I think it is appropriate to ask questions of the Wallaby team and coaches regarding the World Cup. We are only 13 months out from the start of the Cup and I have some questions regarding players and coaching and thought some of you knowledgeable posters here may want to add to the questions.
Question #1 to Robbie Deans – How do you plan to get the forwards to compete at the breakdown with consistency and structure? I ask this as it seems we have been without this for years and I am thinking our forwards go in one off and have no support.
Question #2 to Robbie Deans – Your use of the bench seems to have myself and several on The Roar here confused. For example, you did not replace Genia in the CHCH Test even though he was obviously struggling, but you replace Sharpe who was doing a good job for us and keep Mumm on who had done little.
There are many examples but I am trying to keep it short.
What’s going on?
Question #3 – Rocky Elsom. It strikes me that since you have become captain your game has gone to hell in a hand basket. Is the captaincy too heavy a load for you?
Question #4 – Matt Giteau. You are one of the most dangerous broken play exponents around when you chance your arm, how do you regain this ability at 12 that we used to admire so much in you?
Question #5 – Berrick Barnes. You have more natural skill than several players stacked up. Before you run back to league, at this World Cup are you capable of showing us the skills you showed at the last World Cup as a youngster?
Question #6 – Nathan Sharpe. I have not been your greatest fan but you are playing OK this season. This team needs an aggressive second row combination to win this World Cup. Do you think you can be half an essential aggressive second row combination that is critical to winning this Cup?
Question #7 – All Players. We realise you are not our greatest group of players ever but you are all we have and we support you. Can you:
-Work harder on your passing and catching skills?
-Show a real hard man approach to the breakdown in pods?
-Support any player who makes a break? Lose BD, lose game.
-Chase kicks to impact quick put ins and counter attacks?
Decide that the players around you are the ones you will thrive or die with at this Cup and play as if you care for and respect those around you. The fundamental question is are you capable of forming a tight team who accepts your strengths and weaknesses, and will fight together to win this bloody Cup?
It’s up to you Roarers to add questions to this, please try to keep the numbers sequential as you never know they might read it.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
joeb: I am delighted Vickerman is back next year and a combination with Horwill could be just what we need Assuming we have have a full front row and Palu back. I would like to see Higinbotham given a run in SA if he is fit. If Cam Shepherd has his speed back, I believe he is the best full back in the country. This would allow Robbie Deans to look after the centres and wings. Robbie Deans has been playing this rugby poker machine for 3 years without a payout, next year if all our players are available then he might (I said might) have a chance to win a big payout. Generally we talk the same language apart from Dan Vickerman.
joeb
Guest
Stillmissit, "please try to keep the numbers sequential as you never know they might read it." You can bet your last dollar they ALL read the Roar!! And of course are the wiser for it. "Willy – I have heard similar stories so let's all keep our fingers crossed. Vickerman and Horwill would be a great second row." Well according to today's Rugbyheaven column Vicks is back, but umm, from memory several of us here - including Spiro - at one stage queried what was going on in our [the Wallabies] second row when our two locks were Vicks and Sharpie and they continually at crucial stages of games wilted like wet socks... for mine I'd rather Chisholm back in the frame as well as Caldwell to partner either Sharpe or Horwill... sorry, not a Vicks fan meself. Things will definitely improve once we get Tatafu Polota-Nau and Cliffy Palu back... meanwhile would've thought Hoiles was a chance at No.8 cos the way things are going we'll be hard-pressed to win another TN game this year... and it ain't gunna lok good for Deano's résumé, which begs the question why was Connolly so swiftly and unceremoniously dumped after '07? Genia has been pretty ordinary in the previous two tests so as to why Burgess didn't get 40 mins in each is strange other than to think Deano is super keen to keep and continue developing the Genia/Quade combo, but Burgess, Sheehan or Valentine woulda done a better job than Will against the ABs, and with Barnes at 5/8th and Matt at inside centre, but erm, that's a whole other story. One further player who is crucial for the Wallas next year (and even with the last remaining three TN tests this year) is Cam Shepherd, either at fullback or on the wing considering his size, speed, strength, general play kicking ability, as well as his goal kicking... he'd be the first guy I'd pick in the backs, and let's not forget Lachie Turner either who can sniff out a try from anywhere on the park, i.e. Turner in preference to O'Connor. Second to none: Vickerman return a coup for Wallabies' Cup campaign RUPERT GUINNESS August 13, 2010 http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/second-to-none-vickerman-return-a-coup-for-wallabies-cup-campaign-20100812-121hj.html Couldn'ta been annouced at a more appropriate time - Black Friday.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Dear AO(SMI), Unfortunately you are so right about me and playing dressups. Though when the time is convenient may I borrow your Blazer and a cravat for the annual family pic, off season of course. I am useless at photoshop so it'll have to be the real McCoy. LPotR(S_O)
Brett McKay
Guest
well, yeah SMI, certainly Parra and Penrith...
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Brett - wish they had loaned him to Southern Districts, Penrith or Parramatta where he would make an impact.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Blinky - My huge unthinking mistake mate. I think you have had enough water to last a lifetime. Lets hope the Wallabies get themselves in a similar position after this 9 year drought.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
You have a choice - stretched Orang-Utan or brushed unborn calf. Happy Days indeed!
ThelmaWrites
Guest
We haven't heard from Sheek, Blinky, Rickety, and OJ....
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
SMI - There I was nodding away agreeing with most of what you wrote and then....you had to go and mention the flooding didn't you ;)
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Blinky: I think that is the problem several of us think the team is getting more competitive but being close and losing is just frustrating. We lost to the AB's many times whilst we were building our team during Alan Jones time but we all knew it was a happening thing, then Rod McQ took the team to its greatest level ever and maybe we never got over the hangover? Ho! Hum! mate it is part of the rich tapestry of being a Wallaby fan.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Or to look at it another way, despite being "competitive in every facet of the game" and dominating in possession & pressure, we never ever looked like scoring off set play. I haven't read any comments that failed to acknowledge we were beaten by a better team. That's crystal clear. IMHO what fans are screaming out for is improvement. A start would be better selections, a lift in basic skills and a game plan that doesn't just say 'play what's in front of you'. I would also hope that we are not all relying on Quade Cooper to come to the rescue. The blokes got talent that's for sure but does he need that amount of expectation on his young shoulders. Besides what if he goes down injured? What then?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
sledgeandhammer: Nobody is going to argue about being beaten by a better team and I have no issues over that game. My problem is with some of the hard stuff that is missing in the forwards (has been missing for ages) and the finesse that is missing in the backs (like wise). 9 years is a bloody long time to go between having a competitive team. The teams highlight was the semi final win in 2003 v AB's and the lowest point for me was the White Flag in Wellington last year. Maybe we are a bit like the Australian weather long droughts with short but impressive flooding.
Brett McKay
Guest
must include elbow patches or I walk....
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Thelma you were personally suggested by John O'Neil for services to rugby discussions. Brett McKay is to be your wingman after he stops playing with his blackhawk helicopter. I am delighted to have my nose in the trough and can't wait to become a 'blazer' myself, having supported them strongly over the years, as most roarers know!!!!! Six O'Clock can supply useful insights into how the little people on the Roar (waiting for the impact of our committee to change the Wallabies results) are thinking, so that our privileges have a chance of continuing. I must say that Six O'Clock is certainly a fine man of the people but I don't think he would look as good in a blazer as us - The Anointed Ones.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
Guys, they got beaten by a better team. Get over it. Next time it could go the other way. We are improving, we have blooded young players in key positions, and have half a dozen experienced match winners to return from injury. Blinky, we were competitive in every facet of the game save the scoreboard, and I think we all know why (Quade Cooper anyone?). Rugby's all about possession and pressure, we dominated both.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
You will the coolest dude in Oxford street, no doubt at all. But no tracksuit, you will get a signed Blazer and very wide loud Wallaby/ARU ties and cravats. Also no car, instead you will have an unlimited account with ComCar, remember Sydney drives on the wrong side of the road for you. As you will be commuting quite often the Army and RAAF will provide Blackhawk privileges from your local Canberra oval right to the top of your office building - neat eh. Don't forget about us little fellas when you are working.
Brett McKay
Guest
Cool!! Who should I send my pay demands to?? I'd get a car and Wallaby tracksuit out this, wouldn't I?!?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Sledge the answer to your question should be that 'we feel that Wallaby supporters at least care enough to be upset.' If I was a Wallaby returning after having my butt handed to me, I reckon I'd prefer fans whinging to being ignored or even worse a pat on the head with a 'well you did your best' attitude tossed in. You also need to balance it all with the fact that most Wallaby fans are hurting for and with the boys. We are desperate for an improvement. Most could accept a defeat against the AB's but would have felt better if we were at least competitive. Despite what some may feel, just leaving the paddock totally exhausted and with nothing left in the tank does not mean you competed well. I could get totally knackered by going a few rounds with the local boxing coach. It doesn't mean I was ever competitive.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Brett, The rumour is: Your coordinatorship of the "Rugby's Future Vision" appointment is sitting on JON's desk awaiting final approval. They have yet to acquire the office and the Trophy Cabinet but that is just detail. You will be overseeing a few noticeable Roarers whose combined efforts will become the driving force taking Rugby into a very solid professional footing. Don't ask me who started it though, it went through 'awaiting moderation' so it must be true.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
It could explain the Turner/Mitchell banishments. The coaching staff well might be trying to get these Gen whatevers to bond into a team. But if they have a loyal passive following of passive sycophants on Twitter then maybe they don't need the teams approval.