Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Up the Guts]

Yeah. Agreed. To be honest it was just a bit of a bored comment. I don’t have any concerns around those two.

More concerning are Genia’s stats. He had some nightmarish defensive shifts for the Wallabies last year and hasn’t improved for the Rebels thus far. Strange because he use not to be so bad.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Will seems to be in the last line of defense a lot more this year and he hasn't always made a good fist of it.

 

[Dctarget]

Unfortunately for us Genia could fall off every tackle, direct them to the try line and serve them scones and tea when they score and he'll still be the starting 9.

 

[Derpus]

Unfortunately for us Genia could fall off every tackle, direct them to the try line and serve them scones and tea when they score and he'll still be the starting 9.

Is Genia being in the form of his life unfortunate for us? He was playing in the last line of the Wallabies, as well. He was asked to make last ditch tackles on players bigger and faster than him, regularly. Makes sense he had a low success rate.

 

[Dctarget]

Is Genia being in the form of his life unfortunate for us? He was playing in the last line of the Wallabies, as well. He was asked to make last ditch tackles on players bigger and faster than him, regularly. Makes sense he had a low success rate.

The unfortunate bit is that he's such a walk in, he doesn't need to improve his defence to secure his spot.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I've seen some research, for the NRL I think, that showed absolutely no correlation between missed tackles and winning games. I wonder if that holds true for rugby as well?

I mean all being equal you'd pick the better tackler, but if it comes at the expense of defense, or putting points on the board?

 

[Up the Guts]

Genia should be our first choice nine but it would be nice if he did start making his tackles.

 

[Silverado]

I've seen some research, for the NRL I think, that showed absolutely no correlation between missed tackles and winning games. I wonder if that holds true for rugby as well?

I mean all being equal you'd pick the better tackler, but if it comes at the expense of defense, or putting points on the board?

Like all stats, they have to be considered against other stats, in this case tackles attempted and minutes played rather than games. Also In the modern rush defense players may miss tackles but are still disruptive to the attack.

 

[Brumby Runner]

^^^ I've seen that trotted out a few times lately to excuse the missed tackles from Hooper and Hunt who are exponents of the rush defense. Does it apply to others? Who, for example?

 

[Silverado]

^^^ I've seen that trotted out a few times lately to excuse the missed tackles from Hooper and Hunt who are exponents of the rush defense. Does it apply to others? Who, for example?

Wasn't relating it to your beloved Waratahs. Rush defense is high risk but the benefits in shutting down attack, then missed tackles are collateral damage. You've probably heard it a lot because quite a few people see it as valid

 

[Braveheart81]

^^^ I've seen that trotted out a few times lately to excuse the missed tackles from Hooper and Hunt who are exponents of the rush defense. Does it apply to others? Who, for example?

You'd have to analyse the missed tackles and the defensive system used.

If you're employing a rush defence (and most sides do to some degree), the player rushing up first has the job of leading the defensive line but also trying to prevent the ball or the player getting outside them. If they turn the play back in they've probably succeeded in their aim even if they miss the tackle and the guy inside them has to make it.

The Waratahs are averaging the least tries conceded in the Aussie conference and Hooper and Hunt are the defensive leaders of the forwards and backs respectively so they seem to be doing alright.

 

[Derpus]

You'd have to analyse the missed tackles and the defensive system used.

If you're employing a rush defence (and most sides do to some degree), the player rushing up first has the job of leading the defensive line but also trying to prevent the ball or the player getting outside them. If they turn the play back in they've probably succeeded in their aim even if they miss the tackle and the guy inside them has to make it.

The Waratahs are averaging the least tries conceded in the Aussie conference and Hooper and Hunt are the defensive leaders of the forwards and backs respectively so they seem to be doing alright.

It is a risky strategy, though. If not used in the correct system and with a set defence you are just as likely to miss and leave a hole in the defensive line.

I don't know why more teams don't have an inside runner hanging off the ball carrier being targeted by Hunt or Hooper.

 

[Braveheart81]

The Reds statistically have the best tackle % in the comp but they've conceded 4 tries a game and are yet to win.

 

[The Honey Badger]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvAqBVIDHXW/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=yrg4ntihihid


Beetoota Advocate had the answer

 

[Rebels3]

My team so far for the first wallabies game would be

1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. AAT
4. Jones
5. Rodda
6. McCaffrey
7. Pocock
8. Naisarani
9. Genia (c)
10. Cooper
11. Folau
12. Kerevi
13. Hunt
14. Banks
15. Beale

16. BPA
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. Coleman/Philip
20. Salakaia-Loto (To'omua if want to go 5/3 split)
21. Hooper
22. Gordon
23. Hodge

 

[RugbyReg]

Beale's selection is an interesting one. I can't say I've seen much from him this season.

 

[Brumby Runner]

My team so far for the first wallabies game would be

1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. AAT
4. Jones
5. Rodda
6. McCaffrey
7. Pocock
8. Naisarani
9. Genia (c)
10. Cooper
11. Folau
12. Kerevi
13. Hunt
14. Banks
15. Beale

16. BPA
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. Coleman/Philip
20. Salakaia-Loto (To'omua if want to go 5/3 split)
21. Hooper
22. Gordon
23. Hodge

Good side R3. I wouldn't have Hunt at 13 - he hasn't played any time in the position this year as far as I know. I would also not have Beale in the side at all. He is all reputation these days. He has almost no impact on a game.

13 I would have Kuridrani and 15 would be DHP. I am also a bit surprised that you favour Jones over Philip. To an outsider, it looks like Philip is in better form. What are you seeing that others don't?

I really do like the look of that backrow.

 

[wamberal]

Beale's selection is an interesting one. I can't say I've seen much from him this season.

I have, and what I have seen would not support his selection for Eastwood thirds, frankly.

 

[Adam84]

If it’s purely on form, then Beale isn’t in the mix.

But surely it’s an objective approach, we can’t simply forget what players have done in the past, Beale is one of the few Australian players who can prove a point of difference at test level. Any test selection without Beale is just crazy, he is 100% in the 23 for any wallabies squad selected.

 

[wamberal]

If it’s purely on form, then Beale isn’t in the mix.

But surely it’s an objective approach, we can’t simply forget what players have done in the past, Beale is one of the few Australian players who can prove a point of difference at test level. Any test selection without Beale is just crazy, he is 100% in the 23 for any wallabies squad selected.

Objectivity should come into it, for sure. How far back is "the past"? Last season? The season before?

How about we pick players on current form? Or potential? Or a mixture of both. Not on nostalgia.