Wallabies v Wales, 6 July

[wamberal99]

I was not at the ground, but in both the games I watched the ABs, Poms, as well as the Welsh all looked bigger and stronger than us.

 

[Sully]

My experience attending the Wallabies match tonight (as an avid sports fan, but new to rugby):

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

It's hard to believe that rugby is the game American football is derived from, isn't it? Australian crowds tend to be quiet. I'm not sure why, just our nature I guess. I'm surprised they didn't stand up for Tom Wrights try, though, it was a cracker.

I was surprised to hear our food and drink prices were cheap because I always think we are getting robbed.

 

[Sully]

 

[Sully]

14 passes from a flyhalf seems very low.

 

[Adam84]

interesting paradigm between tackles completed and criticism of some players

 

[Sully]

Felt the same about all the complaints about Hunters kicks. Thought he must have kicked it fifty times, nope, three. It must have been someone else with dark curly hair.

 

[LeCheese]

Haven’t seen much mention of Faessler - I thought he was damn solid at both his core skills and around the park.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Think Daugunu’s contribution has gone through these pages a little underrated. Great try but more than that his physicality essentially shut down the Welsh strategy of applying pressure in defence on his edge, combined with excellent kicking from Gordon.

Gives so much value in tight and at breakdown too.

 

[Brumby Runner]

What did you guys think of flook by the way?

A really good effort in defence. Didn't get to see much ball in attack. Think he's wrapped up the No 13 spot behind Ikitau.

 

[nathan]

It did feel like they were playing heavily off the 9 for most of the game. Lots of Gordon box kicks. Keep it tight up the middle with pick and gos.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Liam Wright with 1 tackle complete seems very odd.

The tackles stat is often an indicator of the opposition tactics I reckon. Wales trying to tire out Valetini and reduce McReight's breakdown work is the obvious way to try and take on the Wallabies.

 

[Adam84]

Think Daugunu’s contribution has gone through these pages a little underrated.

yeah tend to agree, also our wingers were targeted by the high ball, Daugunu’s side especially and they defused them all which is a bonus to start with. Maybe one dropped ball from memory.

It’s a minor aspect but was also a weakness of the wallabies play in recent years that’s teams exploited.

 

[Joe Blow]

Felt the same about all the complaints about Hunters kicks. Thought he must have kicked it fifty times, nope, three. It must have been someone else with dark curly hair.

I think a couple were at inopportune moments in the match. We need to be smarter with our contestable kicks when on attack. Carry the ball a few more phases to see if we can score with ball in hand.
Last year we tended to kick to much ball away and Paisami has been guilty of the same with the Reds. I feel he was solid and will get better each week.

 

[Joe Blow]

A really good effort in defence. Didn't get to see much ball in attack. Think he's wrapped up the No 13 spot behind Ikitau.

They are very similar players, both with great rugby intellect.

 

[Adam84]

You know what, despite some rough edges it’s pretty good to see a win from the “worst Wallabies side” ever seen

Good to wake up with a win.

 

[Neo]

I have a feeling that Schmidt will go to Lynagh very soon.

Lynagh couldn’t tackle a sloth. He ain’t the answer. The only one with any hope just peed off to league

 

[Adam84]

Wow, Wales did well to disguise their sloths then

 

[LeCheese]

Clearly you watched a different game. He was targeted several times and I don’t think missed a tackle

 

[dru]

Some pretty harsh commentary through this thread!

Yes. I thought the excessive confidence before the match somewhat bizarre and equally the level of negativity on the win, and certain players being selected for ott comments. While I still wonder at the maths that claims 35k works for for funding to an international team AND an entire competition, I was pleasantly surprised by the stadium crowd feel. It works.

Wales were nothing like as shite as some were claiming, actually a serious test where you had to perform to have a chance. Ranked now at 9 and 11, I'd suggest this sort of quality speaks volumes for world rugby.

We had something like 5 mins of preparation. What came out of that on the field is actually mind blowing. Talk about Schmidt it in! We won the first 30 mins of play through a dominating scrum (never to forget that first scrum!), a dominating lineout, and we out-disciplined the Welsh. Seriously, where did that come from? I don't care and I want more of it.

The back line took some serious initiative when they saw it in front of them. Not something I expected from a Schmidt team. Game highlights for me were:
1. Daugunu breaking the laws of physics with an unnatural slide to the line, after demonstrating how an 11 can start with heavy work in traffic, followed shortly by crossing side to side to score wide on the "wrong" side.
2. Did I mention that first scrum?
3. The f'n brutality of the Welsh through the ruck in the opening 15 or 20. Pods are sexy again.
4. Tom Wright's solo, no not that. Half way through that solo and the expression on his face that just stated "I so got this". Cocky arse with the skillset and physical ability to do it.
5. The line out, any of them on the Faessler throw. Any one. [Edit: Just watched the presser and Joe reminded me of two line out penalties followed by the YC. So not those ones. ]
6. Gordon, crazy busy and accurate, look at his pass number - even with his runs.

What an awesome start to re-gaining public support. Congrats to Slipper, was it, most capped prop on earth?

 

[Marce]

Attendance: 35,945 (85% of capacity)