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Scotty
David Codey (61)
The result was closer, but I don't really see much difference to the game last week. We were less than half as effective as the ABs at getting over the gain line. I stand by what I said in that last weeks game was only really a 10 point game, due to the calls that went the ABs way, and the fact they only scored one legal try in the first half.
This week I would say that around 5 points was fair, and Kaplan's insistence on not cracking down on illegal slowing play at the breakdown cost us in the first half. However nothing cost us more than the lack of options in attack. It was either a one out forward ruck or spin it sideways. No inside balls, no chip kicks, no half back runs.
This week I would say that around 5 points was fair, and Kaplan's insistence on not cracking down on illegal slowing play at the breakdown cost us in the first half. However nothing cost us more than the lack of options in attack. It was either a one out forward ruck or spin it sideways. No inside balls, no chip kicks, no half back runs.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
He had already rolled away. Woodcock actually pushed him back towards the ball with a illegal and dangerous hit. Bakkies would have been carded for that.
D
daz
Guest
Yep. I'm with you Scotty.
Glad to see the boys spent time getting the restarts organised. But sadly by retaining that knowledge unfortunately they forgot about passes hitting targets and scrummaging. Any chance we can get it together?
Very flat in attack. Genia really is the new Burgess. Actually, I think even Burgess passes quicker. Shocker, Sanchez.
Never really looked like crossing the white line in the second half.
I'm a rugby Dad so I am always very, very careful that there is no backchat of the ref by my boy or his teammates. In that spirit, can I just say to Mr Kaplan, between clenched teeth:
"Good game, Sir. Very pleased to see you give a final warning to the ABs 5 times. My, those ABs are a lively bunch, right Sir? Also, thanks for making a stand on those close calls against the Wobs. You and your Sideline assistants are to be congratulated."
All in all, forget the scoreline. Just because it was closer than last week means little, I fear. I didn't expect to win but gee, I still have that horrible ball of hot lead in my guts, which I really shouldn't have if I thought the lads had a solid crack.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Genia was st----ruggling out there. He certainly isn't fit, at the very least match fit. His worst game for the wallabies. Only one attempted run, very slow at getting to some rucks. Burgess should have been on at 60mins.
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
A little exaggeration
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Does anyone have any report on Pocock? He seemed to have done his shoulder early in the second half but stuck with it?
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
For me the big difference is that at the world cup if we play NZ we know that with a team missing quite a few players we were only just beaten, given a couple of different decisions by the referee and we woulod have had a shot at winning. Last week we could not even pretend we were close
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
The big problem for me highlighted by a few others is that with Giteau at 10 we have no attack. Zero, nothing. Did the Wallabies ever look like scoring? Beale's try was very very good but wasn't created by Wallabies play. Without Cooper at 10 the next best option is Barnes.
Giteau at 10 and they may as well not even play against top opposition at best it is 80 minutes of defensive practice.
Giteau at 10 and they may as well not even play against top opposition at best it is 80 minutes of defensive practice.
C
chief
Guest
Don't complain about Kaplan, there were two problems. Failure to YC Woodcock was something bemusing to say the least. And giving an AB warning but failing to follow through with it. Aside from that it was a pretty good game
Also the first try came from a illegal quick throw, the players foot was in the field. Tough but it's the law. (Joubert's fault)
Genia was shit. Saia Fainga'a was my man of the match, he was fantastic.
Also the first try came from a illegal quick throw, the players foot was in the field. Tough but it's the law. (Joubert's fault)
Genia was shit. Saia Fainga'a was my man of the match, he was fantastic.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
I thought Kaplan was average not terrible but not good. Two very poor non-decisions the Woodcock thing and the lack of follow through on the three warnings for the ABs. Those decisions won't get him a rest though it will be the penalty against Mcaw in the 76minute. Said he didn't enter through the gate. He was the first player there and came from his side it was a perfectly legal turnover. Two forward passes against the Wobs were marginal at best but think they came from the AR.
Now if Kaplan had been refereeing the Tahs half the team would have been in the bin.
All in all he had no impact on the outcome and that is the main thing.
My MOTM has to go to Pocock again. Without Pocock the Wobs wouldn't have got within 10, probably not within 20.
Now if Kaplan had been refereeing the Tahs half the team would have been in the bin.
All in all he had no impact on the outcome and that is the main thing.
My MOTM has to go to Pocock again. Without Pocock the Wobs wouldn't have got within 10, probably not within 20.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Various thoughts:
The Wallabies obviously spent a lot of time this week on restarts and stuff at the expense of having a proper attack plan. Things were very one dimensional.
Beale had a cracker of a game. I am a great fan of his but I think he is playing out of position and I was worried before the game his defense would leave us exposed. He was one of our three best. We do have something to build on and he at 15 and Cooper at 12 could be the two play makers RD likes to have in the backline.
Mitchell was very good but O'Connor was not good positionally. He's a better 10 or 12 than a winger.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was OK but A Fainga'a missed a lot of tackles for someone who built his reputation as a great defender at the Reds. It was not a great debut but I won't write him off yet.
Giteau is not a 10's bootlace and we should never play him there again. Part of Genias meerkatting was Giteau not being ready. That is the job of a 10, to always be ready whatever comes. Genia was poor and doesn't look fit to me (knee problems?). Burgess should start next game with Genia coming back slowly as he picks up. Both have to be told to throw the ball immediately to Cooper, urgency in attack was one of the key components missing tonight.
Brown has to be replaced with Hodgson, McCalman or Higginbottom. If Pocock is injured (I didn't like the look of him late in the game) Hodgson will go to 7 so McCalman or Higgers will have to come in.
Maafu did not cover himself with glory but we are at rock bottom for TH; Slipper should not start until we are playing second tier teams with weaker scrums. I like the look of him but he is too green to be thrown in the deep end. Moore should have come on for Saia at 50 minutes. Benny is not back to his best but it will come.
Deans mismanaged his bench (again!). This is the third very hard game in three weeks and fresh players were needed at at the 50 minute mark. That's when we should have taken the risk and cleared the bench. Shephard didn't play one minute despite JO'C playing so badly, that baffles me. Deans' gameplan was poor and I cannot believe any longer that the players played away from the plan; there was no proper plan.
The Myth has to go. The incident was remarkably similar to Mumm's indiscretion in round 1 against the Reds for which he got a yellow card and two weeks. If the Myth doesn't get at least the same its time for RD and JON to go ballistic and blow the system out into the open.
Kaplan was Kaplan, but had a poor game even by his standards. He made a lot of wrong decisions and gave the All Blacks far too much leeway (again!). His treatment of Woodcock was execrable, even though Paddy and Co. had told him not to give out yellow cards.
The Wallabies obviously spent a lot of time this week on restarts and stuff at the expense of having a proper attack plan. Things were very one dimensional.
Beale had a cracker of a game. I am a great fan of his but I think he is playing out of position and I was worried before the game his defense would leave us exposed. He was one of our three best. We do have something to build on and he at 15 and Cooper at 12 could be the two play makers RD likes to have in the backline.
Mitchell was very good but O'Connor was not good positionally. He's a better 10 or 12 than a winger.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was OK but A Fainga'a missed a lot of tackles for someone who built his reputation as a great defender at the Reds. It was not a great debut but I won't write him off yet.
Giteau is not a 10's bootlace and we should never play him there again. Part of Genias meerkatting was Giteau not being ready. That is the job of a 10, to always be ready whatever comes. Genia was poor and doesn't look fit to me (knee problems?). Burgess should start next game with Genia coming back slowly as he picks up. Both have to be told to throw the ball immediately to Cooper, urgency in attack was one of the key components missing tonight.
Brown has to be replaced with Hodgson, McCalman or Higginbottom. If Pocock is injured (I didn't like the look of him late in the game) Hodgson will go to 7 so McCalman or Higgers will have to come in.
Maafu did not cover himself with glory but we are at rock bottom for TH; Slipper should not start until we are playing second tier teams with weaker scrums. I like the look of him but he is too green to be thrown in the deep end. Moore should have come on for Saia at 50 minutes. Benny is not back to his best but it will come.
Deans mismanaged his bench (again!). This is the third very hard game in three weeks and fresh players were needed at at the 50 minute mark. That's when we should have taken the risk and cleared the bench. Shephard didn't play one minute despite JO'C playing so badly, that baffles me. Deans' gameplan was poor and I cannot believe any longer that the players played away from the plan; there was no proper plan.
The Myth has to go. The incident was remarkably similar to Mumm's indiscretion in round 1 against the Reds for which he got a yellow card and two weeks. If the Myth doesn't get at least the same its time for RD and JON to go ballistic and blow the system out into the open.
Kaplan was Kaplan, but had a poor game even by his standards. He made a lot of wrong decisions and gave the All Blacks far too much leeway (again!). His treatment of Woodcock was execrable, even though Paddy and Co. had told him not to give out yellow cards.
Kaplan was fine, apart from the Woodcock howler. I'm with Scotty - not much improvement in real terms apart from attitude / aggression at times - which counts for something though. At least they gave it a real dig, which is good.
Attack very poor - Giteau as usual far too deep in the pocket to be of any use. Cooper would have made far more of all that ball, I have no doubt.
Brown is a big bag of uselessness. Fark him off now.
Why didn't Moore get some time?
Ant Fainga'a - mixed bag, some good things, but bad rush up out of the line to allow Smith's try, few dropped balls.
Genia is not match fit, I care not what anyone says. Give Burgess some time - we cannot afford to go all "Gregan" again and have a back-up 9 who never gets on the field.
Attack very poor - Giteau as usual far too deep in the pocket to be of any use. Cooper would have made far more of all that ball, I have no doubt.
Brown is a big bag of uselessness. Fark him off now.
Why didn't Moore get some time?
Ant Fainga'a - mixed bag, some good things, but bad rush up out of the line to allow Smith's try, few dropped balls.
Genia is not match fit, I care not what anyone says. Give Burgess some time - we cannot afford to go all "Gregan" again and have a back-up 9 who never gets on the field.
TheRiddler
Dave Cowper (27)
For some reason, the game felt really flat to me and without atmosphere. Maybe the ground effects mics were on a low level, maybe it was a genuine flat game, maybe I was still mourning Gordon's thrashing earlier in the day.
A lot of this has been said before but Shiteau lived up to his name, Brown was invisible, Bieber was innocuous (although a decent tackle on the scumbag). Thought Sharp did well hitting the ruck and was surprised to see him pulled rather than Mumm. My three major points though are these:
1. We have to have a new captain, Elsom just isnt doing it and the extra responsibility for him has affected his natural game. If we had elected to kick a penalty right at the end (and it went through the sticks), we would have earned a bonus point that could be useful at the end of the competition. Instead, Shiteau just did his own thing and took the quick tap. Even we had scored a try, it would still have only resulted in a bonus point so a very low percentage play. Why did Shiteau take the tap? Where was Elsom? Well if you look at the replay, you will see is almost keeping Mitchell company on the far side. Obviously he cant be everywhere all the time but you would have thought the call would have gone out from him in the preceding minutes to take the penalty kick if available. He was obviously gutted in his post match interview but just doesnt sound and come across as an inspirational, motivational and dominant captain.
2. Deans is an arse. Poor game plan. Poor selections Inability to see whats happening on the field and make the appropriate calls. Unable to fire the troops up at half-time and deliver a new game plan. So myopic he cant see that certain players are either a) having shit games or b) farked and out on their feet and need replacing. Why didnt Barnes come off the bench and try and do something? What was wrong with giving Shepherd 15 mins at the end? Why wasnt Genia the Meerkat replaced by Burgess the Meerkat?
3. As much as Deans is an arse, the Fox commentators were truly awful last night. Extremely one-sided and biased with Marto being the worse by a country mile. How many times did they blow up at a decision or lack of one only for replays to show they were wrong. I am usually a fan of the trio but last night they were just embarrassing.
A lot of this has been said before but Shiteau lived up to his name, Brown was invisible, Bieber was innocuous (although a decent tackle on the scumbag). Thought Sharp did well hitting the ruck and was surprised to see him pulled rather than Mumm. My three major points though are these:
1. We have to have a new captain, Elsom just isnt doing it and the extra responsibility for him has affected his natural game. If we had elected to kick a penalty right at the end (and it went through the sticks), we would have earned a bonus point that could be useful at the end of the competition. Instead, Shiteau just did his own thing and took the quick tap. Even we had scored a try, it would still have only resulted in a bonus point so a very low percentage play. Why did Shiteau take the tap? Where was Elsom? Well if you look at the replay, you will see is almost keeping Mitchell company on the far side. Obviously he cant be everywhere all the time but you would have thought the call would have gone out from him in the preceding minutes to take the penalty kick if available. He was obviously gutted in his post match interview but just doesnt sound and come across as an inspirational, motivational and dominant captain.
2. Deans is an arse. Poor game plan. Poor selections Inability to see whats happening on the field and make the appropriate calls. Unable to fire the troops up at half-time and deliver a new game plan. So myopic he cant see that certain players are either a) having shit games or b) farked and out on their feet and need replacing. Why didnt Barnes come off the bench and try and do something? What was wrong with giving Shepherd 15 mins at the end? Why wasnt Genia the Meerkat replaced by Burgess the Meerkat?
3. As much as Deans is an arse, the Fox commentators were truly awful last night. Extremely one-sided and biased with Marto being the worse by a country mile. How many times did they blow up at a decision or lack of one only for replays to show they were wrong. I am usually a fan of the trio but last night they were just embarrassing.
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
I cant recal a game where there were more mistakes if identifying a player, how do you confuse KB (Kurtley Beale) running 50 metres with Maafu?
well Carter, by far not the quickest All Black, managed to keep pace with him despite having to get himself off the ground at the start.
Still, wonderfully taken try. Great positioning inside Sharpie, and nice run. Not particularly speedy by any imagination however.
Still, wonderfully taken try. Great positioning inside Sharpie, and nice run. Not particularly speedy by any imagination however.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Only teasing, Nod. But I agree, Carter's chase was a 100% effort.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
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