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Wallabies vs Russia - last game before the QFs!

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What2040

Guest
Nusadan said:
I believe Horne played for 48mins before he came off...some of it with the injury, so he's not a softie...it's just so unfortunate that the chain of events happened really.
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agree Horne is not a softie - immensely talented - just seems to cop injury after injury
 
Scarfman

Scarfman

Knitter of the Scarf
I just to say that the proposed lineup is not acceptable to me. You can't start with forwards on the wing. It's farcical. Call up Gits - he's the obvious choice.
 
Hawko

Hawko

Tony Shaw (54)
Ash said:
And Phipps will play, it was stated that all 30 members would get game time.
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If that's the case Saia Fainga'a will probably start. Given the Russian scrum is one of their few strengths we could be in for a world of pain.
 
F

François

Guest
Would be great to see JOC (James O'Connor) at fullback, it's been a while. Will he score his trademark hat trick to celebrate ?
 
kiap

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
My assorted witterings from elsewhere on the possible side for this Russian game... With 5 players out of 30 unavailable, only 3 others can now sit out the match (presumably a prop, a lock, and one other who isn't needed or still warrants cotton wool treatment).

I'm guessing Alexander, Vickerman, and Pocock/Genia/S.Fainga'a will be rested to get a 22 something like this:

1. James Slipper
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Ben McCalman /(Bam Bam)
8. Scott Higginbotham

9. Luke Burgess
10. Quade Cooper
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper /(JOC (James O'Connor))
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Anthony Fainga'a
14. Drew Mitchell
15. James O'Connor /(AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper))

16. Stephen Moore
17. Sekope Kepu
18. Rob Simmons /(Vicks)
19. Radike Samo
20. David Pocock /(Big Dog)
21. Nick Phipps
22. Will Genia Saia Fainga'a (hope we don't need replacements in the outside backs, Samo on the wing - Geezuz)

Remainder:
23. Saia Fainga'a Will Genia
24. Ben Alexander
25. Dan Vickerman /(Simmo)
26. Kurtley Beale (1 wk)
27. Digby Ioane (1 wk)
28. Pat McCabe (1 wk)
29. Rob Horne (2 wks)
30. Wycliff Palu (gooonne)


Play the B-team front row, with Moore and Kepu to the bench. Give Alexander a rest on the sidelines as he has started 8 games straight. TPN needs game time and live throwing practice. Horwill and Sharpe to start to get combinations and lineout going.

Pocock needs some game time (either off the bench, or preferably starting if 100% fit). Ditto Higginbotham (I think Samo has something to offer at 8 for the finals but he's only worth 55 to 65 minutes. - We need someone else who can play 8, either starting or off the bench). Now that Palu is out (not that he was ever really in) it's down to Higginbotham or McCalman. I'd punt on H'bum over McCalman.

Barnes at 12 (and potentially there for the finals as well) can handle the goal kicking duties 1st half. Give JOC (James O'Connor) a go 2nd half. The side is very light-on for outside backs with a bench split of 5-2 (or even 6-1 FFS). Not ideal as we should be resting a few of our key backs (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Beale, Cooper) but impossible unless one or more of Horne/Fainga'a/McCabe were sent home.
 
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Waylon

Guest
Scarfman said:
I just to say that the proposed lineup is not acceptable to me. You can't start with forwards on the wing. It's farcical. Call up Gits - he's the obvious choice.
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Gits is ancient history

Like the bubonic plague, nazism, and Chernoble...........it's great that it is in the past
 
light

light

Peter Fenwicke (45)
Foxsports article I just read with their predicted team as follows, hoping it's not accurate:
1. Slipper, 2. Fainga'a, 3. Kepu, 4. Sharpe, 5. Simmons, 6. Horwill, 7. Pocock/McCalman, 8. Higgenbotham, 9. Burgess, 10. Cooper, 11. Mitchell, 12. Barnes, 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), 14. Samo, 15. O'Connor
 
fatprop

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Barnes stole the spotlight but he was not the centre of attention
Paul Cully
September 28, 2011

There is a seductive simplicity about Berrick Barnes slipping into the No.12 jersey and solving the Wallabies' problems, but it is just one part of an increasingly complex picture. Besides, the most pressing concern in the back line is the return of Adam Ashley-Cooper into the No.13 jersey.

Barnes' performance again the USA has generated a degree of excitement. It was assured, but not flawless. A poor kick off the left foot in the 63rd minute that was charged down blotted his copybook against tiring opposition among whose number several with real jobs as well as rugby duties. But his distribution was sound and his vision evident. Three minutes after that charge-down he was clipping a delightful cross-field chip into the arms of Ashley-Cooper on the right-hand side of attack. Significantly, kicks at goal travelled towards their destination with a certainty thus far lacking from supposedly superior technicians. Tackles were made without any ill effects. Moreover, the mood dictates that a saviour is required and he seems as good an option as any.

But let's look at the context. At no stage during the game did Barnes actually play at No.12 against the Americans, nor did his arrival prompt a return to the dual-playmaker system ditched at the start of the Test season. When the cursed Rob Horne went off, Pat McCabe was the straight replacement. When McCabe departed, Anthony Fainga'a moved to inside-centre with Ashley-Cooper coming off the right wing and into the No.13 jersey. In other words, when Barnes looked good, he was doing so within the team structure that the Wallabies have been working with all season. Established patterns were fitted into, not ripped up.


It is one thing to change personnel at this stage of the tournament, it is another thing to throw out entire game plans and replace them with ones that were deemed inadequate only months ago. Already a huge - and late - decision had been made to replace the captain, and the jury is out on whether it has had the desired effect on the individuals involved or improved the side. Ditch the game plan and you invite accusations of rearranging the deckchairs.

If we are to treat Barnes' 40-odd minutes as an audition, it has as many implications for the incumbent No.10 as for those jostling with each other and the doctors to be the No.12 in the quarter-final. Quade Cooper was quite brilliant at times as play opened up in the second half, but an old foe in the form of uncertain hands and glances up at opposition defenders resurfaced in the opening period and he has been caught upright in contact too many times. In the 28th minute he ran straight into two defenders with the ball not far from his chin and then attempted to offload it. Of all the theories advanced about Cooper the most obvious one might suffice. It has been a long season and the player is down a little on form. It's also worth remembering that it has taken Dan Carter three World Cups to get to where he is today.

In the current fog it is also easy to lose sight of the fact that the Wallabies used the two five-eighth system for three years and were lapped. Those with a knack for storing unpleasant memories will easily be able recall Barnes butchering a try in the No.12 jersey against the All Blacks in 2009, hurling a pass against George Smith after the defence had opened up at Eden Park. The Wallabies lost that night in Auckland against a New Zealand side led by Stephen Donald at No.10. It is not all roses and chocolates with Barnes at No.12. Nor was Matt Giteau associated with many glories during that spell. If questions are to be asked of the coaching panel they must be why they stuck with the system for so long. Perhaps it was merely a matter of the available personnel. Timana Tahu was tried. If only Stirling Mortlock had a younger brother.

However, that is all in the past. There is one thing Deans can control and that must be to correct the mistake of moving Ashley-Cooper away from outside-centre. The problem with the McCabe-Fainga'a midfield combination is that neither threaten the outside shoulder. Consequently we have seen virtually nothing of those wonderful wide, flat passes from Quade Cooper that burned the All Blacks in Hong Kong. The Wallabies still scare sides, but the fear comes from their pace and movement and not from seeking confrontation. There has been too much of the latter and too little of the former.

Two examples against the US showed how the Wallabies ought not to play. In the 16th minute they attempted a lineout drive and were easily disrupted and knocked the ball on. In the 56th minute the Americans did it again, turning the ball over after the Wallabies' attempts at mauling an attacking lineout went nowhere. There is an unpleasant examination of Australian forward play around the corner if the Wallabies do not make it out of the quarters, but for now the focus must return on the things they can do well. We know the Wallabies will not win a muscular battle, so they must make it an aerobic one.

At times against the US, their attacking play was of the highest order, with runners coming from deep and at pace. Horne ran with directness and took his try superbly. What a shame that he and Wycliff Palu, who combined so well in midfield to set up Fainga'a's first, did not see out the evening. Even Deans' fiercest detractors must concede that injuries have not gone his way so far. In fact, they started about six months ago and haven't let up. Now we hear that Palu's campaign is over. There is a sense that the fates are conspiring against Australia. Similarly, had Horne seen out the evening his name would already be pencilled in at No.12 against the Springboks.

Now, there is speculation that Barnes might get the chance. Presumably, a slick performance against the Russians will provide some clarity, although games against weak opposition with one foot already on the plane home can be misleading. If James O'Connor returns and kicks with conviction, Barnes' case could be further weakened. It is shaping up to be one of the most difficult decisions in Deans' career. There are no guarantees with either option.

Happily, two of his gems appear to be heading out of the casualty ward and in the right direction. On current evidence the Wallabies have five players in their top XV who could truly be called world-class (top three in their position) without bottles being thrown at the proposer. Three of those - Digby Ioane, Stephen Moore and David Pocock - are on track for the quarter-final. The trio represent a net gain of at least five points a game. That is a significant upgrade on the past two games. It is way too soon to start handing out the prizes without thinking of the Wallabies.

Look out for: The Russian back three of Vasily Artemyev, Denis Simplikevich and Valdimir Ostrushko has size, power and pace and managed to cross the line twice against Ireland.

Prediction: The Wallabies by 30-plus.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/r...f-attention-20110927-1kvq9.html#ixzz1ZBqGlBJK
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Mr Cully should watch the game more closely. Barnes was at 10, Cooper 15 - and they were playing dual playmakers.

As they do at times when Beale is at 15 and did for a lot of the season with the Tahs.

The thing that people forget is the great lines Barnes runs from 12, how he gets the support depth right, he ain't now crash ball hero, but he straightens the attack, is unselfish and works hard without the ball.
 
Braveheart81

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
fatprop said:
Mr Cully should watch the game more closely. Barnes was at 10, Cooper 15 - and they were playing dual playmakers.

As they do at times when Beale is at 15 and did for a lot of the season with the Tahs.
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His point was that they we didn't play dual playmakers at 10 and 12 as we did last year. It was the same structure of a 10 with 15 coming into the line as second receiver at times that we've been doing all season.

I.e. the tactics didn't really change when Barnes came on.
 
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