Wallabies v Fiji, Canberra

[Viking]

Kurtley was pretty good at 15 in defence, but he was just terrible in the defensive line

Same goes for Cooper, he was defending more at fullback then in the line. He pulled off some great try-saving tackles at fullback, but let a few in at the defensive line. He really just needs to improve his front-on defence against larger opponents then himself (which is most players). He always goes high which is very frustrating to watch, however too his credit he is improving and i think he'll keep improving during the international test. Hope he stays 1st choice flyhalf whether he can defend or not.

 

[Reddy!]

Thanks for your opinion WJ, and I guess I was talking about Beale's flashier side, I am aware his on field vision is good, but he is playing from fullback. I was mainly coming from the point of view that Beale is only playing his 2nd test this weekend, therefore I almost expect him to have some embarrassing moments should he try some of his Super 14 luck. If not this test than the next. I expect he will come good though - like Latham.

Anyway, I'll come back to this after the test, it's just stupid conjecture at the moment, don't mind me.

 

[waratahjesus]

Thanks for your opinion WJ, and I guess I was talking about Beale's flashier side, I am aware his on field vision is good, but he is playing from fullback. I was mainly coming from the point of view that Beale is only playing his 2nd test this weekend, therefore I almost expect him to have some embarrassing moments should he try some of his Super 14 luck. If not this test than the next. I expect he will come good though - like Latham.

Anyway, I'll come back to this after the test, it's just stupid conjecture at the moment, don't mind me.

wasnt having a go mate,
i have a long memory to of all the times latham made mistakes, it was his mistakes that saw burke picked ahead of him for so long.
the thing latham had going for him, that i think beale and quade could learn from most is, when he made a mistake, he made it trying something, and when it went wrong he would swear, shake his head then be right to go. For some reason Quade and Beale appear a little fragile in the mental state at times. If they could hold there heads up for 80 and just keep trying i think aus rugby is in good hands for the next ten years.

 

[Ruggo]

I agree FP. The way I see it is they don't handle front on well. Both have text book technique from side on or behind and are adequite defensive full backs. Quade dosen't handle an opponant when he has some momentum up and he goes way to high and looks uncommited. Both Bod and Palu have proven this. A cracker tackle that springs to mind was the one on Sykes in the Sharks game. Sykes had little momentum and Quade drilled him. Beale has found his niche at full back but Quade has to start muscling up in defense front on. Both are great young players and we have not seen the best of both of them yet.

 

[Groucho]

I'm just excited to see Beale, Horne and Cooper in the same team. Along with JOC (James O'Connor) they are the future. We'd better get bloody used to it!!

 

[CanadianRugby]

playing against Fiji will give the world a chance to see Cooper and Beale against some seriously big and fast runners. I think both are clever players, so positioning shouldn't be a problem but taking on those big Fijians runners will show us how much tougher they've gotten. Though really I don't back either of them to stop Rupeni one on one.

 

[matty_k]

Fiji shuffle the deck after visa problems leave duo out in the cold - SMH

Fiji have been forced to make late changes to their team to play the Wallabies in Canberra on Saturday night after two players had problems obtaining visas to enter Australia because of their association with the Fijian military.

Fiji originally selected prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua and halfback Nikola Matawalu, who are understood to be involved with the Fijian navy, in their 24-man touring squad. However, just before the team left Nadi yesterday for Canberra it was forced to find replacements, due to travel sanctions imposed on military personnel.

Understandable but someone in the Fijian team management should have worked this out some time ago.

 

[Groucho]

playing against Fiji will give the world a chance to see Cooper and Beale against some seriously big and fast runners. I think both are clever players, so positioning shouldn't be a problem but taking on those big Fijians runners will show us how much tougher they've gotten. Though really I don't back either of them to stop Rupeni one on one.

Similarly, it is hard to see Rupeni dealing very well with either of those two in defence, or Giteau for that matter, in his current shape. He still has good top end pace but it is hard to turn 125kg of jelly round in a hurry.

 

[Reddy!]

Word on the street is that Rupeni is going to play flyhalf LOL

 

[RugbyReg]

team confirmed

Fiji team to play the Wallabies at Canberra Stadium on Saturday: 15. Dan Rawaqa, 14. Jim Nagusa, 13. Rupeni Caucaunibuca, 12. Saula Radidi, 11. Sireli Bobo, 10. Waisea Luveniyali, 9. Emosi Vucago, 8. Jone Qovu, 7. Jim Nakaidawa, 6. Anthony Wise, 5. Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 4. Seko Kalou, 3. Deacon Manu, 2. Talemaitoga Tuapati, 1. Campese Ma'afu. Reserves: Vili Veikoso, Graham Dewes, Rupeni Nasiga, Samu Bola, Vitori Buatava, Ropate Ratu, Nemani Nadolo.

Am going to hold off on the program for a bit, they keep changing their team!!!

apparently Caucau and Radidi will be swapping with Rupeni now at outcentre (hello Robbie Horne)

 

[Reddy!]

Interesting, playing at 12 - well he is going to be busy all night with Cooper, Gits, and Horne running at him.

I guess the thinking behind that is he will get his hands on the ball more often at 12 than on the wing. Gosh, I don't have much faith in this Fijian team - they are lucky they are playing the Wallabies in their first match of the season, otherwise I would predict an 80 point win.

 

[fatprop]

Ma'afu vs Ma'afu, I predict a stink

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

This is going to be like the last time we played Samoa in 05.

 

[RugbyReg]

Can I say how bloody excited I am to see Rupeni play? My only fear is that a little over weight and playing at 12 he may sully my fond memories of him. In my book he's in my all time rugby team (from when I started watching the game). I have him on the wing with Campo above Tunie, Roff, Kirwin, Geoghegan, Lomu, Wilson, Underwood, Robinson et al. A miraculous player and the tries he scored at the RWC03 were goddam freaky, and not against pissant opposition either.

 

[David]

I am also excited Noddy, he has probably one of the best change of directions of any player I've seen. I loved watching people come in for a side on tackle and he'd just use a flick of the wrist to knock their arm away and score. Fijians are just so damn strong in the hips and glutes and Rupeni is a great example of that.

 

[Scotty]

Can I say how bloody excited I am to see Rupeni play? My only fear is that a little over weight and playing at 12 he may sully my fond memories of him. In my book he's in my all time rugby team (from when I started watching the game). I have him on the wing with Campo above Tunie, Roff, Kirwin, Geoghegan, Lomu, Wilson, Underwood, Robinson et al. A miraculous player and the tries he scored at the RWC03 were goddam freaky, and not against pissant opposition either.

Don't get too excited Noddy. I think you might end up being dissapointed.

 

[RugbyReg]

Ok, the program is now done and Fiji confirmed. Had problems with various sources switching between English names and back again.

See attachd

 

[Reddy!]

Yeh there is no way he will show the form we all remember him having back when he played matches in Australia and New Zealand, but he is a player that will be remembered for years to come, so I'll be happy if he shows some glimpses of magic. Could be epic fail though!

 

[Brumby Jack]

I just hope Caucau isn't paid by the word when questioned, otherwise he'd be very poor - He doesn't say too much

 

[Reddy!]

If you look at the picture of Cau Cau in Noddy's match program, you can really see how low he runs compared to Digby, very easy to change direction and harder for him to fall over.