Snotterbox
Frank Nicholson (4)
The big hits must’ve been a conscious choice to establish dominance. Its a risky strategy bur great when it works - ie no one nimbly steps round the lumbering beserker. Like good comedy, it’s all in the
timing.
Australia v Ireland, Sat 9th June @ 8.00pm, Suncorp Brisbane
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
- Status
timing.
Yeah, a few don't seem to get that for Beale to do his stuff you need someone to do those basics and underplay his hand. Then Beale gets to float in and pick his moments
So often Beale does that special unexpected thing but it is Foley who provides that last pass or touches twice to score
Snotterbox
Frank Nicholson (4)
Ah had England game on ice for the afternoon. Still, great ratings. 3 is twice as good as 4.
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
It's still worth watching!
Kenny Powers
Ron Walden (29)
When in the game did the ref show his disdain for him?
I thought his relationship was fine with ref, questioned politely and once the ref had said his piece left it at that.
It was the Irish that were marched 10 and a scrum turned to a penalty on dissent.
An unhelpful and unnecessary comment.
It was one of his first games as wobs captain, the taint is strong and lingering (first impressions)
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Yeah bit unfair on Hooper, when the Brumbies played the Jaguares in Canberra Gardner got extremely pissed off with Pocock and basically didn’t listen to anything he said. Sometimes even the most courteous of players get ref offside.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Well I have arrived back at home after the yearly tour of duty with the boys to Brisvegas.
What a weekend it was, the best of what is rugby for me, a few beers, wines, whiskeys...…, great food and good mates. I went there fully expected a moderate loss, after the disappointment that was the season last year, and to my great delight the Wallabies turned it on and capped off what was a great couple of days.
On the game my observations from the ground without seeing a replay or highlights
1) That was perhaps one of the most frustrating performances not just by a referee but by the TMO I can recall. I can only hope that both receive significant retraining before they again take the field/seat in Comms in a test match. The performance threatened to derail the game at the stadium with the perplexing rulings which the large crowd with no luxury of commentary were largely left wondering what the F^%$%^ was going on as we waited, waited some more and then waited some more while the F*&^%$#!!!! arsed about for an excessively long time to make pretty straight forward decisions. For mine the man in the middle lost control of the game and the assistant became the referee, or perhaps even the TV Production Manager did. Extremely urgent action from World Rugby is required to address this as the situation is becoming farcical and opening the Officials to ridicule.
2) As I said I fully expected the Irish would win this game and was extremely heartened to see that Grey's horrible defensive structure that saw people running are shuffling positions all over the shop from last year has been ditched. The simplicity of people defending in their position and them having to only worry about being in that position may have been a big factor in the massively improved defensive performance of players like Beale and Kerevi. This was where I expected the Irish to attack and break the Wallabies again and again, but it just did not happen and indeed after 20 minutes which saw both Irish halves left reeling from massive tackles they seemed to back away just a tad. Just outstanding and I must say I am hearted as that makes me think that perhaps Cheika and Grey are in fact able to learn from was a pretty abject failure of a system from last year and two years at the Tahs. The confidence that being trusted to do the job in their positions must be uplifting for Beale, Kerevi and to some degree Foley after all the words spouted by coaches and team mates but the previous structure in practice said something totally different
3) The Irish pissed me off greatly after 20 minutes taking breaks for the magic water at every stoppage. They obviously struggled with the pace of the game and the referee allowed them to slow it monumentally.
4) How long has it been since Australia could genuinely field two threatening and genuinely dominant front rows? Add in what the fact that we have great depth in the second and back row excepting 6 and I am genuinely upbeat. I note that some Irish supporters were complaining about the scrum penalty at the end but I was right behind it and it was clearly obvious that the Irish were done on their TH side by none other than Robertson and when they lost the first shove they actively pulled it round the 90 and were yelling to claim it. It was a clear penalty. If you can check the footage as a very revealing thing will be seen, Latu had a "lose" bind to Tupou and a very tight bind to Robertson (clearly seen when they stand up as the Irish wheel away from the Wallabies who stay reasonably squad to the tryline) which is obviously why the Irish TH got smashed and they couldn't hold. Brilliant bit of work.
My only downer is the quality and quantity of kicking from hand. On far too many occasions the kicks were not contestable and some were just downright awful in execution. We have an absolutely devastating back line with ball in hand, I love that they are developing an attacking kicking game as it has been neglected for far too long with the falsity of the ball in hand "running game" myth, but it can also be over used and we seriously need to see vast improvements in the quality of the execution of the skill.
What a weekend it was, the best of what is rugby for me, a few beers, wines, whiskeys...…, great food and good mates. I went there fully expected a moderate loss, after the disappointment that was the season last year, and to my great delight the Wallabies turned it on and capped off what was a great couple of days.
On the game my observations from the ground without seeing a replay or highlights
1) That was perhaps one of the most frustrating performances not just by a referee but by the TMO I can recall. I can only hope that both receive significant retraining before they again take the field/seat in Comms in a test match. The performance threatened to derail the game at the stadium with the perplexing rulings which the large crowd with no luxury of commentary were largely left wondering what the F^%$%^ was going on as we waited, waited some more and then waited some more while the F*&^%$#!!!! arsed about for an excessively long time to make pretty straight forward decisions. For mine the man in the middle lost control of the game and the assistant became the referee, or perhaps even the TV Production Manager did. Extremely urgent action from World Rugby is required to address this as the situation is becoming farcical and opening the Officials to ridicule.
2) As I said I fully expected the Irish would win this game and was extremely heartened to see that Grey's horrible defensive structure that saw people running are shuffling positions all over the shop from last year has been ditched. The simplicity of people defending in their position and them having to only worry about being in that position may have been a big factor in the massively improved defensive performance of players like Beale and Kerevi. This was where I expected the Irish to attack and break the Wallabies again and again, but it just did not happen and indeed after 20 minutes which saw both Irish halves left reeling from massive tackles they seemed to back away just a tad. Just outstanding and I must say I am hearted as that makes me think that perhaps Cheika and Grey are in fact able to learn from was a pretty abject failure of a system from last year and two years at the Tahs. The confidence that being trusted to do the job in their positions must be uplifting for Beale, Kerevi and to some degree Foley after all the words spouted by coaches and team mates but the previous structure in practice said something totally different
3) The Irish pissed me off greatly after 20 minutes taking breaks for the magic water at every stoppage. They obviously struggled with the pace of the game and the referee allowed them to slow it monumentally.
4) How long has it been since Australia could genuinely field two threatening and genuinely dominant front rows? Add in what the fact that we have great depth in the second and back row excepting 6 and I am genuinely upbeat. I note that some Irish supporters were complaining about the scrum penalty at the end but I was right behind it and it was clearly obvious that the Irish were done on their TH side by none other than Robertson and when they lost the first shove they actively pulled it round the 90 and were yelling to claim it. It was a clear penalty. If you can check the footage as a very revealing thing will be seen, Latu had a "lose" bind to Tupou and a very tight bind to Robertson (clearly seen when they stand up as the Irish wheel away from the Wallabies who stay reasonably squad to the tryline) which is obviously why the Irish TH got smashed and they couldn't hold. Brilliant bit of work.
My only downer is the quality and quantity of kicking from hand. On far too many occasions the kicks were not contestable and some were just downright awful in execution. We have an absolutely devastating back line with ball in hand, I love that they are developing an attacking kicking game as it has been neglected for far too long with the falsity of the ball in hand "running game" myth, but it can also be over used and we seriously need to see vast improvements in the quality of the execution of the skill.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
I think this was a clear strategy. I think this was very much in the vein of taking the scrum option consistently against the English in the world cup. Take their advantage and turn it against them. Execution was shocking but it certainly caught them off guard.
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
From memory, there were another two line outs where the jumper didn't go up in time/hooker threw too early. We scrambled the ball back but not cleanly.
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
They both jumped.
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
Simmons came on with 26 minutes to go, he's the one in the blue head gear. At the 59th minute he smacks the supposed beast of the Emerald Isle, Tadhg Furlong, a few metres back.
I know we love to deride Simmons but he did good there, move along.
Strewthcobber
Andrew Slack (58)
The LH side could go around the irish scrum and get the penalty because the TH side - tt and simmo - were rocks at that scrum, they had the entire Irish pack unsuccessfully pushing through them
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Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
It’s a shame he didn’t glove the little pop pass from Genia. He was in for all money and everyone here would be demanding he start next week. I think he contributed well but there is also Arnold to consider. I would guess that Simmo holds his spot.Simmons came on with 26 minutes to go, he's the one in the blue head gear. At the 59th minute he smacks the supposed beast of the Emerald Isle, Tadhg Furlong, a few metres back.
I know we love to deride Simmons but he did good there, move along.
Snotterbox
Frank Nicholson (4)
His problem is Rory Arnold. He’s locked in a selection battle now, which is good. Although Simmons in underrated, Arnold has more upside. If Rodda hadn’t emerged it’d be more clearcut.
Snotterbox
Frank Nicholson (4)
it was outstanding. off topic, but great ticker by the Saffers.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Almost everything that I would want to say has been said. Summing up:
Forwards = Excellent
TMO involvement = Poor
Ireland will be better game 2 = we will need to be better game 2
Beale and Pocock = freakish
The only other thing I want to say is I know everyone likes to rag on Simmons but he did well on Sat night. He did everything you want your giraffes to do. Hit rucks, defended well in tight, scrummed well and shored up the lineout. I think you're grasping at straws if your complaint of him is the dropped pass when he was in the hole. He ran a great line and the ball was passed behind his hip. When you play flat like that the pass has to be millimetre perfect and that one wasn't. Sure a centre might've hung on to that one but when it's one of your tight five it's got to be just in front of them.
Forwards = Excellent
TMO involvement = Poor
Ireland will be better game 2 = we will need to be better game 2
Beale and Pocock = freakish
The only other thing I want to say is I know everyone likes to rag on Simmons but he did well on Sat night. He did everything you want your giraffes to do. Hit rucks, defended well in tight, scrummed well and shored up the lineout. I think you're grasping at straws if your complaint of him is the dropped pass when he was in the hole. He ran a great line and the ball was passed behind his hip. When you play flat like that the pass has to be millimetre perfect and that one wasn't. Sure a centre might've hung on to that one but when it's one of your tight five it's got to be just in front of them.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
I am more inclined to accept Gnostic's eyewitness account above of the impact of our LH side in that scrum. I agree that the TH side stood firm, but it was our LH side that gained dominance (over the World's best No 3, allegedly).
Just from my viewing generally, I think I'd prefer a combination of Coleman/Pocock pushing behind the prop than one of Simmons/Hooper.
That was a very, very good win against the best NH side. Ireland have been building this team for a some years now, and coupled with Leinster's wins in the European Cup and Pro14 and a full touring squad they've shown their intent and ability to match it with the best SH sides.
My thoughts;
Australia
My thoughts;
Australia
- Before the game kicked off we had a few selection issues; the unavailability of Dempsey, Hanigan, Arnold and Uelese had to be addressed. It's pertinent to note these absences were all in the forwards and were well covered this match, in fact I'd opine we have adequate depth in all forwards' positions ATM except, possibly, at 8. As with most traditionalists I'd prefer a big bruiser like Kefu or Lyons at 8 but Cheika seems to've worked a way to style this team's tactics so's one isn't missed. To cover those absences speaks volumes for Australian rugby, long may it continue. The prospect of those four mentioned earlier plus TPN and Slipper for a potential RWC squad is very encouraging.
- On the selection front Cheika's decision to resist selecting Douglas and big Taqele despite their form must be noted. The RWC is now 15 months away, blokes who aren't going to be there for some reason or another shouldn't be considered.
- The forwards were outstanding against a well-drilled, traditional NH pack. The Irish didn't have our speed in the pigs (or elsewhere around the park and called for a few too many stoppages to catch their collective breath) which led them to some holding-down tactics against our two flyers. This up-tempo game MUST be kept at all cost for the remaining two matches; Ireland will struggle to keep up especially if our accuracy increases.
- The scrum was a delight to behold. After watching the lightweight Tahs scrum get pushed around in a few games I was thrilled to see the weights for the first scrum here: what, 50kg heavier. I hope you noted that, Gibson. But the technique and commitment to hold the Irish scrum was outstanding. The fact we more than matched the best NH scrum shouldn't be under-estimated.
- I wouldn't worry too much about the occasional lapses with the lineout. The stuff-ups were minor matters of timing and communications, small things which can be addressed on the training paddock.
- After some ordinary performances in defence these past few years Grey seems to've realised that KISS is the way to go. Wasn't it delightful to watch Beale put Murray on his back with a crunching tackle? The defence overall was excellent, especially considering the weight of possession Ireland had in the first half of both halves.
- Genia seems to've caught a dose of the Gregans: the ball isn't going to hatch sitting there at the base of rucks, Will. The times we did play with speed showed the Irish up, they couldn't keep up. Surely there was a cue there quick ruck ball was the way to go.
- Open field kicking is an Achilles heel for Australian rugby generally, and we performed to order on Saturday evening. There just doesn't seem to be any thought or point to many of our kicks, which resulted in giving easy possession back to the Irish. And many of those kicks were far too short. With the best oval ball kickers in the world on hand I can never understand why we're such poor kickers. If I was in charge Foley and Beale (and others) would be doing a few hours' practice every week with the local AFL team's coaching staff to improve their kicking.
- The width and speed of play by the backs was typically Australian. I was thrilled to see the back three get the ball in space after some excellent timing.
- I hope the same 23 are selected for next week.
- The Irish play a traditional NH style of rugby very well. This match showed up the limitations of that style on firm grounds against an opposition who counter them with an up-tempo style. When the match was in first or second phase or in subsequent phases close to the breakdown Ireland looked good. Their competition at the breakdown was accurate and physical, sorta what we'd expect from a good NH side.
- They didn't quite have the perfect backline setup I noticed the Scots employed here last year and I felt they kicked too much good possession away. Did the ball get to an Irish winger through the hands all match? I can't recall one.
- The width of Australian play showed up the Irish team's patterns. Two or three phases out on the edges and I noticed the Irish defence was struggling, although that try-saving tackle on Koroibete was magnificent.
- When Ireland get their best 15 starting in Melbourne they'll be a formidable threat.
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