stillmissit
John Thornett (49)
I think hope is the correct statement. He is becoming less of a postman, more a postman with memory loss.
Wallabies v France, 7.00am AEDT Sunday Morning
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Lonergan has had more opportunity then he ever has though? The next 18 months is the best chance he's going to have in his career with the young guys coming through who seem to have higher ceilings.
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
Even with Lynagh and Carter's bad luck with injuries I'd say they're more likely to call upon Lolesio from Japan, or even that guy over at the Force...
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
Bell has also played his best games this year from the pine. In a similar way that Tate has impacted the game in the second half, our go forward got a huge boost when Bell came on.
stillmissit
John Thornett (49)
It will be interesting, we need something to speed up our service. I thought he would start with Lonergan as a rational selection against the French. Logic doesn't seem to do it.
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
As others have said, it seems both Edmed and Lonergan have their Schmidt cards marked already.
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
As the coach to give both their first test opportunities...
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
What I like about Thomas is the ability to rip it from the ground. Too many 9s look like the end of Gregan era of doing a grapevine step before passing to the 10 and letting the defence get started. Aaron Smith was unbelievable at getting it going from the base of a ruck to a moving 10. The extra couple of meters that gives the back-line is invaluable.
stillmissit
John Thornett (49)
What the hell is going on, is Schmidt trying to prove we don't need big locks, Frost is big enough, but Williams?. Both French locks are just over 2m, I think our lineout woes are going to continue...
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
Yes that's right - both debuted under Schmidt.
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
I feel this is kinda his only strength relative to the rest of the main group of 9s. Doesn't pose the same running threat as Tate, not as great defensively either - not a huge boot on him. Quick service is all well and good but if we're unorganised outside him there's not much it adds to the game.
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Nobody in the squad apart from Wright would be as good a runner in tight than Tate. I'd say he's a better runner than Lonergan though?
Kicking game is Lonergan all day but Thomas is a fairly well rounded package. I thought the idea of Lonergan goal kicking may be too big an asset with CG at 10.
Do I think he's ready for Test Rugby? Probably not, but just trying to take the bright side of a dark tour and an opportunity for a bloke who should content for Tests for a long period to come.
Kicking game is Lonergan all day but Thomas is a fairly well rounded package. I thought the idea of Lonergan goal kicking may be too big an asset with CG at 10.
Do I think he's ready for Test Rugby? Probably not, but just trying to take the bright side of a dark tour and an opportunity for a bloke who should content for Tests for a long period to come.
Strewthcobber
Phil Kearns (64)
What percentage of modern half back's passes go to the ten?
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
10 or a forward pod it doesn't really matter. It's the method of delivery to them that can get them on the right start.
stillmissit
John Thornett (49)
I struggle to understand the use of pods at the rate we use them. I always think that the game is one of strategy and doing the same too often is not a strategy, more of a power approach. If there is limited deception, then opportunities get scarce, is my view.
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Can be plenty of deception in using them if the forwards have the requisite handling skills to on play. The players like Wilson definitely do but we have plenty of others who have put themselves at receiver of a pod and just hit it up for an easy tackle.
Look at how the good League sides use forwards as a first ball player to stretch the field and allow play makers to get on the outside. It then frees up playing back to the middle when you should have a defence moving laterally.
Look at how the good League sides use forwards as a first ball player to stretch the field and allow play makers to get on the outside. It then frees up playing back to the middle when you should have a defence moving laterally.
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
The ball handling skill of our forwards isn't good enough to beat well drilled defences. And this compounds when we are put under pressure, get slower ball or have to commit more players to the tackle phase after phase. We get slower and less agile, while the defence gets more time and line speed.
Dctarget
Jason Little (69)
A bit of a return to his favourites for Galthie. Ollivon and Alldritt in the backrow after being looked over for a while.
The props got worked over a bit by the Saffas and Fijians without Antonio and Baille. Would love for us to do something similar...
Land blubber Meafou in the row means that Ollivon, Flament and Jelonch will be preferred options all night. Watch Meafou score a hattrick and 5 drop goals against his home country.
Look, we're an outside chance but this is not the French team that steamrolls Six Nations. Ntamack hasn't returned to form, Dupont is in the stands, preferred front row is out. THERE'S A CHANCE.
stillmissit
John Thornett (49)
Hope rises eternally..