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

[John S]

Laying in the ruck slowing down ball has always been a penalty but if you don't play to the ref or appeal to him then you deserve what you get.

True that

 

[Slim 293]

I thought our lineout was average and our mauling poor without Skelton. I thought without Skelton we would be using our lineout as a weapon against Ireland but we just let them have their ball, was this a game plan to not compete? Seemed like it to me.

I thought part of the problem was they were using Wilson at 2 defensively all match to compete with their throw, and while he's a solid jumper on our own ball he's hardly the player to be putting pressure on the opposition throw when you have Frost, Williams and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the team.

 

[stillmissit]

I thought part of the problem was they were using Wilson at 2 defensively all match to compete with their throw, and while he's a solid jumper on our own ball he's hardly the player to be putting pressure on the opposition throw when you have Frost, Williams and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the team.

Slim I didn't notice him going up at all but certainly, we did not compete on their lineout.

 

[Slim 293]

Slim I didn't notice him going up at all but certainly, we did not compete on their lineout.

I noticed that he was being thrown up a lot to compete on their lineout, but it's possible (I'd have to rewatch it) if it was a tactic to prevent them throwing longer by having Williams and Frost further back.

 

[stillmissit]

I noticed that he was being thrown up a lot to compete on their lineout, but it's possible (I'd have to rewatch it) if it was a tactic to prevent them throwing longer by having Williams and Frost further back.

Could've been but never saw 'a lot' but we didn't compete in the middle to back of lineout anyway.

The stats of this game will be very interesting as it was so one sided everywhere except on the scoreboard.

 

[Pfitzy]

The stats of this game will be very interesting as it was so one sided everywhere except on the scoreboard.

I agree.

However, I keep in mind that sides like Ireland and the Boks also run a mode where "just enough" is still a win.

 

[stillmissit]

I agree.

However, I keep in mind that sides like Ireland and the Boks also run a mode where "just enough" is still a win.

Not sure about that Phitzy, Ireland didn't strike me as a team that was hanging back at all. Not sure about the boks as only look at highlights.

 

[stillmissit]

I noticed that he was being thrown up a lot to compete on their lineout, but it's possible (I'd have to rewatch it) if it was a tactic to prevent them throwing longer by having Williams and Frost further back.

Slim Valetini seems to me to perform fine for a 2nd option jumper, wonder why we don't use him more?

 

[whitefalcon]

Slim Valetini seems to me to perform fine for a 2nd option jumper, wonder why we don't use him more?

I always thought it was because he was used as the crash baller to get us front foot ball from the lineout.

 

[Slim 293]

I always thought it was because he was used as the crash baller to get us front foot ball from the lineout.

And I'm not sure if he really possesses the dynamic vertical abilities to get up quick enough and be used more than what he is, which is just the occasional throw towards the back...

 

[Crashy]

funny how nice the press are being. Even the DV rugby acolytes. I think the nation had a glimpse of what no rugby means and didnt like it..

 

[stillmissit]

I always thought it was because he was used as the crash baller to get us front foot ball from the lineout.

That would assume he would take the ball from the lineout or the 9 which I have never seen him do. He gets it 2nd or 3rd hand and takes it up.
Still think his lineout ability is an OK/Surprise asset we have not used.

 

[stillmissit]

I agree.

However, I keep in mind that sides like Ireland and the Boks also run a mode where "just enough" is still a win.

Just a thought when we play 'just enough' the 'poor' opp run up a sizable score against us.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Huh? How is he damned if he kicks the ball better?

Fact was it was his poor kick from the mark that led to Irelands 2 try and it was his poor goal line drop out that led to Irelands 3rd try. You cant give Ireland so much ball from broken play and hope to stop them

My intention was that he's damned if he does find touch with little territory gain, and damned if he doesn't find touch. Just as it should be, and I am one who has constantly criticised his kicking for touch, often comparing him with Bernard Foley.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I thought part of the problem was they were using Wilson at 2 defensively all match to compete with their throw, and while he's a solid jumper on our own ball he's hardly the player to be putting pressure on the opposition throw when you have Frost, Williams and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the team.

I agree Slim, but it is also true that Wilson did in fact win an opposition lineout in that second jumping spot, and after that the Irish short throw was somewhat dircted their own side so much so that had it been the trajectory of a longer throw there is no doubt it would have been ruled crooked.

 

[stillmissit]

I agree Slim, but it is also true that Wilson did in fact win an opposition lineout in that second jumping spot, and after that the Irish short throw was somewhat dircted their own side so much so that had it been the trajectory of a longer throw there is no doubt it would have been ruled crooked.

I noticed that BR and a couple of times I thought it would be called not straight. Strange ref but good game.

 

[upthereds#!]

When was it Frost/Skelton? Certainly, not in the Scotland match. Frost replaced Skelton and that's when the lineout started to function and actually won a couple oagainst the Scottish throw. Are you talking about another game?

Wallabies V Wales. But Uru was on also at 6. So still 2 options yes

 

[upthereds#!]

I thought our lineout was average and our mauling poor without Skelton. I thought without Skelton we would be using our lineout as a weapon against Ireland but we just let them have their ball, was this a game plan to not compete? Seemed like it to me.

For me thats the hard thing - if we get rid of skelton to make our lineout a weapon, then yeh you are right we didn't use it. However the maul is a key lineout weapon and its better with him there (as long as we win it). So i guess the question is, how much worse is the lineout success rate with skelton VS how much worse is the subsequent platform (attack and defensive mauls) WITHOUT him.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Could've been but never saw 'a lot' but we didn't compete in the middle to back of lineout anyway.

The stats of this game will be very interesting as it was so one sided everywhere except on the scoreboard.

Game stats for lineouts.

Ireland 23 lineouts with 3 lost, 87%;

Australia 9 lineout with no losses, 100%.

Our lineout was fine and we did compete on Ireland's throw. I recall Wilson winning one at the No 2 spot and may have been more. If not, then one or two must have been won further back.

 

[Brumby Runner]

For interest, here are the scrum stats.

Ireland 7 scrums lost 2, 71%;

Australia 8 scrums lost 1, 88%.

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