McKenzie selections shades of Deans?

Mckenzie would have to be the worst coach in any national sport, he is the perfect example of arrogance that has placed RU at the bottom . Everyone that watches israel Folou knows he is not a fullback he has to run off somebody like he did inRL and AFL, he is not a ball player. Mckenzie couldn't possible be this stupid! Or is Folou at fullback be cause he demands this position. Murthy beal has threatened to go to league, Mckenzie nickels under. I believe Mckenzie has lost the respect of players Mochael

Good team!!

Rugby is a game that is own or lost in the forwards...the backs may score the points, but the forwards must at least achieve parity before the backs can influence the result. Last time out the ABs killed the Wannabes in the forward exchanges, and while the choice of Beale (in lieu of Foley...) was curious, even if Foley started it would have been unlikely that the result would have been different. That said, I hope Link picks Foley at 10 and leaves Bele on the bench. BTW...now that the Reds have confirmed that they have signed Karmichael Hunt, here is a longshot punt...Hunt will be in the Reds 15 and make the RWC squad. Will we see Hunt as the Wannabes 15 and Izzy on the wing? Both solid under the high ball but Hunt is a better defender based on their league history. Will JOC 'pull his head in' and make it back into the Wannabes fold? Anyway...all speculation will be for nought unless our forwards archive parity at the least. We cannot win if the forwards are constantly 'surprised' by the intensity of the opposition. It is after all Test rugby...

Or em is putting the sacrificial lamb in for the 2 likely losses against the ab's so there isn't pressure to dump his preferred 10. Just like toomua for cooper last year. Another conspiracy theory I know, but a bit more believable than the keeping beale in union story. If that is true and players are getting picked because they threaten to leave the sport, then the future looks bleak for oz rugby.

So was Etzebeth. A lock usually shows quality right away.

I agree With all the tinkering Link might just pick a Deans team And be better off

Nicely played Sheek. Reasons for the big recent losses to NZ & SA begin in the second row and loose trio. Secondarily....an incoherent plan. What is the plan? Tertiary reason: a backline that isn't igniting. (Last six tests ag SA: OZ has 6 tries; and ag NZ, OZ attack has been spotty).

Thanks for the article I thought Beale at ten was a big risk. To me, EM was playing a high-stakes game in B1 and B2. In B1, he showed when playing combinations, they can overcome the ABs in the middle, including wet weather He went for the same approach in B2. But Hansen found a way to pry the WBs combinations loose, and kept WBs moving around. EM threw the dice and failed miserably. Im guessing EM will go back to the EOYT / France mould for Perth.

Beehave!

This year is actually the first season in the last eleven that I haven't coached and I am not considering renewing my coaching certifications. I must admit that sometimes I find it very hard to watch what is going on and keep silent when I see basic errors but I am enjoying my rugby as a spectator more now than I have in years. I find when coaching, and I'm sure many who have done it will agree that ones own children get lost in the mix. I still like to chip in with the odd bit of advice here and there but having done the job I try to be as respectful as possible as it is often a thankless chore.

In the movie i was watching, the good guys did learn their lesson and then prevailed over the bad guys the following week.

Agree. EM is deliberately picking the second string 10 to shield his preferred 10 (foley this year, cooper last year). if he picked the first stringers in games he can rightly expect to lose, there will be huge pressure from the media and the peanut gallery to select the x-factor thst aus needs to win. Easier to throw the second stringer under the bus.

Hi Dave, do you have a Webb site or are you contactable re junior rugby coaching?

You have just put yourself firmly into that category Paul . You read an uncorroborated report and decide it must be true, even though it bears no relationship to anything he (or anyone else) has done in the past. You are just the sort of person that tabloid journos feed off.

Now that he has represented Australia he cant be picked for NZ

First rule of rugby is win the collision. If in attack be sure to fall forwards and roll once as placing the ball (watch Conrad Smith when tackled) and if in defence drive through the tackle. Momentum towards g line is everything and hands on the ball are in my opinion secondary to and often a consrquence of momentum.

I have found when it comes to junior rugby that if you give your props a role at the brreakdown, in my case deciding on and being very vocal about the decision as to whether or not we drive over or spread for defence then they will make the break down. I see a huge improvement in effort from this little mind game and it gains them standing and confidence about thier place in the team.

Well, depends how you define 'tier'. Presently, the Wallabies rank behind NZ and SA and in the mix with ENG/IRE. In my interpretation, first rank/tier is NZ, 2nd SA and 3rd-5th rank/tier would be Wallabies.

It might not to you but it looks like it to me and the poster above and thanks for your concern but I do not consider myself the low life end of the fan base, I am pretty much the pat McCabe fan type.

Success for whom?