Alex
Jimmy Flynn (14)
JOC (James O'Connor) should have done a lot of things - and shouldn't have done a lot of others.
RWC 2015 Semi Final 2 - Australia v Argentina Twickenham, Monday 19 October, 2:45 AEDT
- Thread starter Lindommer
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Dewald Nel
Cyril Towers (30)
Marcelo
Ken Catchpole (46)
Argentina isn't an unbeatable team. They struggled in the first half against an Irish team reduced by injuries.
The Irishmen played without 5 starters like Sexton (their kicker and best player) O'Connell (their captain) the starter backrow (O'Mahony and O'Brien) and Jarryd Payne (Their best centre).
Is like a Wallabies side without the best player (Pocock), without the captain (Moore), without 2 flankers (Hooper and Fardy) and without the most dangerous back (Folau or Kuridrani) and they had struggled to contain in the first half, playing their most important game of the tournament like our game vs England in Twickenham.
They played the most important game of the tournament. They knew it looooooong time ago that they had an easy pool and the game against Ireland or France in Quarters would be the most important for them.
In contrast, Australia had the easier Quarters. Everyone took Australia as an easy winner over the weak Scotland, the bookies gave no chance to the Scots so the players played decentralized and relaxed. Thinking more in the semi-final before to beat William Wallace. Big mistake
And I'm sure the lads aren't going to make the same mistake 2 times in a row. They will play hard as they did against the Pommies and the defence will be tough as Wales game. The Argies will have problems with the Aussies
The Irishmen played without 5 starters like Sexton (their kicker and best player) O'Connell (their captain) the starter backrow (O'Mahony and O'Brien) and Jarryd Payne (Their best centre).
Is like a Wallabies side without the best player (Pocock), without the captain (Moore), without 2 flankers (Hooper and Fardy) and without the most dangerous back (Folau or Kuridrani) and they had struggled to contain in the first half, playing their most important game of the tournament like our game vs England in Twickenham.
They played the most important game of the tournament. They knew it looooooong time ago that they had an easy pool and the game against Ireland or France in Quarters would be the most important for them.
In contrast, Australia had the easier Quarters. Everyone took Australia as an easy winner over the weak Scotland, the bookies gave no chance to the Scots so the players played decentralized and relaxed. Thinking more in the semi-final before to beat William Wallace. Big mistake
And I'm sure the lads aren't going to make the same mistake 2 times in a row. They will play hard as they did against the Pommies and the defence will be tough as Wales game. The Argies will have problems with the Aussies
T
TOCC
Guest
It's a shame the Wallabies have lost Sio, i would like to say that they don't lose much in the scrummaging department by swapping Sio with Slipper but the reality is Sio is a better scrummager. The scum battle will no doubt be a ferocious one.
Hell West & Crooked
Alex Ross (28)
Marcelo
Ken Catchpole (46)
So we are in different threads. I'm reading some fearful by the formidable Argie team.
Hell West & Crooked
Alex Ross (28)
Bairdy
Peter Fenwicke (45)
People are underestimating the Argies' chances. Citing the RC game earlier is not that great of an indicator given they played a new centre pairing and Camacho.
Even then, you have to remember that it was relatively even for 50-60 minutes and the last 5-10 minutes flattered us.
Their attack is a lot more potent as evidenced by their RWC form. Hernandez and Bosch in the midfield will bolster their defence and bring composure to an otherwise dynamic backline.
Saying they will be emotionally spent after the Irish win is a little patronising as well.
I might have to put a fiver on Los Pumas @3.5 as assurance.
Even then, you have to remember that it was relatively even for 50-60 minutes and the last 5-10 minutes flattered us.
Their attack is a lot more potent as evidenced by their RWC form. Hernandez and Bosch in the midfield will bolster their defence and bring composure to an otherwise dynamic backline.
Saying they will be emotionally spent after the Irish win is a little patronising as well.
I might have to put a fiver on Los Pumas @3.5 as assurance.
Relance
Herbert Moran (7)
Not emotionally spent, but still feeling the psychological aftereffects of that euphoric win.
Yes, they played superbly:
Provided Australia defends aggressively, using its shooters to good effect, the Argies might struggle to cross the advantage line. They might also want to commit a couple more players to the ruck early, for obvious reasons. That will in turn seriously affect the shape of their attack and their ability to use width.
While I think they could pose Australia all sorts of problems if they play down the field with quick pick n go as they did against NZ successfully in the first half, I don't believe that's what they'll be aiming for. They will be confident in their ability to replicate the stellar moves from last week.
But the Pooper will be in their way.
Yes, they played superbly:
- What stroke me was their attitudes before and in contact: protecting the ball, targeting the weak shoulder, accelerating right before impact. This allowed them to make those crucial yards over the advantage line every single time. Good technique and good reading of the game.
- Together with the urgency and accuracy of their big boppers, it ensured that ruck cleaning was effective, i.e. that they kept possession and did not consume too many players at the expense of the next phase.
- They took full advantage of that quick and clean ball by using the width and depth of the field with various clever patterns (one of their playmakers always involved). There were some pretty slick skills on display, too.
Provided Australia defends aggressively, using its shooters to good effect, the Argies might struggle to cross the advantage line. They might also want to commit a couple more players to the ruck early, for obvious reasons. That will in turn seriously affect the shape of their attack and their ability to use width.
While I think they could pose Australia all sorts of problems if they play down the field with quick pick n go as they did against NZ successfully in the first half, I don't believe that's what they'll be aiming for. They will be confident in their ability to replicate the stellar moves from last week.
But the Pooper will be in their way.
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
So, the injury front. You can all stop pissing your pants like a bunch of frightened kindergarten kids, for starters.
Its all a fucking trick, don't you get it?
Last week, Cheik was bullish ("confident") about the chances of Folau and Pocock making it. Never a hint that they wouldn't, until the team was named. We were all hoping but slightly pessimistic.
This week, again he said "more likely than not to play" after the Scots game.
THEN he smokescreens the fuck out of the watching media by sticking Poey on a bike and telling Izzy to start limping after a few minutes then piss off to the sheds.
Just for good measure, he's asked Swoop to have a run with the injured boys, to make it look like it isn't the biggest pisstake in the history of Rugby.
This is the bloke who "didn't know" there were bonus points. Like fuck!
Now, he's probably aware that Hourcade and the Pumas don't give dos mierdas what he does with team selection, but he doesn't care either, because its just a way to drum up some media and a bit of panic, change the betting odds slightly, and have a good laugh at all of us.
When the team is announced and Poey and Izzy are front and centre, everyone in gold will be laughing their arses off.
Artist's rendition of said laughing arses off.
^^^^^^ This bloke. How fucking good?
Teh Other Dave
Alan Cameron (40)
Perhaps, but I'd hardly go calling Slipper a shithouse scrummager, either.
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
Bosch is like their Conrad Smith, he'd always start when fit.
Plus, his ability to kick goals from over 50 is a pretty big plus in a knockout game.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Alcopop beer, but guess what, they serve it here as well. And another thing which I'm sure you know - it ain't from NSW!
Try our Newstead Brewery beers if you can find some (or go there next time you are in Brisbane - I'll even shout you one!)
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
Fingers crossed that the risk of playing Folau and Pocock pays off and that they'll still be right to play in the final should we make it.
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