Wallabies 2021
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
drewprint
John Solomon (38)
Do Valetini and Wilson have a bit of trouble getting back into the starting team now? I thought Swinton and Naisarani were excellent. Supported by a great team effort mind you, but still. I felt they looked a bit faster and more agile, without losing any of the grunt. It was absolutely wonderful seeing Naisarani win a crucial turnover too - I’d like to see more of it, from our back row in particular.
waiopehu oldboy
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Correct, I thought they'd updated after T2 but clearly they hadn't.
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
I think we've seen a enough already
Even in the recent 3 tests we had fringe guys come back into the fold/get named/make their cases (Uelese, Bell, Naisarani, Daugunu, Mcdermott) and a number of debutants (Lonergan, Swain, Ikitau, Kellaway) with a couple more debuts scuttled by injury (Kaituu, Vunivalu)
Bring back the more regular guys who were absent in that series - Sio, Rodda, White, JOC (James O'Connor) & Petaia, and it pushes those who were recently promoted to fringe status back to the standard Super Rugby pool.
Not sure what other fringe wallabies we need to see apart from Pone as he is the 3rd choice THP - the Loosehead side has 3 good options now.
I don't think these guys will ever get a shot and or/ won't see them for a little while yet.
Wells, Foketi, Muirhead, Lonergan, Hosea, Simone or Leota
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
Valetini has a harder battle than Wilson. Propped by the fact that Valetini was quite poor in his 2 starts, whereas the other 3 were good.
If there was a game next week I would swap out Valetini altogether and bring Wilson off the bench. Though in a few weeks time? Not sure.
You mention a bit faster and agile, but what I really saw was the fact that Swinton and Naisarani are both very physically strong players. Far more effective in 'owning space' around the breakdowns. Valetini is strong obviously but looked shaken when he got smacked, so hopefully not a flat track bully. Wilson is full of beans but still can get pushed around in the tight stuff by more physical players at test level and will continue to do so until he hits the same weight but with muscle & less cushion like the other 3. I think Wilsons more workrate/dynamic style of play would work better behind a couple locks who take care of the tight stuff, like Arnold and Skelton. But atm our locks, whilst solid, aren't physically dominating their opponents either so our backrow must be. This will become more obvious when we play the monsters, the likes of Snyman, Dejager, Etzebeth, Rettalick and Lavanini.
I think we need the power of Swinton and Naisarani so we don't get physically bullied.
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
Not surprisingly we're fighting the Koroibete red. Plus pointing out Jenloch's theatricals.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...harge-and-diving-scourge-20210718-p58aq1.html
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...harge-and-diving-scourge-20210718-p58aq1.html
This is spot on. I think Swinton and Naisarani were a big reason why the Wallabies got their cleanest ball for the series on Sat night. Looked to be a better balanced back row, suited for the tight physical battle the French gave us. One major aspect is the ages IMO. Swinton at 24 compared to Valetini 22 and Isi 26 to Wilson 21, they just looked a bit more battle hardened. Having said that I thought Valetini added something off the bench, his carry in the lead up to BPA's no try was superb. Very interesting which way they go for the Bledisloe as big Haz has the runs on the board after some good outings last year. Great problems to have for Rennie and co
Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
I’d guess that Swinton played his way into being the preferred starting 6, Wilson has a firm hold on number 8 and Valentini is a perfect bench option. Naisarani and McReight very good options in case of injury.
Naisarani has a lot of power but lacks the linking abilities of a well rounded 8. Hes a bit predictable, as is Swinton. I don’t think you need two such players in a back row if your tight 5 are up to scratch, which ours appear to be.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
Swinton was the biggest difference maker for me in that third test. But I feel like his temperament may cause problems, I really hope not though.
It's a bit like waiting for an NRL player to break the bio-bubble, you know it'll happen, it's just when and how badly.
The unfortunate scenario for Swinton is he's got runs on the board with the judicial boards, so even lesser infringements can cause more severe suspensions.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Its quite a long test season this year, assuming all goes ahead as planned. I think we will see a lot of blokes we might not otherwise. Daugunu is likely gone for the year so I think that makes a start from someone like Muirhead or Kellaway somewhat more likely.
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
I do hope we see Kellaway again, super sucks Daugunu is out. Though with Vunivalu, Hodge and Petaia back in teh squad (probably), there won't be room for both Muirhead and Kellaway.
liquor box
Greg Davis (50)
The theatrics should not have an effect on whether there was contact with the head, it would be nice if the theatrics got a warning about sportsman like play.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
They will eventually have to bring in a rule against simulation like in football, though that rule is essentially never used/enforced.
A mate pointed out to me that Football improved after they brought in tougher rules against hacking - even though it meant diving became a part of the sport. A distinct decline in career ending leg-breakers and more flowing football.
Though it's seen as very un-rugby-like I think diving will also inevitably become part of the sport as we seek to protect players brains.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
Nick Sanchez has been flopping on the ground for over a decade so it's nothing new.
I don't think a law is required, but, for flippers, they need to be educated at how dangerous of a precident they're setting. If Refs think someone isn't really injured and play continues, the floppers could result in treatment not given to their fellow players quickly.
Looking at football, those who actively don't go down at the slightest touch are also penalised because the Refs think there wasn't contact, so they don't blow their whistle when a legitimate penalty could have been awarded.
I guess you could say it's similar to removing the rucking rule. Taking away some player power to help address poor behaviour in a game isn't always the solution.
It was evident the players knew the French 8 wasn't hurt and Lukhan even checked on his head during the post game handshakes. Personally, if I was playing the French next, I'd be vocalising this to the Refs both in the public presser and privately.
I don't think a law is required, but, for flippers, they need to be educated at how dangerous of a precident they're setting. If Refs think someone isn't really injured and play continues, the floppers could result in treatment not given to their fellow players quickly.
Looking at football, those who actively don't go down at the slightest touch are also penalised because the Refs think there wasn't contact, so they don't blow their whistle when a legitimate penalty could have been awarded.
I guess you could say it's similar to removing the rucking rule. Taking away some player power to help address poor behaviour in a game isn't always the solution.
It was evident the players knew the French 8 wasn't hurt and Lukhan even checked on his head during the post game handshakes. Personally, if I was playing the French next, I'd be vocalising this to the Refs both in the public presser and privately.
sunnyboys
Bob Loudon (25)
RE our selections at 6 and 8.
The biggest difference between the 4 for me is Wilson's line breaking ability. The other 3 just dont have that.
In the second test, that part of Wilson's game was shut down, and the two selected for the decider absolutely matched the kind of game the French wanted to play.
However, it won't always be like that. And you need at least one of your 6/8 to be offer something as a running threat.
The biggest difference between the 4 for me is Wilson's line breaking ability. The other 3 just dont have that.
In the second test, that part of Wilson's game was shut down, and the two selected for the decider absolutely matched the kind of game the French wanted to play.
However, it won't always be like that. And you need at least one of your 6/8 to be offer something as a running threat.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
Very different running threats.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
True, they are excellent at busting tackles and going through defenders..........
Wilson is probably more threatening in open space, while also generally being a strong carrier of the ball.