The Wallabies Thread

[RoffsChoice]

If Hunt is fit, I won't be shocked to see him at 15 just so we can keep Beale at 12.

 

[hammertimethere]

I 've thought about how you would arrange Beale and Hunt in the same side and I've settled on the conclusion that it's not particularly important what numbers they wear. Hunt defends in the front line for the most part and attacks from the back (as the second wave attacker or looking for inside balls), whereas Beale defends in the back field (because he's not a particularly dominant front on defender) but steps up into the front line on attack.

 

[Viking]

Can we please keep McMahon.. he IS the blockbuster 8 we have been looking for

 

[KOB1987]

Given it's nearly the end of 2017 I'm of the opinion this thread has run its course. I've started a new one for the spring tour http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/threads/wallabies-eoyt-2017.18070/

 

[TOCC]

With Folau not going on the EOYT it will be interesting to see what Cheika does with fullback.

The obvious options are Beale and Hunt at 12 and 15 but certainly not clear which way you play them.

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It’s easy, Cheika already shifts Beale around in defence, save himself the drama and play KB (Kurtley Beale) at fullback

15. Beale
12.K.Hunt

 

[KOB1987]

It’s easy, Cheika already shifts Beale around in defence, save himself the drama and play KB (Kurtley Beale) at fullback

15. Beale
12.K.Hunt

I know the 'defensive barn dance' is your (and BR's) personal beef but it's down to only one exchange now (Beale & Hodge). The rationale for that isn't solely about moving KB (Kurtley Beale) out of the front line in defence, he wants him in the front line in attack and up the back in defence for the counter, in both instances so he can link in with Folau. It's not a ridiculous strategy. All that said, whilst on face value it makes sense to do as you say on the spring tour, if Beale's long term future is at 12 then it's much better he stays there to nail down his roles. That leaves Khunt or Hodge to wear the 15. There's a solid argument to have Hunt as the super sub a la Beale in 2015 (once Folau returns).

 

[Inside Shoulder]

The rationale for that isn't solely about moving KB (Kurtley Beale) out of the front line in defence, he wants him in the front line in attack and up the back in defence for the counter, in both instances so he can link in with Folau. It's not a ridiculous strategy.

It is when Folau refuses to or can't organise a counter and cannot kick.

 

[Up the Guts]

Folau having a break will be good opportunity to build a bit of depth in the backline. Wouldn't mind seeing Hunt at 12 and Beale at 15 against England so we don't have to make the defensive barn dance. Early on in the tour I'd also like to see Meakes starting at 12 with either Beale or Hunt at 15 and the other coming off the bench. If he plays the house down then he'll have the opportunity to challenge Hunt or anyone else for the vacant starting position. I expect we'll also see Hodge at 15 at some point.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Love to know what the ratio of times at first receiver was as between Beale and Foley last night.
Felt like Beale was there a lot more than Foley and it made a difference when he was there. if that's right putting him to 15 would change the dynamic as to when he found himself at first receiver, but now is the time to find out.

 

[tragic]

Folau having a break will be good opportunity to build a bit of depth in the backline. Wouldn't mind seeing Hunt at 12 and Beale at 15 against England so we don't have to make the defensive barn dance. Early on in the tour I'd also like to see Meakes starting at 12 with either Beale or Hunt at 15 and the other coming off the bench. If he plays the house down then he'll have the opportunity to challenge Hunt or anyone else for the vacant starting position. I expect we'll also see Hodge at 15 at some point.

Beale hasn’t caught a high ball all season.
England will target him big time if he’s at the back.
I’d move hodge to 15 and put Speight or Naivalu on the other wing.
Minimal disruption.

 

[KOB1987]

It is when Folau refuses to or can't organise a counter and cannot kick.

Folau has his deficiencies and that's another reason to have Beale up the back with him in defence as he can do all those things you mention. However taking the high ball isn't one of those deficiencies and that's reason enough to have him off the wing. Also it takes 3 blokes to bring him down front on usually so you don't want him out on the flanks, you want him charging down the centre. He was superb last night.

 

[Up the Guts]

Beale hasn’t caught a high ball all season.
England will target him big time if he’s at the back.
I’d move hodge to 15 and put Speight or Naivalu on the other wing.
Minimal disruption.

Beale under the high ball is something to consider. I would like to see Hodge at 15 before the England test then if we're to play him there. I'd probably be more in favour of Hunt at 15 and Hodge on the wing against England though because it adds another kicking option that you don't get with Speight or Naiavalu.

 

[Up the Guts]

Folau has his deficiencies and that's another reason to have Beale up the back with him in defence as he can do all those things you mention. However taking the high ball isn't one of those deficiencies and that's reason enough to have him off the wing. Also it takes 3 blokes to bring him down front on usually so you don't want him out on the flanks, you want him charging down the centre. He was superb last night.

Folau goes to another level when he steps off his left foot. It doesn't make for as many highlights as his huge right but he usually makes 10-15m in contact even if he doesn't step the guy clean. It also fixes the little problem he was having on the left side of the field where defenders would just jockey him towards the sideline cutting down the space for the man on the outside. I would like to see him develop his left foot step further in his extended preseason.

 

[Braveheart81]

Love to know what the ratio of times at first receiver was as between Beale and Foley last night.
Felt like Beale was there a lot more than Foley and it made a difference when he was there. if that's right putting him to 15 would change the dynamic as to when he found himself at first receiver, but now is the time to find out.

This is why I think Beale will probably stay at 12 and Hunt will play 15. It's easier for him to play first receiver a lot if he's there.

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[Inside Shoulder]

Folau goes to another level when he steps off his left foot. It doesn't make for as many highlights as his huge right but he usually makes 10-15m in contact even if he doesn't step the guy clean. It also fixes the little problem he was having on the left side of the field where defenders would just jockey him towards the sideline cutting down the space for the man on the outside. I would like to see him develop his left foot step further in his extended preseason.

You must be including contact with his teammate outside him

 

[barbarian]

Folau is just amazing. He ambles up to a solid wall of oncoming All Blacks, goes in super upright, predictably jinks off his right....... beats two defenders and makes 15m.

How the hell does he do it?
.

 

[Derpus]

Folau is just amazing. He ambles up to a solid wall of oncoming All Blacks, goes in super upright, predictably jinks off his right... beats two defenders and makes 15m.

How the hell does he do it?
.

His technique does seem wrong. First thing you learn is to go low and hard. He runs in 100% vertical. I think this lankiness belies just how fast and powerful he must be.

 

[upthereds#!]

With Hunt @ 12 and Beale @ 15, cheika still gets his counterattacker in the backfield, and Hodge will swap with Foley in defence.

That leaves in defence, a tactical kicker, a counter attacker and a strike weapon in the back 3, with Hodge, Hunt and Kuridrani forming a formidable wall.

Kerevi and Speight/Naivalu off the pine most likely.

 

[TOCC]

Folau is just amazing. He ambles up to a solid wall of oncoming All Blacks, goes in super upright, predictably jinks off his right... beats two defenders and makes 15m.

How the hell does he do it?
.

He turned the ball over 3 times doing it last night, I agree his strength in contact is absolutely exceptional, arguably one of the best in world rugby.

But It would be nice to see him introduce a bit of variety into his kick returns, like kicking or passing just to keep the defence guessing. As it is, they know what he will do 95% of the time, he is making life harder for himself and the team by being so predictable. There’s been at least 6 or 7 times this series he has turned the ball over on kick returns by been caught behind his own players and no one to support him at the ruck.

 

[Derpus]

With Hunt @ 12 and Beale @ 15, cheika still gets his counterattacker in the backfield, and Hodge will swap with Foley in defence.

That leaves in defence, a tactical kicker, a counter attacker and a strike weapon in the back 3, with Hodge, Hunt and Kuridrani forming a formidable wall.

Kerevi and Speight/Naivalu off the pine most likely.

Naivalu is done for the year.