Australia A v Japan XV matches

[stillmissit]

I’m only interested in seeing Swinton back if he can remain on the park for the full 80

TBH, we have half the team in the risk zone for the full 80. Discipline is rife and penalties keep coming.

 

[dru]

Talk was they wanted to see him there as another option. He will likely play 10 at some stage in the Force.

Don't recall the talk. Look, Stewart has moved on from the Reds and who knows how his specific talents will be harnessed at the Force. Wish him and the Force all the best. He gives everything. Looking over the last couple of years, Stewart is undoubtably a talented rugby player who understands the game and is entirely comfortable in the rough. At 10 he provided amazing D in the channel, was always a back up forward in the rucks and sometimes mauls and can both kick in play and pass well. But his passing is scant for a 10. It doesn't exactly make the game 10 man rugby but you will want a secondary line of attack with a "second fly" either at 12 or 15. And a 9 who knows how and when to call that second play maker.

He gives guidance to a team through his starch in a spot that can be creative but weak. If you want a spark at 10 though, that hasn't been his strength. OTOH he can certainly work as a second distributer. I can see his value as a better back up 10 than, say, Hodge. But not really starting there.

 

[Derpus]

I’m only interested in seeing Swinton back if he can remain on the park for the full 80

He is (was?) our best prospect at 6. Has/d all the attributes we need in a 6. Abrasive lineout operator. Hed obviously been working on his discipline but it is understandably a fine line when he is tasked with being dominant in the collisions.

I doubt he'll come back from a year out as physical as he was, though.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

He is (was?) our best prospect at 6. Has/d all the attributes we need in a 6. Abrasive lineout operator. Hed obviously been working on his discipline but it is understandably a fine line when he is tasked with being dominant in the collisions.

I doubt he'll come back from a year out as physical as he was, though.

On paper he's the ideal blindside, from a size, skill set and mongrel stand point.

In reality he's often a card magnet with his wannabe hard man antics or straight up brain explosions. If he can fix that he would be part of a formidable back row for the Wallabies.

 

[Derpus]

On paper he's the ideal blindside, from a size, skill set and mongrel stand point.

In reality he's often a card magnet with his wannabe hard man antics or straight up brain explosions. If he can fix that he would be part of a formidable back row for the Wallabies.

Like i said - he'd definitely started turning that around and had been working on it.

But he'll be painted with that brush for the rest of his career because this is Australian rugby.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Swinton and Swain were the standout locks at U20s level because of their physicality. Interesting that the coaches at the time saw Hockings and Blyth as the favoured pairing but recognising Hockings is now overseas, the pair of SWs have well and truly overtaken them.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Gleeson always seems to always get over the advantage line in heavy traffic. Not making his usual breaks or half breaks but he's doing a lot of hits up in tight and making metres.

I like this though. Shows he's not a Seagull out wide leaving the tough stuff to others but can mix it right across the field. Game 1 he played wider and got those runs then this game he went into the teeth of them.

Have to say I think Pone is coming on leaps and bounds from where he was 2 years ago and almost a novelty with his League hit ups from drop outs. Every game he is getting sharper and sharper (and fitter)

 

[PhilClinton]

Have to say I think Pone is coming on leaps and bounds from where he was 2 years ago and almost a novelty with his League hit ups from drop outs. Every game he is getting sharper and sharper (and fitter)

Yeh I was firmly in the Pone isn't up to it camp.

Glad to see he's been doing the work and looks ready to compete at a high level.

 

[Dctarget]

Have to say I think Pone is coming on leaps and bounds from where he was 2 years ago and almost a novelty with his League hit ups from drop outs. Every game he is getting sharper and sharper (and fitter)

Probably quite reductive to put it down to Quade but he has said training with Quade last year really gave him a good wake up call. Joined his unofficial 5am club etc.

But yeah, Tupou on his game is never replaceable but current Tupou definitely is replaceable and by Pone.

 

[stillmissit]

He is (was?) our best prospect at 6. Has/d all the attributes we need in a 6. Abrasive lineout operator. Hed obviously been working on his discipline but it is understandably a fine line when he is tasked with being dominant in the collisions.

I doubt he'll come back from a year out as physical as he was, though.

Derpus, it is such a fine line these days when you want to take a guy around the chest to hold him up, all the runner has to do is drop his head slightly and you have a potential red card. 6's due to the need for making territory and stopping big guys need a decent level of aggression, they are in a tricky situation, what we want from them and the risk potential makes them more prone to red than any player out there.

 

[Viking]

I like this though. Shows he's not a Seagull out wide leaving the tough stuff to others but can mix it right across the field. Game 1 he played wider and got those runs then this game he went into the teeth of them.

Have to say I think Pone is coming on leaps and bounds from where he was 2 years ago and almost a novelty with his League hit ups from drop outs. Every game he is getting sharper and sharper (and fitter)

I like this too. I don't get the criticism of him. He is doing a lot of work and consistently has strong impact in contact. He reminds me a lot Kefu. Would love to see a pilfer or two and some nice linking play next.

 

[stillmissit]

On paper he's the ideal blindside, from a size, skill set and mongrel stand point.

In reality he's often a card magnet with his wannabe hard man antics or straight up brain explosions. If he can fix that he would be part of a formidable back row for the Wallabies.

I want Swinton's aggression but I also want his skill set to improve.

 

[stillmissit]

I like this too. I don't get the criticism of him. He is doing a lot of work and consistently has strong impact in contact. He reminds me a lot Kefu. Would love to see a pilfer or two and some nice linking play next.

Sorry mate, I have to disagree to some extent. He is a bloody back rower and the key ingredients are turnovers, linking/support and D. He has only one of these nailed atm but he can develop. His hard running into contact is good as well and he is obviously hitting shoulders and not chests.
He is a long way from a complete 8, I struggle at this stage to see another Kefu.

 

[Viking]

Sorry mate, I have to disagree to some extent. He is a bloody back rower and the key ingredients are turnovers, linking/support and D. He has only one of these nailed atm but he can develop. His hard running into contact is good as well and he is obviously hitting shoulders and not chests.
He is a long way from a complete 8, I struggle at this stage to see another Kefu.

Obviously no where near Kefu but his running style (and head gear) remind me a lot of him.

I would say the impact part is impressive to nail down at such a young age. Especially at this level.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

For a guy who is you can still say its his first 12 months in the pro environment he's well ahead of most. I have faith he'll develop those facets of his game and we'll have a great backrower on our hands. If he could end up anywhere near a Kefu level that would be fantastic.

 

[Ignoto]

I think some of you need to reassess how much youre talking up Pone. He's had a solid game and played exactly how you would expect of a player who has been in the wider Wallaby squad for three years now.

I was excited by how well he played around the park, but, it was only for 50 minutes and I honestly can't tell you the last time he played a game?

It's promising signs from the big fella and he'll need to constantly put these shifts in. But, Alan and Taniela have consistently performed at a high level (albeit Tupou's form has recently dipped). Pone is still the third choice right now and has definitely leap fogged HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes).

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I was in the same thought process as @PhilClinton that he isn't a Test player. You make a good point @Ignoto about being around the squad for 3 years.

He has exceeded the level I thought he was at and is developing nicely. If he keeps up the fitness which seems to be improving he can certainly be a handful. He's only 25, so should be coming into his prime

 

[stillmissit]

For a guy who is you can still say its his first 12 months in the pro environment he's well ahead of most. I have faith he'll develop those facets of his game and we'll have a great backrower on our hands. If he could end up anywhere near a Kefu level that would be fantastic.

Ghost: My hope for him is that he becomes the big(ger) 7 that we have needed for a fair while. I'm still looking for a big skilful 8 any ideas?

 

[BDA]

I actually like what we've seen from Vunivalu over the last two games. He didn't really have too many opportunities to shine on the weekend but what we did see was generally very good. He again showed he's comfortable under the highball, a talent that will be crucial for wingers at the world cup. His defence was also good. Whilst he didn’t get much pill, he has shown an ability to bust tackles and finish. My gut feeling is that if he can stay healthy next year (which is a big if) and show some form in Super Rugby, we see him on the plane to France.

 

[Lightblue]

I actually like what we've seen from Vunivalu over the last two games. He didn't really have too many opportunities to shine on the weekend but what we did see was generally very good. He again showed he's comfortable under the highball, a talent that will be crucial for wingers at the world cup. His defence was also good. Whilst he didn’t get much pill, he has shown an ability to bust tackles and finish. My gut feeling is that if he can stay healthy next year (which is a big if) and show some form in Super Rugby, we see him on the plane to France.

His work rate would have to increase immensely but the big thing is he needs to be given the bloody ball and get him running at pace. Haven’t seen that yet since he played his first few games for the Reds, pre injury.