Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
Shmoo's lost his speed I reckon. He's probably carrying a tad too much weight as well but that is to be expected after such a long injury.
Wallabies v. Wales - 1 Dec
- Thread starter Brumby Jack
- Start date
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Shmoo's lost his speed I reckon. He's probably carrying a tad too much weight as well but that is to be expected after such a long injury.
Shiggins
Simon Poidevin (60)
Dennis had a great impact off the bench.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I assumed that Deans wanted Harris on for his goal kicking.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
He's not a second rower. The scrum got pumped when he came on. That cost us the lead.
One bloke who I reckon played his best game for the Wallabies is Mike Harris. Well, not a GAME as such but for 20 minutes he looked like a test standard centre, which is the first time you could really call him a 'test standard' anything. Took the ball to the line, passed well, set up the final try. Just did the basics, but did them well.
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I agree, but as mentioned I don't think he should be coming on as a reserve lock.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
My guess is that he wanted AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to match up vs North and help Beale if needed. Taps does a bit too much ball watching at times though.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
The first stuff up on the Wales goal line confirms your view - even if you allow for the disorganisation engendered by swapping them there was nothing at all challenging about what wales did and he had time to adjust.
GaffaCHinO
Peter Sullivan (51)
He didnt he came on for higgers abd when hooper came on kane went off abd dennis went to lock
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D-Box
Cyril Towers (30)
But he played at 15 and Barnes went to 12. Funny thing was this is when people started saying Barnes lookd good. He was at first receiver on everything but first phase ball too.
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I know, my point was he shouldn't have been there as the reserve lock in the first place.
Torn Hammy
Johnnie Wallace (23)
In defence of Deans and our much maligned backline I would like to point out a few issues.
Firstly, the defence patterns were excellent and have been for some time. It is not just ticker, it is also technique and physicality. This is a Deans' legacy.
Secondly, we don't have Genia, QC (Quade Cooper), JOC (James O'Connor), McCabe or Horne. These are the players whom Deans used for his Plan A. Also, Mitchell and Ioane are playing well below their best and Beale is not a Number 10.
Thirdly, the backline defence of the NH teams is allowed to rush up with such complete disregard for the offside rules, that it is impossible to play expansive rugby.
So our backline is not getting Genia's bullet like pass or his ability to shred defences who charge across in cover. QC (Quade Cooper)'s ability to put people through gaps (think Ioane and Mitchell running 10/12 channel) is missing as is McCabes angled runs and the magic out of nothing from JOC (James O'Connor). At full strength and in postion, our backline could destroy the very best defences.
The cattle we do have are great players but not in the same class. This is never clearer than when they are confronted with a rushing offside defence. They don't have the guile, speed or power to get through the line.
So, as I see it, Deans Plan B is to use Palu or Timani as mid field rams and also the long and short kick. What else can he do with the cattle he has. It looks crap, and goes against the grain but is effective when you have players who can't break the line against well organised defences. Give them the ball and defend like crazy men.
Given that we won 3 out of 4 you have to say Plan B worked. Well done boys, well done Robbie.
Firstly, the defence patterns were excellent and have been for some time. It is not just ticker, it is also technique and physicality. This is a Deans' legacy.
Secondly, we don't have Genia, QC (Quade Cooper), JOC (James O'Connor), McCabe or Horne. These are the players whom Deans used for his Plan A. Also, Mitchell and Ioane are playing well below their best and Beale is not a Number 10.
Thirdly, the backline defence of the NH teams is allowed to rush up with such complete disregard for the offside rules, that it is impossible to play expansive rugby.
So our backline is not getting Genia's bullet like pass or his ability to shred defences who charge across in cover. QC (Quade Cooper)'s ability to put people through gaps (think Ioane and Mitchell running 10/12 channel) is missing as is McCabes angled runs and the magic out of nothing from JOC (James O'Connor). At full strength and in postion, our backline could destroy the very best defences.
The cattle we do have are great players but not in the same class. This is never clearer than when they are confronted with a rushing offside defence. They don't have the guile, speed or power to get through the line.
So, as I see it, Deans Plan B is to use Palu or Timani as mid field rams and also the long and short kick. What else can he do with the cattle he has. It looks crap, and goes against the grain but is effective when you have players who can't break the line against well organised defences. Give them the ball and defend like crazy men.
Given that we won 3 out of 4 you have to say Plan B worked. Well done boys, well done Robbie.
Italophile
Alfred Walker (16)
He was in hospital overnight for scans of a neck injury. No further news yet.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
TH, certainly the injury list hasn't helped. I think JOC (James O'Connor) is the bloke we've missed the most this year. His ability to beat tackles and break the line is nearly unparalleled in the Wallaby squad. He will provide some spark next season. Genia's running from the ruck base and passing are also important. Phipps hasn't provided anywhere near the threat there. We probably can't rely on Cooper to come back into the fold and I wouldn't be blooding Lilo against the Lions, so it's pretty much either KB (Kurtley Beale) or Barnes at 10 next year.
Italophile
Alfred Walker (16)
Leigh Halfpenny released from hospital. No apparent serious damage but they will monitor him.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
That's good news. Cracking player 1/2p.
Italophile
Alfred Walker (16)
He is too. He's muscled up a lot this year up top but it doesn't seem to have affected him.
dasduke
Frank Nicholson (4)
Aussie Mike
I'm sure other people think differently, but I would have preferred to see Harris start at 12. His goal kicking would have meant we never behind on the scoreboard.
I may have rose tinted glasses from when he played that first game for the Reds, but he provides options and creativity in attack.
Defensive lapses by Taps resulted in Wales getting massive metres. One example - when the Welsh ran it from the 5m, he didn't slid out to the next man, which led to an overlap - Phipps had the inside runner covered. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a real asset but Harris could provide the extra creativity.
Barnes
I'm also hoping Barnes' time at fullback gives him improved vision for the game - in the way it did for Larkham.
He seems to be second-guessing his decision making for kicking. With so much criticism recently he needed to think about it, but it needs to become instinctive.
His passing was super-sharp - flat and in front of the man. Puts the attack on the front-foot.
Will be interesting when we have JOC (James O'Connor) and possible QC (Quade Cooper).
I'm sure other people think differently, but I would have preferred to see Harris start at 12. His goal kicking would have meant we never behind on the scoreboard.
I may have rose tinted glasses from when he played that first game for the Reds, but he provides options and creativity in attack.
Defensive lapses by Taps resulted in Wales getting massive metres. One example - when the Welsh ran it from the 5m, he didn't slid out to the next man, which led to an overlap - Phipps had the inside runner covered. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a real asset but Harris could provide the extra creativity.
Barnes
I'm also hoping Barnes' time at fullback gives him improved vision for the game - in the way it did for Larkham.
He seems to be second-guessing his decision making for kicking. With so much criticism recently he needed to think about it, but it needs to become instinctive.
His passing was super-sharp - flat and in front of the man. Puts the attack on the front-foot.
Will be interesting when we have JOC (James O'Connor) and possible QC (Quade Cooper).
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