The Wallaby gameplan

[disco]

If it is raining & Beale is fit do we bench Quade?

 

[Scotty]

Attack plan 1 - don't try and attack near Conrad Smith. It will get you nowhere!

 

[Sluggy]

As eluded to in the live chat with Jollyswagman, Ash and myself - the All Blacks will play a very Hurricanesque offense with Weepu, Cruden, Nonu and Smith all starting. .

Interesting.

Smith and Nonu were pretty shit all season with the 'canes, and only looked good once they got Carter inside them.

Interesting.

 

[disco]

As eluded to in the live chat with Jollyswagman, Ash and myself - the All Blacks will play a very Hurricanesque offense with Weepu, Cruden, Nonu and Smith all starting. What does that mean for us? alert at all times for the inside ball, short pass and Cruden offload when he takes on the line (and he will). It's a no brainer but Cruden must be kept at bay and wrapped up at the chest rather than bootlaces. Nonu and Smith need to see the shade of our umbrella defense. With the ball in hand, and in lieu of pointless chip kicks and dinks in our own half, It wouldn't be a bad tactic to employ grubbers at the corners rather than through the middle when we're 30-38 out (once a few phases have been strung together and nothing is doing).

As mentioned previously, it's not the kicks that bother me it's the execution and poor chase. Furthermore, I don't think turning them around, showing the same starch in defense as we did last week and putting pressure on their set piece would be that bad of an idea seeing they will no doubt look to do the same to us (especially if we are to make a change at 15).

Brix,
I was thinking about defending Cruden & I agree with you. I'd be instructing the players to do the opposite to SBW & that is to tackle him ball & all every time as he's such a small bloke who has a very good offload. SBW was contained well by the Reds where the 1st defender would come out the line & hit him low while the other defenders would tackle his support.

 

[Gnostic]

It would be a mistake to assume that because the backline is mainly Canes players they will play that way. Nonu and Smith have been decidedly average at Super Level but play totally differently at test level not only in form but in how they approach the game. To assume the game plan will be Cane like assumes the Firm will coach that or even want the relatively unsucessful Canes mode of play.

 

[Gnostic]

Attack plan 1 - don't try and attack near Conrad Smith. It will get you nowhere!

Horne has never had an issue with him in attack or defence, pity we havent seen this match up at trst level where Smith plays his best games.

 

[Sluggy]

It would be a mistake to assume that because the backline is mainly Canes players they will play that way. Nonu and Smith have been decidedly average at Super Level but play totally differently at test level not only in form but in how they approach the game. To assume the game plan will be Cane like assumes the Firm will coach that or even want the relatively unsucessful Canes mode of play.

You've lost me bro'.

The 'canes backs were pretty shit.

Nonu/Smith play so much better with Carter feeding them.

End of.

 

[Gnostic]

You've lost me bro'.

The 'canes backs were pretty shit.

Nonu/Smith play so much better with Carter feeding them.

End of.

It was a reply to Brix, just slow typing on the tablet.

 

[BRIX]

Agreed Gnostic, perhaps my wording was a little skewed. I meant more combinations wise rather than copy paste of the Hurricane playbook.

Cruden short pass to Nonu/Smith. Offload to Nonu/Smith, Cutout to Smith etc. Kahui on the outside is an extreme danger for us also.

 

[Sluggy]

It was a reply to Brix, just slow typing on the tablet.

I still think Nonu and Smith will miss Mr Carter.

 

[BRIX]

No doubt about it Sluggy. The more I actually think about it the more I can't help to think how vulnerable they actually are. And it's not only a gut feeling which is telling - it's the truth. Just as easily as Cruden can produce magic he can just as easily be reduced to rubble. If Duck comes on they're in all sorts of trouble as they will more than likely not be as endeavoring as they would with Carter or Cruden playing with wind in their sails. If our set piece smartens up and we compete in the forwards and play a disciplined brand of rugby they're in a world of trouble as the pressure and weight of a nation is firmly on them and not us.

 

[Gnostic]

I still think Nonu and Smith will miss Mr Carter.

What team wouldnt. By far the most complete 10 I have seen in the pro era. Agree they will miss him, makes one wonder about those arguments that some have made about Larkham making Giteau look better than he actually was (I dont agree by the way, just an interesting parrallel.)

 

[Gnostic]

Lets not get carried away, its won up front. If its wet and the ball quality to QC (Quade Cooper) and Genia is poor they will struggle regardless of who they (the ABs) have at 10.

 

[Ilie Tabua's Shadow]

Having said that, the Wallabies did score the only try through Morne Steyn's defensive channel. (Albeit through no planning. The ball simply got propped up by McCabe in that zone.)

Therefore, A. Cruden is sure to be a focus for the Wallabies if they can plan and execute their attacking moves.

But, of course, much depends on how the forwards provide ball for Sanchez and Coops.

 

[BRIX]

Lets not get carried away, its won up front. If its wet and the ball quality to QC (Quade Cooper) and Genia is poor they will struggle regardless of who they (the ABs) have at 10.

Yep, for sure.

"If our set piece smartens up and we compete in the forwards and play a disciplined brand of rugby they're in a world of trouble as the pressure and weight of a nation is firmly on them and not us."

As stated, the pressure is still very much on them though and should be exploited and not understated for even a millisecond.

 

[Groucho]

Attack plan 1 - don't try and attack near Conrad Smith. It will get you nowhere!

On the contrary, it's a recurring theme of Wallaby backline play to try to get outside Smith's outside shoulder. It's a known weakness, and we've scored a few that way.

 

[Groucho]

It was a reply to Brix, just slow typing on the tablet.

Only take a half next time.

 

[Ilie Tabua's Shadow]

Speed of typing often isn't the problem on the tablet.

You just don't know what the fuck you're replying to.

 

[Athilnaur]

I've posted my views on how we should tackle the game in detail on my blog, so won't go into it here other than to say the obvious, assuming Quade and our forwards rock up, much will depend on how cleverly we attack Nonu and Cruden. Nonu is not the defender many perceive him to be. On attack he's potentially even more lethal outside new Wee pu and a very slippery Cruden.

 

[Jumpers]

The Wallabies got smashed by the Boks and looked down out tired! Question is can they backup a week later? Are the Wallabies ready for anther 80 mins of hard tough physical battle up front? Can the Wallabiess get sufficient possession in the forward confrontation?
Its up front in the tight five that will dictate the break down phase of play. The ABs had a good hit out with the Argies and will be much better for it. On the bench the depth the ABs have is a sure advantage, Dagg and Kahui will return with SBW bench duty.

All will be revealed come Sunday-the first 25mins will be a telling factor on which team dominates!