wasn't that a gem. Every short arm should be belted as far as possible down field. Not much difference between finding touch allowing a quick throw in or not finding touch. Most sides will take the Wales approach and kick for the sideline when confronted by a good chase, with a subsequent throw in usually with good gain in territory to the initial non-offending side. Just don't kick it dead in goal.

 

[Brumby Runner]

For those who think Scott Fardy was not effective against Wales or is over the hill, I recommend a good look at ForceFan's stats for the game. His involvement in the second half was worthy of Pocock. Huge impact at the breakdown, especially on defensive rucks, excellent defensive involvements including a try saver tackle in quality close to the two by DHP and Frisby, and a few very good ground gaining carries. Gave away one penalty that I recall, so no grounds there to put him before the firing squad.

He really had quite an immense second half, regardless that he knew he was on for 40 minutes only.

Neither Dean Mumm nor Rob Simmons would ever be expected to have the number and quality of involvements in a game that Scott had in this. Fardy must come back into the starting side if Pocock misses out.

 

[wamberal]

Wasn't that a gem. Every short arm should be belted as far as possible down field. Just don't kick it dead in goal.

Er, yes. Scotland.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Neither Dean Mumm nor Rob Simmons would ever be expected to have the number and quality of involvements in a game that Scott had in this. Fardy must come back into the starting side if Pocock misses out.

Last full half that Simmons played - against South Africa - he hit 19 rucks, with 10 tackles and 8 hit ups - total of 37

Fardy hit 25 rucks in this game, with 7 tackles and 2 runs - total of 34

 

[Twoilms]

Last full half that Simmons played - against South Africa - he hit 19 rucks, with 10 tackles and 8 hit ups - total of 37

Fardy hit 25 rucks in this game, with 7 tackles and 2 runs - total of 34

These stats don't take into consideration the fact that Simmons has no where near the power Fardy does when hitting the rucks or hitting the ball up. Nor does Mumm. Stats are only useful up to a certain point.

BrumbyRunner, i'd agree if his discipline wasn't so sloppy.

 

[Dalai Ninja]

Stats are only useful up to a certain point.

The decimal point?

 

[Sully]

You run at Simmons you get tackled nearly everytime. Tackled is tackled. I'm not even certain why you'd compare Simmons to Fardy?

 

[Gnostic]

Just imagine how good we'd be if the Front Row became more involved!

Compare how much the two front rows ran the ball AND how many tackles broken, offloads and metres made and you'll find the difference there. All three of the Wallaby starting front rowers made lots of metres in tight and Kepu in particular made two offloads that I remember. Wales zero effective runs and one TOW to Jenkins.

 

[Gnostic]

Lee, I don't know if Quade would have done any better, or worse for that matter.



But I think this game has basically told us nothing in that regard as the question was never if either could perform well beyond a very dominant pack. It's what we get behind the beaten pack that really needs to guide the decision.



On Hodge I must say it was noticeable how beneficial his big kick was. There was one point where he put a 22 out on their 22, Wales went for the quick line out and then kicked out themselves, and suddenly we had a line out on around halfway.



That's the type of thing that will be invaluable behind a beaten pack.

Amazing, who'd have thought such a tactic would be revolutionary. Many have been saying it for years, from the time Deans left Gerrard at home and played a conservative game plan needing effective kickers. finally the bloke is also being used to take the kicks as well as being selected.

 

[Gnostic]

For those who think Scott Fardy was not effective against Wales or is over the hill, I recommend a good look at ForceFan's stats for the game. His involvement in the second half was worthy of Pocock. Huge impact at the breakdown, especially on defensive rucks, excellent defensive involvements including a try saver tackle in quality close to the two by DHP and Frisby, and a few very good ground gaining carries. Gave away one penalty that I recall, so no grounds there to put him before the firing squad.



He really had quite an immense second half, regardless that he knew he was on for 40 minutes only.



Neither Dean Mumm nor Rob Simmons would ever be expected to have the number and quality of involvements in a game that Scott had in this. Fardy must come back into the starting side if Pocock misses out.

Fardy's mum is revealed.

 

[Lee Grant]

^^^^^
I know Fardy's mum and that is not Fardy's mum.
.

 

[Brumby Runner]

You run at Simmons you get tackled nearly everytime. Tackled is tackled. I'm not even certain why you'd compare Simmons to Fardy?

I agree Sully. Fardy is a No 6 specialist while Rob S is a lock (of sorts) who had a couple of very forgettable games at 6 years ago. Don't remember who they were against now, so forgettable were they. There certainly is no comparison when we are considering one of the best No 6s the Wallabies have had since the days of Melon, and one of the most timid locks we've had forever.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Fardy's mum is revealed.

What a great refute to a well evidenced argument.

 

[Joe Blow]

I watched the replay(again) last night paying particular attention to following Lopeti Timani. Timani has a very good rugby head on his shoulders. He picked his involvements well. In particular there were two bone jarring try saving tackles when Wales were putting a lot of pressure on our line but were unable to score. He also did not over commit to the breakdown. He also took a very clean lineout at two that was subsequently turned over by whoever he handed it to. No doubt he is a work in progress but I like the cut of his jib!

 

[Dan54]

Agree on Timani Joe, he looks the goods that boy. Also on the Foley/QC (Quade Cooper) thing I don't really get into it or have a preference, but I do think Foley was certainly the right player for Welsh test as I think his little cross kicks were well done to expose a pretty poor Welsh defensive system, and felt perhap QC (Quade Cooper) would of maybe attacked line himself a little more, and not been quite as effective, which is not to say QC (Quade Cooper) may not be a better pick against different teams.

 

[fatprop]

In retrospect, probably the best news for Aus from this game was Kuridrani being back and in form.

 

[Dalai Ninja]

In retrospect, probably the best news for Aus from this game was Kuridrani being back and in form.

He's the crucial extra threat out wide the Wallabies need, because you can't double-mark both him and Folau without leaving gaps inside for Foley (or Cooper).

 

[Sully]

I agree Sully. Fardy is a No 6 specialist while Rob S is a lock (of sorts) who had a couple of very forgettable games at 6 years ago. Don't remember who they were against now, so forgettable were they. There certainly is no comparison when we are considering one of the best No 6s the Wallabies have had since the days of Melon, and one of the most timid locks we've had forever.

You can have your penalty magnet mate. He's all yours.