Wallabies 2023

[TSR]

True but he doesn't include anyone else in his planning according to reports from his time in England.
So I hold my point that his planning is lacking as it always must be when you rely on only your views.

I heard a story from a guy around the wallabies in the RWC 2003 when we knocked out NZ that the guys decided to ignore Eddie's plan and play how they wanted to..

Really. I certainly heard stories that players went off script in defiance of Jones. But I my understanding was that was years later.

But as far as I was aware the ambush of NZ in 2003 has always been acknowledged as a product of terrific long term planing and execution of strategy where the Wallabies played a certain way all year but trained extensively to prepare for that game.

I am a long way from the action though - maybe I’m wrong.

 

[TSR]

TSR that is just between you and me...OK?

All good mate - I’ll never mention it publicly.

 

[Derpus]

I think Quade is playing better footy at test level than he was during his ‘prime’.

It’s horses for courses with him though, the bloke has a knack for knowing where the space is and setting a good attacking platform, when you put a bloke like Kerevi outside him, QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper) doesn’t overplay his hand.

Quade isn't playing footy though.

 

[stillmissit]

There's a 48 or even 72 hour stand down period of a new players in the squad (so France or just the UK/Ireland don't get a big advantage)

What happens if Quade goes down in the captain's run or very early on in a match? You want Foley.

NO! give me Gordon. Let's hope Quade holds together long enough to get us to the semi's, hope Eddie subs him off early in early games where it is OK to do so.

 

[stillmissit]

Quade isn't playing footy though.

It's a worry and I am hoping that Donalson, Noah or Gordon stand up in the few tests before the RWC or we are in edge of a razor blade territory.

 

[cyclopath]

I think Quade is playing better footy at test level than he was during his ‘prime’.

It’s horses for courses with him though, the bloke has a knack for knowing where the space is and setting a good attacking platform, when you put a bloke like Kerevi outside him, QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper) doesn’t overplay his hand.

Given his long term rehab, this tense is pretty speculative.
He's a pro, and I'm sure his rehab is being done absolutely spot on, but there's a way to go for him yet. I hope he is back at peak form though.

 

[stillmissit]

Fair enough. Which of my criticisms of Foley do you disagree with.

And sorry - yes, I do realise we are talking about the number 2 choice here. But I think we both agree the back up is going to be very important.

To be clear - I don’t dispute that it isn’t ideal to have to back a rookie. But I just don’t see Foley as a good option. I’d have to review the game but didn’t Foley cost us one of the tests last year by not completing a simple draw and pass. Those are the sort of decisions he makes too often for me.

TSR and QWERTY: It doesn't matter too much who we choose if our pack is going backwards and/or is not competing well at the breakdown and set piece.
In 2003 Johnny Wilkinson had a great pack in front of him.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Ghost, you are most probably right but Eddie has brought several youngsters into this squad and he is either looking to next year or believes his own BS that 'if they are good enough they are old enough'. Never seen him do that yet.

I look at it like State of Origin. There is always 4/5 guys that go into camp that are never intended to play and if injury hit they would bring someone in from outside the camp over throwing someone not ready into the game. Probably a different mindset being a WC year but with the length of Eddie’s deal I hope he does also have have an eye on 25,27 because it’s not like he’s being sacked this year.

 

[upthereds#!]

I’m confused by the whole thing. If they’re injured and considered integral they should be on the rehab list with the other 3 blokes. If they are dropped their names shouldn’t even be on the piece of paper. That bottom section should not even be there.

I guess the rehab guys are the 'lock ins' who will not play for their Super Rugby team again perhaps - big names which RA has taken over the rehab.

 

[qwerty51]

TSR and QWERTY: It doesn't matter too much who we choose if our pack is going backwards and/or is not competing well at the breakdown and set piece.
In 2003 Johnny Wilkinson had a great pack in front of him.

What actually matters most is someone who is going to kick goals at 85%+

 

[Doritos Day]

with the length of Eddie’s deal I hope he does also have have an eye on 25,27 because it’s not like he’s being sacked this year.

I doubt it, he’s spoken multiple times with great conviction about only focussing on this year.

 

[stillmissit]

What actually matters most is someone who is going to kick goals at 85%+

If our pack is beaten we will struggle to get in their half, therefore a penalty kicker at 85% with 4 possible kicks can kick 12 points max - 9 points likely.
I believe that a strong pack is essential to win the cup.

 

[stillmissit]

Given his long term rehab, this tense is pretty speculative.
He's a pro, and I'm sure his rehab is being done absolutely spot on, but there's a way to go for him yet. I hope he is back at peak form though.

If he's not our chances drop significantly. As many here know I am a Carter Gordon fan but he cannot do what QC (Quade Cooper) is capable of at this time in his career. It is a rare thing and IF he gets to RWC and remains competitive we have a decent chance, assuming our pack can equal the opposition.
A lot of if ands and buts in there, if you brought me this as your plan for RWC success I would question whether you were in the right job!!!!!

 

[qwerty51]

If our pack is beaten we will struggle to get in their half, therefore a penalty kicker at 85% with 4 possible kicks can kick 12 points max - 9 points likely.
I believe that a strong pack is essential to win the cup.

Obviously but even a beaten pack will get pen goal opportunities, missing a penalty and a conversion could be the difference between winning and losing.
Every RWC winner has scraped by in the knockouts by a kick.

SA (vs Wales) 2019
NZ (vs SA) 2015
NZ (vs France) 2011
SA (vs England) 2007 (did win by 9 but it was all kicks!
Eng ..... 2003
Aus (vs SA) 1999

I think people are insane if they'd prefer Carter Gordon kicking our clutch goals instead of Foley.

 

[Drew]

Doesn’t White kick goals? Pretty sure he’s a lock in the starting XV.

 

[TSR]

I don’t think absolutism works on any of these issues.
- a good forward pack is vital, but they only make up half the team. If you don’t have a good backline the forward pack are pushing shit up hill
- by your own reference Qwerty, Foleys goal kicking didn’t win either the Ireland or the French game. If I’m correct he missed an early on v Ireland, but otherwise was flawless in that game and for the game v France

There are a whole bunch of other sayings which are good copy - but they are far too simplistic. You need to have strengths across the board.

Even South Africa - the masters of 10 main rugby based on a brutal 8 are World Champs in no small part from the contribution of their halves, centres and wingers

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It’s what might get Lonergan into the match day squads.

 

[TSR]

Obviously but even a beaten pack will get pen goal opportunities, missing a penalty and a conversion could be the difference between winning and losing.
Every RWC winner has scraped by in the knockouts by a kick.

SA (vs Wales) 2019
NZ (vs SA) 2015
NZ (vs France) 2011
SA (vs England) 2007 (did win by 9 but it was all kicks!
Eng ..... 2003
Aus (vs SA) 1999

I think people are insane if they'd prefer Carter Gordon kicking our clutch goals instead of Foley.

But that’s not what I’m saying. This isn’t the NFL. Foley can’t just kick his goals and go off. He need to be up to standard across the board and I personally thought he was too far short last year. And it’s worth noting his last stints with both the Wallabies before that and with the Tahs he was also out of form.

in any case, while he has kicked some memorable goals under pressure. He has also missed plenty he should have got. He’s certainly not the goal kicking Messiah.

Edit: im Intrigued though - if that is your rationale, wouldn’t Lolesio be your preferred 10? Probably even in front of Cooper.

 

[Spamnoodle]

If I were Souths I’d be making a few phone calls

Souths are doing fine with the new 10 on the block thanks

 

[whitefalcon]

It’s what might get Lonergan into the match day squads.

Yeah, I'm surprised Lonergan doesn't kick for goal for the brumbies even with Noah on the field. He's an excellent kicker