Australia v England @ Twickers 17 Nov 2012

[Moono75]

Australian Rugby needs a clean out much like the Force have gone through this year. Sure we won't see the effect of these changes on the park until 2013 but it sure helps to restore faith and lift the confidence of the supporters. Maybe a thumping on this spring tour is what is required to effect the necessary changes with the Wallabies. We can then build towards the next World Cup with a new regime. Who cares if we get a bad draw in the pools and have to do it the hard, if were good enough we will get through.

Against England we are going to need massive games from Digby and the Honey Badger if they are given some quality ball. The Badger looked good running the ball into contact at pace. Enough of the flat alignments and guys getting the ball standing still. Create some space and hit the line at speed. Kane Douglas is a big loss with his physical presence. Where are our enforcers these days that can dish out a bit of punishment?

 

[gel]

We did look more threatening in the last 20 or so minutes after Barnes came on at fullback.

What other options do we have?

Wasn't this Beale's role? Or has he now been absolved of that responsibility?

"Berrick Barnes will be key to sparking the Wallabies attack when he is named in the starting line up to take on England at Twickenham this weekend."

 

[Braveheart81]

Beale had a poor game however he also received atrocious service from Phipps and was behind a forward pack going backwards.

It is definitely Beale's job to create more but we definitely need more attacking spark than just him. Expecting a good performance from Beale to suddenly turn our backline from the France game into an attacking weapon seems very unlikely without other changes.

 

[Scotty]

Australian Rugby needs a clean out much like the Force have gone through this year. Sure we won't see the effect of these changes on the park until 2013 but it sure helps to restore faith and lift the confidence of the supporters. Maybe a thumping on this spring tour is what is required to effect the necessary changes with the Wallabies. We can then build towards the next World Cup with a new regime. Who cares if we get a bad draw in the pools and have to do it the hard, if were good enough we will get through.

Against England we are going to need massive games from Digby and the Honey Badger if they are given some quality ball. The Badger looked good running the ball into contact at pace. Enough of the flat alignments and guys getting the ball standing still. Create some space and hit the line at speed. Kane Douglas is a big loss with his physical presence. Where are our enforcers these days that can dish out a bit of punishment?

Our position doesn't really matter as long as it is higher than 8. If we are in the pool with nz, we would meet them again in the final. If we are a pool with another team, we simply have to beat them to get top pool ranking. It wouldn't matter if we went into the comp as first or second ranked in that pool. (see Ireland vs Australia for prime example)

 

[No4918]

Unless we are in a pool with Scotland or Somoa in which case there is the real risk of not making the finals.

 

[Richo]

This idea that it doesn't matter as long as we're in the top 8 doesn't make a lot of sense. Let's say we're put in a pool with the Kiwis. Let's also assume that they remain a better side, such that a victory would be an upset. At that point, we cannot lose another game. I know this would be true in any pool, the difference is that there is a much smaller margin of error. What happens if we lose to NZ (or RSA or Eng), then have a banana skin game against, say, Scotland. Or Canada, or Tonga. Our banana skin game at the last RWC was against Ireland -- entered it confident, got outsmarted, and came away with a loss. To put it another way, if we come in the top 4 then we have a top 8 side in the world. If we come in the top 8, we definitively have to play any of Eng, Fra, RSA or NZ.

Seeding matters. There's a reason everyone jockeys for it.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

To win a world cup you need to win every game, realistically. No team has ever done it any other way.

 

[Sully]

France nearly did it losing 2 games.

 

[Scotty]

Richo,

Don't think that is valid. Whatever pool you are in you generally can only lose one game if you want to make the finals.

If you lose two, you don't deserve to be there.

 

[Ignoto]

What happens if we lose to NZ (or RSA or Eng), then have a banana skin game against, say, Scotland.

If we lose two games in the pool we don't deserve to even progress out of it. France had to play New Zealand in the pool matches and they ended up in the final against same with the 2007 World Cup with England and South Africa.

If we can't go through the Rugby World Cup campaign undefeated, then we don't deserve to win it.

 

[No4918]

Would be good to see sides lose games on the way to the RWC. Could only mean the level of competition is improving and i sure as hell won't believe any side that wins the final game after 3 knockouts does not deserve it.

 

[It is what it is]

Barnes came on and played 10 an 12 in attack. Not fullback.

I suspect we looked more threatening because he added energy and a little direction and it will be completely different when he starts.

What would Joe the Cameraman say about Barnes?
Can't run, can't make a break, can't play.
The Wallabies Bus Driver would have made just as much impact as Barnes if he came on at that stage of the game.
What did Barnes achieve, except to run aggressively across field and throw long passes or kick the ball away?
He most probably just 'looked' more energetic than his listless team mates.

 

[Penguin]

Another reason to send MMM, can cover lock/6 & 8 which is perfect cover for Simmons & Pocock.
The ARU can save on on wages, hang on that's why they've kept Deans on for so long. No win bonus to pay out each week.

It's against ARU policy for McMenimen to play, he needs a season of Super Rugby under his belt before consideration for national honours.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

It's against ARU policy for McMenimen to play, he needs a season of Super Rugby under his belt before consideration for national honours.

Rockey didnt did he?

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

 

[Penguin]

Totally different kettle of fish Gaffa, Rocky had a dispensation from the ARU for a sabbatical of a few months, Hugh has been away for what, three years now? And playing in Japan. Who knows what kind of form he's in.

 

[Slim 293]

Actually, I'm pretty sure that as long as he's got an ARU contract he's eligible.

But there's no way he should be in consideration for the Wallabies. Obviously.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Robinson
Moore
Alexander
Sharpe
Simmons
Timani
Hooper
Palu
Sheehan
KB (Kurtley Beale)
Ioane
Barnes
Tapuai
Cummins
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

TPN
Kepu
Slipper
Samo
Dennis - what other locks has deans taken over? where is neville?
Phipps
McCabe
Mitchell

Harris is horrid. McCabe is not a 12 and phipps shoudl be replaced by burgess immediately or giteau.

 

[No4918]

Haven't been on the forum as much of late so maybe I missed the announcement about MMM. A quick search found nothing. What's with all the discussion about him?

 

[TSR]

He's signed with the Force for next year.

I'm assuming the calls to include him in the Wallabies are tongue-in-cheek.

Surely.

 

[Jnor]

Where is Rocky now btw? Any chance of a call-up? Sadly I'm only half joking.