Wallabies 2019 Thread

[RugbyReg]

I think Naisarani is a more Kieren Read type 8 than a Vunipola.

Also some very interesting numbers Reg. Kerevi doesn’t appear on the poorest tacklers list now he’s playing predominantly at 12.

he made 10 and missed 1 last week having played 65 mins at 13. In saying that I saw him probably beaten without touching his opponent at least twice.

 

[Up the Guts]

he made 10 and missed 1 last week having played 65 mins at 13. In saying that I saw him probably beaten without touching his opponent at least twice.

They used to still ping you if you didn’t get near them in my day, seems like the stats guys have gotten soft. Even so that’s a much better result than he has been getting in the past few seasons especially spending the majority of the game at 13.

 

[Joe Blow]

I'm still backing Uelese in to come good. He should be back any round now and a super season is a long time. Expect him to be in the 23.

He is a step above BPA and FF (Folau Fainga'a) and plays like a young TPN, only bigger. His lineout work is pretty tight as well. Hope he is back soon.

 

[Joe Blow]

He has been injury prone of late but initially made quite a statement at test level. The other options are somewhat underwhelming at that level at this stage. One of Uelese or a TPN in form will be required for a successful RWC tilt

 

[Slim 293]

He is a step above BPA and FF (Folau Fainga'a).

I don't know about that...........

He's probably on the same level, having been the next player in line before those other two came on the scene.

I wouldn't have him locked into the RWC squad until he actually plays again.

 

[RugbyReg]

I think Folau is far and away our best hooker at the moment.

Rangi has made strong leaps this year and I think BPA is underrated but does a lot of the un-sited dirty work.

It's been so long since I've seen Uelese string any games together it's really tough to judge. He's not in contention in my eyes until he can come back and prove himself.

Remember he has only started in 3 Super Rugby games.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Fainga’a has a lot of work to do to get his set piece consistency up. He’s more than capable of performing at test level in scrums and lineouts, but he still finds new and novel ways to fuck them up.

He also has the occasional game where he has functionally zero breakdown presence. No team can survive with a forward who occassionally does nothing to help secure your own ball.

I would be extremely hesitant to pick him for the Wallabies. We need to find a guy who’s making his lineout throws and can hook in the scrum, and is doing it every game.

 

[RugbyReg]

We need to find a guy who’s making his lineout throws and can hook in the scrum, and is doing it every game.

don't hold us in suspense....who is it?

 

[Up the Guts]

I agree Folau is our best atm but he and BPA get very nervous when they have to make the step up. Probably something to do with the fact they were club players two seasons ago and all of sudden they’re wearing the Wallaby starting jersey.

 

[Slim 293]

I agree Folau is our best atm but he and BPA get very nervous when they have to make the step up. Probably something to do with the fact they were club players two seasons ago and all of sudden they’re wearing the Wallaby starting jersey.

And they were throw into a dysfunctional Wallabies forward pack, coached by what's his name...........I couldn't even be bothered to remember or google his name.

 

[Derpus]

I agree Folau is our best atm but he and BPA get very nervous when they have to make the step up. Probably something to do with the fact they were club players two seasons ago and all of sudden they’re wearing the Wallaby starting jersey.

The only way to fix that is experience, i would assume.

And if they can't acclimatize then they may not have the mentality for test rugby.

 

[Up the Guts]

The only way to fix that is experience, i would assume.

And if they can't acclimatize then they may not have the mentality for test rugby.

Experience and having your coach and the team back you up. I was a bit dismayed that BPA was sidelined so quickly last year in the Irish series for a few wobbly throws even though he was pretty decent around the park and in the scrums. His throwing was the best of the Aus Super sides in the lead up to that series so it was clear that nerves were what got to him. Not sure how hooking him after 40 minutes was supposed to help that.

 

[Derpus]

Experience and having your coach and the team back you up. I was a bit dismayed that BPA was sidelined so quickly last year in the Irish series for a few wobbly throws even though he was pretty decent around the park and in the scrums. His throwing was the best of the Aus Super sides in the lead up to that series so it was clear that nerves were what got to him. Not sure how hooking him after 40 minutes was supposed to help that.

That happened in all three tests i thought. I had assumed it was planned.

 

[Joe Blow]

I don't know about that.....

He's probably on the same level, having been the next player in line before those other two came on the scene.

I wouldn't have him locked into the RWC squad until he actually plays again.

I mean that he was able to assert himself physically from the first minute in test footy where BOA and FF (Folau Fainga'a) both struggled. Early days for all 3 and hopefully 2 will step up.

 

[dru]

I mean that he was able to assert himself physically from the first minute in test footy where BOA and FF (Folau Fainga'a) both struggled. Early days for all 3 and hopefully 2 will step up.

I have not gone back to study it (so presumably someone will tell me I’m wrong) but recollection is BPA did very well “from the first minute”. He tailed a little on his last game and IMO was dropped to early on the back of it.

 

[TSR]

IIRC I think the main problem was he struggled with his throws.

As Slim said, he was almost a different player by the end of the series. Confidence dropped right off.

 

[wamberal]

I would guess that throwing well is a matter of confidence (assuming that a player at this level has the basics right). I wonder whether the Wobbs have access to a good sports psychologist?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Fainga’a has a lot of work to do to get his set piece consistency up. He’s more than capable of performing at test level in scrums and lineouts, but he still finds new and novel ways to fuck them up.

He also has the occasional game where he has functionally zero breakdown presence. No team can survive with a forward who occassionally does nothing to help secure your own ball.

I would be extremely hesitant to pick him for the Wallabies. We need to find a guy who’s making his lineout throws and can hook in the scrum, and is doing it every game.

Yeah, well that's just nobody atm. Maybe FF (Folau Fainga'a) doesn't hit too many rucks to secure possession (I haven't really noticed) because that role is more than adequately covered by Slipper, Sio, Ala'alatoa etc, but he is very active at opposition rucks trying to win possession or just slow down the ball. His ball carrying and off loading is better than any of the others, and as I remarked earlier and confirmed by others he didn't lose a lineout on his throw at all against the Canes, and he has been consistent in all games this year. I think, Roffy, that you are being a tad harsh on FF (Folau Fainga'a).

 

[Strewthcobber]

I would guess that throwing well is a matter of confidence (assuming that a player at this level has the basics right). I wonder whether the Wobbs have access to a good sports psychologist?

I wonder if it's more that we are expecting our hookers to participate more and more in attacking and defensive structures, and then expecting them to perform a precise skill while exhausted.

A structure where they are on the edge (eg the 1 in the 1-3-3-1), rather than in th eline hitting rucks and part of a pod might give them a bit more of a chance to be ready to throw from a physiology side of things.

 

[Derpus]

I wonder if it's more that we are expecting our hookers to participate more and more in attacking and defensive structures, and then expecting them to perform a precise skill while exhausted.

A structure where they are on the edge (eg the 1 in the 1-3-3-1), rather than in th eline hitting rucks and part of a pod might give them a bit more of a chance to be ready to throw from a physiology side of things.

We want Dane Coles but we can't have him.