Super Rugby RD 7 - Waratahs v Brumbies

[KOB1987]

So Valentini has one bad game this season and call the rest above him.. His been one of the best all season.. one game doesn't make a season..

You are right but he would still be a questionable selection IMO. If Maddocks can be called out for consistency then so can Valetini, as several people have pointed out he does good things then goes missing.

 

[Pfitzy]

*Neville continues to be the form lock in the competition, I would really like to see him in gold this year

I think we're already well-served for locks that give away stupid penalties, TBF...

 

[Tomikin]

You are right but he would still be a questionable selection IMO. If Maddocks can be called out for consistency then so can Valetini, as several people have pointed out he does good things then goes missing.

Maddocks has had a pretty big mare of a season though, can you place a game where his gone well..

 

[Pfitzy]

From what I saw, FF (Folau Fainga'a) should be on some sort of notice for that cannonball into the Tahs maul. Dopey stuff. Mystifying that it was deemed not to be YC threshold. Looked to me to be the example to be used in the refs handbook.

Interestingly, Laurie Fisher was on twitter defending it today. There is a bare hint of arms coming up as he dives into the ball carrier's feet. Hardly trying to grasp or execute a tackle.

 

[Pfitzy]

Three things got the Tahs close:

1) Gordon was back
2) Dead cat bounce
3) Ponies were a bit shit

If that game was played again, Tahs lose by 30. As it was, they manned up and bashed the shit out of anything in a gold jersey. Good to see. The two young locks are alright and the big lump of a kid who came on later in the row (Wood?) broke some tackles like he'd been playing pro rugby for years.

 

[Froggy]

By the letter of the law, what the Brumbies were doing was a 'flying wedge' even though it was hardly moving. There is no requirement in the rules for it to be moving at any particular speed to be illegal. I don't blame Cooper for letting it go, I don't think anyone watching it knew how to react. From this point on, however, one of two things need to happen, either
a) The Brumbies be put on notice that it is illegal and in future will be penalised or
b) the rule be altered to make it legal

 

[TSR]

I’m not sure any of the players knew what to do either.

 

[Slim 293]

I would rather see Uru, ASY (Angus Scott-Young) FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) or Kemeny in the 6 jumper.

This has got to be a troll.........

Based on tonight's game, I would pick Joe Powell over ASY (Angus Scott-Young) at 6, despite his limitations in the lineout..........

 

[TSR]

Okay - but if that’s the measure you’re going to insist on both of them would still be in front of Valetini’s effort yesterday.

 

[Froggy]

Regarding my comments about Valetini. Yes, he is a big strong kid who is a strong runner and hits hard in defence. IMO he has had one good game, quite a few where he comes and goes, and last night was completely absent. Seru Uru is just as damaging but for the whole time he's on the field, Lee-Warner, Scott-Young and Kemeny have a little less impact, but put in 80 minutes of quality week-in week-out.
I agree Maddocks hasn't been that smart this year, but like Valetini he's a player who gives flashes of 'wow', then a fair bit of 'ho-hum'

 

[TSR]

I still have Valetini as my front runner for the Wallabies 6. But I see why there are doubts and I just find it odd that some here seem to feel he is beyond reproach.

 

[Slim 293]

Okay - but if that’s the measure you’r going to insist on both of them would still be in front of Valetini’s effort yesterday.

Nah, I was not happy with Valetini, but ASY (Angus Scott-Young) was terrible......... and looking at the match thread I'm not alone in that assessment.

 

[TSR]

I see the logic. If you don’t actually do anything all game you can hardly be criticised for making mistakes.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I still have Valetini as my front runner for the Wallabies 6. But I see why there are doubts and I just find it odd that some here seem to feel he is beyond reproach.

Valentini playing 6 for the Wallabies will only happen if there are 3 line jumpers in the Wallabies squad and Valentini will no be one of those 3.

 

[Kenny Powers]

By the letter of the law, what the Brumbies were doing was a 'flying wedge' even though it was hardly moving. There is no requirement in the rules for it to be moving at any particular speed to be illegal. I don't blame Cooper for letting it go, I don't think anyone watching it knew how to react. From this point on, however, one of two things need to happen, either
a) The Brumbies be put on notice that it is illegal and in future will be penalised or
b) the rule be altered to make it legal

The confusing nature of rugby laws. Did a bit a of reading in the inter web basically there is a guidance on how to interpret what happened and Cooper was most likely following the guidance as opposed to the letter of the laws.

If you have to write guidance maybe the law is not well written to start with. Banning pre binding combined with advancing to the opposition goal line - rolling maul will then have a defensive tactic - don’t engage.

That would be rolling maul RIP and that would be a funeral to celebrate!

Hopefully a few executives at Stan agree!

 

[bring back rucking]

I’m a little perplexed why Swinton is out of everyone’s calculations after only playing 3 games of super rugby this year. He is a guy who’s game has more freedom when paired with quality locks as he naturally commits to the breakdown to compensate.... Put him next to locks who actually do their core job of shifting rocks and his impact game comes back. Very much a guy who complements a well balanced back 5. He’s a genuine 6 that aus rugby has been lacking since Matt Cockbain / Finnegan: A lineout jumper, gets off the deck quickly for repeat efforts, hits hard and is a villain (which yes needs some tweaking). He’s not a ball runner but is a terrific first clean following that runner. Put him in a side with ball runners like Wilson at 8 and Phillip at 4 and he complements that well.... plus he has actually done what plenty of others haven’t and walked the talk against the all blacks... there’s a long list of supposed tough guys that have not stepped their game up in that arena. He delivered

 

[KOB1987]

Maddocks has had a pretty big mare of a season though, can you place a game where his gone well..

Yes. Maddocks has been in team of the week twice, last week and the first round, interestingly both v the Reds. To put that in perspective Banks is the only other fullback that has been there twice, although he will likely get a third this week. It’s not too bad considering the team Jack has been playing in, and that he’s played a couple of games on the wing. I’m not advocating for his selection though, just comparing him to Valetini with regards to inconsistency.

 

[Froggy]

Just a comment on Harrison v Lolesio after Friday night's game.
IMO Harrison has a better running and kicking game, but Lolesio is well ahead on game management and decision making.

 

[Th0mo]

Interestingly, Laurie Fisher was on twitter defending it today. There is a bare hint of arms coming up as he dives into the ball carrier's feet. Hardly trying to grasp or execute a tackle.

So much wrong with that collapse. Cancelled sport from Stan account in disgust at half time at that call, despite improved Tahs effort.

Checked Twitter, Laurie rabbiting on about no brumbies still attached, didn’t leave maul intentionally.


First thought was methinks milady doth protest too much based on number of tweets from him. Had a look at gif to see if he had a point. 6 gold was still attached at point FF (Folau Fainga'a) cannonballs in with the chop. And even even if you try to take that his view re maul being over you still have FF (Folau Fainga'a) off feet, down on one knee + questionable arm usage.

https://ibb.co/T0x17mz

No doubt next year this one will be in the GMG presentation, but the professional game will have dug it’s grave 5 1/2 feet down by then.

 

[KOB1987]