Clubhouse coach
Sydney Middleton (9)
I thought Lonergan and Pollard also played well, keeping in mind they don’t start for the Brumbies. Lonergan quick to the ruck and related to the referee respectfully.
Australia A v Japan XV matches
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dru
Tim Horan (67)
Pollard was fine I thought. Lonergan is a cool customer with a decent ceiling, but I'd hope he develops his accuracy and direction quickly for Aus A.
The Nomad
Bob Davidson (42)
More meant for him personally. He was visibly upset after the miss in the semi, will gain a lot of confidence from nailing the winning conversation.
Clubhouse coach
Sydney Middleton (9)
Japan devastated at losing on the last play and Australia A absolutely over the moon to get the win.
Shows how emotionally invested both teams were in the game.
Shows how emotionally invested both teams were in the game.
Again, the most critical element is that we were under pressure. THat's what these guys need. I actually kinda wish we lost so we could see how they perform in a decider.
Anyway, if this a development tour and we are giving all a go, then the team is probably something like:
1 Hoopert
2 Asiata
3 Holz
4 Neville / Frost
5 Smith
6 Hanigan [c]
7 Scott
8 Uru
9 Tuttle
10 Donaldson
11 Daugunu
12 Stewart
13 Henry
14 Nawaqanitawase
15 Banks
16 Lonergan
17 Gibbon
18 Pone
19 Frost/Neville
20 Callan
21 Wilson
22 Edmed
23 Pietsch
Anyway, if this a development tour and we are giving all a go, then the team is probably something like:
1 Hoopert
2 Asiata
3 Holz
4 Neville / Frost
5 Smith
6 Hanigan [c]
7 Scott
8 Uru
9 Tuttle
10 Donaldson
11 Daugunu
12 Stewart
13 Henry
14 Nawaqanitawase
15 Banks
16 Lonergan
17 Gibbon
18 Pone
19 Frost/Neville
20 Callan
21 Wilson
22 Edmed
23 Pietsch
Shiggins
Steve Williams (59)
For underdogs Aus "A" are doing pretty well. Was a shame not to see vunavalu get a bit of ball in the latest game.
The referee though. It's like they find something that never gets called anymore and both sides do and then call Australia for it.
Let's face it. It's more of an Aussie D team considering our Wallabies are more of a C team
The referee though. It's like they find something that never gets called anymore and both sides do and then call Australia for it.
Let's face it. It's more of an Aussie D team considering our Wallabies are more of a C team
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Derpus
George Gregan (70)
I'd like to see more or of Campbell - he's been the best attacking weapon on Tour.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Agree with that but Banks did heaps with his time today as well.
A mutterer
Chilla Wilson (44)
Leitch is just a machine. What a shift and he almost turned the game by himself.
Glad we won grafted a win in the dying seconds, wish the wobs Had the same capability.
Lots of positives, hanigan more abralive, Gleeson more measured. Our front 3 were good woth some massive on balling. Lonergan was fast service early on. Pietsch good. Campbell recovered after early errors.
Glad we won grafted a win in the dying seconds, wish the wobs Had the same capability.
Lots of positives, hanigan more abralive, Gleeson more measured. Our front 3 were good woth some massive on balling. Lonergan was fast service early on. Pietsch good. Campbell recovered after early errors.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
I thought there was a lot to like about the game. For the Japanese, Leitch was immense. Without him they would have lost by heaps, he was the best player on the park by a long way.
For Australia there was also a lot to like:
Both starting props were excellent, Pone especially. If Taniella goes down he will step in at 18 seamlessly.
Lock play improved a lot this week, another outing next week should have them ready for the Wallaby NH tour.
Was not so impressed with Gleeson last week, but this week I thought he was immense. Even though he was the designated centrefield runner and the Japanese all knew he was coming, he still made massive metres after contact.
Ned was OK and Wilkin showing now how cruel those knee injuries at the Tahs were. He's a real keeper.
Lonergan was appalling. I don't think he kicked one good box kick, he must have done about a hundred and he turned our whole attack into being all about him. Edmed didn't get much opportunity to shine given the minimal and slow service he got.
Kuenzle was good, just needed last week's run to acclimatise. Creighton was very poor and Vunivalu had little opportunity except to chase box kicks.
Banks and Campbell were both excellent.
For Australia there was also a lot to like:
Both starting props were excellent, Pone especially. If Taniella goes down he will step in at 18 seamlessly.
Lock play improved a lot this week, another outing next week should have them ready for the Wallaby NH tour.
Was not so impressed with Gleeson last week, but this week I thought he was immense. Even though he was the designated centrefield runner and the Japanese all knew he was coming, he still made massive metres after contact.
Ned was OK and Wilkin showing now how cruel those knee injuries at the Tahs were. He's a real keeper.
Lonergan was appalling. I don't think he kicked one good box kick, he must have done about a hundred and he turned our whole attack into being all about him. Edmed didn't get much opportunity to shine given the minimal and slow service he got.
Kuenzle was good, just needed last week's run to acclimatise. Creighton was very poor and Vunivalu had little opportunity except to chase box kicks.
Banks and Campbell were both excellent.
Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
I thought Ned was very good, close to MOM for Oz A. He brings a lot to the pack and with no one grabbing 6 by the scruff of the neck I expect him to go on tour and to be in contention to start. Vunivalu was again underwhelming. Hopefully Stewart gets a start next week. His class was apparent as soon as he came on. Uru also needs more time next week. Its been a good tour.
Banks a definite pick for the tour. He looked strong as well.
Banks a definite pick for the tour. He looked strong as well.
stillmissit
Chilla Wilson (44)
Joe, it struck me that Vunivalu never got a pass, I didn't watch all of it closely but the guy can't score tries if the ball doesn't get to him. He tries to come in but understands little about what is going on. Would like to see what he can do with some space.
Banks surprised me I expected him to be a bit cautious but he threw himself into it. Pone had a decent run and I think he will go. Wasn't so enamoured with Lonergon, seemed to telegraph everything he did. The breakdown work was good across several forwards with more T/O's than Japan.
Lots to like but still, discipline is an issue.
gel
Ken Catchpole (46)
You're completely dropping Campbell from the team?
About all you'll develop in the guy is disappointment that his best is not good enough.
I thought banks was heading to Japan after this year? Doesn't that make him ineligible? Am I mistaken? Is there a point in not playing anyone else at 15 for a player that will have no place in the wallabies at all next year? He didn't even have a nailed on spot for the wallabies before he got injured.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Pone and Gleeson looked really good...
Some mixed performances out there from a lot of players, but there's a few of them you can see that this level is their ceiling.
Donaldson so far has it over Edmed, so it will be interesting to see what direction they go with next week.
Campbell is such a good ball runner, but you can see why he might not make it as a test player.
And considering you see Campbell, Banks, and Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) last week looking threatening in attack it does raise questions about Vunivalu, even though they largely had him chasing kicks.
As for Hanigan - going back to my earlier point he looks good at this level, but if we've got issues with the Wallabies losing the collisions and the coaches have questions over the likes of Harry Wilson's ball carrying... then Hanigan is not the answer.
Some mixed performances out there from a lot of players, but there's a few of them you can see that this level is their ceiling.
Donaldson so far has it over Edmed, so it will be interesting to see what direction they go with next week.
Campbell is such a good ball runner, but you can see why he might not make it as a test player.
And considering you see Campbell, Banks, and Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) last week looking threatening in attack it does raise questions about Vunivalu, even though they largely had him chasing kicks.
As for Hanigan - going back to my earlier point he looks good at this level, but if we've got issues with the Wallabies losing the collisions and the coaches have questions over the likes of Harry Wilson's ball carrying... then Hanigan is not the answer.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Ignoto
Greg Davis (50)
It looked like Vunivalu wasnt trying to be the hero and over play his hands of you ask me. Ran into contact near support, didn't transfer crap pill and generally looked like a pretty measured game.
They're attributes we praise Kellaway for, yet have to put up with "Rocks and Diamonds" for Wright after yellow cards and dumb solo effort plays.
Next week I'd be keen to see
6 Hanigan
7 Gleeson
8 Uru
I don't think Wilkins had a bad game, but I'd be interested to see how those three could compliment each other as it could be a decent pairing after the WC.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Australian players need to take a course in how to communicate with the referee, or just shut their mouths, it starts with the Wallabies but needs to be demonstrated at all levels. As fans we bitch and moan about being on the wrong end of referee decisions, but then you have Wallaby halfbacks and hookers screaming at the referee at every ruck and quite clearly pissing the referee off. Nic White could be a captain, if it weren't for the way he carries on.
Even through the microphone yesterday you could hear aussie player screaming stuff at the referee like "he is fuck*n off his feet" It's ridiculous behavior that's increasingly crept into the aussie game and needs to stop.
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