Wallabies vs Wales, Sunday Dec 4

[Lee Grant]

The trouble is that with the injuries these blokes are having, we are not often spoilt for choice. But touch wood - I think our prop stocks are higher now than they have been for some time.

We got away on the Spring Tour without having our best LHP and THP in Super Rugby this year, Robinson and Kepu, in the squad. Argue about the pecking order by all means, but it doesn't matter; the main thing is that two of the best props were out and we did OK. Sure Wales without Adam Jones at THP was not a big ask, but in the past we would have struggled with two of our best out.

One of the big things for me at the end of the year was the late blooming of Ma'afu - which I didn't expect at the beginning of it.

On Alexander - he showed in both games against Wales that he is the ideal bench prop. Scrummaging in the last third of the game is not so demanding and his ball running in that period is more effective than against fresher opponents at the start.

 

[FANATIC]

Barnes man love going on here

Wrong from the outset, in fact Digby is far more my 'type'.

It is all about the Rugby and who really should have been given MOM.

 

[FANATIC]

It was also frustrating (in a nice way) to watch Kaplan revert to the pre WRC interpretations, penalizing players for coming in on the side, penalizing players going off their feet and penalizing players carrying on when after the ruck had formed.

It those dickhead refs would have used those interpretations at the RWC we would have seen better rugby

.... and France would have won the RWC2011 final.

 

[fatprop]

.... and France would have won the RWC2011 final.

No, actually I think the Kiwis would have won by plenty if the game was allowed to be played at the pace of the pre RWC interpretations.

 

[FANATIC]

If "penalizing players for coming in on the side, penalizing players going off their feet " was applied to Sir Richie in the final he would have lost NZ the game.
No doubt about it.
Watch the replay and count.
But hey, don't say it too loudly we don't want to upset the bros now.

 

[fatprop]

If "penalizing players for coming in on the side, penalizing players going off their feet " was applied to Sir Richie in the final he would have lost NZ the game.
No doubt about it.
Watch the replay and count.
But hey, don't say it too loudly we don't want to upset the bros now.

Richie and the ABs played to the interpretations of the RWC officiating, you make the wrong assumption that the game would have been played exactly the same if the pre-RWC interpretations were used.

Prior to the RWC, we had pretty strict interpretation and of course they were penalised, but they had the game to leverage the speed.

We get to the RWC and all of a sudden it was a dock yard brawl at every ruck - no need to roll away, no need to release the attacker. Aus got ambushed by Ireland and then learnt, and did the same to the Boks with Pocock having a field day. The ABs adapted which is what good sides do

 

[SaderCheif]

If "penalizing players for coming in on the side, penalizing players going off their feet " was applied to Sir Richie in the final he would have lost NZ the game.
No doubt about it.
Watch the replay and count.
But hey, don't say it too loudly we don't want to upset the bros now.

Nothing to be uspet about. Got the cup. But hey, the wallabies shouldnt of got bronze.

 

[Swat]

Wallabies shouldn't have got the bronze. But meh, it's all over now. I'm looking forward to SupeRugby.

 

[What2040]

The trouble is that with the injuries these blokes are having, we are not often spoilt for choice. But touch wood - I think our prop stocks are higher now than they have been for some time.

We got away on the Spring Tour without having our best LHP and THP in Super Rugby this year, Robinson and Kepu, in the squad. Argue about the pecking order by all means, but it doesn't matter; the main thing is that two of the best props were out and we did OK. Sure Wales without Adam Jones at THP was not a big ask, but in the past we would have struggled with two of our best out.

One of the big things for me at the end of the year was the late blooming of Ma'afu - which I didn't expect at the beginning of it.

On Alexander - he showed in both games against Wales that he is the ideal bench prop. Scrummaging in the last third of the game is not so demanding and his ball running in that period is more effective than against fresher opponents at the start.

Man love continues - funny as

 

[Godfrey]

Sorry, is any positive opinion of a player to be written off as "man love" now? We're not really one of those troll-based forums so perhaps try being more constructive.

 

[minorbird]

Maybe he was referring to his man-love for Lee? That's what I saw it as anyway.

 

[Swat]

What's wrong with man love? I have man love for Rob Horne...

 

[Schadenfreude]

What's wrong with man love? I have man love for Rob Horne...

I hope you're not rough with him - he doesn't need any more injuries.

 

[Mr Doug]

Have had a full week with 4am starts so haven't viewed the previuous pages on this thread. Slightly off-topic, but are we up to six players unavailable for this test match because of hamstring problems? A mate of mine (and fellow Reds supporter), is a highly regarded Osteopath here on the Gold Coast. A couple of months ago he said that Australia's "hammie" problems would continue until the ARU replaces their Physios with Osteopaths! According to him, many hamstring problems originate in the player's back. They are obviously doing something wrong.
I didn't ever have hammie problems in 16 years of playing rugby, but tore the same one twice water-skiing, (by failing to stretch and warm up correctly)! Any comments from medicos, personal trainers, or "gym junkies"?!!

When I sent this post I was hoping for some "informed input" by people qualified to evaluate the different forms of therapy! Instead, I got some, pathetic, ignorant replies such as: 1. Tangawizi: "Why doesn't he (Rob Horne) just touch his toes for a minute every day when getting in and out of bed"? 2. hammertimethere:"Yeah, you're mate is an urban voodoo witch doctor and has no place claiming to be more qualified than a physiotherapist, he isn't". 3. Blue "The osteopaths will say the physios are doing a crap job who will blame the chiropractors who will blame the osteopaths and so on"........."I went to an osteopath once"..[That's like saying "I went to rugby training once", Blue]! 4. Sully says that I'm "misguided", for suggesting that our players "aren't getting the best possible care"...[so Sully,you obvoiusly think there is no better way of achieving fitness longevity than by the current methods?.....hmmm...so you also accept the plethora of 'hammie problems' in our squad as being 'normal'? I'm glad you didn't coach me when I was playing!
For the information of those interested, I have been told that 20% of all medical practitioners in the USA (that includes GPs and Specialists) are also qualified Osteopaths!
IMO, regular visits to an Osteo to prevent (or lessen the chance of) serious injury is preferable to visiting a Physio after you've aquired a serious injury. An analagy would be having your motor vehicle serviced at regular intervals (the Osteo) rather than waiting until it breaks down and then taking it to a mechanic (the pyhsio)!!
If in doubt, check the qualifications of Osteos v Physios.
I would be interested to know if any National rugby squads and Super Rugby franchises have an Osteopath on staff.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think almost all professional sportspeople should be doing yoga and pilates to increase flexibility and core strength which should greatly reduce non-impact related injuries.

 

[Mr Doug]

I think almost all professional sportspeople should be doing yoga and pilates to increase flexibility and core strength which should greatly reduce non-impact related injuries.

Good comment B81.
I noted at the weekend, the news that Australia is now considering testing all elite athletes for heart abnormalities (cardiac events being the major killer of participating sports men and women), to bring us in line with other countries that are doing it! This contradicts the opinion that suggests Australian athletes are already getting the "best possible care"!

 

[What2040]

Good comment B81.
I noted at the weekend, the news that Australia is now considering testing all elite athletes for heart abnormalities (cardiac events being the major killer of participating sports men and women), to bring us in line with other countries that are doing it! This contradicts the opinion that suggests Australian athletes are already getting the "best possible care"!

Jeez, are they only worried about elite athletes. Bloody hell they probably have to be healthier than 99% of the population to get to that elite level. Maybe it would be more worthwhile testing the unfit, obese kids that are forced to run cross-country events in our schools or our elite lawn bowlers. I believe that the sport of Lawn Bowls has the highest mortality rate of any sport in this country......................

 

[Mr Doug]

Jeez, are they only worried about elite athletes. Bloody hell they probably have to be healthier than 99% of the population to get to that elite level. Maybe it would be more worthwhile testing the unfit, obese kids that are forced to run cross-country events in our schools or our elite lawn bowlers. I believe that the sport of Lawn Bowls has the highest mortality rate of any sport in this country......................

Try telling that to the families of the two men (one aged 21, the other 40), who died from apparent heart attacks during the running of the Philadelphia Marathon three weeks ago (20th November), or the family of the 32 year old guy who died of cardiac arrest whilst running a half-marathon in Texas, the week before.
I agree with your lawn bowls comment, however, I think the average age of the participants would have alot to do with that statistic!

There are many active sportsmen and sportswomen 'out there' who class themselves as being "fit", but carry undiagnosed heart problems.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Does their physical activity cause the heart problems?

 

[What2040]

Try telling that to the families of the two men (one aged 21, the other 40), who died from apparent heart attacks during the running of the Philadelphia Marathon three weeks ago (20th November), or the family of the 32 year old guy who died of cardiac arrest whilst running a half-marathon in Texas, the week before.
I agree with your lawn bowls comment, however, I think the average age of the participants would have alot to do with that statistic!

There are many active sportsmen and sportswomen 'out there' who class themselves as being "fit", but carry undiagnosed heart problems.

Mr D - my point was that it shouldn't just be elite or people participating at elite levels but surely all -

I recall years ago that Nos. 2-10 in the world rankings of an event were asked that if they took performance enhancing drugs that helped them win an olympic gold medal but they died 12 months later, would they still do it. Something like 67% said they would . Sad Sad Sad.
I suppose the rationale is that the athlete has strived and strived for many years (from being a kid) for Gold and will do anything to achieve that goal. Puts a different perspective on so called sport