Bledisloe 2 - Wallabies vs All Blacks, Wellington, 27 August 2016

[KOB1987]

I'll bite. Name me one single current player with a better record against New Zealand than Cooper?

I don't mind him being in the side, I'm just hoping it's not at 12

 

[TOCC]

I'll bite. Name me one single current player with a better record against New Zealand than Cooper?

Sully, I'm not talking about winning percentages, I'm sure all of the current crop stand at a 0% win rate in New Zealand.

I think it's evident to most that Quade has really struggled with the pressure and the extra attention from the crowd in some of his matches over in kiwi land, so to now start him when he hasn't played consistently in 12-18months reportedly in a position which he hasn't played in for 7 years.. Well it seems desperate... Like I said, should be playing in the NRC to work on his game control and find some form.

 

[zer0]

This is Wyatt Crockett's 50th test. He has quite the phenomenal winning record. He hasn't been involved in a losing match since his 12th test (England, December, 2012), and has never lost a test he's started in. He currently has a record of 47/1/1, yielding a winning percentage of 95.91%. If the All Blacks win on the weekend that'll creep up to 96%.

Quite frankly, it's ridiculous.

 

[Viking]

The Foley #10 & QC (Quade Cooper) #12 is the most Robbie Deans thing TGC has done since taking over the reigns. It's just bloody nonsensical crap at best..like most of my posts on here!

I actually think it's worse then Robbie Deans. JOC (James O'Connor) at 10 was bad, but this is insane.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Genial has a long pass - can he just bypass Foley and throw it straight to Quade

Well, Quade will probably be standing about 5m in front of Foley at set piece, so it shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Joe Blow]

I don't mind him being in the side, I'm just hoping it's not at 12

Exactly. We need some muscle in the midfield and someone playing from fairly shallow putting them into holes.

10. QC (Quade Cooper)
12. SK
13. TK
15. IF

 

[Brumby Runner]

The Foley #10 & QC (Quade Cooper) #12 is the most Robbie Deans thing TGC has done since taking over the reigns. It's just bloody nonsensical crap at best..like most of my posts on here!

Agree. About the non-sensical selection. IMO Quade/Kerevi at 10/12 has a hell of a lot more going for it than Foley/Quade. Unfortunately, we won't even get to see it happen during the game as Foley never gets replaced by Cheika. He would rather just blame the 'second playmaker' for any deficiencies at 10.

 

[TOCC]

Exactly. We need some muscle in the midfield and someone playing from fairly shallow putting them into holes.

10. QC (Quade Cooper)
12. SK
13. TK
15. IF

Fixed

10. QC (Quade Cooper)
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. SK
13. TK
14. IF
15. DHP

 

[Brumby Runner]

I have been a big fan of TK for a few years now and has always been one the first picked in "my" side but his form of late has been pretty bloody poor.

Can anyone honestly remember the last time that TK passed to the ball to someone?..It's an honest question BTW.

Serious answer then. Yes, TK made three passes that I saw last weekend. One to Hooper(?) which went to ground because they were just getting in each other's way. The other two were to a player on his outside on the left wing, but both were badly timed (too far before the defense) and rather lollipop efforts. Fortunately, both were held by the outside player but didn't result in as much gain that a well timed pass would have achieved. Passing is one aspect of TK's game where he needs improvement.

 

[Viking]

Fixed

10. QC (Quade Cooper)
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. SK
13. TK
14. IF
15. DHP

I like this back-line. I'd select this one too. Too bad they never consider Folau on the wing, even though he played his best test there (B&I Lions).

 

[Sully]

Sully, I'm not talking about winning percentages, I'm sure all of the current crop stand at a 0% win rate in New Zealand.

I think it's evident to most that Quade has really struggled with the pressure and the extra attention from the crowd in some of his matches over in kiwi land, so to now start him when he hasn't played consistently in 12-18months reportedly in a position which he hasn't played in for 7 years.. Well it seems desperate. Like I said, should be playing in the NRC to work on his game control and find some form.

Look I don't agree with him being at 12 either but, what part of Australia's current position doesn't seem desperate to you?

 

[Sully]

Serious answer then. Yes, TK made three passes that I saw last weekend. One to Hooper(?) which went to ground because they were just getting in each other's was. The other two were to a player on his outside on the left wing, but both were badly timed (too far before the defense) and rather lollipop efforts. Fortunately, both were held by the outside player but didn't result in as much gain that a well timed pass would have achieved. Passing is one aspect of TK's game where he needs improvement.

I guess the real question out of that is why hasn't it been worked on?

 

[Dan54]

I will be very very surprised if Chek started QC (Quade Cooper) at 12, reckon if has run there it just to cover all possibilties.

 

[Joe Blow]

Fixed

10. QC (Quade Cooper)
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. SK
13. TK
14. IF
15. DHP

And if Quade is at 10 we need a few big forwards that like to go for a run. Slipper, TPN, Kepu, Coleman and Timani all fit the bill. AA looks like he would be good too.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I guess the real question out of that is why hasn't it been worked on?

Perhaps the same reason Foley and Folau have deficiencies in their kicking abilities, Phipps has passing issues and several are verging on being poor tacklers. Something to do with coaching and game plans?

 

[Braveheart81]

Quade Cooper has played 13 tests at 12 (5 of them starting) so he has a huge amount more test experience there than any other option Cheika has at his disposal this weekend.

 

[Viking]

And if Quade is at 10 we need a few big forwards that like to go for a run. Slipper, TPN, Kepu, Coleman and Timani all fit the bill. AA looks like he would be good too.

We need big forwards that like to go for a run with Foley too. Probably more important with Foley given his current form.

 

[Joe Blow]

Quade seems to be a bit more aware of where the holes are.

 

[TOCC]

Look I don't agree with him being at 12 either but, what part of Australia's current position doesn't seem desperate to you?

Sure, I'm just sick of poor coaching decisions putting players in positions or playing in game plans the player isn't suited to and then the fall-out been on the player..

 

[Viking]

Quade Cooper has played 13 tests at 12 (5 of them starting) so he has a huge amount more test experience there than any other option Cheika has at his disposal this weekend.

huge amount... really?

This is Cheika setting Quade up to fail. Either by ignorance or by desperation. Probably a little of both.