It doesn't fit Kafe's "vibe" to consider rules at times. At least his incessant whining allowed Kearns less time to talk, which is always a blessing.
Waratahs v Sharks, round 14, Saturday 16 May
- Thread starter Lindommer
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ACT Crusader
Jim Lenehan (48)
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
The Tahs have really big problems. This performance was only marginally better than that against the Force and they got a big leg-up from the Hoff. That said, Sharks were not good enough to win, but it should have been bloody close. Poor ball security at rucks on their own ball (again), poor handling (again), Beale dying in contact with it all night (again) - FFS, why is he doing that? Surely his brief is to make a half-break and look for support? He's not a crash-baller. Skelton, Dennis, Foley, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Horne put in pretty good efforts, most others were anonymous. Very sloppy execution, which will see them crucified by clinical teams (those from NZ mostly).
As I said last week, they may well make the finals, but I doubt they'll get far.
As I said last week, they may well make the finals, but I doubt they'll get far.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yup. One good inside ball to Folau against a whole heap of errors on mistakes on attack and defence. He's trying to make stuff happen but he's being very well read, as well he appears to be rather worked out this year. On defence it appears like he makes an effort but not a real effort of putting his body on the line, if you get what I mean. He sorta tries, but the technique is just all wrong, like he's afraid of contact.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
He made a couple of good tackles early, then went to rushing mindlessly up out of the line. Any good things he did (very few) were well and truly cancelled out. Shocker.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I think Cheika needs to quit the Tahs and give full reigns to Gibson now. The Wallabies are only two months away and he needs to fully focus on that. Something isn't right at the Tahs, probably fair to say the Tahs aren't at Cheika's full focus and they're suffering because of it - he wouldn't accept this inaccuracy.
Just very inaccurate in many facets, not clinical at all. Short patches of good play invariably cancelled out by soft turnovers, and poor options.
If I could nominate one positive - both Foley and Folau have started to get some better kick metres. Now this might be a freak occurrence, but nonetheless pleasing. Folau kicked a couple that went well over 50m and hardly 15 m off the ground. Begs the question as to why it has taken this long.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Foley's running game was fantastic, his ability to run a backline is worrying me. I don't know if it's Beale, or what, but after that first minute the Tahs backline just couldn't take advantage of the forward's work. Finishing was poor, too, unlike last year.
There's just something not working in the backs right now for the Tahs.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
You see, I can forgive Marto. Marto is genuinely an idiot. The fault is not with him, but with the people above him who have to continued to employ him.
Kearns however is a one eyed twat who can't keep his mouth shut when there's nothing to say.
Don't know why Fox persist with this bunch.
I think he'd be better without Beale at the moment. Beale is not doing what he did last year - make breaks and put people in gaps. If that is not working, use Horne there maybe? They wouldn't lose anything at the moment. I think he's used to Beale making more plays from last year, and he isn't doing it - he's been well-marked and defences are right on him. Beale is just crash-balling in essence, and he isn't much chop at it. I think Foley could do more if he had to. He needs to now. Other than that, I don't see a quick fix.
At Test level, he'd work fine with To'omua, for example, I think. But that's another thread.
Kafe had a solid tilt at the title tonight. We all know he hates the Tahs (he's allowed to as a fan), but the relentless complaining about every decision their way, and basically none the other is just tedious. And really, from the commentators, there should be more. I include Kearns and Martin in that, BTW.
For now? Maybe.
He's off at year's end, no?
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Think you might be on to something here @qwerty. But I don't expect to see it happen.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Really don't think it is freakish. I've commented a few times lately that Foley's kicking has much improved, and Folau showed some good execution with his kicks tonight as well. All good for the Wallabies.
True. I'd like a larger data set to be fully convinced!
But it's one little positive.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
We Aussie fans have no right to complain about Berry or any other ref after that performance by Hoffmann tonight. Not only was he frequently wrong, but most of the mistakes went to the adavantage of one side over the other (ie fairly consistently in favour of the one side).
Having said that, though, the Tahs were clearly the better team but they had problems finishing off their moves. Like others here, I thought Skelton was massive, Hooper was in everything in both attack and defense but the Tahs could have benefited from a few turnovers which didn't come, Horne also was very strong and both Foley and Folau showed improvement over earlier form. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was good in the main but really should have used his supports after the bust into the Shark's 22 in the second half.
I really don't want to see Beale in any of the test matches coming up.
Having said that, though, the Tahs were clearly the better team but they had problems finishing off their moves. Like others here, I thought Skelton was massive, Hooper was in everything in both attack and defense but the Tahs could have benefited from a few turnovers which didn't come, Horne also was very strong and both Foley and Folau showed improvement over earlier form. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was good in the main but really should have used his supports after the bust into the Shark's 22 in the second half.
I really don't want to see Beale in any of the test matches coming up.
Another thing I noticed, although Naiyaravoro's pluses have gained some traction in recent weeks, it was alarming how much ground the Sharks made down his wing - they clearly favoured it and he was found wanting often. I know this isn't news, but it is a glaring fact when possible Tests are mooted. A very exploitable weakness.
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