TRC2021 - Wallabies v Pumas @ Townsville 25/09

[Rugbynutter39]

The pleasing thing for me is that even though the boys weren't at their best last night (third quarter of the game was particularly bad) they still showed composure looked like winning most of the way through the game. This more direct style of play and having big ball runners going up through the middle seems to really suit the team and then when they go wide they're a lot more penetrating. Kerevi has clearly made a difference and he's now bringing other players into the game. I think guys like Pete Samu appreciate that, because I've seen him more than once run off Kerevi's hip in support. Pete's game has really stepped up this season BTW.

The other pleasing aspect has been some settling of selections. Several guys have grabbed the opportunity with both hands (Thor, Kellaway, Bell, Swain, Tate, Len to name some) and it builds combinations.

Finally I thought the best part was the contribution of the bench. There was a noticeable lifting of the tempo when Tate and JOC (James O'Connor) came on and we started breaking out in attack all over the park. Nothing at all against the blokes they replaced, more a case of the momentum wasn't lost when the replacements came on. If anything it energises the team and they do look superbly fit at the moment.

Yeh whilst scrapy game (humidity cited as contributing to some of handling issues) there was continued positives for sure . Yes Samu continues to be great off the bench and must be due a start. And what a revelation Kerevi continues to be as always creating opportunities…swain also looks to continue to be a star in the making..

JOC (James O'Connor) looked good off the bench so one wonders whether he might get the nod ahead of Cooper. Good problems to have.

 

[dru]

While we were playing the Pumas not the ABs, I thought the game style rattled into a touch looser territory with some passes and pushed play that might not have gone well against the ABs.

I'm loving that our kicking game is now winning many of the the air-ball duels.

Hooper very quiet by his lofty standards - anyone able to pick anything from Argie that had him tied up? Cooper also losing just a touch of his polish, missed two tackles and was playing flatter, as in more traffic.

Even though the stats were fine I thought our set piece looked threatened for most of the night. Slipper having trouble and line out should have been better. In particular the Puma throw was low and flat a lot of the time and just begging to be picked off. Surprised Rodda didn't see it.

Lost momentum in the 3rd quarter and failed to convert opportunity to points a couple of times. The stats around distance run, defenders beaten, clean breaks are impressive but suggest a better score was available.

We seem to stick better to the plan against the Boks - and possibly England? I'd love for us to immediately re-tighten and drive back to the plan. For 80.

Great to be stringing W's together! Really hope that the cattle don't dilute as much as some are suggesting for the EOYT. We should be as close to full strength as is possible. Super prep should take a back step, though I get the new fathers needing some home time.

 

[formerflanker]

Yeh whilst scrapy game (humidity cited as contributing to some of handling issues) there was continued positives for sure . Yes Samu continues to be great off the bench and must be due a start. And what a revelation Kerevi continues to be as always creating opportunities…swain also looks to continue to be a star in the making..

JOC (James O'Connor) looked good off the bench so one wonders whether he might get the nod ahead of Cooper. Good problems to have.

Injuries permitting, I'd prefer to see the White/Cooper combo remain as no.1 choice with a rotation of players through the replacement positions. Tate and James as primary subs but get a few others playing there too - Lolo at 5/8 especially.

 

[John S]

Yep RN, thought both tests were hardly sparkling adverts for the game tonight. But such is rugby, and the main thing is Wallabies played well enough to win and reasonably convincly. Pumas really don't send shivers down your spine when they got ball do they? Still I think Wallabies will be content today.

I thought both games were better adverts for the game then the two Loigue semis were for theirs, but that's just my take on it

 

[Dctarget]

Injuries permitting, I'd prefer to see the White/Cooper combo remain as no.1 choice with a rotation of players through the replacement positions. Tate and James as primary subs but get a few others playing there too - Lolo at 5/8 especially.

I thought White was quite good last night. Great having a class half in McDermott on the bench, though I worry he tries to fit too much into his 20 minute cameos.

 

[wamberal]

The context was hilarious as she was talking about achieving great success which came out as great ‘sex’ and she twice did this

Oh to be young again.

 

[Froggy]

I thought the two weak points in an otherwise pretty solid performance were the number of soft penalties we gave away, and the line-out. While I thought Leota went well, we really missed Swinton at the front of the line-out. Not sure what the answer is there, as if he doesn't fix his tackling height he is something of a liability, but he certainly improves our line-out.

 

[Dctarget]

Re-watching the highlights, Kerevi was great but threw a pretty brain dead offload around the 59th minute to completely ruin an almost certain try.

 

[Adam84]

Cooper is as eligible as anyone playing in Oz. If his club is willing to release him to play test rugby when required there is no reason why he should not become a permanent squad member for the foreseeable future.

No not necessarily, regulation 9 only requires clubs to release players for a 3 week period in November.

By the writing, their clubs have the right to recall them as soon as the next TRC game is complete and they wont be available again for Wallabies camp until early November.

Pre-season has already started for Japan club teams, and season kicks off 7 Jan, so they’re well within their right to recall them as of next week and demand they’re released earlier from the Spring Tour. Unsure whether quarantine windows fall in or outside that window.

 

[dru]

Oh to be young again.

More in the memory than the tumescence?







No what you mean.

 

[PhilClinton]

JOC (James O'Connor) for Cooper…..why? JOC (James O'Connor) has not had one game as a 10 as good as either of Quades recent efforts against the Boks. Why would they make that change?
Agree with the rest but maybe Swain and Philip are the best locking combo?

More to see how JOC (James O'Connor) goes running the team. Cooper has been great. But we can put all our eggs in that basket. He’s 33 and has a reputation for being rocks or diamonds.

obviously he has matured overseas and I’m not critising him, but considering most had JOC (James O'Connor) pegged as first choice flyhalf prior to Cooper coming into the frame recently, we may as well give him a run.

 

[Tomikin]

I prefer fox paz This irritates my French speaking children, which of course amuses me no end.

Matt Giteu that you

 

[fatprop]

More to see how JOC (James O'Connor) goes running the team. Cooper has been great. But we can put all our eggs in that basket. He’s 33 and has a reputation for being rocks or diamonds.

obviously he has matured overseas and I’m not critising him, but considering most had JOC (James O'Connor) pegged as first choice flyhalf prior to Cooper coming into the frame recently, we may as well give him a run.

That is why we have a bench, JOC (James O'Connor) didn't do enough to deserve a start

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Injuries permitting, I'd prefer to see the White/Cooper combo remain as no.1 choice with a rotation of players through the replacement positions. Tate and James as primary subs but get a few others playing there too - Lolo at 5/8 especially.

Noah going to find it hard to get games but needs to be part of squad to develop…

 

[Brumby Runner]

JOC (James O'Connor) for Cooper…..why? JOC (James O'Connor) has not had one game as a 10 as good as either of Quades recent efforts against the Boks. Why would they make that change?
Agree with the rest but maybe Swain and Philip are the best locking combo?

Agree that Swain and Philip are our best locking combination at the moment but I think Philip could do with a rest. Like to see what Nick Frost can do at this level off the bench.

 

[emuarse]

And that might well be what will happen.
Hooper has gone non-stop & could do with a break, especially with the next game in Japan after a whole team break.
Maybe share open side loose forward position with McReight - the 2 Mc's.

 

[emuarse]

We do not need him at 6 or 8. The only place for him is at 7, to give Hooper a rest.

And that might well be what will happen.
Hooper has gone non-stop & could do with a break, especially with the next game in Japan after a whole team break.
Maybe share open side loose forward position with McReight - the 2 Mc's.

 

[Wilson]

If Hooper does get a break I think that greatly increases the chance of JOC (James O'Connor) starting, he is right up the list of potential fill in captains., particularly with Ala'alatoa not with the squad.

 

[Dctarget]

And that might well be what will happen.
Hooper has gone non-stop & could do with a break, especially with the next game in Japan after a whole team break.
Maybe share open side loose forward position with McReight - the 2 Mc's.

Apparently Hooper has just set the record for most 80 minute performances. Last night was his 100th full 80 effort

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Apparently Hooper has just set the record for most 80 minute performances. Last night was his 100th full 80 effort

Fantastic effort for hoops but must suck if you are one of the next best 7s in oz rugby…