Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
For 20 minutes he looked shell shocked and then jut turned it around. Did not try to do anything fancy. Kicked when he needed to and well. Very good.
Rugby Championship 2025: South Africa v Australia
- Thread starter Tazzmania
- Start date
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
After a very shaky start by both he and Wright they really came into their own as the game went on.
Cauliflower Ear
Peter Burge (5)
Running rugby is back!!! JAS, Jorgo & Wright on the counter were electric. Need to keep trying to find ways to give the ball to JAS/Wright in space; just probably just doesn't suit the way Schmidt wants to play (direct and structured).
Would love to see JAS on the wing to replace pietsch next match. Abuse the kicking game against the little saffa wingers and get him in space.
NEED to see a backrow of Hooper, Mcreight & Valetini in Cape Town. Expecting to boks to name a FULL strength team.
Would love to see JAS on the wing to replace pietsch next match. Abuse the kicking game against the little saffa wingers and get him in space.
NEED to see a backrow of Hooper, Mcreight & Valetini in Cape Town. Expecting to boks to name a FULL strength team.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
JOCs a guy who knows his skill set and body. Mentally he’s calm with the way his career has gone. This isn’t make or break for him, but just awesome to play.
rugbyAU
Chilla Wilson (44)
griffins
Bob Loudon (25)
JOC (James O'Connor) the saviour close to my favourite over reaction to the game so far. Looking forward to Doran's considered "analysis" piece on Tuesday saying we'd have beaten the Lions if he'd played.
Agree with everything you've said by the way, this is an indirect response to other posts/stuff on socials.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Yes Mcreight would be my 7 - If you check again it had 20 next to Wilson!
Micheal
Dick Tooth (41)
I just watched the game -- wowee, what a delightfully unexpected outcome. Some thoughts below:
'Miracle Max' -- I think Sean Maloney has birthed a new nickname. I couldn't think of a better way to describe Jorgensen -- he seemingly just pulls rabbits out of the hat game after game.
O'Connor -- there was a real maturity to his performance, as you'd hope/expect. Has he moved to our first choice flyhalf? Some of his kicks behind in general play showed a level of cool headed decisiveness, and that type of decision making you wouldn't get from Lynagh / Loselio.
White -- can we convince him to stay a bit longer? Like O'Connor, the maturity and experience really provides a nice counterpoint to the youth and speed and exuberance of JAS / Jorgensen / Wright / Ikitau.
Slipper -- is he getting better with age? The old war horse might be playing at 46 at this rate.
Pietsch -- I think this is a huge loss for us, as he's a player that is dripping in intensity and really sets the tone for the team. After he scored the first try he seemed to yell at the rest of the team, even at 22-5 down you could tell he believed it wasn't over, and having talismanic players like that is very important for a team finding its feet.
Hooper & Gleeson -- Two huge losses for Australian rugby next season, and really important pieces in the depth that we're building. I hope they continue to be considered for the Wallabies when overseas, as they're just hitting their peak and are only getting better week on week.
'Miracle Max' -- I think Sean Maloney has birthed a new nickname. I couldn't think of a better way to describe Jorgensen -- he seemingly just pulls rabbits out of the hat game after game.
O'Connor -- there was a real maturity to his performance, as you'd hope/expect. Has he moved to our first choice flyhalf? Some of his kicks behind in general play showed a level of cool headed decisiveness, and that type of decision making you wouldn't get from Lynagh / Loselio.
White -- can we convince him to stay a bit longer? Like O'Connor, the maturity and experience really provides a nice counterpoint to the youth and speed and exuberance of JAS / Jorgensen / Wright / Ikitau.
Slipper -- is he getting better with age? The old war horse might be playing at 46 at this rate.
Pietsch -- I think this is a huge loss for us, as he's a player that is dripping in intensity and really sets the tone for the team. After he scored the first try he seemed to yell at the rest of the team, even at 22-5 down you could tell he believed it wasn't over, and having talismanic players like that is very important for a team finding its feet.
Hooper & Gleeson -- Two huge losses for Australian rugby next season, and really important pieces in the depth that we're building. I hope they continue to be considered for the Wallabies when overseas, as they're just hitting their peak and are only getting better week on week.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Let's just all agree that Harry Wilson should not enter a 'run in straight' comp.
Yoda
Colin Windon (37)
Pretty hard to make that statement after one game. Started shaky, finished well though I'll admit. Not sure Joe would be happy with his line kicking early. Let's watch next week but good to have him though no doubt. Great squad and building. Big takeaway for the team from that match is to never give up. Belief in your abilities is so important at this level. Looking forward to next week where the Boks will definitely be keen to bounce back with vengeance.
Spamnoodle
Charlie Fox (21)
But he just outbombed the bomb squad. I'm happy to keep his powder dry for now at least.
whitefalcon
Phil Hardcastle (33)
The Finn Russell rule
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
Youngest player for them was 29
waiopehu oldboy
Rocky Elsom (76)
Same thing happened in Cordoba, on one occasion by what appeared to be mere centimetres: WR (World Rugby) have clearly given the refs a directive.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
At the start of the year I would have said that it was time to move past all three of these guys.
I think Slipper &, to a lessor extent, JOC (James O'Connor) proved my wrong in Super rugby. Slipper in particular was excellent all season and has deserved his continual selection.
Honestly I thought White’s form in super rugby further enforced my opinion. His skills were still there but other parts of his game had slipped. He’s been excellent the last 2 games. As a guy who really copped a lot in his first iteration as a Wallaby player I do enjoy him getting a few more minutes in the sun.
Major Tom
John Solomon (38)
A few observations:
- I think we have better depth than we realise. Picked up the win with AAA and Valetini out. And with a massive disruption at flyhalf. Perhaps Joes messaging is starting to sink in.
- I still think our defence is a bit too passive.
- We seem to grow into games these days and I think that’s largely because we get such a lift from the bench.
- I think we have better depth than we realise. Picked up the win with AAA and Valetini out. And with a massive disruption at flyhalf. Perhaps Joes messaging is starting to sink in.
- I still think our defence is a bit too passive.
- We seem to grow into games these days and I think that’s largely because we get such a lift from the bench.
Uh huh
Tom Lawton (22)
About fkn time.
Major Tom
John Solomon (38)
Does anyone know how Lennie came back on? I thought he went off with a knee complaint. Unless it was a HIA.
- Valetini to sub for Wilson.
- Toole to finally come in for Pietch or they could start Kellaway but he seems pretty useful off the bench. I would like Daugunu but I think he's still on leave with the arrival of his baby.
- Ikitua maybe a swap with Paisami if he struggles to back up.
- Valetini to sub for Wilson.
- Toole to finally come in for Pietch or they could start Kellaway but he seems pretty useful off the bench. I would like Daugunu but I think he's still on leave with the arrival of his baby.
- Ikitua maybe a swap with Paisami if he struggles to back up.