2012 Rugby Championship Game 1 Australia vs New Zealand - 18 August

[Slim 293]

McCabe out..we might get a decent 12 and some attacking options in midfield

It's about time the much hyped Pocock stepped out from being Mccaws biatch. The wallaby backrow has been belted black and blue for the last 10 years by the Darkness. I'm sick of hearing how good our backrow is when they come a very distant second in every Bledisloe test.

Hooper waiting in the wings

Well, it didn't take long for you to turn on him..........

 

[trophyhunter]

I kind of agree with the sentiment in that comment though. We have the players with the ability, sometimes though they seem to lack the little bit extra the AB's seem to have.

I am sure the players have sufficient drive and willingness to succeed, but I want them to dominate the ruck and bash the shit out of the darkness to strike some fear into them. They are capable of doing it, they did it in Brisbane last year. I just want them to do it all the time.

It makes me think back a bit when I used to get excited for origin as a kid. The Maroons were a bit shit back then, sure there were flashes of brilliance, but the Toads used to have a bit more mongrel and edge the maroons out. Sure a lot of the mongrel was channelled into less than sportsman like play, but they did what they had to do to win, while the maroons seemed to play nice and come up short.

I'm not saying the Wallabies should go out and play dirty, but play with appropriately channelled agression, dominate the breakdowns to pressure the AB's and secure some fast ball for themselves....oh and stop those speculative chip kicks, yes they work on rare occasions (KB (Kurtley Beale) had luck once and the same for Mike Harris with the reds this year) but more often than not, they make me face palm.

 

[kronic]

I am sure the players have sufficient drive and willingness to succeed, but I want them to dominate the ruck and bash the shit out of the darkness to strike some fear into them. They are capable of doing it, they did it in Brisbane last year. I just want them to do it all the time..

Need an enforcer or enforcers around the ruck. Vickerman was that in parts last year. Would like to see Higgers get under their skin.

 

[Slim 293]

Wallabies focus on kick and catch skills to counter Kiwis

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/wallabies-focus-on-kick-and-catch-skills-to-counter-kiwis-20120810-23zo3.html#ixzz23CLhrVCQ​

Really?

 

[trophyhunter]

Really?

I do remember being impressed with Dagg at the RWC and his high ball security and his ability to return them with interest.

Not saying it is the most important thing for the Wallabies to improve, there is always something to improve at no matter what you do. Although having the abilities of an in form Israel Dagg catching and returning kicks in the back three would be helpful.

Dagg uses a similar technique to Billy Slater, when he jumps you will notice a leg/knee/boot normally leads, I understand this may help discourage competitors for the ball. Not saying it is the key to securing the high ball every time, but every little bit helps.

 

[Slim 293]

I just would've assumed that a basic skill like catching a ball should've been drilled into these guys well before they reached this level.........

 

[Sluggy]

I read a bit more of that article, and what McGahan says is really worrying in terms of the style of game plan that will be used.

How about -

a) not getting involved in kicking duels; &

b) try running with the ball in hand and passing it to someone (preferably in a bit of a gap) as an attacking weapon?

For some time, the Wallabies have struggled whenever the game has turned into a kicking duel, which has even extended to major difficulties winning both their own and opposition re-starts. In numerous Bledisloe Cup Test matches, the Wallabies have struggled to counter the excellent kicking radar of All Blacks five-eighth Daniel Carter.

While being able to defend the high ball under pressure is a critical asset, so too is the ability to use the midfield kick as an attacking weapon. ''You do get an attacking platform when you're chasing the ball,'' McGahan said.

 

[trophyhunter]

I just would've assumed that a basic skill like catching a ball should've been drilled into these guys well before they reached this level...

I agree. Probably not worthy of a news article, I am sure they are trying to improve other things like scrummaging as well. It's what training is for...slow news day.....journalist sick of covering the olympics?

 

[Sluggy]

I agree. Probably not worthy of a news article, I am sure they are trying to improve other things like scrummaging as well. It's what training is for.slow news day...journalist sick of covering the olympics?

Its supposed to be an insightful piece of analysis for the Saturday edition SMH. Apparently.

 

[tigerland12]

I do remember being impressed with Dagg at the RWC and his high ball security and his ability to return them with interest.

Not saying it is the most important thing for the Wallabies to improve, there is always something to improve at no matter what you do. Although having the abilities of an in form Israel Dagg catching and returning kicks in the back three would be helpful.

Dagg uses a similar technique to Billy Slater, when he jumps you will notice a leg/knee/boot normally leads, I understand this may help discourage competitors for the ball. Not saying it is the key to securing the high ball every time, but every little bit helps.

I was more impressed with Corey Jane. He is the best in the world under the high ball imo

 

[Groucho]

With respect to the Wallabies wins against Wales - we were lucky to win all 3 and in particular the last 2 - having said that we won.

Some fine tuning of the team and it will be a very competitive one. If the forwards can match the AB's up front we have a back line that can put plenty of points on the scoreboard.

Blacks to choke !!!!!!! Aussie by 8

It's a funny old thing, the close ones. Lose one, and we bemoan the golden past when Wallaby teams could close them out. Win one, and we bemoan the golden past when Wallaby teams won easily.

Winning three close ones is the worst of both worlds.

We do like to bemoan a bit, us Wallaby supporters.

 

[Waylon]

The Welsh team was a good one.

Finding a way to win is better than finding a way to lose

The gulf in teamwork between the allblacks and wallabies was evident . The allblacks were playing a different game

We will have to improve an awful lot

I don't like Deans' backlines. They have been awful and incohesive with often better options overlooked

The last few seasons we have been outcoached also.........embarrasing

 

[Paradox]

Richard Low (no typo) - Aussies to only win one match. A fair assessment IMO.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10826419

 

[Sully]

Richard Low (no typo) - Aussies to only win one match. A fair assessment IMO.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10826419

Even the replies were even handed and concise. It's hard to fault his logic.

 

[maxdacat]

Let's hope channel 9 can repeat their stellar Olympics coverage....maybe Ray Hadley and Eddie McGuire can commentate

 

[teach]

Over here, a lot of people are picking that Robbie will be on is way out after the Bledisloe.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10826306

The last 3 paragraphs:

Deans has delivered plenty for the Wallabies, just not enough. He's promoted and carefully nurtured the likes of Quade Cooper, James O'Connor, Will Genia and Kurtley Beale. He's got them fitter and better conditioned; taught them about self-expression and encouraged them to play expansive rugby.
But he hasn't taught them how to scrummage or man up in the crunchy bits. He hasn't found any bruising forwards for the future or given the Wallabies a hard culture where only relentless excellence is tolerated. Imagine the All Blacks losing to Scotland in consecutive games; or losing to Samoa; or drawing with Ireland or enduring 10 straight defeats to the Wallabies.
There's a chance McKenzie could do worse but a bigger one that says he'll do better and the ARU will have no choice but to make changes if the Wallabies finish the Rugby Championship a distant third - or worse still, an embarrassing fourth.

To be honest, I am surprised he is still there.

I think the WBs will be blown away by a high speed attack from the ABs in a replay of the RWC semi.

The Pumas will be an interesting proposition. I suspect they will be beaten easily, but if they stick to a forward dominated game, they might just cause a few problems.

 

[Scotty]

Fitter and better conditioned? Taught them expansive rugby?

Even those two aren't correct.

 

[Groucho]

if the Wallabies finish the Rugby Championship a distant third - or worse still, an embarrassing fourth.

Kiwi orgasmic fantasy.

 

[Slim 293]

From the Oz:

Possible Wallabies team: Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Anthony Fainga'a, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock (c), Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson or James Slipper. Reserves: Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson or James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Mike Harris.

 

[qwerty51]

It's great to see that for once the 15 is pretty predictable and consistent. Can't agree with Harris over Cooper though. Good to see Slipper over Alexander as well.