Wallabies v Pumas - Saturday 17 September, nib Stadium Perth

[Twoilms]

I like that one of the players often described as a Cheika favourite and that being the principal reason he never gets dropped is Michael Hooper.

The frequency with which he wins MOTM awards probably has more to do with him never getting dropped than being a favourite of the coach.

Since his debut Deans and McKenzie also selected him every time.

Probably more indicative of state divide than effective objective analysis.

 

[tragic]

Probably more indicative of state divide than effective objective analysis.

That could be interpreted in two ways.
The giver of the awards or the callers for his head.
I'll let you guess which one I liked?

 

[Scrubber2050]

Pretty tough there Scrubber. Any win will do me on the weekend and looking for a 30-40 point margin seems a little over optimistic.
This is not the Pumas of old, or even of last year, and we are not the same Wallaby side that contested the RWC in 2015.

Understand your POV

I just wondered WHY we are not as good a side ? Know there are a couple of key players different but am really questioning whether it was the players, the coaching staff, a combination of both and further I canvassed the possibility if the relationship between the 2 ( being the players and the coaching staff) being a bit dented.

 

[Braveheart81]

Of the last 3 times Hooper has played at Suncorp Stadium he's been the official MOTM twice (vs South Africa in 2015 and 2016).

Maybe Queenslanders shouldn't be showing so much provincial bias in his favour.

 

[Gillys_ghost]

no one is saying Hooper is a poor player, just that Pocock is a better one. i am happy for us to continue using the Pooper combo until we have a viable alternative to put at no.8. whether that be Holloway or Timani, or whoever else. but the current set up isnt balanced with the Pooper and when the time comes he should be benched unless Poeys form dictates otherwise. Hopefully Timani gets an opportunity at test level soon so we can see if he is the number 8 we are looking for.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Of the last 3 times Hooper has played at Suncorp Stadium he's been the official MOTM twice (vs South Africa in 2015 and 2016).

Maybe Queenslanders shouldn't be showing so much provincial bias in his favour.

No-one mentioned Michael Hooper, Braveheart.

You show a large chunk of defensive, sensitivity by naming him.

Unnecessary to bag God's Chosen Ones

 

[Twoilms]

no one is saying Hooper is a poor player, just that Pocock is a better one. i am happy for us to continue using the Pooper combo until we have a viable alternative to put at no.8. whether that be Holloway or Timani, or whoever else. but the current set up isnt balanced with the Pooper and when the time comes he should be benched unless Poeys form dictates otherwise. Hopefully Timani gets an opportunity at test level soon so we can see if he is the number 8 we are looking for.

The argument at this point is irrelevant anyway. There is no 8 and by the time we have one or two who are in a position to challenge (Holloway or Timani i suppose) Poey is gone and Hooper starts.

Edit: having watched almost every Tah's game i fear the hype surrounding Holloway is massively overblown and his reputation has grown in his absence. He had a few big runs and the odd line break but his workrate and ruck presence were never particularly impressive.

 

[Braveheart81]

No-one mentioned Michael Hooper, Braveheart.

You show a large chunk of defensive, sensitivity by naming him.

Unnecessary to bag God's Chosen Ones

No. It was in response to multiple posts over the last few pages that I did not quote.

In my opinion he presents a very different case to players like Foley who are out of form and would have been dropped if it wasn't due to multiple players being unavailable.

But by all means, only consider the last couple of posts in the thread and then sure, I'm showing my defensive sensitivities.

Funnily enough though, this thread is 16 pages long as well as there being multiple other threads concerning the Wallabies and Wallaby games and it is a recurring theme.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Why is that unique to including the assistant coaches for the other guys too?

Suppose it is not unique.

Personally, despite some crazy selection of certain players (only my opinion) I think Cheika is a good coach. He has the potential to be a great coach (again, just my opinion) if he picks his team solely on performance and balance (again, just my opinion).

I also think his choices of all 3 assistants is poor (again, just my opinion)

Mediocrity of Wallaby performances is not what I aspire to see. Whether we can beat the ABS on a regular basis seems a bit of a stretch but being a solid Number 2 in the world is not (again, just my opinion)

This is just my opinion.

 

[Gillys_ghost]

The argument at this point is irrelevant anyway. There is no 8 and by the time we have one or two who are in a position to challenge (Holloway or Timani i suppose) Poey is gone and Hooper starts.

Edit: having watched almost every Tah's game i fear the hype surrounding Holloway is massively overblown and his reputation has grown in his absence. He had a few big runs and the odd line break but his workrate and ruck presence were never particularly impressive.

it definitely is an irrelevant arguement at this point, thats why it hasnt been me criticizing Hoopers continued selection. i thought Holloway was pretty good this year, he might be overhyped but he offers something that the rest of the number 8s in this country dont which is size but maintaining that mobility. if only Hooper or McMahon were bigger then they would be perfect.

 

[The torpedo]

Not very confident about this game at all.
Have a feeling Pumas will know they can play well and will blow us off the park in the first 50, while we mount a late comeback that falls short.

Pumas by 7

 

[Scrubber2050]

Not very confident about this game at all.
Have a feeling Pumas will know they can play well and will blow us off the park in the first 50, while we mount a late comeback that falls short.

Pumas by 7

Hopefully Torp, you are not of Gypsy heritage.

 

[KOB1987]

RESERVES

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (67 Tests)
17. James Slipper (80 Tests)
18. Tom Robertson*
19. Rory Arnold (3 Tests)
20. Lopeti Timani*
21. Sean McMahon (10 Tests)
22. Nick Phipps (44 Tests)
23. Tevita Kuridrani (37 Tests)

 

[KOB1987]

^^^BTW, that's the official bench as leaked by the mole from Fox Sports yesterday

 

[Braveheart81]

Excited to see some T Money in the second half!

There was an article today (or maybe last night) which suggested an area where they need to get him the ball is quick second phase play coming around the corner from the breakdown where he can attack that pillar defender and really get us on the front foot.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Excited to see some T Money in the second half!

Yep congrats to both T Money (thanks BH) and Robertson.

Hope they both go well.

 

[tragic]

Of the last 3 times Hooper has played at Suncorp Stadium he's been the official MOTM twice (vs South Africa in 2015 and 2016).

Maybe Queenslanders shouldn't be showing so much provincial bias in his favour.

I was actually referring to the GAGR MOTM where hooper is a frequent flyer.
Out of interest who decides on the official MOTM? Does it depend on where the game is played? I was a bit surprised at hooper against the boks - not that he played badly but not the best on field in my opinion.

 

[RugbyReg]

I was actually referring to the GAGR MOTM where hooper is a frequent flyer.
Out of interest who decides on the official MOTM? Does it depend on where the game is played? I was a bit surprised at hooper against the boks - not that he played badly but not the best on field in my opinion.

The media box, which I was a part of last week. We get 3-2-1 slips. I voted for Genia as my 3

 

[emuarse]

Uh, except against the Boks our lineout conceded less ball than each half against the ABs.

Besides the 20ish blokes retained every week, you mean?

That's not really a comparable analysis though. It's like saying "except against Brazil our lineout conceded less ball than each half against the Boks".

 

[emuarse]

I don't have the stats but think Chek's winning record is starting to become pretty average or is it below the Deans and McKenzie era

What has happened since RWC ?

An sure most of the players are putting in their best effort on the day.

The players, the coaches, or the relationship between the two. Is there discontent within the group with some of Cheks selections? Is it a captaincy issue ? Are there teflon players being chosen each game who shouldn't be ? Players at this level are no different to kids in that THEY know who is the better player and who should be selected and in what position. It's all about the 1%ers.

The Pumas will bring it to us in the first 50 or so then hopefully run out of puff and our finishers will do what they are supposed to - finish them off.

Hopefully a convincing win against the Argies by 30 to 40. That will actually bring confidence to the group.
A narrow win means fuckall to me as it means nothing - no confidence moving forward, just more of the same mediocre stuff.
A loss should mean mass changes but Chek being Chek may opt for a different bench player

I think the AB's were not expecting such a different style of game as against the Wallabies i.e. it was an ambush which really took place in the first 30 mins. After that the AB's slowly established their momentum, until the last 30 mins, when it became a case of "who let the dogs ABs out".

The Wallabies will at least know what to expect from the start, and hopefully employ tactics that will nullify the Argies.