RC - Wallabies vs Springboks, Gold Coast Sunday 12 September 8:05 PM

[Up the Guts]

How about Kaitu'u's first involvement being a throw into the lineout and nailing it. How many times do you see a nervy rookie hooker bumble his first throw?

 

[Dctarget]

How about Kaitu'u's first involvement being a throw into the lineout and nailing it. How many times do you see a nervy rookie hooker bumble his first throw?

Thought he was great on the field. Looked to bring some real energy. Wouldn't mind seeing him get 60 minutes next week.

Just reviewing that last scrum now: the triangle of Philip, Tupou, and Kaitu'u was central to the drive that absolutely poleaxed N'che - who had Mostert behind him and Etzebeth next to him, but never looked like their binds were solid..

Also credit has to go to Rob Leota who we bemoan on here as not a proper lock, he did just fine in stomping the "biggest pack in the world".

 

[KOB1987]

Well, that was much more enjoyable to see....

Since we're all obsessed with what changes to make for the next match - I'd probably just dump out Fainga'a, Rodda and Swinton for Kaitu'u, Swain and either Wilson or Samu or Leota, or whoever doesn't lose the ball every time they're tackled.

And kudos Quade Cooper.

Fainga'a yes, Rodda maybe, Swinton had a great first half but lost his shit a bit when he was fatigued, I just think he needs to be subbed earlier, or even be the sub. The main concern for me remains to be the 15, not just Banks, but what to do there generally. He certainly isn't the answer.

 

[Pfitzy]

Am I allowed to say with all respect to kellaway, he does bloody well, never really think of him as a great attacker or anything, but just uses what he has got well to find the try line.

Four tries in four tests now? He's not X-Factor like some, but he's steady, accurate, and knows good support lines. Decent pace as well. Mature and unflustered.

 

[PhilClinton]

Fainga'a yes, Rodda maybe, Swinton had a great first half but lost his shit a bit when he was fatigued, I just think he needs to be subbed earlier, or even be the sub. The main concern for me remains to be the 15, not just Banks, but what to do there generally. He certainly isn't the answer.

JOC (James O'Connor) might not be as spritely as he used to be, but would probably be more consistent than Banks/Hodge playing 15.

Also means we have another goal kicker and genuine flyhalf on the field if Cooper gets the yips.

 

[Rugby Head]

Fainga'a yes, Rodda maybe, Swinton had a great first half but lost his shit a bit when he was fatigued, I just think he needs to be subbed earlier, or even be the sub. The main concern for me remains to be the 15, not just Banks, but what to do there generally. He certainly isn't the answer.

I don't see Swain forcing his way into the team over Rodda. It was his 2nd test back and he looks to be returning to his previous form. I'd like to see LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) injected onto the bench when he's available for selection, would be good to see his energy/ physicality vs tired bodies.

 

[Adam84]

Swinton, Banks and Fainga'a need to go, they’re just not cutting it..

Swinton and Fainga'a easy to replace, not entirely sold on Fullback replacement though. Maybe it’s time to consider Kellaway or Petaia there.

locks could use some rotation, Phillip won’t be able to play like that for 6 weeks. His workload was massive.

 

[Gillys_ghost]

i still dont think Bell should be starting over slips. he certainly offers a lot around the ground, and his scrummaging isnt bad, but i think with Slips and Tupou, our scrum becomes an actual weapon. Bell can still get plenty of minutes and continue to develop as a scrummager coming on at 55-60. I dont understand why Fainga'a was ever given the starting jersey to begin with. BPA has been very good most of the season, Uelese is a beast scrummager and not any worse as a lineout thrower, and Kaitu'u looked right at home last night. I feel bad for Naisarani who played well in his only opportunity, only to be dropped for a Swinton and Valentini backrow. I think Valentini was great last night and swinton had plenty of good and bad moments, but i dont see why we havent gone with 6.Valentini 8.Naisarani/Wilson. I Also think Whites game last night as unreal. I love tate and think hes one of the best but he doenst offer the composure, leadership or accuracy that Nic does. Nic looked like he was a big part in keeping us composed after that 3rd maul try that took them the lead, and his passion wad demonstrated so many times last night.

 

[Derpus]

Philip was everywhere.

 

[Pfitzy]

Also credit has to go to Rob Leota who we bemoan on here as not a proper lock, he did just fine in stomping the "biggest pack in the world".

Ball running and support play was good in the 10 minutes he was given. But our first scrum with him in the row we were lucky not to concede a penalty - think the entire T5 was half asleep. The reset was good tho and obviously the last one.

My concerns over him at lock were mostly around lineout. Giving away a fair bit of height there.

 

[BDA]

It'll be interesting to see who Rennie selects at 10 moving forward. It’s nice to know that cooper is still a genuine option, although I'm not yet sold he should be our first choice 10 moving forward. He has certainly had the benefit of avoiding the all blacks; I suspect people wouldn't be so high on him had he just played 10 during those games. On the other hand he's certainly a good reminder of (a) the importance of an experienced playmaker at test level, and (b) the importance of an excellent goalkicker at test level. I’d like to see more from Cooper before I make a final determination on where he sits in the pecking order. I suspect JOC (James O'Connor) and Cooper will both get time at 10 this year. The guy that makes kicks and minimises errors should be in the drivers seat. I still think JOC (James O'Connor) will be Rennie’s first choice 10 by the time the world cup rolls around. Also I’m certainly not saying Lolesi should be thrown out, but he’s still way too young (at least 5 years younger than the first choice 10 for the other tier one nations). He needs time to develop.

 

[Joe Blow]

I actually thought that Swinton was very good. He was heavily involved in defence and kept the Bok big men quiet along with Rodda, Philip and Valentini. He is also very solid in the lineout. Its good that we have have Swain to spell the other locks and Wilson and McMahon to share the 6/8 duties. Samu is best suited to bench as the Crusaders used him.
Not sure what was behind releasing Uelese but he is great to have in those last few scrums and is a big man.

Is that a little depth I see on the horizon?

 

[Pfitzy]

i dont see why we havent gone with 6.Valentini 8.Naisarani/Wilson.

If you have both Valetini and Isi you nearly double the workload Hooper has to do at ruck from the back row, and you probably change the dynamic of the tight five as well.

Swinton produced some really good plays last night and his physicality was top notch BUT he lost the ball twice on exit (one of them looked dodgy as, mind) and gave away a penalty that could have been a yellow card.

Importantly, Swinton's ability to switch between support player and ball runner / link man allows Hooper some breathing space. If you have Wilson at 8, he also has to perform some of these roles so you lose a bit of his ball carrying.

There are a few ways to balance our back row. None of them are right or wrong until the final whistle has sounded.

What I like about Swinton is he doesn't give a shit who the opposition are, how hard they run, how big they might look. They're all just targets to him, and when he gets it right we don't have a better mongrel backrower in the country.

 

[Ignoto]

It'll be interesting to see who Rennie selects at 10 moving forward. It’s nice to know that cooper is still a genuine option, although I'm not yet sold he should be our first choice 10 moving forward. He has certainly had the benefit of avoiding the all blacks; I suspect people wouldn't be so high on him had he just played 10 during those games. On the other hand he's certainly a good reminder of (a) the importance of an experienced playmaker at test level, and (b) the importance of an excellent goalkicker at test level. I’d like to see more from Cooper before I make a final determination on where he sits in the pecking order. I suspect JOC (James O'Connor) and Cooper will both get time at 10 this year. The guy that makes kicks and minimises errors should be in the drivers seat. I still think JOC (James O'Connor) will be Rennie’s first choice 10 by the time the world cup rolls around. Also I’m certainly not saying Lolesi should be thrown out, but he’s still way too young (at least 5 years younger than the first choice 10 for the other tier one nations). He needs time to develop.

I would say, based on Quade's performance last night, it helps elevate the pressure to throw a possibly undercooked JOC (James O'Connor) into the starting line up.

Start Quade next weekend with JOC (James O'Connor) replacing Hodge because that kick was absolutely unforgivable.

Hopefully Rennie will do another 60 minute game between the Reds vs Left overs this Friday like he did against the Force.

 

[Pfitzy]

Just watched that last kick again. The best bit? The clock is showing 82:02 and the kick is in the air with Hooper, Hodge, Leota, Philip, Kerevi, Samu, Valetini, and Ikitau chasing it. Just in case.

 

[fatprop]

I thought our backrow was immense, they really got at them

Best game Valetini has played
Swinton was really good until he look tired
Hooper was Hooper

 

[Pfitzy]

I would say, based on Quade's performance last night, it helps elevate the pressure to throw a possibly undercooked JOC (James O'Connor) into the starting line up.

Start Quade next weekend with JOC (James O'Connor) replacing Hodge because that kick was absolutely unforgivable.

Hopefully Rennie will do another 60 minute game between the Reds vs Left overs this Friday like he did against the Force.

Regardless of Hodge's kick, bringing back JOC (James O'Connor) via the bench in his place is a good option. He'll be short of a run, but that's footy.

 

[fatprop]

Swinton, Banks and Fainga'a need to go, they’re just not cutting it..

Swinton and Fainga'a easy to replace, not entirely sold on Fullback replacement though. Maybe it’s time to consider Kellaway or Petaia there.

locks could use some rotation, Phillip won’t be able to play like that for 6 weeks. His workload was massive.

I though Swinton put in a very good shift, but got tired, he did a lot of the heavy 6 work we needed , strong in the tackle, good at the lineout

But he did lose a couple balls at the end of his shift

 

[KOB1987]

JOC (James O'Connor) might not be as spritely as he used to be, but would probably be more consistent than Banks/Hodge playing 15.

Also means we have another goal kicker and genuine flyhalf on the field if Cooper gets the yips.

Four tries in four tests now? He's not X-Factor like some, but he's steady, accurate, and knows good support lines. Decent pace as well. Mature and unflustered.

I like the chat on the other thread about giving Kellaway a whirl there. I mentioned last night that he reminded me a bit of Campo the way he plays, sans the goosestep. He's solid and skilled. And Petaia on the wing with JOC (James O'Connor) in the 23 this week.

 

[Dctarget]

I dunno, Kellaway is new to test footy and doing well. Can we keep him on the wing for a bit? Doesn't even play fullback at the Rebels. I think he's played 13 more than 15.