France v Australia

[Viking]

At least Fainga's scrummaging looks to have improved significantly.

 

[Joe Blow]

At least Fainga's scrummaging looks to have improved significantly.

That's true but it probably has a lot to do with the forwards as a whole having improved. Throw Moore or TPN in between Slipper and Kepu and our scrum issues will cease to exist.

 

[Scrubber2050]

He is good enough to start in Super rugby, which is why he has. That's like saying Kepu shouldn't be talked about because he wasn't starting for the Tahs. People are keen on him because he's young, strong, and looks fundamentally very solid. If you ever read Dwyer's stuff, he's constantly going on about it. And he just spent the last couple of months beasting the remaining LHPs in the country for fun. I'm not massively convinced he's significantly better than Weeks, but he's got a much higher ceiling and he's a lot younger. I think we're going to look back on this tour and see it as a missed opportunity to give him a run.

Would rather have Weeles ATM - a;though I think A;exander is better around the field. - Paulie's time will come once he has CEMENTED his starting spot.

 

[Pfitzy]

It is almost impossible to have bench props that come on and do as good a job as your starters. Ditto for second rowers, otherwise they would be starting.

At the point where the fresh player comes on, they should be better than the tired starting player, and probably significantly.

 

[Scrubber2050]

That's true but it probably has a lot to do with the forwards as a whole having improved. Throw Moore or TPN in between Slipper and Kepu and our scrum issues will cease to exist.

+ the other 5 guys act as one - then I agree

 

[Joe Blow]

At the point where the fresh player comes on, they should be better than the tired starting player, and probably significantly.

He might be fresher but invariably the reserve will not match up in technique/strength to the starter. England seem to be able to trot them out when needed but most test sides drop off their scrum performance when the reserves come on. Cowan handled himself well throughout the RC at the back end of games. The hooker makes a big difference as well.
Starting with Moore, Slipper and Kepu then bringing on TPN, Alexander and Fat Cat means that the front row holds up pretty well. Charles and Fainga'a are also at the point where they are both a good reserve hooker, albeit not as effective in the scrum as TPN.

 

[Pfitzy]

He might be fresher but invariably the reserve will not match up in technique/strength to the starter.

Better check your definition.

Most of the time you may have a starting prop who is a clear favourite. But then you may also be picking combinations whose are greater than the sum of their parts. Scrummmaging is a very hard thing to clearly define as with a lot of rugby, because some people work better in particular combinations.

 

[Dumbledore]

Would rather have Weeles ATM - a;though I think A;exander is better around the field. - Paulie's time will come once he has CEMENTED his starting spot.

That's not how it works though. Fainga'a hasn't CEMENTED his starting spot at the Reds. McMahon hasn't CEMENTED his starting spot for the Rebels. Nor Skelton for the Tahs, Faulkner for the Force, and probably a few more players besides. It's just a nonsense criteria.

 

[Joe Blow]

Better check your definition.

Most of the time you may have a starting prop who is a clear favourite. But then you may also be picking combinations whose are greater than the sum of their parts. Scrummmaging is a very hard thing to clearly define as with a lot of rugby, because some people work better in particular combinations.

Right you are. Most often might be better.

 

[Bowside]

Kepu is a 60 minute player. Any longer and he becomes a liability on the field due to fatigue.

We so badly need another TH prop.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

If you ever read Dwyer's stuff, he's constantly going on about it.

by the same token if you agree with everything Bob says we'd have TK at 12, Beale at 10, Izzy at 13, and Quade somewhere on the moon

 

[Pfitzy]

by the same token if you agree with everything Bob says we'd have TK at 12, Beale at 10, Izzy at 13, and Quade somewhere on the moon

Yes. That Wallaby team might as well pull on Randwick jumpers too when Bob starts talking.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Bob : The older I get the better I criticise"

 

[Pete King]

For me a few things have to happen for this match Horwill in for Carter. Higgenbottom (is he available) to 6.

 

[Ash]

The only changes I would consider would be Speight for Tomane, Higgers for McMahon, and perhaps a 5/3 bench with either Horwill or Skelton to drop off. And I wouldn't necessarily do any of them, just consider.

It's hard to say without seeing the side the French will roll out.

 

[Pete King]

Didnt see Tomane do anything bad and looked quite damaging with ball in hand

 

[Brumby Runner]

For me a few things have to happen for this match Horwill in for Carter. Higgenbottom (is he available) to 6.

I think the way things are panning out under Cheika, Horwill is a direct substitute for Simmons. Both good at lineout and adequate to good in the scrum. Horwill has more involvements in general play but is no more impactful. I could be wrong, but I don't expect to see a Horwill/Simmons starting combination at the moment.

 

[Gnostic]

Blades isn't the issue, it is not have 6 decent scrummaging front rowers, Kepu and Slipper get the job done, but without decent, viable bench options both play too many minutes

That is laughable Fatprop.

Last week I think it was you who made excuses for Alexander saying he has been depowered since the hit was removed because he is tall. 6'2". Do you realise that Kepu is 6'2" as Jannie Du Plesis. Ben and Owen Franks are both listed at 6'1".

It is primarily about technique and skills development. The fact is Alexander has been let down by Australian Rugby not having any real specialist coaching with this regard. Blades has had what 5 or 6 years to develop those 6 front row options. It is his fault they are not up to standard as much as limitations in Australian players. Many of those he has had to work with in the Wallabies set up have not progressed skill wise and in some cases were discarded totally, like Ma'afu, who became a much better scrummager when he was coached.

I assess Blades performance over his time by looking for consistent improvement in skills execution of individuals. There has been no such improvement and therefore what results do you have to say Blades is executing his tasks effectively? Indeed the Skelton binding issues highlighted against the Wales has been consistent since the French tests in June. That is 5 months ago in which to speak with him and "coach" him to correct the issues. Yes part of that time Skelton is back with the Tahs, but I ask is Blades a full time coach looking at these Wallaby players all the time or just when they are in camp. FFS this is not a new issue, as is Alexander's leg positioning and shoulder height issue. The players have technical issues and as I said above they just have not been addressed.

I was disappointed that Blades was retained and really hoped that Foley would step into the position in addition to his Force duties.

 

[Pete King]

does anyone else not think that Carter has been pretty ordinary

 

[No4918]

does anyone else not think that Carter has been pretty ordinary

Pretty much everybody. Locks are a real problem.