Winter Tour; Wallabies v France Wednesday 7 July, Brisbane

[barbarian]

Weirdly I think this is the most important games of the Rennie era thus far. Last year was COVID-affected, some new faces, relatively low expectations.

Now we're playing against a B team France who have been in quarantine, fielding our strongest available side, playing at Suncorp.

A win is simply non-negotiable, and we need to set the tone for our international campaign in the next few months. Pressure on a number of players to deliver, while France have nothing to lose.

 

[Tomikin]

Hodge never kicked any what? Goals? That's so disconnected from reality.

It was tongue in cheek but he has missed a lot of his long range kicks in recent memory. Nic White has a massive cannon but is injured and hasn't tried for a while.. While its an advantage to have Hodge there to try and win it, if he misses more then he gets we probably better off kicking to the corner and trying to get closer for the shot.

 

[Pfitzy]

France have nothing to lose.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

it's all thanks to Northampton Saints and that he was in a very strange mental space when he got there and left in a much improved state, saying his time there was "nothing short of revelationary"

Even ranga's can sometimes lose their virginity eventually.

 

[Dctarget]

I think Australia are rightfully favourites but France is paying $4.22 which is silly.

 

[Brumby Runner]

If the only times you get called on to kick are the really long difficult kicks the other players don't even have the distance for, you're going to have a poor record.

Edit: How does that Gretzky saying go? "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". He gives us a chance at goals we otherwise wouldn't even bother taking.

It's a balancing act. Those long goal attempts would otherwise be a kick for touch which would put the Wallabies in good attacking position. Pure supposition, but tries might otherwise have eventuated. I reckon the value of Reece's long boot is limited to near the end of a close game when a penalty goal might win the game or put it out of reach for the opposition.

 

[Braveheart81]

If we're talking about the ball being on the halfway or thereabouts, taking the kick for touch isn't likely to get us much inside the 22 unless you take a big risk (in which case going for goal was probably a higher percentage chance).

Hodge probably needs to nail a few more shots though. It would be great to see him hitting a matchwinner from long range.

 

[Zero_Cool]

I think it's tough for old Hodgy, because it's not like he gets many easy ones, and I'd agree his percentage probably doesn't quite represent his kicking ability. Having said that frankly his accuracy does probably need to improve a little bit.

I would have preferred him in the 23 given he should be fit, this way at a best he'll be on the bench for game 2, and that's not idea.

 

[Brumby Runner]

If we're talking about the ball being on the halfway or thereabouts, taking the kick for touch isn't likely to get us much inside the 22 unless you take a big risk (in which case going for goal was probably a higher percentage chance).

Hodge probably needs to nail a few more shots though. It would be great to see him hitting a matchwinner from long range.

You don't rate Banks' kicking for touch BH? Invariably gets it beyond the 22 from half way, and better to have possession there than back on your own 22 when the kick for goal misses as it more often does. Near the end of the game I am happy to see the goal attempt if it will affect the result, but otherwise I generally prefer the touch finder.

EDIT : I realise I don't see things the same as our Wallaby Captain, but I don't think that necessarily is a black mark against me.

 

[cyclopath]

You don't rate Banks' kicking for touch BH? Invariably gets it beyond the 22 from half way, and better to have possession there than back on your own 22 when the kick for goal misses as it more often does. Near the end of the game I am happy to see the goal attempt if it will affect the result, but otherwise I generally prefer the touch finder.

Given how much Test teams delve into analytics about where giving away penalties is worthwhile, and so on, I'm sure they look at the percentages regarding these situations, especially at the latter stages of games. Which is specifically what BH was referring to regarding winning / losing games. Teams with long-range kickers nearly always go for the goal, and it's probably not just a "vibe of the thing" call.
Obviously, earlier in the game, territory call, as you mention above, would more likely be the call.

 

[Braveheart81]

You don't rate Banks' kicking for touch BH? Invariably gets it beyond the 22 from half way, and better to have possession there than back on your own 22 when the kick for goal misses as it more often does. Near the end of the game I am happy to see the goal attempt if it will affect the result, but otherwise I generally prefer the touch finder.

EDIT : I realise I don't see things the same as our Wallaby Captain, but I don't think that necessarily is a black mark against me.

Of course I rate Banks' kicking for touch but he also takes risks with it.

If we're talking about an end of game option where we either take a shot for 3 from halfway or just beyond or we kick for touch and take the lineout then it's unlikely Banks would be trying to land the kick 5 or 10m out. He's probably going to be a bit more conservative there. Obviously you'd be looking for an attacking lineout just inside their 22 and hoping to pile on more pressure and maybe get a better penalty attempt to win.

I think shots at goal from halfway have their place at any point in a game but it does depend on the flow of the game. If it's tight and both sides are finding it tough to score then you're probably best taking the shot.

I love how you (and others) think that the penalty options are solely down to the captain and if say we changed captain that would change substantially. It is fantasy to think that the coach and the senior players don't have a clear plan on what the options are in certain positions and situations and they just leave it to the whims of the captain.

 

[Braveheart81]

Anyway, it's pretty exciting we've got the Wallabies back on again in a day! I'm pumped albeit disappointed that COVID has meant I can't go and will be watching on TV.

 

[Joe Blow]

It’s a big game for Lolesio. I am also not convinced that he is quite there yet. Opposition is able to fluster him a bit if he does not have space and time, so a lot depends on what his forwards and Jake Gordon give him. Nic white takes a lot of pressure off him at the Ponies when need be. Hope he goes well.

 

[Cancelled Account]

It’s a big game for Lolesio. I am also not convinced that he is quite there yet. Opposition is able to fluster him a bit if he does not have space and time, so a lot depends on what his forwards and Jake Gordon give him. Nic white takes a lot of pressure off him at the Ponies when need be. Hope he goes well.

But who else would you start at flyhalf?

 

[Adam84]

Tupou could probably play 5/8 i reckon

 

[dru]

But who else would you start at flyhalf?

Right now you either change the backline with To'omua to 10. Or it's Hodge. There's a lot of pressure here on Lolesio but I suspect it's the right call.

 

[Dctarget]

Lolesio might not be ready but now is the best shot we'll ever get at training him up against an undercooked French side under the shadow of COVID.

 

[Froggy]

This is a great opportunity for Lolesio, a strong showing and he can cement his claim as the heir-apparent to JOC (James O'Connor), and make it very hard for his rivals. If he doesn't really make a go of it, he remains in the frame but also keeps Harrison/Donaldson right in it.

 

[wamberal]

This is a great opportunity for Lolesio, a strong showing and he can cement his claim as the heir-apparent to JOC (James O'Connor), and make it very hard for his rivals. If he doesn't really make a go of it, he remains in the frame but also keeps Harrison/Donaldson right in it.

Nothing against Lolesio, I hope he makes the grade. But JOC (James O'Connor) has another couple of years in him I reckon.

 

[Joe Blow]

But who else would you start at flyhalf?

I’m not saying he is a bad choice from those available, just that he might not yet be test class. I hope to be proven wrong tonight!
Looks like JOC (James O'Connor) will be available next week. Hopefully Lolesio plays himself in to starting again then.
10 Lolesio 12 JOC (James O'Connor) 13 Paisami. Looks tasty.