Planet Rugby Forum

CrazyIslander wrote:Last night was the first time we've targeted crosskicks to Folau consistently the entire game mainly by Beale. It was too low most of time but he'd get his range soon.

It was overdone like it was our only tatic. Again shallow coaching. Irish will be awake to it 2nd test and the AIGs already have a counter on paper.

Wrong.

grievous wrote:

CrazyIslander wrote:Last night was the first time we've targeted crosskicks to Folau consistently the entire game mainly by Beale. It was too low most of time but he'd get his range soon.

It was overdone like it was our only tatic. Again shallow coaching. Irish will be awake to it 2nd test and the AIGs already have a counter on paper.

No way, if they get it right he'd be unstoppable. Plus Kearney is a big suspect under the high ball.

I'm just re-watching the game now. Even though I wasn't drinking yesterday (at least not during that match), it helps to see it a bit more clearly watching a second time with no emotional investment.

Koriobete isn't getting enough praise I feel. Obviously Pocock and Beale had blinders, but so did Koriobete. Israel Folau also isn't being mentioned enough. Perhaps because of his off-field views, or perhaps because we have just come to expect him to play like that, but having someone that good under the high ball is totally invaluable. He was also very unlucky to have his try reversed. In fact the whole team played very well. It should also be noted that this is the best Australian second row in forever. Since Sharpe retired.

But enough dick-sucking, who can improve for next week?

Timu can for sure. He was kind-of solid without doing anything remotely exceptional. He's there for his bollocking runs and big hits. It would take the Wallabies game up another level to have a loose-forward delivering on that. There were a lot of big hits on the weekend, but mainly from the backs. A hard-running eight would be cream on the cake. He played well enough to deserve to have another chance to deliver on that. But the Wobs have been without a solid, enforcer at #8 forever. Let's see him rectify that.

I'm not sure why Simmons got selected over Arnold. He must have been spewing to miss that pass that would have put him into open space, but it looked like he just wasn't switched on at all.

Coleman had a great game, but needs to be a little more disciplined. He was unlucky to get pinged for falling for a dummy, but there were other things he did that were not necessary.

CrazyIslander wrote:This is probably the team for the WC. Probably Hodge in for DHP. You got about 12-14 tests before the WC so you need give these guys tests especially Timu/Samu.

TPN and Naisarani will definitely feature and perhaps Valentini, Slipper and Allalalllalalatoa

Mog The Almighty wrote:I'm just re-watching the game now. Even though I wasn't drinking yesterday (at least not during that match), it helps to see it a bit more clearly watching a second time with no emotional investment.

Koriobete isn't getting enough praise I feel. Obviously Pocock and Beale had blinders, but so did Koriobete. Israel Folau also isn't being mentioned enough. Perhaps because of his off-field views, or perhaps because we have just come to expect him to play like that, but having someone that good under the high ball is totally invaluable. He was also very unlucky to have his try reversed. In fact the whole team played very well. It should also be noted that this is the best Australian second row in forever. Since Sharpe retired.

But enough dick-sucking, who can improve for next week?

Timu can for sure. He was kind-of solid without doing anything remotely exceptional. He's there for his bollocking runs and big hits. It would take the Wallabies game up another level to have a loose-forward delivering on that. There were a lot of big hits on the weekend, but mainly from the backs. A hard-running eight would be cream on the cake. He played well enough to deserve to have another chance to deliver on that. But the Wobs have been without a solid, enforcer at #8 forever. Let's see him rectify that.

I'm not sure why Simmons got selected over Arnold. He must have been spewing to miss that pass that would have put him into open space, but it looked like he just wasn't switched on at all.

Coleman had a great game, but needs to be a little more disciplined. He was unlucky to get pinged for falling for a dummy, but there were other things he did that were not necessary.

Arnold was suspended

towny wrote:

CrazyIslander wrote:This is probably the team for the WC. Probably Hodge in for DHP. You got about 12-14 tests before the WC so you need give these guys tests especially Timu/Samu.

TPN and Naisarani will definitely feature and perhaps Valentini, Slipper and Allalalllalalatoa

Naisarani sure but the rest are bench guys at best.

Naisarani does not dominate in contact in the soup. He’s a good player no doubt but Valentini could be a beast.
I reckon Timu was caught out by the intensity and speed of the game, as were the Oirish. He will be better for it. I don’t think he had one decent carry. Arnold could get a run off the bench.
It was a very physical game and there will be some sore bodies today.
Agree with Ika. Koroibete was one of the best on field.

Koroibete bombed a try and made a huge misread in defense that almost cost one. These events undermined an otherwise excellent performance.

grievous wrote: 2015 WC? You sure about that, yeah both played well in games as individuals but dominated as a small back row? We were found out before we got to the final. So that win was just down to the Pooper? What about the many games our line out had misfired, had scrum issues and been beaten in the ruck?
If it was so effective all teams would be doing it. Facts are that no 8 has put his hand up to take the role since Kefu/Palu/Lyons

Hey Grevie-boy. What did you make of the Pooper on the weekend?
Rucks - DOMINATED
Tackles - DOMAINATED
Scrums - DOMAINATED
Line-outs - work in progress....

I bet you were watching the carnage through gritted teeth as the Pooper minced a 'properly balanced' pack. I'm not one who thinks about you often, but I'll let you know that during this game, this didn't change. I didn't think about you.

chieka will go for the same team surely..he wants to win the next one first before trying out new stuff..

towny wrote:

CrazyIslander wrote:This is probably the team for the WC. Probably Hodge in for DHP. You got about 12-14 tests before the WC so you need give these guys tests especially Timu/Samu.

TPN and Naisarani will definitely feature and perhaps Valentini, Slipper and Allalalllalalatoa

Dempsey too.

Zakar wrote:

towny wrote:

CrazyIslander wrote:This is probably the team for the WC. Probably Hodge in for DHP. You got about 12-14 tests before the WC so you need give these guys tests especially Timu/Samu.

TPN and Naisarani will definitely feature and perhaps Valentini, Slipper and Allalalllalalatoa

Dempsey too.

What position will Dempsey play?

Definitive depth chart:

1. Sio, Slipper, JP Smith, Robertson
2. TPN, BPA, Latu, Uelese, Faainga
3. Kepu, Tupou, Allalallallalllalaltoa
4. Rodda, Arnold, Simmons
5. Coleman, Tui, Phillip
6/7. Hooper, Pocock, Samu, Hanigan, Valetini, Dempsey
8. Naisirani, Timu
9. Genia........ er......
10. Foley...... um....
11/14. Koroibete, DHP, Maddox, Naivalu, Hodge
12/13. Beale, Kerevi, Kuridrani, Rona
15. Folau, Banks

Plenty of young blokes coming through too. So, Dempsey has his work cut out just to make the squad, let alone the XV.

There's no way he's down that far. Bloke was bloody unreal vs the all blacks last year. Could easy start him at 6 (if he returns to form) and let Poey put his 115kgs of Zimbo steel at 8

Zakar wrote:There's no way he's down that far. Bloke was bloody unreal vs the all blacks last year. Could easy start him at 6 (if he returns to form) and let Poey put his 115kgs of Zimbo steel at 8

Maybe.

Let's see how he goes when he's back. I didn't mean to say he was 5th or 6th in line - just pointing out what he was up against to get him jumper back.

You basically just pointed out most of SR players in Aust. What's the point? Have you seen Oz SR record?

McMahon is supposedly back at the Reds next year too.

Bindi wrote:McMahon is supposedly back at the Reds next year too.

Reading that gave me an instant stiffy.

CrazyIslander wrote:You basically just pointed out most of SR players in Aust. What's the point? Have you seen Oz SR record?

I pointed out the key players in the 3rd best rugby team in the world. What's the problem? Not enough black guys for you?

McMahon back in a Qld jersey = ejaculate

I want to see the McPooper in action. I don't care that it's a massive liability in the lineout, or that it isn't 'balanced'. I just want to see it man. It would be like the grand canyon. Grown men would weep at the sight.

Zakar wrote:I want to see the McPooper in action. I don't care that it's a massive liability in the lineout, or that it isn't 'balanced'. I just want to see it man. It would be like the grand canyon. Grown men would weep at the sight.

Shows promise. For Attacking line outs let Hooper seagull at 12 Beale defend at 15 and Folau be the third jumper at the back, he would have got 4 grabs last saturday without even being targeted.

Brumbie_Steve wrote:

Zakar wrote:I want to see the McPooper in action. I don't care that it's a massive liability in the lineout, or that it isn't 'balanced'. I just want to see it man. It would be like the grand canyon. Grown men would weep at the sight.

Shows promise. For Attacking line outs let Hooper seagull at 12 Beale defend at 15 and Folau be the third jumper at the back, he would have got 4 grabs last saturday without even being targeted.

Any coach that has Folau near a line out would justifiably be banned from the sport.

Anyone else expecting Chieka to bring Radike Samo out of retirement to fix that gap at 8?

comets wrote:Anyone else expecting Chieka to bring Radike Samo out of retirement to fix that gap at 8?

Radike Samo has retired?

TranceNRG wrote:

Olo wrote:It’s pointless re-discussing the merits of the Pooper. Cheika has decided how he wants to play the game and he is all about work rate and accuracy. Unfortunately provincial and test rugby are not the same beast. As with all Wallaby coaches before him, he will live and die by his theories and decisions.

A good big guy will most often top a good little guy, particularly at 6 and 8.

Chika never learns. He'll keep playing his dumb rugby at test level hoping for a different result.

And I agree about the size. Size and physicality matter at test level.

What are your thoughts now? The Pooper outplayed their bigger counterparts and the Wallabies were in their own league when it came to physicality. Or do you disagree?

I want to have the body weight debate with Mog again.

Pocock clearly weighs 115kgs, because you need to take into account his huge brass balls.

Anyone else a little concerned at the number of players that our poorest performing super rugby tean has contributed to the Wallabys? Or is it just that Thorn is a poor coach?

Zakar wrote:I want to have the body weight debate with Mog again.

Pocock clearly weighs 115kgs, because you need to take into account his huge brass balls.

Brass weighs less than a regular set of human balls of a similar size to be fair.

WoodlandsRFC wrote:

Zakar wrote:I want to have the body weight debate with Mog again.

Pocock clearly weighs 115kgs, because you need to take into account his huge brass balls.

Brass weighs less than a regular set of human balls of a similar size to be fair.

You're right, they're probably solid uranium.

WoodlandsRFC wrote:

Zakar wrote:I want to have the body weight debate with Mog again.

Pocock clearly weighs 115kgs, because you need to take into account his huge brass balls.

Brass weighs less than a regular set of human balls of a similar size to be fair.

Depends how many balls are in that set.

A no tie-break decider with fiddy or more, sure.

But just the two ... No.

Farva wrote:Anyone else a little concerned at the number of players that our poorest performing super rugby tean has contributed to the Wallabys? Or is it just that Thorn is a poor coach?

The Reds forwards have been very good of late and display more collective muscle than the other soup packs. Not a bad thing for Cheika to build his pack around that with a pooper thrown in here and a Coleman there.

Olo wrote:

Farva wrote:Anyone else a little concerned at the number of players that our poorest performing super rugby tean has contributed to the Wallabys? Or is it just that Thorn is a poor coach?

The Reds forwards have been very good of late and display more collective muscle than the other soup packs. Not a bad thing for Cheika to build his pack around that with a pooper thrown in here and a Coleman there.

So why arent the Reds winning more?

Farva wrote:

Olo wrote:

Farva wrote:Anyone else a little concerned at the number of players that our poorest performing super rugby tean has contributed to the Wallabys? Or is it just that Thorn is a poor coach?

The Reds forwards have been very good of late and display more collective muscle than the other soup packs. Not a bad thing for Cheika to build his pack around that with a pooper thrown in here and a Coleman there.

So why arent the Reds winning more?

Their backs are not the best, including Kerevi. No cohesion and little direction. I would guess the set piece and breakdown stats at the Reds are very good this year.

Also $1.2m+ in back line salary on the sideline...

Olo wrote:

Farva wrote:

Olo wrote:

Farva wrote:Anyone else a little concerned at the number of players that our poorest performing super rugby tean has contributed to the Wallabys? Or is it just that Thorn is a poor coach?

The Reds forwards have been very good of late and display more collective muscle than the other soup packs. Not a bad thing for Cheika to build his pack around that with a pooper thrown in here and a Coleman there.

So why arent the Reds winning more?

Their backs are not the best, including Kerevi. No cohesion and little direction. I would guess the set piece and breakdown stats at the Reds are very good this year.

Dont buy it. The old addage is forwards decide who wins, backs by how much. Its still relevent. Reds chasing 4 srarters in the starting 15 had Slipper not been snorting with another two on the bench. Why are they forming half the forward pack at the Wallabys, who just monsrered the strongest pack in Europe, but cant replicate that in Supe?

Not sure who you might have in there instead of the Reds players. Arnold and Hanigan were not available last week then Rodda and Timu took full advantage of the opportunity.
I give you that it was a surprise to see Kerevi over TK and I would still advocate TKs inclusion this week.
BPA was the popular choice at hooker. Tui is a Cheika project and Tupou could not be ignored.

Olo wrote:Not sure who you might have in there instead of the Reds players. Arnold and Hanigan were not available last week then Rodda and Timu took full advantage of the opportunity.
I give you that it was a surprise to see Kerevi over TK and I would still advocate TKs inclusion this week.
BPA was the popular choice at hooker. Tui is a Cheika project and Tupou could not be ignored.

You werent my target by the way

But its a fair question. The Reds have the talent there in the forwarda. 5 of the starting 8 are Wallabys. One is George Smith. What are the Reds doing?

Farva wrote:

Olo wrote:Not sure who you might have in there instead of the Reds players. Arnold and Hanigan were not available last week then Rodda and Timu took full advantage of the opportunity.
I give you that it was a surprise to see Kerevi over TK and I would still advocate TKs inclusion this week.
BPA was the popular choice at hooker. Tui is a Cheika project and Tupou could not be ignored.

You werent my target by the way

But its a fair question. The Reds have the talent there in the forwarda. 5 of the starting 8 are Wallabys. One is George Smith. What are the Reds doing?

Don’t hunt lions with a popgun mate.

I think Arnold might come right into the starting side. He’s a bit bigger than Rodda, loves to put on big hits, go for a trot and to take lineout ball. Send him out there for 55 minutes and then bring on Rodda or Simmons.