Nobody played badly. I'm certainly not saying that and I don't think most others are.
Skelton had some good points but didn't offer as much as Coleman, Simmons or Carter and weakened our lineout. He was unfit and looked slow motion at times. So in most people's eye he makes way.
Phipps played quite well, but for the second time his erratic pass cost us 7 points and therefore potentially the game. Time to see if a more reliable passing 9 offers more. If not then he's still on the bench and the questions answered.
Foley played well in general play but he is not an international standard 10 with the boot, a key position description. He wouldn't make 10 in any of the other top 5 sides. So people are naturally looking for an alternative. But we don't have one at the moment so he stays.
It's recognising our shortcomings and why we can dominate many aspect of the stats but not win - fine tuning, not criticising.
It's natural the positives get less air play than the negatives in a losing side.
The reverse is also true and many would be lauded as the future if we'd won.
Hey Tragic. There were 23 (22) players involved let alone the coaching staff. And they played a brilliant game. Targeting Phipps for being responsible for 7 points, without looking at try saving tackles and a general drive that pyshed the points we did score... Well to me it just isnt a balanced view.
Foley not an international 10 pfft. He starts for the Wallabies. And has little competition. What just love, it that if we can have Quade back, without the mindless emotion from fans, and if the Reds (god help us not the Rebels) can play him back into form, his has still got a hell of a chance to break back i to the Wallabies starting crew. Swap Quade for whatever your flavour of preferd 10 is. Same story.
Ditto Phipps. Frisbey, Genia, White whatever, they're going to have to work seriously hard to displace him.
Skelton, what can I say. He's not going to make a Super Rugby team I pick. But I'd like to think I can look unemtionally at his performance. Did he look pedestrain? Hell yes, even stopping a jog onto the pitch with a walk. But look at him, actually look at him in play. Its a bit of a misdirection to suggest, as one has, that he was good in the LO because he lifts. He does, one badly, but what a waste. He isn't fast enough (lazy/unfit/ or just big, I'm with big) to hit many rucks up front unless hes lucky. But he did what he could to be second group at many many rucks. We here that the team should have used the English focus on him to create gaps. Hell help me, I think they did.
We are all going to see different things. But much. No, most, of the negative comment here, particularly where it targets individuals, is well OTT.
3-zip. Sounds piss poor. But it wasnt. Keep pushing Cheika. Wallabies please do the same.
