Wallabies v France 1st test - Suncorp 7 June

[Pfitzy]

I always wonder with these walking forward penalties that Ryan got done for. Just how much is Ryan and how much is it the opposing Hooker and LHP not taking the weight

Joubert fucked both those calls - French playing silly buggers

 

[Braveheart81]

My apologies, still not a cheap outing though

A night of test match rugby is not a cheap outing and nor should it be.

Australia hosts about 7 test matches a year. There is no way these events are going to work better if it is structured with the aim of being a cheap night out for the family. How many extra tickets are you going to sell to make up for the reduced revenue on the tickets you would have sold at the higher price point?

The price of the product needs to reflect the value and cost of the product you're selling, not just the demand for it.

 

[Sully]

I always wonder with these walking forward penalties that Ryan got done for. Just how much is Ryan and how much is it the opposing Hooker and LHP not taking the weight

This and the early engage penalty are complete bulshit with this engagement regime. All that was needed was to wait until the scrum was steady and make certain all the props had good positions.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[fatprop]

This should set the cat amongst the pixies

Phipps, in particular, would have greatly impressed McKenzie. There’s a widely held view that Will Genia’s demotion is a temporary measure by McKenzie to spark the once great half-back into form. The script, according to some commentators, is that Genia, stung by his dramatic fall from grace, will find his mojo and duly return to the match day 23 at Phipps’s expense. Well, the Waratahs half-back torpedoed that theory with a superb performance coming off the bench in the 62nd minute. He looked every inch the super sub by immediately lifting the tempo of the match with lightning-quick passes off the deck to runners flat on the gain line. Phipps had the French out on their feet with an exhilarating 10-minute spell resulting in tries to Kurtley Beale and Pat McCabe. If McKenzie hasn’t reached the view already, he must now surely view Phipps as a must-have specialist impact player – someone to come in at the backend of games to floor the accelerator and see if the opposition can cope. Casting Phipps as that game-breaker means Genia’s only way back into the side is to supplant White as the starting half-back. It’ll be a tough road back for Genia from here.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jun/08/australia-france-rugby-new-zealand

 

[qwerty51]

You know what's interesting as well: Luke Burgess. His last game was outstanding. If he was fit where would he be in the pecking order.

 

[Braveheart81]

This should set the cat amongst the pixies

Of course punters have only mentioned the one shocking pass he threw and there has been zero mention of the excellent flat pass he threw just before it which created a linebreak from nothing.

 

[Mr Doug]

Sully, your photos from the match in today's GAGR email were great.

Sadly, one photo revealed that To'omua appears to have little respect for the uniform, with his socks down for the National Anthem, prior to taking the field.
Someone in management needs to take him aside and explain the significance of being a Wallaby, and of looking like you're part of a team, whenever you are in the public eye, not just during a match.

 

[Fowi]

You know what's interesting as well: Luke Burgess. His last game was outstanding. If he was fit where would he be in the pecking order.

Below Phipps and Genia

 

[ChargerWA]

I understand the sock tradition, but geez, is it that big of a deal? The game changes, cultures change. Doesn't seem something to be getting worked up over.

 

[qwerty51]

Below Phipps and Genia

Doubt it, would be 2nd.

 

[Ash]

Burgess had the same issue as Genia - average at the start of the season, finding form in the last couple of games. He still had issues with his pass as well.

In my opinion Burgess would've been 4th in the pecking order. I'd say that Genia was always going to be selected as 3rd, so it means that Burgess vs Phipps was the choice, and Phipps was better for longer. That aside, I probably would've taken Genia over Burgess as with both playing into form, Genia has a higher level that he can reach.

 

[Ash]

This should set the cat amongst the pixies

Have you read any of his other articles? His rugby knowledge is several tiers below even Growden, and he gets panned by the comments in most articles.

Seems The Guardian chose a random journalist with limited rugby knowledge.

Here's some other articles written showing he some grasp of current events, but no understanding of the backstories / histories / relationships that a good rugby journo has:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/bl...graham-fast-becoming-super-rugbys-david-moyes

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/apr/23/benji-marshall-rugby-union-rugby-league

The journo comes across as a decent writer and smart enough guy, but I don't think he "gets" or has followed much sport deeply, and he only has a shallow knowledge of rugby, seemingly.

 

[gel]

Of course punters have only mentioned the one shocking pass he threw and there has been zero mention of the excellent flat pass he threw just before it which created a linebreak from nothing.

That one excellent flat pass is unfortunately the outlier among a long history of passing very poorly over many many seasons.

Until the wallabies start fielding a 10 with their hands located 3 feet behind and above their own head, Phipps should not even be in the wallabies squad.

My guess is that everyone start scouting out around the Ipswich area for a 10 with rear facing arms because Phipps is just going to be repeatedly picked.

 

[Pfitzy]

Phipps had one shocking pass and one average pass. Besides that, he gave pretty good service. And most importantly didn't try any stupid box kicks.

That one excellent flat pass is unfortunately the outlier among a long history of passing very poorly over many many seasons.

Yep keep living in the past - 2011 seems about right for your aspirations.

 

[Mr Doug]

ChargerWA, like every other post, it's just one person's opinion.
You say the game and the culture have changed, then might I suggest you contact the ARU and recommend short socks as standard kit, then at least they will all be 'uniform'. That's the key word in my post #887 above.

I'm certainly not going to lower my standards so that they align with yours!

 

[ChargerWA]

ChargerWA, like every other post, it's just one person's opinion.
You say the game and the culture have changed, then might I suggest you contact the ARU and recommend short socks as standard kit, then at least they will all be 'uniform'. That's the key word in my post #887 above.

I'm certainly not going to lower my standards so that they align with yours!

You imply that because some one chooses to wear their socks down they are somehow disrespecting the game and therefore a lesser quality individual.

I would suggest that socks are just that, socks. Something that keeps your foot from touching the inside of your boot. I'd rather a guy like Hooper who prefers to wear his socks down for comfort and is a thoroughly decent individual lead the Wallabies than some areshole who is apparently more worthy because he wears his socks to the satisfaction of the fuddy duddy brigade.

If the ARU want to make it mandatory and Hooper refuses, chuck him out the door. But clearly it seems the ARU is moving with the times as they have just handed him the captaincy.

 

[Braveheart81]

@ChargerWA - I think Mr Doug is referring to Sully's photo on the front page of the Wallabies during the anthem.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallabies-v-france-1st-test-photo-gallery/

To'omua is the only player with his socks down in the photo (although Hooper is out of shot).

I have no issues with players playing with their socks down, but I don't think it is crazy to suggest they should have them up during the anthems. It's kind of like the team photo. Would you be sitting in the front row with your socks down claiming that it's ok because that's how you wear them during a game?

 

[Highlander35]

Burgess had the same issue as Genia - average at the start of the season, finding form in the last couple of games. He still had issues with his pass as well.

In my opinion Burgess would've been 4th in the pecking order. I'd say that Genia was always going to be selected as 3rd, so it means that Burgess vs Phipps was the choice, and Phipps was better for longer. That aside, I probably would've taken Genia over Burgess as with both playing into form, Genia has a higher level that he can reach.

Burgess had an extra first couple of weeks, a mid-season lull, and then a couple of good weeks before his injury.

Not great, but certainly better than Genia, and slightly behind Phipps at worst.

 

[ACT Crusader]

@ChargerWA - I think Mr Doug is referring to Sully's photo on the front page of the Wallabies during the anthem.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallabies-v-france-1st-test-photo-gallery/

To'omua is the only player with his socks down in the photo (although Hooper is out of shot).

I have no issues with players playing with their socks down, but I don't think it is crazy to suggest they should have them up during the anthems. It's kind of like the team photo. Would you be sitting in the front row with your socks down claiming that it's ok because that's how you wear them during a game?

Although the players have been running around for a good 40 minutes beforehand getting into game mode.

If it's photo etiquette level, then surely someone should have a word to HB to do his hair before the anthem

 

[qwerty51]

Burgess has the best running game by far and is also the best defensive halfback, he's like a 4th backrower out there at time. Let's not forget the impact he was making in 2010 off the bench. It was huge.