Argentina v Australia II @ 5.10am 14/08

[Slim 293]

I'm definitely playing devil's advocate here.

The player we all think is our first choice 10 tried to offload just outside our try line in the opening minutes of the game.

A bit later he threw another poor offload just outside the Argies try line...

 

[Viking]

I think Simone is a safety blanket for Foketi. He is a bit of an unknown quantity so need the coverage on the bench. Disappointed to see Leota gone, he bends the line pretty much every time he carries. But to be fair, I think we need to see Holloway given another start to see if he's up for it.

Strange reason from Rennie there. It wouldn't give Foketi a load of confidence knowing Rennie is already planning for his poor performance.

 

[Viking]

A bit later he threw another poor offload just outside the Argies try line...

I think the first offload was fine, Ikatua was in the clear and it bounced off his chest. I blame Ikatua more on that one, and also a lack of game-time between the two.

The second one to Slippers head was unnecessary.

 

[Slim 293]

I think the first offload was fine, Ikatua was in the clear and it bounced off his chest. I blame Ikatua more on that one, and also a lack of game-time between the two.

The second one to Slippers head was unnecessary.

Nah, the first one was also unnecessary, and poorly executed...

 

[Braveheart81]

I think the first offload was fine, Ikatua was in the clear and it bounced off his chest. I blame Ikatua more on that one, and also a lack of game-time between the two.

The first poor option was not kicking it as soon as he picked it up. Ikitau even points downfield for Cooper to kick.

By running the ball he ended up really isolated and got smashed in the tackle. He probably left himself with no opportunity but to try and pass because there was no one behind him to try and win the breakdown and several Pumas defenders on the front foot.

If Ikitau had taken the pass he might have made a break but he was never looking for an offload rather trying to get in behind Cooper to support him in the tackle.

Those sort of situations never end well.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I think the first offload was fine, Ikatua was in the clear and it bounced off his chest. I blame Ikatua more on that one, and also a lack of game-time between the two.

The second one to Slippers head was unnecessary.

I thought the second one was inspired tbh and if Slipper had seen it coming was a good chance of scoring. He probably should have seen it given how much they've played together.

 

[Slim 293]

I thought the second one was inspired tbh and if Slipper had seen it coming was a good chance of scoring. He probably should have seen it given how much they've played together.

If Slipper had caught that with his face it would have been quite inspiring...

 

[PhilClinton]

He has to earn his spot like everyone else, doesn’t he? Does not matter how much he has been paid. He must demand selection through his performances and training.
FWIW I’d love to see more of him too but only when he warrants a spot.

Yeh mate I agree - my comment was more in reference to him being re-signed after Super Rugby this year.

I thought for all money he was going back to League or off to Japan.

It definitely seems like he is an excess player in the current squad, and like I mentioned I think his job to crack the best Wallabies 23 becomes even harder when Kellaway and Perese return, and Banks now that I think about it, because it would force Wright/Petaia to the wings.

 

[Joe Blow]

I think Rennie is looking for a way to release his backs out wider. If there is a game to give JOC (James O'Connor) a run, this is it. If he does not perform I imagine that he will revert to Lolesio. Not the worst option but definitely a limiting factor on our points scoring potential.

 

[7137]

I thought the second one was inspired tbh and if Slipper had seen it coming was a good chance of scoring. He probably should have seen it given how much they've played together.

slipper was interfered with by the referee (once again) getting in the way. Adamson was a pest at the back of the ruck.

 

[Tomikin]

Yeh mate I agree - my comment was more in reference to him being re-signed after Super Rugby this year.

I thought for all money he was going back to League or off to Japan.

It definitely seems like he is an excess player in the current squad, and like I mentioned I think his job to crack the best Wallabies 23 becomes even harder when Kellaway and Perese return, and Banks now that I think about it, because it would force Wright/Petaia to the wings.

Banks wont be back, his signed overseas and probably out for the rest of the year.

 

[Braveheart81]

Rennie could certainly be thinking that Vunivalu's chance comes on the EOYT when we don't have Koroibete.

Realistically in a RWC squad it is probably hard to pick both.

 

[Dctarget]

I wonder how long we'll see Koroibete in gold. He's already 30, probably not after RWC23. I'm semi surprised that he hasn't lost any speed yet and is as explosive as ever. I always thought wingers had shorter careers.

 

[7137]

I wonder how long we'll see Koroibete in gold. He's already 30, probably not after RWC23. I'm semi surprised that he hasn't lost any speed yet and is as explosive as ever. I always thought wingers had shorter careers.

Nandolo, Savea, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Shane Williams, Habana.

 

[Dctarget]

Nandolo, Savea, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Shane Williams, Habana.

Savea's a good example, why couldn't he dominate like he did? The All Blacks have a new winger every two years.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

we could have almost gone a brumbies 9/10 12/13 this week just because they have all played together, not ideal but this combo doesn't fill me with any more confidence than an all brums one

I think that's a fair comment when you consider:
9. Brumbs
10. Reds
12. Tahs
13. Brumbs

Fair bit of disconnect there.

Ben Darwin right now

 

[Derpus]

Savea's a good example, why couldn't he dominate like he did? The All Blacks have a new winger every two years.

All Blacks have historically had a queue of in-form explosive wingers waiting for a shot so even the slightest hint of lost form and the current incumbent would be replaced.

It helps that MKs game isn't really built on outright speed. He's more about physicality and work rate. He's got a bit left in the tank.

 

[Viking]

The first poor option was not kicking it as soon as he picked it up. Ikitau even points downfield for Cooper to kick.

By running the ball he ended up really isolated and got smashed in the tackle. He probably left himself with no opportunity but to try and pass because there was no one behind him to try and win the breakdown and several Pumas defenders on the front foot.

If Ikitau had taken the pass he might have made a break but he was never looking for an offload rather trying to get in behind Cooper to support him in the tackle.

Those sort of situations never end well.

In isolation, I don't think the offload was necessarily a poorly executed one as it was literally on Ikatau's chest. But I like your point that he probably shouldn't have thrown it to some-one who clearly wasn't expecting it, and all round poor decision-making (Coopers) led to an error.

 

[Viking]

Nah, the first one was also unnecessary, and poorly executed...

Unnecessary - Yes. Poorly executed - No.

 

[Purce]

I'm definitely playing devil's advocate here.

The player we all think is our first choice 10 tried to offload just outside our try line in the opening minutes of the game. His highlights were holding up a pass nicely to put Petaia in for our first try but realistically this wasn't anything amazing. We had front foot ball metres out from the try line.

The other good play was the big break he made down field. We didn't look great in that first half.

In terms of the style we play, does being slightly less aggressive in our own half and playing field position more give us a better chance of scoring more tries and playing more attacking rugby?

We threw the ball around a lot against England and scored 3 tries, 2 tries and 2 tries across the 3 tests. Our attack wasn't sparkling in any way (aside from probably the Tom Wright try in the third test).

I think all our 10s should be playing a similar game and it should be closer to how we played with Hodge at 10 against the Pumas than Lolesio against England. We'll score more tries and be happier with our attack if we do that because we'll put ourselves in a better position to use it.

Forward runners in the middle of the field were largely absent against England. We need more of that.

We are in agreeance as to how the Wallabies should play. As I said earlier there needs to be balance in their game. Know when to play field position and apply pressure, know when countering is the correct option and know when to apply the blowtorch in attack. Not just 1 of the 3 or 2 of the 3 but all of them. Each game will be different and we need a leader who knows when to execute this. Last year it was quade. In his first game back after injury he wasn't quite the same as last year. I suspect had he not been injured we would have seen a performance similar to 2021 from him this weekend alas now we won't know.

Where you and I differ is that I firmly believe Hodge isn't capable of providing this for the team at 10 and I think it's folly to start him when we could be starting others who are more capable, particularly ones who need intl experience. If he somehow proves me wrong then great however I don't think he will.