Wallabies v Italy - 9 November

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Is it time to give JAS a go on the wing? I can’t help but think that some of our clunkiness on attack comes from his inability to link with the wider channels.

Don’t really think with two games left in the year it’s the time to give something a crack that may not work either in some people’s eyes. You may as well leave a guy in his spot to keep learning.

The side would also be putting someone worse into the 13 Jersey unless it’s Len but then your keeping Hunter in the 12…

 

[Super Hooper]

Better coached too

This isn't one man's problem, nor will a single savior arrive to solve everything. It's 20 years of bad decisions. Aside from 3 or 4 names (Skelton, Ikitau, Tom Wright, and anyone else you want to mention), these are the 23 best players available, and they're not on par with the Italians' athletic and playing level.

 

[Yoda]

It is tough to be a Wallaby fan…even with that performance there is still that glimmer of hope with a backline being led by C. Gordon and what he will be able to unleash for Sua'ali'i, Ikitau, Wright, Jorgensen and perhaps Nawaqanitawase and Petaia. Les Kiss needs to take captaincy away from Wilson. For me the back row is our strength and currently there are better players and he seems to keep his place due to leadership. Captaincy should be with McReight or Ikitau the only two certain starters.

Agree. Carter looked good. Although our backline attack still lacking much idea. Italy made us look ordinary.

 

[Super Hooper]

Is it time to give JAS a go on the wing? I can’t help but think that some of our clunkiness on attack comes from his inability to link with the wider channels.

If you pick JAS at the wing and Ikitau at 13. Who is your inside centre? Paisami isn't a test level player. An old Kerevi, out-of-shape and playing in Japan has more potential than Paisami

 

[Linerunner2023]

Is it time to give JAS a go on the wing? I can’t help but think that some of our clunkiness on attack comes from his inability to link with the wider channels.

Sua'ali'i has allways played like the big kid against other smaller kids in the under 14s
Has never had a passing game
Tbh daugunu did more then Paisami has done with his 2 runs

 

[Strewthcobber]

Wobs literally made twice as many passes, twice as many carries and made twice the post-contact metres.

Unfortunately we gave away twice the penalties (just about).

Skipper Wilson giving three away by himself, after a very big shift. Touched the ball 25 times with 8 tackles.

 

[Super Hooper]

Sua'ali'i has allways played like the big kid against other smaller kids in the under 14s
Has never had a passing game
Tbh daugunu did more then Paisami has done with his 2 runs

Sua'ali'i is playing his first season in international rugby and Super Rugby too. Daugunu also did more than Paisami who has been in the system for how many years??? Contributing nothing at international level

 

[Yoda]

Kicking out on the full 3 times was poor.

 

[JackJill]

Well that’s the last straw for Aus Rugby. Embarrassingly shocking performance and a last to the Italians. Goodbye.

 

[Super Hooper]

Wobs literally made twice as many passes, twice as many carries and made twice the post-contact metres.

Are u sure??? I'd like to see those statistics. The only reality is that in the second half, every time Italy had the ball, they advanced 40/50 meters effortlessly. Proof of this is that they scored two tries in less than five minutes. Meanwhile, every time the Wallabies tried to advance, they were met with a blue wall.

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

Jorgensen should get a run at fullback next week.

 

[Tomthumb]

This isn't one man's problem, nor will a single savior arrive to solve everything. It's 20 years of bad decisions. Aside from 3 or 4 names (Skelton, Ikitau, Tom Wright, and anyone else you want to mention), these are the 23 best players available, and they're not on par with the Italians' athletic and playing level.

This is what happens when you beg a guy to stay in a role his heart isn’t in. The lack of a plan over the last few games is as much the result of a coach going through the motions as the players. The attack is directionless, there seems to be zero emphasis on anything, which is nothing like a normal Schmidt coached team.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Well that’s the last straw for Aus Rugby. Embarrassingly shocking performance and a last to the Italians. Goodbye.

They’ll survive it because nobody other than Rugby die hards are following them since the Bled. Even fringe fans aren’t watching this.

I do worry any of the positive sentiment that existed a year ago is all gone, especially if they leave Europe without a win.

 

[Super Hooper]

Wobs literally made twice as many passes

Making twice of passes isn't a good indicator. In fact, a good team makes one-phase tries. If you have to make so many passes, it's because your ball carriers aren't advancing, and that can never be good. Lots of passes and no tries is a sign of a poor attack.

 

[Yoda]

Are u sure??? I'd like to see those statistics. The only reality is that in the second half, every time Italy had the ball, they advanced 40/50 meters effortlessly. Proof of this is that they scored two tries in less than five minutes. Meanwhile, every time the Wallabies tried to advance, they were met with a blue wall.

Because they ran with purpose and backed each other up.

 

[Major Tom]

I think what is difficult to comprehend is Schmidt’s selection policy. The ‘solid training prep’ line he trots out is frustrating and not working.
The selection criteria should be based around best available players who are fit.
Ikitau
Skelton
Tizzano
If they were fit they should have played IMO.
We’re not good enough to play around with different options. And freshen up players etc.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Making twice of passes isn't a good indicator. In fact, a good team makes one-phase tries. If you have to make so many passes, it's because your ball carriers aren't advancing, and that can never be good. Lots of passes and no tries is a sign of a poor attack.

Yep, it's a negative. Shows our team is working really hard, but going nowhere. This is the attritional game plan that Schmidt is copping heat for from the former players

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Can only put the gameplan in place. The issue is the players executing it offer little.

 

[Strewthcobber]

54mins, after Gordon goes off.
Wilson gives a dumb maul penalty away, then Nongorr gives a dumber maul penalty away, then JAS gets a yellow card as the try is scored.

After the kickoff, Wobs attack going nowhere, Toole gets nowhere near recovering a box kick, with 14 men, the backs get sucked in and Frost limping back can't cover the blind side. Italy's half makes no mistake, and then 30s later, Ioane runs around Potter.

6 mins, 14 points, game gone. Coach killers

 

[Major Tom]

Just watched the first half. Some of the reffing was pretty interesting.
- 4min mark there was a huge Italy knock that didn’t get picked up.
- pen on Tupou was pretty soft
- breakdown turnover just before halftime, Italy player is in from the side (actually in from our side really). We were hot on attack.