Australia A v Japan XV matches
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Running_rugby_1954
Ron Walden (29)
Would be interesting to find the last 3 game series without a card.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Agree with most of the posters here. I would like to add Rory Scott plays well and I think he has a good chance of being a strong 6 maybe in time for RWC 23.
Great series and a good watch, he ref'd it more like a trial game than an international but made for a lot of entertainment and proved that ref's can make the game speed up and get more mins in play.
Great series and a good watch, he ref'd it more like a trial game than an international but made for a lot of entertainment and proved that ref's can make the game speed up and get more mins in play.
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
He was excellent. Very quick off the base and strong in contact. Also had some nice carries. One to watch!
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Vunivalu looked like a bloke who was struggling with football skills in general, not just rugby.
Between that game and what I saw during QPR, he’s got some pretty glaring issues with his defence, specifically going way too high when trying to make a tackle is a big one.
Will be interesting to see if he can stay fit and get some game time at the Reds. Honestly, I’m not sure he’s a guaranteed starter for that team.
Between that game and what I saw during QPR, he’s got some pretty glaring issues with his defence, specifically going way too high when trying to make a tackle is a big one.
Will be interesting to see if he can stay fit and get some game time at the Reds. Honestly, I’m not sure he’s a guaranteed starter for that team.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
I imagine it’s pretty mentally draining for him as well. He was signed with fanfare as the shiny new Leaguie.
Hasn’t spent much time on the field due to injury and now instead of running around with the Wallabies and scoring tries, like he was hoping and is used to, he’s getting hooked from the feeder side because he’s playing like crap.
It’s shame his QPR club didn’t have him registered for finals (not that they needed him) because just when he was stringing together a few games, his season was over.
Hasn’t spent much time on the field due to injury and now instead of running around with the Wallabies and scoring tries, like he was hoping and is used to, he’s getting hooked from the feeder side because he’s playing like crap.
It’s shame his QPR club didn’t have him registered for finals (not that they needed him) because just when he was stringing together a few games, his season was over.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
He looked good in attack for the first 20 or 30 minutes.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Three quite enjoyable games. We might say that the results aren't important, but I reckon we could see in the commitments the players had to keep going to the final bell, and the reactions to their wins and the close loss to see that the games meant a lot to them.
If their purposes were to test out some fringe players and give others who were likely tourists some game time beforehand, then I reckon quite a few did their chances of touring some good.
The front row was steady and dependable. Both Gibbon and Pone cemented their spots for the EOYT fitness allowing. Lachlan Lonergan confirmed his spot as the second or third hooker as well.
Cadeyrn Neville came back into some good form in the last tester and will be on the plane, as will Nick Frost. Ned Hanigan showed enough in his work to be there as backrow/lock cover. Langi Gleeson did a lot of good work but has a full house of backrowers in front of him. Not sure he'll make it this time. Seru Uru had a strong game in this third match and might be in competition with Hanigan to cover lock and 6/8.
None of the No 9s will make the trip based on these games. Lonergan is a longer term prospect but think we've seen the last of Tuttle at this level. Lonergan possesses the best, fastest and most accurate long passing game of any of the No 9s.
Similarly, neither Donaldson nor Edmed will displace Foley, Lolesio or Cooper. For development purposes, I would prefer to see Edmed make the trip if one is to go.
Kuenzle was the pick of the centres but none of them did enough to go on tour.
Mark Nawaqanitawase and Dillon Pietsch were both impressive at times and should be the next wingers in line for a spot.
Tom Banks showed that he is over his arm injury and back to being the best option at 15. Campbell was also good but may miss out again if both Kellaway and Hodge make the trip.
If their purposes were to test out some fringe players and give others who were likely tourists some game time beforehand, then I reckon quite a few did their chances of touring some good.
The front row was steady and dependable. Both Gibbon and Pone cemented their spots for the EOYT fitness allowing. Lachlan Lonergan confirmed his spot as the second or third hooker as well.
Cadeyrn Neville came back into some good form in the last tester and will be on the plane, as will Nick Frost. Ned Hanigan showed enough in his work to be there as backrow/lock cover. Langi Gleeson did a lot of good work but has a full house of backrowers in front of him. Not sure he'll make it this time. Seru Uru had a strong game in this third match and might be in competition with Hanigan to cover lock and 6/8.
None of the No 9s will make the trip based on these games. Lonergan is a longer term prospect but think we've seen the last of Tuttle at this level. Lonergan possesses the best, fastest and most accurate long passing game of any of the No 9s.
Similarly, neither Donaldson nor Edmed will displace Foley, Lolesio or Cooper. For development purposes, I would prefer to see Edmed make the trip if one is to go.
Kuenzle was the pick of the centres but none of them did enough to go on tour.
Mark Nawaqanitawase and Dillon Pietsch were both impressive at times and should be the next wingers in line for a spot.
Tom Banks showed that he is over his arm injury and back to being the best option at 15. Campbell was also good but may miss out again if both Kellaway and Hodge make the trip.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Second? I think Porecki and Fainga'a are comfortably 1 & 2 in any order.
whitefalcon
Ron Walden (29)
I think Porecki is #1 and that Fainga'a is only beating out Lonergan due to his size. Fainga'a is good on a good day but shocking on a bad.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
You might be right. However I would prefer a no 2 with some bulk. If he wants to retain his speed he might need to consider playing in the backrow.
dru
David Wilson (68)
The series in pleasing not just from an Australian perspective, but I also think it is good for Japan. A chance to strike out in real rugby without threat to ranking and to work through coaching in the real world. They can only benefit from it.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
I suspect we got more out of it than Japan. It was a very serious eye-opener to see how our 2nd or 3rd team if you include injuries performed.
The hard bit is knowing who could stand up for the Wallabies, we have had so many false dawns but if we get some coaches who can ID talent, as Bob Dwyer could, we might be a threat in the RWC.
The hard bit is knowing who could stand up for the Wallabies, we have had so many false dawns but if we get some coaches who can ID talent, as Bob Dwyer could, we might be a threat in the RWC.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
You are probably right Qwerty, but Lonergan is actually better than both of them in open play. I don't think there is a cigarette paper between the three of them at lineout, so their respective values come in the scrums and mauls. That might be where Lonergan's 100kg lets him down against the others.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Well not a chance we're picking our Test hooker on who is better around the park.
hifflepiff
Charlie Fox (21)
Porecki's a much more consistent lineout thrower than any other option atm
Lightblue
Arch Winning (36)
A speedy hooker who is great in the open is great but if a Test is in the balance and you have a line out just out from your opponents line with a few minutes to go, give me a guy who can throw the ball in straight every day of the week! I mean, how can you not get that right? Porecki is the most accurate by a fair way.
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