Ireland v Wallabies, Saturday 15/11 (Sunday morning Aus time)

[Tomthumb]

The end of year tour has also included Japan and Italy, so it’s hardly been murderers row. They also got two home games vs Argentina and barely won 1 of them. Got one of the worst All Blacks teams in recent memory and lost both to them

 

[rugbyAU]

Yes, but bloody tough draw this year. Have a think:
1. Lions series - best of the UK/Ireland;
2. South Africa - all away games;
3. End of year tour - includes Ireland and France (and no games against the likes of Scotland and Wales, being more manageable opposition one might say...)
I can't think of a more challenging yearly draw in recent times.

sure but it wasn't a great Lions side and we play the TRC sides, France, Ireland and England pretty regularly

We also had Fiji, Japan and Italy

 

[JRugby2]

Yes, but bloody tough draw this year. Have a think:
1. Lions series - best of the UK/Ireland;
2. South Africa - all away games;
3. End of year tour - includes Ireland and France (and no games against the likes of Scotland and Wales, being more manageable opposition one might say...)
I can't think of a more challenging yearly draw in recent times.

Challenging indeed, but in years gone by we would have been expected to beat the likes of Ireland, Argentina and France, let alone Italy...

It's no doubt a sign of the emergence of NH rugby, but also a sign of us falling further and further away. There's no reason we can't expect to be a top 6 team and therefore disappointed when we aren't

 

[swingpass]

Hooper's commentary was insufferable! All he did was give his old teammates back scratches all day!

this, the whole Stan cheer squad thing, so embarassing. Matt Burke at least was a liitle more balanced and truthful.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I agree with some of the other comments here, we have had some excellent coaches, the coaching is not the issue.

If you look at History, the Wallabies have been at their best when we have been strong in super rugby and winning titles, it all comes from the lower levels. We are still making up the numbers in super rugby Pacific and have not looked like a realistic chance of winning it for years

 

[KOB1987]

sure but it wasn't a great Lions side and we play the TRC sides, France, Ireland and England pretty regularly

We also had Fiji, Japan and Italy

I'm a little confused by this assertion, it was stacked full of Irish and English players and both those sides flogged us. Add in the top Scots and the one good Welsh player, why is that not a great side?

 

[rugbyAU]

Schmidt has cancelled the Monday press conference

 

[rugbyAU]

I'm a little confused by this assertion, it was stacked full of Irish and English players and both those sides flogged us. Add in the top Scots and the one good Welsh player, why is that not a great side?

Compared to past Lions sides

They lost to Argentina, barely beat FNP and only beat Tahs and Brumbies (who were missing 8 wallabies) by 11-12 pts

 

[KOB1987]

Brumbies beat them in 2013. The Argentina game was an exhibition match, it was basically a BaaBaas team at that point. For the record though Argentina are ranked above us.

 

[rugbyAU]

and the Brumbies made the Super Rugby final in 2013

 

[Slim 293]

I'm a little confused by this assertion, it was stacked full of Irish and English players and both those sides flogged us. Add in the top Scots and the one good Welsh player, why is that not a great side?

Yep, it would be pretty odd to suggest this Lions squad was weaker to recent iterations…

I can only assume Christy said it?

 

[HarryElite]

a great read

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/11/17/schmidt-says-the-wallabies-dont-have-depth-thats-a-furphy-and-the-coachs-selections-have-been-found-out-five-things/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOHsJBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIanRhcWdvSmNDRlVWeEFqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MghjYWxsc2l0ZQEyAAEetPaDZyJHwIwgL7Bpc4DKSQuQ0WHGSBS5rUv-uw-1q4RrklMimloiFgl1JCo_aem_gTDcu6apxGYBLTop5aHNmA

 

[Slim 293]

a great read

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/11/17/schmidt-says-the-wallabies-dont-have-depth-thats-a-furphy-and-the-coachs-selections-have-been-found-out-five-things/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOHsJBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIanRhcWdvSmNDRlVWeEFqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MghjYWxsc2l0ZQEyAAEetPaDZyJHwIwgL7Bpc4DKSQuQ0WHGSBS5rUv-uw-1q4RrklMimloiFgl1JCo_aem_gTDcu6apxGYBLTop5aHNmA

It’s really not…

It’s his typical schtick of taking a contrarian position to drum up some clicks, but failing to compose a coherent argument to support that.

Jokeshop journalism.

 

[rugbyAU]

Really worth a watch:

 

[Where's the beef]

I did my own bit of research. I watched the third test against the Lions.

Compared to where we are now.

1. All our forwards carried and defended with far far more intent.
2. Pietch should be first man picked based on his D and work rate and hard yards.
3. Lynagh is streets ahead of all the other 10's I have seen this season. The soft close passing hands.
4. The players are in motion in receipt of the ball. There is more short passing at the gain line.
5. There is much more support of the ball carier.
6. The field position kicks by Lynagh and tom wright were spot on.

Its all there to see. The forwards today are a shadow of that game. It was brutal.

There may be theories why, but, that is what you see. And its much faster. The ball movement is quick.