• Welcome to the forums of Green & Gold Rugby.
    We have recently made some changes to the amount of discussions boards on the forum.
    Over the coming months we will continue to make more changes to make the forum more user friendly for all to use.
    Thanks, Admin.

Wallabies v France, 7.00am AEDT Sunday Morning

Wilson

David Wilson (68)
Carter Gordon (quad) has been officially ruled out with Edmed starting, Pollard has also been ruled out (hip pointer) with Faessler starting. Nasser and Stewart onto the bench.
 
Last edited:

Where's the beef

Fred Wood (13)
So, the Troll Joe show continues.

Funny thing though, we never know all of the ins or outs.

What I do know is this.

Attitude: Lions Test 1 First half poor, Second half and next 2 tests excellent. We started to see the makings of something. The game plan was the same, but the execution of it was far quicker. Looked like people wanted to play. It was the same in South aftica and the first test in Auckland despite the injuries. On this tour Pedestrian is being kind. And speed of recycle is key to the tactic.

Injuries: Yes, there have been many in key positions and retirements as well. Injuries force decisions and test depth. They happen. When you look at this tour, we lose it post the 60th minute. That says the Bench Impact is poor. That says depth not as good as needs. Having an injury on Tour is hard. Does he stay or do I send him home. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) Ribs. Joe tried to play him against England and it did not work, He probably had advice saying he will be OK quickly it is not a lost cause so because he wanted to see him play. Same with Carter. He kept him be cause he wanted to see him play. James went home because he was medically cleared and like it or not, Joe looks to the future. They young men need to be tested.

Selection Tour: The selection of 2 10's was sound given JOC (James O'Connor) could be pulled under rule 9. That made the third. Stewart was probably picked as a potential 12, that he could cover 10 at a pinch in the 23.Personally, I would have taken another imposing Lock, such as Swain who also calls the lineouts to cover Frost but you make choices. You may say Donno should have been picked, but, he hides in my view and Joe has seen a fair bit of him, so, lets see who else we have.

Selection Game: This gets harder and who knows the full story here. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) I would have played more, Lonegan I would have played more, I suspect Joe tried to pick a middle ground here trying to win the tests vs developing the talent. I would have developed the talent more. We were getting nothing out of Kells for whatever reason, so Jorgo has taken that, He has played with the backrow a bit. He can see the ball is slow, but, If he removes Gordon he removes the ability to clear to the 1/2 way, which is a problem that No 10 is trusted to do this in my view. In the forwards who are not playing with the energy they did, who does he remove? When it comes to this rule 9, I suspect that RA is considering the clubs. If JOC (James O'Connor) is not going to be picked, out of respect for his club, he should be there. Joe is not responsbile for medically clearing Carter and Joe is never going to say the medical people screwed up. Thats not Joe.

Tactics: You earn the right to go wide and choose your moment. When thats not there kick it. When your in your own half kick it and makethe game be played. All sound. The execution of it was there for the Lions, but, without the effort it becomes first phase footy. I am not a Fam of CG but I think he has potential. I don't like the 30m passes early because it moves the ball away from the support. Every time we get caught and have done so for years.

There are a few facts here that are true:
1. Eddie was right. Our forwards and team is soft mate. The mental attributes to play at the required level which was displayed and made us so hopeful in the lions series and SA are not there atm and this is shown in the results. This is not an ability thing and many of the same players are there, its an attitude mental toughness thing. You can train many things, but on game day, thats up to the men who are selected. Thats the frustration
2. When you look at who Eddie picked in 2023, He was right. We have 2 outstanding 7's, both of which are at least as good as hooper for example.
3. The players must own their performances. Now Eddie would have just dropped them, Joe is saying keep playing keep trying work on this.
4. It is highly likely we will not win Sunday morning. What I look for is the effort and intensity that was there with many of the same players that is not.
 

Linerunner2023

Syd Malcolm (24)
So, the Troll Joe show continues.

Funny thing though, we never know all of the ins or outs.

What I do know is this.

Attitude: Lions Test 1 First half poor, Second half and next 2 tests excellent. We started to see the makings of something. The game plan was the same, but the execution of it was far quicker. Looked like people wanted to play. It was the same in South aftica and the first test in Auckland despite the injuries. On this tour Pedestrian is being kind. And speed of recycle is key to the tactic.

Injuries: Yes, there have been many in key positions and retirements as well. Injuries force decisions and test depth. They happen. When you look at this tour, we lose it post the 60th minute. That says the Bench Impact is poor. That says depth not as good as needs. Having an injury on Tour is hard. Does he stay or do I send him home. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) Ribs. Joe tried to play him against England and it did not work, He probably had advice saying he will be OK quickly it is not a lost cause so because he wanted to see him play. Same with Carter. He kept him be cause he wanted to see him play. James went home because he was medically cleared and like it or not, Joe looks to the future. They young men need to be tested.

Selection Tour: The selection of 2 10's was sound given JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) could be pulled under rule 9. That made the third. Stewart was probably picked as a potential 12, that he could cover 10 at a pinch in the 23.Personally, I would have taken another imposing Lock, such as Swain who also calls the lineouts to cover Frost but you make choices. You may say Donno should have been picked, but, he hides in my view and Joe has seen a fair bit of him, so, lets see who else we have.

Selection Game: This gets harder and who knows the full story here. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) I would have played more, Lonegan I would have played more, I suspect Joe tried to pick a middle ground here trying to win the tests vs developing the talent. I would have developed the talent more. We were getting nothing out of Kells for whatever reason, so Jorgo has taken that, He has played with the backrow a bit. He can see the ball is slow, but, If he removes Gordon he removes the ability to clear to the 1/2 way, which is a problem that No 10 is trusted to do this in my view. In the forwards who are not playing with the energy they did, who does he remove? When it comes to this rule 9, I suspect that RA is considering the clubs. If JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) is not going to be picked, out of respect for his club, he should be there. Joe is not responsbile for medically clearing Carter and Joe is never going to say the medical people screwed up. Thats not Joe.

Tactics: You earn the right to go wide and choose your moment. When thats not there kick it. When your in your own half kick it and makethe game be played. All sound. The execution of it was there for the Lions, but, without the effort it becomes first phase footy. I am not a Fam of CG but I think he has potential. I don't like the 30m passes early because it moves the ball away from the support. Every time we get caught and have done so for years.

There are a few facts here that are true:
1. Eddie was right. Our forwards and team is soft mate. The mental attributes to play at the required level which was displayed and made us so hopeful in the lions series and SA are not there atm and this is shown in the results. This is not an ability thing and many of the same players are there, its an attitude mental toughness thing. You can train many things, but on game day, thats up to the men who are selected. Thats the frustration
2. When you look at who Eddie picked in 2023, He was right. We have 2 outstanding 7's, both of which are at least as good as hooper for example.
3. The players must own their performances. Now Eddie would have just dropped them, Joe is saying keep playing keep trying work on this.
4. It is highly likely we will not win Sunday morning. What I look for is the effort and intensity that was there with many of the same players that is not.
Few injuries and unavailability have been cruel but also highlights our lack of depth after a few key players
If Valetini is fit for lions we win and Shelton as well! Can’t say we didn’t bully the lions pack so the pack has it! Also not selecting LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at least on the bench despite bullying the lions in 2 games but not getting selected was odd
In the backs the backline has fallen off the cliff with the game plan! Back 3 are now non existent stm sense wright has been gone
Next year a fit and firing Valetini, plus maybe guys like hooper and Gleeson back on the bench may help but the backline atm is completely off bar ikatau
They need to find Sua'ali'i a position which I think is on the wing
No good LHP after bell
Hooker all over the place
Frost and Williams are nothing without Skelton
Wilson isn’t a test captain and it should be hooper 6 and Valetini 8 next year with Gleeson and tizzano coming off the pine
We still don’t have a decent 9 or 10
Centre bar ikatau there is nothing
And the wingers atm are not getting a chance to stand up
Hoping petaia can be fit and firing and get a wing spot in 2026
ATM this side looks no better than Eddie at the end of 2023 they look lost and don’t bellieve in each other! From the start of the season it’s really dissapointing and lost the momentum from the lions and SA series
 

rugbyAU

Peter Johnson (47)
Few injuries and unavailability have been cruel but also highlights our lack of depth after a few key players
If Valetini is fit for lions we win and Shelton as well! Can’t say we didn’t bully the lions pack so the pack has it! Also not selecting LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at least on the bench despite bullying the lions in 2 games but not getting selected was odd
In the backs the backline has fallen off the cliff with the game plan! Back 3 are now non existent stm sense wright has been gone
Next year a fit and firing Valetini, plus maybe guys like hooper and Gleeson back on the bench may help but the backline atm is completely off bar ikatau
They need to find Sua'ali'i a position which I think is on the wing
No good LHP after bell
Hooker all over the place
Frost and Williams are nothing without Skelton
Wilson isn’t a test captain and it should be hooper 6 and Valetini 8 next year with Gleeson and tizzano coming off the pine
We still don’t have a decent 9 or 10
Centre bar ikatau there is nothing
And the wingers atm are not getting a chance to stand up
Hoping petaia can be fit and firing and get a wing spot in 2026
ATM this side looks no better than Eddie at the end of 2023 they look lost and don’t bellieve in each other! From the start of the season it’s really dissapointing and lost the momentum from the lions and SA series
McDermott is a good nine but he’s the only one

I think Pollard can be the answer at hooker, this was his first full season of test rugby

Agree with back row, Hooper-McReight-Valetini with Gleeson/Tizzano
 

Linerunner2023

Syd Malcolm (24)
McDermott is a good nine but he’s the only one

I think Pollard can be the answer at hooker, this was his first full season of test rugby

Agree with back row, Hooper-McReight-Valetini with Gleeson/Tizzano
Yes
1. After bell very little atm (shame Hodgman got injured as he looked good in super rugby)
2 pollard looked good this year and will get better - need the next 1-2 to be more consistent! I’d like to see more of BPA off the bench
3. After tupou and AAA very little as nongurr still has not improved
McDermott is a good 9 but hasn’t been given the chance under Joe

Gleeson has a huge super season but injury has hurt him during test season
Hopefully has a big year in France and is still in consideration next year with hooper
 

Linerunner2023

Syd Malcolm (24)
Langhi go forward, Tate were significant off the bench earlier in the year.

Jordan is as soft as the rest.

To me, much of the catttle from the early series is still there, But, the Attitude is not.
That’s it! A couple of injrued and lack of depth is there
But mainly the lack of a quality gameplan, players not sure what’s going on for direction and attitude has just fallen off which is a shame
 
Top