Wallabies v France, user friendly time Sunday Morning

[stillmissit]

As much about our lack of ability to provide any consistent support after a couple of phases if we use too much width. it generally equates to being isolated and turned over

Rush defences close those outside channels, 12s become crash ballers as they look up to see defenders all over the wider channels. (or they try a miracle wide pass over the top, usually behind, over the side-lines, or just high enough to open up the ribs for the defender)

We have the front line off 9, to ensure structures and the recycling of ball, if that is static, we box kick

To go wider it goes to the 10 dealing with the rush who dumps it to 12, or they run the second line behind and either look like champions or just get isolated because of the rush (or a shit pass)

Great summation FP. I noted in the Eng v NZ game an increased number of short kicks either through or over the top, also increased numbers of drop kicks due to shutting down defence close to the line. We have to evolve our D and a response to rush defence, it ain't going away anytime soon.

 

[stillmissit]

I'm guessing that when we've lost half a dozen lineouts including most red zone opportunities and we've been completely unable to diffuse high kicks there's less focus on whether or not the 9 should be changed.

True BH, and the amount of time we have been poor at lneout throwing (Pollard must start) and taking high kicks. We can't use the bigger guys argument when Potter is around the same height as Hansen, and he won nearly everything in the air.

 

[fatprop]

Great summation FP. I noted in the Eng v NZ game an increased number of short kicks either through or over the top, also increased numbers of drop kicks due to shutting down defence close to the line. We have to evolve our D and a response to rush defence, it ain't going away anytime soon.

The short kicks through the line is one of Gordon's strengths and I remember seeing JAS chasing and catching the things in his early games

 

[Braveheart81]

It's not very logical selection IMO. We know what Gordon can do at test level. Wouldn't you want to find out what Lonergan can do starting? And wouldn't it be better to get some experience into Thomas that pays dividends down the track. This isn't a must win game for us and even then, France would not have much of an idea how from Thomas plays which could catch them by surprise.

This is external viewer thinking. You only have the ability to watch the games.

The coach is thinking that it doesn't make much sense to select a player that on a daily basis he observes as being less good than the incumbent.

 

[Braveheart81]

True BH, and the amount of time we have been poor at lneout throwing (Pollard must start) and taking high kicks. We can't use the bigger guys argument when Potter is around the same height as Hansen, and he won nearly everything in the air.

I tend to think Pollard will start but he was almost as bad as Faessler with his throwing last weekend. It would have either been 4/2 or 3/3 in terms of lost throws from memory between Fez and Pollard.

 

[stillmissit]

I tend to think Pollard will start but he was almost as bad as Faessler with his throwing last weekend. It would have either been 4/2 or 3/3 in terms of lost throws from memory between Fez and Pollard.

haven't looked at numbers. I'll see what is around the stats sites. Nothing after a 10 min search.

 

[Major Tom]

This is external viewer thinking. You only have the ability to watch the games.

The coach is thinking that it doesn't make much sense to select a player that on a daily basis he observes as being less good than the incumbent.

I get that. It also doesn’t make much sense to say blokes are fatigued, we don’t have enough depth and we’re prioritising picking Australian based players. Lonergan and Thomas fit all that criteria. He’s setting up for kiss right? So I can understand that Les has a pretty good understanding of kalani’s game, but I reckon he’d like to see Lonergan play. Gordon at 32 is starting to get into list clogger territory for me.

 

[Tomthumb]

I'm guessing that when we've lost half a dozen lineouts including most red zone opportunities and we've been completely unable to diffuse high kicks there's less focus on whether or not the 9 should be changed.

You can walk and chew gum at the same time.

 

[Tomthumb]

This is external viewer thinking. You only have the ability to watch the games.

The coach is thinking that it doesn't make much sense to select a player that on a daily basis he observes as being less good than the incumbent.

yeah it makes much more sense to keep picking the guy that’s playing like rubbish. Great way to bring a squad together

 

[Brumby Runner]

I tend to think Pollard will start but he was almost as bad as Faessler with his throwing last weekend. It would have either been 4/2 or 3/3 in terms of lost throws from memory between Fez and Pollard.

Faessler has been attributed with 5 lineout losses elsewhere and that aligns with my recollection that Pollard only missed his first throw.

 

[Major Tom]

Faessler has been attributed with 5 lineout losses elsewhere and that aligns with my recollection that Pollard only missed his first throw.

Yah only a very costly missed throw! Not good enough from both hookers mate.

 

[Joe Blow]

I saw on another rugby blog that our win percentage when Gordon starts is in the teens under Schmidt and that it is over 50% when he does not start? Not sure of the source.
Food for thought. I’d guess that Lonergen is the most similar option to White and that Tate walks back into the 23 when fit. There are also a couple of young blokes at home playing 9 that look ready to push through. It makes sense to give Lonergen a start this week with Gordon at 10 with the former kicking for goal.

 

[emuarse]

The game is designed to offer the full width of the field to work out a plan on. I suspect Joe thinks our passing skill level is so low that we have to play a narrow game to minimise errors.

Then there is the ole rugby addage, "to earn the right to play out wide"

 

[emuarse]

I saw on another rugby blog that our win percentage when Gordon starts is in the teens under Schmidt and that it is over 50% when he does not start? Not sure of the source.
Food for thought. I’d guess that Lonergen is the most similar option to White and that Tate walks back into the 23 when fit. There are also a couple of young blokes at home playing 9 that look ready to push through. It makes sense to give Lonergen a start this week with Gordon at 10 with the former kicking for goal.

I'm very impressed with young Ted Wilson in the Waratahs, and James Martens in the Reds.
Both have well credentialed rugby fathers. Ted is the son of David Wilson, the wallaby No 6, and James' dad is Hentie Martens, a Springbok No 9.
I can see them both rivalling each other for the gold jersey into the future.

 

[Slim 293]

yeah it makes much more sense to keep picking the guy that’s playing like rubbish. Great way to bring a squad together

You wrongly assume other people share your assessment of players...