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RWC: Australia v Fiji - 23 September 16:45, Millenium Stadium(24 September 1:45 AEST)

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Tex

Greg Davis (50)
how gnarly is this shot! the 2 people you really don't want above you in that situationView attachment 6941

Poey is a serious physical specimen. Is there anyone who matches him? Plenty of muscle-bound blokes (Folau for example) but not many who have the bulk, cut and granite features he does. He defines beastmode.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
Poey is a serious physical specimen. Is there anyone who matches him? Plenty of muscle-bound blokes (Folau for example) but not many who have the bulk, cut and granite features he does. He defines beastmode.

Pocock is the only one who is contractually obliged to go shirtless during the half time break.
 
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Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
I thought it was the smart choice, as it put the game beyond doubt. If Fiji had gone on to win the game, you'd be talking about how the team didn't show any respect for their opponent.



Yeah, I figured they wanted to put the game out of reach and then go for the 4 try bonus point...........
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Watched it again, thought Horne and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) were poor on attack, too many errors and not exactly our best attacking wingers.

Mitchell to come in for one and possibly Speight/Tomane the other. Need to score more tries.
 

Micheal

Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Personally, I thought Foley played well and did all that was required of him. He took the ball into contact a fair amount, but he's done that for the past two seasons at the Tahs, and I think its probably from instruction. As a playmaker, he can get over the advantage line easier than others as there's uncertainty regarding what he'll do with the ball, and then with a fast recycle, we should have Giteau reading to do the phase two play-making. Thats at least how it worked with Kurtley at the Tahs.

As I've said previously, I don't think Moore had the worlds best game. Fell over a lot, ineffective and weak in contact and lost the pill a few times. Other than that, the starting front row played well.

Simmons was industrious, as always. I thought Kane was too. People said they didn't see him much around the paddock, but I felt like I noticed him a lot. No huge hits or barnstorming runs, but just consistent effort across the park. As such, I reckon we had serviceable performances from our second row.

The Pooper - not much to mention. Long may they reign. Only thing to note was that Hooper took a fair few of the Wallabies line outs in the first half (I wasn't concentrating as much in the 2nd). So its good to see him being developed as a line out option.

Fardy didn't have his greatest game. I wonder whether he is the lock-in he used to be.

Genia had his best game in Gold for a long time, which was great to see as he has a much higher ceiling than other halfs in Australia.

Giteau was solid. He has a bit of goodwill about it. An old head. Knows what to do and when, and when he has to step up, he does (see his tackle on Nadolo and many like it in the RC). Really happy to have him in the camp.

Kuridrani was quiet, which is a shame because outside of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), we don't have many options at 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Horne were solid, Izzy was excellent as always and I thought that he played with some great confidence and assertiveness (trying new things he normally hasn't - the pilfer, an attempt at a chip and regather etc. He looked dangerous).

It was a shame to see Slipper go down, but of all the weeks that it could have happened, this was the best. Apart from that, the bench didn't make much impact, but the game had already gone to shit by then. Skelton made a few good tackles, everyone else had a few good moments and a few fuckups.

Last thing to note in this rambling stream of consciousness:

- We looked dangerous in the 1st half, in control and assertive. I liked it, but it all fell apart. We'll need to improve a great deal.
- The boys looked fit. KB (Kurtley Beale) looks lean, as do the rest of them. In the last quarter of the game, this fitness really showed when Fiji had 15+ phases in our 22 and the boys fought tooth and nail to keep them out. It was good to see.

All in all, it was scrappy and rusty, but that was a performance that excited me. Bring on Uruguay.
 

Mr Pilfer

Dave Cowper (27)
Watching the game I was expecting him to bring on To'omua and Beale as "finishers" earlier and we would run away with the game. I was annoyed that he waited so long to bring them on. But now I realise the reason must be due to the short turn around to the Uruguay game and the fact we have a whole new team needed to play up to 80 minutes.

So if we could have used our subs from 50-60 minutes like a normal game with a week break we may have finished better?
 

KOB1987

John Eales (66)
Yes, Cheika openly said that subs would be sparingly used in these opening 2 games. I won't be surprised if we go totally back to the good old days of the bench being only for injury cover for the Uruguay game, with one or two possible exceptions. Most starters will play 80 minutes.
 

Tex

Greg Davis (50)
One last thing before I migrate to the #AUSvURU thread, I don't for a second believe that Cheika has shown the merest sliver of his hand.

Slipper's concussion, a few lose passes and those three lineouts were the main blemishes in a match that was always going to be an opposed training session. Arrogant? Perhaps, but we all know the money matches are #ENGvAUS and #AUSvWAL.
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Definitely, the starters will be required to play 80 or close to it vs Uruguay. Why bother putting the A team even on the field. Nice 10 days for them to rest and up and rip into England.
 

BDA

Jim Lenehan (48)
Lots of criticism of the backs. Let's not forget that they've mostly been sitting around slipping lattes for the last month while the forwards have been training. ;)

They'll be better for the run.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
I haven't read about any injuries from the match. I hope this correct ?


Slipper got knocked out so expect him to miss the Uruguay game.

England is 10 days later (from the Fiji game) so you'd have to think there is doubt around that one too.
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Thankfully Toby Smith can slot in for him against Uruguay..........

But I'm a little concerned about Sio's possible workload having had to play the majority of the match last night, come off the bench against Uruguay and then start again against England...........
 

Dai bando

Charlie Fox (21)
I know this is a contentious point, but Japan first then Fiji, the turn around of 4-5 days is not enough for these tire 2 teams, when they have to play tire 1 sides, I hear some of you saying, Ahhh! but we have to face Uruguay in 4 days, well gentlemen that is hardly like going up against NZ then 4 days later going up against England,
Something has to be done to help every one, it must be an even playing field,
As for Australia was drinking at the time and didn't concentrate on the whole game', but I would have thought, if Fiji had had the same amount of rest it might have been the second biggest upset in sport,

Its 8am right now so will take the dogs for a walk have some breakfast then sit down and watch the game properly and get back to you all.
 
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