Wallabies v Japan 25 Oct

[KOB1987]

Remember, the Japanese played 20 minutes with only 14 men and Australia didn't really capitalise on this.

I did consider this but during the first sin bin we had 2 legitimate tries disallowed and it's also when Canham was replaced which was a bit disruptive. The second one was a prop which spanned half time and I think a scrum was avoided until the second half stint.

 

[Yoda]

I did consider this but during the first sin bin we had 2 legitimate tries disallowed and it's also when Canham was replaced which was a bit disruptive. The second one was a prop which spanned half time and I think a scrum was avoided until the second half stint.

Yes, true. Although 20 minutes of more space on the field should have resulted in us scoring more from smarter play. The constant pick and drives for no result when the backs were probably screaming for it.. not good.

 

[Where's the beef]

So, IMHO there is some pretty harsh commentary here. It was always going to be closer with the weather. Japan defended very very well. A few disallowed tries.

Losing both locks was damaging.

I thought Tane played very well and very understated. Gordon Kept the game around 1/2 way with his kicking. It was clear that they did not want to kick long and sought to kick shallow and make it contestable which they did get some pay for. Don't think Joe wanted to give their back 3 options in broken play by kicking long.

I will take the win and expect Tane to start with England. Jake will be the 9.

I felt for lonegan, but Joe kept him back as cover for multiple positions. His time will come.

Have to give Japan credit. They played well. Their goaline defense was some of the best I have seen.

Move on. Take the win.

Beef.

 

[Pfitzy]

Damp conditions
New lineup
Disruptions early
Fast, fit, organised opposition

While there was a lot to dislike - the early pick n drives, for example - we got a win, and Eddie can suck it.

 

[Adam84]

Paisami and Tizzano were the two best from what I watched.

Wallabies were standing so close in attack you could throw a blanket over them for much for the match, left little option but to pick and drive, the backs even started coming in and doing that also. Coaching direction or halves issue?

Overall pretty rudderless attacking display, Australia got away with a win but not sure it reinforced anyone’s reputation or endorsed a game plan.

 

[KOB1987]

Paisami and Tizzano were the two best from what I watched.

Wallabies were standing so close in attack you could throw a blanket over them for much for the match, left little option but to pick and drive, the backs even started coming in and doing that also. Coaching direction or halves issue?

Overall pretty rudderless attacking display, Australia got away with a win but not sure it reinforced anyone’s reputation or endorsed a game plan.

I think in the circumstances we reverted to a 'back to basics' game plan just to try and secure a win without any real creativity or complexity, they'll keep all that for the main game I hope.

 

[Brumby Runner]

He didn't play

Aaagh. That's the point.

 

[Elfster]

After a little more time some further thoughts on the game. In general I think commentating too much on individual players is unnecessary and unwarranted. The Wallabies won, the team was a bit experimental and the conditions were dire. (And one could say there was also the BOK effect.)
And the Japanese did turn up to play and were effective.

One criticism would be that the Wallabies defense still appears too passive: we wait for the opposition rather being a little more proactive.

And comparing that game with the Kangaroos this morning it was probably a more enjoyable game to watch. But that impression might be a bit biased.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The question is why we can’t catch a high ball?

On point H. Any middle rated side will put the Wallabies under pressure and be a good chance of beating us by continually putting up high balls. Sadly we're even a good chance of beating ourselves by continually putting up high balls.

 

[Where's the beef]

I think in the circumstances we reverted to a 'back to basics' game plan just to try and secure a win without any real creativity or complexity, they'll keep all that for the main game I hope.

I think Piasami had the best game I have seen. Tizzano was a weapon.

 

[PhilClinton]

Some of the excuses here for a sloppy game are hilarious. When was the last time losing locks caused an entire gameplan to fall over? Sure the set piece might be clunky but I don’t think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was involved in too many backline set moves.

That display in my opinion was a bad advertisement for SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) being a top tier rugby comp. Posters on here love to shit on the Japanese comp when it comes to assessing whether Aussie players should be picked for the Wallabies but they just turned out a pretty damn good side from that calibre of players.

 

[Adam84]

I think in the circumstances we reverted to a 'back to basics' game plan just to try and secure a win without any real creativity or complexity, they'll keep all that for the main game I hope.

Maybe… but even the basic game plans encourage you to stand with width so it fans out the defence and creates less defenders in close for the pick and drive defence

Unsure whether the backs were just bored so they were coming in to pick and drive also, or whether they were instructed to stand with 10m width in attack and join the ruck.

 

[rugbyAU]

Some of the excuses here for a sloppy game are hilarious. When was the last time losing locks caused an entire gameplan to fall over? Sure the set piece might be clunky but I don’t think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was involved in too many backline set moves.

That display in my opinion was a bad advertisement for SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) being a top tier rugby comp. Posters on here love to shit on the Japanese comp when it comes to assessing whether Aussie players should be picked for the Wallabies but they just turned out a pretty damn good side from that calibre of players.

Again they're 13th and haven't beat a Tier 1 side since 2019 and have regulary been thrashed by Tier 1 sides apart from us

 

[Adam84]

Some of the excuses here for a sloppy game are hilarious. When was the last time losing locks caused an entire gameplan to fall over? Sure the set piece might be clunky but I don’t think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was involved in too many backline set moves.

That display in my opinion was a bad advertisement for SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) being a top tier rugby comp. Posters on here love to shit on the Japanese comp when it comes to assessing whether Aussie players should be picked for the Wallabies but they just turned out a pretty damn good side from that calibre of players.

I don’t know if this really translates to a super rugby vs top league argument, SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) is clearly the superior product, and this wasn’t the best SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) players vs the best Top League players.

Super Rugby is 11 teams supplying 4 test teams(I’ve counted MP (Moana Pasifika) as 1)

Top League is 12 teams supplying 1test team, and some of the Aussie players are in Division 2(so another 8 teams)

 

[stillmissit]

We kept them in the game with poor attacking options, lousy D and dreadful lineout and scrum, which allowed Japan to run, and they are quick.

Gordon played poorly and his pointing where he's going to pass and predictable play and kicking. In the 2nd half, he was standing at the back of the breakdown and stopping any fast ball. The lineout was very poor considering the opposition, and the scrum didn't dominate.
Tane had a couple of errors but had a sound game apart from that. Tizzano was good but not enough to consider dropping McRight to the bench. I kept wondering when were they going to put the short kick through their rush D? It rarely happened.

Japan were very active, their rush D kept us behind the ad line and their gutsy defence on the line was excelletn. They were unlucky not to win this game, and if we play like this on the rest of the tour, we are in trouble. Eddie would be very happy with the result after missing out on the pacific cup?, this effort would have shored up his position.

Australia 4 out of 10.

 

[stillmissit]

Again they're 13th and haven't beat a Tier 1 side since 2019 and have regulary been thrashed by Tier 1 sides apart from us

There is a denial of reality from some guys.

 

[Giulia]

"disallowed tries"... they didn't score

 

[stillmissit]

Maybe… but even the basic game plans encourage you to stand with width so it fans out the defence and creates less defenders in close for the pick and drive defence

Unsure whether the backs were just bored so they were coming in to pick and drive also, or whether they were instructed to stand with 10m width in attack and join the ruck.

If that's true, Schmidt should be blamed.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Look, Carter Gordon has shown in the past he's very skilful in attack particularly and is definitely a great defender. He's no messiah though. Not sure if Schmidt's game plan to play off 9 will suit him. He needs to be given the reins to call the shots to play his best footy. I think Kiss will see Wallabies play a different style. In Schmid's defence though wet weather footy is tough to be expansive.

Look forward to seeing what Kiss does but I tend to think we’ll see more of the same.

His career coaching hasn’t been as known as some free flowing wizard. He was affordable, available and interested in the job. probably the most affable HC going around which is a good thing for Rugby in Aus leading into a home WC.

 

[stillmissit]

Look forward to seeing what Kiss does but I tend to think we’ll see more of the same.

His career coaching hasn’t been as known as some free flowing wizard. He was affordable, available and interested in the job. probably the most affable HC going around which is a good thing for Rugby in Aus leading into a home WC.

At least Les Kiss has a better understanding of defence than Lord Laurie.