Wallabies v Japan 25 Oct

[Tomthumb]

There was some serious white line fever going on there...

After what felt like 100 pick and drives, Bell was standing one out of the ruck with a massive gap in the defensive line in front of him screaming for the ball, and Canham picked it up and went head first into nowhere... and then I'm pretty sure we turned it over a couple of phases after that.

The fact that happened with both the top Wallabies 9 and 10 on the field made it even more pathetic

 

[Where's the beef]

There was some serious white line fever going on there...

After what felt like 100 pick and drives, Bell was standing one out of the ruck with a massive gap in the defensive line in front of him screaming for the ball, and Canham picked it up and went head first into nowhere... and then I'm pretty sure we turned it over a couple of phases after that.

We turned it over when we went wide. We then go the benefit of the penalty.

 

[Where's the beef]

Some interesting decisions for next week.

9 Gordon Picks Himself
10: Edmed I think will Start
12: Piasami
13: Does JAS return here or does he keep Flook who did little wrong, but I don't think will win you a test. If he Keeps Flook, does he play JAS on wing.
14 Jorgo
15 Kels
11 Pietch or Dungunu for me.

Lonegan picks himself and will assume the goal kicking I assume
Carter Will come off the bench
I am guessing Dungunu.

With all the injuries who knows.

 

[stillmissit]

Serious question - do high performance athletes really need 4 weeks off between games?

That seems to be the main reason Schmidt has justified rolling out the team he did in terms of wanting them fresh for the main tour games.

I feel like he’s opened himself and the team up to more criticism if they now start slow against England due to having no cohesion.

NO! 2 weeks is understandable, and a break during the year, but 4 weeks between games is bordering on boredom.

 

[Brumby Runner]

In this case I don't think it's about the time since last game, as much as it is about the 5 games in a row they've got scheduled. He's spoken about the attrition they experienced by the end of the tour last year and that's what they're trying to avoid.

That said there were a couple of players reported as carrying niggles (Ala'alatoa and Tupou) who likely will have benefited from an extra week off.

I doubt that TT ever benefits fron time off. A bit like Skelton imo. He needs to be playing whenever possible to retain game fitness.

 

[Wilson]

I doubt that TT ever benefits fron time off. A bit like Skelton imo. He needs to be playing whenever possible to retain game fitness.

I kind of agree for in season super rugby when he's at home, but in the hyper controlled environment of a touring party it's very different. I also think he's turned a bit of a corner the end of this season and looks to have his head back in the game for the first time in ~2 years (though still has a way to go).

Either way, I think it was worth resting both him and Allan when they're carrying niggles, they're a level above our other options and we want both fit and firing for the big games in Europe.