Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup 2011

[cyclopath]

he kicked alright on Friday, but his stats are no better.

JOC (James O'Connor) & Barnes look less "contrived" place kickers

It would certainly be one of those two for me. Barnes has kicked well in clubland recently, which translates a bit better than general play as it is unopposed.

 

[tallboy]

Munster he did nothing when we lost last year, same with Leicester... There are a few more games as well

In both those midweek games he was players player and also got the Coaches 3 points as well, so they are hardly glaring examples.

The Hodgo or Beau argument is a moot point as it involves Deans having to admit his whole "specialist 7's are being taken out of the game" statement was bullshit. Despite our last 2 games showing how off the pace that theory is for our particular side, I can't see him removing his ego from the equation and call for a back up, particularly seeing as Pocock is back.

 

[RedsHappy]

You'd think the captain would also be a certainty.

It's a scary commentary on the uncertainty bleeding through most matters Wallaby as of today, but you'll have seen that B Dwyer is now advocating a change of captain for the next match to Genia, with Horwill in the reserves along with QC (Quade Cooper)!

 

[RedsHappy]

In both those midweek games he was players player and also got the Coaches 3 points as well, so they are hardly glaring examples.

The Hodgo or Beau argument is a moot point as it involves Deans having to admit his whole "specialist 7's are being taken out of the game" statement was bullshit. Despite our last 2 games showing how off the pace that theory is for our particular side, I can't see him removing his ego from the equation and call for a back up, particularly seeing as Pocock is back.

tb, history would surely support your theory re RD's absolute unwillingness to admit error, or take any direct responsibility himself for the deficiency within the orbit of team performance. Those 'reversal' changes he does make, tend to have come months or years after his own choices have been proven highly debatable or simply downright wrong; e.g.. the perseverance with Giteau (especially as kicker) and with Elsom as captain. And it could well be argued those changes were made way, way too late in the preparing-for-RWC cycle.

Whatever, RD could make 'reversals' now as he knows that crunch time has arrived, there are no hiding places and ARU media manipulation strategies left in the jar - since early 2010, the ARU and RD have positioned his era as 'all about a RWC victory' (and many posters here endorsed the correctness of that perspective). If we now go to a QF vs SA and lose, then, end-to-end, from October 2007 (when just pre that RWC 2007 QF we were ranked 2 via the IRB) to September 2011, we will have gained precisely zero over 4 full years of Wallaby rugby. The only remnant will be the reams of hype.

 

[Richo]

My desire for Barnes to be in the starting team has a lot less to do with his place-kicking than his level-headed and very tactical general game. Let's not forget he was displaced as the Tahs' kicker in both of the last seasons due to poor performance. I think pressure DOES affect his goal-kicking, but not necessarily the rest of his game.

 

[vidiot]

As supporters, you guys must be concerned at the lack of certainty of who is the best player in so many positions this late in the game?

Who are the best props?
Hooker - you'd have to say Moore at this stage?
The best locks?
Best 6 and 8? Cover for Pocock?
9 - Genia
10 - QC (Quade Cooper)
Best centre combo?
Wings?
15 - Beale

With guys like Slipper, Palu, Barnes, Horne, Mitchell and even Vickerman coming back so late, I'm struggling to see how good combinations and good form can build before the final games.

As an outsider, it looks like there will be a huge amount of faith and pressure placed on some individual talent and some magic moments being created.

Even the goal kicker seems to be picked based on who kicked the most goals in the last game. No certainty at all. People are now saying Barnes but after SA last year it was Beale and then O'Conner then back to QC (Quade Cooper).....it's facinating to watch.

I have to say that I read Dwyers latest article with a wry grin. He was either being mischevious or moronic with some of his comments - on Horwill in particular. We seem to have players being picked or dropped on the basis of relatively small fluctuations in form from game to game with huge variations in the context of that form - ie the debacle against Ireland vs the rout of USAB.

 

[Slim 293]

I have to say that I read Dwyers latest article with a wry grin. He was either being mischevious or moronic with some of his comments - on Horwill in particular. We seem to have players being picked or dropped on the basis of relatively small fluctuations in form from game to game with huge variations in the context of that form - ie the debacle against Ireland vs the rout of USAB.

After the Irish loss many forumers were calling for players who'd been exceptional during the Tri Nations to be dropped in favour of those who'd performed OK against the USA...

We tend to overreact after a loss and call for everyone from the captain to the coach to get the sack, and often ignore what really went wrong and what actually needs to be done to fix problems.

 

[Slim 293]

In both those midweek games he (Hodgo) was players player and also got the Coaches 3 points as well, so they are hardly glaring examples.

The Hodgo or Beau argument is a moot point as it involves Deans having to admit his whole "specialist 7's are being taken out of the game" statement was bullshit. Despite our last 2 games showing how off the pace that theory is for our particular side, I can't see him removing his ego from the equation and call for a back up, particularly seeing as Pocock is back.

Don't let the truth get in the way...

It's much easier just to say a player is no good because they happened to be in a team that lost a game rather to actually judge the performances of said player.

 

[Groucho]

Don't let the truth get in the way...

It's much easier just to say a player is no good because they happened to be in a team that lost a game rather to actually judge the performances of said player.

I'm sure the original poster had absolutely no idea how Hodgson actually played in those matches. This is the Internet after all.

 

[mark_s]

We tend to overreact after a loss and call for everyone from the captain to the coach to get the sack, and often ignore what really went wrong and what actually needs to be done to fix problems.

E.g. we have page after page of discussion, over multiple threads, of changes to (and analysis of) the backline following the irish game, yet it was our forwards that got beaten and lost us the game.

 

[waratahjesus]

After the Irish loss many forumers were calling for players who'd been exceptional during the Tri Nations to be dropped in favour of those who'd performed OK against the USA...

We tend to overreact after a loss and call for everyone from the captain to the coach to get the sack, and often ignore what really went wrong and what actually needs to be done to fix problems.

i think we tend to overreact to wins just as much as we do for loses, we ignore the loss to the English last year, but celebrate the French win, We ignore the lesson from Eden park at the start of the tri nations for the one at the end, but in no game did we give an 80 minute performance, thats the problem, we have never dominated an opponant (except the french after they surrendered) but we pat ourselves on the back constantly for wins that by contrast it makes us seem harsh, i really dont think we are.

I dont think the current Australian team is right, in balance, talent or assembling individuals as a team, it hasnt been for years and i have been saying so, but the occasional piece of individual brilliance by a couple of freak players in the wallaby line up have glossed over alot of problems.

 

[waratahjesus]

E.g. we have page after page of discussion, over multiple threads, of changes to (and analysis of) the backline following the irish game, yet it was our forwards that got beaten and lost us the game.

it was both, the lack of composure in the backline made the forwards do alot more work. the whole team was outplayed and showed they were unable to adapt.

 

[cyclopath]

E.g. we have page after page of discussion, over multiple threads, of changes to (and analysis of) the backline following the irish game, yet it was our forwards that got beaten and lost us the game.

Very true.
But, like WJ, I think there are team-wide issues that include the backs, and there is no reason they cannot be discussed. Apart from 9, 10 and 15, the other positions have been in constant flux, partly through injury, partly through some confusion from coaching staff as to what positions they really play, and partly through varying form. In the past we got by with often 35-40% ball but backs that used it well. Now they are less consistent.
Apart from the props, and McCalman (at 7) the forwards are at least in positions everyone can recognise and understand. How we get them to fire consistently is the real question.

 

[#1 Tah]

We tend to overreact after a loss and call for everyone from the captain to the coach to get the sack, and often ignore what really went wrong and what actually needs to be done to fix problems.

Chris Hickey said it best during The Code:

"One thing I have learned from being a coach is that you're never as smart as they say you are when you win, and you're never as dumb as they say you are when you lose"

 

[Jethro Tah]

Apparently Horne and McCabe should be good to go for the knockouts. Per Growden "Due to this encouraging development, the Wallabies will not be sending an SOS to Australia for a back-line replacement."

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/amber-light-for-horne-mccabe-lifts-wallabies-20110926-1ktnd.html

 

[nathan]

So if Growden's article is correct, with Kurtley potentially being out for the game against Russia...who exactly do we have to fill the wing/OC spot? Samo? Higginbotham? With McCabe, Fainga and Horne all out...there's no one left except for Phipps.

 

[BRIX]

Drewster the rooster

Geez, I was quietly hoping Ben Tapuai would get a call. Along with Beau Robinson no-less.

 

[Tangawizi]

Breaking news from Wallabies Facebook is that Palu is coming home. No replacement named as yet.

That is a blow but when you consider his lack of football in recent seasons, it's not terminal to our chances.

 

[Braveheart81]

That's a shame for Cliffy. He looked good against the USA and looked ready to split the No. 8 duties with Samo nicely.

I'll be surprised if they don't send over a number 7. I'd be very surprised if it isn't Hodgson. I don't necessarily think he's the best choice but I think that's who they'll go with.

 

[MrTimms]

Full update on ARU page

Wallabies Injury Update

9/27/2011
By ARU Media Unit

Wallabies No 8 Wycliff Palu is returning to Australia. The 29 year-old limped out of his 38th Test match last weekend in Wellington after suffering the reoccurrence of a hamstring strain in his left leg.

Scans in Christchurch yesterday revealed the extent of the damage.

Given the reoccurrence of the injury, Palu is expected to require six weeks of rehabilitation before he would be fit to be considered for selection again.

Unfortunately this time frame rules him out of further participation in the Rugby World Cup which has prompted the selectors to release him from the squad.

“It’s bad luck for Wycliff. Unfortunately his previous history of injury in this area has impacted, in terms of lengthening the timelines that are required for his rehabilitation,” Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says.

While Palu will be replaced in Australia’s 30-man squad, Deans says the selectors will be taking their time with that decision, and may even delay any call until after this weekend’s final Pool match against Russia in Nelson, so they can determine at that point what the team’s specific needs are.

Lock Dan Vickerman and fullback Kurtley Beale also underwent scans in Christchurch yesterday.

Vickerman was cleared of any problems in his leg.

Beale, who left the field during the first half of last week’s 67-5 win over the United States, was diagnosed with a minor hamstring strain which will see him rested from this weekend’s final pool match in order to get him ready for a possible quarter-final the following weekend.

Midfielders Pat McCabe (shoulder), Anthony Fainga’a (head) and Rob Horne (cheek) also left the field during Australia’s third pool match.

Fainga’a is following the IRB concussion protocols required by tournament and could be available for Australia’s next match.

Although McCabe and Horne will miss Saturday’s historic game against Russia, the timelines have been established for their return to playing duties, and they will both be remaining with the squad.

McCabe, who has made considerable progress with his injury since last weekend, is expected to be fit for consideration for a possible quarter-final appointment, while a possible semi-final (should Australia qualify) has been set as the return date for Horne after he underwent scans in Christchurch on Sunday.

Although unavailable to play, Horne will run with the squad during its public training in Hanmer Springs this afternoon.

Winger Digby Ioane is continuing his rehabilitation from the dislocated thumb he sustained in Australia’s opening match of the tournament against Italy, and is on-track to be available should the Wallabies qualify for the quarter-finals.

Flankers David Pocock (back) and Scott Higginbotham (back), winger James O’Connor and lock James Horwill (shoulder) are all expected to be available for selection for Australia’s next match at the tournament.