2025 Bledisloe Cup Series

[Red Runner]

Saying goodbye to JOC (James O'Connor) now we’ve lost the Bledisloe and the RC highly unlikely makes sense. Time to back in a younger model. Donaldson probably deserves a start depending on how he goes today. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a late pull out if JOC (James O'Connor) is going b

 

[rugbyAU]

Flook, Valetini, Skelton and White are in

 

[fatprop]

So Schmidt went into the match knowing Ikitau was sick and likely to be subbed, and he was happy with no real 12 sub option?

Doesn't seem like much of a plan

They had a plan, it just didn't work Filipo @ 12 rather than 13 would have been more functional IMHO, he can crash ball without the wind up run that JAS needs

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Beaugan (AC issue) & DeGroot (concussion) confirmed casualties for Perth. ScoBar, Vaa'i & Clarke traveling but doubtful starters.

Mafileo heading over as cover but he's the only addition according to Ryan when interviewed at the airport.

 

[Tomthumb]

Yeah, can we just dump the bledisloe it’s the most one sided trophy in sporting history

Or just do what every other trophy does and have it be put up every time

 

[Hogan]

Can JOC (James O'Connor) make it through to the ‘27 RWC?
And if he can, will he be the best candidate for the 10 position in 2 years time with an ageing body? A lot can happen in that time and unfortunately we don’t have a crystal ball.

If not, it’s time to get some minutes and experience into Lynagh, Donaldson and Edmed post next Saturday’s game in Perth. I’d imagine they’ll be the 3 playmakers selected for the Spring Tour. Stick with them, develop them and back them. Lolesio and Gordon could possibly come into the equation down the track but for now back the ones we currently have.

 

[rugbyAU]

Can JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) make it through to the ‘27 RWC?
And if he can, will he be the best candidate for the 10 position in 2 years time with an ageing body? A lot can happen in that time and unfortunately we don’t have a crystal ball.

I don't think he can

 

[stillmissit]

JAS really can't do much yet. After Ikitau left the field and JAS moved to 12, he was utterly lost. I wouldn't want to trust him to take kicks.

When he's in the game, Lonergan has a decent boot. JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s goal kicking otoh has been good.

I think JAS's experiment in the centres should be over, he was rarely in this game, and we are very short of height on the wings. He should be moved there, and I would bring in Dagenau as a better defender.

 

[stillmissit]

So Schmidt went into the match knowing Ikitau was sick and likely to be subbed, and he was happy with no real 12 sub option?

Doesn't seem like much of a plan

Also admitting that he didn't focus very much on this ref, after the debacle in the Lions. The players also have a role to play in not playing to this ref; the AB's seemed to cope better.

 

[rugbyAU]

Beauden Barrett and De Groot have been ruled out of Perth - the others will be assessed mid-week

 

[dru]

Too many mistakes, some glaring ones by the officials but some glaring ones by us.

3 turn overs a piece to JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and Lonergan
Really poor defense - Longergan missed more than half of his tackles! Toole and Potter and Bell and Tate poor too.

Lonergan, rookie 9, you don't think they targeted him? Hey, I have an idea, Tupou to halfback, yeah that aught to fit your needs. Or maybe e McReight, hey that would work in your weird alternate rugby world. Both of them caused T/O on the back of making unexpected breaks under pressure that could have been big, but the support was too slow. Yeah, that's "crap".

Fuck me, talk about shitting on a debutant in a shit battle at Edan Park with a fuckwit ref (worse video officials), and holding to account the guy in a baptism of fire, who did really well. I'm going to repeat it, did really well.

JOC (James O'Connor) kicking was out. Other than that I see no reason he can't stick through to the RWC.

This group is going close to pushing the WBs back into the World Rugby top 5. Not there yet, but going close. A neon watching international rugby over the last 10 years aught to be flabbergasted at the turnaround.

 

[stillmissit]

He looked to be running out of juice, but he was still our best option

FP, if you watch the SA v ARG game, then the completion for 10 is way over James' head for the RWC. At the end of this SA game I thought it was a pity we picked Les as coach. I would love to see Larkham take them from here, he would improve the D and put more discipline into them.
The Wallabies can certainly play at the top level, as they showed in patches yesterday. Schmidt, sticking with the run backwards D of Lord Laurie, is costing us big time.

 

[stillmissit]

Lonergan, rookie 9, you don't think they targeted him? Hey, I have an idea, Tupou to halfback, yeah that aught to fit your needs. Or maybe e McReight, hey that would work in your weird alternate rugby world. Both of them caused T/O on the back of making unexpected breaks under pressure that could have been big, but the support was too slow. Yeah, that's "crap".

Fuck me, talk about shitting on a debutant in a shit battle at Edan Park with a fuckwit ref (worse video officials), and holding to account the guy in a baptism of fire, who did really well. I'm going to repeat it, did really well.

JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) kicking was out. Other than that I see no reason he can't stick through to the RWC.

This group is going close to pushing the WBs back into the World Rugby top 5. Not there yet, but going close. A neon watching international rugby over the last 10 years aught to be flabbergasted at the turnaround.

Dru, I was surprised by Lonergan. I thought he lifted the speed and execution of the Wallabies. A great debut from MPOV.

 

[stillmissit]

Lynagh, Donaldson and Edmed

I think Jack Bowen may come into the equation before the RWC.

 

[dru]

Dru, I was surprised by Lonergan. I thought he lifted the speed and execution of the Wallabies. A great debut from MPOV.

Lonergan had a couple of early jitters. It's hardly surprising. I thought all in all he was a major triumph for Aus. We have another 9 ready for international level.

 

[stillmissit]

Lonergan had a couple of early jitters. It's hardly surprising. I thought all in all he was a major triumph for Aus. We have another 9 ready for international level.

It is always interesting to see who, from our talent, can step up and those who can't. Ryan definitely did step up and is in with a chance of a starting role, depending on more experience.

 

[dru]

I think JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) retains the 10 spot but relieve him of penalty shots for touch. Otherwise I think JAS has done his dash. He was very poor in both attack and defence after Ikitau left the field. As much as I am not a fan of Paisami his combination with Len in the centres is way more effective.

BR, I've not been convinced of JAS in the centres though between he and Ikitau they have made some reasonable stints. On the whole though, Ikitau is a far better 13 than a 12, and JAS aught be somewhere else as far as I am concerned.

I like Paisami, but like many Reds I don't think is ideal at this level. I think I'd be pushing Daugunu there before him.

All that said, Schmidt sure has gotten some service out of 12 Ikitau and JAS 13.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I don’t think some of the names mentioned here were as bad in defence as claimed. We instigated an extremely aggressive rush defence for the first time so it’s to be expected that we gave up some missed tackles. It’s not a carte blanche excuse but we have to consider how close the match was at Eden Park against a stung AB team.

 

[KOB1987]

I actually think I’d rather see a kiwi appointed as the ref in NZ than that Piardi muppet. World Rugby have a lot of explaining to do. Jonker should be barred from officiating any game involving the Wallabies, he clearly either has money on the other team or just doesn’t like us, very obviously. And he gets rewarded with another gig next week. Give him something at the ARG/SAF game if they really must justify his employment, but I can understand they don’t want to waste money on an airfare for him.

That said, despite the officiating bias/incompetence we could have won that game if not for a few of our own errors, comfortably in fact. We are definitely on the rise, whether WR (World Rugby) actually appoint some officials to allow us to realize that is another matter.

 

[Tomthumb]

I don’t think some of the names mentioned here were as bad in defence as claimed. We instigated an extremely aggressive rush defence for the first time so it’s to be expected that we gave up some missed tackles. It’s not a carte blanche excuse but we have to consider how close the match was at Eden Park against a stung AB team.

Against a mediocre AB team