Wallabies 2019 Thread

[wamberal]

I firmly think it technique failing under pressure, the tempo and pressure of test match rugby must drag that heart rate right up. Then a hooker has to do a zen like drop of that HR and hit his mark.

Again and again

"Muscle memory" must be a factor. Some of us have it, some don't. I wonder if there is a test for it? A player who wants to be an elite hooker must have it in spades.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think a substantial part of it is when the lineout is under pressure, the margin for error is less and you take more risks like trying to hit the jumper at the very top of their jump so there is less chance it is intercepted. Timing becomes more critical and it is easier to overthrow.

Not in straight is probably a bit more succumbing to pressure and either just royally screwing up or trying to favour your side a bit much and getting it wrong.

Certainly the Wallaby lineout has mostly sucked this year and I think the new forwards coach must be under a fair bit of pressure.

 

[Derpus]

I think a substantial part of it is when the lineout is under pressure, the margin for error is less and you take more risks like trying to hit the jumper at the very top of their jump so there is less chance it is intercepted. Timing becomes more critical and it is easier to overthrow.

Not in straight is probably a bit more succumbing to pressure and either just royally screwing up or trying to favour your side a bit much and getting it wrong.

Certainly the Wallaby lineout has mostly sucked this year and I think the new forwards coach must be under a fair bit of pressure.

It never really seemed to be about the throwing though. I'm no lineout expert but the ball typically seemed to go where it should have. It just seemed like Etzebeth or Retallick was in between the thrower and the receiver more often than not.

 

[fatprop]

I think a substantial part of it is when the lineout is under pressure, the margin for error is less and you take more risks like trying to hit the jumper at the very top of their jump so there is less chance it is intercepted. Timing becomes more critical and it is easier to overthrow.

Not in straight is probably a bit more succumbing to pressure and either just royally screwing up or trying to favour your side a bit much and getting it wrong.

Certainly the Wallaby lineout has mostly sucked this year and I think the new forwards coach must be under a fair bit of pressure.

I guy I used to work with was a fringe sheffield shield batsman, he use to explain batting at a decent level as doing 50m sprints then have to get the heart rate back under control quickly to face the pace bowler again and again, somewhat like a biathlon athlete.

I see a hooker needs the same type of skills. One of the challenges of playing on quickly is the pressure it puts on the hooker, to get calm and be accurate before being hyped up again too smash someone.

The way we have taken the caller out of the lineout must also add pressure, I understand why we do it, but it must add pressure at times as well when the defensive lineout has throw essentially covered.

 

[Strewthcobber]

It never really seemed to be about the throwing though. I'm no lineout expert but the ball typically seemed to go where it should have. It just seemed like Etzebeth or Retallick was in between the thrower and the receiver more often than not.

Throwing was definitely an issue with the lineout - have a read of Justin Harrison from the first Bled

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/08/22/wallabies-lineout-harrison

 

[Slim 293]

Throwing was definitely an issue with the lineout - have a read of Justin Harrison from the first Bled

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/08/22/wallabies-lineout-harrison

It has been part of the problem, but as highlighted above not the main problem.........

 

[RebelYell]

For mine, Luke Jones is right back in the mix now as a lock/6 option..

 

[Lindommer]

Subject to a reasonable 2019 season I totally agree, RY. Luke's been added to the front page.

 

[RebelYell]

With the Spring Tour squad named, I guess Cheik has shown his hand now. Here's my thoughts on the 31 he will take, and for the sake of depth charting 31 alternatives (including some he is unlikely to take, and some who would need to sign for an Aussie Super Rugby team for 2020 to be eligible..)

I've gone with three specialists hookers & halfbacks, because I think that is the common sense approach (can somebody remind me of the injury replacement policy)? I also didn't know the Smith twins' eligiblity, so left them out...

Team A (in no particular order)

Props: Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Sekope Kepu, Jermaine Ainsley, Alan Ala'alatoa (5)
Hookers: Folau Fainga'a, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jordan Uelese (3)
Locks: Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold (4)
Back Row: David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Jack Dempsey, Lukhan Tui, Ned Hanigan, Isi Naisarani (6)
Scrumhalf: Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Jake Gordon (3)
Fly-Halves: Bernard Foley, Matt To'omua (2)
Centres: Kurtley Beale, Samu Kerevi, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Reece Hodge (4)
Outside Backs: Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau (4)

Team B (in no particular order)

Prop: James Slipper, Tetera Faulkner, Greg Holmes, Toby Smith, Fereti Sa'aga
Hooker: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tolu Latu, James Hanson (3)
Lock: Matt Philip, Sam Carter, Will Skelton, Luke Jones (4)
Back Row: Caleb Timu, Sean McMahon, Liam Gill, Angus Cottrell, Scott Fardy, Jed Holloway, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini (8)
Scrumhalf Joe Powell, Nic White (2)
Flyhalf: Quade Cooper, Christian Leali'ifano (2)
Centres: Bill Meakes, Curtis Rona, Tevita Kuridrani (3)
Outside Backs: Tom Banks, Karmichael Hunt, Jordan Petaia, Sefanaia Naivalu (4)

Still-playing capped Wallabies excluded from either squad: Richard Hardwick, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Eto Nabuli, Lopeti Timani, Kyle Godwin, Leroy Houston, Tom Robertson (inj), Nick Frisby, Joe Tomane, Henry Speight, Jake Schatz, Laurie Weeks, Pek Cowan, Anthony Fainga'a, Saia Fainga'a, Josh Mann-Rea, Nathan Charles, Peter Betham, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg, Kane Douglas, Paddy Ryan, Cooper Vuna, Mike Harris, Luke Morahan, Dave Dennis, Ben Tapuai, Rod Davies, Sitaleki Timani, Scott Higginbotham, Ben Daley, Pek Cowan, Peter Kimlin, James O'Connor, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, James Horwill, Wycliff Palu, Dan Heenan, Matt Giteau, George Smith.

No room for the likes of Bill Meakes or Tom English, either.

 

[Slim 293]

You’d be mad to think that Kuridrani, who will most likely be our starting 13, won’t be going to the RWC.........

And I’m not sure what the point of “Team B” is but half of them are ineligible.

 

[fatprop]

I can't see a world where AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) goes to the RWC instead of a fit Kuridrani

Also, it Robertson gets back in time, he will go as well. We don't have many LHPs

 

[RebelYell]

You’d be mad to think that Kuridrani, who will most likely be our starting 13, won’t be going to the RWC...

And I’m not sure what the point of “Team B” is but half of them are ineligible.

I rate Tevita highly, but I don't think he is first choice anymore. He hasn't played a Test this year (overlooked in June, injured TRC). Samu can cover 12/13, Hodge can cver most positions - they're both going. I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) gets the final spot due to versatility and experience. Happy to be wrong on this, but that's my gut feel based on Cheika's selections rather than what I personally would do. Taking a non-starting specialist 13 in a squad of 31 is potentially problematic when you have other coverage from Hodge, Folau & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[RebelYell]

I can't see a world where AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) goes to the RWC instead of a fit Kuridrani

Also, it Robertson gets back in time, he will go as well. We don't have many LHPs

Agree re: Throbber, and he deserves it - hope he does get back, but may be too tight timing-wise.

See above response re AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

Team B is simply looking at depth chart, and in my pre-amble I highlighted eligibility. It's a forum, for discussing things, you know.

 

[Slim 293]

I rate Tevita highly, but I don't think he is first choice anymore. He hasn't played a Test this year (overlooked in June, injured TRC). Samu can cover 12/13, Hodge can cver most positions - they're both going. I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) gets the final spot due to versatility and experience. Happy to be wrong on this, but that's my gut feel based on Cheika's selections rather than what I personally would do. Taking a non-starting specialist 13 in a squad of 31 is potentially problematic when you have other coverage from Hodge, Folau & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

Nah, I reckon that Kuridrani would’ve started at 13 in the RC if both him and Kerevi were fit based on a few reasons including Kuridrani’s typical elevation of form towards the end of the season, Kerevi not making the most of the opportunity against Ireland, and very importantly - defense.

Kuridrani will be one of the first picked in the squad.

 

[Dctarget]

I think that squad you named is pretty much on the money, but agree with above posters and swap out AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for TK. Also I'd have (and hopefully Cheika would have too) Slipper there instead of Ainsley.

On a side note, our depth is pretty bloody good if you include all global players. Some absolute quality that for some right and some wrong reasons have been let go prematurely:
Mowen, Fardy, Higgers, Naiyaravoro, most disappointingly J'OC, Tomane.

Also how's Horwill going?? only 33 years old. Utterly biased to him and I haven't seen any of his games in years but I wouldn't blink twice if he was brought in. Genuine machine.

This makes me sad. Fuck it, I'm going to go watch that final 2011 Tri nations game against NZ in Brisbane.


EDIT: Let's give Radike a call hey

 

[Up the Guts]

I think Petaia will be picked before Maddocks by the time the RWC rolls around.

 

[RebelYell]

FWIW, this is the 31 I would pick (not looking through Cheika's eyes)...

Props: Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Alan Ala'alatoa (5)
Hookers: Folau Fainga'a, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jordan Uelese (3)
Locks: Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold, Lukhan Tui (4)
Back Row: David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Jack Dempsey, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fardy, Isi Naisarani (6)
Scrumhalf: Will Genia, Jake Gordon, Nic White (3)
Fly-Halves: Bernard Foley, Matt To'omua (2)
Centres: Kurtley Beale, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Reece Hodge (4)
Outside Backs: Marika Koroibete, Sefa Naivalu, Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau (4)

 

[Brumby Runner]

RY, hard to improve on that. Pity you are not in charge of selections.

EDIT : I'd still take both Petaia and Valetini as development players.

 

[RebelYell]

RY, hard to improve on that. Pity you are not in charge of selections.

EDIT : I'd still take both Petaia and Valetini as development players.

What competitions would be running concurrently - just France & England?

If we were looking at keeping potential replacements match-fit, would the NRC be the best option as opposed to 2015 when guys were placed in France?

My first reserve for each position would be:

Props: Jermaine Ainsley
Hookers: Brandon Paenga-Amosa
Locks: Rob Simmons
Back Row: Pete Samu
Scrumhalf: Nick Phipps
Fly-Halves: Hamish Stewart
Centres: Adam Ashley-Cooper
Outside Backs: Jack Maddocks

Possibly a bit stiff on Hanigan, who I thought was quite good on the weekend, and Banks, who's done nothing wrong.

 

[Dctarget]

Our lock depth and quality (including Simmons' good shift on the weekend) is not reflected in our line out performance.
I rate Rodda, Coleman, Arnold and Simmons as some of the best tall timber we've had in a while.

So what's going wrong?
Do we put it down to new combinations and an over complicated system (which wouldn't surprise me). Or does the majority of the blame lie with the hooker. Does the problem still persist? Perhaps we've ironed out the kinks and our lineout is on form now. After our first throw was picked off, the lineout was rock solid and I think we managed to steal one of their throws too. I'm hoping this game wasn't just an anomaly and it was the start of our lineout being a weapon again.


EDIT: Sorry and there was that god awful throw in the second half which was so crooked it landed in China.