Bell is so underdone, I wonder if there wasn't the idea of using the Aus A games to get him more match fitness rather than straight back to test rugbyIn before Bell fails his last fitness test and Gibbo comes in for 7 Rebels off the bench
Bell is so underdone, I wonder if there wasn't the idea of using the Aus A games to get him more match fitness rather than straight back to test rugbyIn before Bell fails his last fitness test and Gibbo comes in for 7 Rebels off the bench
Of course - but purely in regard to his capabilities as a defender, he is typically very solid in both the tackle and general positioning/readingLooking good Defending at 10 is a very different Kettle of Fish from Looking good defending at 12.
At Super Rugby level? Yes, I have. Hodge is good at Super Rugby and a completely disaster at international level. What's the point?Have you ever seen Gordon defend? The guy sits people on their arse regularly
The point is that we could be doing a lot worse than having Gordon defend in the 10/12 channelAt Super Rugby level? Yes, I have. Hodge is good at Super Rugby and a completely disaster at international level. What's the point?
Quite a few people were wondering the same thing when last week's team was released - you're not alone.At the risk of re-igniting an argument that has surely taken place (but i have missed), am I the only one that after seeing Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase)'s performance in the EOYT, could never conceive of a situation in which Vunivulu was selected over him, absent Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) subsequently failing repeatedly in tests? I've no strong view on Jones either way but when i saw that prior to the SA test, I did wonder if he'd been watching the same rugby I was..
At the risk of re-igniting an argument that has surely taken place (but i have missed), am I the only one that after seeing Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase)'s performance in the EOYT, could never conceive of a situation in which Vunivulu was selected over him, absent Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) subsequently failing repeatedly in tests? I've no strong view on Jones either way but when i saw that prior to the SA test, I did wonder if he'd been watching the same rugby I was..
At the risk of re-igniting an argument that has surely taken place (but i have missed), am I the only one that after seeing Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase)'s performance in the EOYT, could never conceive of a situation in which Vunivulu was selected over him, absent Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) subsequently failing repeatedly in tests? I've no strong view on Jones either way but when i saw that prior to the SA test, I did wonder if he'd been watching the same rugby I was..
That does make some sense, though you'd think as a new coach coming back with a certain degree of hype around you, you might select your (true) 1st XV for your first test back, against SA in SA.I think it's a case of trying to find out whether certain players should figure in the RWC calculations. I don't think it was a case of thinking Vunivalu was higher up the pecking order than Nawaqanitawase.
I think it's a case of trying to find out whether certain players should figure in the RWC calculations. I don't think it was a case of thinking Vunivalu was higher up the pecking order than Nawaqanitawase.
I am coming around to the conspiracy that he knew a first up win in Pretoria was unlikely so he threw some scapegoats in there in Hodge, Vunivalu and Tom Hooper (Gibbon and Nonggorr too perhaps but that was more about availability). He gave himself someone to blame after the inevitable loss, show his team he was serious about dropping people (gave him a target for his yelling) and protected his preferred team (clearly this one) from a first up loss.
Is there actually any logic that the Australia A game is going to be less of a risk to a player than the Argentina game? If Topou or Bell are at risk of re-injury then surely any game is potentially going to hold equal risk. Heck, Samu re-injured himself somewhat having a run around in that BaBa's game. I'm not convinced that the Tongan's are going to be playing at magnitudes lower intensity than Argentina when playing at home in front of their families and country people.Bell is so underdone, I wonder if there wasn't the idea of using the Aus A games to get him more match fitness rather than straight back to test rugby
Not enough Brumbies in there? Close to the most morbid preview I have ever read.Like your optimism Reg. But Slipper looks to be jaded from too much rugby to me and could be an early injury away from injecting Bell into the game with SFA game time under his belt. Persisting with Porecki who has little presence in open play could backfire if injury prone Uelese has to be used early. Then with an untried second row with plenty of questions about their workloads and effectiveness, and a No7 who will be an improvement but still with questions about the suitability of a smaller player in the backrow, the whole pack could prove to be no more effective than last week.
Depending on the game plan, the backline might see as little ball as last week too. If we are continually defending out wide, I can see Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) having the same problems as Vunivalu had last week, though his positioning should be levels above Vunivalu's. But he is not a strong tackler.
To come out on top in this game, Eddie will need to lose his kick at all costs plan, and every player will need to be performing at a level so far missing from the team last week. I have severe doubts those conditions will be met. I think another loss is well and truly on the cards.