Planet Rugby Forum

No. Nothing wrong with Kerevi tonight but I'd rather Rona than TK

Zakar wrote:Tupou and Latu to start.

Arnold for a presumably injured Coleman.

Powell if Genia is out.

Samu or Tui for Timu.

Banks Hodge ot Maddocks for Korobiete, who was tits on a bull.

Korobiete was okay apart from that brain fart tackle. He can't do much with no ball.

Timu just isn't doing the job. That said, I'd still give him one more chance, if for nothing else but the sake of continuity. Isi is the future at 8 though I reckon. Samu is way too small. We can't play 3 undersized backrowers. To be honest, I'd prefer to have Ned Hannigan. I don't know why guys on the forum give him shit. He does all right.

Agree with the Arnold and Powell calls. F-ck I'd almost start Powell over Phipps.

I also agree with Olo that Kerevi hasn't exactly been doing much and I think I'd prefer TK.

But to be honest this whole thing is the same old shit. Found wanting again, f-ck. There's no selection that will make the difference. The difference is whatever X factor was there in the first test but not the second. And don't tell me it was becuase Ireland started a few different players. That clearly was not it. It was like a different team out there.

We lacked the intensity this week.
I thought Sio was OK but start TT next week with Kepu on the bench and see what he can do.
Rodda actually played better this week than last but I’d put Arnold there for both his running and big defence. Assuming Coleman is OK he starts.
Tui to 6. Samu was not great this week and he’s really a poey or Hooper replacement. Timus just not ready or that capable at this level.
TK solidifies the defence out wide, straightens the attack and has a massive motor. He only knows one way. Him or Hodge to 13. Kerevi didn’t do too much wrong but has a tendency to run back and around rather than forward. Go forward and take the tackle man! He did not do anything good either.
We started so well then the yellow from MK killed it for us. That alone deserves a demotion.

I think Cheika should have made a few changes this week and it backfired that we did not alter our game. The Irish worked hard during the week and got a win......barely.

Olo wrote:We lacked the intensity this week.
I thought Sio was OK but start TT next week with Kepu on the bench and see what he can do.
Rodda actually played better this week than last but I’d put Arnold there for both his running and big defence. Assuming Coleman is OK he starts.
Tui to 6. Samu was not great this week and he’s really a poey or Hooper replacement. Timus just not ready or that capable at this level.
TK solidifies the defence out wide, straightens the attack and has a massive motor. He only knows one way. Him or Hodge to 13. Kerevi didn’t do too much wrong but has a tendency to run back and around rather than forward. Go forward and take the tackle man! He did not do anything good either.
We started so well then the yellow from MK killed it for us. That alone deserves a demotion.

I think Cheika should have made a few changes this week and it backfired that we did not alter our game. The Irish worked hard during the week and got a win......barely.

Ireland put out their best available team and dominated everywhere bar the scoreboard, slightly delusional there bro.

Where the hell was Folau? He did nothing.

quarter2four wrote:

Olo wrote:We lacked the intensity this week.
I thought Sio was OK but start TT next week with Kepu on the bench and see what he can do.
Rodda actually played better this week than last but I’d put Arnold there for both his running and big defence. Assuming Coleman is OK he starts.
Tui to 6. Samu was not great this week and he’s really a poey or Hooper replacement. Timus just not ready or that capable at this level.
TK solidifies the defence out wide, straightens the attack and has a massive motor. He only knows one way. Him or Hodge to 13. Kerevi didn’t do too much wrong but has a tendency to run back and around rather than forward. Go forward and take the tackle man! He did not do anything good either.
We started so well then the yellow from MK killed it for us. That alone deserves a demotion.

I think Cheika should have made a few changes this week and it backfired that we did not alter our game. The Irish worked hard during the week and got a win......barely.

Ireland put out their best available team and dominated everywhere bar the scoreboard, slightly delusional there bro.

Not really. We were a score away from winning which says more about the Irishers ability to finish than how we played.
GTFO this thread

wamberal99 wrote:Where the hell was Folau? He did nothing.

We didn’t have any ball or a kick that was contestable.
We got reamed in the forwards at the breakdown.

Olo wrote:Timus just not ready or that capable at this level.

I remember back to the Tahs-Reds match when everyone was swinging off him, but reality was he was bench player there who looked good running over the top of Phipps. I'm sure he can improve but is not one for this week, for mine.

I think Cheika should have made a few changes this week and it backfired that we did not alter our game. The Irish worked hard during the week and got a win......barely.

Tend to agree.

kiap wrote:

Olo wrote:Timus just not ready or that capable at this level.

I remember back to the Tahs-Reds match when everyone was swinging off him, but reality was he was bench player there who looked good running over the top of Phipps. I'm sure he can improve but is not one for this week, for mine.

I think Cheika should have made a few changes this week and it backfired that we did not alter our game. The Irish worked hard during the week and got a win......barely.

Tend to agree.

Tui was bossing the lineout and tackling up a storm again. Hopefully Coleman is OK and we go with him and Arnold.
Irish played very well for sure.

Cheika has to look at Tom Cusack he has the same physical stats as O'Mahony good on the deck and in the lineout. Not sacrificing mobility. He offers more as a bench option too than Samu.

Hooper was also shit. The backrow is too light. Need Tui in for Hooper.

Brumby_in_Vic wrote:Cheika has to look at Tom Cusack he has the same physical stats as O'Mahony good on the deck and in the lineout. Not sacrificing mobility. He offers more as a bench option too than Samu.

Valetini is the player I am waiting to see in the team. He could be anything.

Last week they owned the breakdown and now they are not up to it?

They didn’t get the support they had last week from the rest of the pack, in fact we committed very few to the breakdown and got our arse handed to us on a plate there.
Personally I prefer not to start tests with the Pooper, but it clearly works well on certain occasions. Last week was one. It’s a good combo to have at the back end of games
Tui at 6 would be my suggestion for now until Dempsey or McMahon come back or someone like Valentini comes through.
It’s not really fair to expect Timu to play at the level we want after one year in pro rugby, and he did not.
Tui and Arnold would have boosted the muscle in the pack nicely and I’m sure we will see both start next week. TT warrants a start as well.
We also lacked authority in the midfield.

You dont want the pooper but want McMahon at 6?

Farva wrote:You dont want the pooper but want McMahon at 6?

McMahon is much more physical than Hooper.

CrazyIslander wrote:

Farva wrote:You dont want the pooper but want McMahon at 6?

McMahon is much more physical than Hooper.

The criticism of the Pooper is that it is too small. McMahon doesnt fix that.
Pocock is probably the most physical player on the team. Hooper is one of the best we have at running the ball. Why would McHooper be more physical than Pooper and if you think a McCock is the way to go that must mean Hooper isnt test standard which is plainly wrong.
I cant see the benefit.

Farva wrote:You dont want the pooper but want McMahon at 6?

Maybe
6 Tui
7 Poey
8 McMahon

I don’t really know. I would prefer not to play the Pooper as a rule to start but we do need to have better options If we don’t. Right now who would that be?
Cheika picked a squad with minimal flexibility in the back row. If Timu failed it was farked. That’s what happened.

Olo wrote:

Farva wrote:You dont want the pooper but want McMahon at 6?

Maybe
6 Tui
7 Poey
8 McMahon

I don’t really know. I would prefer not to play the Pooper as a rule to start but we do need to have better options If we don’t. Right now who would that be?
Cheika picked a squad with minimal flexibility in the back row. If Timu failed it was farked. That’s what happened.

How is that better than the Pooper? McMahon is a great player but I dont think he is better than Hooper or Pocock.

Farva wrote:

Olo wrote:

Farva wrote:You dont want the pooper but want McMahon at 6?

Maybe
6 Tui
7 Poey
8 McMahon

I don’t really know. I would prefer not to play the Pooper as a rule to start but we do need to have better options If we don’t. Right now who would that be?
Cheika picked a squad with minimal flexibility in the back row. If Timu failed it was farked. That’s what happened.

How is that better than the Pooper? McMahon is a great player but I dont think he is better than Hooper or Pocock.

He’s got a bit more size and plays more like an 8.
Maybe Valentini, maybe Dempsey.
Who knows.

Like I said, last night the Pooper was not backed up. Next week maybe it will work?

wamberal99 wrote:

Brumby_in_Vic wrote:Cheika has to look at Tom Cusack he has the same physical stats as O'Mahony good on the deck and in the lineout. Not sacrificing mobility. He offers more as a bench option too than Samu.

Valetini is the player I am waiting to see in the team. He could be anything.

Valetini needs a couple of years for his body to get right.

Cheikas problem now is that Hooper is the captain but Pocock is the better 7.

Farva wrote:

CrazyIslander wrote:

Farva wrote:You dont want the pooper but want McMahon at 6?

McMahon is much more physical than Hooper.

The criticism of the Pooper is that it is too small. McMahon doesnt fix that.
Pocock is probably the most physical player on the team. Hooper is one of the best we have at running the ball. Why would McHooper be more physical than Pooper and if you think a McCock is the way to go that must mean Hooper isnt test standard which is plainly wrong.
I cant see the benefit.

Horses for courses, Ireland are gonna hammer you through the middle. You need guys who can drive them back. McCock is the one.

Olo wrote:Cheikas problem now is that Hooper is the captain but Pocock is the better 7.

If there was money involved with Samu's release he has pinned he has tail to that mast too.

quarter2four wrote:

Olo wrote:We lacked the intensity this week.
I thought Sio was OK but start TT next week with Kepu on the bench and see what he can do.
Rodda actually played better this week than last but I’d put Arnold there for both his running and big defence. Assuming Coleman is OK he starts.
Tui to 6. Samu was not great this week and he’s really a poey or Hooper replacement. Timus just not ready or that capable at this level.
TK solidifies the defence out wide, straightens the attack and has a massive motor. He only knows one way. Him or Hodge to 13. Kerevi didn’t do too much wrong but has a tendency to run back and around rather than forward. Go forward and take the tackle man! He did not do anything good either.
We started so well then the yellow from MK killed it for us. That alone deserves a demotion.

I think Cheika should have made a few changes this week and it backfired that we did not alter our game. The Irish worked hard during the week and got a win......barely.

Ireland put out their best available team and dominated everywhere bar the scoreboard, slightly delusional there bro.

Agree with this. I'd also suggest that Australia didn't have the same game-plan this week - I would argue that we didn't have one, or if we did we threw it out the window when Ireland refused to let us call the shots.

Last week Australia played like smart people - employing kicks to slow down the Irish defence and went wide only after they got across the gain line. This week we thought we could just run, run, run - trying to win with sheer talent. Ireland moved up quickly and shut us down - they also had a much better, faster defender at 13 so we couldn't just run around them. Also, Ireland controlled the ball so much better than the previous week, meaning Australia didn't have the ball for long periods. This is obviously frustrating; however Australia compounded this with inane penalties, shite kicking and poor ball security.

Ireland was extremely sharp and played very intelligent rugby - Australia was lacking polish and playing like morons. Foley's quick tap is the best example of this but it was quite constant.

I guess some credit should go to Australia for scoring so many points and being in the game despite being so badly beaten. The only area Australia has definitely imporived on in the previous year is fitness. As it is, we are still relying on individual skill to win game - sadly our players aren't skilful enough to beat the top sides so must instead be smarter. But we're f*cking not smart. Our only starting forward who get regularly over the gain line came off before half time and our only intelligent playmaker broke his arm.

I thought Sexton was sensational. His control of the game was almost complete - he must have touched the ball 30 times. Kicks were good, tested the line with runs and used his runners very well. Of course, it's much easier to star behind a dominant pack and the Irish pack bent our line all night and the ball was almost always fast and clean.

Ignore the scoreboard, Ireland pumped us last night.

Olo wrote:Cheikas problem now is that Hooper is the captain but Pocock is the better 7.

That was always the case.

The problem last night wasn't the Pooper though - thinking that we could solve our issues by having Hooper grow 4 inches is absurd. Our problem was an anonymous tight 5, poor tactical thinking and poor execution across the park.

towny wrote:

Olo wrote:Cheikas problem now is that Hooper is the captain but Pocock is the better 7.

That was always the case.

The problem last night wasn't the Pooper though - thinking that we could solve our issues by having Hooper grow 4 inches is absurd. Our problem was an anonymous tight 5, poor tactical thinking and poor execution across the park.

Yeah on his biceps. Pocock's guns isn't just for show.

If I was coach, Kepu would be on the bench and Sio would be in the stands. We need a lot more consistency from these two players who have more than enough talent to be truly world class.

Sio was one of our “better” players yesterday...

He’s by far our best LH prop.

Olo wrote:

wamberal99 wrote:Where the hell was Folau? He did nothing.

We didn’t have any ball or a kick that was contestable.
We got reamed in the forwards at the breakdown.

Folau was shit. He appeared uninterested.

yeha folau was a no-show, much more than any other backline player, he even avoided taking high balls lol, i know folau will start again but can we like move him to 14? DHP stays at 11, Beale at 15, TK at 13, Hodge at 12 in The final game? i think the biggest mistake chieka made was not to keep TK or Rona on the bench atleast..there was a point around the 60th minute mark where if a player like TK was injected into the game, he could have changed the direction..

Beale and Foley were absolutely atrocious. They managed to not kick a single contestable kick. The forwards lost the collisions all game. There was nothing close about this. Ireland were in control all game and the Wobs lacked composure, hence so many penalties. Wobs never looked like winning and were lucky to still be in it.

Hard to blame the back 3 when they had no ball. Beale and Foley were playing last week's game, the Irish in the meantime had moved on. The forwards were a yard off the ball carrier all game and consequently were easy pickings for the Irish back row.

I see Foley said after the game that they were slightly off in their execution... DON'T kid yourselves, bar Pocock, everyone, forwards and backs were completely outmuscled and out thought. A very poor performance.

towny wrote:The problem last night wasn't the Pooper though - thinking that we could solve our issues by having Hooper grow 4 inches is absurd. Our problem was an anonymous tight 5, poor tactical thinking and poor execution across the park.

Yep. Forwards got slaughtered by pumped up Irish forwards. Beale and Foley got smashed anytime they got near the ball, then they looked gun shy. Wobs collapsed from there.

towny wrote:

Olo wrote:Cheikas problem now is that Hooper is the captain but Pocock is the better 7.

That was always the case.

The problem last night wasn't the Pooper though - thinking that we could solve our issues by having Hooper grow 4 inches is absurd. Our problem was an anonymous tight 5, poor tactical thinking and poor execution across the park.

This. Last week the tight 5 paved the way for Pocock to reign. This week they didn’t and the Irish employed tactics to negate the Pooper.
Cheika was not smart this week at all.

Still it's only a 5 point loss. The MK YC was worth 13 points to Ireland. I think you'd have to conceed that the forwards will get hammer now and again. There aren't any quality big guys coming through. The big difference was Sexton, had the ball on a string.

CrazyIslander wrote:Still it's only a 5 point loss. The MK YC was worth 13 points to Ireland. I think you'd have to conceed that the forwards will get hammer now and again. There aren't any quality big guys coming through. The big difference was Sexton, had the ball on a string.

Sexton played a great hand but we did not put him under enough pressure.
Arnold will help in tight. Tui was good when he came on. Both those guys should start with Tui at 6.

Discipline lost the Wallabies the game on the weekend, there's no two ways about it. We were by far the better attacking team, and most probably the best defensive team too.

How do I figure that the best attacking and defensive team lost the match? I just said it: discipline. And it's hard to argue with the facts. Given that we only had about 25% possession and territory, yet we scored more tries than them, what else could it have come down to? How did they get more points than us, despite scoring less tries? Discipline. Why did we only have 25% possession? Discipline. How is it we could score more tries with 25% of the ball and territory than they could with 75% of the ball and territory? We have better attack and better defence.

It's as simple as that. Stop with the stupid penalties and turnovers.

Good news is, discipline is a pretty easy thing to fix.

1. Sio?
2. Latu
3. Tupou
4. Rodda
5. Arnold
6. Tui
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Powell
10. Foley
11. Banks
12. Beale
13. Kerevi
14. DHP
15. Folou

16. BPA
17. Robertson/NRMA
18. Kepu
19. Simmons
20. Samu
21. Phipps
22. Hodge
23. Maddocks

Zakar wrote:1. Sio?
2. Latu
3. Tupou
4. Rodda
5. Arnold
6. Tui
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Powell
10. Foley
11. Banks
12. Beale
13. Kerevi
14. DHP
15. Folou

16. BPA
17. Robertson/NRMA
18. Kepu
19. Simmons
20. Samu
21. Phipps
22. Hodge
23. Maddocks

No Coleman?

Olo wrote:

Zakar wrote:1. Sio?
2. Latu
3. Tupou
4. Rodda
5. Arnold
6. Tui
7. Hooper
8. Pocock
9. Powell
10. Foley
11. Banks
12. Beale
13. Kerevi
14. DHP
15. Folou

16. BPA
17. Robertson/NRMA
18. Kepu
19. Simmons
20. Samu
21. Phipps
22. Hodge
23. Maddocks

No Coleman?

I've assumed he's crocked. Looked like a broken cheekbone. He's an obvious starter if not.