Expanding on this, Frost is just not good enough, misses that grit or body weight. Skelton in for him and the Fiji game would have looked very different in my opinion.Notes from the game against Fiji for the Lions series
-Need JAS to get more ball, as seen from his passing and running, he is such a threat with the ball
-Need to bring in an experienced 10, too many situational errors, I reckon, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) or Foley
- Must, Must, Must clean up errors, silly knock-ons, and penalties will hurt us against the Lions
- Tactics might need to change for the blitz defense of the Lions
Jorgo, Wilson, and Gleeson outstanding
Gleeson gets a rating dropped due to that shit clear out and then followed it up with a second penalty minutes later which gifted the Fijians a try.Gleeson outstanding
If you’re talking about ceilings then we’ve certainly reached it for Noah.I’m shocked at the posters suggesting Donaldson to replace Noah. He was 10 for Australia’s lowest ranked Super team and didn’t even play there against the Lions last week. It’s not as if his forwards and 9 were rubbish during the comp either.
He would be a decent bench option in a 6-2.
For mine it has to be Lynagh with JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) coming in to camp immediately. Rust is bad and all that but we just know the ceiling isn’t high enough for some players.
That is a good point. I'd rate Toole ahead of Darby definitely.Yes but Darby Lancaster has even managed a test cap
Japan is Subbies for players being paid plenty.I thought Samu was a no go. Something to do with insurance costs?
As a slight tangent, I've been pondering a bit about how we evaluate some of these players in different leagues. Top14, Premiership even URC are probably all on par if not stronger competitions than SuperRugby these days, but how does one evaluate the players running around in Japan's League One. Some of these players still look reasonable in that competition, but it always just looks a fair way from the intensity or physicality of some of the other competitions, let alone an International Test.
Sword. Lynagh? Two Tests from the bench and a total of what 30 minutes? JOC (James O'Connor). Has only played 15 minute cameos. Against the Lions? Just don't see it. Joe knows what he is doing. Whoever he picks it will be the best option though.I’m shocked at the posters suggesting Donaldson to replace Noah. He was 10 for Australia’s lowest ranked Super team and didn’t even play there against the Lions last week. It’s not as if his forwards and 9 were rubbish during the comp either.
He would be a decent bench option in a 6-2.
For mine it has to be Lynagh with JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) coming in to camp immediately. Rust is bad and all that but we just know the ceiling isn’t high enough for some players.
Noah is there through sheer number of starting Tests imo. Has been given plenty of chances but the kick just before half time was poor with the counter attack kings making that pay. When the Fijians scored to go into the lead, Noah was beaten point blank by the attacker. Not even close to tackling him. While to me, defence is not a flyhalf's number one priority, I just don't see Noah getting that backline humming. Gets the ball often flat footed. However, Joe obviously sees different. I hope Noah is ok though because as much as we punters all like to have our say and have our favourites, any player who is picked to play for Australia is an extremely talented player. I'm cheering everytime the Wallabies run on the field to win and the players to play out of their skins! I reckon we can beat the Lions too if the boys execute the basics well and Joe has a secret plan!I’m shocked at the posters suggesting Donaldson to replace Noah. He was 10 for Australia’s lowest ranked Super team and didn’t even play there against the Lions last week. It’s not as if his forwards and 9 were rubbish during the comp either.
He would be a decent bench option in a 6-2.
For mine it has to be Lynagh with JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) coming in to camp immediately. Rust is bad and all that but we just know the ceiling isn’t high enough for some players.
Well he certainly knows them better than us but it’s not as if Donaldson has a lot of experience.Sword. Lynagh? Two Tests from the bench and a total of what 30 minutes? JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor). Has only played 15 minute cameos. Against the Lions? Just don't see it. Joe knows what he is doing. Whoever he picks it will be the best option though.
The first part is half right - my read is that Joe took a 'pick and stick' approach because it was better to develop one player than chopping and changing players, none of which are really test standard. Dave Rennie backed the same horse and then eventually realised it was the wrong one. However, I'll grant that Noah has matured a lot in that time. The second part is wrong though, by virtue of the former Donno has not had plenty of opportunities, unless you call 3 minutes at the back end of a game an opportunity.Noah is there because he’s currently better than the other options…
Donaldson has had plenty of opportunities, but Lynagh is the likely successor.
The first part is half right - my read is that Joe took a 'pick and stick' approach because it was better to develop one player than chopping and changing players, none of which are really test standard. Dave Rennie backed the same horse and then eventually realised it was the wrong one. However, I'll grant that Noah has matured a lot in that time. The second part is wrong though, by virtue of the former Donno has not had plenty of opportunities, unless you call 3 minutes at the back end of a game an opportunity.
I tend to think Noah is there because he's the 10 in the best side in Aus over being the best 10. He might be, but is probably just the most experienced. We've hear people throw Jack Debs name out there in the past...Noah is there because he’s currently better than the other options…
Donaldson has had plenty of opportunities, but Lynagh is the likely successor.
Eddie didn't select Foley or Quade eitherThe way I know Noah deserves to be there is because Eddie didn't pick him. Eddie didn't pick Noah, T. Wright, Ikitau and M. Hooper. Dumb ass.