Wallabies 2023

[Dctarget]

I recommend people go listen to this week's Roar Rugby podcast. Really the only podcast I can stomach, it's pretty decent. But especially this week because they had a solid chat to Cheika. I like not having him as HC anymore, I can really appreciate him as a bloke and a brilliant rugby mind. The amount of things he's juggling right now is hilarious.

After this weekend in NZ with Argentina, he travels to Australia to set up the camp for Lebanon's Rugby League World Cup campaign for a few days. Then he travels back to Argentina to face South Africa. He's also assisting a japanese rugby league team in addition to being a Stan Sports talking head. Nuts.

 

[Derpus]

I recommend people go listen to this week's Roar Rugby podcast. Really the only podcast I can stomach, it's pretty decent. But especially this week because they had a solid chat to Cheika. I like not having him as HC anymore, I can really appreciate him as a bloke and a brilliant rugby mind. The amount of things he's juggling right now is hilarious.

After this weekend in NZ with Argentina, he travels to Australia to set up the camp for Lebanon's Rugby League World Cup campaign for a few days. Then he travels back to Argentina to face South Africa. He's also assisting a japanese rugby league team in addition to being a Stan Sports talking head. Nuts.

Aww the Rugby Report Card guys are decent for a laugh.

 

[qwerty51]

I recommend people go listen to this week's Roar Rugby podcast. Really the only podcast I can stomach, it's pretty decent. But especially this week because they had a solid chat to Cheika. I like not having him as HC anymore, I can really appreciate him as a bloke and a brilliant rugby mind. The amount of things he's juggling right now is hilarious.

After this weekend in NZ with Argentina, he travels to Australia to set up the camp for Lebanon's Rugby League World Cup campaign for a few days. Then he travels back to Argentina to face South Africa. He's also assisting a japanese rugby league team in addition to being a Stan Sports talking head. Nuts.

Some good insight here from Genia

‘He still harbours aspirations’: Why history making Cheika could yet coach the Wallabies again

‘He still harbours aspirations’: Why history making Cheika could yet coach the Wallabies again

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[stillmissit]

You mean from starting 7? Hooper comes back in when/if ready. Obviously.

Would hardly consider that dumping Fraser. He'll be in the squad and continue to get game time and will probably be first choice post RWC.

Play the best guy regardless is my call and at the moment Fraser is playing better than I have seen Hooper play this season. The past is no predictor of the future! Make Hooper fight for his position from the bench.

 

[stillmissit]

I recommend people go listen to this week's Roar Rugby podcast. Really the only podcast I can stomach, it's pretty decent. But especially this week because they had a solid chat to Cheika. I like not having him as HC anymore, I can really appreciate him as a bloke and a brilliant rugby mind. The amount of things he's juggling right now is hilarious.

After this weekend in NZ with Argentina, he travels to Australia to set up the camp for Lebanon's Rugby League World Cup campaign for a few days. Then he travels back to Argentina to face South Africa. He's also assisting a japanese rugby league team in addition to being a Stan Sports talking head. Nuts.

Cheika is in his element with Argentina, he is highly emotional and drives players from that base and Argentina is also emotionally driven. This is a marriage made in heaven for Cheika. After this gig is over would love to see him coach Italy, bet he could lift them as well.

 

[wamberal]

Langi Gleeson is probably in a similar mould as McMahon and just at the beginning of his career.

He is quick enough to play 7.

 

[stillmissit]

If he not just ‘hanging out’ then he needs to impart some magic on our scrum for this weekend.

And double the magic in the lineout. Read this morning that Arnold did not win one ball on our put-in last weekend!

 

[dru]

Cheika is in his element with Argentina, he is highly emotional and drives players from that base and Argentina is also emotionally driven. This is a marriage made in heaven for Cheika. After this gig is over would love to see him coach Italy, bet he could lift them as well.

Yes, sort of. Rennie has said that he sees both Hooper and McReight as specialist 7s and won't start them from the bench. Things do change, but based on this "proof" over the better claim comes from where "form" is a combination of history and training. I'd agree that Hooper slots straight in, in all likelihood. If he is on form and with McReight performing Hooper would need to be doing just that.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He is quick enough to play 7.

Yes I believe he would be. May not be as quick as some others but he'd be able bend the line more.

Speaking of McMahon, where the hell is he at these days? He would be the perfect option at 6 if he's still got it.

I'm assuming since he was not considered as a Giteau Law player brought back he's not playing so well.

I get the feeling McMahon is pretty content with his set up at the moment. Was very good for Suntory and I'm sure very well paid and keeps his offseason back in Qld with his family.

 

[Viking]

I assume they want a lineout option at 6...

I always thought he is a decent line-out option, even managed to get a few steals on opposition ball. Might be a tad short but does well enough.

 

[Tomikin]

Irony game strong in this post.

It took me a while to get it, but well played sir.

 

[Tomikin]

And double the magic in the lineout. Read this morning that Arnold did not win one ball on our put-in last weekend!

I know we had some issues at lineout time, but you would think that SA are one of the best units in the world and put a bunch of pressure on us, as we did to them.. We still won and we will be better for it.

 

[topgun]

I assume they want a lineout option at 6...

We're up to our necks in loose forward depth at the moment, why would we be looking OS for 6 options? Holloway has been quiet in his 3 games but certainly not terrible and Leota has looked deadly in pretty much every opportunity he gets. Add Wilson, Gleeson, Samu and Frost are in the squad. That's without considering Kemeny, Anstee and Uru who have all spent time in the Wallabies setup over the last year.

It's pick and stick for me. I rate Leota but I'm not the Wallabies coach.

 

[Pfitzy]

Leota has looked deadly in pretty much every opportunity he gets.

I would say "prominent" rather than "deadly". When Samu and Leota are on - depending on who they replace - the game plan and roles are a little different.

 

[dru]

I know we had some issues at lineout time, but you would think that SA are one of the best units in the world and put a bunch of pressure on us, as we did to them.. We still won and we will be better for it.

More than that, if the article that stillmissit refers to is Nick Bishop's latest:
a) no-one did better including Phillip calling to himself
b) the ref allowed the Boks to close the gap after initial set up which allows the defensive jumper to get an arm in between the catchers arms to spoil the catch and delivery
c) the ref allowed enough contact in the air to allow savvy defensive jumpers to play the forward arm of the catcher rather than the ball
d) the line out setup was too slow with too much movement which gave the Boks time to close, read the set up, and get in front of the jumper

It is out of context to call Arnold out here. There were two "orthodox" line out wins by the Wallabies - Holloway and Swinton, the other wins were overthrows and silly bugger short stuff. Arnold actually won a defensive line out.

Nick suggests less movement in the line out and hopefully whatever is required is being worked on during the week. Certainly the key issue is the full piece at the line out, not an individual jumper and we definitely must improve.

 

[Pfitzy]

I get the feeling McMahon is pretty content with his set up at the moment. Was very good for Suntory and I'm sure very well paid and keeps his offseason back in Qld with his family.

Let's see - 5 month season. Shit loads of money. Plenty of time to recover in the Aussie winter with friends and family. Polite crowds. Shit loads of money. Relative anonymity outside game day. Not forgetting: shit loads of money.

Where's the downside?

 

[Dctarget]

Let's see - 5 month season. Shit loads of money. Plenty of time to recover in the Aussie winter with friends and family. Polite crowds. Shit loads of money. Relative anonymity outside game day. Not forgetting: shit loads of money.

Where's the downside?

Professional sportsmen are ultra competitive and want to prove they're the best against the best and have an ego. Satisfied by Wallabies.

 

[Adam84]

Professional sportsmen are ultra competitive and want to prove they're the best against the best and have an ego. Satisfied by Wallabies.

Some* professional sportsmen…

There are plenty who don't fit this category

 

[stillmissit]

More than that, if the article that stillmissit refers to is Nick Bishop's latest:
a) no-one did better including Phillip calling to himself
b) the ref allowed the Boks to close the gap after initial set up which allows the defensive jumper to get an arm in between the catchers arms to spoil the catch and delivery
c) the ref allowed enough contact in the air to allow savvy defensive jumpers to play the forward arm of the catcher rather than the ball
d) the line out setup was too slow with too much movement which gave the Boks time to close, read the set up, and get in front of the jumper

It is out of context to call Arnold out here. There were two "orthodox" line out wins by the Wallabies - Holloway and Swinton, the other wins were overthrows and silly bugger short stuff. Arnold actually won a defensive line out.

Nick suggests less movement in the line out and hopefully whatever is required is being worked on during the week. Certainly the key issue is the full piece at the line out, not an individual jumper and we definitely must improve.

Hi Dru, I read that article by Nick Bishop (he's good isn't he?) after I had posted, Arnold's details were on Fox Sports I think.
I watched the whole game when I got back and was very pissed with Arnold's lack of effort, he was strolling to breakdowns and leaving most of the hard work to Philip. I have seen him play better than this but not since his return, if he is not fit enough he is holding another lock out. I would far prefer Swain and Philip, at the moment I don't think Arnold is adding anything to the Wallabies until he gets a lot fitter.
ps I think you meant Swain not Swinton.

 

[dru]

Hi Dru, I read that article by Nick Bishop (he's good isn't he?) after I had posted, Arnold's details were on Fox Sports I think.
I watched the whole game when I got back and was very pissed with Arnold's lack of effort, he was strolling to breakdowns and leaving most of the hard work to Philip. I have seen him play better than this but not since his return, if he is not fit enough he is holding another lock out. I would far prefer Swain and Philip, at the moment I don't think Arnold is adding anything to the Wallabies until he gets a lot fitter.
ps I think you meant Swain not Swinton.

Cheers and yes, Nick is fabulous. have to agreee we can use some more horsepower in the locks, but I'd look to two locks on the bench. We did get go ahead last test, better than we've had. I'd focus on the set piece I reckon.