Comments on: A primer for Wallaby success at RWC 2011

By: Colin N

Colin N — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:16:38 +0000

“Pothale will tell you that it was Leinster’s backline’s over-creativity that cost them the game. I thought Mapusua and co. did a solid job of keeping at the face of the Leinster backline.”

How is that relevant to my quote?

By: Rowdy

Rowdy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:01:51 +0000

Agreed, Panto. I enjoy the RWC as much as most (being English, it’s generally from behind the sofa though); but I do resent the way in it overshadows the game. It’s as though every other match is just a trial for the next RWC.

I’d have thought that picking your best team for every game, getting used to winning in all situations and judging the right time to drop an older player for a youngster would be a better way to go, and let the RWC selection just take care of itself.

By: ThelmaWrites

ThelmaWrites — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:09:52 +0000

Colin N’s comment: “Lamb gave them direction and a bit more ball in hand”.

Pothale will tell you that it was Leinster’s backline’s over-creativity that cost them the game. I thought Mapusua and co. did a solid job of keeping at the face of the Leinster backline.

By: Ian Noble

Ian Noble — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:02:31 +0000

Another coinidence, the prop who transgressed was Mike Ross who played for Quins last season with Molly. Unlike Molly Ross was an ever present during his time with Quins and became a bit of a cult hero, he left to try and get into the Irish team. He is past first base as he has been picked for the Irish squad for the forthcoming tests.

By: Colin N

Colin N — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:50:02 +0000

“If the Leinster prop had not gifted London Irish with a penalty, the game would have been a draw (from memory).”

No, but London Irish had the momentum, after a Chris H break, and what the prop did was stupid and cynical.

Nevertheless my point was in reference to how the game went after Lamb came on. Under the guidance of Malone at fly-half, Leinster were bascially camped in Irish’s half, and only superb defence kept them out. Lamb gave them direction and a bit more threat with ball in hand.

By: ThelmaWrites

ThelmaWrites — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:44:33 +0000

This is in reply to Colin N’s post: “Malone did start, but Ryan Lamb vastly improved things when he came on.”

If the Leinster prop had not gifted London Irish with a penalty, the game would have been a draw (from memory). In any case, it was the London Irish defence in the dying minutes of the game that denied Leinster from winning or levelling (the failed drop goal).

By: Ian Noble

Ian Noble — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:43:40 +0000

Apologies I only saw the highlights and I suspect that Molly started as Lamb had a stinker the week before. This weekend Quins play London Irish at the Stoop and it will great to see the reception if Molly plays, in spite of his inconsistencies he was popular. The other Aussie to watch out for is Peter Hewat who plays fullback for LI. He always seems to play well against the Quins, perhaps this week it will be different.

By: Colin N

Colin N — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:34:04 +0000

Malone did start, but Ryan Lamb vastly improved things when he came on.

By: ThelmaWrites

ThelmaWrites — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:12:07 +0000

Malone played against Leinster. I didn’t recognize him at first, but my daughter (whose rugby memory amazes me) reminded me. Me: “Wasn’t he the Sydney Uni flyhalf at the 2000 Shute Shield Grand Final v Randwick?” My daughter: “Yes”. He came off in the second half for Ryan Lamb. I can’t find my other notes. (I don’t have the Leinster v London Irish game in my diary, which is beside me. I’m in the process of moving.)

By: Ian Noble

Ian Noble — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:46:39 +0000

The move to London Irish will be good for him, although he didn’t actually play against Leinster as Ryan kicked all the penalties and is playing with more confidence.

By: Ian Noble

Ian Noble — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:43:43 +0000

British passport avoids other issues, but it doesn’t mean he is good enough yet to play for England. Hang on, bearing in mind England’s injury list perhaps he might have a chance.

By: ThelmaWrites

ThelmaWrites — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:36:07 +0000

Oh well. they were going well in the games I watched from Kuala Kumpur. Or perhaps, they would be the lesser of two evils, meaning in comparison to the Wallaby incumbents. But what’s wrong with journeymen? (Rhethorical flourish, but with a grain of truth.) It irks me that we constantly need to adjudge whether such-and-such player is/isn’t flashy. IMHO this urge to impress is creating havoc in the Wallaby ranks. Pure, unadulterated individualism is the result. Or, in the case of Burgess, the pressure is so heavy that it’s ruining his game. I watched Elton Flatley in the quarter- and semi-finals of the 2003 RWC. Not quite the reputation of Carlos Spencer but Flatley got the job done.

With regards AAC, his selection at fullback is crucial as he is cool under the high ball. But it becomes a disaster with Ryan Cross at 13. The two do not communicate well. I much admire the selection method of Bob Dwyer. He thinks of the squad as a jigsaw puzzle, where every piece fits.

With regards to “Molly” Malone, if he’s so unpredictable, why would London Irish pick him to start, in a crucial game against Leinster? Until Ryan Lamb gets more experience under his belt?

By: stillmissit

stillmissit — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:24:46 +0000

peteez – agree I think Barnes would make a great full back but that aint gonna fix our 5/8 problem.

This problem has been with us since Stephen Larkham and Barnes is the best I have seen since then. As Larkham was a fullback prior to 5/8 maybe a good full back can make it at 5/8??? Now that is a long bow to pull.

By: kingplaymaker

kingplaymaker — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:58:23 +0000

Ian his parents are from London, but it might be going a little far to choose him for England as he’s Australian and doesn’t live or play there! Certainly, he’s safe under the high ball though.

By: peteez

peteez — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:45:55 +0000

Here’s one out of left field, and while everyone is changing the numbers on players backs for fun.
What about Barnes at 15 !!! All the best 15′s over the last 20-30 years were tall, could kick a loooooong way, could play positionally and tackle effectively as well as back up line breaks by other backs….Gould, Larkham, Latham, Burke.
I reckon Barnes could fit in really well there, leaving JOC to slot into 12

By: Colin N

Colin N — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:10:13 +0000

Sort of, I think it was a case of wanting to play 10, rather than wanting to prove himself in that position, as such.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:18:05 +0000

Didn’t SNK leave because he wanted to prove himself at 10?

By: Colin N

Colin N — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:42:34 +0000

“Just a question Colin, have they used SKN at fulback where he spent most of his time at the tahs ?”

No, they signed him to replace Nicky Robinson, who went to Gloucester, but obviously he hasn’t started too well, which is unsurprising considering he’s played most of his rugby at 15. I’m sure he’ll be ok after a few more games, as he did ok against Sale, but this was ‘highlights’ of his debut:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH0coXd2K2c

By: mcxd

mcxd — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:27:15 +0000

hence why its seemed the waratahs werent that fussed letting him go. Just a question Colin, have they used SKN at fulback where he spent most of his time at the tahs ?

By: mcxd

mcxd — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:23:28 +0000

fair enough kpm maybe i was listening to barnes too much.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:10:18 +0000

Agree about Rooney. Big man, good running lines.

By: Ian Noble

Ian Noble — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:03:41 +0000

Last year at the Stoop when Stade played Quins, Gasiner looked out of his depth. This year after more games and confidence he is looking a different player. Another player who has come on is Rooney, whom I saw on TV playing fullback for Toulon. He was very impressive catching the high ball, and his entry into the line with an improved kicking game was vastly improved from the previous game I saw when he was on the wing. He has obviously worked hard at his game, by the way somebody mentioned he had a British passport.

Chris Malone, nicknamed “Molly” during his time at Quins was the most infuriating flyhalf. One game ihe would be absolutely wonderful, controlling the game, kicking his penalties, passing out of hand and then next game dire. As fans we used to just enjoy the ride and hope his A game turned up, thank god we had Nick Evans.

By: Colin N

Colin N — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:38:08 +0000

“Surely, they’re not all too old?”

No but their all rubbish, perhaps with the exception of Peter Hewat and Julian Salvi. Chris Malone is the worst fly-half in the Guinness Premiership and Sam Norton-Knight(mare), who is now affectionally known, is…….well you get the jist from the name.

To be fair on SNK, he does have good distribution skills, but he can’t control a game. So perhaps his skills would be best used at 12.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:32:41 +0000

Salvi is just getting experience (at 7, TW). The others are journeymen who don’t get regular game time.

By: kingplaymaker

kingplaymaker — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:04:32 +0000

mcdx I think you mean the match against Bath: it’s true that wing’s not his position, but I think one of those mistakes was more the fault of the players on the inside, but the commentator Stuart Barnes didn’t understand and blamed it all on Gasnier.

By: kingplaymaker

kingplaymaker — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:25 +0000

Hoy I agree and I think it’s absurd he’s playing full-back, as by no stretch of the imagination is he a full-back. Then to spend all that money: it would be ok if they had lots of it, but they don’t.

By: ThelmaWrites

ThelmaWrites — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:37:15 +0000

LAS, Fox. Kingplaymaker, etc.

Peter Hewat plays fullback for London Irish, Julian Salvi plays lock for Bath, Sam Norton-Knight plays flyhalf for Cardiff (? not sure), Chris Malone fly-half for London Irish. Surely, they’re not all too old?

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:33:18 +0000

I’ve noticed that Gasnier likes to hug the touchline like he did at St George.

By: mcxd

mcxd — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:18:42 +0000

I watched a Stad Francais game a couple of weeks ago (i think it was heiniken Cup) and Gaz let two tries in due to his total misreading of the defence, he was playing wing at the time. If hes to play Wallabies hes got to really pick up on his defence otherwise it could end up another Tahu in SA scenario.

By: allblackfan

allblackfan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:56:53 +0000

I think the problem, and solution, is up front, particularly the tight five.
Sort out your front row. Then your locks.
Here’s my choice (with reserve named as well) for the front row. Forgive if I confuse tighthead and loosehead; I’ve been watching too many Eels games lately!!
1. Sekope Kepu/Ben Robinson 2. Steven Moore/Totafu Polata-Nau 3. Ben Alexander/Al Baxter (or Dunning).
Smith is definitely where he deserves to be; his game has changed over the last year or two and I reckon it’s not been for the better. Pocock is more physical. A Pocock/Smith pairing will allow you to change the way the game is played (much like Moore/TPN at hooker).