Wallabies 2023

[PhilClinton]

Unfortunately Rae Rae you quoted me before I could rewrite my post, but all good...

Overall it's a strange article from McKay - some lazy analysis that doesn't really go to the heart of the Wallabies problems, making odd excuses for some players (Leota and Valetini made Hooper look bad / Wilson on a hiding for nothing) and using some random stats to try and confirm his own pre-conceived feelings.

There is a specific term for this type of journalism, I can't put my finger on it though (not being sarcastic either)

It is similar in basketball when teams promote players as 'the first player since 1987 to average 15pts 8 rebounds and 5 assists per game' which really means nothing except sounds good in a promotion - the reality is people can cherry pick any statistic they want to either promote or devalue a player or team.

 

[stillmissit]

If Rennie makes changes to the back row I would like Holloway at 8 and Valetini at 6 and the inevitable but not so successful at the breakdown - Hooper 7.

 

[Joe Blow]

There is a specific term for this type of journalism, I can't put my finger on it though (not being sarcastic either)

It is similar in basketball when teams promote players as 'the first player since 1987 to average 15pts 8 rebounds and 5 assists per game' which really means nothing except sounds good in a promotion - the reality is people can cherry pick any statistic they want to either promote or devalue a player or team.

I dont think that is Brett McKays MO.
There is something in it and we were unable to convert a good share of possession into a similar amount of territory. IMHO this reflects a less than stellar kicking game and a lack of effective ball carrying. I am sure that it is being addressed as we chat.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The series loss still really grinds my gears and I hope it does with the players too. The bit that needs to be addressed is that "tight loose" area, on both side of the ball. We also keep getting isolated at the breakdown and this has been a problem for several years. England are particularly effective at punishing us for that and it needs to be sorted out.

 

[Sully]

Will Skelton and tom banks have never left a great impression other than one filled with “ifs”
With Arnold, rodda, Phillip, swain and neville plus now luke Jones coming back I’m not sure we need big will anyways?

I thought he was poor in his two tests. How many tests do you give the guy o/s to perform?

fullback - I have almost no answers. Can we bring folau from 5 years ago back?

ten is a looming problem in need of a solution. Hopefully donaldson, edmed, passitoa and Gordon all get plenty of game time next year and we see growth.
Noah is serviceable but he’s not the 10 you want, the one you need right now.

You forgot Creighton.

You did forget him didn't you?

I'm sure you forgot him.

 

[Viking]

The outcome from the series certainly seems to be that we have a hole to fill at 6. Hooper and Valetini certainly seem pretty locked in at 7 and 8 and Samu as the bench backrower.

Leota had two tests and didn't really shine then Wilson struggled in the third.

Feels like there's a good chance Holloway gets a crack at 6.

I have high hopes for Holloway. I also love the look of T Hooper at 6 for next year. It might be one year too soon but a great future prospect.

Where is McMahon these days?

 

[qwerty51]

If you’re looking for a future 6 (or 8)

Langi. Gleeson.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

He looks alright doesn't he

 

[Derpus]

If you’re looking for a future 6 (or 8)

Langi. Gleeson.

Might be a bit small? Looks great though.

 

[fatprop]

Might be a bit small? Looks great though.

But so far he plays "big"

 

[Joe Blow]

Gleeson looks very good. Not sure how his set piece work is but he can carry and defend.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If you’re looking for a future 6 (or 8)

Langi. Gleeson.

Might be a bit small? Looks great though.

Love him.

Always running for meters and has the ability to pilfer as well. I've said it before but he reminds me of Ardie Savea. Ardie is listed at 190cm and 99kg. Langi at 188cm and 106kg.

They both have a Rugby League Backrower style of running which is fast leg speed and late footwork. Something most Union players lack but it makes up for any lack of height they may have.

 

[stillmissit]

His running game is fine, same with Leota's. Even with the 'chariots of fire' style, it's effective. I think it's the breakdown accuracy and work that's lacking from our 6's.

Viking RE breakdown work, I would add that all of our 8 forwards, with the occasional exception ie Samu and Porecki are poor. The absence of ball winners in the forwards is an embarrassment when you consider our backs seem to do a better job than our forwards.
LOSE THE BREAKDOWN - LOSE THE GAME was the mantra when I played years ago and I have seen nothing in the last 20+ years of Wallaby games to dispute this analogy. As support for this idea, you can watch any game from McQueens time and see how the forwards ripped into the breakdowns.
Viking, I will add that we need to be competitive in all areas, i.e. it would be hard to win if you were lousy in the lineout, scrum etc but great at the breakdown. At the end of Eddie Jones's time we were lousy at the lineout, scrum and breakdown where his 'do not compete - stay in the D' just about destroyed our Rugby nouse.

 

[Lindommer]

If Rennie makes changes to the back row I would like Holloway at 8 and Valetini at 6 and the inevitable but not so successful at the breakdown - Hooper 7.

I've thought for years (in fact since Jed made his debut for the Tahs in 2013) Holloway SHOULD be a world-beating number 8. The Wallabies have always looked good when they've had a big, bruising player wear the 8 jumper skittling opponents all over the paddock.

 

[stillmissit]

I've thought for years (in fact since Jed made his debut for the Tahs in 2013) Holloway SHOULD be a world-beating number 8. The Wallabies have always looked good when they've had a big, bruising player wear the 8 jumper skittling opponents all over the paddock.

Completely agree and that was my thinking at that time. He suffered from a lack of big locks, seen it a few times in our rugby.

 

[Braveheart81]

Viking RE breakdown work, I would add that all of our 8 forwards, with the occasional exception ie Samu and Porecki are poor. The absence of ball winners in the forwards is an embarrassment when you consider our backs seem to do a better job than our forwards.
LOSE THE BREAKDOWN - LOSE THE GAME was the mantra when I played years ago and I have seen nothing in the last 20+ years of Wallaby games to dispute this analogy. As support for this idea, you can watch any game from McQueens time and see how the forwards ripped into the breakdowns.
Viking, I will add that we need to be competitive in all areas, i.e. it would be hard to win if you were lousy in the lineout, scrum etc but great at the breakdown. At the end of Eddie Jones's time we were lousy at the lineout, scrum and breakdown where his 'do not compete - stay in the D' just about destroyed our Rugby nouse.

We won more turnovers in the 1st and 3rd tests and dominated possession in the second.

Our ruck success percentage was higher in the first two tests and only slightly lower in the third.

The perception that we got beaten at the breakdown doesn't seem to hold out in the stats. It was very even across the series.

Some decision making around players getting isolated and missed cleanouts would be our main areas of concern.

 

[fatprop]

I've thought for years (in fact since Jed made his debut for the Tahs in 2013) Holloway SHOULD be a world-beating number 8. The Wallabies have always looked good when they've had a big, bruising player wear the 8 jumper skittling opponents all over the paddock.

Except he has historically gone missing when playing @ 8

At lock, he was forced to play tighter and has more quality involvements

 

[John S]

Except he has historically gone missing when playing @ 8

At lock, he was forced to play tighter and has more quality involvements

But that was before he came back - he came back a better player - I think on current form he could slot in and be that 8 or play at lock.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Jed certainly has the attributes to be an excellent eight, I just wonder if Rennie will play him there. For mine at least one of those back row spots is up for grabs. We need a line bending ball runner and/or rock shifter at the breakdown and I'm not totally convinced after the England series that we have a back row combo nailed down yet.

 

[Proud Pig]

No other sport imposes these bullshit restrictions. I want to see the wallabies win end of. If it’s 23 overseas based players but that wins us the 23 WC I couldn’t care one iota

I agree completely, as I said either stick to the rule or throw it out completely and make it open slather.