Roar Rookie
Joined September 2018
10.8k
Views
8
Published
3.4k
Comments
Rugby lover and Wallabies fan, but late to the game, becoming a real fan 5 or so years ago when in my mid thirties . From Perth, living in France.
Published
Comments
This has been a fantastic Super season. Great to watch, close games, great rugby. Famously and accurately Super is known as fast-paced rugby where…
During the recent Australia vs England series Allan Alaalatoa, Jordan Petaia and Scott Sio all injured themselves executing tackles. All three went in low,…
A bit early, I realise, but we’ve all been thinking about it for a bit and I’m interested in getting the conversation going a…
Maybe I’m a sucker for punishment. I watched the last Wallabies game three times – once live with French commentary, once with the Aussie…
I'm a big podcast-listener, so whatever I'm into I'll usually find a few good podcasts to listen to on it. About a year ago…
As we're all twiddling our thumbs rugby-wise, I thought it might be interesting to twiddle them in a more structured and debatable way. Let's…
I grew up in Western Australia and never had anything to do with rugby when I was young aside from seeing the occasional highlight…
Like you I’m sure, for about the last two years, I’ve been hanging out for the World Cup. During that time I also completely…
Putting Marcus Smith at fullback could equal that up a bit though.
Tupou will count for a lot but getting Skelton in can too. Mcarthy etc can throw their weight around all they like but he overpowers them so easily.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
The Wilson call will be interesting. I do think he offered some intangibles as a leader but with his injuries + how much more muscle and grunt Champion de Crespiny provides it’s going to be hard to pick him. Definitely hope Joe goes a 6-2 consistently though, and there might be some space for him there.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
How do you get this written this quick Harry?
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance
Our forwards are just as good if we can pick our best and they can stay healthy. Only a couple of our backs would make that squad though
Three Kiwis, two Aussies and ONE bolter named in Lions squad as coach snubs son for Wallabies tour
But it does look he’s only got one good leg still too
'Do I know how to play rugby?': Wallaby's extraordinary admission ahead of Lions amid crisis of confidence
Was at his best under Thorn. Maybe McKellar is too wishy washy.
'Do I know how to play rugby?': Wallaby's extraordinary admission ahead of Lions amid crisis of confidence
I saw a fair bit in Kailea but he has had a non-event season for the Tahs. I would go Dolly or Pollard to start at 2.
To me there’s no strong candidate for reserve LH. Hodgeman has had a couple of good scrums. Could Scott Sio be worth a look? I never watch Prem but he has been prominent for a few years for Exeter and he must he being doing something right there.
I think Robertson’s performance for the Force has been a bit underrated though. Switching him back to LH might be an option.
The Lions depth is way scarier in the frontrow than their quality. Our best can match theirs but we have no tier-2.
'Do I know how to play rugby?': Wallaby's extraordinary admission ahead of Lions amid crisis of confidence
Not complaining any expertise but I reckon he needs time focusing just on rehabilitation, conditioning, strength. Work on he leg which still seems to be injured from the Scott Barrett tackle last year.
'Do I know how to play rugby?': Wallaby's extraordinary admission ahead of Lions amid crisis of confidence
55 good minutes from AAA, 25 of his best from Taniela late , that’s what I’m hoping for. He is a significantly better scrummaged than Porter, and is better than Genge. He and BPA finishing can be a point of advantage. Not sure who’s reserve loosehead.
'Do I know how to play rugby?': Wallaby's extraordinary admission ahead of Lions amid crisis of confidence
Happens to me even though it is. Is English not Taniela’s first language though?
'Do I know how to play rugby?': Wallaby's extraordinary admission ahead of Lions amid crisis of confidence
Noticeable ball-in-hand especially. Hi consistently tumbles after 4-5 paces. Can’t hit speed
'He's only human ... get behind him': Lukhan says Wallabies must pick Tupou to have 'any chance' in Lions series and RWC
My thought is Tom Robertson is the third best but I would rather see him considered for reserve loosehead. Big shame Tupou can’t get back to his best
'He's only human ... get behind him': Lukhan says Wallabies must pick Tupou to have 'any chance' in Lions series and RWC
Jeznez mentioned a few weeks ago on here that he thought he was carrying an injury and I have been watching him a bit more closely since. He was limping on the weekend.
I really reckon give him two months off to really try to get right before the Lions. But how to do that without his fitness dripping further is the question.
'He's only human ... get behind him': Lukhan says Wallabies must pick Tupou to have 'any chance' in Lions series and RWC
I think Potter has to have moved ahead to be first wing picked. Is any other wing’s form anywhere near his?
More controversially I would put Tizzano ahead of Mcreight too. Much stringer form. But play Mcreight off the bench in a 6.2
Sure hope Joe is serious here:
“I don’t think we’ve precluded anyone. We want to be as strong as we can be for a pinnacle event.” Bring in Skelton and Rodda at least, maybe others too; probably Sio.
Lolesio is an interesting one. I strongly doubt any one available would have done better than he did as a Wallaby last year but he only did passably well.
I would prefer they move on now. Lynagh is tougher defensively, kicks further and plays at the line rather than opportunistically (as Noah largely does).
But I can see why you might want the just-good-enough rather than the guy with the future against the Lions
JOC faced the Lions 12 years ago. Now, Schmidt says the veteran Wallaby could be the missing piece of the puzzle
It popped up on my YouTube a few weeks back. The guys on there were massive islanders who looked used to it at least. More likely to hold up short term.
But the copyability for less hardened types and school kids is worrying and it’s sad Nadolo has felt like he should get involved.
Hope it runs out of steam quickly.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
It’s probably telling of how Oz rugby’s situation is very difficult: You were right but their not going with him makes a lot of sense. I guess it’s cause there has to be a long term view rather than a quick fix.
I guess the crux for now is whether Kiss really can and really will build on what Schmidt has done, and the assumption that that -even if he is in himself a lesser coach than Schmidt – is greater than what Cheika could do.
I reckon there’s a strong chance it is. Timing-wise he’s set up to fail – as you mention – but could it be that system-wise he is tremendously set up to succeed, in a situation where he is a greater fit than he is a coach? (though I do think he is a very good coach)
In any case. Excellent article. Again your argument is so rich factually and statistically that it feels incontestable.
Ever thought of pursuing a career in law? 😛
A rookie coach for a home World Cup at 61? It might work for the Wallabies, but here's why it probably won't
This is a winnable game for the Force. White and Beale in can count for a fair bit. And this Blues side isn’t as tough as the Chiefs or the Hurricanes.
Super Rugby teams, round 12: Beale back after 10 months, Kiss rolls the dice in Fiji, Jake Gordon returns for Tahs
Beale can probably add a fair bit playmaking and structure-wise at 15. Paenga-Amosa though, looking forward to seeing him back soon I hope.
Super Rugby teams, round 12: Beale back after 10 months, Kiss rolls the dice in Fiji, Jake Gordon returns for Tahs
He released as he hit the horizontal to avoid driving him downwards. Very tough.
Might be in the minority but I thought it should have stayed yellow
All Blacks ace cops ban after red card for lifting tackle, Test teammate reveals shocking season-ending blow
Makes good sense to appoint him in this context. Looks like he can build on what Schmidt has been building. Progress rather than headlines.
Aussie rugby's worst-kept secret is almost over as Wallabies prepare to unveil fifth coach in six years
TMO sure is a can of worms. There are a bunch of oddball incidents etc where I expect them to come up for review but they don’t. I end up trusting the TMO saw it and I must have been making a mountain pit of a molehill in my head. But it kind of ends up where the TMO is God and the referee is just a priest. What the latter misses must all be within the former’s sovereign vision.
My learnings from the weekend, having watched the three games with Aussie teams:
a)the Blues are right off the boil. They are playing at about 70 percent intensity I’d say. Something’s probably up behind the scenes, maybe Vern has lost them.
b) Nick Champion De Crespiny is the real deal. I counted four times, possibly a fifth in the first 20 minutes where he trucked it straight into Samson Taukei’aho and made decent post-contact metres.
The Wallabies were better with Harry Wilson captaining them but Nick CdeC has to be looked at as part of the back row mix.
The Wrap: Rugby has made an uncomfortable bed with TMOs - now it's time to lie in it
Would probably rock the boat a bit less than a second local one.
Wallabies lock down 'best defender across the globe' for World Cup despite signing short-term deal in England
So well put and so true.
Wallabies lock down 'best defender across the globe' for World Cup despite signing short-term deal in England
Sounds like more of an overhaul than what I have suggested. A lot to think through (for me at least) there.
Young man's game: A pragmatic way forward for Super Rugby clubs
Strongly agree with Broken Shoulder.
Analysis: Lions' pressure point that gives Wallabies hope as Farrell goes all in on breakdown dominance