RWC 2011 - Quarter final 3 : Springbokke v. Wallabies CLOSED

[Braveheart81]

We just have to play Barnes. Particularly as it's likely to be wet.

I don't get the sudden lack of faith in his defence. He might not put as many rib crunching tackles on as McCabe, but he is a very good defender. I also think his ball running is better. He uses footwork at the line and will most often make the gain line and allow his forwards to drive over. McCabe has a habit of seeking out the contact and can get held up and driven back as we saw against the Irish.

Given that there is a fair chance that it will be wet, Barnes becomes even more important. From my observations, our game has completely fallen apart in the wet. The tactic of skipping out our centres and having Cooper pass a cut out to Beale coming into the line is completely shut down when it rains. We need a game plan that involves a backline that can put it through the hands from 10-15. We don't get that when we play McCabe and Fainga'a.

I think the other major advantage of playing Barnes is that he can play first receiver and let Cooper roam a bit wider as we saw against Russia. Barnes can be relied on to play the tactical kicking game that Cooper sometimes forgets about.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Actually think you might have a reasonable solution to QC (Quade Cooper) behaving like a surrender monkey. Beale is standout FB in RWC so far. Miss out as many players as you can and give it to Beale with 3mm of space

 

[hedgo]

We just have to play Barnes. Particularly as it's likely to be wet.

I don't get the sudden lack of faith in his defence. He might not put as many rib crunching tackles on as McCabe, but he is a very good defender. I also think his ball running is better. He uses footwork at the line and will most often make the gain line and allow his forwards to drive over. McCabe has a habit of seeking out the contact and can get held up and driven back as we saw against the Irish.

Given that there is a fair chance that it will be wet, Barnes becomes even more important. From my observations, our game has completely fallen apart in the wet. The tactic of skipping out our centres and having Cooper pass a cut out to Beale coming into the line is completely shut down when it rains. We need a game plan that involves a backline that can put it through the hands from 10-15. We don't get that when we play McCabe and Fainga'a.


yes fucking yes. this is so blindingly obvious it fucking astounds me that deans can't see it. mccabe who tries very hard is by comparison completely one-dimensional

I think the other major advantage of playing Barnes is that he can play first receiver and let Cooper roam a bit wider as we saw against Russia. Barnes can be relied on to play the tactical kicking game that Cooper sometimes forgets about.

 

[hedgo]

sorry, meant to add my rant at the end of the quote from braveheart but buggered it up somehow. let me repeat it - barnes, barnes, barnes, barnes.............

 

[Bowside]

Fucking bryce. I would rather a saffa ref this game than bryce.

 

[#1 Tah]

More worried about your back row having to cover QC (Quade Cooper)'s lack of ability in tackling. wilkinson, Carter, Priestland and Wellies all get through heaps of defensive work.

Thats why Barnes needs to play and defend in the 10 channel.

Also, on Bryce: We managed to beat the boks, at home, against their full strength team, even with reffing like this...

[video=youtube;AzG3KxNc6w4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzG3KxNc6w4[/video]

 

[Mr Doug]

Speaking of Barnes...could someone with Robbie's mobile number please send him a txt msg and ask him to order all of BB's team mates to desist from patting him on the head when he scores, finds touch, etc?!!! I can't believe that the guys keep doing that!

 

[#1 Tah]

Speaking of Barnes...could someone with Robbie's mobile number please send him a txt msg and ask him to order all of BB's team mates to desist from patting him on the head when he scores, finds touch, etc?!!! I can't believe that the guys keep doing that!

I know, I freaked that they would knock him out when they did that while he was playing for Uni, but I had a chat with his partner Bec, apparently he meditates twice a day and cleared up some neck and shoulder injuries, as well as getting his confidence back, and he is fine now.

On the other hand, I almost had an emotional breakdown when Drew Mitchell had to go off injured.

 

[Groucho]

yes fucking yes. this is so blindingly obvious it fucking astounds me that deans can't see it.

That's a bit harsh on Deans. Barnes has just become available. Deans hasn't yet even had the option of choosing him over McCabe.

 

[Nusadan]

Could a moderator correct the spelling in the thread name please?

Geez, six pages of posts and no one notices it...

PB, you're excused for this misspelling for obvious reasons...

 

[reman]

Wallabies are just favourites with the bookies, with a ginourmous 1.5 point start.

 

[hedgo]

am really stuffing this quote thing up. just wanted to say fair call groucho - just a bit worked up about what looks pretty clear to me. will pull it back until team announced. if deans picks mccabe then I'll have more to say

 

[Richo]

That's a bit harsh on Deans. Barnes has just become available. Deans hasn't yet even had the option of choosing him over McCabe.

Barnes has been available for selection for the entire Cup to date, as the run of games for Uni and his appearance for the Barbarians attests. He also played off the bench against the USA after Horne was chosen to start ahead of him. Rightly or wrongly, Deans has chosen not to select him.

 

[vidiot]

I don't mean to come across as a wet blanket, but Barnes is not the messiah. He's a very good player, granted.

I think his tackling is technically great and he makes good defensive reads. He runs good lines, holds the ball in both hands and passes well - I can't understand how we keep playing with a 12 who is always the end of a backline move rather than the start of it.

And Barnes kicks well. But unless I am dementing early I recall plenty of occasions over the last 2 years where his kicking has been injudicious and much criticised as such on this forum.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Think it strange that you are praying for salvation via such a defensive minded player just to cover QC (Quade Cooper) defensive deficiences. Seemed to me before the RWC you had crap forwards (apart from Pocock) and killer attacking backs. Has loss to really Ireland changed so much or is this 'cos so many injuries?

 

[No4918]

I don't mean to come across as a wet blanket, but Barnes is not the messiah. He's a very good player, granted.

I think his tackling is technically great and he makes good defensive reads. He runs good lines, holds the ball in both hands and passes well - I can't understand how we keep playing with a 12 who is always the end of a backline move rather than the start of it.

And Barnes kicks well. But unless I am dementing early I recall plenty of occasions over the last 2 years where his kicking has been injudicious and much criticised as such on this forum.

And then we saw the other options :fishingiYour right he is not the messiah, he is definitely the best we have though.

 

[hedgo]

let me be clear i don't think barnes is the messiah. he simply is clearly the right person to be picked alongside quade. as i said much earlier this is all pointless if we don't bring something upfront

 

[Roundawhile]

I think the Wobs are going to have a fantastic game, one where it all comes together at last. Don't know if they can do it two games in a row (let alone three) but I think this will be one we can be proud of.

A little bit of optimism for a change........

 

[Cardiffblue]

well, if he does play Barnes he should do it with a view to cutting the springboks to ribbons through the backs (like in the vid. above). we did it to 70mins but in te end we bottled it whereas you lot can hold your nerve. Don't revert back to one out crash ball.

 

[gel]

I think it will be a tough ask for a wallabies win...

3 words: Bryce Lawrence.