Unrelated in a way to this threat but Toby Smith, is he a viable Wallaby prop option in the near future?
Mckenzie thinks otherwise
I hope nobody is expecting a sparkling game full of backline skill tonight. The weather is bloody terrible over here. Expect it to be a mistake riddled snore fest decided by the better boot.
We simply must keep the ball out of our half tonight. We don't want to give the Argies any chances to go the catch and drive from a lineout or win penalties from the scrum. It's got to be kicking for the corner, contesting fiercely at the lineout, committing numbers to the breakdown and running fairly narrow channels until the game opens up a bit. We need also to take every single point on offer. Tonight is not an occasional for an honourable loss. It must be built on focus and accuracy at the collision and smashing the opposition backwards until they get sick of it. The conditions don't especially lend themselves to flashy play, though we should still run some moves if we get good set piece ball. Let's just not push those 50/50 passes and focus on protecting the pill.
I hope nobody is expecting a sparkling game full of backline skill tonight. The weather is bloody terrible over here. Expect it to be a mistake riddled snore fest decided by the better boot.
We simply must keep the ball out of our half tonight. We don't want to give the Argies any chances to go the catch and drive from a lineout or win penalties from the scrum. It's got to be kicking for the corner, contesting fiercely at the lineout, committing numbers to the breakdown and running fairly narrow channels until the game opens up a bit. We need also to take every single point on offer. Tonight is not an occasional for an honourable loss. It must be built on focus and accuracy at the collision and smashing the opposition backwards until they get sick of it. The conditions don't especially lend themselves to flashy play, though we should still run some moves if we get good set piece ball. Let's just not push those 50/50 passes and focus on protecting the pill.
IMHO this should be how we start every test - what happens beyond the 15 minute mark depends on how well we have executed this plan.
But i certainly endorse the whole post at this point in australia's rugby history.
tranquility Toby Smith was born in Australia, so he's already an Australian.
Mowen has been damn good at 6 for the Wallabies this year but not at 8. Why, who knows, but I think we've all been played at a different position and played better or worse. It just seems like 6 is his position but he plays 8 for the Brumbies because they can get away with it at Super Rugby level.
Speaking of the Rebels, Higgenbotham is our replacement for Palu until someone else steps up. I like Schatz but I think he, like Quirk, isn't consistent enough. McCalman has experience and never lets the team down but isn't great. We've all seen how Mowen is just out of place at 8.
Timani is a valuable edition.
<snip>
Aus by 23.
Timani from the bench is a far better bet than him starting but his work rate is miserable.