Bledisloe #2 - AUS v NZL, Eden Park, Auckland, August 15th

[Viking]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cooper both got shown up by their boots - both losing footing at key times. Both seemed to have standard moulded soles, not longer sprigs. A common Wallaby shortfall. Inexcusable at this level to have inadequate footwear in greasy conditions.

My god how on earth do they wear the wrong boots especially after what happened to Beale when he slipped taking the kick against the B&I Lions. How on earth do you not learn from that?

 

[Train Without a Station]

Yeah, the first try was his fault buuuut we can't blame him because he's one of the most reliable players, a bad night may have any.

We should blame for players like Palu, Cooper, Foley, Phipps, etc,etc.

If Lopeti plays the WC for Tonga would be a real catastrophe

Yes we can. That's how it works. When reliable players play below par the team performance drops.

Saying a player should not be blamed for a bad game because he's normally good is one of the most fuckwitted comments I've ever read.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a huge one to blame. Due to the out of character nature of the performance, that should not change his standing in the team.

 

[Train Without a Station]

My god how on earth do they wear the wrong boots especially after what happened to Beale when he slipped taking the kick against the B&I Lions. How on earth do you not learn from that?

Because they can be incredibly uncomfortable and make running more difficult. I play 7 and have both. I will avoid wearing screw ins unless absolutely necessary.

If imagine they'd be the same, if they think they can get away with sprigs, do so because it enables them to play better off their feet.

How often have we seen it be an issue? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cooper last night and Beale 2 years ago? I'd say all backs probably wear moulded too so it's not as though it's always a problem.

 

[Viking]

Because they can be incredibly uncomfortable and make running more difficult. I play 7 and have both. I will avoid wearing screw ins unless absolutely necessary.

If imagine they'd be the same, if they think they can get away with sprigs, do so because it enables them to play better off their feet.

How often have we seen it be an issue? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cooper last night and Beale 2 years ago? I'd say all backs probably wear moulded too so it's not as though it's always a problem.

twice in 2 years, one in a B&I Lions match and the other in a Bled decider - possibly at the worst of times. I'd like to think in these crucial matches preparation would be at the utmost highest detail (every test match should be detailed but these games you'd think players would take even extra care) - clearly not if players underestimate wet conditions and/or coaching aren't advising to wear your wet gear.

 

[KOB1987]

I know it counts for nothing when you are 28 points down, but again the final 20 minutes was our best stanza of play - 7 all. The worst obviously was the first 20 minutes of the second half (actually a 7 minute span starting from Quades head high and sin binning) when they scored 3 tries/21 points.

The first 20 minutes of the game was actually level as well, 3 all.

Its probably not unreasonable to presume that Cheika works out the personnel he wants on the field for the final 20-30 minutes and works back from there. He probably wanted to see how Skelton went as a starter v a finisher, hence he couldn't have both Pocock & Hooper to start as well.

At least we know what our best pack is now:

1. Sio
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Horwill/Mumm
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Pocock

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Because they can be incredibly uncomfortable and make running more difficult. I play 7 and have both. I will avoid wearing screw ins unless absolutely necessary.

If imagine they'd be the same, if they think they can get away with sprigs, do so because it enables them to play better off their feet.

How often have we seen it be an issue? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cooper last night and Beale 2 years ago? I'd say all backs probably wear moulded too so it's not as though it's always a problem.

If you were in a team I was coaching you wouldn't be if you played 7 and wore moulded soles. If its good enough for McCaw then ........
Was AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) wearing nike? I think QC (Quade Cooper) was.
I find that odd: they are sponsored by asics who have the best range of boots for forwards and backs. If they must they can wear moulded soles in Australia in exactly the same boot - although Beale showed that is not a given.
Frankly, if it is good enough for Dan Carter for the whole if his career on all continents and every island to wear metal sprigs then no princess in this country should do otherwise and certainly not anywhere in NZ: there is no solid ground on either island as far as I have been able tell.

 

[Quick Hands]

Actually TWAS I am not saying at all To'omua or Giteau at 10 are better than Foley or Cooper just that we have not got someone to date who has nailed 10 so we need to look at other options.

Hence, given both To'omua and Giteau have had at least been our better performers (granted To'omua last night did not have a good game) it would be worth seeing how they perform at 10 given both have played in 10 position. To'omua already in previous games showed some promise coming on at 10 so yes would like to see how he starts at 10 with Gits.

I am not saying they are the answer but as we don't have the answer to 10 we need to look at other options prior to getting to serious side of RWC.

I couldn't agree more. It seems everyone has become so focussed on the Foley/Cooper discussion, that few people have realised that neither of them have really nailed the position in 2015. Seeing that we see to almost be in experiment mode, hard to fathom why To'omua hasn't had a start at 10. In Sydney the backline went better when he was at 10 and last night he didn't go as well - but we were a man down and we were being smashed at the breakdown.

 

[Quick Hands]

If you were in a team I was coaching you wouldn't be if you played 7 and wore moulded soles. If its good enough for McCaw then ....
Was AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) wearing nike? I think QC (Quade Cooper) was.
I find that odd: they are sponsored by asics who have the best range of boots for forwards and backs. If they must they can wear moulded soles in Australia in exactly the same boot - although Beale showed that is not a given.
Frankly, if it is good enough for Dan Carter for the whole if his career on all continents to wear metal sprigs then no princess in this country should do otherwise and certainly not anywhere in NZ: there is no solid ground on either island as far as I have been able tell.

I played till I was 35 (mostly in the backs) and I don't think I wore moulded soles after about 9 years of age.

 

[Quick Hands]

twice in 2 years, one in a B&I Lions match and the other in a Bled decider - possibly at the worst of times. I'd like to think in these crucial matches preparation would be at the utmost highest detail (every test match should be detailed but these games you'd think players would take even extra care) - clearly not if players underestimate wet conditions and/or coaching aren't advising to wear your wet gear.

It had only been raining in Auckland for 2 days.

 

[Train Without a Station]

twice in 2 years, one in a B&I Lions match and the other in a Bled decider - possibly at the worst of times. I'd like to think in these crucial matches preparation would be at the utmost highest detail (every test match should be detailed but these games you'd think players would take even extra care) - clearly not if players underestimate wet conditions and/or coaching aren't advising to wear your wet gear.

But if they make you less nimble on your feet and mean you're that half second slower through gaps, what have you gained by not being the single player per game or less that slips over.

I'm not saying that should have worn mouldeds. But I am saying this is possibly a reason why they would look to wear them.

 

[Train Without a Station]

And QH and IS hardly relevant. Isn't this how people used to look in games back in your playing days?

 

[Inside Shoulder]

I played till I was 35 (mostly in the backs) and I don't think I wore moulded soles after about 9 years of age.

I couldn't wait to stop wearing them: I wanted to be able to make the click clack as you walked on concrete like the big blokes did.
But i recall all those years ago when I wore them - and they were essentially the 1970's equivalent of the adidas world cup (tornados if i recall) you could actually hear them breaking the ground open with each step.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

And QH and IS hardly relevant. Isn't this how people used to look in games back in your playing days?View attachment 6787

I'll bet you the wingers werent beaten by a hooker

 

[No4918]

I couldn't agree more. It seems everyone has become so focussed on the Foley/Cooper discussion, that few people have realised that neither of them have really nailed the position in 2015. Seeing that we see to almost be in experiment mode, hard to fathom why To'omua hasn't had a start at 10. In Sydney the backline went better when he was at 10 and last night he didn't go as well - but we were a man down and we were being smashed at the breakdown.

I really think To'omua should have played 10 last night and may yet be the best option. But it is tough to be saying people are too focused on Foley v Cooper when the coach is saying they are the 10's both by his selections and in the press. To'omua looks like he will have to bide his time until next season when Cooper is unlikely to be around.

 

[No4918]

I'll bet you the wingers werent beaten by a hooker

Couldn't believe Kepu overtook AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the chase for Coles. We have one of the slowest back 3's around.

 

[Viking]

But if they make you less nimble on your feet and mean you're that half second slower through gaps, what have you gained by not being the single player per game or less that slips over.

I'm not saying that should have worn mouldeds. But I am saying this is possibly a reason why they would look to wear them.

It is most definitely the reason they chose to wear it. But by attempting to get a 1 second advantage after it has been raining in Auckland for 2 days and as mentioned by @inside Shoulder NZ is renowned for not having solid ground. Seems like a very ignorant and amateur choice by the players.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Couldn't believe Kepu overtook AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the chase for Coles. We have one of the slowest back 3's around.

why'd you have to telll me that - I didnt even notice

 

[Bullrush]

I'll pay that, but did also say that all our best footy this season has been when he and Hooper have been on the paddock at the same time. I think it's clear now that at the very least he and probably Hooper must start if we're to be any chance at the RWC.

Agree. I was one of the firstvguys on here who touted Pocock and Hooper playing together because they just have such different games even though they bith usually wear 7.
Pocock is your Michael Jordan and Hooper is your Scottie Pippen. Jordan made Pippen a better player and having Jordan on the court opened up opportunities for Pippen to exploit.

I seriously think that Cheika wasn't 100% committed to winning the Bledisloe and is banking everything on the RWC.

Couple of other Wallabies I'll mention:

Palu. I don't know how many times I've said it here but he just isn't the guy to play when you're up against NZ or SA. I'd like to see McCalman given more of a shot.

QC (Quade Cooper). He's been given the hardest games this TRC/Bledisloe. Foley would have been no better last nite I reckon. But someone has seriously stolen QC (Quade Cooper)'s confidence and he needs to put out an APB to get it back. I think he is the best 10 you have - but why the fuck he got the Boks and the ABs @Eden Park after being shown up the week before - poor bastard.

Genia. He is actually your best 9 as well. If only he played like it. I feel like him and QC (Quade Cooper) need to be told 'You have nothing to lose boys. Go and play your hearts out but have some fun. Enjoy just playing rugby again!' Forget about if you'll get picked next week or what contract you'll have next year. Just go and play some footy for the sheer enjoyment if it.

I think we've seen the best that you can expect from White and Phipps and it's a distant 3rd to Genia at his best and daylight.

Folau. The guy is a beast. How can you get him the ball
more often?

Imagine this backline actually firing:

Genia
Cooper
To'omua
Kurindrani
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Tomane
JOC (James O'Connor)
Folau

Forwards:
Sio
Moore
Slipper
Simmons
Fardy
Pocock
Hooper
MacCalman

Bench:
Kepu
TPN
Holmes
Skelton
Vaea
Beale
Foley
Phipps

They key is getting Pocock and Hooper on at the same time, Genia and QC (Quade Cooper) back to somewhere around 2010-2011.

 

[Teh Other Dave]

I suspect the poor footing also damaged our breakdowm work.

 

[Tahtrajic]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cooper both got shown up by their boots - both losing footing at key times. Both seemed to have standard moulded soles, not longer sprigs. A common Wallaby shortfall. Inexcusable at this level to have inadequate footwear in greasy conditions.

I hate the molded soles. I refused to but them for my son. Even though the boys don't get to play on grounds that are to wet or slippery these days, thanks to ovals being closed at the smallest drop of rain, bloody councils of Sydney we are bring up a bunch of kids who don't know how to play in the rain. I have to stop typing now my blood pressure is rising. Sorry it's a pet hate of mine