Ireland v Wallabies - Sunday 1 Dec, 2:10 AEDT

[TSR]

Anyway - Donaldson’s not playing this test. Looking forward to seeing how the pack stands up. Interesting switch in front rows. I thought Ala'alatoa’s scrummager the best he had for a long time last week - possibly with the benefit of Salakai-Loto & Skelton in the front row, but still.

Skelton is a clear point of difference but I like the balance of this weeks pack and bench strategy is becoming increasingly important. A real opportunity for the starting locks (and Wilson I guess) to put a marker down and show they need to be starters and Skelton can do the job from the bench.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Because Donaldson had a really good year despite the revisionist history from people that didn't actually watch Force games. And he has all the raw tools required (something Noah doesn't)

Lolesio has had 30 tests and has shown no material improvement. It's completely reasonable to look at other options and think if only they had been given the countless chances he has then maybe we would have a 10 that could win a kicking duel or break the line once in a blue moon

The Wallaby coaching group obviously disagree.

 

[HogansHeros]

Yeah Lolesio needs to pursue getting JAS involved as a first option in the middle. I think it’s clear he is more of a SBW than a Folau and we’ll score more tries off him than by him. If Ireland choke Lolesio JAS will end up doing more silly stuff on D trying to impose himself.

Is he more an SBW? Or is he a Folau that thinks he is a SBW?

 

[stillmissit]

The mere fact that they are giving Edmed an opportunity off the bench should tell you that Donaldson clearly isn’t doing enough with the chances he’s getting.

Agree, I suspect Schmidt has come to the decision many of us made re Lol/Don that there is not a lot to gain from one over the other, slightly different skill sets but about the same impact.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Agree, I suspect Schmidt has come to the decision many of us made re Lol/Don that there is not a lot to gain from one over the other, slightly different skill sets but about the same impact.

And probably, one of them better able to use those skills to align with Schmidt's game plan and tactics.

Schmidt wants those short kicks in-behind

 

[Tomthumb]

I watched plenty of the Force. He did lots of good things. So did Noah with the Brumbies and Lynagh with the Reds.

I would have no problem with Schmidt giving him or others a chance. But I’ve never seen chopping and changing or have an each way bet as an overly great strategy either.

Schmidt sees this guy day in day out. I’m sure he is aware of what Donaldson’s attributes are. Aside from his first test Donaldson (playing fullback) he’s never played any better than Lolesio has at test level. And he HAS been given opportunities.

I’m not anti the guy and I’m not pro Lolesio. I just see the logic of a pick and stick strategy in this case and I don’t follow the narrative that Donaldson is unlucky. Certainly not the unluckiest guy in Australian Rugby (I’d suggest Liam Wright is well in front in that score). He’s fit and healthy and gets to show what he’s got in front of the selectors every single training session.

Fair enough, although I’d argue Corey Toole is far and away the unluckiest man in Australian rugby

I just want to see Noah show some growth. He has a lot of experience now and it’s time he started repaying the faith of the coaches. I can’t remember any player that has become such an automatic selection that has done so little

 

[stillmissit]

And probably, one of them better able to use those skills to align with Schmidt's game plan and tactics.

Schmidt wants those short kicks in-behind

Is that the only tactic against a rush D?

 

[Derpus]

Is that the only tactic against a rush D?

We primarily went around against England but didn't have the forward parity required against Scotland.

 

[MarkJ]

What’s Lolesio’s goal kicking percentage for this tour, guessing it’s in the 80-90% range? I’m sure that’s one of the major reasons he gets picked

 

[Strewthcobber]

Is that the only tactic against a rush D?

It's not even the main tactic they are using

 

[stillmissit]

We primarily went around against England but didn't have the forward parity required against Scotland.

Interesting, the forwards part of your post I understand but the running around v England was there something apart from forwards going well? It seemed that the guys had few answers to Scotland's rush D and had little time to run around them.
Question, did England give us too much time and we did the same to Scotland? Hope we close Ireland down better this weekend.

 

[stillmissit]

It's not even the main tactic they are using

What is?

 

[Jets]

We primarily went around against England but didn't have the forward parity required against Scotland.

We actually kept it close early on, negating the rush D. When the English outside back were disillusioned from the constant running we went wide and they made misreads as they all seem to want to make an impact. Really clever tactics.

I'm sure JS has a plan for the weekend. I think he was willing to lose against Scotland to implement his plan this week. I guess we'll see if that paid off.

 

[Slim 293]

Yep...

 

[Strewthcobber]

What is?

As per post above. Bulk runs from forward runners in close, and then when the outside d get tired from repeat efforts, then you use the backs

 

[Strewthcobber]

Carries v England
* Wilson 16
* Bell 14
* Valetini 13
* McReight 12

Carries v Wales
* Bell 17
* FAesler 11
* Uru 11
* Valetini 11

Carries v Scotland (couldn't get it going)
* Wilson 11
* Tizzano 9
* Skelton 7
* LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) 6
* Valetini 6

Wilson will need support from someone else in this role. Not quite sure who it is, especially starting. No Bell, no Faesler, no Skelton, no LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), no Uru. Ideally Tupou isn't doing bulk work. Can slipper still do it? or BPA?

 

[Slim 293]

Carries v Scotland (couldn't get it going)
* Wilson 11
* Tizzano 9
* Skelton 7
* LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) 6
* Valetini 6

Skelton and Valetini also both came off after 49 and 63mins respectively...

One thing I haven't been keen on is Valetini coming off for Gleeson around that time in recent tests...

The England and Wales games are two of the more recent examples of why we need him bashing up forwards for 80 mins.

 

[Jets]

Frost probably needs to work on his in close ball carrying too. He's a big body and has good footwork.

 

[cyclopath]

Skelton and Valetini also both came off after 49 and 63mins respectively...

One thing I haven't been keen on is Valetini coming off for Gleeson around that time in recent tests...

The England and Wales games are two of the more recent examples of why we need him bashing up forwards for 80 mins.

Completely agree. I think Gleeson has been OK, but certainly a step down from Valetini.
We look somewhat light for bashers in this line-up.

 

[Tomthumb]

Wilson's work rate has been ultra impressive. Will need to get Valetini more involved with ball in hand this week

While we don't have as many bashers, it's a very agile pack with guys like Williams, Frost & McReight. Ireland seem to have bulked up their midfield to protect Prendergast so should be some room on the edges if we can get some go-forward