Australia v NZ. Bledisloe Cup Series 2024. Sep 21, Sep 28

[stillmissit]

Yes.

We will know soon as he will be brought into the squad for EOYT. When is that squad expected any idea?

 

[HogansHeros]

Who plays ten (and goal kicks) if Lolesio gets HIA in the second minute?

Kellaway

 

[cyclopath]

Tom Wright is pretty much the only strike weapon we have though. The whole team knows it.

He always plays his worst when he tries to win the game on his own, but sometimes it's also the only way we are going to win

We need someone with better hands, timing and judgement to be putting Tom in half spaces or spaces and he will carve up. Currently, he makes some opportunities on his own, but generally ends up with little / no support, which, I think, leads to trying the low percentage offload / kick etc...
He'd be a killer in attack in a better back-line.
I don't know where they think someone like Sua'alii is possible Wallaby fit, but I reckon he and Tom would be a significant threat.

 

[stillmissit]

We need someone with better hands, timing and judgement to be putting Tom in half spaces or spaces and he will carve up. Currently, he makes some opportunities on his own, but generally ends up with little / no support, which, I think, leads to trying the low percentage offload / kick etc...
He'd be a killer in attack in a better back-line.
I don't know where they think someone like Sua'alii is possible Wallaby fit, but I reckon he and Tom would be a significant threat.

Or a better full back with better hands, timing and judgement. But that could well equate to the majority of our players.

 

[stillmissit]

Can we just ban the no-look pass until we get better at passing?

 

[dru]

Just so I understand you, are you calling attacking rucks where we have the ball? This is where the opposition burn energy defending against us.
The inability to make ground is a backs/game plan problem.

Agreed - all things being equal. I don't think it worked like that in this test.

 

[cyclopath]

Or a better full back with better hands, timing and judgement. But that could well equate to the majority of our players.

I'm not arguing that Tom is perfect, he isn't. I was responding to the post about him being our main strike-weapon in the backs, which I think he clearly is. I was noting what might maximise that potential. Nobody else is really making a claim as our 15, so we might be waiting a while for a better one to come by!
Of course he needs to get better at decision making himself, like about "the whole squad".

 

[stillmissit]

I'm not arguing that Tom is perfect, he isn't. I was responding to the post about him being our main strike-weapon in the backs, which I think he clearly is. I was noting what might maximise that potential. Nobody else is really making a claim as our 15, so we might be waiting a while for a better one to come by!
Of course he needs to get better at decision making himself, like about "the whole squad".

I point to your point to justify my point!!!
We need someone with better hands, timing and judgement to be putting Tom in half spaces

 

[stillmissit]

Agreed - all things being equal. I don't think it worked like that in this test.

Partly, as Jake was continuously feeding the 'forward feeding frenzy' whilst the backs got to watch. Doing the same thing etc etc etc

 

[dru]

Partly, as Jake was continuously feeding the 'forward feeding frenzy' whilst the backs got to watch. Doing the same thing etc etc etc

I still have bad memories of the Cheika barn-yard dance. I look forward to a decent review of the defensive system by some expert that is entitled to respect. In the mean time I can't say whether I agree with your thoughts on handling or if there is something happening with the coached expectations.

 

[Tomthumb]

The attack was very narrow in the 22, but it’s all irrelevant if they can’t fix the defence

Every single time NZ had the ball they looked dangerous and every single time they got into our 22 they scored a try, that’s terrible

the passive line gives teams so much time to find the holes and take advantage. There is literally no positives in the way they are defending

 

[griffins]

Wilson

The defense don't burn energy if you don't make it over the advantage line. It's significantly more fatiguing for the team on attack to go through multiple phases going nowhere.

More player involvements as you need more.players in the ruck to secure the ball, running further etc

This is 100% correct and even more so when the attack is as static and narrow as ours. Defensive line are basically standing still if they aren't making the tackle one off the ruck. Then our wide 'option' is telegraphed and laboured, with Paisami throwing a pass out the back. As noted elsewhere the only threat in this play is Wright who was well handled each time, and our other most evasive back (Ikitau) is burned as a decoy.

 

[whitefalcon]

And agree with an earlier post as to why Pietsch was replaced for Flook? Made no sense as he was one of our best tonight.

Schmidt said after the game (or today?) that Pietsch was cramping in both calves, hence his replacement

 

[liquor box]

Very interesting - wonder if he will go on the EOYT?

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/09/...-as-schmidt-sets-sight-on-crunch-spring-tour/

One person he is about to get his hands on is Sua'ali'i, who recently let the cat out of the bag that he was going to join the Wallabies later in the year for their grand slam tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“I’m going on that [Wallabies] Spring Tour at end of the year, I know that, but I’m not sure when my first game will be,” Sua'ali'i told reporters earlier this month.

Curiously, Schmidt said he hadn’t yet spoken to the Australian Schoolboys star but was excited by his skill set.

Would this be the first time a player has been picked for a tour and his coach has never spoken to him? I cannot think of any situation where this could occur, does this mean who ever selected him has also determined his position, or will the coach get to pick where he plays?


I just hope that he is as good as the hype, I have not seen a second of his play either in rugby at school or in NRL so look forward to seeing what he has to offer.

 

[cyclopath]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/09/...-as-schmidt-sets-sight-on-crunch-spring-tour/

Would this be the first time a player has been picked for a tour and his coach has never spoken to him? I cannot think of any situation where this could occur, does this mean who ever selected him has also determined his position, or will the coach get to pick where he plays?


I just hope that he is as good as the hype, I have not seen a second of his play either in rugby at school or in NRL so look forward to seeing what he has to offer.

I've seen plenty of video from school days - he was always just bigger, faster and more skilful than most others so stood out. Watched him at an NRL game last year live - great aerial skills, good hands and quick enough; can kick pretty well too.
Definitely a talent, and good enough to be in the Wallabies reckoning at some stage, but exactly when and in what position remains to be seen. Could be a 13 or 15.

 

[stillmissit]

The defense don't burn energy if you don't make it over the advantage line. It's significantly more fatiguing for the team on attack to go through multiple phases going nowhere.

More player involvements as you need more.players in the ruck to secure the ball, running further etc

Watched the early breakdown work in the AB's 22. The first one was a lineout, Ist a Maul, 3 breakdowns with AB's putting 2 players in as did we on attack, then sent it wide for Wright. The second one was from a tap kick, 3 breakdowns and try by McRight. So energy in attack was normal but AB's lot of movement and adjustments, crouching etc for the D. I looked for some energy expenditure attack v defence and came up with nothing quotable.

Read this regarding Wright on RPass:The fullback finished the Test with the least number of tackles made for any player (1) and also only a couple of carries in attack.
I think this is an amazing stat for an international FB, never seen anything like it. BTW I accept his attacking prowess.

 

[Froggy]

Thinking about last night's game, the thing that stands out to me is our organistion in defence. Or, more accurately, the fact that there doesn't seem to be any. There were a few missed tackles, but more importantly as soon as the opposition get a couple of offloads, and/or changes the direction of the attack, we just appear to have no idea how to react. This happened in the second half against the Pumas, first 20 minutes last weekend and at various times in both halves last night. While everything is straight-forward it's okay, but as soon as someone from the opposition steps away from the script, we become headless chooks, 15 individuals with no idea what to do. I don't know whether the structure is at fault or the players can't or won't impliment it, but I do now that as long as that's the case we will never beat a top four team.

My second take is that in attack we offer nothing from 9, 10 and 12. This makes defence very easy for the opposition, and negates the effective attacking weapons we have out wide like Wright, Ikatau and Peitsch. Gordon plays well as an individual, but creates nothing for those around him, Lolesio I thought had one of his better games but really doesn't threaten or deceive, and he has a weak boot, sort of Foley light. Paisami plays a game that works okay in Super rugby, and might work in test rugby if he was 110kg, however he turns out to just be a little guy who runs straight at defenders, races up out of the defensive line and throws in the odd shit kick.

My third observation is that our discipline is okay until we get behind and our defence starts to fall apart, then we start to go back to the bad old days of careless and lazy penalties.

Despite all that, I genuinly think we are improving. We are starting to put together some effective forwards, the set piece keeps improving, and our back four are going okay, although Kellaway's tackling worries me. Not sure what's going on there, he used to be fairly reliable in defence. Plenty of promising youth coming through too. A hell of a long way to go, but there are some green shoots.

 

[Slim 293]

I think Tom Wright’s biggest problem this test season…

Is being surrounded by slow, underperforming wingers.

In particular Koroibete last week, and Kellaway yesterday failing to provide adequate support when he makes a break.

I thought Pietsch did very well in his first start, and it will be good to have Daugunu back, and eventually Toole get his shot.

I would also expect our highly paid Rooster to be starting out his rugby career out wide.

 

[Derpus]

Suallii will be playing at 14 you'd think. At least to start with.

I think ultimately we need his power in the centres though.

 

[cyclopath]

Suallii will be playing at 14 you'd think. At least to start with.

I think ultimately we need his power in the centres though.

I don't think 14 will be ideal for him, really. Not sure I'd put him there to work things out. I'm probably wrong though.
I agree with your second statement.