Wallabies v Springboks - Suncorp, Brisbane, 10th September 2016

[Viking]

Sometimes that happens though. Hodge found himself a kick pass away from the nearest player once or twice, and a big cut out pass away 5 or 6 times.

Sometimes that happens at 13 too. Like Kuridrani his last test, or Kerevi his last test.

Most players 1-15 should know to pass it to Izzy every chance they get and if Cooper is playing 10 he'll almost always try get the ball to Izzy every chance he gets. Foley not so much. So I don't see playing him on the wing an issue (for that reason).

Anyways, I still prefer him at fullback. I'm just against him as a 13.

 

[Viking]

And what are your picks? I don't see a Stephen Larkham, a Nick Farr-Jones or a John Eales there.

If you don't pick Cooper or Foley at 10. Who's your fly-half? Jack Debreczeni? Jake McIntyre?

Kerevi had a poor performance but Kuridrani wasn't good neither. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is old and slow and Folau was good at 13 in Super Rugby. You don't have Tomane, Mitchell is a good kicker. Ok, DHP wasn't good in defense but he played well vs England. So those are the options. You can't pick Beauden Barrett or Aaron Smith.

9. Genia
10. Cooper - drops back to fullback only for cover like a normal flyhalf.
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) / Mitchell - whoevers fit - specialist winger who can kick
12. To'omua / Hodge - stays in the line
13. Kuridrani / Kerevi- stays in the line
14. Morahan - specialist winger who can kick - last man standing
15. Folau

Only one player in the backline drops back to fullback occasionally, The flyhalf, he is first person to drop back when the fullback comes into the line etc. Like a normal backline.

 

[bigmac]

All the more reason DHP should get dropped. Poor missed tackles EVERY GAME HE'S PLAYED! All leading to tries.

His England Test's we all thought were just a couple rookie errors, we could forgive him and persist.

Now it's 4-5 Test's in a row and that is just not good enough.

Dhp was horrible on the wing. Crucial missed tackles out wide = try time.

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[Marcelo]

9. Genia
10. Cooper - drops back to fullback only for cover like a normal flyhalf.
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) / Mitchell - whoevers fit - specialist winger who can kick
12. To'omua / Hodge - stays in the line
13. Kuridrani / Kerevi- stays in the line
14. Morahan - specialist winger who can kick - last man standing
15. Folau

Only one player in the backline drops back to fullback occasionally, The flyhalf, he is first person to drop back when the fullback comes into the line etc. Like a normal backline.

Still a weak backline for the ABs standard. Morahan is not a test player. He could not have been a water boy in the 1999 Wallabies squad. Kuridrani is in poor form, Kerevi is not a test player yet. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a former player, Cooper is not the Cooper of 2011. To'omua is not the same player, Hodge was poor in the defense like the whole backline

 

[bigmac]

I realise I'm starting to bore some with my comments on Big Willie, but he simply isn't fit enough for this level of rugby. I made a point of watching him on Saturday night, when he came on he wandered from side to side and positioned himself next to the ruck/breakdown ready to take part in the next one BUT HE DIDN'T. I reckon he didn't hit a ruck for a good five minutes after coming on, fresh 'n' all.

We desperately need tight five forwards for the Wallabies who roll their sleeves up and get stuck into the hard work at the coalface. Coleman does this, as does Mumm when he comes on. Skelton doesn't. Willie needs to go back to NRC and play every minute of every game with one of the coaching staff assigned to counting his involvements while continually revving him up.

Agree skelton needs to regain fitness and aggro before he is let back into the squad. Lots of unfulfilled potential here.

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[Viking]

Still a weak backline for the ABs standard. Morahan is not a test player. He could not have been a water boy in the 1999 Wallabies squad. Kuridrani is in poor form, Kerevi is not a test player yet. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a former player, Cooper is not the Cooper of 2011. To'omua is not the same player, Hodge was poor in the defense like the whole backline

Still better then players swapping and changing positions consistently. Which will be a huge benefit for our defensive structure - which based on the last 5 Tests is in poor state.

The benefit then is, once a solid option arise they can easily slot into the back-line in their preferred position.

So sick of playing players out of position. Especially centres, it's such a specialist position it should not be treated the same as outside backs.

FYI, every backline in the world is a poor backline compared to All Blacks standards.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Are Genia and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) available for the next match? I thought they were just available for two kiwi tests.


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The World Rugby official TRC (4 nations) release period is from third weekend in Aug to first weekend in October so officially they should be eligible.

They may not make themselves available or something similar though.....

 

[No4918]

Genia would be a big blow. Phipps is one thing but quality drops off quickly and I still don't see Frisby as an international 9.

Recall some talk of Nic White coming back - still a chance?

 

[Braveheart81]

The World Rugby official TRC (4 nations) release period is from third weekend in Aug to first weekend in October so officially they should be eligible.

They may not make themselves available or something similar though...

I think this is in reference to the request under Reg 9 originally just being a commitment for the first two tests and then there being an ongoing discussion after that.

You'd certainly imagine that Genia will stay on but who knows what will happen with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Mitchell.

If Mitchell still isn't up to speed then it would make sense to release him. Likewise if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is on the outer now selection wise, it's probably better to release him rather than keep a player who isn't in the matchday 23 (of course we don't know that yet).

 

[Viking]

I think this is in reference to the request under Reg 9 originally just being a commitment for the first two tests and then there being an ongoing discussion after that.

You'd certainly imagine that Genia will stay on but who knows what will happen with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Mitchell.

If Mitchell still isn't up to speed then it would make sense to release him. Likewise if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is on the outer now selection wise, it's probably better to release him rather than keep a player who isn't in the matchday 23 (of course we don't know that yet).

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) if fit would probably take a wing spot, given I expect DHP to be dropped next game.

I'd say DHP would be back the next game against Argetina and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can be on his way.

 

[dru]

Genia would be a big blow. Phipps is one thing but quality drops off quickly and I still don't see Frisby as an international 9.

Recall some talk of Nic White coming back - still a chance?

I'm not impressed with Genia's speed of service. As the game progresses he starts taking lateral steps, slowing down service. Forward positional play could have something to do with it, but in the end a fast rush closes first receiver a lot on the back of Will's service. He has been solid other than this.

Phipps has done little wrong from the bench and I wouldn't mind seeing how Quade copes with his passing. Fast service though admitedly erratic on occassion.

 

[Brumby Runner]

There have certainly been reports that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s French side (Bordeaux?) wants him back now. But more to the point - what is his injury status. Didn't look good when he came off in Bled 2.

Want another winger? Henry Speight is now back on the field - scored a couple of tries against Qld Country yesterday.

 

[A mutterer]

we're still talking about the backs being the solution?

it bottles my mind

 

[KOB1987]

Genia would be a big blow. Phipps is one thing but quality drops off quickly and I still don't see Frisby as an international 9.

Recall some talk of Nic White coming back - still a chance?

This is by no means a dig at you, but when people say things like 'he's not test standard' about certain players it makes me laugh. Recent examples include Skelton, Mumm, McCalman, Phipps, Foley, Kerevi, DHP, Speight to name a few. I don't disagree with some of those instances but the reality is that we don't have the class or depth of players that we did from 1990ish to 2005 at the moment. There could be genuine reasons for this that have been well discussed, or it could be cyclical, or maybe a bit of both. However if someone is the best, or second best, or even the third best player in the country in a particular position, it's irrelevant whether they are up to it or not, they are going to be thrown in to the big arena inevitably any time soon.

 

[tragic]

we're still talking about the backs being the solution?

it bottles my mind

Why?
We've scored 1 try in two games whilst our defence has leaked like a sieve.
Our back line has zero penetration and their defensive alignment has been appalling.
The forwards have been soft but that doesn't make the backs immune from criticism.
Both are fair game.

 

[A mutterer]

Why?
We've scored 1 try in two games whilst our defence has leaked like a sieve.
Our back line has zero penetration and their defensive alignment has been appalling.
The forwards have been soft but that doesn't make the backs immune from criticism.
Both are fair game.

only 1 previous post on this page mentioned a forward.

and i've already said enough about our backs and defensive systems in the other thread.

 

[Froggy]

Very similar to the side I would have picked for Bled 2
Slipper
TPN
Kepu
Coleman
Douglas
Fardy
Hooper (c)
Pocock
Genia
Cooper
Morahan
Hodge
Kerevi
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Folau

Res:
Sio
Hanson
Robertson
Mumm
Timani
Phipps
Foley
DHP

 

[Marcelo]

we're still talking about the backs being the solution?

it bottles my mind

Nooo, Timani at 8 is the solution

Still better then players swapping and changing positions consistently. Which will be a huge benefit for our defensive structure - which based on the last 5 Tests is in poor state.

The benefit then is, once a solid option arise they can easily slot into the back-line in their preferred position.

So sick of playing players out of position. Especially centres, it's such a specialist position it should not be treated the same as outside backs.

FYI, every backline in the world is a poor backline compared to All Blacks standards.

Well, Timani is not a natural #8 and you were in agreement with me to pick him in that spot lol

 

[Joe Blow]

No-one has mentioned Henry Speight yet. I have not seen the game but I understand he went well on the weekend. He lacks an effective kicking game but has genuine speed and finishing skills and his defense is excellent.
A real winger.......bring him in

 

[Sully]

He's not ready yet.