Wallabies 2020
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Lorenzo
Colin Windon (37)
What pains me the most is that the running rugby thing is a myth. It never existed. The teams whose success running rugby zealots hold out as evidence of its efficacy actually kicked when it was called for, and kicked well.
We've been swindled, and I'm actually rather angry about it. I'm no nostradamus, but I saw out performance in this WC coming years ago, as did many of us. Meanwhile, the coach is holding his line about the way he thinks Australians want the team to play.
Its an absolute shame what has happened to our game. Disgusting. Like, no one has died or anything, and it is just a game, but its been so negligently left to wither and it means so much to so many of us.
We've been swindled, and I'm actually rather angry about it. I'm no nostradamus, but I saw out performance in this WC coming years ago, as did many of us. Meanwhile, the coach is holding his line about the way he thinks Australians want the team to play.
Its an absolute shame what has happened to our game. Disgusting. Like, no one has died or anything, and it is just a game, but its been so negligently left to wither and it means so much to so many of us.
Watching the 1991 and 1999 RWC wins, it was obvious that you are 100% correct. We kicked a lot, and kicked well. In 1999 we conceded 1 try all tournament. Running it like loons from everywhere was never the formula. Winning teams kick a lot.
dru
David Wilson (68)
Really, really like your “Hooper, why not?”
He is too good to leave out but we need a more balanced back row. And we have some very good talent coming through from u20.
This balance thing is really an issue born of having Hooper and Pocock around at the same time. Now, by circumstance, we don't have that issue. Right or wrong. Pick a big, mobile, skilled 6 and 8 (I'm not saying where we find them, mind you!) and Hooper is fine. Dropping Hooper to the bench or the centres (hmmm, no) and keeping, say, big but not really dynamic 6s and 8s would seem odd. Now maybe the better option at 7 will turn out to be someone else - McReight etc..., but I think sorting out the "balance" will be, by default, easier now. Anyway, I'm sure the debate will roll on.
Agree he is a great player and stays as skipper, the young guy McReight is going to be outstanding, Hooper carries the ball great, passing is fine and tackles well. Our midfield needs reinforcement. We would benefit in both areas. Not as though anyone has established as a dominant 12 moving forward.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Dempsey will come good next year if he stays fit. I feel he was a couple games away from getting back to form, timing was just a little off. Unfortunately we didn't have 2-3 game to get him back there.
Samu next year will be a good inclusion in the team too, either at 6 or coming off the bench.
I really think the 'balance' in the back-row has been blown out of proportion too. If it's not hurting the set-piece then its fine, and it wasn't.
NZ and England both play with similar 'balance' with two 7's, and it works. However, they tend to back it up with having a good game-plan and you know... having the other 12 blokes on the field pitch in too.
Samu next year will be a good inclusion in the team too, either at 6 or coming off the bench.
I really think the 'balance' in the back-row has been blown out of proportion too. If it's not hurting the set-piece then its fine, and it wasn't.
NZ and England both play with similar 'balance' with two 7's, and it works. However, they tend to back it up with having a good game-plan and you know... having the other 12 blokes on the field pitch in too.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
I think there needs be a balance between out sourcing and looking in house.
Yes there there are some kicks which aren't related or suitable to rugby union, but then there are some which certainly are. What is relevant to rugby needs to be put into the context of the game and the different points during the game, focus on those skills which are relevant and ignore those which aren't. Yes AFL focuses on the short kicking game pretty heavily these days, but they are still the subject matter experts in this country on the torpedo kick, which is suitable to kicking for touch and a good skillset for the back 3.
Sure, use them if it helps. But we don't "need" that IP necessarily. I think kicking has atrophied from underuse in critical situations. All of our likely kickers of recent times have shown the ability to kick good distances for touch and tactically, but only at times, and never consistently. I firmly believe they would all be better if they were using the skill in games more frequently. Whatever help we can get, fine.
Silverado
Dick Tooth (41)
With Arnold and Coleman moving on (As well as Chieka), I hope the LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) experiment at 6 is over. He was a good lock who I thought was our future but just looks lost and going through the motions. It's an indictment on the coaching IMO. Put him back at lock and play Samu or Dempsey at 6
Over promoted and over indulged. Cannot remember the last game he played where he made a difference. Hopefully whoever coaches next starts with a clean sheet. Plenty of protected species.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Not sure that I qualify as a zealot, but I do have a long memory. Randwick teams absolutely never kicked by choice, back in the good old, bad old, days. The fifties and the sixties.
Cheika had plenty of odd selections over the years, but weirdly enough I thought the 23 in the England game was the right one.
Petaia was a genuinely good selection, and I thought Beale played well too. The Pooper did well at the breakdown, the only one he probably got wrong was Genia over White.
I don't think selection was why we lost, and I don't see the need for an incoming coach to tear up the team sheet and start again.
.
Petaia was a genuinely good selection, and I thought Beale played well too. The Pooper did well at the breakdown, the only one he probably got wrong was Genia over White.
I don't think selection was why we lost, and I don't see the need for an incoming coach to tear up the team sheet and start again.
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Viking
Mark Ella (57)
The big calls in Beale and Petaia worked fine.
But Genia over White a mistake. As well as Lilo over To'omua.
Get used to it. Apart from the Reds signing some to 4 year deals, I think we will see players leaving for these pay-days more and more.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Chip kick aside i presume.
Even the English press have been left befuddled by our tactical ineptness.
10-12 seems the biggest question (hooker too I guess).
But no use making wallaby choices until you work out who plays where at super level.
Reds:
10 Lucas / Hegarty - Lucas apparently the front runner but I don’t think he’s shown enough there to lead a backline. Hegarty for mine.
12 JOC (James O'Connor) / Stewart- JOC (James O'Connor) favourite but really like what Stewart has done for Qld C
Waratahs:
10 Mason / Harrison
12 Beale / Foketi / Moeroa - Beale perhaps at 15, no idea about the new boy but Foketi has improved all season and particularly in NRC
Brumbies:
10 Loloesio / Kuenzle
12 Simone / Loloesio / Kata? - personally I really like how Simone has developed. He’s a real wallaby roughie in my eye.
Rebels:
10 Deegan / To'omua - Deegan would be my Wallaby ten at the moment.
12 To'omua / Meakes / Hodge
So I’d be happy with a 10 Deegan 12 Simone combo.
But no use making wallaby choices until you work out who plays where at super level.
Reds:
10 Lucas / Hegarty - Lucas apparently the front runner but I don’t think he’s shown enough there to lead a backline. Hegarty for mine.
12 JOC (James O'Connor) / Stewart- JOC (James O'Connor) favourite but really like what Stewart has done for Qld C
Waratahs:
10 Mason / Harrison
12 Beale / Foketi / Moeroa - Beale perhaps at 15, no idea about the new boy but Foketi has improved all season and particularly in NRC
Brumbies:
10 Loloesio / Kuenzle
12 Simone / Loloesio / Kata? - personally I really like how Simone has developed. He’s a real wallaby roughie in my eye.
Rebels:
10 Deegan / To'omua - Deegan would be my Wallaby ten at the moment.
12 To'omua / Meakes / Hodge
So I’d be happy with a 10 Deegan 12 Simone combo.