Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[Tomthumb]

This is just getting embarrassing...

How exactly? You're not actually refuting anything

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

I just go back to what’s said before, I don’t think the selection is fair for Tom. We do this to all our young tens then spit them out when they struggle.

Donaldson was the next one off the rank to take in this pressure.

 

[Yoda]

I just go back to what’s said before, I don’t think the selection is fair for Tom. We do this to all our young tens then spit them out when they struggle.

Donaldson was the next one off the rank to take in this pressure.

Unfortunately not in Joe's eyes. He'd rather put an untested starter on his L's against the Lions. Crazy.

 

[Slim 293]

How exactly? You're not actually refuting anything

The idea that Schmidt is acting anything like Eddie Jones in 2023 is absolutely laughable... there is absolutely no comparison between Schmidt's consistency over the last 18 months and the rapid shifting of tactics and personnel and other controversial decisions in Eddie's short tenure in 2023.

It really boils down to the simple fact that you're upset Donaldson wasn't selected, and now you're throwing out all kinds of inconsistent reasonsing why, some of which are completely at odds with the reasons you wanted Donaldson to start over Lolesio a few weeks back.

It's a lengthy, multi-post tantrum across several threads and the goal posts keep shifting...

Maybe, just maybe - it's time to move on?

 

[Braveheart81]

I think it's fair to assume that Joe Schmidt selected the side he thought could compete best and provide the best chance to win the game.

I don't think it is reasonable to suggest that it is unfair on someone to select them for a big test match. They've been selected because the coach viewed them as the best option they had available to them to win the game.

 

[Derpus]

Sure does make you miss Foley v Cooper or Hooper v Pocock...

 

[Tomthumb]

The idea that Schmidt is acting anything like Eddie Jones in 2023 is absolutely laughable... there is absolutely no comparison between Schmidt's consistency over the last 18 months and the rapid shifting of tactics and personnel and other controversial decisions in Eddie's short tenure in 2023.

It really boils down to the simple fact that you're upset Donaldson wasn't selected, and now you're throwing out all kinds of inconsistent reasonsing why, some of which are completely at odds with the reasons you wanted Donaldson to start over Lolesio a few weeks back.

It's a lengthy, multi-post tantrum across several threads and the goal posts keep shifting...

Maybe, just maybe - it's time to move on?

I haven't been inconsistent in any way, and having an opinion on a public forum is hardly throwing a tantrum

You seem unwilling or unable to have an actual discussion around the selections and decisions made, which is fine. But it's kind of the point of a forum so I will probably continue to discuss my opinions

Two things can be true at the same time. Joe Schmidt is a good coach, but he also get's things wrong. I I feel he's got this really wrong, and the first test bore that out. And if the second test goes the same way then he surely deserves criticism

 

[Yoda]

I haven't been inconsistent in any way, and having an opinion on a public forum is hardly throwing a tantrum

You seem unwilling or unable to have an actual discussion around the selections and decisions made, which is fine. But it's kind of the point of a forum so I will probably continue to discuss my opinions

Two things can be true at the same time. Joe Schmidt is a good coach, but he also get's things wrong. I I feel he's got this really wrong, and the first test bore that out. And if the second test goes the same way then he surely deserves criticism

One hundred percent.

 

[Ignoto]

What he did do was throw a young playmaker in unprepared, not use any existing combinations, play players out of position, under-rate experience and not have a gameplan built to beat the opponent coming up next. All of which Schmidt has done

Unsure why you think this is Joe's fault.

He's had what, 12 - 18 months with this squad, trying to see who can do what while at the same time trying to win every single game as there's no luxury of rebuilding.

The complaints you're making stem from 5+ years ago where there was no development of a "world class 10".

AI tells me in the last 5 years, these are the blokes who've been named at 10;

Player	Number of Starts at Fly-Half	Age
Noah Lolesio	19	25
Quade Cooper	7	37
Bernard Foley	7	35
Carter Gordon	4	24
James O'Connor	4	35
Reece Hodge	3	30
Ben Donaldson	1	26
Tom Lynagh	1	22

3 geriatrics, 1 utility back (Hodge), 1 discarded and 3 "juniors.

Hamish fucked us by appointing Eddie and then we having to scramble to find a HC that could only give us 2 years which obviously is way too short for what he needed.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

I think Donaldsons courage and toughness would help him as well. He is willing to take risks and has that attacking flair. It might be better to keep him on the bench to attack for the last 20 mins - we just need a plan to defend well from the start. I really think we could utilise Sualii for their back kicks. I’m not entirely sure how to do it without him being named at wing or fullback though.

 

[Tomthumb]

Unsure why you think this is Joe's fault.

He's had what, 12 - 18 months with this squad, trying to see who can do what while at the same time trying to win every single game as there's no luxury of rebuilding.

The complaints you're making stem from 5+ years ago where there was no development of a "world class 10".

AI tells me in the last 5 years, these are the blokes who've been named at 10;

Player	Number of Starts at Fly-Half	Age
Noah Lolesio	19	25
Quade Cooper	7	37
Bernard Foley	7	35
Carter Gordon	4	24
James O'Connor	4	35
Reece Hodge	3	30
Ben Donaldson	1	26
Tom Lynagh	1	22

3 geriatrics, 1 utility back (Hodge), 1 discarded and 3 "juniors.

Hamish fucked us by appointing Eddie and then we having to scramble to find a HC that could only give us 2 years which obviously is way too short for what he needed.

Well firstly those stats are off as Donaldson has started more than 1 test in the last 5 years

And secondly, my complaint is why didn't he play Lynagh more last year to prepare him if he was in fact 1 injury away from starting vs the Lions. He was treated like a 3rd and sometimes 4th string 10 last year and now he's just been thrown in to start vs the Lions. And playing with a 9 & 12 he has never played with before, all while his 9 and 12 team mates from the Reds are in the squad. You are setting the guy up to fail

And I don't buy the "not enough time' stuff. Rassie Erasmus took a Springbok team from a 57-0 loss to the Kiwis to a World cup in the same amount of time Joe has had

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

I think it's fair to assume that Joe Schmidt selected the side he thought could compete best and provide the best chance to win the game.

I don't think it is reasonable to suggest that it is unfair on someone to select them for a big test match. They've been selected because the coach viewed them as the best option they had available to them to win the game.

Yeah, I just think we’ve seen this show before and we all know the outcome.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

At least Michael Hooper gets it

Hooper's sweeping Wallabies changes to keep Lions series alive

Sua'ali'i switch among multiple moves for second Test

www.nine.com.au

Michael Hooper for coach.

 

[Famed_Star]

This is just getting embarrassing...

What’s actually embarrassing is blindly defending mediocrity.

 

[Slim 293]

What’s actually embarrassing is blindly defending mediocrity.

That could be embarrassing if somebody was doing that random new account...

 

[Jumping_jack]

I think Donaldsons courage and toughness would help him as well. He is willing to take risks and has that attacking flair. It might be better to keep him on the bench to attack for the last 20 mins - we just need a plan to defend well from the start. I really think we could utilise Sualii for their back kicks. I’m not entirely sure how to do it without him being named at wing or fullback though.

Ikitau is also one of the best 13’s in the world.
I doubt there will be such a drastic change but Joseph S to the wing or to fullback is actually a game changer for me. It keeps Lynagh away from that high ball pressure, gives us better variety in attack and gives us the chance to use JS’ best skills! (Air time).

Like many posters, I do hope Tate starts too. Guy is a weapon.

 

[Braveheart81]

I doubt there will be such a drastic change but Joseph S to the wing or to fullback is actually a game changer for me. It keeps Lynagh away from that high ball pressure, gives us better variety in attack and gives us the chance to use JS’ best skills! (Air time).

Having the 10 play at the back in defence is pretty common both to lessen the number of tackles they need to complete and to utilize their kicking game. I'm not sure moving JAS to the wing would change that. We would need to decide that the 10 is defending up in the line and isn't being used at the back.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

Having the 10 play at the back in defence is pretty common both to lessen the number of tackles they need to complete and to utilize their kicking game. I'm not sure moving JAS to the wing would change that. We would need to decide that the 10 is defending up in the line and isn't being used at the back.

Solving this one problem is hard. I don’t see an easy solution unfortunately.

 

[Tex]

Weather is cold and wet this week in Melbourne, with the forecast looking gross for Saturday.

Hope all you northern visitors brought your ponchos!

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

I wish Paisami was in the squad to at least provide the chance of a variation that could work.

And a bit of a random one, but I think Josh Flook would be an asset. I don’t know how it all fits in.