RWC Wallabies v USA - 23 September

[GC]

They'll replace a back with a back due to Deans' poorly chosen forward dominated squad.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Good assessment - my comments to my wife were "it wasn't a clinical performance like South Africas against Namibia" ..... that said - they did the job. I picked them by 60+ ... so I think its a pass mark..

and your wife's reply?

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Probably because Rocky is more the complete, better 6.

Higginbotham's role is as an impact player late in the game.

he didnt look too complete when USA scored form the 5m scrum......

 

[Jnor]

I saw that mostly as Schmoos fault, the loosies all had their heads down and bums up for a change

 

[TheNextBigThing]

They'll replace a back with a back due to Deans' poorly chosen forward dominated squad.

I think he means for Palu. Deans should pick Robinson over hodgson. He gave hodgson a couple of chances to prove himself and clearly didn't impress or he would have made the initial squad. Robinson didn't get as many opportunities and should get a chance now.

Plus cards on the table, I reckon he's a better 7.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Who is Schmoos?

If you have a look at a replay Elsom's head was up but he just wasn't positioning himself for the No8 - maybe he didnt know that Mitchell had followed his winger to the openside.

 

[TheNextBigThing]

I saw that mostly as Schmoos fault, the loosies all had their heads down and bums up for a change

That's pretty tough. If you don't man mark at a 5m scrum that's asking for trouble. The yanks looked like they were going for a set move out left, if Mitchell had stayed on the blindsided there would have been an overlap. No one is 'at fault' for this. It was an excellent option by the USA.


Edit: drew Mitchell is schmoo.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

That's pretty tough. If you don't man mark at a 5m scrum that's asking for trouble. The yanks looked like they were going for a set move out left, if Mitchell had stayed on the blindsided there would have been an overlap. No one is 'at fault' for this. It was an excellent option by the USA.


Edit: drew Mitchell is schmoo.

I think Mitchell was right to follow his man but I dont agree that no one is to blame: Elsom would have been better off giving a penalty for early detachment - he wasn't pushing the envelope at all. Remember the No 8 has to travel 3 or so m forward and a couple of metres sideways to score - its rare to see the 8 score by this maneas without being handled at any level of the game. i think he was asleep.
the game was punctuated by Wallabies falling asleep.

 

[Athilnaur]

Less risk to cover the 5 and swing back asap if needed imo but I agree it was clever play. Did Schmoo warn Rocky that was the go? No matter which way you slice it, letting in tries like that is a screw up plain and simple.

 

[Athilnaur]

Re 7s, my preference is Beau, his work rate and read of play does it for me, love the bloke. Will be Hodgson though, and we sure as hell need one of them. And the devil in me says what about Waugh.

 

[TheNextBigThing]

And the devil in me says what about Waugh.

Can't make the run on team for uni this arvo in the grand final. Playing behind Jono Jenkins.

 

[teach]

Fainga'a's RWC is done and dusted. He'll miss out next week, and he won't make the 22 from then on in. May as well bring in a #7 backup whilst we have the chance.

His world cup is over. It was quite clearly a severe knock and IRB rules are clear cut.

10.1.1 A Player who has suffered concussion shall not participate in any Match
or training session for a minimum period of three weeks from the time of
injury, and may then only do so when symptom free and declared fit after
proper medical examination. Such declaration must be recorded in a
written report prepared by the person who carried out the medical
examination of the Player.

10.1.2 Subject to sub-clause 10.1.3 below, the three week period may be reduced
only if the Player is symptom free and declared fit to play after appropriate
assessment by a properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist.
Such declaration must be recorded in a written report prepared by the
properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist who carried out
the assessment of the Player.

Not preaching, or having a go at Swarley, just settling a text battle with an aussie mate who thinks he only needs to have a week off.

 

[tragic]

He'll have two weeks off (which means missing the game against Russia) and will be available for the quarters if selected.
Same as digby when he was concussed...

 

[Athilnaur]

Hmm, this was what I came up with;

http://www.irbplayerwelfare.com/?documentid=3

Which implies 1week minimum under guidance of medical practitioner. I would expect that team management are very conservative about this injury.

 

[teach]

The guy was knocked out cold. I would doubt very much that he will be playing again soon. If he is rushed back into the squad and plays in 2 weeks then I will be very surprised, and horrified.
I just cannot see how he can some out that with such a mild concussion that he will pass the neurological tests and be cleared. A brain injury is not something to mess around with. You can tape up a crook ankle but you can't strap a brain.

 

[Rev Spooner]

Horne did look good last night but we must remember that this was almost a USA B team. What worried me more than anything was our body height and lack of accuracy at the breakdown and our very poor restarts.

... and can someone tell me what McCalman is doing anywhere near this Wallaby side?

 

[Athilnaur]

... and can someone tell me what McCalman is doing anywhere near this Wallaby side?

Last week maybe, this week? I think Higgers would have been a better bet and he seagulls! Big Q now surely has to be Hodgson or Beau? I can see Hodgson is more likely but to my eye Beau is the better big game player, big big heart. And for the same reason Waugh surely has to be a consideration given the late call. Huge heart and lots of experience at the highest level.

 

[jollyswagman]

Beau brings the mongrel that we need.

 

[Swarley]

His world cup is over. It was quite clearly a severe knock and IRB rules are clear cut.

Not preaching, or having a go at Swarley, just settling a text battle with an aussie mate who thinks he only needs to have a week off.

I knew he was going to be out longer than a week (concussion's usually 3-4 from my experience), but I was just saying that even if he was fit he wouldn't make the 22 in the finals so we may as well bring across #7 cover we so desperately need. Sorry I didn't clarify that.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

7's cover for Ant.
Agree, based on recent performances he was on the outs anyways and probably won't be starting again, bar more injuries.

For horne, you've got to bring in Centre cover. Turner won't do and preferrably someone with 13 experience. at the moment you've j ust got AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Digby if Ant and Horne are out. Mccabe too i suppose but his shoulder must be a bit worrying. once they pop they don't stop!