Wallabies v Italy - 9 November

[liquor box]

I think what is difficult to comprehend is Schmidt’s selection policy. The ‘solid training prep’ line he trots out is frustrating and not working.
The selection criteria should be based around best available players who are fit.
Ikitau
Skelton
Tizzano
If they were fit they should have played IMO.
We’re not good enough to play around with different options. And freshen up players etc.

Is Tizzano replacing McReight?

 

[liquor box]

Ikitau on sabbatical meanwhile you are fighting the biggest battle for survive. This defeat against Italy condemns Australia to Seed 2, meaning you could have two Tier 1 opponents in your pool in 2027 RWC, just like in 2023 RWC. Being eliminated in pool stage in your own RWC could be the end of rugby in Australia.

Losing the 2003 RWC final in Australia was a devastating blow, and after that came total collapse. Failing to qualify for the quarterfinals in 2027 would be the death of Australian rugby. Hosting the next RWC should be the turning point to make Australian rugby great again. And that's what you're currently competing for, without Skelton and Ikitau.

It will be disappointing, but it won't be the death of Rugby.

Tickets will have already been sold, broadcasting rights too, RA will be in a strong position, and the game will go on.

Missing will not help the game, but the money will come in regardless of the result, the only way to death is if the money is wasted.

 

[liquor box]

One of Carter Gordon’s strengths is his deception with where he looks when he passes. He’s so good at offloading it short whilst looking long. Compare it Edmed who telegraphs everything and will never surprise a defensive line.

I’d be curious to see but I felt like we played off 10 so much more.

It is great to see a 10 who can throw a 20m pass left to right (and flat) while running after breaking the line, it hasn't happened since Quade Cooper.

 

[liquor box]

There's an interesting discussion between Jamie Roberts and Nigel Owens on Rugbypass dissecting the box kicks from both the Wallabies and England from last week's game. According to them, England set a ring of three or more players around the oppositions catcher and have one jumper contesting the catch. The point is that if the ball goes loose they have players readily available to gather the loose ball (sounds like Aussie Rules?) or even to force a turnover if the opposition catcher does take the ball. The Wallabies conversely have just one jumper and usually he is shorter/lighter than the English catcher with no-one actually ready to contest if the ball goes loose or if the English catcher nabs the catch.

Their explanation coincides with my impressions of the Wallabies' box kicking efforts. Really a lack of coaching smarts if true.

I have often wondered if we need to try a few shorter box kicks and send out props/second rowers (someone over 120kg) to contest, make it look like you are competing but hit them really hard. Maybe you can dent their confidence jumping for the ball if they start getting hit by Tupou legally while in the air

 

[liquor box]

The hard part to take is the way up we were with the lions series and SA in SA
We know what this squad can produce
However since then they have not shown this and last few weeks really fell away
We beat Japan by 4 who let 70 in to the boks and 40 against a B Irish side
Don’t look interested and don’t seem to have an adequate game plan! They look like they turned up together yesterday
Also lacking game smarts - which has hurt us every game this year
Our backline wouldn’t scare a schoolboys backline we need bigger athletes - shame the nrl has about 100 x 6”3 105kg athletes

We know they are average but can spring an upset.

 

[Super Hooper]

It will be disappointing, but it won't be the death of Rugby.

Tickets will have already been sold, broadcasting rights too, RA will be in a strong position, and the game will go on.

Missing will not help the game, but the money will come in regardless of the result, the only way to death is if the money is wasted.

Just like the 2003 RWC Grand Final. After the defeat in the GF, came the total collapse of Australian rugby. A victory would have changed everything.

 

[Joe Blow]

Is Tizzano replacing McReight?

Tizzano surely replaces Samu. Samu has been a great servant but is way down the list of backrow options.

 

[Super Hooper]

We know what this squad can produce

Or maybe that was the worst British Lions team in history and would have been smashed in SA or NZ.

This Wallabies squad is the worst I can remember. In previous years, with Robbie Deans or Michael Cheika in charge, these types of matches and results occurred against the 2011/2015 All Blacks, back to back World Champions. Now it's Italy that's whipping you. That's really low. Argentina scored 50 points against Italy last year.

 

[liquor box]

Just like the 2003 RWC Grand Final. After the defeat in the GF, came the total collapse of Australian rugby. A victory would have changed everything.

It was mismanagement of the money that was the issue.

RA had the money but chose to spend it poorly.

I worry that the profits from the men's world cup next time around will be wasted again.

 

[Super Hooper]

It was mismanagement of the money that was the issue.

RA had the money but chose to spend it poorly.

I worry that the profits from the men's world cup next time around will be wasted again.

Just like now spending big money on a winger like Marky, when everyone knows that winger is the less importante position. You could have picked Markey yesterday as starter and the result wouldn't change. Meanwhile Skelton, Meafou or Ikitau could changed it. It's a Deja Vu

 

[Super Hooper]

Our backline wouldn’t scare a schoolboys backline we need bigger athletes - shame the nrl has about 100 x 6”3 105kg athletes

The ugly true of Aussie Rugby but nobody wants to say it. Any NRL back would destroy our backline in one-on-one.

You need to know how to pass and understand the game, but it's rugby; you need a giant center who can carry the ball and advance up the field is rule number 1. Yesterday, the players were bouncing around like toothpicks.

 

[Slim 293]

Finally watched the game... eek...

Too much sideways rugby, forced passing and dumb kicks.