Wallabies v Lions Game 2 MCG 26 July

[LeCheese]

 

[Beattie]

Moangu, Finn smith, Marcus smith, fin Russell, Lolesio, Foley. Size ain’t everything.

There is size and there is size. Cross off Lolesio and Foley as they only plugged the position and these have been our worst performing years. Finn Russell is a master. Carter Gordon reminds me of Russell in some aspects. Smith & Smith are developing and haven’t secured their position but you need to look at their build and strength. Mo’unga wasn’t always the go to. Beauden Barrett held the position for the majority of the time. Mo’unga the interchange with some starts. All Blacks had the luxury of a good pack.

 

[Tomthumb]

Looking forward to next year when (if) he gets the opportunity to play his own game and not just a copy of Noah's. Has a lot more tricks to his bow than Noah had, or was allowed to show.

His performance vs the Blues this season was great

 

[Beattie]

Been reading all the Tom Lynagh comments. Let’s just be brutally honest. If Tom’s surname was not Lynagh he would still be playing club footy in England. No way in hell Tom with surname XYZ would have been given the opportunities he is given.

Here is the true measuring stick, he will not make the bench, never mind start in any of the other tier 1 nations in the world. We all like a feel good story but unfortunately it does not win games. I am a Lonergan fan but bagging Jake for Tom not performing is sad.

Not bagging Tom by any means. Just saying he isn’t our Wallabies long term answer. He is still raw and targeted so why play him when we have better options for the Lions series. It’s important that we win the next 2 games.

 

[Beattie]

His performance vs the Blues this season was great

That’s Super Rugby not test rugby.

 

[Blue]

All the talk around 10. Meh.

The real discussion is no energy and physicality. Getting absolutely owned at every ruck. Either you do something bold as Joe Schmidt or your entire tenure is one massive fail.

I am really disappointed. Where did the physicality from last year go? This is a bloody desparate situation.

You have one shot at stripping everything back and coming up with something different. You should not be in this position but more of the same will not work.

Pick your most physical and have a bloody go.

 

[Hogan]

It’s not happening. We did have some very good young prospects coming through along with Tom Lynagh. I imagine that it will be him and a couple of those come RWC. I agree that we stick with him and make sure he has the right personnel around him.

Lolesio, Donaldson, Edmed and Meredith might have something to say about that. They’ll all be in the running for the WC should their form warrant it.

 

[Joe Blow]

I would go

Bell
Faessler
AAA
Skelton
Frost
Valetini
McReight
Wilson

Gordon
Lynagh
Jorgo
Paisami
Ikitau
JAS
Wright

Pollard
Slipper
TT(if he goes well tonight)
Hooper
CDC
Tate
Donaldson/JOC (James O'Connor)
Pietsch/Daugunu

 

[Tomthumb]

That’s Super Rugby not test rugby.

Thanks for the clarification

 

[Strewthcobber]

Any guesses why our pods went so deep, narrow and flat footed? Contrast it with how the Lions played, and even how we setup against Fiji - pods were much wider.

We had almost no out the back plays either. Just a really strange structure

 

[Joe Blow]

I know that this team will not be trotted out because JAS has only played 13/15. He should have always started as a winger and been given time at 13 and 15 later in Super Rugby. We need physicality and people playing in their best positions. Forwards need to effective in the carry from the start.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

Any guesses why our pods went so deep, narrow and flat footed? Contrast it with how the Lions played, and even how we setup against Fiji - pods were much wider.

We had almost no out the back plays either. Just a really strange structure

Is it because Noah was there for Fiji? Guy has been playing well and controlled the team well.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

My question should have been more direct. I know Lynagh can pick and choose his gym sessions and training at the Reds, and I was inquiring whether Schmidt granted him these special privileges too. I wouldn’t have thought Schmidt would tolerate this. That would be scandalous.

It’s not special privelages though - it’s loading on different players. Lynagh does have to miss some trainings due to niggles and his hamstring and load issues. False equivalency a little bit, but look at someone like Payne Hass who does no training, but needs that to manage his body.

 

[Beattie]

It’s not special privelages though - it’s loading on different players. Lynagh does have to miss some trainings due to niggles and his hamstring and load issues. False equivalency a little bit, but look at someone like Payne Hass who does no training, but needs that to manage his body.

I don’t how you compare Lynagh to Hass. I understand load management more than most.

 

[Running_rugby_1954]

I don’t how you compare Lynagh to Hass. I understand load management more than most.

It’s just the way different bodies work and the only thing that matters is the weekend performance so getting bodies through the week to the next game is the key. Especially younger bodies with previous injuries.

 

[Derpus]

Honestly persisting with Frost and overlooking Swain & LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) are the only real errors Schmidt has made in his short tenure. Definitely errors though.

Or at least persisting with Frost but giving him a big body to balance him out.

 

[Beattie]

I would go

Bell
Faessler
AAA
Skelton
Frost
Valetini
McReight
Wilson

Gordon
Lynagh
Jorgo
Paisami
Ikitau
JAS
Wright

Pollard
Slipper
TT(if he goes well tonight)
Hooper
CDC
Tate
Donaldson/JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)
Pietsch/Daugunu

Tom Horan said he heard that they were no changes to the backline and only a couple of changes up front.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I would go

Bell
Faessler
AAA
Skelton
Frost
Valetini
McReight
Wilson

Gordon
Lynagh
Jorgo
Paisami
Ikitau
JAS
Wright

Pollard
Slipper
TT(if he goes well tonight)
Hooper
CDC
Tate
Donaldson/JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)
Pietsch/Daugunu

TT did go better tonight. Don't think he gave away a scrum penalty at all? But the scrum was more dominant on the LH side. I think there should be more recognition of the effort young Ieli put in, not only for the Brumbies against the Lions but also in this game. He was playing U20s last year. An incredible effort and a stellar career in front of him at this rate.

 

[Major Tom]

There is size and there is size. Cross off Lolesio and Foley as they only plugged the position and these have been our worst performing years. Finn Russell is a master. Carter Gordon reminds me of Russell in some aspects. Smith & Smith are developing and haven’t secured their position but you need to look at their build and strength. Mo’unga wasn’t always the go to. Beauden Barrett held the position for the majority of the time. Mo’unga the interchange with some starts. All Blacks had the luxury of a good pack.

Go on rattle off some big 20s then. Barrett an obvious one.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I do think it would send a good message if they came out tomorrow and said LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was added to the squad. Reward performance whether he plays game 2 or not