Round 5: Rebels v Waratahs, Friday the 24th of March AAMI Park @7:40
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Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Against the Rebels, and against the average provincial team? 3 is more than enough.
Against a Kiwi team, I wouldn't be happy going in without a 4th option not jumping at 2, because most of them have a lock and a backrower capable of disrupting a medium to longer throw, alongside plonking the other lock at the front.
As such, I've rarely been happy with the Rebels under McGahan as we've often gone up with only 2 real options!
Pedrolicus
Dick Tooth (41)
Anyone know if matt Lucas is injured? Second week that he hasn't featured and while Gordon has the more exciting game Lucas is as pure a scrum half as there is in Australian rugby.
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Skelton is that 4th option
I don't think he is fast enough to play 8.
He's receiving more lineout balls than he used to and I think it is pretty clear now that the Tahs lineout in all facets is better with him in it than not. Whether he is there as a catcher at 2, a lifter or particularly as the crux of the maul defence, the Tahs lineout is performing better when he's there.
Our lineout was abysmal in South Africa when he was out injured.
Twoilms
Trevor Allan (34)
Is that just because we only have two senior locks, though?
I mean to say, wouldn't any other starting lock from any of the other super franchises be better?
Some would be sure. I don't think most or all would be better than Skelton though.
Mumm is playing the LH lock role and that is where there are plenty of options around the country. I don't think there are many good ones on the TH side.
Coleman is clearly the best, Arnold is playing pretty well and Rodda is showing plenty of promise. Douglas isn't in form and is struggling.
Skelton was poor last week but was our best player in round 1. I think this will be a good season for him. He's transitioning to an all round lock quite reasonably I think.
M
Moono75
Guest
Big game for last position in the OZ Conference.......who will take it out??
Ballboy
Chris McKivat (8)
Tahs have taken a bit of a kicking off the field as usual when they do not perform , expect them to come out swinging this evening . If they get away we will struggle to catch them , if we get in front hopefully some of the signs we have seen will kick in and put them to the sword .
One thing dont kick for goal from 30-40 meters out from their line , especially against big packs , need to keep pressure on and make them work. Threw away 9 points against Chiefs with low percentage kicks ,, let our pack rip into them near their line , usually at least get a penalty closer to posts . A lot on the line tonight.
One thing dont kick for goal from 30-40 meters out from their line , especially against big packs , need to keep pressure on and make them work. Threw away 9 points against Chiefs with low percentage kicks ,, let our pack rip into them near their line , usually at least get a penalty closer to posts . A lot on the line tonight.
KevinO
Geoff Shaw (53)
I thought they were quite kickable, Hodge just had a bad day with the boot. Had the distance well covered, even missed one from pretty much straight in front.
I don't think the opposition breaths a sigh of relief when you bang over a penalty from 40 or 50 out.
Those three points add up.
I think all those missed shots at goal last week were very kickable and taking the shot was the right thing to do. You've just got to start converting those opportunities. They were all fairly straight.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Im expecting a highly creative post match from one or other of these teams: 5% chance of rain so, unless Kafe gives us the horseshit about just the wrong amount of humidity, there will be no excuses based on the weather.
Havent checked in to see what compound the F1 mob are using - maybe he could give us a heads up on that.
This game is what you call a race to the bottom.
Havent checked in to see what compound the F1 mob are using - maybe he could give us a heads up on that.
This game is what you call a race to the bottom.
I just hope the Tahs improve their kick off receptions and exits this week.
Whilst they have had many problems this season, the frequency with which they botch catching a kick off and getting a kick away has been excruciating to watch. So often after scoring points they end up under immense pressure because they can't secure their own ball and get a kick away.
Whilst they have had many problems this season, the frequency with which they botch catching a kick off and getting a kick away has been excruciating to watch. So often after scoring points they end up under immense pressure because they can't secure their own ball and get a kick away.
Ballboy
Chris McKivat (8)
You may well be right however it has not worked for the last 6 years so perhaps it is time to try something different
When the Rebels beat the Tahs last year in Sydney, a reasonable part of that was Jack Debreczeni nailing long range penalties. I think a couple of the other Rebels wins last year were helped greatly by the same thing from him or Hodge.
Scoreboard pressure is the best kind of pressure you can create and if you can routinely kick those long kicks you should take them.
That said, the Rebels goal kicking this season has been generally terrible so unless someone is going to kick better, you probably need to stop taking those kicks.
you are not a forward are you
I was.
It's a different impact than the kick for touch and then defending inside your 22 but I think the psychological impact from the other team knocking over a penalty from around halfway shouldn't be underestimated.
I think teams feel like nothing was really happening and then all of a sudden they've given away 3 points.
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