Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[Tomthumb]

Man you have a weird classification of ‘pop gun’ kicking.
Anyways, he’s had his first test start and it wasn’t a bad game. He did some good things and some average things against a very good team. He’ll be better for it. Balance wise it makes sense for donno to inject himself at the end against tiring oppo.

What good things did he do?

 

[Major Tom]

Okay - yeah, those aren’t great stats. Maybe he didn’t go as well as I thought.

He went quite well in the scrum but didn’t help win the contact zone.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Sounds like Mack Hansen will be available for selection for test 2.

Thought the wings were the Lions poorest players, so potentially an upgrade for them there

 

[Joe Blow]

In the tour games he has played so far Hansen has been coming in from his blindside and acts as another distributor. It’s been succesful and very hard to stop. Potter toiled hard and was a little unlucky but maybe lacks that top line pace of Jorgo and Corey Toole. The latter was excellent for the Brumbies against the Lions and his chase game is very good. Might be a tad on the small side but he is quick and abrasive.

 

[Derpus]

Wouldnt complain seeing Toole in but I think Pietsch is next off the rank.

 

[Joe Blow]

Wouldnt complain seeing Toole in but I think Pietsch is next off the rank.

Yes. Pietsch is almost as fast and has more weight on him. He will do just fine! Looks like he has been held back from the indigenous side

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Pietsch also went very well in the tour game. I reckon he'd take the fight up to the Lions, he's that kind of player.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Okay - yeah, those aren’t great stats. Maybe he didn’t go as well as I thought.

He did what he always does which is hit a ton of rucks and be serviceable at scrum time. Adding in his decent hands and I’ll never turn my nose up at that package. He did need to be subbed a bit earlier though - I reckon 3 of those missed tackles happened late in the first half when our defence was breaking apart and he was gassed.

 

[Uh huh]

In the tour games he has played so far Hansen has been coming in from his blindside and acts as another distributor. It’s been succesful and very hard to stop. Potter toiled hard and was a little unlucky but maybe lacks that top line pace of Jorgo and Corey Toole. The latter was excellent for the Brumbies against the Lions and his chase game is very good. Might be a tad on the small side but he is quick and abrasive.

Honestly I'd love to see Toole get a run, but realistically we don't pick blokes that small in this country, even if they are the fastest player in Super Rugby. After the 2024 season, the buzz was that his defence wasn't up to it and I think it's fair to say he rose to the challenge this year, even playing a defensive formation that exposes the wings to a lot of low-percentage defensive plays. His cover defence is first rate and he hits very hard for a wee chap.

If he had been South African, I suspect he'd have a few caps by now, even if only off the bench. I do think it's a shame though, and emblematic of the institutionally stunted strategic imagination the Wallabies have battled with for the best part of 20 years.

 

[Derpus]

Bobby V and Gleeson should give us a reasonable amount of punch from a ball running POV and I like starting with Skelton and Hooper on the bench.

It gives us options depending on the state of the game.

I also like this. I honestly think this is what Schmidt would have done if the Wallaby fitness curse didn't strike.

Do we have any actual word on their fitness yet?

 

[pissedoffihavetoregister]

With skelton we put pressure on our lineout as he has trouble getting airborne. Our lineout was in trouble in the first half but seemed ok in the secondhalf. We solved this in the past by having a tall 6, not sure who that is nowadays.

 

[dru]

With skelton we put pressure on our lineout as he has trouble getting airborne. Our lineout was in trouble in the first half but seemed ok in the secondhalf. We solved this in the past by having a tall 6, not sure who that is nowadays.

It's been a scenario for ever. The issues are:
a) how do you adjust the line out to counter a largely non-jumping lock?
b) is it a game which over-rides his potential downside.

To the later I think the answer is a palpable YES.

To the former we have adjusted before, not I think implemented perfectly but certainly adjustment in the right direction. I also think we have jumping options in the loose forwards - not all of which classify as primary jumpers but options al the same. The lineout needs re-purposing anyway.

Two other thoughts that reduce or mediate Skeltons purported strengths.
1. His maul busting wont achieve much when the BIL don't seem that good at them, or at least don't do that many.
2. There is a presumption that Skelton adds to the scrum. I'd suggest that over time the claim can be shaky. And our scrum was doing fine.

FWIW I think Skelton is inked in.

 

[PhilClinton]

The Skelton conundrum is interesting because we need bigger bodies to actually make a dent in the Lions defensive line.

Finn Russell though will be salivating though as he’s really got the ball on a string at the moment and will be happy to find touch in our half and force our busted lineout to relieve pressure now with Skelton there.

 

[Major Tom]

I also like this. I honestly think this is what Schmidt would have done if the Wallaby fitness curse didn't strike.

Do we have any actual word on their fitness yet?

Both fit. Bobby V will be short a gallop but he’ll start.

 

[CoachN]

I thought Slipper was pretty good.

At the end of last year I thought his international career was done and he got picked a couple of times that I didn’t think he should have. But his super form this year was much better and I thought he put in a decent shift on the weekend.

He held up the scrum that's about it which is good but not enough for the Wallabies. Watch the line outs he missed multiple lifts in attack and D, you can blame hookers or jumpers for over throws but lifters not reacting costs too. Status also have him missing 3 or 4 missed tackles (depending on who you follow) when he defended next to the ruck all night. I do agree he had a good year with the brumbies but I just think he is no longer up to test standard. keep him in the squad 100% all this year but he plays off the bench when the game is slowing down at best and he might still be ineffective. Otherwise there are younger fitter props that can do at least what he did on Saturday.