Wallabies v Lions - 3rd Test, Accor Stadium, Saturday 2 August

[Yoda]

After this game, my starter backrow would be:

6- Hooper
7- McReight
8- Valetini

Impact player:

20- Gleeson

Did Gleeson get on last night?

 

[Super Hooper]

He played test 2 and 3. Curiosly, the best Wallabies performances in the Series. He wasn't involved in the Brisbane's disaster

 

[Major Tom]

This is probably not the thread for this discussion, but you are dead on. RA need to start identifying blokes too big for League and before they get swooped up for PR by the NFL. Get some centers of excellence running in Western Sydney (and Melbourne imo, you can funnel those lads through to the Force or something). This is the moment for RA to make some good decisions that can pay off in 20 or 30 years.

All well and good but costs money.

 

[Tomthumb]

Shows why Schmidt is reluctant to lock Wilson in as captain, he's clearly not in our best backrow. Another wholehearted effort last night but just doesn't make an impact.

I’d disagree, Wilson’s workrate is absolutely immense and I think he’s earned his spot and the captaincy by leading by example

 

[upthereds#!]

How do we replace Will Skelton? While he’s had plenty of detractors over his career you cannot underestimate the impact his presence has on our opposition. Whether it’s niggle, scuffles, standing up for team mates or just crunching people in tackles or flops he just causes the opposition players to lose their focus. I’ve watched him several times at La Rochelle and he is utterly revered by the supporters. You just had to listen to Ronan O’Gara speak about his impact on and off the field on those who play with him. Of the big locks trotting around in Super, I guess we have Miles Amatesero, Angus Blyth and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) who have the basic physique but Miles hasn’t really delivered, Angus drifts in and out of games and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) seems to be out of favour.

Intreresting to see how Blyth goes as a regular starter alongside Matt Philip at the Tahs. Whether Miles stays or can beat him to the jersey. Amatesero's games against the Lions were his best by a mile, really went out there to impose himself physically. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) surely must be coming into favour! It would be a tragedy to leave him out of the RC or northern tour, especially if Skelton's involvement is limited. Would also expect Les Kiss to keep him more in the fold next year - though yes none are Skelton.

 

[Ignoto]

Curiosly, the best Wallabies performances in the Series. He wasn't involved in the Brisbane's disaster

77:40 Gleeson was subbed in last night and the second half of last week is where we lost the series.

Not really the story you're trying to make it out to be.

 

[KOB1987]

All well and good but costs money.

Which we now have. We should start a constructive discussion thread, throw some ideas around and forward it to RA. If GAGR is nothing else, at least from what I’ve read elsewhere, it seems to be the most measured online supporter group around. It probably needs to be started by a mod to be properly moderated though.

 

[stillmissit]

My point being Lynagh was not without blemish and I was referring to the first two Tests. His line kicking wasn't great and missed conversions and he was in there for his kicking? He dropped the ball cold off a kick and from the ensuing scrum the Lions scored in Melbourne and he missed touch from a penalty near the end. Horan never comments on Lynagh's blemishes. Just nothing said. Donno was 100 percent off the tee. Not mentioned. Backline looks better in attack with Donaldson. Starting a novice 10 for this once in 12 year series was crazy imo. We need both playing well though. I hope Tom's HIA does not see him sidelined for too long but that is my biggest concern for him. Definitely a player that will play plenty of Test footy no doubt about that.

I disagree re Lynagh, I thought the team looked less dangerous with Donaldson out there, his kicking is conservative and his use of the backline was a bit pedestrian. Not sure Lynagh is going to last with his history of concussion but he is the better option in my opinion. I agree regarding his goal kicking reliability.

 

[stillmissit]

Fairly comfortable in saying that with another warm up game and Valetini and Skelton fully fit we win the series.

Disagree, running that style of D, which allowed them to run, was a recipe for disaster.

 

[stillmissit]

We need to bring Darcy Swain in out of the cold. He has the aggression we need and has learnt a bit over the last few years. A couple of runs from the bench will be very useful if we need a guy who can bend the line.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Which we now have. We should start a constructive discussion thread, throw some ideas around and forward it to RA. If GAGR is nothing else, at least from what I’ve read elsewhere, it seems to be the most measured online supporter group around. It probably needs to be started by a mod to be properly moderated though.

All for it. I feel like GAGR has a decent finger on the pulse, so if any mod is watching .

 

[stillmissit]

I’d disagree, Wilson’s workrate is absolutely immense and I think he’s earned his spot and the captaincy by leading by example

He works hard and nobody can deny that, but if you can't make an impact from 8, you need to be very skilful like Keiran Read or you are just holding a spot. By 2027, I think Tuiana Taii Tualima or even Charlie Cale could be our #8.

 

[stillmissit]

Re South Africa I agree with one poster here. BobbyV, Hooper and McReight, Tizzano may make it, as I thought McReight was a bit quiet last night.

 

[Major Tom]

My point being Lynagh was not without blemish and I was referring to the first two Tests. His line kicking wasn't great and missed conversions and he was in there for his kicking? He dropped the ball cold off a kick and from the ensuing scrum the Lions scored in Melbourne and he missed touch from a penalty near the end. Horan never comments on Lynagh's blemishes. Just nothing said. Donno was 100 percent off the tee. Not mentioned. Backline looks better in attack with Donaldson. Starting a novice 10 for this once in 12 year series was crazy imo. We need both playing well though. I hope Tom's HIA does not see him sidelined for too long but that is my biggest concern for him. Definitely a player that will play plenty of Test footy no doubt about that.

I didn’t think donno played badly last night but I didn’t think he played the house down either. Lynagh will continue to improve with more time in the driver’s seat. Just needs to some luck around his head. Donno gives good coverage off the bench just like Tate.

 

[Ignoto]

He works hard and nobody can deny that, but if you can't make an impact from 8, you need to be very skilful like Keiran Read or you are just holding a spot.

Based on Hooper being pulled for Gleeson, I would suggest Wilson is being told to play a different game. With the likes of Taniela, Pollard and Skelton there, you need guys that constantly get to the ruck. The Lions had a lethal backrow combination at the end of the game, there's no point getting over the advantage line if they disrupt your ball or win it back.

 

[griffins]

Yeh but his cleanout isn't particularly efficient either...

 

[Tomthumb]

He works hard and nobody can deny that, but if you can't make an impact from 8, you need to be very skilful like Keiran Read or you are just holding a spot. By 2027, I think Tuiana Taii Tualima or even Charlie Cale could be our #8.

Who says he can’t make an impact? He’s done just that in this series. And he is very skilful IMO and without his workrate we would have been a lot worse off this series. Everyone looks for highlight plays but it’s the workers like Wilson that are needed for any team to be successful

 

[Major Tom]

Re South Africa I agree with one poster here. BobbyV, Hooper and McRight, Tizzano may make it, as I thought McRight was a bit quiet last night.

What! Mcreight was everywhere! If anything it shows that if you want another 7 in the 23 hooper is your man.
Wilson gets through a power of work but he just shouldn’t do the run it straight stuff. He’s got good footwork and excellent hands. Needs to concentrate on working in the outside channels.
When everyone is fit:
7- Mcreight
6 - Bobby V
8 - Wilson
Gleeson and Hooper ride the pine.
I would like to see Wilson come off in the 2nd half more often with McReight going to captain.

 

[Pfitzy]

All well and good but costs money.

I repeat my earlier assertion: for all the white collar money that Rugby schools produce, we should surely have someone managing a multibillion dollar hedge fund that can keep the game afloat off interest payments, rather than TV deals

 

[Pfitzy]

Wilson isn't a block buster 8.

Superb feet, good hands, and decent pace make him a good link man. That's why Valetini is usually in the team with him