One bright side for Wales is that they are a huge threat when both Warburton and Priestland are playing. Any of the teams would struggle losing their equivalents, even the ABs. As others have posted, I can't see much of a gap at all between Boks, ourselves and Wales and I'm not sure England are all that bad despite their terrible cup effort. The gap for 2-7 is pretty close. I'll be keeping a pretty close eye on Argentina and Samoa in coming years too.
I'd like to think we will edge a lot closer to the ABs next year, but that's a fickle hope at best. I'm not as down on our game vs ABs as some, I saw us take the fight to them, but my fear is that the infighting will force wholesale changes that see us having to regroup. I really wish Deans had given McArdle a straight and detailed answer to his question about learnings Deans had as coach. It would have given me a lot more confidence he is the right person to steer the ship towards the Lions tour.
Anyways back to Wales, neither side covered themselves in glory in that game, but in this RWC we learnt the Welsh are once again a force to be contended with, awesome to see in a country with such a fabulous rugby legacy.
Any chance burgo can play on the spring tour or is that a bridge to far?
One bright side for Wales is that they are a huge threat when both Warburton and Priestland are playing. Any of the teams would struggle losing their equivalents, even the ABs. As others have posted, I can't see much of a gap at all between Boks, ourselves and Wales and I'm not sure England are all that bad despite their terrible cup effort. The gap for 2-7 is pretty close. I'll be keeping a pretty close eye on Argentina and Samoa in coming years too.
I'd like to think we will edge a lot closer to the ABs next year, but that's a fickle hope at best. I'm not as down on our game vs ABs as some, I saw us take the fight to them, but my fear is that the infighting will force wholesale changes that see us having to regroup. I really wish Deans had given McArdle a straight and detailed answer to his question about learnings Deans had as coach. It would have given me a lot more confidence he is the right person to steer the ship towards the Lions tour.
Anyways back to Wales, neither side covered themselves in glory in that game, but in this RWC we learnt the Welsh are once again a force to be contended with, awesome to see in a country with such a fabulous rugby legacy.
Harsh on TPN and Ma'afu? Our scrum was much better I thought, Ma'afu was actually dominating Jenkins.
snip....
Hey, where's the thread for the final?
Agree, James is a LH so to was the replacment off the bench We have a fairly decent TH Mitchel but, not in the same class as AJ . You're right we lack strength in certain positions 3,7.10, 15, are the obvious ones but, Byrne seemed to have lost his sparkle, as two years ago he was one of the best 15 on the planet. Shanes retirment wont hurt us as we have plenty of good wingers coming through, one or two 10s toothink the problem is we still don't have enought strength in depth. Losing Adam was a killer blow for the scrum too.
I'm really worried about QC (Quade Cooper)'s knee, I remember some players who were never the same after a long injury. The way he steps and the pressure he puts on his knees it seems it could easily happen again. Or worst of all he develops a subconcious tendancy to protect his knee once its better, and since his major talent is fast and natural footwork he would be stuffed.
To an extent I agree, but then Quade could afford to swap some of that god given talent on his feet for a bit of maturity and composure and he'd actually end up a better player. I think he'll be OK, these injuries happen all the time now and sports surgery has come a long way in a short time. Just look at Dagg, he bounced back really quickly from what would have been a career ending injury just 10 years ago.
I would say however that this should be a lesson to younger aspiring pros. Don't sign 1 year contracts when you are at or near the peak of your powers and marketability. It may come back to bite you on the proverbial.
I'm really worried about QC (Quade Cooper)'s knee, I remember some players who were never the same after a long injury. The way he steps and the pressure he puts on his knees it seems it could easily happen again. Or worst of all he develops a subconcious tendancy to protect his knee once its better, and since his major talent is fast and natural footwork he would be stuffed.
I'll agree with that. The jumping jack rabbit step that Quade seems so fond of is silly.
His step has evolved a lot in the last year; to the point where I'm not sure I've seen anyone with a better one.