Wallabies Tri Nations

[Spewn]

I can only offer an educated guess as the basis at the moment. I do think Cooper is getting more reliable particularly outside genia. JOC (James O'Connor) still up and down. As I have said before, beale's instinct is to go himself or chip kick. Will only get worse at fullback.

 

[Ruggo]

Comments like Ashley Coopers regarding not knowing what Cooper is doing I find very strange. I don't recall any of these same comments coming from the other Reds backs at the start of the season, and it doesn't appear like there was any issue with their backline gelling pretty quickly.

I have a feeling it is more of a mental adjustment thing. The outside backs particularly should be running hard into gaps and to an extent shouldn't really be worrying too much about what Cooper is doing. Sure, if he chip or cross kicks out of the blue then it is difficult to adjust to, but in running plays they need to run to the space and assume that Cooper can get the ball to them. This is what Ioane, Fa'ainga and Chambers were doing and it worked well for them. I can't see why Horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Mitchell can't do the same thing quite easily. Giteau is another matter - I'm not convinced he can adjust after 2-3 years of crabbing.

I agree with this Scotty. The way I interperate it is that there are to many chiefs and not enough indians. In attack the backs just need to run at space and be prepared to recieve the ball at any time. Quade's vision and instinct will take care of the rest. It is quite simple and does not need to be overcomplicated which is trying to be done. This is where the combination of Genia and Cooper becomes vital. As seen with the Reds this year, if Cooper sees nothing on offer, Genia insures that Cooper does not get the ball. This is where it comes down to the pack fronting up physically.

 

[Ash]

I don't have a problem with Beale and think he has a lot of potential, but despite the same problem in defence he shares with Cooper and J'OC, I would like to see him revert less often to the low percentage chip kick. If there's space on the counter by all means - Latham was a master of it, finding space with a chip behind a defensive line when countering - but Beale's first instinct too often is a short kick when it is too low a percentage play. I think it's something he will outgrow in time and coaching.

I actually sort of feel better with Beale at fullback over J'OC as Beale is a more robust and bigger player.

 

[Reddy!]

With Hynes pulling out, and Digby in doubt, it is quite possible that our wingers for the Bok game will be Mitchell and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), with either Beale or JOC (James O'Connor) at fullback. As long as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) drops back to help out, I don't think it really matters who plays - although I might prefer JOC (James O'Connor) for his kicking ability if Giteau does not start or is subbed early.

 

[cyclopath]

With Hynes pulling out, and Digby in doubt, it is quite possible that our wingers for the Bok game will be Mitchell and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), with either Beale or JOC (James O'Connor) at fullback. As long as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) drops back to help out, I don't think it really matters who plays - although I might prefer JOC (James O'Connor) for his kicking ability if Giteau does not start or is subbed early.

Certainly plenty of potential for counter-attack with that back 3, but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Mitchell need to have it hammered home that they need better kick-chasing . JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) are good under high ball so that is a plus if the Bokke try the aerial bombardment again.

 

[waratahjesus]

Maybe they still are our best combination in big games, but IMO they have a limited potential. Barnes is solid, great defense and reasonable game control. Giteau has the odd flash of brilliance but is out of form. Cooper is the only one with the potential to be worlds best. He might not ever get there, but it is worth seeing if he can.

i think the thing is, composure seems to be something the wallabies lack in big games and i think barnes playing a more subdued game in the first twenty/half an hour can get us into a position where cooper can come on and take advantage with his attack. I just dont see why when we have a bench and several players who do different jobs we cant take advantage of it and work out entire squad combinations to combat different situations.

 

[liquor box]

Beale and Cooper share the ability to see space on the field and put themselves and others in it. IMO they're the best in the squad at it. It's an X-factor that can't be coached and is gold-dust with modern defences

It's the reason why in the 6/7 games Beale played at fullback in S14 this year, he scored and set up more tries than any other Australian fullback.

Think of who'd inject it say, if QC (Quade Cooper) got injured....

With Beale I tend to agree on not playing him, but when his name is in the same sentence as QC (Quade Cooper) then I start to think of how eratic and unsafe QC (Quade Cooper) was before Deans/Link worked with him. Maybe he should look at a move north and he might actually play to his potential.

Another coincidence between the 2 is awful hair choices, since QC (Quade Cooper) got a haircut he has improved out of sight, maybe if KB (Kurtley Beale) removes the 70's porn hair from his top lip he might find some form!

 

[liquor box]

All three are suspect in defence. All three. Being suspect in defence is a big problem as good teams will exploit it. If they all defended well I'd be happy to see them in the team but until that time I am very concerned. You cannot hide someone at this level - they must all improve. I think they all have it in them to be excellent defenders.

Is QC (Quade Cooper) still that bad?

He seems to have improved out of sight to me, he is far from great one on one but he seems to be getting better at tying up a player and the ball until his team mates are there to help.

His stats would still be poor, but are they improving? this is all you can ask from any player, if they are picked and then improve then your team should only get better for them being in it

 

[HG]

i think the thing is, composure seems to be something the wallabies lack in big games and i think barnes playing a more subdued game in the first twenty/half an hour can get us into a position where cooper can come on and take advantage with his attack. I just dont see why when we have a bench and several players who do different jobs we cant take advantage of it and work out entire squad combinations to combat different situations.

When are you going to come to terms that Cooper is the best 10 in Australia and will be there long term barring injury. He needs to start every game to continue his development. Take your blue glasses off and put on the Gold ones it may open your mind up a bit.

 

[fatprop]

Certainly plenty of potential for counter-attack with that back 3, but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Mitchell need to have it hammered home that they need better kick-chasing . JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) are good under high ball so that is a plus if the Bokke try the aerial bombardment again.

Shepherd may get a chance as well

 

[DPK]

When are you going to come to terms that Cooper is the best 10 in Australia and will be there long term barring injury. He needs to start every game to continue his development. Take your blue glasses off and put on the Gold ones it may open your mind up a bit.

Wow, that was unneccessary. WJ's just raised some valid points, IMO. But we need to close out games, so why not bring along a backup player who can do that job, like someone with impeccable defense and good kicking skills. So, Cooper to start and then Barnes to lock in the hypothetical result.

 

[TOCC]

normally i would agree, however i havent seen much which actually proves Barnes ability to provide composure to lock out matches, we have lost plenty of matches with him at 5/8

 

[HG]

Wow, that was unneccessary. WJ's just raised some valid points, IMO. But we need to close out games, so why not bring along a backup player who can do that job, like someone with impeccable defense and good kicking skills. So, Cooper to start and then Barnes to lock in the hypothetical result.

Unnecessary? Read some of the posts above.
So IMO the points aren't valid and there needs to be a reality check here.
The same detractors state that it is Coopers fault the backs don't know what is going on. How in hell are you going to achieve some continuity chopping and changing 10 during a game?
I see all the Cooper bashing as hangover from previous years when his decision making was poor. It is now 2010 move on.

 

[DPK]

So if you were picking a Wallabies team for the Brisvegas Test, would you not bring a backup 10?

 

[Ruggo]

Nothing wrong with Cooper at 10. On the basis that A. Fainga'a may be to green, I would be happy to take barnes at 12.

 

[#1 Tah]

When are you going to come to terms that Cooper is the best 10 in Australia and will be there long term barring injury. He needs to start every game to continue his development. Take your blue glasses off and put on the Gold ones it may open your mind up a bit.

*cough cough* court case *cough cough*

 

[HG]

Of course I would. I would have Barns as he would cover 10 and 12.
However I would not start with Barns nor would I swap him with Cooper just to close out a game or start him for 20 or so minutes just because some perceive him as a safer option.

 

[daz]

So if you were picking a Wallabies team for the Brisvegas Test, would you not bring a backup 10?

Well, I would, but I'm not the Wallaby coach.

From what I saw on the weekend, I think QC (Quade Cooper) should do well against the Boks as long as we are able to keep control of the ball at the breakdown and keep running them hard. But still, I would have Barnes on the bench for plan B should the breakdown go against us. His kicking and defensive work would be better in that senario.

 

[HG]

*cough cough* court case *cough cough*

Sorry and barring "bars" and not the one that you drink at.

 

[DPK]

Of course I would. I would have Barns as he would cover 10 and 12.
However I would not start with Barns nor would I swap him with Cooper just to close out a game or start him for 20 or so minutes just because some perceive him as a safer option.

Keeping with the "reality check" requirement of some of the posters on the forum you spoke about, throw yourself in that category. Remember any of those games we needed to close out? I'll throw you a hint. vs Ireland on the EOYT; what channel/defenders opened up to let O'Driscoll in for the draw-clenching try?