England v Australia, Saturday 3 December

[Inside Shoulder]

In the entire time I've been watching rugby, I have never seen a ref think about the laws of physics. Player jumps in the air for a charge down, fails and collides with the kicking player? Fuck the laws of physics, yellow card for you

yeah, Im not really asking him to think - there isn't time for that - its instinctive....until you see the replay and don't see the obvious.
If DHP hadn't braced himself it would have been him rolling on the ground and then jumping back up when the penalty was awarded (except we never get that penalty)

 

[Rip 'em a new one]

Nah, he called advantage over...

It was a fair call.

True, but he called it over while we were still behind the line of the original infraction which I thought odd.

 

[I like to watch]

They did, but I think Phipps & Foley would have looked pretty good behind that English pack.

Very few halves (if any) look decent off back foot ball

I don't think forward dominance was anything a jersey change wouldn't fix.
Look closely at their 7 all game, he is around our guys necks all game.
4 or 5 penalties there, and their momentum is non existent.
That's just one example.

If Foley is allowed to throw blatantly forward passes to put guys into holes,it's a lot easier assignment as well.

 

[Twoilms]

Get over this blaming the ref bullshit. We played fucking terribly in the second half and walked away from a dominant first half with a 3 point lead thanks to Phipps being about as shit as everyone was saying he wasn't before the match.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[I like to watch]

Mate, you focus on his woeful defence to let his opposite score.
I'll focus on the series of atrocious refereeing decisions that put England in position for him to do that.
Ok?

 

[PeterK]

Ok as a supposed neutral (ok I admit I was cheering for Wobs) I would make a few points. Wallabies really seem to switch off for times during test(and I have commented before on this), I believe perhaps too many a mentally a little lazy? The Poms played bloody well,they really are looking a fairly complete team, and I do think the power of rugby maybe heading towards NH where they seem to be playing proper physical rugby.
On the HP yc, I thought pretty harsh, but as I said when he got penalised in the Bled 3 match, don't do stuff that brings the ref's decisions into the game, I didn't think it was particularly dirty, just a little hit to let Brown know he was there!

Brown took a dive, that should not be rewarded

 

[gel]

To those bemoaning the lack of 50/50 calls going our way:

We will not get the 50/50s going our way until our players stop consistently screaming at the referees for every conceivable infringement.

Stop complaining about it - it's our own players causing it.

 

[PeterK]

Peyper was his usual incompetent self - other than the DHP card which showed not even a hint of an understanding of the laws of physics.
DHP's feet never moved so Brown actually ran into him.

all they look at is DHP dropped his shoulder (to brace himself) and Brown did a great job of diving

 

[Strewthcobber]

Browsing ESPNs provisional stats.

Kane Douglas, 1 tackle 2 misses, and 4 runs for 2m with 2 penalties conceded stands out!

Hopefully that's just a mistake

Simmons kept his hitup stats up with 15 but a bit of a drop from his usual tackle count (5) with Timani (9) taking the position in close to the ruck

 

[Pfitzy]

all they look at is DHP dropped his shoulder (to brace himself) and Brown did a great job of diving

Had DHP tried to wrap, he could have just been pinged for late tackle with no card.

Better yet, if he'd let Brown run over him, and then waved his arms like Julian Savea, we could have had the penalty!

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Had DHP tried to wrap, he could have just been pinged for late tackle with no card.

Better yet, if he'd let Brown run over him, and then waved his arms like Julian Savea, we could have had the penalty!

I reckon he did make an effort with his right arm

 

[Pfitzy]

I reckon he did make an effort with his right arm

I agree. Just that Brown was so busy falling over like a pillock, it was not apparent.

DHP has now knocked over Brown and smashed Savea out of the way - in both cases it was a fucking hollywood. And WR (World Rugby) should crack down on that shit with a quickness.

 

[Ruggo]

Sorry to call a spade a spade but we sucked and it has been the story of our season. Far too much pissing and moaning about everything other than our own ineptitude.

Enough of the winging and whining. Have a bex and a lie down for fucks sake.

Congratulations to England on the win and an outstanding season. I didn't barrack for the bastards in the war but I know to appreciate good rugby when I see it.

 

[Ruggo]

Disappointing end to 2016 but I remain optimistic about the future. We are not far from being a very good team and 2017 will see improvement.

Adios people.

There were some positives that did come out of 2016. Tamani is one and the competition between locks has improved standards. We need to put it all ine one coherent package though.

 

[Brumby Runner]

A poor result for the Wallabies. The second largest losing margin in England I believe. Clearly, there are things not yet going right for our side. I think the biggest contributing factors last night were again in our 9/10 area.

Some posters lay the blame at the feet of the tight five, but our scrum had at least parity with the Poms for most of the game. Coles even got penalised on one occasion at least, and for most of the scrums the England front row looked to stay straight and correctly bound. I don't really agree with the view that our halves were behind a losing pack for most of the game.

Nick Phipps might be light speed to the breakdown (which he isn't of course) but he has no real variety in his game and just doesn't offer any threat to the opposition. I think it is time to start grooming someone like Louwrens from the Force as he has a much more rounded game and would be second behind Will Genia for being a threat to the defensive line himself.

Unfortunately, Bernard Foley again showed that he can be terribly inconsistent with his goal kicking, and we all know he has issues with kicking from hand. Then he also does little to set up his outside backs other than just shovelling the ball on. But, in bad news for the Wallabies, there is no other No 10 in the Aus Super Rugby sides who looklike they could displace him any time soon. I rule out Quade because while-ever Cheika is coach, he will not be an option at 10. Comes off the bench usually with less than 2 minutes left to play, but last night came on with 12 minutes to go but was positioned on the wing. And from set play the ball went to Foley to Pocock at second play maker spot and then was intercepted for the last England try. Meanwhile, Quade No 22 was stranded out on the wing. Huge tactical error to have Poey there in place of Quade.

Finally, a word about Naivalu. He has a lot of supporters here, mostly lauding his defensive capabilities. Last night, however, he was caught out on at least two occasions, maybe more, doing the 360 degree lost in space soft shoe shuffle when the England backline was attacking - just like Speight. And he also missed a one on one tackle straight after the kick off following (I think) the Youngs' try. So, not the immaculate start that some seem to be suggesting. Notwithstanding, I see a lot of promise in his play and I have no issue with him starting in preference to Henry and I think he will only get better with more game time. Just asking for people to acknowledge the reality of our defensive patterns and to accept that there are occasions when our backline is stretched and one player has to try to deal with numerous players coming at him.

 

[Rugrat]

Thank god that season is over. Wallabies finished just as they started, unbalanced with players picked out of position. Some players getting a chance that was not deserved on form and then not performing just as expected. Eg no Andrew Ready. Pathetic continuation with Skelton. Next year while Pocock ( great player wish he was at 7) has a sabbatical eg takes a season off super rugby but plays 2 full Seasons on big coin in Japan. FYI that's more training and game time than one super rugby season and yet still gets paid by the Aru ( less coin available to keep Aussie players at home) win win not! Next year will get worse for Wallabies. By the end of next season it will be all about building for the World Cup and all will be better when Pocock back. please!!! . Cheika ball is not exciting rugby. Nor is it winning rugby. It's passing to forwards In pods. It's Hooper running around making tackles and looking to score tries but not getting over the ball and stealing It in defence or being there to support the ball Runner at the breakdown in attack. Moore is a shit captain but a hard nut and respected ageing warrior. In defence Folau at fullback and foley on the wing means invariably if we actually do create turnover we can't capitalise because our play makers are away from the ball. Basically we suck. We didn't lose v England because of a few bad calls. We played shit in the last half and had zero impact from our bench due to replacement strategy of coaches. We played shit in the first half against Ireland and deserved to lose. Wales were weak, Scotland are average, the best Aussie performance was v France and that's because players played in position and certain favourites missing. Cheika sucks. He has not developed as an international coach. He picks players like it's a club squad. Always plays his Favouties then gives everyone else a turn when he can fit them in. He sucks. See you next year.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

World ranking-wise the loss further erodes your lead over Ireland to 1.73, should they win three or more of their 6N matches & have no heavy losses they'll overtake you. Wales are still 3.80 behind, hard to see them bridging that other than with a Grand Slam (away games are Italy & Scotland so it's not altogether out of the question) so you should still be in Pot 1 for the RWC draw on 10 May.

 

[KAOPointman]

A poor result for the Wallabies. The second largest losing margin in England I believe. Clearly, there are things not yet going right for our side. I think the biggest contributing factors last night were again in our 9/10 area.

Some posters lay the blame at the feet of the tight five, but our scrum had at least parity with the Poms for most of the game. Coles even got penalised on one occasion at least, and for most of the scrums the England front row looked to stay straight and correctly bound. I don't really agree with the view that our halves were behind a losing pack for most of the game.

Nick Phipps might be light speed to the breakdown (which he isn't of course) but he has no real variety in his game and just doesn't offer any threat to the opposition. I think it is time to start grooming someone like Louwrens from the Force as he has a much more rounded game and would be second behind Will Genia for being a threat to the defensive line himself.

Unfortunately, Bernard Foley again showed that he can be terribly inconsistent with his goal kicking, and we all know he has issues with kicking from hand. Then he also does little to set up his outside backs other than just shovelling the ball on. But, in bad news for the Wallabies, there is no other No 10 in the Aus Super Rugby sides who looklike they could displace him any time soon. I rule out Quade because while-ever Cheika is coach, he will not be an option at 10. Comes off the bench usually with less than 2 minutes left to play, but last night came on with 12 minutes to go but was positioned on the wing. And from set play the ball went to Foley to Pocock at second play maker spot and then was intercepted for the last England try. Meanwhile, Quade No 22 was stranded out on the wing. Huge tactical error to have Poey there in place of Quade.

Finally, a word about Naivalu. He has a lot of supporters here, mostly lauding his defensive capabilities. Last night, however, he was caught out on at least two occasions, maybe more, doing the 360 degree lost in space soft shoe shuffle when the England backline was attacking - just like Speight. And he also missed a one on one tackle straight after the kick off following (I think) the Youngs' try. So, not the immaculate start that some seem to be suggesting. Notwithstanding, I see a lot of promise in his play and I have no issue with him starting in preference to Henry and I think he will only get better with more game time. Just asking for people to acknowledge the reality of our defensive patterns and to accept that there are occasions when our backline is stretched and one player has to try to deal with numerous players coming at him.

Once again it BLOwS me away that with all these rugby brains on here....we never hear about how Foley does when he has a bad game. 2 maybe 3 people have mentioned it. Perhaps a nod to the higher amount of Tahs supporters I don't know.
If you noticed in my previous post......I listed Foleys notable moments in this game......and it was absolutely horrid. AGAIN! I'm a backs guy so my attention always is on the backs. For me as long as the forwards are aggressive accurate and always moving I'm happy. But the backs I'm very interested in.
As far as I'm concerned a back needs to be an IMPACT player. Folou has that in spades, Naivalu has speed, DHP has speed strength and skill as do Reece and Tevita to a lesser degree being centres! Our 9 is ongoing work but for some reason our 10 is set in stone!
Foley at 10 is sooooo mind numbingly inept at attacking it puts tears in my eyes. That whole game he did TWO things right. TWO things.....a kick from the sideline and a ok inside short pass to a player who wasn't in a hole anyway.
I watch rugby for the tries, the running and the dynamic rugby! As a wallaby diehard it boggles my brain that Foley in his current form that has lasted all year bar one game....can still be our undisputed 10.......to the point that our backup 10 in cooper does t even get on the field.
THATS the biggest issue in the wallaby team for me.
Despite what some have said...the scrum held its fair share v the poms, as did the line out.
And there was very little, if any at all player whinging at the Reff either, despite what many on here are saying.
For me all the wallabies need is a new Playmaker to link all our amazing backs......and we desperately need world rugby to sort these Reffs out. It's not an excuse.....it's a fact. A well documented one!

 

[Quick Hands]

Once again it BLOwS me away that with all these rugby brains on here..we never hear about how Foley does when he has a bad game. 2 maybe 3 people have mentioned it. Perhaps a nod to the higher amount of Tahs supporters I don't know.
If you noticed in my previous post..I listed Foleys notable moments in this game..and it was absolutely horrid. AGAIN! I'm a backs guy so my attention always is on the backs. For me as long as the forwards are aggressive accurate and always moving I'm happy. But the backs I'm very interested in.
As far as I'm concerned a back needs to be an IMPACT player. Folou has that in spades, Naivalu has speed, DHP has speed strength and skill as do Reece and Tevita to a lesser degree being centres! Our 9 is ongoing work but for some reason our 10 is set in stone!
Foley at 10 is sooooo mind numbingly inept at attacking it puts tears in my eyes. That whole game he did TWO things right. TWO things...a kick from the sideline and a ok inside short pass to a player who wasn't in a hole anyway.
I watch rugby for the tries, the running and the dynamic rugby! As a wallaby diehard it boggles my brain that Foley in his current form that has lasted all year bar one game..can still be our undisputed 10...to the point that our backup 10 in cooper does t even get on the field.
THATS the biggest issue in the wallaby team for me.
Despite what some have said.the scrum held its fair share v the poms, as did the line out.
And there was very little, if any at all player whinging at the Reff either, despite what many on here are saying.
For me all the wallabies need is a new Playmaker to link all our amazing backs..and we desperately need world rugby to sort these Reffs out. It's not an excuse...it's a fact. A well documented one!

It could just be that any discussion on Foley and/or Cooper becomes so toxic that most of us just leave it alone.

 

[wamberal]

The problem surrounding the Foley/Cooper debate is that neither is particularly good at Test match level.


Worse and worser.