Maybe both too short at the linout. ALthough brilliant in other respects. Support play is vitally important

matta says

““Look at the All Blacks. They score the vast majority of their tries directly from turnover ball from excellent tackling and pressure on the opposition at the R&M””

exactly right.

What a pity Steve Menzies from the NRL didn’t come over. He would have been the best flanker since Ray Price perhaps ?

Very interesting. When the Springboks score tries in similar circumstance they are called “oppurtunistic, feeding off opposition ball and skill-less” to quote one of Spiro’s favourite words to describe the Boks.

A clear point of advantage over other teams:

I did not hear the interview but how would the Wallabies hope to achieve parity let alone an advantage over a team like the All Blacks who clearly have nothing to fear from a very limited team.

Yes perhaps eddie just did not have the other parts right though – eg
dunning baxter and co etc to support them ….

I agree re cliffy yes …very good game I thought and reminds me of how
the AB’s play ..

Re masoe he is not a no 8 and we all know that.. Bad move but did not
cost them the game but showed where not to play him !

Thanks for the tips on nicknames – I had no idea

And just on that point, on saturday night did anyone notice when Mortlock dropped an easy pass? what did he do? he threw his hands in the air and let the ball bounce forward to a Welshman – we were luck the Ref blew the whistle just as the welsh fealla picked up the ball.

My point is, do that agaist the AB’s with a ref that lets it go and 9/10 times it will end in a try. Its school boy stuff “play to the whistle and dive on the ball”!!!!!!

Eddie tried it and it didn’t go too well. I think Smith must be the number one fetcher, but knuckles painted himself into a corner by naming Waugh co captain. I can’t help but feel there was a bit of appeasing the NSWRU in his appointment. But that is one for the conspiracy theorists!

I think a backrow of Chapman (who I consider just as good as Rocky)/Elsom, Smith and Hoiles would be constantly pressuring any opposition at the R&M. But if Cliffy keeps making linebreaks then he must wear the number 8 jumper. Cliffy also has the ability to pick up the ball behind a fast back tracking scrum, I am not sure Hoiles would be as good here. Masoe sure struggled against France.

The All Blacks are blessed with both abilities in the form of Collins, McCraw and Rodders, all of whom are superb at the breakdown and can make linebreaks, particularly Collins, he seems to break tackles so easily.

one small comment – if supporting the ball carrier is critical and we need to get to the breakdown as the AB’s do so well and turn the ball then can someone tell me why smith and waugh should not start together ? they are awesome to the breakdown and would this not help us ?

i realise the lineout issue etc however at the moment we do not even get the ball as it is randomly straight …..bring back jeremy

I can’t see any way for the Wallabies to establish a “clear point of advantage” in the next few months. Except perhaps for the coaches to just drill into them excellent team oriented defense and good discipline, and a good team spirit. If they can again restrict the AB’s (and lesser teams) to 11 points then anything is possible.

Ability to defend the rolling maul has also been a weakness in the last few seasons. Foley, get to work.

Any side that is so resticted will get frustrated and is liable to give up penalties or throw a silly pass.

I know that is a negative way to look at it, and the old cliche “the best defense is a good attack” is true, I just don’t see any way in the short period of time (in game time anyway) between now and September 15 (which is the real crunch game, I will be there, stoked!) that the Wallabies can produce anything on attack (or the set piece) that will establish “a clear point of advantage”

Look at the All Blacks. They score the vast majority of their tries directly from turnover ball from excellent tackling and pressure on the opposition at the R&M. I think Australia has the players with the ability to utilise that turnover ball and turn it into points in the form of Turner, Giteau, Larkham and Latham. These guys are not Sitivini or Muliaina or Rockococko but they are good enough.

The other area that the coaches must improve is support of the ball carrier at all times, as whenever a linebreak is made by the Wallabies, the ball carrier inevitably has no support, this must be drilled into the forwards and backs in equal measure. Support for the ball carrier at all times, like in league where there is always someone on the hip of a forward ready for the offload.

Just my two cents on it. Bring on Cardiff!