Tokyo Wallaby 22

[louie]

why the fuck is giteau still at ten?

 

[BillyWebb]

Mate, as much as I find him a dick. I'm all for PDV. Or Jake White, or even David Nucifora

That made me laugh out loud.

The guy I rate as the best coach around is Nick Mallett.
But, and this is the case for Deans too, it's often difficult for a foreign coach to adapt to a different rugby culture. Not impossible, but it takes time.

Give it 2 years... let's say errr... 2011 RWC and I'm pretty sure Wallabies fans will find themselves pretty enamoured with Robbie Deans.

Nothing wrong with him shaking things up a bit now.
As it is, I think he has unearthed a pretty useful tight 5.
The backrow combination is still being tested, and if it doesn't work he can always bring Smith back if it struggles.

 

[chief]

Well you know Robbie Deans obviously still has his head up his ass to really see what is going on. To let you all know the PDV as coach thing was a joke.

 

[Biffo]

Well you know Robbie Deans obviously still has his head up his ass to really see what is going on. To let you all know the PDV as coach thing was a joke.

We all knew it was a joke. NObody could be that stupid.

Nucifora? What has he ever done to suggest he can coach? Brilliant talent spotter but coach :nta:

Jake White would commit your unpardonable sin - in spades. He would sack Smith, Pocock and Waugh. The man will not countenance a fetcher in his team.

 

[chief]

Just my anger ranting on from these selections. Actually I don't mind Nucifora, I always thought he was pretty good actually. I don't know they are really lacking on coaches aren't they. Coaches and referees, Australia is damn short of.

 

[Biffo]

Mate, as much as I find him a dick. I'm all for PDV. Or Jake White, or even David Nucifora

That made me laugh out loud.

The guy I rate as the best coach around is Nick Mallett.
But, and this is the case for Deans too, it's often difficult for a foreign coach to adapt to a different rugby culture. Not impossible, but it takes time.

Give it 2 years... let's say errr... 2011 RWC and I'm pretty sure Wallabies fans will find themselves pretty enamoured with Robbie Deans.

Nothing wrong with him shaking things up a bit now.
As it is, I think he has unearthed a pretty useful tight 5.
The backrow combination is still being tested, and if it doesn't work he can always bring Smith back if it struggles.

I agree re Mallett. He was my choice to replace Macqueen, Jones and Connolly.

I also agree re Robbie D. I am very pleased with what I see from him. Above all, as you point out, he has developed a handy tight five. By 2011, we may very well be singing Robbie D's praises for developing a mighty forward pack.

 

[daz]

Give it 2 years... let's say errr... 2011 RWC and I'm pretty sure Wallabies fans will find themselves pretty enamoured with Robbie Deans.

I also agree re Robbie D. I am very pleased with what I see from him. Above all, as you point out, he has developed a handy tight five. By 2011, we may very well be singing Robbie D's praises for developing a mighty forward pack.

2 years is a long time, granted, but let's hope we are indeed enamoured with Robbie D in 2011. If not, we face the hideous prospect of being slammed out in the group stage and stuck in NZ with 2 weeks of the tournament still to go.

I have no desire to go through another RWC07 "out on yer ear" experience, thanks. It just doesn't bear thinking about...

daz.

 

[Epi]

why the fuck is giteau still at ten?

Now Deans is being stubborn.

He'll probably play Barnes at fly-half anyway just to prove that 'it doesn't matter what numbers on his back..'

 

[Lee Grant]

My preferences for 10. Barnes and 12. Giteau are well known so I won't go there.

As for Pocock over Smith: since Rocky is Rocky and since Palu is at 8 - and he should be if he is fit - then you have to choose between the young bull and the old bull at 7.

Since I have found all but one of the Wallaby games in 3N this year too hard to watch a second time, and life is too short for pursuits involving mediocrity, I conclude only that the TV analysis gurus have come up with a profile of what Smith did at 7 during 3N for the time he played there and what Pocock did, ditto.

This is not a development type switch; not against the All Blacks. You would save that until you know the Grand Slam is no more, or against Scotland. You have to conclude Pocock's 7 work was analysed as being more effective than Smith's in areas that need attention, and by a margin too; you don't drop somebody of Smith's stature on a whim.

I'm sure that one area was involvement in the contests.

Another thing I am sure of is that Smith will play out of his skin involvement-wise when he gets on the park in Tokyo and also when he starts in his next test match.

Perhaps, also, Deans thinks that Smith is an 8 these days at the elite test level.

 

[Lee Grant]

PS - Deans will probably come out with some spin as to why Pocock was preferred, to save face for Smith.

If he does, instead of giving a matter of fact opinion that Pocock will play better for the Wallabies than Smith will, don't believe him.

 

[Henry]

Yeah Hynes is lucky...
Interesting back combo on the Bench. I wonder if Mitchell has ever had 21 on his back before. Burgess, Mitchell and O'Conner. Should be some shuffling around if anyone gets injured...

 

[Cutter]

Wrong decisions re Smith, Giteau and Barnes. Apart from that, I dont have any gripes with the 22. Good luck to Pocock although I think Smith will be back.

 

[Gagger]

As for Pocock over Smith: since Rocky is Rocky and since Palu is at 8 - and he should be if he is fit - then you have to choose between the young bull and the old bull at 7.

Since I have found all but one of the Wallaby games in 3N this year too hard to watch a second time, and life is too short for pursuits involving mediocrity, I conclude only that the TV analysis gurus have come up with a profile of what Smith did at 7 during 3N for the time he played there and what Pocock did, ditto.

This is not a development type switch; not against the All Blacks. You would save that until you know the Grand Slam is no more, or against Scotland. You have to conclude Pocock's 7 work was analysed as being more effective than Smith's in areas that need attention, and by a margin too; you don't drop somebody of Smith's stature on a whim.

Another way to look at it: Robbie's re-learned Smith at 8 doesn't cut it. You've then got both Pocock and Smith in the 22 and it's just a question of who starts the game, and who finishes it. Our matches vs the ABs have all been coming down to the last 10min, not a bad time to have G. Smith running around fresh

I'm sure that one area was involvement in the contests.

Another thing I am sure of is that Smith will play out of his skin involvement-wise when he gets on the park in Tokyo and also when he starts in his next test match.

Perhaps, also, Deans thinks that Smith is an 8 these days at the elite test level.

Having subjected myself to the replays, I'd have to say in the two games he got a start at 7, Brisbane and Wellington, Pocock had very good games at the breakdown.

In Brisbane he got rewarded because there was support at the breakdown, in Wellington he got left on his own and was repeatedly smashed over the ball.

While being a core member of the "George Smith is better than Richie McCaw" club, I have had a feeling that age has been creeping into the gurus work around the park. As with all good flankers, he has a superb nose for where to be when, but maybe he's been having to rely upon that a little too much? As has been said, Robbie is a workrate freak.

Another way to look at it: Robbie's re-learned that Pocock and Smith isn't a good balance, but you've still got them both in the 22. The games against the ABs have been coming down to the last 10 mins. Having a fresh G. Smith running around in the back end of the game isn't a bad thing

 

[chief]

I think the wingers are just what the Wallabies needed. Hynes last year was one of the most outstanding wingers in the world last year. His performances were pretty special.

 

[Spook]

Good side. Happy with all selections. Glad to too the Donut on the bench

 

[waratahjesus]

As for Pocock over Smith: since Rocky is Rocky and since Palu is at 8 - and he should be if he is fit - then you have to choose between the young bull and the old bull at 7.

Since I have found all but one of the Wallaby games in 3N this year too hard to watch a second time, and life is too short for pursuits involving mediocrity, I conclude only that the TV analysis gurus have come up with a profile of what Smith did at 7 during 3N for the time he played there and what Pocock did, ditto.

This is not a development type switch; not against the All Blacks. You would save that until you know the Grand Slam is no more, or against Scotland. You have to conclude Pocock's 7 work was analysed as being more effective than Smith's in areas that need attention, and by a margin too; you don't drop somebody of Smith's stature on a whim.

Another way to look at it: Robbie's re-learned Smith at 8 doesn't cut it. You've then got both Pocock and Smith in the 22 and it's just a question of who starts the game, and who finishes it. Our matches vs the ABs have all been coming down to the last 10min, not a bad time to have G. Smith running around fresh

I'm sure that one area was involvement in the contests.

Another thing I am sure of is that Smith will play out of his skin involvement-wise when he gets on the park in Tokyo and also when he starts in his next test match.

Perhaps, also, Deans thinks that Smith is an 8 these days at the elite test level.

Having subjected myself to the replays, I'd have to say in the two games he got a start at 7, Brisbane and Wellington, Pocock had very good games at the breakdown.

In Brisbane he got rewarded because there was support at the breakdown, in Wellington he got left on his own and was repeatedly smashed over the ball.

While being a core member of the "George Smith is better than Richie McCaw" club, I have had a feeling that age has been creeping into the gurus work around the park. As with all good flankers, he has a superb nose for where to be when, but maybe he's been having to rely upon that a little too much? As has been said, Robbie is a workrate freak.

Another way to look at it: Robbie's re-learned that Pocock and Smith isn't a good balance, but you've still got them both in the 22. The games against the ABs have been coming down to the last 10 mins. Having a fresh G. Smith running around in the back end of the game isn't a bad thing

i said this in another thread but will say it here, robbie isnt up to coaching at this level. if the wallabies are playing "whats in front of them, not as robots" then the team has to be selected on who can win a game not on stats and workrate!

pocock gets places but when he gets there he isnt effective, a showreel of him standing one out at ruck time or flopping in as a second tackler costantly shows what his workrate really is. he is a faster younger flanker, he should be defending wider and covering gaps, not standing were a prop should or a little behind the ruck so he can hide in a defensive line and still get tackle stats.

at the end of the day both with brain and heart, pocock is not going to win us a game, smith is repeatedly. were dropping the best 7 we have for a kid who is tagged with a potential that unless we dominate for him to pick up the scraps is never going to make the impact we think he is.

 

[naza]

i said this in another thread but will say it here, robbie isnt up to coaching at this level. if the wallabies are playing "whats in front of them, not as robots" then the team has to be selected on who can win a game not on stats and workrate!

'Smith dropped' is not a headline I thought I'd ever see. But the Wallabies simply did not show up in Wellington. I don't think its registered with people just what an utterly abysmal performance that was. I don't recall seeing a Wallaby side simply roll over like that since the huge away Bok loss in '97. It was so pissweak they stopped waving their white flags because they were in danger of exerting themselves.

Nobody is safe. I would have preferred the entire side (bar fatcat) be sacked but we don't have that option. A message had to be sent. Unfortunately the players won't get it until Giteau is sacked.

 

[Scarfman]

Deans is retarded.

Stupid, very stupid team. I'm not going to dignify it even my pointing the elementary selection errors that Deans has already made this season.

 

[fatprop]

Happy with some parts/decisions, baffled by others.

The backs I can deal with, Gits is still the best running 12 we have and must make sides happy playing closer to the traffic but they will swap around. Very happy AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is at 15, Britney on the bench and the next best 13 in Cross gets a start.

Very happy with Hynes and Digby on the wings, in them we have IMHO our best two wingers. Hynes works very hard off the ball - and that will give AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) good support, is very safe under the high ball and an excellent support player. Digby is simply the most dangerous back we have.

On Smith, I don't understand the logic, I would love to see the real analysis and thinking behind it, but Smith had been pushed to 8 since the Bok game, so I think we have to look further back to the SA away games and the Perth game.

 

[Scotty]

The backs I can deal with, Gits is still the best running 12 we have and must make sides happy playing closer to the traffic but they will swap around. Very happy AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is at 15, Britney on the bench and the next best 13 in Cross gets a start

Yeah, but if Barnes goes down (which is likely) we will likely have a centre pairing of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Cross. Yet again AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will be the pinball of the backline. Unless of course Deans throws JOC (James O'Connor) in at 12?

Also, I would have liked to have seen Ioane (as you say our most dangerous back) get a go at 13, with Cross on the bench and Mitchell in the starting team.