Comments on: Wallabies win comfortably over weakened Gloucester

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:13:15 +0000

PH & CN – thanks for this important contextual information.

By: Chronicle

Chronicle — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:24:17 +0000

all the reports in the major publications have credited Quade Cooper with the cross kick for Ryan Cross to score. Were they all in the same bar. Glad to see this has finally been picked up and would also like to see a little less saviour of the tour stuff after a performance against second string side

By: Craig Johanson

Craig Johanson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:48:59 +0000

Just watching the highlights of the Gloucester match at the moment, for which I’m very glad it’s been made available.
I’d like to point out that the first try scored by Ryan Cross was from the kick of Kurtly Beale.

Great little bust through the line by Burgess who then got a pass back in to Tatafu to run 50 meters. Beale was screaming up in support along with Lachie Turner, took the quick tap from the penalty and kicked out wide for Cross.
Nice play.

By: Armchair-critic

Armchair-critic — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:09:14 +0000

From watching the highlights i think it was Beale who did the cross kick from the penalty not Cooper.

Not sure why everyone has been saying it was Quade.

By: pothale

pothale — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:28:21 +0000

An error on my part. Gloucester play their next game on 20th Nov against Leicester, not this Friday. So Glaws coach changed the line-up for other reasons.

By: fred

fred — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:08:12 +0000

england surely with limited caps and combos must be very vulnerable agst A TEAM.

GLOUCESTER B IRRELEVANT.ONE MUST ASSUME

By: Ian Noble

Ian Noble — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:25:36 +0000

Great to have mid-week games for touring sides. Leicester v SA on friday with probably Lote making his debut for Leicester. Welford Road sold out as was Kingsholm. Great stuff!!

By: tarpo

tarpo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:33:30 +0000

Frank, you are right, but I would rather have Cooper hot & cold than Gits just cold!! ‘Cause that’s what we have been getting.

By: tarpo

tarpo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:30:33 +0000

yes, it’s called jumping, something most of these guys forget/don’t do, ie Ben Robbo winning 2 lineouts in Sat’s test, as much as anyone else.

By: MM Fike

MM Fike — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:28:02 +0000

Why is it the Wallaby selectors keep playing ‘Gits’ at ten when all the experts here think he should be at 12?
Where do the other two selectors come from?
Who are the talent scouts?

Where does RUPA sit in all of this?

Finally, I know it’s fashionable to have a go at Deans but the reality is he is caught in a crappy era of rugby in Australia.
We need decent, skilled, big and athletic forwards and we don’t have them. Where the hell are good locks?

Backlines don’t win tests if the forwards are getting hammered.

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:38:53 +0000

Your right westy on Quade’s defence … a big weakness. Still you would think a professional footballer with all these professional coaches (i.e. that is their occupation and main focus in life) around him would work at improving this weakness, technique plays a huge part in defence as well as commitment, timing, awareness and courage. I shall be optimistic and hope he has improved.

By: johnny-boy

johnny-boy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:50:28 +0000

Deans is unlikely to give Cooper a go because of his dour nz south island farmer background – conservative conservative conservative. He’s got a long way to go to grasp the australian culture of ‘have a go ya mug’. If he doesnt grasp it soon I wish he would bugger off. Some time with the boys on tour might help him understand it a bit better bit but I feel like I’m grasping for hope here

By: Working Class Rugger

Working Class Rugger — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:38:18 +0000

Armchair

There were. It actually looked like they were trying to play that illusive thing known as ‘running rugby’. That can’t be. There supposed to be an Aussie Rugby team. They should of been playing the tactical kicking game that has worked so well for us so far this season. How dare they show some enterprise, endeavour and talent

By: Working Class Rugger

Working Class Rugger — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:34:06 +0000

John

Let’s not go saying things we might regret. Have you forgotten Rod Davies. He is easily the worst winger in Australia. Turner isn’t as bad as some like to think. He’s a winger and needs some space to do his job. Something he hasn’t had all year in either the Waratah or Wallaby set ups.

By: Working Class Rugger

Working Class Rugger — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:30:27 +0000

Westy

His defence is improving but can still be a worry. But to be honest we need someone unpredictable in attack in that position and he certainly is that. Giteau at 12 would be a far better options.

By: Armchair-critic

Armchair-critic — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:27:55 +0000

Thanks for the link Andy.

Did my eyes deceive me or were tere a couple of back plays amongst those highlights?!

By: westy

westy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:19:46 +0000

I have no touble in giving Cooper a go . He played well. I just heaitate at the way we seek to swap and change with one good performance against questionale opposition.I watched QLD. To say his defence is light is masterful understatement. if he is to play he must never defend with a centre like Cross or JOC it will be like a turnstile. bluntly the body may be in line but he falls off tackles. Cooper’s defensive technique is poor. I agree he does have it in attack.Secondly he does kick with some tactical intent.

By: John allyne

John allyne — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:14:45 +0000

Turner on the wing you have to be kidding, would be the worst winger in Australia and on par with one of Deans protected species Scott Hamilton, it pays to be the coaches pet.

By: Nashi

Nashi — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:36:36 +0000

Give Cooper a go at 10. He is the only one I have seen with anything like Bernie’s wide passing game. With Gits at 10 we never look like making a dent and this is making the rest of the backline look ordinary.

Barnes is not the only solution especially when he gets injured so often.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:05:06 +0000

Just saw the highlights on FoxSports.

Afterwards Deans praised Cooper so it may be a pointer (or am I just hoping and hoping).

With Cross missing out for the Test (no way they would make him play 3 matches in a week with travel) perhpas AAC goes to 13 and Gits to 12 to include Cooper? Or DI to 13 and AAC to 15 with Coops/Gits 10/12?

I think it is well worth a shot…

By: stuff happens

stuff happens — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:05:03 +0000

‘What was the point of the game?’ Well I think it’s a case of ‘ yes but,no but.’
But a win’s a win, as the incomparable Buck Shelford used to remind us, after the AB’s had blathered some unfortunates.
Slightly off topic, there’s an interesting interview with Lote Tuquiri on http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8341133.stm
He says he’s investigating the possibility of being eligible to play for Fiji in the RWC’011 since the Australians have sacked him.
Good on you mate! I can see it now,10 mins to go in a 1/4 final Australia and Fiji and……… well, you know the rest.

By: TommyM

TommyM — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:42:42 +0000

There’s highlight on rugby.com.au

By: AndyS

AndyS — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:40:10 +0000

I haven’t seen it referenced, but match highlights on http://tv.rugby.com.au/

By: Go_the_Wannabe's

Go_the_Wannabe's — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:37:41 +0000

I select without fear or favour………I don’t care if they’re from Tanzania or Tasmania……which they aren’t (but has anyone checked their rugby stocks for backs lately?…….could be onto something here).

If I wanted to be parochial I would have selected a Farce backline. But the only one I have in is Gits.

Sadly, it looks like Dingo will stick with Gits at 10 until they start winning……just to prove all us Roarers wrong. The only thing wrong with that is that the RWC in 2011 will be over. Maybe we’ll have a change in time for the next RWC?

The game against the English Petals is a 50/50 call. The Old Dart has recalled Wilko in the hope he can cast a spell similar to Carter.

The only good thing about losing to the Eng-rish is that Dingo would surely have to make some positional changes including shifting Gits to 12.

Maybe we should be praying for an Eng-rish win? Not as crazy as it sounds really……………

By: Frank O'Keeffe

Frank O'Keeffe — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:24:13 +0000

It’s a shame that Cooper can’t be picked at 10.

I don’t think anything will happen to Giteau considering:

* He’s a senior player
* He has experience other players don’t have
* He’s the best goal-kicker in the side
* The players rate him, as his John Eales medal shows

I’d prefer it if Cooper was selected. A more constructive player with a beautiful long pass, and something resembling an intelligent boot. I know he blows hot and cold, but Giteau’s been out of form this season.

Then again I’m so disillusioned with the Wallabies right now maybe I can’t be taken too seriously.

By: aix

aix — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:05:43 +0000

Hoy

Maybe we’ll be able to get a win over NZ C (aka Cardiff Blues) – without their Welsh internationals but with fatty Rush, Ben Blair, Paul Tito, Casey Laulala plus our very own Sam Norton-Knight at the remaining mid-week fixture of the tour on 24 November at the new Cardiff City Stadium.

By: Rah Rah Rasputin

Rah Rah Rasputin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:02:54 +0000

Who cares what number is on his back. As has been observed in the media, Giteau us mixing up his game and running a lo more. This is great, but so play doesn’t breakdwon when Gits is in a ruck, lets just get another ball player on the pitch.

If nothing else give cooper a good run in the second half!

By: Armchair-critic

Armchair-critic — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:52:10 +0000

Considering the inexperience I’d say they would be reasonably happy with the win.

Should give some of the youngsters a bit of confidence to push hte older heads along at training.

Sounds as if the lineout is a real concern though. We are seriously lacking in genuine tall players. It’s not something you can create either – you have it or you dont.

By: Hoy

Hoy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:21:32 +0000

Fair call Aix. It could turn out the only win of the tour…

By: reds fan

reds fan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:02:42 +0000

NickF. We scored points and made breaks. But our forwards were abysmal, and our defensive patterns and discipline woeful. Thats why we got Link. If we get a forward pack that can do the basics at the set piece and tackle, we could scare some teams.