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Rugby Union
- Thread starter Tigerclan
- Start date
The All Blacks were wonderful to watch (which is fine as long as they are not playing us), and they completely demolished the Welsh in the second half. Carter, yet again was quite brilliant and the pack dominated despite giving up plenty in weight.
As for the Wallabies.....urrgh
!!!
You are totally right TGN they did look completely out of their depth against the French. I thought that the scoreline was flattering to the Wallabies in the end and that is terribly sad.
There need to be some wholesale changes in the line up for the next test against England, especially in the forwards who were pushed all over the paddock like little girls, but I think there will also be some big alterations in the backline as well with a lot more youth getting a run (hopefully), becuase at least then if they lose it will be part of a learning curve.
Just my opinion ;D !!!
We can still hope for a whomping against the Poms though, can't we : ?!!!
As for the Wallabies.....urrgh
!!!You are totally right TGN they did look completely out of their depth against the French. I thought that the scoreline was flattering to the Wallabies in the end and that is terribly sad.
There need to be some wholesale changes in the line up for the next test against England, especially in the forwards who were pushed all over the paddock like little girls, but I think there will also be some big alterations in the backline as well with a lot more youth getting a run (hopefully), becuase at least then if they lose it will be part of a learning curve.
Just my opinion ;D !!!
We can still hope for a whomping against the Poms though, can't we :
?!!!TC said:
Unfortunately it may just be his last test cap, given the very poor performances he has been turning in for some time now.
I think it is about time to blood a few newbies (especially up forward) and there is an ever growing chorus of people, including David Campese who are calling for some wholesale changes to the current Wallaby line up. And if this doesn't happen asap then Jones should be out the door.
Couple of interesting articles:-
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17164133-23217,00.html Campo rips Wallabies
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17160750-23217,00.html Give youth a chance, Eddie
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17159092-23217,00.html No excuses for 'inept' performance
The coaches position is definately under review by the ARU (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17182481-23217,00.html), which begs the question do they actually have the guts to sack him, when is contract is until after the World Cup in 2007, and if so who would replace him? I actually can't think of anyone off the top of my head, which may just be Eddies saving grace.
Gregan may not be so lucky, although I think it is time for both to go, especially Jones who has turned my beloved Wallabies into the fourth best team in the world in recent months (from second, behind New Zealand, South Africa and France) who play predictable, one trick rugby without any flair, imagination or forward momentum. They often look like they are floundering.
Unfortunately George (albiet a great servant of Australian rugby) has lost all drive, he just moves from scrum to scrum and ruck to ruck and plays the ball back way to slowly to be effective in the speed of the modern game, there is no deviation from this, no kicking or sniping runs from the scrum base. Therefore the opposition knows exactly what to expect.
And the forwards are always going to ground to play the ball back, which is easier to coach and do, but less effective and less attacking because the opposition has more time to read the play and adjust accordingly. If you watch the Wallabies play, every person that gets the ball goes to ground straight away. They are coached to do it.
The All Blacks while annhilating Wales, played the ball in the air (in the forwards), which is maul ball (not ruck ball), which is harder to coach because it is constantly moving, then when the ball moves through the backs, there are no forwards in play and the ball doesn't slow down. Much more effective and attacking, but Jones hasn't changed the way he coaches and I doubt it will happen now.
What Australian rugby needs is some fresh blood, some new younger Wallabies which can give the team some push on the paddock as well as a new philosophy from the coaches box. These are interlinked because Jones seems unwilling to give too many new players a chance in the main squad at the expense of the old faithful. If this doesn't happen soon then the longest losing streak in thirty years will continue.
And with the World Cup just around the corner in France in 2007, we need to make some tough decisions now, so we are ready to have an honest tilt at bringing "Bill" back here where he belongs!!!
Just my opinion ;D !!!
Gregan may not be so lucky, although I think it is time for both to go, especially Jones who has turned my beloved Wallabies into the fourth best team in the world in recent months (from second, behind New Zealand, South Africa and France) who play predictable, one trick rugby without any flair, imagination or forward momentum. They often look like they are floundering.
Unfortunately George (albiet a great servant of Australian rugby) has lost all drive, he just moves from scrum to scrum and ruck to ruck and plays the ball back way to slowly to be effective in the speed of the modern game, there is no deviation from this, no kicking or sniping runs from the scrum base. Therefore the opposition knows exactly what to expect.
And the forwards are always going to ground to play the ball back, which is easier to coach and do, but less effective and less attacking because the opposition has more time to read the play and adjust accordingly. If you watch the Wallabies play, every person that gets the ball goes to ground straight away. They are coached to do it.
The All Blacks while annhilating Wales, played the ball in the air (in the forwards), which is maul ball (not ruck ball), which is harder to coach because it is constantly moving, then when the ball moves through the backs, there are no forwards in play and the ball doesn't slow down. Much more effective and attacking, but Jones hasn't changed the way he coaches and I doubt it will happen now.
What Australian rugby needs is some fresh blood, some new younger Wallabies which can give the team some push on the paddock as well as a new philosophy from the coaches box. These are interlinked because Jones seems unwilling to give too many new players a chance in the main squad at the expense of the old faithful. If this doesn't happen soon then the longest losing streak in thirty years will continue.
And with the World Cup just around the corner in France in 2007, we need to make some tough decisions now, so we are ready to have an honest tilt at bringing "Bill" back here where he belongs!!!
Just my opinion ;D !!!
Gregan has (unfortunately) managed to keep his spot in the Wallaby line up, but a few heads rolled including Matt Giteau, which is a pity in my opinion. Giteau can consider himself harshly done by. Even though he failed to take control of the game at five-eighth against France, he showed enough spark to at least warrant retention at inside centre when Jones made the expected substitution of Mat Rogers at No.10.
But the hammer finally fell on Wendell Sailor, which is not before time!!!
Wallaby team:- Chris Latham, Mark Gerrard, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Drew Mitchell; Mat Rogers, George Gregan (captain); George Smith, Phil Waugh, John Roe; Nathan Sharpe, Hugh McMeniman; Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning.
Replacements:- Tatafu Polata-Nau, Greg Holmes, Mark Chisholm, Scott Fava, Chris Whitaker, Matt Giteau, Wendell Sailor.
But the hammer finally fell on Wendell Sailor, which is not before time!!!
Wallaby team:- Chris Latham, Mark Gerrard, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Drew Mitchell; Mat Rogers, George Gregan (captain); George Smith, Phil Waugh, John Roe; Nathan Sharpe, Hugh McMeniman; Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning.
Replacements:- Tatafu Polata-Nau, Greg Holmes, Mark Chisholm, Scott Fava, Chris Whitaker, Matt Giteau, Wendell Sailor.
Also intersting to point out that successful but sacked Brumby coach David Nucifora has made it no secret he wants the Wallaby coaching position should it become available, even though he has just been appointed as head coach at the Auckland Blues.
He outlines what changes he would make if he was appointed to the top job and honestly it sounds a lot like what others I have heard would do, including former Wallaby greats David Campese and Mark Ella (who wants a switch to youth to guarantee our rugby future).
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17192439-23217,00.html Nucifora eyes Wallaby job
He outlines what changes he would make if he was appointed to the top job and honestly it sounds a lot like what others I have heard would do, including former Wallaby greats David Campese and Mark Ella (who wants a switch to youth to guarantee our rugby future).
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17192439-23217,00.html Nucifora eyes Wallaby job
TC said:
The Kiwis have announced a completely changed line up to play the Irish this week.
Not one of the the fifteen who ran on in last weeks match against the Welsh has been named in the starting fifteen for this weeks game.
It must be amazing to have such depth of talent and have someone in charge who will actually use it :
!!!Quote:- "Henry reiterated his pre-tour philosophy that development for the 2007 World Cup outweighed achieving just the second grand slam in All Blacks history.
"We're thinking it's going to be a hell of a game. We've got a lot of respect for the Irish team, there's a lot of maturity there and they play very well at Lansdowne Rd," Henry said.
"We're putting 15 players on the field to fulfill the major criteria of the tour, to develop players, and by doing that you put yourself under real pressure and the chance of being beaten in Test matches.
"We're prepared to do that to develop players.""
http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/11/09/1131407684922.html (Clean sweep jeopardises Grand Slam)
Went to the game today. Perfect day for football, good support for the Wallabies (although we don't have as much away support as the Poms do in Sydney) and they started pretty well but just got hammered up front as the game wore on. The scrum is an embarrassment! I felt we should have kept the ball in hand and run it at them more. We had a few late chances but more because the scrum went to a no contest situation because we lost two props.
My take is the Poms fell apart earlier after the World Cup than us and are therefore a little ahead in rebuilding although there were some left home that might have got us over the line. We have a longgggggg way to go before the next World Cup!
Now if you'll excuse me I have to get my jacket dry cleaned after a Pom tipped a glass of Guinness over me.
My take is the Poms fell apart earlier after the World Cup than us and are therefore a little ahead in rebuilding although there were some left home that might have got us over the line. We have a longgggggg way to go before the next World Cup!
Now if you'll excuse me I have to get my jacket dry cleaned after a Pom tipped a glass of Guinness over me.
Ugh. Twickenham.
Although I do owe the joint a debt of gratitude. For some reason my father went there to watch Wasps in 1967. Ended up chatting up my mother.
The human race has been paying for it ever since ;D.
Although I do owe the joint a debt of gratitude. For some reason my father went there to watch Wasps in 1967. Ended up chatting up my mother.
The human race has been paying for it ever since ;D.
TigerGoneNorth said:
Thanks for the summery TGN, I am glad you had a good time
;D !!!As for the match, I am totally with you, our tight five need a massive overhaul, as soon as posible, they were embarrassing
!!! Our front row is frankly not at international standard at the moment, unfortunately.
I thought the backs did pretty well, particularly Latham, Mitchell and Tuqueri, especially given they had next to no ball to work with. Our pack were completely mauled and pushed all over the park. Thankfully Rogers boot was on target.
If the Wallabies lose another match it goes into the record books as the longest losing streak in Austrlaian rugby history and beating Ireland at Lansdown Road is never an easy proposition, despite what the All Blacks did to them!!!
I am kind of hoping Mb, that this may have been Gregans last test.....but that may be a bit too much to ask for!!!
As for Jones, his tenure would be very limited I would think.
The ARU has already announced they will be reviewing his position at the end of the European tour, which has already been pitiful and we still have the Six Nations and Grand Slam champions (Wales) and their second place (Ireland) still to come.
I honestly don't see things improving, unfortunately. I hope I am proved wrong : !!!
As for Jones, his tenure would be very limited I would think.
The ARU has already announced they will be reviewing his position at the end of the European tour, which has already been pitiful and we still have the Six Nations and Grand Slam champions (Wales) and their second place (Ireland) still to come.
I honestly don't see things improving, unfortunately. I hope I am proved wrong :
!!!Queenie,How many games left for the Wallabies on this disasterous tour?QueenC said:I am kind of hoping Mb, that this may have been Gregans last test.....but that may be a bit too much to ask for!!!
As for Jones, his tenure would be very limited I would think.
The ARU has already announced they will be reviewing his position at the end of the European tour, which has already been pitiful and we still have the Six Nations and Grand Slam champions (Wales) and their second place (Ireland) still to come.
I honestly don't see things improving, unfortunately. I hope I am proved wrong :
They may have stood a chance if they were playing Scotland, who got beaten by the Argies 23-19 last night, but I am really not sure about their chances against either Ireland or Wales, who are far superior sides.
Both teams have recently suffered massive losses to the All Blacks (d Wales 41 - 3; d Ireland 45 - 7) and therefore I would think that they will be pretty keen to put their home seasons back on track before the Six Nations, and right now Australia look like easy pickings.
Our confidence would be shot by now and I just don't think we have any solutions to the current problems (Dunning will not play again and Giteau may have a fracture in his leg, which doesn't help any) nor do we seem to have the people willing to make the tough calls.
So all in all, I'd say we have next to no chance of winning either of these matches (I hope I am wrong) and if this unfortunately eventuates then some tough questions will have to be answered when they get home regarding the team as a whole, but especially coach and captain.
Both teams have recently suffered massive losses to the All Blacks (d Wales 41 - 3; d Ireland 45 - 7) and therefore I would think that they will be pretty keen to put their home seasons back on track before the Six Nations, and right now Australia look like easy pickings.
Our confidence would be shot by now and I just don't think we have any solutions to the current problems (Dunning will not play again and Giteau may have a fracture in his leg, which doesn't help any) nor do we seem to have the people willing to make the tough calls.
So all in all, I'd say we have next to no chance of winning either of these matches (I hope I am wrong) and if this unfortunately eventuates then some tough questions will have to be answered when they get home regarding the team as a whole, but especially coach and captain.
