RWC 2019 1/4 Final England vs Australia

[Dan54]

Really happy for Jordy.

The one head scratching selection I've never come to terms with is why does Cheika keep Taniela Tupou on the bench?

Wish he'd earned the start because he is the best scrummager and ball running prop on the planet.

Yep but what planet, he's good but hell there's no way he best prop on this planet!

 

[Derpus]

Yep but what planet, he's good but hell there's no way he best prop on this planet!

Who takes that honour I wonder.

 

[Braveheart81]

Who takes that honour I wonder.

Tadgh Furlong would be a chance.

Allan Ala'alatoa is absolutely up there. I think he's comfortably the Wallabies best and we have a good group right now.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I call Bullshit, there is no way AAA isn't the better scrummager, and his stats for ball running are way ahead. I love Thor, but impact in the second half is his go to game.

AAA a better ball carrier?

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Go Wobs

 

[Strewthcobber]

For what it's worth, rugbypass rankings have AAA as their number 2 tight head prop just behind Charlie Faumuina. Tupoa is way down the rankings, mainly due to a pretty low line out score when he's on the field.

Presumably their alogithm is accurate at recording that? Hard to square that away with my non-data driven impressions

 

[Brumby Runner]

I reckon we are very well positioned at lock for the future.

Next season we'll have Rodda, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Simmons as current Wallabies. Matt Philip as a capped Wallaby and a host of talented youngsters like Hockings, Blyth, and Swain who already have reasonable Super Rugby experience and then the next group of Frost, Wood, Hosea etc. Also the potential that someone like Will Skelton comes back and has a crack for the 2023 RWC.

We're certainly heavily reliant on Rodda next season and it will look thin on the ground if he's unavailable but from 2021 onwards I think we will have a good stable of quality locks that are also really young.

I'd also throw Fergus Lee-Warner into the mix for 2020 and beyond. Maybe lacking in Super experience atm but his form in the NRC is as good as any of Hockings, Blyth and Swain and better than the U20s personnel from this year.

 

[Slim 293]

For what it's worth, rugbypass rankings have AAA as their number 2 tight head prop just behind Charlie Faumuina. Tupoa is way down the rankings, mainly due to a pretty low line out score when he's on the field.

Presumably their alogithm is accurate at recording that? Hard to square that away with my non-data driven impressions

AAA led Super Rugby this year for the most forced penalties in the scrum, whereas Tupou was the most penalised prop (and overall player) in the comp..........

 

[Derpus]

So the bookies have an Australia upset as the most likely of the four this weekend. It's something!

 

[Finsbury Girl]

Thor has enthusiasm & ticker which is why everyone loves him.

He needed a kick up the backside at the beginning of the season but he has come home strongly since then.

Will be a phenomenon next season.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think TT is a potential game changer off the bench in this game. He's been fantastic in the loose in the games he's featured in.

 

[fatprop]

Thor has enthusiasm & ticker which is why everyone loves him.

He needed a kick up the backside at the beginning of the season but he has come home strongly since then.

Will be a phenomenon next season.

Looked like 2nd season syndrome to me

 

[molman]

Thor has enthusiasm & ticker which is why everyone loves him.

He needed a kick up the backside at the beginning of the season but he has come home strongly since then.

Will be a phenomenon next season.

Feels like he needs precision and rugby IQ more than anything. Raw potential is apparent. I wonder if he's disciplined enough behind the scenes to reach his full potential?



I always get that Ardie Savea like vibe from TT. Obviously very different players/positions, but he is one of those individuals who just has real power and presence to change a game.

 

[Penguin]

Looked like 2nd season syndrome to me

Yet it's been well documented that his head wasn't in the right space and depression was a factor. He's taken steps to talk about it and improve his mental approach. The dividends are there to see from later in the season.

 

[molman]

I'd also throw Fergus Lee-Warner into the mix for 2020 and beyond. Maybe lacking in Super experience atm but his form in the NRC is as good as any of Hockings, Blyth and Swain and better than the U20s personnel from this year.

That's a good shout. He's been playing descent for the Force, but like you said hard to say till he steps up to next level. Hocking's been a little disappointing for me with QLDC this NRC season.

 

[molman]

Yet it's been well documented that his head wasn't in the right space and depression was a factor. He's taken steps to talk about it and improve his mental approach. The dividends are there to see from later in the season.

Aspect of the game that probably needs continued focus. Some of these players are really rather young and dealing with an array of certain challenges and pressures. Just like S&C is dealt with, so too does mental S&C need to considered. I've read a bit about the various things the All Blacks did to deal more with the mental facets of the sport. Hopefully it's something the Aussie teams are equally tackling this area of the players wellbeing.

 

[Tomikin]

AAA a better ball carrier?

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????

????

Go Wobs

Maybe not a better ball carrier on single efforts but pretty sure in 2018 he had the most carries, move meters made and best average carry of all props in super rugby history. I thought it was a weird stat at the time as who measures that and he doesn't look as flashy but the guys an absolute monster to the stat board.. We all know Thor can be deadly, but hands down AAA is world class and could be argued as the best THP in the world ATM, and his just 25 he will get better.

 

[Derpus]

Maybe not a better ball carrier on single efforts but pretty sure in 2018 he had the most carries, move meters made and best average carry of all props in super rugby history. I thought it was a weird stat at the time as who measures that and he doesn't look as flashy but the guys an absolute monster to the stat board.. We all know Thor can be deadly, but hands down AAA is world class and could be argued as the best THP in the world ATM, and his just 25 he will get better.

He is a better ball carrier. Tupou clearly has the better feet and probably a bit more weight but doesn't have the timing down. Often receives the ball flat footed etc.

 

[Uh huh]

He is a better ball carrier. Tupou clearly has the better feet and probably a bit more weight but doesn't have the timing down. Often receives the ball flat footed etc.

He's got hands like feet too.

 

[Penguin]

He's got hands like feet too.

Hands like a number 10 more like.

 

[Bobby Sands]

He is a better ball carrier. Tupou clearly has the better feet and probably a bit more weight but doesn't have the timing down. Often receives the ball flat footed etc.

Tupou won Super Rugby player of the year as a first year prop, his ball carrying is literally an outlier skill.

I am sure that AAA averages more per carry, and is technically a more proficient carrier in close, but he isn't going to rip a game open through his carries. Tupou has that ability, and its insanely rare, don't think another Australian prop has ever had it to be honest.

Can't be bothered with this line of discussion, please no-one quote those.

Love AAA.

Go Wobs.