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Wallabies 2024

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
Down-voting a staff member on a moderation issue. Ballsy. Stupid even.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. No harm, no foul. I just don't see the point of such a thread. Plenty of opinions have been posted already, and in the end, it means nothing more than the (assumed) right to say "I told you so". Historically, those type of threads go only one way...
 

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
Then it shouldn't be too hard to find a couple of examples. I'll wait.
Exactly.
I did a couple of these video "analyses" some years back - 1 was about whether the ABs or the Wallabies were worse offenders at lying on the wrong side of the breakdown (Sleeping Kiwis and Shot Wallabies, I seem to recall ) and the other about Phipps' "shit passing" in the game. I looked at things like steps taken prior to passing, and whether the pass got to the recipient between hips and shoulders.
He actually wasn't that shit, and the Wallabies were just as bad as the Kiwis.
When casually watching we tend to see what we want to see.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Tates passing is still an issue, I don’t see him as a long term option.

But he should own the bench spot. Crazy no-one has used him as an impact player from the bench yet. I think Rennie did it once or twice only.
Might be best if Fines-Leleiwasa takes the starting spot for the next year or two. He has a better passing and kicking game than Tate and if anything he's even a bit sharper with his snipes especially down the blind side of a scrum. He could give us a couple of very good years while Tate continues to develop in Super and off the bench in tests.

IFL is the oldest of the three popular picks for No 9, and possibly won't make the 27 RWC if the others and Wilson continue to develop.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Having time to reflect on the last 2 games, Eddie's selections were very poor

- Why were there 6 captains in 7 games, that's just embarrassing and no leadership in the group, really under 10's stuff giving a new person a go at captain each week.
- Why was Schoupp picked over Gibbon or Sio? particularly the former who had a better Super Rugby season and played big minutes and then Blake comes on for 3 minutes against Fiji? reserve props should be expected to play 25-30 minutes
- Why pick in the squad Nonggorr if you have no faith in him, ideally he starts rather than a LH and plays more than just 5 mins off the bench
- Eddie dosen't seem like he knows who the 2nd hooker is between Uelese and Faessler (who should gave got more game time before the WC), Uelese has consistently been unfit, injured and a poor thrower, why was he selected?, similarly against Arg he only played 10 minutes and Porecki fatigued in defence, again why pick him if no faith to bring him on earlier
- Why was Richie Arnold picked, a failure and arguably one of the biggest under performers at this WC, ineffective at the maul, 4 penalties conceded against Fiji and lacked impact, there would have been many more domestic guys more deserving (i.e. Neville) & Eddie picked the wrong Arnold twin
- Why was there no specialist second rower picked on the bench against Georgia, our line out certainly got exposed when we lost 4 of them
- Why wasn't Gleeson given more of a go, and just given 10 mins off the bench
- Pete Samu should have been picked over Josh Kemeny. Proven finisher at test level, covers 6,7 & 8. Eddie hasn't even given Kemeny a go (at the time of writing this, he may come off the bench against Portugal, just to give him a run at the WC)
- On that point, it was clear especially from the Fiji game we need more of a bigger body at 7, Tom Hooper provides that but he's been put in a year or two too early for test level, try Gleeson there
- Ryan Lonergan should have made the squad at the expense of White. Why was he in the TRC squad all that time just to get dropped for the WC without been given an opportunity, his goal kicking would have been nice
- Can't believe in our biggest game since the WC final in 15' we start Ben Donaldson at 10, a guy who I thought was one of the worst 10's in Super Rugby this year and has only played there once before and hade never played with Tate or Samu
- I like how Eddie backed Carter this year, we need to develop a good long term 10, give him experience so that he has 40-50 tests b y the time of the next WC, but why take him off at 50' and drop him against Wales after saying you'd back him earlier on
- I would have still picked Len Ikitau, one of the best 13's in the world by far our best defender in the midfield, we missed him the most and way more than Hooper or Quade, the casual fans say.
- Not picking Kellaway against Fiji was a mistake, his experience, defence, rugby smarts etc. were missing, against Georgia it didn't matter so much because it's Georgia but at least have him on the bench for god sake given he can play 13, 11, 14 and 15 and has proven himself at test level as a good finisher
- Jorgensen was only ever going to be used v Portugal (not to be) an out and out 15, coming off injury, only played up to 10 professional rugby games, too early, he'll end up playing 100+ caps bar injury, but blood him from next year
- The whole utility thing is stupid, Just because JK can play 6 & 7 and Ben can play 10 & 15, by that logic half the squad would be a utility (i.e. Tom Hooper, Rob Valentini, Perese, Petaia, Kellaway, etc.)


Overall, Eddie's selections were pretty stupid, apart from making Skelton captain, shame we didn't get to see that more and I liked that he finally moved on from Hooper and Quade
On the money in all of those observation RAu. Well done.
 

Dismal Pillock

Simon Poidevin (60)
This conversation is more circular than one of @Dismal Pillock’s flow charts
gest14_zpsbe6c422c.gif
 

Doritos Day

Johnnie Wallace (23)
- Not picking Kellaway against Fiji was a mistake, his experience, defence, rugby smarts etc. were missing, against Georgia it didn't matter so much because it's Georgia but at least have him on the bench for god sake given he can play 13, 11, 14 and 15 and has proven himself at test level as a good finisher

- The whole utility thing is stupid, Just because JK can play 6 & 7 and Ben can play 10 & 15, by that logic half the squad would be a utility (i.e. Tom Hooper, Rob Valentini, Perese, Petaia, Kellaway, etc.)
Carrying a specialist 12 and winger on the bench is bonkers imo. Kelleway and Petaia (is Ikitau fit?) are perfectly suited for the bench
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
I dont think Skelton was a good choice for captain, especially so being that Jones dropped most senior players for the squad and AAA was injured. There were no senior players outside of Slipper to help him along. A big part of the problem throughout. The bloke has never captained any side and has been a reluctant Wallaby at best. What kind of message does that send to the young players coming through? Play overseas pure and simple. Sure, have him as an OS pick but captain? Another EJ (Eddie Jones) brain fade.
 

rugbyAU

Nev Cottrell (35)
I dont think Skelton was a good choice for captain, especially so being that Jones dropped most senior players for the squad and AAA was injured. There were no senior players outside of Slipper to help him along. A big part of the problem throughout. The bloke has never captained any side and has been a reluctant Wallaby at best. What kind of message does that send to the young players coming through? Play overseas pure and simple. Sure, have him as an OS pick but captain? Another EJ (Eddie Jones) (Eddie Jones) brain fade.
But he’s the only guy that’s tasted success, he's experienced, well respected by the playing group and coaches and knows how to win, he did a decent job in the chance he got and is one of the best locks in the world
 
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Viking

Mark Ella (57)
Having time to reflect on the last 2 games, Eddie's selections were very poor

- Why were there 6 captains in 7 games, that's just embarrassing and no leadership in the group, really under 10's stuff giving a new person a go at captain each week.
- Why was Schoupp picked over Gibbon or Sio? particularly the former who had a better Super Rugby season and played big minutes and then Blake comes on for 3 minutes against Fiji? reserve props should be expected to play 25-30 minutes
- Why pick in the squad Nonggorr if you have no faith in him, ideally he starts rather than a LH and plays more than just 5 mins off the bench
- Eddie dosen't seem like he knows who the 2nd hooker is between Uelese and Faessler (who should gave got more game time before the WC), Uelese has consistently been unfit, injured and a poor thrower, why was he selected?, similarly against Arg he only played 10 minutes and Porecki fatigued in defence, again why pick him if no faith to bring him on earlier
- Why was Richie Arnold picked, a failure and arguably one of the biggest under performers at this WC, ineffective at the maul, 4 penalties conceded against Fiji and lacked impact, there would have been many more domestic guys more deserving (i.e. Neville) & Eddie picked the wrong Arnold twin
- Why was there no specialist second rower picked on the bench against Georgia, our line out certainly got exposed when we lost 4 of them
- Why wasn't Gleeson given more of a go, and just given 10 mins off the bench
- Pete Samu should have been picked over Josh Kemeny. Proven finisher at test level, covers 6,7 & 8. Eddie hasn't even given Kemeny a go (at the time of writing this, he may come off the bench against Portugal, just to give him a run at the WC)
- On that point, it was clear especially from the Fiji game we need more of a bigger body at 7, Tom Hooper provides that but he's been put in a year or two too early for test level, try Gleeson there
- Ryan Lonergan should have made the squad at the expense of White. Why was he in the TRC squad all that time just to get dropped for the WC without been given an opportunity, his goal kicking would have been nice
- Can't believe in our biggest game since the WC final in 15' we start Ben Donaldson at 10, a guy who I thought was one of the worst 10's in Super Rugby this year and has only played there once before and hade never played with Tate or Samu
- I like how Eddie backed Carter this year, we need to develop a good long term 10, give him experience so that he has 40-50 tests b y the time of the next WC, but why take him off at 50' and drop him against Wales after saying you'd back him earlier on
- I would have still picked Len Ikitau, one of the best 13's in the world by far our best defender in the midfield, we missed him the most and way more than Hooper or Quade, the casual fans say.
- Not picking Kellaway against Fiji was a mistake, his experience, defence, rugby smarts etc. were missing, against Georgia it didn't matter so much because it's Georgia but at least have him on the bench for god sake given he can play 13, 11, 14 and 15 and has proven himself at test level as a good finisher
- Jorgensen was only ever going to be used v Portugal (not to be) an out and out 15, coming off injury, only played up to 10 professional rugby games, too early, he'll end up playing 100+ caps bar injury, but blood him from next year
- The whole utility thing is stupid, Just because JK can play 6 & 7 and Ben can play 10 & 15, by that logic half the squad would be a utility (i.e. Tom Hooper, Rob Valentini, Perese, Petaia, Kellaway, etc.)


Overall, Eddie's selections were pretty stupid, apart from making Skelton captain, shame we didn't get to see that more and I liked that he finally moved on from Hooper and Quade
Nice post.
 

Wallaby Man

Trevor Allan (34)
Phipps used to cop that a bit.
It’s saying a lot that Phipps is a better passer. I like Tate and think he can be the answer but his fundamentals are well below par. There is school boys with better passing and kicking but not in the same class of run and support play. He’s someone with so much talent it worth placing the effort in to building his potential
 

eastman

Arch Winning (36)
Playing in a team full of international rock stars doesn’t necessarily make Skelton a leader.

I still think Skelton‘s impact is overrated- he’s world class but only in very limited areas (maul disruption and occasionally generating quick ball from static situations), and seems only to be effective in the NH style of stop/start rugby.

Give me one of the SA/ NZ locks in any Rugby Chanpionship game.
 

chasmac

Dave Cowper (27)
These threads tend to be about picking players and get skewed for peoples preferences.
The thing that has pissed me off about this years RWC is not the players it is the gameplan. I feel for all of the players in the 33 man squad plus the players just outside the squad they have not had a plan other than "go out there and don't be shit." Every last player should be given a medal for putting up with the EJ (Eddie Jones) circus. I never liked him playing silly buggers with our scrum in 2003. He is a bloody hard worker but that doesn't cut it. Please be sympathetic to the players in your discussion; they have all tried their arses off. Coaching and administration need to give themselves an upper cut and hopefully fall on their entitled fluffybunnyy little swords. As a player I would be gutted to present this sort of rubbish to the public. I predict a mass exodus from this crop. Embarrassed by association. Hamish and Eddy - what a cluster fuck.
 

Linerunner2023

Fred Wood (13)
So what’s been Eddie’s biggest failure this year? He has stuffed everything but what would be the order of worst?
1. no gameplan
2. RWC player selections and missed
3. Picking his 15
4. Picking the bench and bench rotations
5. Everyone getting the C behind their name
6. If there is a gameplan 3 phase and kick
 

Fergo

Allen Oxlade (6)
As a proud born Kiwi and a Wallabies’ follower I am in disbelief at what Eddie has done since he returned. I sit here really to watch the AB’s game thinking the shit he has done to these young blokes would never happen in NZ. The young selections without mentors in beyond stupid. Why were Cooper and Foley brought back if he was never going to be part of the World Cup squad. Carter Gordon needed one of them. Gordon was a stand out this year in super rugby, but he has no idea how to prepare for a World Cup. The forwards have been atrocious and Hooper was left at home. Eddie in the last presser praised all the back row and Angus Bell but that was where the disaster started. The back row have been nothing short of catastrophic and yet Eddie said they have improved so what was his thoughts before. The front row injuries is simply unbelievable. This would never have happened back home. Get it together Australian Rugby. You’re a joke.
 

Fergo

Allen Oxlade (6)
So what’s been Eddie’s biggest failure this year? He has stuffed everything but what would be the order of worst?
1. no gameplan
2. RWC player selections and missed
3. Picking his 15
4. Picking the bench and bench rotations
5. Everyone getting the C behind their name
6. If there is a gameplan 3 phase and kick
Game plan, don’t make me laugh. You plan around the strength of your players. Plan A and B depending on the opponent. There was no fucking game plan. Smash and grab remember. The biggest failure was and is still the coaching team without rugby experience.
You can’t develop a rugby game plan is your fucking haven’t played the game. The experienced players were left behind because they had a voice and Eddie didn’t want that in his smash and grab campaign.
 
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