The Wallabies Thread

[Viking]

Ah yep. I get you. I had thought he first came onto the scene as a 13.

Yes he did. But that's the issue. He should stick at either 12 or 13 and stay there. (personally I prefer him at 12 but that's a different argument altogether).

 

[Slim 293]

Pocock is playing in Japan but getting paid to be a Wallaby - stay there if thats your attitude.

Once again......... he's not.

 

[KOB1987]

Ironically that’s one of the major reasons they are considering him, because he is a media personality he is seen as someone who can connect back with the public and media to improve the image of Australian Rugby.

Basically they want a figurehead, someone who can be a puppet for the organisation. they aren’t looking for someone to make changes at the organisation and challenge them..

I know he's part of the old boys club, but hasn't he also been publically critical of the ARU, including the way the axeing of the Force was handled, and the neglect of grassroots? I'm not looking to advocate him for the position, but perhaps his head and heart are in the right place (that's exclusive to his ability to implement any meaningful change). Who knows, maybe he could surprise us if he does get the gig.

 

[dru]

Once again... he's not.

Playing in Japan? ;-)

Mate plenty don’t understand the Pocock deal and want to claim isssues where there are none. I’d add that I’m pleased he’s in Japan. Chance to play back into some kind of form before re-joining Aus rugby.

 

[Derpus]

I know he's part of the old boys club, but hasn't he also been publically critical of the ARU, including the way the axeing of the Force was handled, and the neglect of grassroots? I'm not looking to advocate him for the position, but perhaps his head and heart are in the right place (that's exclusive to his ability to implement any meaningful change). Who knows, maybe he could surprise us if he does get the gig.

He seems a decent enough bloke and he's an amusing commentator as long as you support the same team as him. CEO seems very odd though.
I reckon the only other applications they got were from Indians on 457s.

 

[cyclopath]

The idea of sabbaticals built into (some) contracts is a good one - the Kiwis have managed key players this way for some time with good effect. Difference is, they have better depth. So, for instance, we missed Folau recently, Beale went to 15, wasn't so good etc............
It remains a principle we should continue to follow, I believe.

 

[Derpus]

The idea of sabbaticals built into (some) contracts is a good one - the Kiwis have managed key players this way for some time with good effect. Difference is, they have better depth. So, for instance, we missed Folau recently, Beale went to 15, wasn't so good etc....
It remains a principle we should continue to follow, I believe.

Also gives a deputy a chance to stick their hand up in theory. If you don't hack the team apart to clog the hole.

 

[cyclopath]

He seems a decent enough bloke and he's an amusing commentator as long as you support the same team as him. CEO seems very odd though.
I reckon the only other applications they got were from Indians on 457s.

He's not amusing, he's an asshat in the box. Roy and HG were amusing commentators. I use them as reference point.

 

[eastman]

I remember watching Tevita Kuridrani play on the wing for the University of QLD in QLD Premier Rugby back before he went to the Brumbies. For what it's worth.

What qualitites does Kerevi possess that makes him a 12 as opposed to a 13?

 

[Joe Blow]

I think this is a bit of an over-reaction. And I've heard Cheika take the blame for a loss on numerous occasions.

I don't think it is too far over the top. He sometimes says the players were not up to it or that they did not stick to the game plan or that the ref was one-sided(he has used this one quite a lot in the last 12 months). When did he come out and say "the selection(s) were off/wrong" or "the defensive system was not a good one" or "we went in with the wrong game plan". Never that I can remember but I would be happy to be proven wrong. He does not take responsibility for the poor performances. And as said, how can the most carded player in test rugby be captain of the side? Hopefully someone is or has already formulated plan B.

 

[KOB1987]

I don't think it is too far over the top. He sometimes says the players were not up to it or that they did not stick to the game plan or that the ref was one-sided(he has used this one quite a lot in the last 12 months). When did he come out and say "the selection(s) were off/wrong" or "the defensive system was not a good one" or "we went in with the wrong game plan". Never that I can remember but I would be happy to be proven wrong. He does not take responsibility for the poor performances. And as said, how can the most carded player in test rugby be captain of the side? Hopefully someone is or has already formulated plan B.

Can you name any other coach that has said those things?

 

[TOCC]

The idea of sabbaticals built into (some) contracts is a good one - the Kiwis have managed key players this way for some time with good effect. Difference is, they have better depth. So, for instance, we missed Folau recently, Beale went to 15, wasn't so good etc....
It remains a principle we should continue to follow, I believe.

Kiwis actually do it effectively, ARU chased fools gold.

Any benefit of a sabbatical is completely out weighed by the ridiculous 3 year flexi-contract he was allowed to sign with Panasonic...

4 season back to back will have him well fatigued by the 2019 RWC, the sabbatical will have been all for nothing.

 

[TOCC]

Kerevi has been shit at 12.

No he hasn’t

 

[Joe Blow]

KOB. We are not talking about any other coach. We are talking about Cheika and I was questioning Baa Baas statement that he has has seen him take responsibility on multiple occasions.

 

[Up the Guts]

I like it. Except again. Beale has no experience on the wing? You think he won't get exposed? Even DHP struggled defensively when he got shifted from fullback at the force to wing at the wallabies.

If Beale is not the best 12, then he goes to the bench. Cos he sure as hell ain't the best winger or fullback. If that means we are missing a playmaker, then I'd rather put my money on Hodge or whoever is in 12 or fullback to step up.

Yep, I generally agree Beale to the bench if he's not our best player in 12 or whatever other position he maybe looking at, whether or not that will happen in a Cheika coached team is another issue. He did play 11 very well against England in the 2015 WC when he came off the bench early so I think he could do it, I also think the defensive issue is mitigated to some extent because Folau tends to defend on the wing in defence and Beale at fullback anyhow. If he is in the team (which I think is likely as long as Cheika is the coach) then looking at him on the wing may mitigate some of the defensive issues with playing him at 12.

 

[KOB1987]

KOB. We are not talking about any other coach. We are talking about Cheika and I was questioning Baa Baas statement that he has has seen him take responsibility on multiple occasions.

Cheika after Bled 1: “Our defence wasn’t good enough at all,” Cheika said. “It’s not attitude, it’s maybe just that little bit of doubt creeps in. When something goes against you early and you have been preparing a certain way, in creeps a little bit of doubt.”. Hooper: “At 50 points down, we had to believe in ourselves,” he said. “Some guys really stood up to the challenge. But it was a new defensive system and against a quality team we struggled. We’ll be looking to rectify that.” http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...s/news-story/7ca45ceb46be7bd0017da4cf624ed2d8

 

[cyclopath]

Kiwis actually do it effectively, ARU chased fools gold.

Any benefit of a sabbatical is completely out weighed by the ridiculous 3 year flexi-contract he was allowed to sign with Panasonic.

4 season back to back will have him well fatigued by the 2019 RWC, the sabbatical will have been all for nothing.

Indeed. Hence my use of the term, "in principle".

 

[Joe Blow]

Cheika after Bled 1: “Our defence wasn’t good enough at all,” Cheika said. “It’s not attitude, it’s maybe just that little bit of doubt creeps in. When something goes against you early and you have been preparing a certain way, in creeps a little bit of doubt.”. Hooper: “At 50 points down, we had to believe in ourselves,” he said. “Some guys really stood up to the challenge. But it was a new defensive system and against a quality team we struggled. We’ll be looking to rectify that.” http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...s/news-story/7ca45ceb46be7bd0017da4cf624ed2d8

Cheika blaming the the players, not the plan itself. Anyway, we could argue this all night. I reckon it is time for a change. No doubt there has been improvement at times this season but it has been one step forward and then two back. His record over time is not good enough, plain and simple.

 

[KOB1987]

I think it's fairly normal for a coach to be pretty guarded about any specific aspects of the game until they go away and review it. He isn't going to say 'we had the wrong plan' or 'Ned shouldn't have been there' because they aren't things he believed at the time. They aren't things any other coach would say either.

Anyway, as I've said some change is required, but I'm confident it can be achieved with Cheika in charge.

 

[Up the Guts]

What qualitites does Kerevi possess that makes him a 12 as opposed to a 13?

Well I would argue he is much better defensively there and his attacking ability is certainly not impeded in anyway by his selection there.