RWC Wallabies v USA - 23 September

[waratahjesus]

The reselection of TPN is also very confusing, he contributed very little against the Irish but I doubt he will get longer than about 60mins with Moore on the bench.

I'm willing to give a pass to the TPN selection, he clearly deserves to be in the 22, there is no way if Moore was fit v the Irish he would have played more than 30 minutes, he needs match fitness and with Moore on the bench playing him is the right move.

 

[Crow]

Surely the only interesting selection is Horne at 12. A. Fingers has been playing 13 at a reasonable level, leaving him there and bringing on Barnes at 12 would have made more sense.
It seems to be the opportunity to give game time to those who haven't had it yet.
My biggest worry is that dropping the game against the Irish makes getting a 4 try BP almost a requirement. If Deans doesn't use the bench properly, we could miss out.

 

[waratahjesus]

A. Fingers has been playing 13 at a reasonable level, out.

I'm all for players being reasonable in most teams, but for a world cup I would prefer a world class level.

 

[RedsHappy]

I'm willing to give a pass to the TPN selection, he clearly deserves to be in the 22, there is no way if Moore was fit v the Irish he would have played more than 30 minutes, he needs match fitness and with Moore on the bench playing him is the right move.

Nothing whatsoever against TPN's high calibre as a player as he can be, but WJ what gobsmacked me on Saturday night was the impression I got from TPN's play as if, only half-joking, he'd arrived in Auckland that morning straight from a rehab bed. It appeared as though he'd had no strong, precision fitness and training work for weeks, yet he's been in a supposed full-on elite rugby training cycle for, what, 6 + weeks or so? And re his throwing, you'd assume the RWC forwards would have been working on line-out precision day in, day out for weeks. Finally, his normal superb intensity was missing as well.

No disrespect to TPN, but I really did start to wonder how competent the Wallaby programs were for bringing the multiple ex-injured RWC squad players back to the high standards of readiness for Test play they surely need. From what I know of other Wallaby specialist coaching/support areas, I do not automatically assume that this area is just world-class good.

 

[kiap]

Only thing I would do different is give Saia a run at 7 instead of McCalman. He gets time on the field, his ruck and field work is good, he's basically a 7 playing 2 who can't scrummage.

He could throw to the lineout instead of TPN too.

 

[waratahjesus]

Nothing whatsoever against TPN's high calibre as a player as he can be, but WJ what gobsmacked me on Saturday night was the impression I got from TPN's play as if, only half-joking, he'd arrived in Auckland that morning straight from a rehab bed. It appeared as though he'd had no strong, precision fitness and training work for weeks, yet he's been in a supposed full-on elite rugby training cycle for, what, 6 + weeks or so? And re his throwing, you'd assume the RWC forwards would have been working on line-out precision day in, day out for weeks. Finally, his normal superb intensity was missing as well.

No disrespect to TPN, but I really did start to wonder how competent the Wallaby programs were for bringing the multiple ex-injured RWC squad players back to the high standards of readiness for Test play they surely need. From what I know of other Wallaby specialist coaching/support areas, I do not automatically assume that this area is just world-class good.

Agree with you there. He didn't ever look like he was in the game which is very unusual for him, he at times looked completely flustered.

Thevfact Nucifora has come out and said there was nothing wrong with the scrum leads me to believe the set piece issues arent gonna be solved.the line out has been a little off but TPN didn't throw well and made it worse

 

[Richo]

Agree with you there. He didn't ever look like he was in the game which is very unusual for him, he at times looked completely flustered.

As did the rest of the pack, it must be said.

 

[waratahjesus]

True, but knowing TPN of usual, he would have tried to put on a hit or run that would lift the team, he just seemed like his fitness was non existent though

 

[Braveheart81]

I didn't think TPN was terrible for the first half hour. I'd be willing to bet that almost all his useful involvement came in that period and then he was a passenger after that.

I think another run against the USA and some more game time against Russia and he'll be perfectly useful off the bench in the quarter final.

 

[Utility Back]

That's a shame.

I would have preferred the Americans giving it their all against Australia...

No Rispuct!

 

[Utility Back]

Im happy for Taf to be in there for this game, as he looked off the pace to me against Ireland. Playing this game should help bring him back up to speed in time for the quarters.

 

[Dan54]

I can fully understand playing TPN, he needs the game time to ge4t match fitness up.

 

[Ruggo]

True, but knowing TPN of usual, he would have tried to put on a hit or run that would lift the team, he just seemed like his fitness was non existent though

How many of those players were suffering the same bug that ruled Moore out. It has to be the only logical explanation as to how so many could be right off their games at the same time. Too many players in great form had rather rapid drops in standard for it to be a coincidence. It was very bizare indeed.

 

[Braveheart81]

I hope the Wallabies have made sure they're not sharing water bottles etc.

I wonder who Patient Zero was?

 

[hobo]

I hope the Wallabies have made sure they're not sharing water bottles etc.

I wonder who Patient Zero was?

Suzie

 

[#1 Tah]

Horne at 12 & Fainga'a at 13? Robbie Deans you stupid stupid man.

 

[Bowside]

I actually like horne at 12. I wrote about how I would have tried it way back last year some time.

Will be interesting to see how it goes, he was used as a decoy runner to much in the test he played last year, and didn't really go roaming the way our wingers do, but then again maybe he wasn't supposed to. I wonder if we will see much of him at first reciever when quade is otherwise engaged or weather Beale will come into the line. Would have thought ACC might slot back into outside to give JOC (James O'Connor) a crack at winning back his starting spot/goal kicking.

Excited to see slipper, TPN and Palu have a run. Game will be won or lost at the breakdown and with pocock out the whole pack will have to step it up.

 

[DPK]

I hope Horne proves the haters wrong and has a cracker. 12 was his natural position before playing SupeRugby, wasn't it?

 

[Sully]

Wouldn't 12 be less strain on the hammies?

I think I just wrote something dumb!

 

[What2040]

Biggest surprises for me was Barnes not at 11., TPN at 2. (although method in selection to get him fit for later games), Slipper at 1. and not 3., and Horne out of position.

Will be interesting if Aust. play very very well and put a heap of points on the Yanks - makes for selection headaches over several positions in coming weeks.

Ahhhhhhh Aust by 30