aussie1st
Alfred Walker (16)
If Ioane is fit and Mitchell likewise then I'll have both as our starting wingers. Isn't the need for JOC (James O'Connor) without his goal kicking and he is the ideal bench player if we are going for the 5/2 split.
RWC Wallabies v USA - 23 September
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If Ioane is fit and Mitchell likewise then I'll have both as our starting wingers. Isn't the need for JOC (James O'Connor) without his goal kicking and he is the ideal bench player if we are going for the 5/2 split.
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
I missed the game last night - had to go out. Just watching it now.
I don't really understand the value in experimenting so much with the backline. I know there were injuries, but before the injuries unfolded, what were the coaching staff looking for? How can we be at this point and still undecided whether McCabe is the right option, whether AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a wing or a centre, whether Ant is inside or outside. So many things still seem up in the air. If there's a good thing about the injuries, it closes down options and makes the 1st XV a bit more predictable and stable.
Last point - play him at wing, openside flanker, wherever, but Barnes has to play in order to kick goals. He's a mile ahead of anyone else.
I don't really understand the value in experimenting so much with the backline. I know there were injuries, but before the injuries unfolded, what were the coaching staff looking for? How can we be at this point and still undecided whether McCabe is the right option, whether AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a wing or a centre, whether Ant is inside or outside. So many things still seem up in the air. If there's a good thing about the injuries, it closes down options and makes the 1st XV a bit more predictable and stable.
Last point - play him at wing, openside flanker, wherever, but Barnes has to play in order to kick goals. He's a mile ahead of anyone else.
T
tranquility
Guest
Beau Boe Beau Bo Bow Joe Beau
Athilnaur
Arch Winning (36)
I have posted elsewhere that I don't think they were undecided Scarf. They were always going to give the bench a run in the last two games. It was the pundits here who didn't agree with the incumbents that saw all the discussion. All about the backs and all on the basis of a forwards loss.
Academic now. Deans and co have some serious decision making and a couple of phone calls to make.
Academic now. Deans and co have some serious decision making and a couple of phone calls to make.
B
Blackjack
Guest
I was just watching the post match interview and i could help but wonder, is Deans incredibly shy or thick? His comments aren't particularly insightful despite him mulling over his answers for an age. Completely standard questions catch him off guard. He's worse than a mungo..
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Quick thoughts after watching the replay:
Barnes at flyhalf looked good. I know some people see him as an inside centre, but I think after that performance we have to seriously consider him for flyhalf.
Slick passing. Good kicking. He can tackle. No brainfarts.
Some people are saying Horne played well but I didn't see any improvement from McCabe. His passing wasn't that great, got smashed when he tried to hit it up, and his main highlight was being gifted a break from Palu who did play well in his first starting match back.
Moore was solid on his return.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) craves space.
Still have concerns about our forwards. Weren't too convincing.
Sharpe has to be back in our best 22.
Barnes at flyhalf looked good. I know some people see him as an inside centre, but I think after that performance we have to seriously consider him for flyhalf.
Slick passing. Good kicking. He can tackle. No brainfarts.
Some people are saying Horne played well but I didn't see any improvement from McCabe. His passing wasn't that great, got smashed when he tried to hit it up, and his main highlight was being gifted a break from Palu who did play well in his first starting match back.
Moore was solid on his return.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) craves space.
Still have concerns about our forwards. Weren't too convincing.
Sharpe has to be back in our best 22.
Victorian Reds Fan
Bob Loudon (25)
Most defintely agree with Sharpe in the 22. He was immense. Was so good at the re-starts. Disagree about Barnes at 10. Would retain Cooper at 10 and Barnes at 12.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Has he popped it before...I've got a feeling he might have.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
For once, all three backrowers were on the scrum and pushing. That must have been a team plan and a very welcome one at that after the Ireland second-shove debacle. Knowing that this was the team plan Schmoo should have let his man go and covered the blind. He's quick enough to get across in cover if they go open side providing he's ready.
AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
A mate of mine had a sublaxed shoulder injury, she described it to me as the shoulder coming out but then going back in rather than staying out & having to be put back in, it stretches the ligaments/tissue but isnt as bad as what a usual dislocation would mean. With some strapping tape on she was back out playing in a week. Hopefully its a similar situation for Horne.
aussie1st
Alfred Walker (16)
Guessing they mean from the first to the hattrick.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
Right, got confused, too many bloody injuries. Well that would be good for McCabe.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Oh dear, I think I jinxed him.
vidiot
John Solomon (38)
OK, here goes.
Scrums - certainly had the measure of USA B but surprisingly little result for dominance and FFS it was USAB! As I saw it Rocky conceded the try.
Line outs - cracked me up that Sharpe appeared to call himself it seemed 95% of the time.
I said to my wife that he was polishing KPIs. At Simmons expense. Throwing better. Opposition throw not threatened enough.
Restarts- occasionally successful despite crapness. Mediocre still.
Breakdown - mediocre
Backline - more fluent and Barnes looked good but against Usa B!
All in all it was a nice hit out for the backs apart from the fact most of them are now broken. All went well esp the ' this rwc' debutants Barnes and Horne. I don't feel much happier about the pack apart from thinking that Palu TPN and Slipper will be safe bench options if fit to close out games.
Scrums - certainly had the measure of USA B but surprisingly little result for dominance and FFS it was USAB! As I saw it Rocky conceded the try.
Line outs - cracked me up that Sharpe appeared to call himself it seemed 95% of the time.
I said to my wife that he was polishing KPIs. At Simmons expense. Throwing better. Opposition throw not threatened enough.
Restarts- occasionally successful despite crapness. Mediocre still.
Breakdown - mediocre
Backline - more fluent and Barnes looked good but against Usa B!
All in all it was a nice hit out for the backs apart from the fact most of them are now broken. All went well esp the ' this rwc' debutants Barnes and Horne. I don't feel much happier about the pack apart from thinking that Palu TPN and Slipper will be safe bench options if fit to close out games.
S
saulih
Guest
Disappointed that US did not field their first string team, to really see how the top level of US rugby compares to A top tier nation. Let's hope that pulling their A players was worth it for their match against Italy.
Have had a lot of my hopes deflated after the Ireland loss, and the performance here against the US. Am beginning to develop a sense of dread for the finals.
Have had a lot of my hopes deflated after the Ireland loss, and the performance here against the US. Am beginning to develop a sense of dread for the finals.
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