Wallabies v Springboks II, Allianz Stadium 7:35pm 03/09/22

[Joe Blow]

I think Bell will bring more impact than TT has in his last few games. Arnold and Holloway were far more involved than last week and name any forward (apart from McReight) who had any impact on that game?

Valetini

 

[Joe Blow]

I think Bell will bring more impact than TT has in his last few games. Arnold and Holloway were far more involved than last week and name any forward (apart from McReight) who had any impact on that game?

If thats the best we have then we are in trouble, or at least only going one way. Bell certainly would help and TT is our best prop when he is firing. We need to get him back to that. Both Arnold and Holloway have not locked down their respective spots.
I’d like to see Swain start with Philip against the ABs.

 

[Viking]

I thought the biggest difference between lats week and this week was how the referee officiated the ruck and breakdown vastly differently, the Saffas adjusted to this, and the Wallabies didn't. Ben O'Keefe is a painful official, but end of the day the Saffas played to that and Wallabies didn't.

Either the Wallabies didn't prepare through the week for that style of play or were too dumb to recognize/incapable of adjusting mid-match to the circumstances. In either case it's a poor reflection of the team.

The wallabies of the last decade (or two) have been incapable to adapting mid-match.

 

[Viking]

If thats the best we have then we are in trouble, or at least only going one way. Bell certainly would help and TT is our best prop when he is firing. We need to get him back to that. Both Arnold and Holloway have not locked down their respective spots.
I’d like to see Swain start with Philip against the ABs.

I agree, although Arnold was probably slightly better then last week, both Arnold and Holloway were very average.

I think Valetini is really the only forward who has really stepped up this season.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Piss of with this speculation about what an individual is thinking, it’s not needed.

he was injured for 10-12 weeks, couldn’t do any lower body training and then the Wallabies rush him back early because AAA was injured. Tupou should have had a conditioning program and return to game time in club rugby, not thrown in at test level.

I can imagine the uproar that would have come from some Reds fans if TT was fit to play club rugby but overlooked for the Wallabies. Some would not se the merit in a graduated return to the top team.

 

[tragic]

I can imagine the uproar that would have come from some Reds fans if TT was fit to play club rugby but overlooked for the Wallabies. Some would not se the merit in a graduated return to the top team.

Your posts really are like Groundhog Day BR

 

[RugbyReg]

Your posts really are like Groundhog Day BR

Groundhog Day was actually good.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah I’m not sure about that. We were sitting on half way up high and from that perspective the intensity of the game was insane. I don’t think it’s right to say we weren’t prepared mentally, I think the issue was that basic skills and discipline let us down, and when that happens it upsets the mindset and confidence, which causes more errors and indiscipline. We all read about and criticise the coaching setup but I reckon the most important person in the Wallabies shed right now is the sports psychologist, and should be their biggest investment. I could go on with the role of the stats man but I’ll save that for another day!

KOB, I'm not sure there was an obvious lack of basic skills on show, but certainly ill-discipline combined with a poor game plan were very much to the fore. The game plan seemed to be to kick the ball on first, or at latest second, phase and way too many players gave away senseless penalties allowing the Bokke to march up field almost at will. The kicking game foundered somewhat when Koroibete suffered what looks like a calf muscle injury, but couldn't be replaced early out of a 6/2 bench. IMO his injury also led directly to his failure to jump for the catch which presented the new SAFFA winger with his try.

If Koroibete is out next game against the ABs, then I'd expect Kellaway to come in at 11. With Paisami also likely out, Foketi must come into 12 and likewise Foley for Noah if his concussion keeps him out. Where then does the bench get its backline replacements? Either McDermott or Gordon at 21 (neither is yet ready to displace Nic White - my opinion), Petaia to cover wing, but who is there to cover 10, 12 or 13? Is Perese still unavailable?

On another note, I reckon we've now seen the last of Tupou for this year. Does Slipper move across as Bell comes back in, or does Fuama'asili get another run? Any thoughts?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Not surprised at the result but how the Boks got there was a surprise. They were totally switched on from start to end.
My thoughts are:
Positives. Arnold, Holloway played much better and Valetini had one of the best games (as a 6!!!) I have seen him play, Front row held up although I thought several of FF (Folau Fainga'a) (Folau Fainga'a) throws were down our line again! The backs looked capable but rarely got any go-forward ball, the D was OK and the scrum and lineout were better. Hodge played very well as did Ikitau, Kellaway will be better for the run.
Negatives. The Breakdown was the worst for a while, we were beaten to it, at it and after it Fraser was the exception but one man cannot win the ruck. Kicking was not great and dealing with highball seemed to be a mess, Hodge excepted.
I thought Rennie sent the wrong message selecting the same team, we have a tendency over the last 15 years to sit on our arses after a good win.

The bottom line for me was the Boks did exactly what I and several here thought they would and we would have done had we been beaten in the first. The problem is in motivation and being calm under pressure.
I have seen us play like the Boks did a couple of times and when a team is in that zone as the Boks were last night it is almost impossible to stop them. They were clinical, cynical and vicious in their execution. Congratulations to them but the RC goes on and the Wallabies were not as bad as many here think.

I agree that our breakdown work was atrocious and Fraser suffered as a result. But did he earn any turnover ball at all? I don't recall but would be surprised if not. Otoh, Samu made a great pinch almost on the tryline later in the game.

 

[stillmissit]

I agree, although Arnold was probably slightly better then last week, both Arnold and Holloway were very average.

I think Valetini is really the only forward who has really stepped up this season.

Viking agree regarding Valetini but one loosey does not a pack make. He could run as hard as he likes but in the end he is one brave soldier running into cannons! Too many of our forwards are too much one-off, league-style runners, looks good but takes you nowhere smart without support for an offload or the breakdown.
Would argue that McReight has also stepped up..

 

[stillmissit]

Regarding Motivation, I suspect that because there are too few waiting in the wings that it develops a sub-conscious level of lack of discomfort/motivation for their future and is leading our guys to assume an average performance will not hurt their future prospects.

I have noted particularly in Cheika's time that 5-6 players would play well and the following game 5-6 would play well BUT a different 5-6. Very frustrating for a coach I am sure.

 

[stillmissit]

KOB, I'm not sure there was an obvious lack of basic skills on show, but certainly ill-discipline combined with a poor game plan were very much to the fore. The game plan seemed to be to kick the ball on first, or at latest second, phase and way too many players gave away senseless penalties allowing the Bokke to march up field almost at will. The kicking game foundered somewhat when Koroibete suffered what looks like a calf muscle injury, but couldn't be replaced early out of a 6/2 bench. IMO his injury also led directly to his failure to jump for the catch which presented the new SAFFA winger with his try.

If Koroibete is out next game against the ABs, then I'd expect Kellaway to come in at 11. With Paisami also likely out, Foketi must come into 12 and likewise Foley for Noah if his concussion keeps him out. Where then does the bench get its backline replacements? Either McDermott or Gordon at 21 (neither is yet ready to displace Nic White - my opinion), Petaia to cover wing, but who is there to cover 10, 12 or 13? Is Perese still unavailable?

On another note, I reckon we've now seen the last of Tupou for this year. Does Slipper move across as Bell comes back in, or does Fuama'asili get another run? Any thoughts?

BR Agree, I thought the same regarding Koro's lack of a jump. I think Slipper moves and Bell comes in and Fuamasali comes on from the bench.

 

[Viking]

Viking agree regarding Valetini but one loosey does not a pack make. He could run as hard as he likes but in the end he is one brave soldier running into cannons! Too many of our forwards are too much one-off, league-style runners, looks good but takes you nowhere smart without support for an offload or the breakdown.
Would argue that McReight has also stepped up..

I agree. Our pack really lacks consistency, especially in those important area's like the breakdown and contact zone.

I think McReight is on the right path for sure. He is still a little green with some inexperienced decisions but we have seen more from him then most of the other 25+ year olds with multiple professional rugby seasons under their belts.

 

[Wallaby Man]

Valetini …. There is no n after the e. It’s taken a while for people to realise it’s Philip and not Phillips.

We are supposed to be knowledgeable rugby fans, surely we can know what one of the most prominent players in the country name actually is. Otherwise people just look like a dunce that obviously don’t watch the game to give comment on.

 

[stillmissit]

Valetini …. There is no n after the e. It’s taken a while for people to realise it’s Philip and not Phillips.

We are supposed to be knowledgeable rugby fans, surely we can know what one of the most prominent players in the country name actually is. Otherwise people just look like a dunce that obviously don’t watch the game to give comment on.

Being a watcher for mistakes on a site where a lot of stuff comes from phones, keep it up you are going to be bloody busy....
NOTE: for those who suffer from little-itist, people with a good ability to spell see the word in their heads, and those like me with lousy spelling hear the word. Get used to it there are a very large number of us out there.

 

[Joe Blow]

ValETini is going from strength to strength. I’m not sure Holloway is the bloke to be at 6. I reckon Leota will get another run against the ABs. Holloway could be handy off the bench covering 4/5/6.

 

[Wallaby Man]

Being a watcher for mistakes on a site where a lot of stuff comes from phones, keep it up you are going to be bloody busy....
NOTE: for those who suffer from little-itist, people with a good ability to spell see the word in their heads, and those like me with lousy spelling hear the word. Get used to it there are a very large number of us out there.

That’s just lazy. I’m not picking you up on your grammar I’m picking you up on repeatedly using the incorrect name. You obviously spend a lot of time on this site, so surely you read through what you post. I couldn’t care if you have poor sentence structure or use you, your, you’re wrong but I do think it’s beyond an intelligence thing to not recognize spelling someone’s name incorrectly numerous times that you are critiquing

 

[Viking]

ValETini is going from strength to strength. I’m not sure Holloway is the bloke to be at 6. I reckon Leota will get another run against the ABs. Holloway could be handy off the bench covering 4/5/6.

I feel Holloway is just going to be a placeholder for Gleeson or Swinton. Maybe he will retain a bench spot since he can cover lock.

 

[KOB1987]

I feel Holloway is just going to be a placeholder for Gleeson or Swinton. Maybe he will retain a bench spot since he can cover lock.

Who is the Brumbies deputy for Vallenteenie and Sarmoo, surely he will get a look in?

 

[stillmissit]

That’s just lazy. I’m not picking you up on your grammar I’m picking you up on repeatedly using the incorrect name. You obviously spend a lot of time on this site, so surely you read through what you post. I couldn’t care if you have poor sentence structure or use you, your, you’re wrong but I do think it’s beyond an intelligence thing to not recognize spelling someone’s name incorrectly numerous times that you are critiquing

No it's not, it is easy for you and you assume it's easy for everyone. I use Grammarly for general spelling and basic grammar but if I were to agree with you I would have to check the spelling on every Islander playing. I have enough issues with google due to my lousy memory without adding correct spelling of names to the list. The rest of you making smart name posts can go and eff yourselves.