Search results

Barb, whilst understanding your logic ('gradually getting to hopefully being a great Test player once more'), it must be asked where this sort of very uncertain and unpredictable mode of selection (in terms of 'when does the improvement curve start to fire, if it ever really does?') sits in...

Reddy!, it's worth recalling that Johnson had the good judgement and fortitude to change his captain mid last year from Borthwick to Moody. Yes, Borthwick had injury issues at the time, but it was recognised that his captaincy wasn't working optimally and that Moody was the better choice. Credit...

TBH, agree. My slight concern re Samo is that from recollection is he one of those players that may take until a second game in sequence to get back to his best play. We'll see, I hope. This is one of the multiple downsides of clearly mistaken selections (e.g. McCalman) in such a crucial year as...

Well analysed Riptide. Just as the first Test we played v SA, and all the 'positives' that arose from that in the media etc, proved a false dawn as to the true state of the team's readiness to take on all comers. And just as Samoa, a far better team on the day than the SA B team, demonstrated...

chasmac - yes. Not enough recent credit is given to The Cartel for their typically excellent, thoroughly researched game plans and tactical choices designed precisely and differently opposition-to-opposition. The Cartel's genuinely world-class game planning and tactical skills etc are one of...

Scotty, this is degrading into the personal somewhat, and, with your own intense posting re Julia Gillard and her government (on a rugby site no less), you seem to wish to apply supervisory standards to me and Gnostic that you care not to apply to yourself, but I will deal with the points below...

Well, I can't speak for the 2009 QRU - in its 2009 guise, it was an organisation I held in utter contempt. They were saying many things about their team then, some of them completely inconsistent as I recall. But, as a big Reds fan in 2009 (and prior), I absolutely recall QLD fans and rugby...

Yes, I recognise this thematic refrain so well. 2009 S14 season: Queensland rugby media, fans, etc: 'the Reds are just being beaten by better teams, it's that simple, we don't have the NZ or SA depth, etc'. 2010, more or less same Reds team as in 2009, it wasn't quite that simple after...

Yes, but: (a) this is not a dimension just of looking back and playing pretend as to what might have swung the Auckland result. This is just as much about building the most competent team possible for all of 2011 (and maybe beyond). 'Experienced' players like Samo, Sharpe, Baxter etc can...

Good point there Richo, likely applying most to the toughest games against the best oppositions. Stating the obvious, the ability to consider and lead rapid (and successful) changes in game tactics is a crucial attribute of good rugby captaincy.

Certainly not, just because you request it and it doesn't suit your personal likes or analysis of Wallaby core problems. What would give me the right to attempt to gain some sort of editorial influence over your inputs and 'favourite themes', just because I deemed them of less relevance than my...

By far the biggest thing (in this context) that needs immediate axing: our national coach's relentlessly stubborn, pig-headed, never-admit-error approach to his selections and 'pets'. If that axing was to occur, we'd be in a position to make the multiple changes needed to team structure...

For those that have today mounted the explanation that last night's loss was all about the brilliance of the ABs with this being the overarching reason for the Wallaby loss that, given such brilliance, should return us to the 'realistic' posture of humbly accepting our No 2 ranking (built via...

Where did I once say (a) the ABs aren't an outstanding team and/or (b) they weren't in many ways 'better than the Wallabies'? I don't recall an overwhelming consensus on this site - or elsewhere - pre this game that the ABs were or would be such a stellar team in Auckland that we should just...

Awh, gee, I get it, it doesn't really matter that, after 4 years of promises and 'development of depth', Australia lost again on NZ soil in an 'acid test' match pre RWC and when we were meant to win at least one BC every 10 years or so, weren't we? There were instead 'promising signs', and...

Scotty, there's much in what you say. The Wallaby back row last night was recklessly poor overall. It will be heresy to some, but I worry over Pocock, there is something less intense and concentrated about his 2011 play (vs 2010) that concerns me and, if it continues, will significantly detract...

FM, so right. The fragilities in our place kicking stocks have been absolutely evident for at least 24 months, and, whilst JO'C was promising in late 2010 and this year, his error rate at Twickenham under pressure indicated that he'd need sound coaching and guidance at Test level, and that we...

McCalman. Chronicle of a major selection mistake foretold by many posters here. Blind Freddy could see that he was not the best choice v ABs in a crucial match. This was the 'acid test' match in Deans' Year 4 pre RWC for Deans and his coaching group. Not even having an adequate bench replacement...

:cool::cool::cool:

CWA - I think if you watch many elements of his play v ABs in HKG last year - where he performed much better than he did tonight - you will be less worried on the front you mention above.