Wallabies v Scotland, Murrayfield, Sun 30th Oct, 3.30am AEDT

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Got up and watched the replay this morning. As per usual, an ugly arm wrestle with the Scots, but nonetheless a game that I was very happy for us to win.

The set piece was pretty excellent overall, especially the line out. The breakdown was a dogs breakfast and as I suspected before the game, the Scots were all over it, mostly illegally. That said, more accurate clean out would have helped us and we don't have anyone else to blame for our troubles there.

Defence was pretty good and very few of the guys missed their assignments. Attack was pedestrian for most of the game, though Tate was electric in close (more of that please). The breakdown was the problem once again though, because a lot of our attack is predicated on good clean and quick ball from the ruck. When we got some in the second half, we scored. It's not complicated.

Discipline was OK but could be better. We still gave the opposition too many opportunities to score.

 

[Brumby Runner]

That game I think was a turning point for me. I am actually starting to find the Wallabies hard to watch. Ignoring that for a moment:

Fabulous work from the line out. Just fabulous. It's been unconvincing for so long so it's great to see a line out at professional standard from the Wallabies. Porecki and Holloway are inked in now (surely) whatever other changes are considered. I'd think the same with Hanigan. I'd definitely be considering 7/2 bench, with the same locks and 6's but starting Skelton. Unfortunately that may work against a bench with specialists and what Rennie is doing in developing Lolesio.

I'm going to give Wright a thumbs up. The bloke gives me the jitters, I don't think he deserves the starting spot BUT did nothing much wrong.

Tate MOTM for me. Also in spite the criticism here Foley did what he needed to. Both these guys had occasional passes out too far forward, but sometimes when the pass wasn't like that the receiver was flat footed. This doesn't sound like a halves problem to me. Foley on the high ball was fine and his kicking was fine.

While the line out was up to scratch I'm no longer convinced on the scrum. Also we adapted to numbers at the breakdown to slowly.

You have to feel for the Scotts who will rightly feel they deserved that one. Thank good the penalty goal kick was fluffed. I just would nt have been happy loosing more points from a 9 ranking.

Plenty to do if we are to measure up with the big boys.

Dru, what's with the 7:2 bench split you and Qwerty are talking about? Only 8 on the bench last I saw.

I agree with you about the lineout. It operated good. But I'm not so sure about Porecki. He only had one or two lineout losses (overthrow on one had to be down to him) while FF (Folau Fainga'a) lost none I can recall - good WA player who is stronger in general play than Porecki. Think there's still some debate to be had about the No 2 spot with BPA surely also in the mix.

 

[Derpus]

Dru, what's with the 7:2 bench split you and Qwerty are talking about? Only 8 on the bench last I saw.

I agree with you about the lineout. It operated good. But I'm not so sure about Porecki. He only had one or two lineout losses (overthrow on one had to be down to him) while FF (Folau Fainga'a) (Folau Fainga'a) lost none I can recall - good WA player who is stronger in general play than Porecki. Think there's still some debate to be had about the No 2 spot with BPA surely also in the mix.

When FF (Folau Fainga'a) is on he's a middling international hooker. When he's off he's barely Super Rugby standard.

We miss BPA a lot. Losing a guy like him, who was really starting to come into his own at test level, is part of the reason we are struggling for consistency. As soon as someone starts growing into a role they leave.

 

[Derpus]

Love that shithousery from White to seal the win at the end with the grubber. Beautiful.

 

[swingpass]

Love that shithousery from White to seal the win at the end with the grubber. Beautiful.

it was a beautiful kick and for once perfect choice AND execution

 

[Derpus]

it was a beautiful kick and for once perfect choice AND execution

Yeah the execution was certainly a bit off. The wrap around plays are a decent way of getting into space if you can get it through the hands fast enough to miss the 13 shooting out of the line - but the margins for error are pretty slim.

If you set up too deep to give yourself enough time to do it then you don't actually end up making much ground on the flank so to get something out of it you need to do it flat and fast.

Not surprising we couldnt pull it off with a brand new halves pairing.

 

[Lightblue]

Yeah the execution was certainly a bit off. The wrap around plays are a decent way of getting into space if you can get it through the hands fast enough to miss the 13 shooting out of the line - but the margins for error are pretty slim.

If you set up too deep to give yourself enough time to do it then you don't actually end up making much ground on the flank so to get something out of it you need to do it flat and fast.

Not surprising we couldnt pull it off with a brand new halves pairing.

I think the Japanese play with great speed and execution in the backs. I can’t recall who said it, I think Bob Dwyer, but it was something like … to put the defence under pressure the attack has to be under pressure.. but this requires skill, timing and playing relatively flat.

 

[Shiggins]

What did he do wrong last night? He was one of the best in Aus A. It's not 2017/18 anymore.

Hardly noticed him. One average game doesn't mean he should be there. He is third choice option at best

In my opinion

 

[Ignoto]

It's not often were able to say our Maul was better than a NH'S team, but our defence there was excellent.

Static runners are still killing us. With some of the poor passes, it almost looked like both Tate and White were expecting the receiver to be hitting the ball with pace which is why the ball was in front of them?

For how bloody fresh he is, Frost played a fairly measured game. I hope hell be paired with Skeleton as I thought Neville and Halloway were our least impactful players.

Lawrie needs to do some work at the ruck as we were woeful there.

 

[stillmissit]

Also we adapted to numbers at the breakdown to slowly.

Dru, Good post. The breakdown work was almost madness (doing the same thing etc) as they were being done at the breakdown all of the first half. It improved in the 2nd, the half-time talk? and Tupoa made a big impact.
Slipper needed to give them all a talk, we were lucky to get away in the 1st half in front.

 

[dru]

Dru, what's with the 7:2 bench split you and Qwerty are talking about? Only 8 on the bench last I saw.

I agree with you about the lineout. It operated good. But I'm not so sure about Porecki. He only had one or two lineout losses (overthrow on one had to be down to him) while FF (Folau Fainga'a) (Folau Fainga'a) lost none I can recall - good WA player who is stronger in general play than Porecki. Think there's still some debate to be had about the No 2 spot with BPA surely also in the mix.

Good with the math as usual - apologies.

I'd have to go back over it, but your comparative assessment of throws is different to mine. If BPA is available he can go 16 with Porecki starting.

So what team, if any shuffle, for the game v Les Bleus?
I think Tate and Foley to stay in the halves.Foley more for his goal kicking than anything else. I suspect Game v Italy will have Lolesio to start and Donaldson on bench and hopefully Campbell to start at fullback in that game too. Remembering Foley is not available for Wales game.
Does Hodge fit in this week anywhere?
Thought Frost went well. Hopefully he’ll partner Skelton?

I'd start Skelton - presuming he is looking OK in training and that it proves he can lift Hooper, otherwise the pack stays the same. Having reduced the number of back reserves Hodge comes in at 23. (Lolo can start against Italy.)

Flip a coin between Tate and White starting, Tate for me but I don't much mind.

 

[hifflepiff]

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect an AR to be able to see in a straight line. Do you?

Personally I think virtual refs are overused in most sports, particularly those that are fairly unstructured like Soccer and Rugby.

I don't think there's any way they can be properly implemented in either sport without some frustration from fans.

 

[Derpus]

Personally I think virtual refs are overused in most sports, particularly those that are fairly unstructured like Soccer and Rugby.

I don't think there's any way they can be properly implemented in either sport without some frustration from fans.

Thats not what im talking about, but i agree.

 

[Drew]

Personally I think virtual refs are overused in most sports, particularly those that are fairly unstructured like Soccer and Rugby.

I don't think there's any way they can be properly implemented in either sport without some frustration from fans.

Was about to reply, but Derpus already did. Since I was halfway through I’ll continue. I think we’d all like virtual refs out of most decisions. I’m pretty sure he’s just saying that something linear, like a lineout throw, should be able to be decided instantly as it’s straight or it’s not. Whereas a high shot, etc, needs to be inspected, which is where the fan frustration comes from.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Dru, Good post. The breakdown work was almost madness (doing the same thing etc) as they were being done at the breakdown all of the first half. It improved in the 2nd, the half-time talk? and Tupoa made a big impact.
Slipper needed to give them all a talk, we were lucky to get away in the 1st half in front.

Why would we be lucky when the opposition is pinged for illegal play? Far too often the Wallabies are the side beaten by penalty goals and I don't think too many of those winners are considered to be lucky.

 

[Dan54]

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect an AR to be able to see in a straight line. Do you?

Hell no, it's not what I was saying though.

 

[rodha]

This backline can't bust any decent defense without Kerevi

If only they hadn't let 102kg star Japan midfielder Dylan Riley slip through...


https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/ygcsj9

Dylan Riley (rugby union) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If you thought Mack Hanson to Ireland was a great loss, Dylan Riley in Japanese colours will make you weep.

 

[rodha]

Riley is currently the best Australian centre in the world apart from Kerevi, he's 10x better than lightweight ineffective Paisami.

Having watched him playing for Panasonic he looked made for test rugby, he's genuinely the real deal & will prove to be an enormous loss for Australian Rugby.

 

[Derpus]

Meh - Japan will start poaching NZ players too. They have far more yen than we have rapidly depreciating dollars.

 

[Dan54]

Riley is currently the best Australian centre in the world apart from Kerevi, he's 10x better than lightweight ineffective Paisami.

I couldn't stop being impressed with Riley last night, but to be fair maybe there was coaching or something in Japan or he simply matured into a good player. probably not as easy as noone saw how good he was.