2025 Bledisloe Cup Series

[stillmissit]

I'm not saying I don't want to win, but at some point we need to win a trophy if we want to be taken seriously. I've watched us win too many games after the series is gone, it's time to win the games where trophy's are actually at stake

Also, have a look at the number of games under Schmidt we lost with small margins. It points to a head problem rather than a skills problem.

 

[Dctarget]

Apparently even the Kiwi commentators were saying the Aussies were getting screwed by the ref; we waz robbed.

 

[Tomikin]

That is South Africa's to lose. They embarrassed Argentina last week

And if they lose which they have against ever other team. We can win the trophy.

 

[Tomthumb]

And if they lose which they have against ever other team. We can win the trophy.

True, but they are 110-40 in aggregate over the last 2 games. I think they may just have figured it out

 

[rugbyAU]

True, but they are 110-40 in aggregate over the last 2 games. I think they may just have figured it out

yeah realistically SA will win the comp

 

[MarkJ]

 

[Tomikin]

yeah realistically SA will win the comp

Well, you could have said that at the start of the comp. We need to spank the All Blacks. If a chance to win the RC isn't enough to be interested in the game, then I dont see what would be.

Likely no, but we can only control ourselfs and thats winning in Perth.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[Mark Panga]

I disagree about Fraser coming off the bench. That is keeping one of our better (or more needed) players out of the side altogether, eg, one of Hooper, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) or Williams, assuming Skelton will be in the team.

In case Fraser does start, then my comment would apply equally to Tizzano. One No 7 in the 23 is enough with Hooper able to fill the 7 spot in case of emergency.

Really need to go back as much as possible to the strategy used and as much of the side that played the last game against the Lions and won and played well in South Africa. We had a young, super fit, energetic bench that brought up the tempo and in all three games the Wallabies came back from many points down at half time. By all means Slips, Pollard, AAA (combo of Slips and AAA tried and true) Frost and Skelton starting, back row of Valetini, McReight and Wilson. Then also Loneghan and Lynagh/Edmed to start - and or the rest of starting backs - bring the fitness, energy and smarts - consider starting an Ikitau/Flook pairing for superb skills and rugby IQ, putting JAS and Daugunu on Wing with Jorgo as 15. Then the bench of BPA, Bell, Nonggorr, Hooper, Lukhan/Williams, Kalani Thomas (instead of injured Tate,) JOC (James O'Connor) (older but great finisher), and Toole. The energy that the bench brought for the previous games was just not there last week. Hooper is playing brilliantly - but he absolutely smashes the opposition as a finisher and I think it was a key factor in the wins. With the combo of Bell, BPK and Nonggorr, scrums were strong against the Boks. Nonggorr's constant work in breakdown and his tackle rate allows the others like Bell and Hooper to carry hard and fast. Kalani has that Tate zippiness and intense competitiveness. Williams always finished with an energy effort that included lineout steals and winning turnovers. That would have to be weighed against Luhkan's physicality and presence to smash the opposition when they are tired. JOC (James O'Connor)'s maturity stabilised the ship and he seems to be great at those finishing minutes. Toole's pace coming on a the end would burn any wing opposition.

 

[Yoda]

This is it.

He backed Noah at every opportunity as he's the safest pair of hands. He has then gone with Lynagh, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and Edmed who would all be rated as safer than Donaldson regardless of other attributes.

When none truly shine in the position it seems they are attempting to limit the bad as much as possible and the side has been more competitive in games.

I'd be more inclined to run Donaldson at 15 and shift Jorgo back to a Wing in place of one of either Toole or Potter. Jorgo isn't any bigger but he makes better reads and positions himself to at least take a guy down. A lot of arms attempts on the weekend.

"He backed Noah at every opportunity as he's the safest pair of hands. He has then gone with Lynagh, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and Edmed who would all be rated as safer than Donaldson regardless of other attributes."... Well I think that may have been what Joe was thinking but it is pretty clear that Lynagh didn't really shoot the lights out.. Noah has been average and persevered with for way too long... Edmed.. has nothing really to offer except there's no one else... James will be back in England after the next Test. Donno definitely needs to be given some starting Tests to see how he goes imo. No one else has nailed the starting position.

 

[Slim 293]

I’d say that recent tests justified Schmidt’s decision to back Noah prior to his injury…

 

[rugbyAU]

Well, you could have said that at the start of the comp. We need to spank the All Blacks. If a chance to win the RC isn't enough to be interested in the game, then I dont see what would be.

Likely no, but we can only control ourselfs and thats winning in Perth.

not saying the game dosent matter with no silverwear on the line

It's Slipper's last test, and world rankings always up for grab and if we lose we're at a 40% win rate heading to the EOYT with an all time high losing streak against an average AB team - what would that say about us, that we're inconsistent and far from being back

 

[LeCheese]

I’d say that recent tests justified Schmidt’s decision to back Noah prior to his injury…

It's all speculation of course, but I also don't think we're pulling off some of those victories behind Noah either.