TRC Round 2: Australia vs Argentina @ Brisbane - Saturday 27 July 2019

[cyclopath]

The half-breaks that Kerevi was making did not go much further as the SA defence was up so quick and flat, and was basically "in the way" for any further offloads. It was very effective at negating what the Wallabies were trying to do, and did not allow TK to get into the game much. Some kicks in behind helped a bit. They can expect Argentina to be equally aggressive in their line defence. They need to have better contingencies. I would keep Kerevi / Kuridrani as I think it is our best option and it needs to work better.
I expect Genia and Leali'ifano will start, as part of the rotation policy, despite White being very good. If Genia is not sharp, get White on.
I think Beale has to be 15, Banks must stay in but move to wing for this one and get Koroibete in.
Forwards - obviously as much of our "first choice" front row as possible. Probably 4-8 will be the same.

 

[Derpus]

Against a Pumas team with another excellent lineout - we’ll need LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) or Jones at 6...

Having four jumpers worked a treat.

Our lineout was great.

 

[Up the Guts]

He was on the field for the 15 minutes that it went pear shaped. He was pretty involved in the tight stuff but didn't really get an opportunity to show off his running game. I'm just working on the theory that he showed enough for the selection panel to pick him on the bench ahead of the other options and given that LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was underwhelming without being horrible it could be worth switching them this weekend.

I didn’t think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was too bad at all. The major concern playing him at 6 was that he’d be too slow around the park but he actually played quite well in that regard. He runs very high into contact which often means he gets blown backwards early but he has quite a good ability to withstand the initial hit and drive forward after.

 

[Derpus]

I didn’t think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was too bad at all. The major concern playing him at 6 was that he’d be too slow around the park but he actually played quite well in that regard. He runs very high into contact which often means he gets blown backwards early but he has quite a good ability to withstand the initial hit and drive forward after.

Bit reminiscent of Hanigan in contact. I still really want to see Jones given some time. I think over the course of the Super season he was the better 6.

 

[Brumby Runner]

It's just that it is expected to happen. Experimentation to see where they're at compared with each other. White was given preference due to his kicking game at altitude, whereas Genia's strength is his playmaking and running game. It could be a case of 'horses for courses' throughout the whole RWC campaign.

No to Beale or To'omua at 10 but the rest of the post is pretty right, although Pulu has left his run a bit late, if they bring another flyer in it will likely be Speight or Naivalu.

There certainly is, or should be, a bit of experimentation going on, but that doesn't necessarily mean man against man for a particular spot, eg No 9. It could well be experimentation of combinations at 9/10. Personally, I would prefer to see White at 9 with Lealiifano at 10 for this game. Genia came on late against SA and didn't show any more form than he had at the end of the Super season. We know him and know what he can do. Let's see if White/Lealiifano operate better than White/Foley did this weekend.

I am not keen on the two specialist wingers either. Sure, Koroibete should come in for Hodge, but Banks would be a better fit on the other wing than DHP in his present form, and the second fullback seems to operate better than two specialist wingers who have no kicking game between them.

 

[KOB1987]

There certainly is, or should be, a bit of experimentation going on, but that doesn't necessarily mean man against man for a particular spot, eg No 9. It could well be experimentation of combinations at 9/10. Personally, I would prefer to see White at 9 with Lealiifano at 10 for this game. Genia came on late against SA and didn't show any more form than he had at the end of the Super season. We know him and know what he can do. Let's see if White/Lealiifano operate better than White/Foley did this weekend.

I am not keen on the two specialist wingers either. Sure, Koroibete should come in for Hodge, but Banks would be a better fit on the other wing than DHP in his present form, and the second fullback seems to operate better than two specialist wingers who have no kicking game between them.

You are probably right with it being about combinations. Genia/Lealiifano will be tested this week possibly, and then yes White/Lealiifano should get a crack too.

And we're all in agreement about Banks on the other wing, bringing in another specialist winger would be as cover for Koroibete, not to take the field with him. We got caught out here on the weekend, amongst other areas.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Well he scored a try and should have got a try assist for DHPs clusterfuck, kicked his goals and made no glaring mistakes.

Beale looked electric as soon as he came on, but he's wasted at first receiver. He needs to be running onto it into half-spaces.

I think Foley could give all of our wingers a lesson in backing up the man with the ball. His try was classic winger backing up the break. It had little if anything to do with him playing at No 10. Beale's offload was sublime and made the try.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Its all the more strange given Simone and Kerevi are like for like. Kerevi is obviously better, but they play very similar games.

Perhaps it indicates that Lealiifano is able to unlock Kuridrani better than Foley is able.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I didn’t think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was too bad at all. The major concern playing him at 6 was that he’d be too slow around the park but he actually played quite well in that regard. He runs very high into contact which often means he gets blown backwards early but he has quite a good ability to withstand the initial hit and drive forward after.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) had the pace to outrun a Saffa winger over about 30m to the tryline. Given that play hadn't been stopped by the whistle, I assume the winger was trying his guts out to run him down, but made little or no headway. So much for his perceived lack of pace.

 

[Brumby Runner]

You are probably right with it being about combinations. Genia/Lealiifano will be tested this week possibly, and then yes White/Lealiifano should get a crack too.

And we're all in agreement about Banks on the other wing, bringing in another specialist winger would be as cover for Koroibete, not to take the field with him. We got caught out here on the weekend, amongst other areas.

Yep, agree on the other specialist winger.

 

[Derpus]

There certainly is, or should be, a bit of experimentation going on, but that doesn't necessarily mean man against man for a particular spot, eg No 9. It could well be experimentation of combinations at 9/10. Personally, I would prefer to see White at 9 with Lealiifano at 10 for this game. Genia came on late against SA and didn't show any more form than he had at the end of the Super season. We know him and know what he can do. Let's see if White/Lealiifano operate better than White/Foley did this weekend.

I am not keen on the two specialist wingers either. Sure, Koroibete should come in for Hodge, but Banks would be a better fit on the other wing than DHP in his present form, and the second fullback seems to operate better than two specialist wingers who have no kicking game between them.

I didn't notice many issues when MK and Naivalu started against teh Darkness last year. But, I'm definitely no analyst.

Hell, even the Darkness started Naholo and Ioane together a bunch of times last year.

 

[RedsHappy]

Talk here of experimentation and ‘trying things out’, or such like for this Test. Pre RWC of course, and all that. Grander objectives at stake.

Hmmm. What about just an obsessive attempt to win this Test, whatever it takes.

A few punters are paying upwards of $100 a seat, in hope, if not in belief. What experiments do they deserve?

A sad fact: this is the first rugby Test I’ve ever witnessed at Suncorp where this venue is solely selling the lower tier, all other tiers are blocked out as no sale, and there are still tickets available in all grades in that lower tier.

 

[Ulrich]

Gotta win the ball up front first before worrying who should play between Nic White & Genia, Foley & Leali'ifano and KB (Kurtley Beale) and Banks.

Keep it a little tighter before spreading the ball wide too. Gotta suck in a defender or two first otherwise you are moving laterally without much effect.

I would venture to say Argentina are more of a nuisance at the breakdown than the Springboks, they always give us trouble there anyway.

If the forwards do not secure ball (quickly enough) then moving about players in the back line will amount to no more than changing the mags on a car with a malfunctioning engine.

The mongrel is there but it's not functioning properly on the evidence of this past weekend. Engine needs a tune-up in timing.

 

[Up the Guts]

Creevy is out. Might quicken our ruck speed a bit.

 

[KOB1987]

Talk here of experimentation and ‘trying things out’, or such like for this Test. Pre RWC of course, and all that. Grander objectives at stake.

Hmmm. What about just an obsessive attempt to win this Test, whatever it takes.

A few punters are paying upwards of $100 a seat, in hope, if not in belief. What experiments do they deserve?

A sad fact: this is the first rugby Test I’ve ever witnessed at Suncorp where this venue is solely selling the lower tier, all other tiers are blocked out as no sale, and there are still tickets available in all grades in that lower tier.

Get your point, but this fixture is generally held at a smaller venue. With the Bledisloe in Perth and a reduced international schedule due to the RWC they're just giving the Brisbane faithful an opportunity to see something. We get a game v Samoa at Parramatta.

Re, the experimentation, it's not like they're throwing Moses Sorovi and Mack Mason in to see how they go, they're looking at various combinations of White & Genia with Foley & Lealiifano. Beyond that, maybe some tinkering up the back, looking at more #6 options, and the bench options. That's about it.

 

[waratahjesus]

good luck to all the fellas selected. Hope DHP gets another chance after a performance that was very unlike him.

best of days to all in Brisbane, great venue and wonderful area for a drink, hope you all have a great day.

Argentina are a great side and I look equally as forward to watching them run around.

may the best side triumph and Rugby be the winner on the night.

 

[Tomikin]

Any Chance we will see Kerevi 12 JOC (James O'Connor) 13, Its an interesting prospect of having a ball playing 13 out there but keeping Kerevi at 12, I think the main things we can fix is as followed

Beale in for more opportunity to attack and spark, we probably missed a second play maker but I want to keep the 2 K's together.

Strike Winger in for one of Hodge / DHP / Banks doesn't matter but I think Banks has pace on the other two and a better game in SA

Sio and AAA back will be the biggest change those boys get through some work and can scrum.

Those are the main changes that will make a massive difference.

Other changes that don't make too much difference

Lealiifano for Foley
Samu onto the bench for Dempsey
Maybe a 6 - 2 with Valentini White and JOC (James O'Connor)

 

[Tomikin]

Oh another change much of muchness

Genia into start for White.

 

[Viking]

Any Chance we will see Kerevi 12 JOC (James O'Connor) 13, Its an interesting prospect of having a ball playing 13 out there but keeping Kerevi at 12, I think the main things we can fix is as followed

If we're experimenting, then I think Beale as a roaming winger would be better then either DHP or Hodge. I think banks was solid enough to keep a spot - I'd prefer to keep him at fullback then wing.

It won't happen but it's an idea

 

[Sully]

Once again we end up talking about wingers and fullback that would have made two parts of fuck all difference to the result of the last game.