Wallabies v USA Eagles, 5th September, Soldier Field, Chicago

[qwerty51]

I hope we get the American commentary rather than the Fox guys, they were a crack up last time. Not good for continued listening but good for one off value.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Taqele played well for the Baa Baa's so deserves bench spot and glad to see it given thought was lost to Australian Rugby.

He wants to play for Australia so enough for me and means available option in years to come when returns from playing in Scotland. Got to play long game with talent and agree keeping him in mix (given his pref. is to play for Australia) is good long game as 10 min from bench to earn first cap not going to take much valuable time away from world cup squad player

Nice to see Toby Smith also get his first cap as see good future for him in wallabies set up

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Not on free to air. None of the networks bought the rights from the USA

I have Foxtel so not issue for me but disappointing given lead in game to World Cup that no FTA networks bought the rights for this game

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Don't know about others but bit surreal to think that we have such great bench options compared to 12 months ago...

Fantastic to see the depth in positions we have now. ARU being progressive e.g. 60 cap rule also helped - and things like that might help get them out of the financial hole ARU in as a strong performing wallabies central to their financial fortunes...

 

[qwerty51]

We are going to a RWC with no specialist forwards coach, no line-out coach (who could be forwards coach as one person), no true specialist kicking coach, and no elite mental skills coach or sports psychologist.

Ledesma is the forwards coach.

 

[RedsHappy]

Ledesma is the forwards coach.

My understanding is quite different.

It is that Ledesma's actual coaching experience and, in this case, appointed competency, is precisely that relating to scrummaging, and little else. I believe a trace back on most media relating to his appointment with the Wallabies will confirm this.

Further, his arrival with the Wallabies and subsequent engagement in working with their scrum IIRC roughly paralleled Chek's continued, openly revealed search for a more genuine, all-skills Wallaby forwards coach in the mould of Fisher or as M Foley was with the Wallabies in 2008. Chek quite regularly stated that he thought he was near to appointing such a Wallaby forwards coach, but unfortunately nothing ever transpired.

If Ledesma's explicit role has now expanded to line out, breakdown, ruck work, forwards link play, etc, for the Wallabies I am not aware of that and additionally I believe that Ledesma has not coached these full forwards skills at international level before.

 

[Pfitzy]

If Ledesma's explicit role has now expanded to line out, breakdown, ruck work, forwards link play, etc, for the Wallabies I am not aware of that

Maybe because Cheika doesn't give a fuck what you think about his coaching setup.

and additionally I believe that Ledesma has not coached these full forwards skills at international level before.

That is irrelevant, if he's good enough. Mario stuck his head inside hundreds of scrums at international level (84 caps, 3 tries, 4 World Cups over a career spanning nearly two decades) across the globe, with a fair chunk of forward work thrown in as well. He has previously been a forwards coach at a couple of French clubs, and before you shout down from your high horse "THAT IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONALS!" let me just point out that rugby is a pretty simple game, and the same lessons apply to all levels.

Our breakdown work in TRC* was pretty good, so between our "thin" coaching staff something must be going right.

From memory, we won that tournament, undefeated, did we not? Can someone please confirm?

Others on this thread are trying to be nice and point out facts to you, but so far, all you've come back with is pissing and moaning.

So what the actual fuck is your problem?

Do you hate Cheika because Link was fired?
Do you hate Cheika because he won a title with NSW?
Do you hate Cheika because he doesn't return your calls?
Do you hate the Wallabies?
Do you just hate rugby in general? I'd not be surprised, because you're a Reds fan. I'd fell pretty fucking angry too if I had Woody Graham in charge for another year.

Or, perhaps, you going to be one of those people who come back with "I TOLD YOU SO!" even if we lose on the last ruck in the last minute of the final, having pushed the All Blacks into extra time in the greatest game in history?

Probably. Why don't you and wamberal go make yourself some shit sandwiches and reminisce about better times.

 

[I like to watch]

My understanding is quite different.

It is that Ledesma's actual coaching experience and, in this case, appointed competency, is precisely that relating to scrummaging, and little else. I believe a trace back on most media relating to his appointment with the Wallabies will confirm this.

Further, his arrival with the Wallabies and subsequent engagement in working with their scrum IIRC roughly paralleled Chek's continued, openly revealed search for a more genuine, all-skills Wallaby forwards coach in the mould of Fisher or as M Foley was with the Wallabies in 2008. Chek quite regularly stated that he thought he was near to appointing such a Wallaby forwards coach, but unfortunately nothing ever transpired.

If Ledesma's explicit role has now expanded to line out, breakdown, ruck work, forwards link play, etc, for the Wallabies I am not aware of that and additionally I believe that Ledesma has not coached these full forwards skills at international level before.

I have no problem with Ledesma,he seems to have improved the Wallaby scrum.
No one has international experience until they are given an opportunity!

You are looking at it from a jaundiced Qld perspective and assuming the HC is totally out of his depth and needs a specialist coach for every facet of the game.
you only need that,if you are so clueless that you hire assistants with a very narrow knowledge base.

He doesn't,and if he did he shouldn't be there.

I could just imagine it if this dream team of coaches were assembled for a selection meeting.
The lineout coach would insist on two jumpers in the 2row,the scrum coach,a different two in the scrum,the breakdown coach a more mobile 2row....
and again,for pretty much every position in the pack.

 

[Marcelo]

Indeed Super Mario is the man

 

[Sully]

Guys.

Just because someone has a different opinion or outlook to you doesn't mean you jump all over them. I'm looking at you Phitzy.

Argue your points more respectfully please.

 

[wamberal]

So what the actual fuck is your problem?

.

And what is yours? Nothing trivial, I hope (apologies to Basil Fawlty).

 

[neilc]

Given Cheik was a loose forward I would have thought that he would be pretty clued up on coaching the breakdown and possibly lineouts. Front row work is different and that's where Ledesma would have the expertise.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Hopefully whoever is coaching the line out has been doing plenty of work on options for when Simmons isn't on becuase the last couple of games have been debacles.

 

[Mr Doug]

Proof that we have a great squad of players, is that the arguments here are now concentrated on the quality of the coaches!
I'm glad I took the $9-00 on offer for a Wallabies win at the RWC, this morning!!

 

[Gnostic]

@Pfitzy - you have from time to time made some insightful and cogent points on the forums. However I have to say your constant use of invective and personal attack more than a little tiring. Many of us came to GAGR to discuss rugby with like minded tragics and engage in genuine debate. Such attacks and language as you like to use don't open or contribute to debate they stifle it.

This place is far better without such posts.

And yes Redshappy is a very good friend of mine, even if he is a Reds supporter.

 

[Groucho]

I for one bemoan the lack of a specialist catching coach. You might argue that the passing coach has this covered, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A PASSING COACH EITHER! The running off at half-time coach will have to cover both of their specialisms. What a schemozzle.

 

[Tex]

Keep on keeping on Pfitzy.

There's a useful 'ignore' button if you think someone's vibe is a bit heavy. Use it. Don't censor.

 

[BDA]

I really think the recent lineout problems stem mostly from the fact that simo has been the linchpin for a long time now, not only calling the lineouts and taking the majority of throws. The result is that we clearly havent adapted to playing without him. Prior to the test season, there was a lot of people on this board suggesting alternatives to simmons at lock. Recent games have demonstrated he's an obvious selection

 

[BDA]

Proof that we have a great squad of players, is that the arguments here are now concentrated on the quality of the coaches!
I'm glad I took the $9-00 on offer for a Wallabies win at the RWC, this morning!!

Worth a punt at that price. My current feeling is that if we top our group we'll go on to win the cup. However im not so sure we'll be able to beat england at twickenham

 

[qwerty51]

Worth a punt at that price. My current feeling is that if we top our group we'll go on to win the cup. However im not so sure we'll be able to beat england at twickenham

I don't know about winning it but definitely odds on to make the final. Such a key pool.