Argentina v Australia, 8am Sunday 1 Sep (AEST) - TRC Round 3

[dru]

Good win away from home in pretty ordinary conditions. Well let’s say great to win! Does Joe still back Noah?

Nothing against Donaldson but I haven't seen anything to suggest he is a step up. Joe needs to pick and stick at this point.

 

[Shiggins]

I’d say so Donaldson only came on with a few minutes and dosent offer much more

We need someone who can kick points. I think Noah has a better percentage. Other than that I think if we picked Donaldson it would be better long term as he is better at putting people through and has a lot of speed

 

[Bootlaces]

Also, worth the Wallabies noting the impenetrable defensive line out executed by the All Blacks against South Africa around the 44th minute this morning. Almost certainly prevented the guaranteed rolling maul try by South Africa. Hopefully the Wallabies can study the All-Blacks technique and prevent being decimated by the South African line out close to our try line in the future.

 

[Yoda]

Nothing against Donaldson but I haven't seen anything to suggest he is a step up. Joe needs to pick and stick at this point.

Dru. Everyone seems to think Lynagh needs a chance but Noah has played 23 Tests and majority starting. Donaldson only started in a handful and last two Tests 10 minutes total. So, nothing against Noah but in 23 Tests I haven’t seen anything to suggest he is the man. Give Donno and Lynagh 23 Tests before you make a call?

 

[Overtime]

Noah creates absolutely nothing in attack

Our most successful 10 in the last 30 years and one of the great gambles in Australian Rugby was moving Larkham from 15 to 10. He was never going to replace Burke but after moving to 10 became the arguably the most important cog in the team leading the team to another world cup. We need to make another gamble, we have enough outside young backs in Toole and Lancaster, Jorgo to flyhalf first at super rugby level then if successful at International level.

 

[Yoda]

I’d say so Donaldson only came on with a few minutes and dosent offer much more

What can he do in a few minutes Rugbyau? Seriously. Noah I guess will be backed until the Great Britain trip but he is not my starting 10. 23 Tests and is average.

 

[dru]

Dru. Everyone seems to think Lynagh needs a chance but Noah has played 23 Tests and majority starting. Donaldson only started in a handful and last two Tests 10 minutes total. So, nothing against Noah but in 23 Tests I haven’t seen anything to suggest he is the man. Give Donno and Lynagh 23 Tests before you make a call?

(What makes you think the issue is my call?) Lynagh is not ready. No issue with him getting chances where it is sensible, largely off the bench I suspect. I don't care on the choice between Lolesio and Donaldson. Had Joe been starting Donaldson I'd be saying the same thing - Lolesio does not seem a step up so pick and stick. That is not where we are.

I'm happy to see Donaldson see more time off the bench than the miserly minutes he got today. And if he does show something, great. In the mean time it is not a school yard team where everybody should get a go. Schmidt needed to make the call well before 23 tests to either Donaldson or Lynagh. Like it or leave it, it seems that he has.

I haven't seen anything that suggests there is actually "a man" at 10 right now. Pick and stick, for me.

 

[Yoda]

(What makes you think the issue is my call?) Lynagh is not ready. No issue with him getting chances where it is sensible, largely off the bench I suspect. I don't care on the choice between Lolesio and Donaldson. Had Joe been starting Donaldson I'd be saying the same thing - Lolesio does not seem a step up so pick and stick. That is not where we are.

I'm happy to see Donaldson see more time off the bench than the miserly minutes he got today. And if he does show something, great. In the mean time it is not a school yard team where everybody should get a go. Schmidt needed to make the call well before 23 tests to either Donaldson or Lynagh. Like it or leave it, it seems that he has.

I haven't seen anything that suggests there is actually "a man" at 10 right now. Pick and stick, for me.

I’m guessing Joe will stick with Noah like as you say he has made his choice. I would have liked though to see Donaldson’s progress after 23 Tests at 10 that’s all. Especially after a full season of 10 at the Force showed he is much better when backed than being chopped and changed like he was at the Tahs. I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet.

 

[griffins]

One point that hasnt been made re our attack/Noah etc - was Argentina any better? Disgusting conditions meant it was a graft. If anything I thought we created a bit more than they did as the game wore on. I'm taking the win and hoping to see improvement next week (hopefully on a dry track).

On Argentina, for someone with a bit of a reputation as a hard man fuck Lavanini is a powder puff. Is he getting on a bit/getting over an injury?

 

[rugbyAU]

I'd be looking at moving Kellaway to the bench next week, in the first half he had zero runs, zero metres, zero tackles and one pass

 

[rugbyAU]

What can he do in a few minutes Rugbyau? Seriously. Noah I guess will be backed until the Great Britain trip but he is not my starting 10. 23 Tests and is average.

Point I'm making is that with Lolesio playing poorly, Joe doesn't seem like wanting to turn to Donaldson if he's only giving him a few minutes off the bench

 

[wamberal99]

The Pumas had a bad run with injuries.

 

[molman]

I think we're definitely getting closer to knowing our best team - at least from the domestic players

We'd need to string together a few more to be clear on that and there are still a number of injuries that leave question marks. I like the graft and focus, but the decision making is still not there yet, but it is a step in the right direction and I like what I'm seeing.

 

[molman]

(What makes you think the issue is my call?) Lynagh is not ready. No issue with him getting chances where it is sensible, largely off the bench I suspect. I don't care on the choice between Lolesio and Donaldson. Had Joe been starting Donaldson I'd be saying the same thing - Lolesio does not seem a step up so pick and stick. That is not where we are.

I'm happy to see Donaldson see more time off the bench than the miserly minutes he got today. And if he does show something, great. In the mean time it is not a school yard team where everybody should get a go. Schmidt needed to make the call well before 23 tests to either Donaldson or Lynagh. Like it or leave it, it seems that he has.

I haven't seen anything that suggests there is actually "a man" at 10 right now. Pick and stick, for me.

They need three genuine options because a injury to one and suddenly it's the next man up. You'd imagine that unless someone really craves up in Super next season it will be those three for the Lions. If Carter was still around, I suspect he might be in the mix.

 

[Sully]

Do it yourself player ratings in the match review on the blog.

Game Review: Argentina v Australia - The Rugby Championship - 1 September 2024 - Happy Father's Day Wallabies Fans! - Green & Gold Rugby

The Wallabies have managed to scrape through to a hard-fought victory in terrible conditions at Estadio Uno Estudiantes de La Plata, Argentina to break their 8-game losing streak in The Rugby Championships.

greenandgoldrugby.com

 

[whitefalcon]

I just caught up on the game. Overall I think the boys played well. I actually thought the Pumas were rather disappointing after seeing their potential in that first game of theirs against the All Blacks. It was an odd game too, where a few things were getting missed and Doleman sure wasn't giving us the rub of the green (well except for the final kick which I think was correct in that it did run the game overtime).

I mean, don't get me wrong there was still some poor rugby IQ at times - eg.. Wilsons decision to attack the blindside off that 5m scrum, Noah's decision to shovel rubbish to poor Frost and pile on the pressure etc... and the restarts were dismal to say the least. But in terms of our general ball retention, work around the breakdown our scrum and lineout, even our actual contesting of some of our own highballs, all this was generally pretty solid.

The forwards really stood up in this game for me. AAA's, Tupou, Bell (what a hit), Valetini, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Tizzano, Wilson... all of them I felt had a good game. In the backs, I thought Ikitau looked threatening and made good gainline, Wright was pretty solid out back. I also thought Gordon had a pretty good game too. If there was a weak point, I'd agree it was Lolesio who I'm not convinced knows how to play test match rugby where he should be consolidating the field position better and not piling on more pressure for the team when your poor forwards are slogging it out in such greasy conditions. Our kicking game just isn't where it needs to be.

This is the most level headed take on the match I've seen after just catching up on it.

I think Noah has his faults, and make a few silly decisions seemingly when tired (end of the first half, about 65-70 mins in). I did think his kicking was reasonable for the conditions too.

The way he is taking the ball flat footed every phase is a concern, but it might be a result of the game plan and the want to play really tight. Another game where the conditions aren't horrendous will be telling.

Our restart receipt were horrendous even with the conditions. Everything else seemed a good improvement.

I still think there is a hangover from last year that the players are only just getting over.

Best on ground for me:
Ikitau
Valetini
Bell
Wright
Gordon

 

[liquor box]

100% win rate for Wilson - best choice captain we've had in years

And of course there's no Terrace old boy bias showing through

Must have learnt it all in Central North Rugby (Gunnedah Red Devils).

I remember playing U19's for the mighty Nemingah Jets (RIP) in Gunnedah, I don't remember much apart from losing but do recall being shocked at my first sighting of a 25L drum of Bundy behind the bar, and there being more than one at the bar for the day of rugby.

 

[liquor box]

Nothing against Donaldson but I haven't seen anything to suggest he is a step up. Joe needs to pick and stick at this point.

As long as we only stick until a better option comes along.

I think we only have ordinary options at the moment, so lets pick and stick as long as we give any new talent a crack when they are ready.

 

[dru]

As long as we only stick until a better option comes along.

I think we only have ordinary options at the moment, so lets pick and stick as long as we give any new talent a crack when they are ready.

Noting that we have the info that we have, until Super restarts. It's Lolesio, Donaldson, with Lynagh tracking development for the tests. (Possibly Stewart as another backup.)

 

[Strewthcobber]

Doran on his podcast today said he spoke to Schmidt for 10 to 15 minutes after the game.

He said Schmidt was pretty satisfied with how Lolesio went, and Schmidt responded to questions about some of Lolesio's play, that he was pleased to see him try a few things even if they didn't come off.