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

[Dismal Pillock]

A Doleman classic at the death there.

Donaldson running down the clock to pop the winning kick over and ref is "yeh there's time for a restart, yes, yes, we'll be having a restart, what's that, yes, yes, that's what I just said, still time for a restart after the kick, yes, yes, I've told the players, yes, I've told both captains, yes, still plenty of time for a restart", bloke kicks it over "oh, time's up, that's 80 minutes, fulltime now, clock says time's up, no more time sorry, game's over sorry, oh what I said before yeah nah clock says times up, oh before, no, that was 79 minutes but clock says 80 minutes now which means times up yeah, nah ok sorry fulltime

 

[Joe Blow]

I'm bemused by the negativity. Schmidt is clearly playing the long game, working out who can play to his systems and giving those with potential every chance to perform. It will be a roller coaster this year with consolidation during the spring tour and hopefully building towards the Lions tour next.

Playing Joe ball is risky with our lack of ball handling skills. He is looking for mistake free rugby, holding onto the pill until the other side makes a mistake or we eventually can kick to the wings. Not really our strong suit but I guess it will improve our accuracy

 

[capalaba]

Finally watched the game, Tupou and Bell were excellent. Backs were flat footed, Wilson is not a good strategic captain some of his options were forehead slapping. Lolesio is not a Test level 10. Happy with the W. I didn't think the Argies really offered anything.

 

[Shiggins]

How far has Australian Rugby fallen when we are wrapt with a 1pt win over Argentina from a lucky penalty

Are you mental. Argentina have made it to semi finals now in the world cup 3 out of the last 5. They beat the all blacks in NZ. They are ranked higher than us. Games in Argentina. Anyone takes a win over Argentina now days. Especially in Argentina.

 

[Marce]

Noah creates absolutely nothing in attack

Lolesio is not a Test level 10

Don't say that, please

 

[Shiggins]

Also Tizzano while he dosent offer much in attack has been very good another big effort with 22 tackles couldn’t of asked much more from him in these tests and clearly Joe has big confidence in him not taking any other specialist 7s

Was great too see him hit the ball up a few times in this game as well. Thats where he needs to work on. Was it 2 pilfers ? Not sure if he missed any tackles. Didn't notice any during the game. Solid as

 

[BDA]

It actually kind of amazing that we snuck a win despite fucking up pretty much every restart and knocking on about 8 up and unders in our half. If we can tidy up those parts moving forward we make life a lot easier for ourselves.

As always the team had me pulling my hair out at times, but for me there were some major positives coming out of this game. This was probably the best iv seen the walalbies in terms of attacking ruck ball retention in a long long time. Night and day from where the team was last year. The defence was solid and importantly the discipline continues to improve. Set piece was excellent all night. Argies are no mugs particularly at home. the building blocks of a solid team are being built.

 

[Shiggins]

A Doleman classic at the death there.

Donaldson running down the clock to pop the winning kick over and ref is "yeh there's time for a restart, yes, yes, we'll be having a restart, what's that, yes, yes, that's what I just said, still time for a restart after the kick, yes, yes, I've told the players, yes, I've told both captains, yes, still plenty of time for a restart", bloke kicks it over "oh, time's up, that's 80 minutes, fulltime now, clock says time's up, no more time sorry, game's over sorry, oh what I said before yeah nah clock says times up, oh before, no, that was 79 minutes but clock says 80 minutes now which means times up yeah, nah ok sorry fulltime

What's the go there ? How much time do you get to decide what your taking from the penalty ? If it's 15-20 seconds it was the right call.

But you're spot on. He asked the TMO. TMO just have said there is time for a restart. Told everyone that. And then just blows it up after haha

 

[Sword of Justice]

That last gasp tackle to force the knock on by Wilson could really change our entire season. I thought he was a very safe pair of hands (except for the dropped restart) at captain.

 

[PhilClinton]

If I’m the Pumas, I’m looking at what changed in the defensive structure at halftime to allow the Wallabies so much easy ball over the gain line.

Wallabies forwards, and Ikitau, were all marching through the guts of the Pumas defenders in the 2nd half. It really was night and day the way the forwards made meters in the middle.

The Wallabies potentially targeted that, maybe knowing the pumas big bodies would start the tire? It really was a bash and crash game, I reckon Kellaway got subbed off without even having a proper attacking run? Maybe only touched the ball twice.

 

[Marce]

If I’m the Pumas, I’m looking at what changed in the defensive structure at halftime to allow the Wallabies so much easy ball over the gain line.

The wind was against them. The first half was for Australia and the second half against them.

 

[dru]

If I’m the Pumas, I’m looking at what changed in the defensive structure at halftime to allow the Wallabies so much easy ball over the gain line.

Our depth is better, I reckon. We might not be 100% on who is the best 15 out of the 23, but I think our 16 to 23 topped theirs.

 

[PhilClinton]

The wind was against them. The first half was for Australia and the second half against them.

I know it was a strong breeze but last time I checked the wind doesn’t make people forget how to tackle.

 

[PhilClinton]

Our depth is better, I reckon. We might not be 100% on who is the best 15 out of the 23, but I think our 16 to 23 topped theirs.

Yeh I think our top talent is better than theirs. When guys like Ikitau and Valetini started to step up, they didn’t really have answer.

Tizzano was effective which tells me McReight would probably have been great on the ball as well.

The problem is when our first choice guys aren’t 100% switched on, I think our drop in talent across a few positions exposes us too much. I’d give Len and Bobby V 10/10 for their second half efforts, whereas Lolesio was a solid 3/10 all game. Needs enough blokes playing at that 10/10 level or we are farked. Those guys won’t do that every game.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

A Doleman classic at the death there.

Donaldson running down the clock to pop the winning kick over and ref is "yeh there's time for a restart, yes, yes, we'll be having a restart, what's that, yes, yes, that's what I just said, still time for a restart after the kick, yes, yes, I've told the players, yes, I've told both captains, yes, still plenty of time for a restart", bloke kicks it over "oh, time's up, that's 80 minutes, fulltime now, clock says time's up, no more time sorry, game's over sorry, oh what I said before yeah nah clock says times up, oh before, no, that was 79 minutes but clock says 80 minutes now which means times up yeah, nah ok sorry fulltime

Couldn’t believe it. Said one thing and did another!

 

[Marce]

I know it was a strong breeze but last time I checked the wind doesn’t make people forget how to tackle.

No but is easy to gain the territory through kicking game. In the first half the Pumas gained meters easily just by kicks

 

[molman]

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), 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.

 

[rugbyAU]

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 front and pill 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 nt piling on more pressure for the team when your poor forwards are slogging it out in such greasy conditions.

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

 

[Yoda]

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

 

[rugbyAU]

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

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