Super Rugby Au Round 7 - Reds v Rebels @ Suncorp Stadium, 7:15pm Sat 15 Aug

[PhilClinton]

I’ve always been a fan of Koribete, but I feel like his lack of a skill set compared to some of the other guys whom I’d consider standalone wingers is starting to be exposed. He’d still be one of my first choice wingers but I think the competition is catching up for Wallabies spots.

 

[Adam84]

? Harsh on JOC (James O'Connor) for playing too deep? Which Brumby is the Wallabies 10 who he will usurp? My preferred 10 would be Deegan or To'omua though MT looks a lot better at 12.



Magnay for missing an important tackle? Not even in the running for a Wallabies spot atm.



Who else, please tell.

Its your ability to seek reasons not to give praise to a player which is notable. I'm yet to see you give real praise to any player who is in contention for the Wallabies despite this match been played at a fantastic intensity, instead you seem to focus on negatives and look for reasons to downplay the effort of players, especially those players who may challenge a Brumby.

We've just witnessed a really high quality match with fantastic intensity, lets focus on the positives of it for once.

 

[Brumby Runner]

JOC (James O'Connor) totally wasted on the wings with his current skill set - let’s not forget he’s also 30, he’s a smart and skillful player now, not overly explosive. Save the wing spots for as you say Daugunnu, Ralston, Koribete, Maddocks etc.

JOC (James O'Connor) definitely my starting 10 if I were picking the team, but I am not. I can definitely see the value with him at fullback, otherwise I’d have him on the bench rather than the wing.

I agree, JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench to cover all positions from 10 to 15.

I'm not really sold on either JOC (James O'Connor) or MT at 10 as they are both stopgaps at best. Neither is a specialist 10 so right now I'd have Deegan and Harrison as the 10s with MT at 12 and JOC (James O'Connor) in 23.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Tupou for one

I really don't mean to be critical of Tupou, and the only post I recall that mentioned him was a response to a criticism of Faumasili saying that he didn't get on top of a rookie opponent,. I merely pointed out that TT didn't dominate his opposite as well. The scrum battle was very competitive overall. TT's work in defense was immense and if he doesn't get the starting THP spot immediately for the Wallabies it will be his in time. Btw, remind me exactly where I mentioned AAA in the comments.

 

[Derpus]

I agree, JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench to cover all positions from 10 to 15.

I'm not really sold on either JOC (James O'Connor) or MT at 10 as they are both stopgaps at best. Neither is a specialist 10 so right now I'd have Deegan and Harrison as the 10s with MT at 12 and JOC (James O'Connor) in 23.

Id have Harrison just for the goals. Could be really good with JOC (James O'Connor) or To'omua outside him.

 

[dru]

Id have Harrison just for the goals. Could be really good with JOC (James O'Connor) or To'omua outside him.

JOC (James O'Connor) as WB 10 for me. Whichever youngster wins the battle they go to 22 and get game time.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Its your ability to seek reasons not to give praise to a player which is notable. I'm yet to see you give real praise to any player who is in contention for the Wallabies despite this match been played at a fantastic intensity, instead you seem to focus on negatives and look for reasons to downplay the effort of players, especially those players who may challenge a Brumby.

We've just witnessed a really high quality match with fantastic intensity, lets focus on the positives of it for once.

BS Adam. Both games yesterday were exciting events with play going from end to end (save for the period the Rebels were pressing on the Reds line) but for different reasons. The NZ game saw dropped ball early in almost all phases and both teams counter attacked from mistakes of the other. Reds and Rebels on the other hand tended to kick the ball away early in most of the phases. In my opinion, the local game had more skill on show than the NZ game but neither was really high quality.

Can't be bothered with the rest of your issues.

 

[liquor box]

He wasn't great, but he was also clearly marked as the Rebels main go forward player.

I'd still have him at 8 because Wilson isn't clearly ahead and test level might be rushing him. Dempsey is the front runner at 6 if he keeps his form. I'd stick Valetini on the bench.

This match up was built up as a chance to prove yourself under pressure. Wilson came out on top

 

[Forcefield]

Stand by my point. Wilson isn't clearly ahead. Naisarani had an off night amongst many in his team. Wilson was okay where the whole team stood up. Would it be fair to judge Wilson solely on last week?

 

[Adam84]

In my opinion, the local game had more skill on show than the NZ game but neither was really high quality.



Can't be bothered with the rest of your issues.

disagree..

 

[liquor box]

Stand by my point. Wilson isn't clearly ahead. Naisarani had an off night amongst many in his team. Wilson was okay where the whole team stood up. Would it be fair to judge Wilson solely on last week?

no it wouldn't, I would probably pick Naisarani to start in the first test and Wilson on the bench then make a decision for further test matches.

I would imagine that a new coach who has no loyalties may look at head to head battle for most positions for the Wallabies and this is what I love about SuperAU, every game is important to every player and it is a chance to prove you are worthy and can handle the pressure.

 

[Hawko]

Thankfully, selection for the Wallabies isn't based one one performance. All the games will figure in the outcome. FWIW I thought Naisirani had a slightly-off game this week, but the week before he was absolutely immense against the star-studded Brumby pack. This week Wilson went well but last week he was very poor. Over the season so far, Naisirani is miles in front. Wilson is up against Samu, Dempsey and a few others for a squad role and probably just has his nose in front, but his early season work was better than the last few weeks, as you'd expect from someone so young. The week-on-week pressure takes its toll on young guys, that's the benefit experience brings. He's looking good for the future though.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Thankfully, selection for the Wallabies isn't based one one performance. All the games will figure in the outcome. FWIW I thought Naisirani had a slightly-off game this week, but the week before he was absolutely immense against the star-studded Brumby pack. This week Wilson went well but last week he was very poor. Over the season so far, Naisirani is miles in front. Wilson is up against Samu, Dempsey and a few others for a squad role and probably just has his nose in front, but his early season work was better than the last few weeks, as you'd expect from someone so young. The week-on-week pressure takes its toll on young guys, that's the benefit experience brings. He's looking good for the future though.

Samu over Dempsey any day for me - if Wilson needs more development.

Fraser's game smarts are already so elite, but he is at least one year away physically.

Once he improves his collision work, he is going to be special. It would be killing him that Harry is in front of him, and I really like that they came as combo.

Don't write Liam off at 6 either, which is his best position.

 

[A mutterer]

Not hard when MT wasn't playing 10. OTOH, Matty had JOC (James O'Connor)'s number in the 12 spot, hands down.

Actually, JOC (James O'Connor) still isn't much chop at 10. Plays way too deep, and kicks too often. He looks best when he is running the ball back from the fullback position.

it would be apples and oranges if he wasnt playing 1st receiver but looked like he was a few times (admittedly after some pinot noirs).

its either JOC (James O'Connor) or 2 of the youngesters which tbh i really would back regardless of results. throw in the brumbs or tahs 10s and id be happy.

 

[Slim 293]

Thankfully, selection for the Wallabies isn't based one one performance. All the games will figure in the outcome. FWIW I thought Naisirani had a slightly-off game this week, but the week before he was absolutely immense against the star-studded Brumby pack. This week Wilson went well but last week he was very poor. Over the season so far, Naisirani is miles in front. Wilson is up against Samu, Dempsey and a few others for a squad role and probably just has his nose in front, but his early season work was better than the last few weeks, as you'd expect from someone so young. The week-on-week pressure takes its toll on young guys, that's the benefit experience brings. He's looking good for the future though.

Wilson has had a couple of quiet weeks..........

Naisarani wasn't at his best, but still had some good touches......... overall has been the standout 8 all year.

Samu has been a bit inconsistent post-Covid break, and Dempsey has had a resurgence the past fortnight.

Now we're getting into the meaty end of the season we should see the pretenders drop off.

 

[Forcefield]

Great, isn't it, to suddenly be a bit spoilt for choice for 8s. Shame it can't be the same for 2, lock or 13.

 

[KevinO]

Congratulations Reds, amazing defensive effort.

Always felt like if the Rebels got across the line once (and got the ball down), they would unlock the flood gates but the Reds managed to keep them out. I don't think Meakes was actually that poor when he came on like a lot of people have said. I think the Rebels really miss English at 13, so underrated in the way he manages to break the line and create space.

Orr keeps impressing me, Rebels need to work out there 6 and 7, front 5 is doing a good job but flankers are lacking right now. What I would give to have McMahon, Colby or Jordy in that back row right now.

Rebels penalty choices has me stumped, think in the team meetings after this week they need to decide on kicking 3 points every time they get a penalty in there own half. Reds gave away so many penalties in there 22 and the Rebels managed to place no scoreboard pressure on them at all. Didn't help that the first yellow took 30 minutes to come in the second half, was at least 3 that could have come earlier.

 

[Braveheart81]

An incredible defensive effort by the Reds but WTF were the Rebels doing? What a rudderless performance in the second half.

For much of the second half they could have been potting easy penalty goals and closing the gap. Instead they kicked for the corner, then switched to taking a scrum when the next maul penalty would have probably been a card.

The lack of patience with the pick and goes to try and reach over the top to place the ball down was dumb. Trying to go over the defence was never a likely scoring opportunity but with the law change you don't get a 5m scrum. You have to stay low and burrow under the defender. Harry Johnson-Holmes' try against the Force was a good example of what to do.

 

[qwerty51]

It's good to see defensive teams learn what to do with the new laws. I've always said that when the siren has gone and you're defending 5m on your line up by less than 6 you should risk taking the ball carrier over the line as long as you wrap your body underneath them to force a held up given the disgraceful rule of ending a game on that.

I know why they're doing the drop out thing, stop scrums and pick n drives but why so should the attacking side get penalised so heavily for going over the line. It should be a 10m free kick that can't be turned into a scrum.

 

[Rebels3]

Congratulations Reds, amazing defensive effort.

Always felt like if the Rebels got across the line once (and got the ball down), they would unlock the flood gates but the Reds managed to keep them out. I don't think Meakes was actually that poor when he came on like a lot of people have said. I think the Rebels really miss English at 13, so underrated in the way he manages to break the line and create space.

Orr keeps impressing me, Rebels need to work out there 6 and 7, front 5 is doing a good job but flankers are lacking right now. What I would give to have McMahon, Colby or Jordy in that back row right now.

Rebels penalty choices has me stumped, think in the team meetings after this week they need to decide on kicking 3 points every time they get a penalty in there own half. Reds gave away so many penalties in there 22 and the Rebels managed to place no scoreboard pressure on them at all. Didn't help that the first yellow took 30 minutes to come in the second half, was at least 3 that could have come earlier.

I thought the backrow was solid. Kemeny is probably the silent achiever of the competition and Wilkin did all he had to in a game where his influence was greatly mitigated because the rebels had so much ball. We retained ball very well and the pack did get a fair bit of gain line success. I actually thought the 10/12 channel was pretty ordinary. You’re so right about taking the 3s, you kick over 2 pens and suddenly it’s a one score match that completely changes the dynamic of the match. Let’s just hope they learn. If they win both matches that will put them either top or 2nd overall. Lose one and they are gone