Wallabies v England, Sat 11th June, 8.00pm, Suncorp Brisbane

[Brumby Runner]

I thought the whole team played ok to good. The best included Folau and DHP. Why would we even want to consider moving either or both of them from the spots they just dominated in?

Some problems were uncovered - Scott Sio in the scrum just didn't get a fair crack from the ref, but for next week, especially if that poor example of a referee is reappointed, then Slipper must start. Kepu to start would also be a consideration. The service from the No 9 and 10 was very slow at times. Phipps is the best we have available at present, but he was slower than usual to many breakdowns and his passing, which is seen a strength, was delayed just sufficiently to put the whole backline under immense defensive pressure before the ball even got beyond Foley. Foley's inability to counter the rush defense with properly executed short kicks behind the line is also a problem. Otherwise, he again is the best we have and imo outplayed the much hyped Farrell inthe No 10 spot.

All in all, I think the Wallabies put in a good effort for the first test of the year, and mostly should be persevered with. Fix the front row, the slower than normal service to the backline and devise a plan to counter the rush defense, and they will give England a much harder task next week.

 

[Marcelo]

Pocock ruled out for the rest of the series

Bad news, Gill and McMahon can't play at 8 and McCalman is not a top class 8. At least is not his knee again

 

[KOB1987]

Hooper is pretty much playing "scrum-wing" now. Kind of an extra back with remit to get his nose into the piggies. More of an extra center than a wing. It's bothered me in the past, but like EVERYTHING Cheika does it's kind of growing on me.

Lets not dis' Horne, he's giving it 11 on the noise knob. Substitute with speed -regretfully, and only if this Aussie speedster matches Horne in attitude.

It occurred to me during the game that maybe we are doing with hooper what the ABs do with Dane Coles

 

[Pfitzy]

Phipps is the best we have available at present, but he was slower than usual to many breakdowns

Which, let's not forget, were often on opposite sides of the field. I saw him arrive late to a couple but they were on opposite 5m lines due to our drift.

It was an issue when we didn't get too far over the gain line, but the plan was pretty obvious - attack either side of the English 13 channel, and run support players either side. When we got through the line Phipps was there every time. When we got cut down outside, because we were drifting too much, he struggled. And any halfback in the history of halfbacks would.

A few of his passes resulted in serious pressure, but its the weakness of Cheikaball - if you're not well on the front foot, you have to reset and go again.

But we made some breaks and fucking murdered them through lack of vision as well. Late in the game we made easy metres and people either didn't pass or tried too late.

Foley's inability to counter the rush defense with properly executed short kicks behind the line is also a problem.

Which, again, was game plan. Why kick the ball back to England? You'll just find yourself 50m back downfield on the end of an excellent box kick or raking punt.

Maybe once or twice early to hold the defence up, but its not a tactic I think any Australian rugby fan is in favour of.

Far better to work on our ruck discipline, not give up 80 metres on consecutive penalties, followed by 3 points.

 

[Tigger]

Great match. Maro Itoje = MONSTER! Credit to the English as they took their opportunities when presented. Clearly we have a series!!

Hopefully next match we can see :

1 Less isolated runners being turned over.
2. Bit more starch in the forwards breaking the gain line.
3. Maybe a back up kicker to Foley...not sure who...I guess Christian has some experience at that. Pretty sure the 2nd playmaker vs 2 big midfielders is on everyones minds but being the 1st match back since the RWC Final maybe give the current set up some time...not sure what to think there as in two minds.
4. Better discipline!!!
5. Again better discipline especially if we are having another NH ref (is that the case?) considering interpretations may differ at the breakdown up there.

Shame about Pocock...Not sure who will balance that backrow now.

BTW Thought that around the neck cleanout on Pocock by one of the loose forwards(? Robshaw) surely must be cited. Didn't Pocock kop some weeks off this season for a similar thing?

PS Haven't had time to read all the posts so apologies if I have re iterated previous comments.

Peace Out

 

[formerflanker]

Which, let's not forget, were often on opposite sides of the field. I saw him arrive late to a couple but they were on opposite 5m lines due to our drift.

It was an issue when we didn't get too far over the gain line, but the plan was pretty obvious - attack either side of the English 13 channel, and run support players either side. When we got through the line Phipps was there every time. When we got cut down outside, because we were drifting too much, he struggled. And any halfback in the history of halfbacks would.

A simple solution that should have been practiced - another back takes the 9 position at those wide breakdowns.

 

[barbarian]

I didn't actually think Itoje was that amazing. Took one good turnover but other than that was just a cog in a really good pack.

 

[wamberal]

I didn't actually think Itoje was that amazing. Took one good turnover but other than that was just a cog in a really good pack.

He won the Big Mouth award, for sure. Cannot wait until he plays the Darkness. They'll shut him up.

 

[Micheal]

He won the Big Mouth award, for sure. Cannot wait until he plays the Darkness. They'll shut him up.

Jesus Christ he got to me. Constantly carrying on after every penalty and screaming at / clapping in the face of our lineout caller so he couldnt be heard.

Theres a fine line between being competitive and being a knob and I think he crossed the threshold.

The whole time I was just thinking: "Whens South Africa next play England?"

Can't imagine Eben Etzebeth putting up with that. Nor can I imagine wirey little Itoje being able to put up with the Mountain-like frame of Etzebeth if he crosses him.

Just ask de Jager.

 

[wamberal]

Which, again, was game plan. Why kick the ball back to England? You'll just find yourself 50m back downfield on the end of an excellent box kick or raking punt.

Maybe once or twice early to hold the defence up, but its not a tactic I think any Australian rugby fan is in favour of.

.

What about kicking for the line? The fact that we cannot do it means that we are more inclined to try to emulate the ABs and try to run the ball from everywhere. With predictable results.

Australian fans want the team to win, above all against the Darkness. We will nees to execute all the skills properly, including all the kick options, to have a decent chance.


When a team has all the options at its disposal it represents a greater threat.

 

[Set piece magic]

Still bemused by the obstruction call - In England that's called "not enough obstruction"

 

[the sabanator]

Take a calm look at the England THP on all the spidercam shots. As soon as the scrum is set, he starts to bore in towards our hooker, and goes to ground taking Sio with him. On too many occasions Poite held Sio to be responsible but he wasn't. And then when Poite did deign to stand on our LH side Coles (the England THP) stayed straight and stayed on his feet. He can do it, but he didn't do it at all when Poite was on our non-feed side.

That had the effect of disrupting our whole front row and hence the scrum. In reality it should have been Coles in the bin, not Sio.

No I tend to agree with Poite. Cole takes a shorter bind on Sio (from memory) which is what put Sio in all sorts of trouble. He didn't adjust so Cole was able to twist him every which way from TH.

 

[the sabanator]

How is it that TPN has been a test hooker for a significant period of time and still cannot hit a lineout throw? I'd be seriously looking at Hanson/Ready for the next game.

I also think Moore has to get close to playing 65 - 70 minutes. I think he would have been able to last night easily. He's our best lineout thrower and a good captain, he was subbed off too early last night and it showed when decision making went amiss and the lineout fell to buts.

 

[Lorenzo]

Not a bad outing really. I think if we didn't gift them a try when it was 10-9 and Foley had a better night with the boot, things could have been much different.

I'm not convinced that Folau's best position is fullback and don't agree that he 'dominates' there. Yes, he's very threatening with the ball in hand but still can't really kick well (and at this point, will never have that skill) and basically gifted them a try with a terrible pass.

I know that we have been gradually programmed to think that "having a crack" is the best thing ever and that kicking is evil, but If you look at Folau's error at 31:18 (link below) you can see why having a fullback with the full range of skills - not just being an evasive runner - is beneficial. He had basically the entire group of 29 in front of him, throws a wild pass and we give up 7. We were chasing the game from that point on.

 

[KOB1987]

Bad news, Gill and McMahon can't play at 8 and McCalman is not a top class 8. At least is not his knee again

Hooper can though. I'm not making a prediction here but if cheika wants McMahon to replace pocock, that's the solution.


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[Viking]

I agree @Lorenzo. We are "having a crack" too often in our own half. We should only be doing this if their a clear opportunity like an over-lap out wide.
There was no need for Folau to make that pass, even if it landed right on Foley's chest it there was still 3 or 4 English players verse only Foley and Kerevi.

I think we need a bit of Jake-White ball in our own half, and Cheika ball in theirs.

 

[Viking]

Hooper can though. I'm not making a prediction here but if cheika wants McMahon to replace pocock, that's the solution.


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I think McMahon and Gill can play 8. I'm sure Gill would have packed down there at one stage. I'd have him at 8 over Hooper if they were both in the starting team.

And when I say 8, It is really just referring to packing down at the scrum as his game-play would not change, he'd still have the traditional 7's role.

 

[TOCC]

For the most part Australia's kicking game was poor and we would lose territory every time we tried to kick, Folau put one out on the full and kicks from DHP and Foley went straight down the throat of England's outside back every time.

 

[Viking]

For the most part Australia's kicking game was poor and we would lose territory every time we tried to kick, Folau put one out on the full and kicks from DHP and Foley went straight down the throat of England's outside back every time.

I thought most of DHP's kicks were decent.

 

[barbarian]

For the most part Australia's kicking game was poor and we would lose territory every time we tried to kick, Folau put one out on the full and kicks from DHP and Foley went straight down the throat of England's outside back every time.

Really? I disagree. I thought it was pretty even, and we found grass frequently - DHP especially. Certainly they didn't pin us down in our own corner or anything.

I don't think it was a factor in the result either way.
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