Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
As in, he wasn't particularly pivotal for our game, we won without his gamebreaking involvements. In fact, despite his involvements (being reamed in the scrums).
Wales v Australia, Monday 18 November 3:10am AEDT
- Thread starter Dctarget
- Start date
The Red Baron
Chilla Wilson (44)
Even worse was the bloke on the segway coming onto the field and taking close up shots of players after they'd scored. Madness.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
This has always been the knock.
He's an outstanding athlete and can do things other tight five players can't but he also lacks some fundamentals of top tight five players quite often. Teams like Wales he'll get away with it but the top sides will target him and turn some of those misses into scoring opportunities.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Russia scored more points than Wales
A mishmash of thoughts:
Wales have fallen off. So many good players have retired and the "new guys" just aren't at that level. Tipuric, Navidi, AWJ, Davies, Bigger, North, Owens, Halfpfenny, Faletau, Warburton etc. were all world class and difference makers. They don't have that level of quality coming in. I actually thought they played OK their last two matches, but they are outgunned.
Skelton seemed to drive the maul and generally went forward in contact. But my he is slow.
Kerevi - same comment as Skelton except replace maul with carrying in tight. Still effective at that, but seems to have lost a step.
Mainly I worry about these guys defensively if the D gets stretched. But they also provide a lot in other areas.
Lolesio is a test level 10. Not a gamebreaker, but makes the right calls.
McDermott is incredible off the bench. He basically created two tries in the past two matches strictly on quickness/smarts.
Uru was pedestrian.
Scrum looked wobbly.
With the new law enforcement on sheltering your kick returner, I wonder if short wingers like Toole and Jorgensen will become targets from other teams.
Valteni, Bell, Ikitau, Wright, Kellaway were mostly outstanding. Mcreight, Frost, Faessler did their jobs effectively.
Wales have fallen off. So many good players have retired and the "new guys" just aren't at that level. Tipuric, Navidi, AWJ, Davies, Bigger, North, Owens, Halfpfenny, Faletau, Warburton etc. were all world class and difference makers. They don't have that level of quality coming in. I actually thought they played OK their last two matches, but they are outgunned.
Skelton seemed to drive the maul and generally went forward in contact. But my he is slow.
Kerevi - same comment as Skelton except replace maul with carrying in tight. Still effective at that, but seems to have lost a step.
Mainly I worry about these guys defensively if the D gets stretched. But they also provide a lot in other areas.
Lolesio is a test level 10. Not a gamebreaker, but makes the right calls.
McDermott is incredible off the bench. He basically created two tries in the past two matches strictly on quickness/smarts.
Uru was pedestrian.
Scrum looked wobbly.
With the new law enforcement on sheltering your kick returner, I wonder if short wingers like Toole and Jorgensen will become targets from other teams.
Valteni, Bell, Ikitau, Wright, Kellaway were mostly outstanding. Mcreight, Frost, Faessler did their jobs effectively.
JRugby2
Bob Loudon (25)
Nah - neither is correct.
The logic is based on how the game is refereed at all levels across the world now, and countless examples of the high tackle framework being applied.
There is no massive or sudden change of direction, nor even a huge drop in body height beyond a player bracing for contact. If you're seeing that differently we must be looking at different incidents.
I'll be surprised if the decision isn't upheld at the judiciary. Clear as day Red based on all factors.
noscrumnolife
Bill Watson (15)
Tough selection call next week between Williams (assuming he's fit), Frost, Skelton and Salakaia-Loto. I think Williams and Skelton are our two best locks (pretty clearly IMO) - but don't know if that would have the juice as a combo come lineout time? Others with more knowledge in that part of the field may have better opinions.
Also like Salakaia-Loto in the bench role - brings good power in the carry.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Then it depends on Wilson also who can be a main option in the line out. Uru can be as well with another week of practice if needed.
Williams, Wilson main 2 with Skelton/Valetini the 3rd option. They can get him up when needed. I think he showed his worth at maul time which could be much needed v the Scots who won't give up the longer range raids.
Williams, Wilson main 2 with Skelton/Valetini the 3rd option. They can get him up when needed. I think he showed his worth at maul time which could be much needed v the Scots who won't give up the longer range raids.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
But if the consequence of his action wasn't to bump noggins then its play on, right? By intent he just tried to tackle the bloke.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
It's still unclear to me whether Skelton is in our best side. This game was a good advertisement for him. He really makes a world of difference to our attacking and defensive mauls. on the other hand he doesn't bring the same defensive work rate as other players and we weren't really tested in this game. I still wonder whether he entirely suits the type of up-tempo dynamic rugby we are trying to play. It's a tough one. If I had to compare our pack last week to our pack this week I'd have to say we looked better last week, against a better pack. It certainly nice having options
JRugby2
Bob Loudon (25)
I completely understand why people feel like this and to a degree - I'm in the same boat.
It's just rugby like all contact sports are trying to get players to adjust to the point where being slightly inaccurate with your tackle tech (or whatever skill execution is relevant) doesn't result in a knock to the head to you or someone else.
Eg - if Kerevi is lower when he plants his feet (which he definitely can be), his subtle rise might go from waist to sternum, rather than sternum to chin like it did.
dru
David Wilson (68)
You rate Wilson as an international quality primary jumper? I'd suggest that is a big call. In all likelhood with Skelton WIlson is bench (or wider squad), Valetini #8 and the likes of LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Uru, at #6.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
He has 23 takes in test matches this year, usually 2 per game but 7 (1st for the match) against the boks in Brisbane and 4 (2nd for the match) against Georgia. He's not as established a jumper as some, but it seems pretty clear he is an option and Schmidt is happy to use him as one.
Worth noting Valetini has also been going up more often recently, it looks like there's a real commitment to improving what these guys are offering and not just settling for what they have done in the past.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
This is an impossible aim. Literally impossible. It will never be the case that accidental head contact doesn't occur every single game in every rugby match ever played, forever.
Not unless they dramatically change the nature of the game so much as to be unrecognizable.
Edit: but we are getting way off track. Should be enjoying a thorough spanking of the Welsh.
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dru
David Wilson (68)
I'm am surprised at the quantity of Wilson jumps there. Almost gets him to the point as some kind of trainee primary jumper. I'd still suggest changes to the back row with Skelton starting. Anyway, we probably get to see.
JRugby2
Bob Loudon (25)
I'm not arguing that - and it's why the first step in head contact framework asks the question "was their foul play?".
In Serevi's case there was, as there was more he could have done in the moments proceeding to avoid the hit (slow down to point he was in control of his own body, go lower, etc).
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Hmmm, he's been displaying better form (very recently) than: Kinghorn, Steward, W. Jordan, Furbank. I'd have Ramos, Keenan and Willemse (before injury) ahead of him comfortably.