2022 Bledisloe Cup. Wallabies vs All Blacks

[Dctarget]

Where’s Bell? I thought he would be back for SA, definitely NZ.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Our biggest issue for the last couple of tests has been throwing. If that improves we should be fine.

It doesn't matter how tall our jumpers are if we're getting picked off by someone in front because the throw is too low.

I disagree to some extent BH. In one of the tests against SA (I think the first), at least four, maybe more lineouts were lost by the catcher knocking on in the air. Those throws went straight to the catcher who nevertheless spilt them and turned over possession. Both throws and catches have been less than satisfactory in recent games and I have little confidence it will be significantly better on Thursday. Porecki probably has a similar proportion of wayward throws as FF (Folau Fainga'a) over a number of tests and our catchers in this test are quite a bit shorter than earlier combinations.

We shall see while hoping for the best.

 

[dru]

I disagree to some extent BH. In one of the tests against SA (I think the first), at least four, maybe more lineouts were lost by the catcher knocking on in the air. Those throws went straight to the catcher who nevertheless spilt them and turned over possession. Both throws and catches have been less than satisfactory in recent games and I have little confidence it will be significantly better on Thursday. Porecki probably has a similar proportion of wayward throws as FF (Folau Fainga'a) (Folau Fainga'a) over a number of tests and our catchers in this test are quite a bit shorter than earlier combinations.

We shall see while hoping for the best.

This.

 

[cyclopath]

Only big surprise I see is Samu in for McReight; moderately surprised Hodge is benched and Holloway at 4 (he has played well at lock this year). I'd have been shocked if a complete newbie got picked at 10, and if Lolesio, Cooper and O'Connor were all available Foley would not be in the mix. Not surprised White got a minor rest, but would not have been upset if he started. Let's face it, we are missing some important personnel.
I think the ABs will give us a real touch-up this week.

 

[Pfitzy]

all of a sudden all the pressure is on Ian Foster. If he can't win against that side, than his job is untenable.

If he can't rack up 50 against us, they should fire him.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

If he can't rack up 50 against us, they should fire him.

NEVER underestimate this man's capacity to lose rugby football matches.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[tragic]

I’d rather hodge at 10 than pop gun foley. We’ll get pinned in our 22 and the ABs will rack up a cricket score.
I’m having PTSD flashbacks already

 

[Tomikin]

NEVER underestimate this man's capacity to lose rugby football matches.

 

[eastman]

Rennie's in a pretty difficult position and can never really win with these selections. We've got multiple players unavailable and just came off a hiding from South Africa where people on this forum were screaming for changes to the team, and Rennie has basically obliged.

All the unforced changes are arguably justified; White was poor, Hodge was ok but held to such warped/ low standards, where he is praised for not being shit and Samu has been consistently strong off the bench so he's probably due a start.

It's not like we were going to win with White and Hodge starting- so why not give some other players the opportunity.

 

[eastman]

I don’t mind the choice of Foley at 10 and am looking forward to seeing him play. However putting him in between Gordon and Foketi behind a pack that does not look great on paper is not doing him any favours. It will be sink or swim. Hopefully the back row muscles up and we get some decent front foot ball.

You could argue that putting Foley between Gordon and Foketi won't do the other two any favours either.

 

[footy1>31]

more casual observer of rugby in aus than I was years ago, but full credit to RA for having the balls to put the test on a Thu. A heap more casual eyeballs to celebrate Nard carry the boys home

 

[Members Section]

more casual observer of rugby in aus than I was years ago, but full credit to Rugby Australia for having the balls to put the test on a Thu. A heap more casual eyeballs to celebrate Nard carry the boys home

Its so it doesn't clash with afl prelim finals

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Anybody who is not panicking must be in a different orbit to me.

No need to panic anymore

 

[fatprop]

more casual observer of rugby in aus than I was years ago, but full credit to Rugby Australia for having the balls to put the test on a Thu. A heap more casual eyeballs to celebrate Nard carry the boys home

you can see the channel 9 influence, mid week special occasion entertainment is their bread and butter

 

[stillmissit]

Rennie's in a pretty difficult position and can never really win with these selections. We've got multiple players unavailable and just came off a hiding from South Africa where people on this forum were screaming for changes to the team, and Rennie has basically obliged.

It's not like we were going to win with White and Hodge starting- so why not give some other players the opportunity.

I don't think obliging us is the right way to coach. I am concerned about our team going forward and I think the next 2 Bled games should give us an indication that Rennie has a plan. At the moment I can't see that plan and who is standing up regularly to be the spine of the team.
Rennie is either totally useless (don't believe that) or he is confused in terms of injuries and who are our best players outside of Koro, Kellaway and Bobby V.
That leaves us with 4-7 forwards to be identified and you can't win without a strong pack.

 

[stillmissit]

A lot of talk about kicking and who should be 9,10.12.
The biggest issue in my book is how the pack is going to get go-forward ball and how the hell we are going to win the breakdown. I will be watching Pete Samu closely to see what he brings but I think we will miss McRight. We have a bigger backrow so let's hope that they impact the breakdown and give the backs an opportunity to do their stuff.
NZ 15 Wallabies 7. Predicting a hard-fought effort from our guys (backs against the wall stuff) but not quite enough to win.

 

[Dctarget]

A lot of talk about kicking and who should be 9,10.12.
The biggest issue in my book is how the pack is going to get go-forward ball and how the hell we are going to win the breakdown. I will be watching Pete Samu closely to see what he brings but I think we will miss McRight. We have a bigger backrow so let's hope that they impact the breakdown and give the backs an opportunity to do their stuff.
NZ 15 Wallabies 7. Predicting a hard-fought effort from our guys (backs against the wall stuff) but not quite enough to win.

We've shipped an average of 29 points this championship. Would be surprised if we kept them under 40.

 

[Viking]

I like the backrow, it seems larger and more impactful which should help at the breakdown. We lose McReight but if Samu has similar impact to his bench cameos and can up his work-rate a bit then he might actually be a better option.

Likewise, I think Holloway at lock is better in the contact zone then Swain, although we lose Swains lineout and maul prowess. Arnold hasn't done much so I'm not sure he's a big loss. Overall I think the forwards are geared towards winning the contact zone.

Porecki should help the line-out, which is a bit of a worry with no Arnold or Swain, as the jumpers feel a bit small. But that's the sacrifice it seems we are making for having the bigger bodies or players better in that contact zone - which is the first step in winning the breakdown.

 

[stillmissit]

We've shipped an average of 29 points this championship. Would be surprised if we kept them under 40.

DCTarget, I think it is in the top 2" and I am hoping that desperation will up the ante!