G&GR Wallabies Player of the Match vs Ireland, Brisvegas

[naza]

Did you see those clowns at the SMH put Burgess in their international team of the week. What? On the basis of one try? You have to be kidding.

On the basis of an outstanding performance. Very good call.

Seriously, I know you're giving it your best but you have a LONG way to go to even match the clowns at rugbyheaven.

 

[Ash]

naza is like a broken record. So anti-Gregan but pro-Burgess. Outside of Burgess' try, he was worse than Gregan circa 2007. Inaccurate passes, too much crabbing behind the advantage line, and poor passes at the first receiver's head and feet. Remove the try, and Burgess' performance was like Gregan's circa 2007, but with a slow and inaccurate pass.

 

[Lance Free]

naza is like a broken record. So anti-Gregan but pro-Burgess. Outside of Burgess' try, he was worse than Gregan circa 2007. Inaccurate passes, too much crabbing behind the advantage line, and poor passes at the first receiver's head and feet. Remove the try, and Burgess' performance was like Gregan's circa 2007, but with a slow and inaccurate pass.

I guess the good news Ash is that Sanchez Genia will be back for the Tri-Nations but its a real shame that apart from him we don't have an international quality backup. Certainly no-one with any consistency.

Valentine probably isn't the answer either but his pass is 100% better than the rubbish Burgess serves up, which immediately puts our attack on the back foot. Burgess has been given a couple of years on the job to improve but, apart from the recent first test against England, just hasn't delivered.

 

[Reddy!]

Burgess should never be compared to Gregan. Gregan is a Wallaby legend, immortal. On the other hand, the career of Burgess can be summed up by a wayward pass into the dead ball zone in France.

 

[DPK]

Burgess should never be compared to Gregan. Gregan is a Wallaby legend, immortal. On the other hand, the career of Burgess can be summed up by a wayward pass into the dead ball zone in France.

I suppose Genia's last game will just get the selective amnesia treatment? He was pretty awful, too.

 

[RedsHappy]

Valentine probably isn't the answer either but his pass is 100% better than the rubbish Burgess serves up, which immediately puts our attack on the back foot. Burgess has been given a couple of years on the job to improve but, apart from the recent first test against England, just hasn't delivered.

LF: A genuine mystery for me is: why has Burgess' obvious instability and poor technique in creating passes (known now over a long period) not been able to be fixed with the requisite specialist skills coaching (and, don't mock it, some work with a sports psychologist if the issues are pressure/expectation related)?

Burgess has clear talent. RD's initial attraction to that was not foolhardy. But his collapses in shocking pass work (and related problems) etc should in theory be able to be permanently remedied given his base talent.

Worth discussing?

 

[Lance Free]

I suppose Genia's last game will just get the selective amnesia treatment? He was pretty awful, too.

I agree with you. However, Genia is consistently good, Burgess isn't.


RedsHappy: fucked if I know what the problem is - just not up to it under pressure?

 

[HG]

He also has the worst box kick in world rugby.

 

[Ash]

LF - it'd be interesting to see how Burgess passes and kicks in training, because as you said, under pressure it's (usually) horrible aside from the odd game.

Burgess is a great instinctive runner and solid defender, and knows how to force a turnover or two. That the inconsistency in the other areas of his game (passing, kicking) and his inconsistency from week to week can't be ironed out is so frustrating, but maybe Burgess just doesn't have what it takes to have an all round game. Maybe Burgess is really a confidence player, because somtimes when he's running well his passing game steps up a notch too (like the first England game).

 

[naza]

naza is like a broken record. So anti-Gregan but pro-Burgess.

Since when have I been anti-Gregan. I spent half my time on Silverfern defending Gregan.

Its pretty clear we have a lot of halfback critics who don't recognise the impact shit forward play has on the position.