mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
Had a good view of the proceedings, no sun and no tears or dust.. The Samoans were intense from the start and their defence outstanding... After their second try they knew they were a chance up set and you cold see it in the eyes. They’ve just completed some strong performances in the Pacific nation’s cup and have clearly built continuity and a solid defence.
I'll give you the honest truth...form the sideline...
Wallabies rookie scrum half Phipps was smashed all day as his second row and loosies didn't show up to cover him. This developed into pressure, poor passing and mishandling behind the maul. His pass was slow and arched putting those outside him under pressure. He didn’t box kick or throw any long or short inside passes which made his game easy to read by the Samoans, one dimensional play you could say, need to bring more to your game at this level.
Forwards review: Kepu scrum was good but in general play wasn’t seen. Alexander work got a pass mark only, Moore was the best of the front row in defence and work with the ball. Sharpie just looked slow often not seen and waited in the midfield channels and he didn't get to the breakdown fast enough. Vickerman made some difference when he came on but he was playing fresh against 60 minute opposition players so its hard to say what he has got to offer. But at one point stepped in to push a Samoan player of fellow forward, it was good to see the hardman is still in him and hasn't softened during Cambridge studies.. oh and The Samoan player retreated quickly. Timani didn't do enough work at the breakdown and was targeted by the Samoans. Something person there as it was his first wallabies test and perhaps because he now he can't play for his island birth place? The Wallabies loosies were poor this included captain Elsom and Hodgo. McCalamn didn't make mistakes but also didn't make an impact as a No.8. Beau Robinson got involved late but lost the ball several times when the Wallabies were pushing into the oppositions half. Higginbotham was good but too late to change the result.
Backs: Giteau’s positional play was solid, passing & kicking sharp and defence good. He spent a lot of the afternoon in cover defence doing the work of others. McCabe and Digby all did there work well, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) had somewhat low profile game again and didn’t add anything extra, and Phipps and Davies gave up several tries to the Samoans. Gerard like Giteau spent his time covering others mistakes and didn't get an opportunity to get into the match. Giteau was rewarded with a late try supporting right until the end.
All the Samoan tries were scored off Wallabies mistakes mainly either on Davies wing or by youngest Phipps. Both created two weak channels for the Samoans to put pressure. Matches stats would be interesting.
The Samoan team were often off side and not penalised, lucky them, they ran a creeping flat rush defence which saw guys like Timani choke and spill the ball in the backs on numerous occasions and Phipps panic pass. Giteau kicked well for positional play when able however was made to cover tackle for those who failed to mark their man in the line. He if didn’t it the Wallabies would have lost by way more.
Genia and Beale helped and looked good against match weary 65 minute players but didn’t link with the players who were already on the field.
Personally I think Deans wanted no injuries to his main squad, or risk them. I’m little suspicious about JOCs late hamstring injury. The wing he would have played against was the size of Lomu.
Deans left them out there to swing even though it was clear in some positions it just wasn't working. With no Australia A its difficult for the coaches to give guys a taste of international rugby without throwing them into the deep end like Sunday.
All as I saw it... next match please... move on, the new lads will learn...
I'll give you the honest truth...form the sideline...
Wallabies rookie scrum half Phipps was smashed all day as his second row and loosies didn't show up to cover him. This developed into pressure, poor passing and mishandling behind the maul. His pass was slow and arched putting those outside him under pressure. He didn’t box kick or throw any long or short inside passes which made his game easy to read by the Samoans, one dimensional play you could say, need to bring more to your game at this level.
Forwards review: Kepu scrum was good but in general play wasn’t seen. Alexander work got a pass mark only, Moore was the best of the front row in defence and work with the ball. Sharpie just looked slow often not seen and waited in the midfield channels and he didn't get to the breakdown fast enough. Vickerman made some difference when he came on but he was playing fresh against 60 minute opposition players so its hard to say what he has got to offer. But at one point stepped in to push a Samoan player of fellow forward, it was good to see the hardman is still in him and hasn't softened during Cambridge studies.. oh and The Samoan player retreated quickly. Timani didn't do enough work at the breakdown and was targeted by the Samoans. Something person there as it was his first wallabies test and perhaps because he now he can't play for his island birth place? The Wallabies loosies were poor this included captain Elsom and Hodgo. McCalamn didn't make mistakes but also didn't make an impact as a No.8. Beau Robinson got involved late but lost the ball several times when the Wallabies were pushing into the oppositions half. Higginbotham was good but too late to change the result.
Backs: Giteau’s positional play was solid, passing & kicking sharp and defence good. He spent a lot of the afternoon in cover defence doing the work of others. McCabe and Digby all did there work well, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) had somewhat low profile game again and didn’t add anything extra, and Phipps and Davies gave up several tries to the Samoans. Gerard like Giteau spent his time covering others mistakes and didn't get an opportunity to get into the match. Giteau was rewarded with a late try supporting right until the end.
All the Samoan tries were scored off Wallabies mistakes mainly either on Davies wing or by youngest Phipps. Both created two weak channels for the Samoans to put pressure. Matches stats would be interesting.
The Samoan team were often off side and not penalised, lucky them, they ran a creeping flat rush defence which saw guys like Timani choke and spill the ball in the backs on numerous occasions and Phipps panic pass. Giteau kicked well for positional play when able however was made to cover tackle for those who failed to mark their man in the line. He if didn’t it the Wallabies would have lost by way more.
Genia and Beale helped and looked good against match weary 65 minute players but didn’t link with the players who were already on the field.
Personally I think Deans wanted no injuries to his main squad, or risk them. I’m little suspicious about JOCs late hamstring injury. The wing he would have played against was the size of Lomu.
Deans left them out there to swing even though it was clear in some positions it just wasn't working. With no Australia A its difficult for the coaches to give guys a taste of international rugby without throwing them into the deep end like Sunday.
All as I saw it... next match please... move on, the new lads will learn...
