Australia v New Zealand - Sydney 16 Aug

[FrankLind]

Our rugby culture should allow for some grace and dignity in defeat.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/all-blacks/news/article.cfm?c_id=116&objectid=11309588

Methinks they are a little nervous across the Dutch, just as we are.

Of course we are. Fortunately, that's when the ABs lift.

 

[FrankLind]

Apparently Brad Thorn is pumped for the Bledisloe.

 

[Pfitzy]

Do you think the aussies will try the mega aggressive defence ala tahs?

Do we have any other choice?

 

[boyo]

Have I heard correctly that Jaco Peyper is the referee tonight?

If so, how could the IRB appoint someone so obviously imept to a match like this?

The IRB works in mysterious ways.

 

[pissedoffihavetoregister]

Do we have any other choice?

We could let them exhaust themselves by scoring lots of length of the field tries. Nearly worked the other year until lomu scored at the end.

I think that was the theory at my school team. Didn't really work then.

 

[Biffo]

You start to lose credibility when you use the Comms as expert witnesses. Most of them use terms like "double-movement", "downward pressure" and so on, and show pretty poor knowledge of the laws. Of course, there are occasional exceptions.

excellent observation.
i get very tired of "expert" commentators wanting to opine on Rugby under the rules of Rugby League ...
... and some of those "experts" played 40 and plus tests and/or 50 and plus Soup games

 

[tekay]

Well. This has probably been discussed ad nauseoum on here but anyway I need to vent my spleen.

Beale at 10?! Seriously?!

What the fuck is Ewen McKenzie thinking – does he want the AB'S to win?

I just can't believe he's made this choice. It doesn't make sense.
Why would you ignore the fact both Foley and To'omua are the form 10's in this country right now – red hot actually – and instead he puts someone in who hasn't been playing in this position?! It's fucking mind boggling. Reward those who are currently the best in the position - and don't fuck with the system maaaan. It's simple.

Beale has been playing well at inside centre - and it suits his game – so if you want him in the starting line-up put him there, otherwise bring him on off the bench as an impact player where his speed and decisive attack when players tire is huge. But don't put him at 10 where his form of recent isn't demonstrated there! Fuck this really annoys me.

Anyway…I'm looking forward to when either Cheika or Larkham coach the Wallabies.

I'm happy to be proven wrong (hoping for it actually) but this isn't the first selection decision Ewen's made that just doesn't make sense.

And exhale...

 

[The Red Baron]

Well. This has probably been discussed ad nauseoum on here but anyway I need to vent my spleen.

Beale at 10?! Seriously?!

What the fuck is Ewen McKenzie thinking – does he want the AB'S to win?

I just can't believe he's made this choice. It doesn't make sense.
Why would you ignore the fact both Foley and To'omua are the form 10's in this country right now – red hot actually – and instead he puts someone in who hasn't been playing in this position?! It's fucking mind boggling. Reward those who are currently the best in the position - and don't fuck with the system maaaan. It's simple.

Beale has been playing well at inside centre - and it suits his game – so if you want him in the starting line-up put him there, otherwise bring him on off the bench as an impact player where his speed and decisive attack when players tire is huge. But don't put him at 10 where his form of recent isn't demonstrated there! Fuck this really annoys me.

Anyway…I'm looking forward to when either Cheika or Larkham coach the Wallabies.

I'm happy to be proven wrong (hoping for it actually) but this isn't the first selection decision Ewen's made that just doesn't make sense.

And exhale.

Yeah, I'm sure that's it. That's why he has selected Beale at 10..

 

[Upthenuts]

Love the nerves about this game, I is it raining. A lot in Sydney yet? Abs to dominate up font the wetter it gets.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Do you think the aussies will try the mega aggressive defence ala tahs?

Yep. As Pfitzy says, there is no other choice. You don't beat the AB's by letting them come to you, the fight has to be taken to them. I'm hoping the boys show good line speed and shut down their space tonight and compete hard for every scrap of pill.

 

[tekay]

It was a rhetorical facetious question Mr Baron. Just to clarify.

But yeah, feel free to enlighten me of Ewen's logic for not picking either of the two best 10's in the country in that actual position.

 

[pissedoffihavetoregister]

so far its been dry in darlo - but there is a big cloud on its way.
Definitely some rain in there i think.

Might just be a big band of crusader supporters - i hear its been following them around since we gave them some anguish.

 

[Wilson]

It was a rhetorical facetious question Mr Baron. Just to clarify.

But yeah, feel free to enlighten me of Ewen's logic for not picking either of the two best 10's in the country in that actual position.

Foley's form during the French tests was indifferent despite coming off of good super rugby form, he's tried To'omua there before, prefers him at 12 and likely wants to keep him developing there long term to be partnered with one of the more exciting Copper/Beale/Foley for the world cup. As far as Beale goes it can be argued that he has actually spent much of this season playing 10 or a 10's game and his form, both in the French tests and super rugby has been outstanding, arguably better then either To'omua's or Foley's.

 

[The Red Baron]

It was a rhetorical facetious question Mr Baron. Just to clarify.

But yeah, feel free to enlighten me of Ewen's logic for not picking either of the two best 10's in the country in that actual position.

I never would have guessed you were being facetious if you had not pointed it out..

It is pretty well documented that McKenzie has long been a fan of Beale at 10. Nevermind the fact that he has swapped first receiver duties with Foley throughout the Super Rugby season this year. Don't let the fact that Beale was wearing 12 for the Tahs fool you, he spent a lot of time on the field at 10.

My guess is that To'omua and Beale will rotate in a similar fashion tonight, with Beale heading out to the wing on defence and either McCabe or Horne slotting into the 10 channel. This also provides the opportunity for Beale to link up with Folau for a potential counter.

But Ewen doesn't know what he is doing, so we may as well sack him and stick either Cheika or Larkham in there, right?

 

[tekay]

I never would have guessed you were being facetious if you had not pointed it out..

It is pretty well documented that McKenzie has long been a fan of Beale at 10. Nevermind the fact that he has swapped first receiver duties with Foley throughout the Super Rugby season this year. Don't let the fact that Beale was wearing 12 for the Tahs fool you, he spent a lot of time on the field at 10.

My guess is that To'omua and Beale will rotate in a similar fashion tonight, with Beale heading out to the wing on defence and either McCabe or Horne slotting into the 10 channel. This also provides the opportunity for Beale to link up with Folau for a potential counter.

But Ewen doesn't know what he is doing, so we may as well sack him and stick either Cheika or Larkham in there, right?

Ahhh Queenslanders parochial as ever eh.

 

[The Pirate]

Oh dear . Starting to get very excited now. Think I better open a bottle of red and check if I have enough rum in the cupboard as a backup

 

[tekay]

Foley's form during the French tests was indifferent despite coming off of good super rugby form, he's tried To'omua there before, prefers him at 12 and likely wants to keep him developing there long term to be partnered with one of the more exciting Copper/Beale/Foley for the world cup. As far as Beale goes it can be argued that he has actually spent much of this season playing 10 or a 10's game and his form, both in the French tests and super rugby has been outstanding, arguably better then either To'omua's or Foley's.

Beale is not the current in form 10.

It's either Foley or To'omua. Pick the best on current form – pick players for a position who have demonstrated why their the best in that position. It's simple.

Playing the AB's and playing France are two entirely different conquests – you can't make that comparison.

Plus - Foley's confidence has grown massively - he's far more relaxed as a player now and it shows.


Nothing you said explains Ewen's weak selection here. It's indefensible!

 

[Pete King]

Well. This has probably been discussed ad nauseoum on here but anyway I need to vent my spleen.

Beale at 10?! Seriously?!

What the fuck is Ewen McKenzie thinking – does he want the AB'S to win?

I just can't believe he's made this choice. It doesn't make sense.
Why would you ignore the fact both Foley and To'omua are the form 10's in this country right now – red hot actually – and instead he puts someone in who hasn't been playing in this position?! It's fucking mind boggling. Reward those who are currently the best in the position - and don't fuck with the system maaaan. It's simple.

Beale has been playing well at inside centre - and it suits his game – so if you want him in the starting line-up put him there, otherwise bring him on off the bench as an impact player where his speed and decisive attack when players tire is huge. But don't put him at 10 where his form of recent isn't demonstrated there! Fuck this really annoys me.

Anyway…I'm looking forward to when either Cheika or Larkham coach the Wallabies.

I'm happy to be proven wrong (hoping for it actually) but this isn't the first selection decision Ewen's made that just doesn't make sense.

And exhale.

Im hoping you live to regret this post. Im about to piss my pants im tht excited

 

[The Red Baron]

Ahhh Queenslanders parochial as ever eh.

Hmm, I'm not sure what that actually has to do with your - or my - argument. Let's not forget, it is the Wallabies playing tonight, not the Reds, or Tahs, or Brumbies.

 

[galumay]

Beale is not the current in form 10.

It's either Foley or To'omua. Pick the best on current form – pick players for a position who have demonstrated why their the best in that position. It's simple.

Playing the AB's and playing France are two entirely different conquests – you can't make that comparison.

Plus - Foley's confidence has grown massively - he's far more relaxed as a player now and it shows.


Nothing you said explains Ewen's weak selection here. It's indefensible!

Its hardly "indefensible", its the coaches role surely, to pick the team he thinks has the best chance on the day, for the team they are playing. I wouldnt be so presumtious as to sit on my lounge on my laptop and assume I know better than the coach of our national team.

You can of course argue you dont like the selection, or admit you dont understand the reasoning, but to call it indefensible is just silly. Especially given the amount of time that Beale has played at 10 for the Tahs this season (even if wearing 12).

We should be thankful we have the depth in our backs to have the luxury of Foley or Beale on the bench - and the options that gives us deep in the game to bring either on as an impact.

What worries me more is the selections Link had little control over - in the forwards, thats where the game will be won or lost and to be honest they dont exactly fill me with confidence.