Five talking points from Springboks vs Wallabies

I don't think he has turned many games, and can't think of any really for the Wallabies. He just doesn't have the power to be a power centre, and he isn't a second playmaker. If we ditch the dual playmaker role he could easily play the all-rounder type of centre that someone like Lienert-Brown performs, if he is given a whole season in the position at Super Rugby. But at present he isn't better than either of the Ks or Toomua in most aspects of centre play in my opinion.

No DJ DJ, he hasnt lost that skill. Its just that at 10 he has half a second to decide on the play option, whereas at 12 he had plenty of time to read the defense ond choose or even create the option. He is not suited to 10 where his brilliance is cramped.

Another faulty set piece is the offensive scrum. Australia has no armoury of moves involving No 8, flanks, halfback and 10 to attack the try line. They need four or five practised moves to vary the attack. Instead of just picking the ball up and handing it to Genia, with a step or two.

Point 1: I think we can see now that DHP is a true fullback and is excelling there. Roar readers just gave him the highest rating for a back in the Springbok test. Folau doesnt have the formal fullback positional play DHP has.

Yeah at times I've thought the Reds pack straight out of Super Rugby would be a better shout than this current group who for whatever reason just aren't jelling. Even the Tahs pack with some more front row beef would be better in all other aspects than this lot.

Come on give the front row some credit. I saw the whole game the Walla scrum had been on par with the Boks. I don't remember seeing any penalty against us nor losing our scrum feeds. Even when the subs came on, the scrum stayed solid. So Great improvement I must say from the past. If they can keep it up. The wallas fron't rows are now good enough. Not dominant but on par. Thats good enough improvement.

Poor Phipps, he only comes on for the last 5 - 10 minutes, but seems to be blamed for the lost. Genia can't play the full 80, accept that. someone has to come on to replace him.

Olfella its not one thing or the other - its everything. Its the coach (strange selections, biased/misplaced loyalties, control freak as entitled to him contractually etc etc), its declining player depth - no Wallaby coach since 2013 has had a win/loss ratio higher than 50% and 60% since 2001 - across 5 coaches to me this says its not a coaching issue). Also when did we last have a player of true world xv standard (bar perhaps pocock - anyone who responds with Folau is delusional) and even a 5/8 of international standard? When did we last have a wallaby side who would consistently play for 80 minutes? Lets not start with the administrators.. like an alcoholic at an AA meeting someone from RA actually has to stand up and say "we've got a problem" instead of all the empty rhetoric/corporate speak they carry on with. Rant over..

This WBs team is simply not up to scratch in what is needed in modern Test rugby. The players are there on paper especially the backs but a combination of factors i.e the emergence of crucial forward play in Test rugby that is the backbone of any successful Test team and a lack of tall timber and skillful big players like Fardy and Higginbotham. The WBs are clearly trying to get this right and to some extent have fixed their scrum but forwards balance and the need for enforcers who can also play. Coleman is the only potential such player in the WBs but look at all tops sides - each have at least 3 of those if not more. Hard gainline advantage men in attack and defence. Sadly, that's where Test rugby is won - the genius of Beale, Folau and Genia won't come through without that. The skills of the Le Roux, Faf, Aphiwe are made possble by PSDT, Etzebeth. Read, Whitelock, Cane create the platform for all the great ABs back play. It is clear that this is not the case with WBs. And Cheika is is clear has been trying to make this happen with the Roda's, Tui's Tupou's but there are not there yet. So, choosing a Hanigan against Boks is a joke. Let's be clear headed about this - this is a Boks team that battered the ABs. It was clear that there could be only result in this last Boks WBs encounter unless the WBs brought their once in a season (game vs ABs in Brisbane last season) effort which they only bring to AB games. That said I think they will handily beat the Pumas who can't sustain their own effort over a series of games. Some reality based on past results would be useful for WB fans ... I remember Taylorman being the only one who correctly called a thrashing in the WB-AB series based on players on paper. It was clear the Boks are vastly superior on paper not in individual players but the way the teams are chosen ... so the result should not be a surprise

I counted 3 12s and no 10s or 13s, 2 7s, no 8s and half a 6. Hannigan was always going to be bullied against the Boks, Hooper was playing wing so I guess it was Pocock's job to be the back row by himself? He's a big strong lad, but he can't do everything.

Too many soylattes and deconstructed avocados down in Melbourne

That's a bit harsh Gloria. I think we have shown quite clearly that we need all the help (and perspective) that we can get.

I agree NB but I would add that DHP playing fullback exposes Folau's lack of positional sense. DHP is a test class fullback (which is a great achievement) but he is no better than that.

Korobeiti needs to balance himself when he gets to his target and forget the big hit which usually misses. The big hit is only on if the hole is already covered and much of the time it is not therefore the most glorious thing Korobeiti can do is just make a good hard tackle and make sure of it. TK seemed to have a couple of off seasons but just before his current injury seemed to be back to his best or pretty close to it. He is still so young too so it is not over for him. The Wallabies need to greatly improve their intelligence and for mine that means 10 Foley, 12 Toomua 13 TK (when he is back) but until then Hodge gets 13 and Toomua can steer him around and show him how to play 12. DHP should play 15 until someone like Banks is good enough to take it off him. For now DHP is playing well and he has good experience. Folau keeps a wing because he is a weapon and they need to work on all those blind winger moves bringing in him. the other wing would hopefully go to a real winger. KB returns to super sub on the bench. Just like Toomua subbed on for Giteau I think KB can sub on for Toomua or someone. Toomua is the back up 10 if Foley goes down. Genia is still the best 9 but they need to give him more rest and Gordon more game time. He looks a proper tough little customer to me. Because the rest of the team have been quite poor there are quite a few rucks which Genia should be sucked into but he holds back hoping someone will arrive and do their job. Tupou deserved this start but I do like playing combinations so am happy for Sio and Alan A to start and Kepu and Tupou to come on and finish. An alternative is start Kepu and Tupou.

Cheika selects the team

Has anyone else noticed the non-Taf hooker (sorry can't for the life of me remember his name atm) takes a little 'balk' fake throw at nearly every lineout? I'm not sure if it's just part of his wind up but I'm amazed he hasn't been penalised for it.

Damn software puts question marks instead of a winky face.

????

“Hodge has started in most internationals since 2017? You’re talking about one intercept and one long range penalty over about 20 tests.” Well it is good that you have moved on from not being able to recognise a single instance of him turning game then ????

FWM: unlike our coaching group, the Great Dane understands that winning is very important. I too thought his lineup was a bit off but happy to say he knew better. Feel sorry for Jim F, let down by some superstars. Sounds similar to our rugby team.