The other thing that was very apparent in the AB vs BIL match was every kick was contested. For both teams. On multiple occasions the kicking team regathered the ball. Yet the kicks were generally longer.
I'm not sure whether that represents better kick placement, better skill and commitment from the chasers, better communication, better fitness, or all of the above.
But there was a very obvious difference from any wallaby game I've seen for a long time.
Our poor kicking and our poor chase just puts us under so much pressure, and gives the opposition multiple bites at the cherry before we finally crack.
Even if we defend our line and force a turnover we're invariably defending our line again 2 minutes later after a lineout just outside our 22.
Just out of curiosity, what would be the pecking order for 10s if we had a diabolical run of injuries a la the hookers a few years ago.
1. Foley
2. Quade
3. Kurtley
...what's after that? Harmichael possibly, or Godwin. But I shudder at the thought of both of those.
( I left Lance out because I think he's injured but he'd probably slot in at 4 if not).
EDIT: Lilo played for the Brumbies the other night in KL or Singapore didn't he? He could find himself back in the squad sooner rather than later. i.e. for the RC.
Great to see him back.
But a bone marrow transplant is a huge insult to the body.
I would be gobsmacked to see him playing at a high level before next year.
Christian really did show he has still retained all the skills to play 10 in Singapore, but I don't think it is realistic to think he'll be back for tests this year. Maybe some time off the bench for the Brumbies.
I think that oz professional rugby isn't actually very professional. That's the problem. And that's not a dig at either the coaches or the players, it is what it is. For it to be fully professional there needs to be (ideally) a professional comp, at the very least a semi pro comp, feeding into the second tier.Found it disturbing to read Moore's and Cheika's comments that players coming out of Super Rugby fitness not up to scratch.
Already quality of coaching for oz Super Rugby sides under scrutiny and to hear fitness not up to scratch for players coming into wallaby camps..
What is going on with Oz professional rugby..?
I think that oz professional rugby isn't actually very professional. That's the problem. And that's not a dig at either the coaches or the players, it is what it is. For it to be fully professional there needs to be (ideally) a professional comp, at the very least a semi pro comp, feeding into the second tier.
There has been talk for a couple of years about better communication between Super Rugby and Aus coaches. The poor fitness of players seems a relatively easy thing to communicate to the Super Rugby coaches. Has Cheika just realised this as well or failed to pass it on?
I doubt the blame game will impress the Super Rugby coaches. When it became apparent a phone call to each saying it was an area of concern might have gone down better than public comments.
Gibson's comments came on the same day Cheika said Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu needed to "work harder than anyone" and hinted he was not considered for selection due to poor fitness levels.
Some believe the comments were used as mitigation for the Wallabies' underwhelming June performances but Gibson said he had no problems with the remarks.
The topic of fitness came up at a Super Rugby conference in late May and Gibson is committed to helping the Wallabies out as much as possible by collaborating more than in the past.
"We discussed fitness and how we as a national body and state team can be far more collaborative and aligned in fitness standards and I definitely believe that discussion is heading in the right direction towards action," Gibson told Fairfax Media. "We want to provide those standards where our guys need to be for the international game. The conversation is being had so that's a good thing. The more we can address those together, we're going to have a better result."
Asked if he felt Wallabies representatives in the Waratahs squad were not as fit as they should be, Gibson replied: "It's a tough one because it's a global statement. Clearly Michael Hooper is not unfit. It's a difficult one. We need to address that on an individual basis.
Is Sefa the fastest man over 100m in any of Australia's football codes?
I cannot understand why he was not starting from the game against Fiji. His pace is unrivaled and his defense and understanding of the game are a step above our other out and out wingers.
Have the presale passwords for the Sydney bledisloe been released yet, and if so could someone share them?
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There's no doubt the multiple levels of comps in Europe, The Currie Cup and the ITM (NPC) make a big difference. Clearly, until now, club rugby and the NRC are just not near that level of competition. I really think it would need to be pro, not semi-pro. And that means every aspect - coaching, S&C and so on.
Is Sefa the fastest man over 100m in any of Australia's football codes?