Rugby Championship 2025: Wallabies v Argentina

[Yoda]

The Lynagh comments in here are getting a bit much… 'Noah got criticised on so lets pick on the next young fly-half as well'... shit i dont blame young blokes like Lucas and Greene for taking contracts in japan at this rate. Wallabies won the game you sour bastards, how about some positives.

@Yoda I think we can put to rest your claims he doesn’t receive criticism eh….

The positives are this side is building confidence, belief and has won games after being behind. Harry Wilson's captaincy has been very good. The Scrum, often in the past our weak link is good. Ikitau and Sua'ali'i's combo building. Jorgo is killing them. Schmidt has built this side from the ashes and it's great to see us winning. Victory at altitude against the Boks was unreal. Let's keep it rolling this Saturday, strike early and maintain a lead to keep we punters less anxious!

 

[Adam84]

Discipline is a key one for me, they've conceded less penalties then their opposition in every match so far, and they're the only team not to have conceded a Yellow Card in the TRC this season(All Blacks have had 5).

Discipline reflects other areas of the game as well though, like defence, fitness and field position.

 

[John S]

Yeah, Schmidt has really turned them around penalty-wise. 18 months ago, they were as a team penalty magnets, and it was a lottery as to who was going to get a YC each game (either for foul play or take one for the team after repeated infringements).

This year it they seem to have a little more nous about the little 50/50's to not get caught and have taken the most egregious stuff mostly out of their game. Maybe it's tied in with fitness, because they also seem to be lasting a full 80 better.

 

[Ignoto]

I'm not saying give up on him, but I genuinely don't think he's ready for this level yet. And he doesn't have any great athletic gifts to fall back on that can save a lot of young guys that aren't really in control

So, who should have started at 10? James?

I have no problem with James being picked to start, I just don't see the net benefit of how it helps our future options.

 

[Major Tom]

I'd say his general lack of confidence and what looked like confusion in understanding where he was meant to be was a huge reason the 1st half looked as bad as it did. So often he just looks around for someone else to organize and gets caught going into far too many rucks which completely removes him from the game. Your 10 just cant be such a passenger

I'm not saying give up on him, but I genuinely don't think he's ready for this level yet. And he doesn't have any great athletic gifts to fall back on that can save a lot of young guys that aren't really in control

Yeah, looked rusty AF. Which comes with the layoff, I guess. I personally don't think we have enough data to work out if he's at the level yet. And by the time he gets the games to work that out it may be too late. But it's a risk we need to take because there just aren't a lot of other options IMO. I've been happy with JOC (James O'Connor) over the last few games, but he has not been perfect. He was great at Ellis Park but I thought he rode his luck. He ran out of luck in the next game (goal kicking) and did well to finish the game yesterday. While we're critical of Lynagh's kicking for the line I'd say JOC (James O'Connor) also had one shocker where he basically got all of 15m distance (it looked more reminiscent of rugby league). Lucky that didn't bite us and glad he kicked better for the line when we were going for the line (got about 7m out).
Ultimately, we need Donaldson, Edmed and HMP/others improving to create some selection pressure.

 

[Heavyd]

Now the jubilation is subsiding of the Saturdays great escape we need to focus on the issues that almost saw us beaten. The tight 5 needs some focus, Big Lukhan must start, gives us good go forward, solid lineout. Slipper and AAA to start. Any other changes?

 

[Cauliflower Ear]

Now the jubilation is subsiding of the Saturdays great escape we need to focus on the issues that almost saw us beaten. The tight 5 needs some focus, Big Lukhan must start, gives us good go forward, solid lineout. Slipper and AAA to start. Any other changes?

agreed. Felt like we were running into a brick wall at times in the first half, with no real go forward from any starting forward. It reminded of the first BIL test without Skelton; retaining the ball well, but not really going anywhere.

 

[Tomthumb]

So, who should have started at 10? James?

I have no problem with James being picked to start, I just don't see the net benefit of how it helps our future options.

I didn't have a problem with him starting under the circumstances, it's just he has yet to show anything that suggests we should persist with him outside of his age

Agree that O'Connor doesn't benefit the future options, but once he brought Nic White out of retirement to start at 9 and started O'Connor over a then healthy Donaldson I'd say that concern went out the window in Schmidt's eyes. He's only here for 12 more months

 

[Brumby Runner]

So, who should have started at 10? James?

I have no problem with James being picked to start, I just don't see the net benefit of how it helps our future options.

Of course. JOC (James O'Connor) should have started every test this year, and should start whenever available in the remainder of TRC and EOYT to maximise our chances of moving up the world rankings. Next year should be focused on finding the best options to take us to RWC 27.

 

[Dan54]

Also think he has to take into account keeping Wallabies in top 6 at end of year, important for WC draw.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Now the jubilation is subsiding of the Saturdays great escape we need to focus on the issues that almost saw us beaten. The tight 5 needs some focus, Big Lukhan must start, gives us good go forward, solid lineout. Slipper and AAA to start. Any other changes?

Tupou had a shocker, and Robertson is not good enough for test level. Are there any props at Super level that the Wallabies could bleed before the RWC? AAA would greatly improve the propping stock if he's fit again, I think. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) needs to work on his discipline. While he is a big bopper and will for sure get a starting spot in the upcoming years (with Skelton retiring at one point), he needs to work on some things in his style of play. Liked Hooper, liked Frost and Williams was alright.

 

[rugbyAU]

Not sure what’s happened with Kailea we invested in him last year

 

[Adam84]

Tupou had a shocker, and Robertson is not good enough for test level. Are there any props at Super level that the Wallabies could bleed before the RWC? AAA would greatly improve the propping stock if he's fit again, I think. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) needs to work on his discipline. While he is a big bopper and will for sure get a starting spot in the upcoming years (with Skelton retiring at one point), he needs to work on some things in his style of play. Liked Hooper, liked Frost and Williams was alright.

I'd be interested in bringing Scott Sio back into Wallabies, at least under Regulation 9 for the Spring Tour this year (i said he should have been included last year). i'm not confident that Slipper is going to make it to the RWC.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Slipper getting to the next World Cup is probably not going to happen. I think his last deal or two was only one year.

NH perverts on the thread able to give a read on Sio’s form?

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

Blowing up about commentators - the mouthpieces and ultimately ambassadors of the game - not being as incredulously negative towards players - people, who they often know personally - as a bunch of anonymous corner-dwellers on the internet is, frankly, the embarrassing part.

Your understanding of ‘blow up’ is obviously the opposite to mine..

He was willing to call out another player from a different Australian rugby team for the mistake of someone he knew in an attempt to protect him.

That’s embarrassing.

 

[Adam84]

Your understanding of ‘blow up’ is obviously the opposite to mine..

He was willing to call out another player from a different Australian rugby team for the mistake of someone he knew in an attempt to protect him.

That’s embarrassing.

You've called the commentators myopic, self-serving, prejudiced and embarrassing... sounds a bit like a blow up....

When did this 'tackle' happen, so we can understand what it is you're even talking about?
It wasn't around their two tries in the 1st half, I've watched them again.

 

[John S]

When did this 'tackle' happen, so we can understand what it is you're blowing up about?
It wasn't around their two tries in the 1st half, I've watched them again.

Yeah, I'm confused as well. The Stan team have been pretty even-handed in their commentary and calling it how it is

 

[Uh huh]

Slipper getting to the next World Cup is probably not going to happen. I think his last deal or two was only one year.

NH perverts on the thread able to give a read on Sio’s form?

A quick enquiry reveals he's been sharing the #1 jersey with a bloke I've never heard of, which isn't the best sign.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

You've called the commentators myopic, self-serving, prejudiced and embarrassing... sounds a bit like a blow up....

When did this 'tackle' happen, so we can understand what it is you're even talking about?
It wasn't around their two tries in the 1st half, I've watched them again.

No I didn’t say those words.

1:30 on this vid- the line break defense. It was blamed on Valetini by Horon.

 

[Adam84]

No I didn’t say those words.

1:30 on this vid- the line break defense. It was blamed on Valetini by Horon.

That video has no comment from Horan blaming Valetini for a missed tackle?
I've also watched the game again on Stan and Horan didn't blame Valetini live during the match either.. So what are you talking about?