dru
David Wilson (68)
What a roller coaster ride. All Blacks patchy with plenty of really promising signs of getting back to greatness. And plenty of patches not so.
Wallabies start, at both halves, again dire. Though second half did have a numbers issue. All Blacks playing a possession theme is different for me, and our guys don't do well when starved of the ball for long periods. BUT we also had enough sensational work to come back and be in a position to win.
Foley bumbled and stuffed up his D as he gradually got his head back into test rugby. We should give him space for that, it's been a while. His D, positionally not just the tackle itself seems to come from an era where the Fly Half was protected. I don't mind that strategy but unfortunately it isn't the game plan today. And with all that he stayed cool, worked the role to the game plan and was entirely involved in the turnaround. Great return game from the bloke. Pop gun boot, but he has learned to get heaps out of it.
In general, the ref worked an often pedantic interpretation which seemed intended to allow the game to flow better. Plenty of that interpretation worked for us even if there were plenty of problems. Back to back territory gifted to the ABs etc. Which of course eventually worked for us as much as against us. I don't mind the interpretation. Line outs were clearer, scrum officiating mostly seemed understandable, rucks were less infringed.
Count me with the fans who see Swain's infringement as unintended, but that group, including myself, must hear the very strong voice from both camps that says we are wrong. I wish him well but can't doubt the YC and the review will be of interest. The AB tackle lift though?
Anyway, the ref was certainly different to what we usually see, but on the whole had a specific idea of how he wanted things that I don't mind. Until that closing stage. Let's not forget that he had already had the balls to interrupt over play in the count down to the clock - a couple of times both ways - in a situation where many refs would not want to impact the game conclusions. The Foley kick to me seems ridiculous. After the time out and warning, a whole 3s (I haven't measured this personally) to blow it up mid-kick? And determine the game outcome. Wow. I just can't see that as anything better than poor.
Though if it became a generic interpretation, watching time wasting at caterpillars, penalty shots, and goals - I'd go for it. In this case as a one-off? Not so much. So interesting performance from the ref, with a massive misapplication of what he was doing at the death-knell.
Awesome game from Kellaway and Valetini, also Samu and Koroibete. Gordon good too, albeit at times I wanted to launch onto the field with a hyperdermic filled with adrenalin targeting the guy's arse. But he did good. I've never been much impressed with Ikitau but recognise his work tonight.
As usual the Achilles heel is discipline. We can't simply put that down to the ref. It's a long term trend that is destroying the Wallabies and pushing us further down the rankings.
Wallabies start, at both halves, again dire. Though second half did have a numbers issue. All Blacks playing a possession theme is different for me, and our guys don't do well when starved of the ball for long periods. BUT we also had enough sensational work to come back and be in a position to win.
Foley bumbled and stuffed up his D as he gradually got his head back into test rugby. We should give him space for that, it's been a while. His D, positionally not just the tackle itself seems to come from an era where the Fly Half was protected. I don't mind that strategy but unfortunately it isn't the game plan today. And with all that he stayed cool, worked the role to the game plan and was entirely involved in the turnaround. Great return game from the bloke. Pop gun boot, but he has learned to get heaps out of it.
In general, the ref worked an often pedantic interpretation which seemed intended to allow the game to flow better. Plenty of that interpretation worked for us even if there were plenty of problems. Back to back territory gifted to the ABs etc. Which of course eventually worked for us as much as against us. I don't mind the interpretation. Line outs were clearer, scrum officiating mostly seemed understandable, rucks were less infringed.
Count me with the fans who see Swain's infringement as unintended, but that group, including myself, must hear the very strong voice from both camps that says we are wrong. I wish him well but can't doubt the YC and the review will be of interest. The AB tackle lift though?
Anyway, the ref was certainly different to what we usually see, but on the whole had a specific idea of how he wanted things that I don't mind. Until that closing stage. Let's not forget that he had already had the balls to interrupt over play in the count down to the clock - a couple of times both ways - in a situation where many refs would not want to impact the game conclusions. The Foley kick to me seems ridiculous. After the time out and warning, a whole 3s (I haven't measured this personally) to blow it up mid-kick? And determine the game outcome. Wow. I just can't see that as anything better than poor.
Though if it became a generic interpretation, watching time wasting at caterpillars, penalty shots, and goals - I'd go for it. In this case as a one-off? Not so much. So interesting performance from the ref, with a massive misapplication of what he was doing at the death-knell.
Awesome game from Kellaway and Valetini, also Samu and Koroibete. Gordon good too, albeit at times I wanted to launch onto the field with a hyperdermic filled with adrenalin targeting the guy's arse. But he did good. I've never been much impressed with Ikitau but recognise his work tonight.
As usual the Achilles heel is discipline. We can't simply put that down to the ref. It's a long term trend that is destroying the Wallabies and pushing us further down the rankings.
