Ireland v Wallabies, Saturday 15/11 (Sunday morning Aus time)

[Wilson]

Be interesting to see what Kiss makes of JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) in the future. Feels like his style of play better matches that expansive style than JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s

Could also explain the disjointed nature of the game if JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s playing one way and the rest of the backline is trying to play SchmidtBall

I think it'll be too late for O'Connor when Kiss comes in, but I wouldn't mind seeing him brought in as a specialist flyhalf coach for the world cup campaign. He's worked with Les Kiss, the current squad/system and specifically with the current crop of young 10s, so he should be well suited to it. He has some pretty clear coaching aspirations so there's a good chance it would be an effective (and cheap) transitional role into a coaching gig back in Australia.

That probably relies on him either still being seen as a somewhat viable option at 10 so he can have a player/coach role, or him retiring from playing at the end of the season (seems more likely).

 

[Upthemaroon!]

I think it'll be too late for O'Connor when Kiss comes in, but I wouldn't mind seeing him brought in as a specialist flyhalf coach for the world cup campaign. He's worked with Les Kiss, the current squad/system and specifically with the current crop of young 10s, so he should be well suited to it. He has some pretty clear coaching aspirations so there's a good chance it would be an effective (and cheap) transitional role into a coaching gig back in Australia.

That probably relies on him either still being seen as a somewhat viable option at 10 so he can have a player/coach role, or him retiring from playing at the end of the season (seems more likely).

I would probably chuck JOC (James O'Connor) in as a mental coach, the bloke always has a smile on his face when he is on the pitch.

 

[stillmissit]

I would probably chuck JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) in as a mental coach, the bloke always has a smile on his face when he is on the pitch.

Having rebuilt himself, he has a good grasp on what it takes to make a man out of a boy.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Be interesting to see what Kiss makes of JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) in the future. Feels like his style of play better matches that expansive style than JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s

Could also explain the disjointed nature of the game if JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s playing one way and the rest of the backline is trying to play SchmidtBall

Style of the past I'd say. As he's got older and a bit slower (refined) he plays as more a puppet master I think. If you want expansive it's Gordon's ability to pass that can do it and Donaldson's speed across the field.

If we are relying on 37yo JOC (James O'Connor) at the WC to string multiple games together come knock out stage it's over.

 

[JRugby2]

Style of the past I'd say. As he's got older and a bit slower (refined) he plays as more a puppet master I think. If you want expansive it's Gordon's ability to pass that can do it and Donaldson's speed across the field.

If we are relying on 37yo JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) at the WC to string multiple games together come knock out stage it's over.

His age alone shouldn't be a factor. Sexton would have ranked as one of the best 10s going until the day he retired. I also don't buy the age debate at this point of the cycle either - we had 2 years to find the next guy, we're now at the "get reps into the blokes" stage of cycle and so if 37yo JOC (James O'Connor) is the guy so be it.

I say all of that as a general principle of course. Watching him throw a 10m left-right ball to Jorgo's feet 10 minutes into the game on the weekend basically ensured the lines on my face became permanent fixtures...

 

[Tomthumb]

Guys we have got Tane Edmed, it's all good

 

[JRugby2]

Guys we have got Tane Edmed, it's all good

Not helping said facial lines...

 

[Strewthcobber]

Surely if he wasn't following the gameplan Schmidt would have hooked him before the 70 min mark?

That he didn't do this probably says more about Tane Edmend than JOC (James O'Connor).

 

[rugbyAU]

Surely if he wasn't following the gameplan Schmidt would have hooked him before the 70 min mark?

But the other option was Tane, who also didn't get on at Eden Park or Joburg (which was clearly understandable)

 

[Tomthumb]

That he didn't do this probably says more about Tane Edmend than JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor).

But the other option was Tane, who also didn't get on at Eden Park or Joburg (which was clearly understandable)

Joe is probably the only person in the free world that thinks Edmed was a better choice than Donaldson, so if even he's seen enough it's a pretty big indictment on his continued selection

 

[SamoanNo8]

Nah. This side is a 6 - 12 standard in the rankings. There occasionally have good blips when others slip.

Should have lost to Fiji in Newcastle. Got out of jail v Argies in Townsville and lost in Sydney to them.

You've essentially just taken every close result and reversed it against the Wallabies.

What about the other way around? What if we beat the B&I Lions in Melbourne, and then win in Sydney the week after? What if we claw back the scoreline against Argentina in Sydney and win that game?

Did those opponents "get out of jail" in those games too?

 

[rugbyAU]

You've essentially just taken every close result and reversed it against the Wallabies.

What about the other way around? What if we beat the B&I Lions in Melbourne, and then win in Sydney the week after? What if we claw back the scoreline against Argentina in Sydney and win that game?

Did those opponents "get out of jail" in those games too?

in Melbourne yes, but not in Sydney, we were far worse and left it way too late, plus the final 7 points came off a clear forward pass

 

[Brumby Runner]

Talataina at the Tahs? As good a genuine 8 prospect to come through since Wilson and Valetini IMO.

Nah, think he means Tualima.

 

[SamoanNo8]

what good has he done

- record loss v Ireland
- likely first winless EOYT and first time losing 10 in a year
- worst losing % of all time
- record points conceded last year v Arg
- loss v Italy

Clinical wins against England and Wales on EOYT '24.
Dogged win against B&I Lions in 3rd Test in trying conditions.
Emphatic win against Springboks at Ellis Park for the first time in 50+ years.

Along the way, we have seen some of the best periods of play from the Wallabies in ~9 years.

I think there is enough good stuff to point to.

 

[rugbyAU]

Clinical wins against England and Wales on EOYT '24.
Dogged win against B&I Lions in 3rd Test in trying conditions.
Emphatic win against Springboks at Ellis Park for the first time in 50+ years.

Along the way, we have seen some of the best periods of play from the Wallabies in ~9 years.

I think there is enough good stuff to point to.

But all the bad stuff outweighs that now

 

[SamoanNo8]

Hooper just saying on Stan commentary great game by JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)! What rubbish.

Hooper's commentary was insufferable! All he did was give his old teammates back scratches all day!

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

You've essentially just taken every close result and reversed it against the Wallabies.

What about the other way around? What if we beat the B&I Lions in Melbourne, and then win in Sydney the week after? What if we claw back the scoreline against Argentina in Sydney and win that game?

Did those opponents "get out of jail" in those games too?

Clinical wins against England and Wales on EOYT '24.
Dogged win against B&I Lions in 3rd Test in trying conditions.
Emphatic win against Springboks at Ellis Park for the first time in 50+ years.

Along the way, we have seen some of the best periods of play from the Wallabies in ~9 years.

I think there is enough good stuff to point to.

Sure you could see it as Iv'e reversed it but you could also phrase the B&I Lions win as a dead rubber and the Ellis Park win as a miracle for the Wallabies and a historic bed shitting by SA. I haven't done that right now because they were great wins. Were.

The side we have been watching since the Bledisloe has been getting progressively worse and may leave Europe without a win and lucky to get past a pretty average Japan. If it wasn't for a TMO going back to find Potters toe on the line they lose to Fiji at home as well.

Also the past decade 9 years have been overall extremely poor for an organisation that have genuine aspirations to compete to win WCs.

I think there were good signs coming out of the Lions series off the back of the EOYT in 2024 but I don't know if more steps have been made. Is our depth any better? Have the Wallabies identified the best players in spine positions? We know without Wright at 15 the side is toothless at least.

 

[SamoanNo8]

I think there were good signs coming out of the Lions series off the back of the EOYT in 2024 but I don't know if more steps have been made. Is our depth any better? Have the Wallabies identified the best players in spine positions? We know without Wright at 15 the side is toothless at least.

Agree with your ending here. There were very good signs (and I think this side is capable of reviving those). But yes, a downward trajectory since Townsville. I don't think it is as gloomy as everyone is suggesting, however.

 

[rugbyAU]

Agree with your ending here. There were very good signs (and I think this side is capable of reviving those). But yes, a downward trajectory since Townsville. I don't think it is as gloomy as everyone is suggesting, however.

Except this will be the first year ever with ten losses, third worst winning % after 2018, 2023 and winless EOYT

 

[SamoanNo8]

Except this will be the first year ever with ten losses, third worst winning % after 2018, 2023 and winless EOYT

Yes, but bloody tough draw this year. Have a think:
1. Lions series - best of the UK/Ireland;
2. South Africa - all away games;
3. End of year tour - includes Ireland and France (and no games against the likes of Scotland and Wales, being more manageable opposition one might say...)
I can't think of a more challenging yearly draw in recent times.