The weekend’s rugby action is over, so you know what that means: it’s time to get in your questions for this week’s issue of Coach’s Corner.
If you haven’t come across the series yet (and why haven’t you?!), it’s the place where, every Friday, our resident analyst Nick Bishop answers your queries about what’s happening on the rugby field.
Miss the latest issue of Coach’s Corner? Don’t worry, you can catch up right here!
With Round 4 of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in the books and an Australian team snagging a win – this time it was the Brumbies bettering the Hurricanes after a tight tussle and some wayward kicking from Jordie Barrett – we head into the final round of the regular season with three teams in with a realistic chance of still making the final.
On top of that, once Round 5 is over, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will name his squad for the upcoming three-Test series against France, and there are still ample spots up for grabs this weekend. And just to top things off, the Springboks have recently named their side for this year’s British and Irish Lions tour, a squad heavy on World Cup-winning experience.
If you have any questions about those topics, or a completely different rugby-related one, be sure to drop them in the comments section below.
And please note this is the last time we’ll be running this callout on Tuesday – from next week onwards, it’ll be up on Monday, so make sure to come back nice and early to get your questions in.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Would you go to a braai with CJ Stander and Damien De Allende if invited?.. :stoked:
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
It was a good measure CW. Arguably the absence of Topo Rodriguez cost Aussie the 1987 WC! But Daly-Kearns-McKenzie and Harry-Foley-Blades were both top units…
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
I think both times we won the RWC the front row could equal anyone. They just had to hold the scrum steady, that’s all. And then there were all those other times. Ugh...
Muglair
Roar Rookie
The Gibson Waratahs often made breaks with the ball carrier running away from supports. They still get caught at the breakdown without the support, giving up the ball or a penalty. TBH I do not notice so much with the other teams but I am not watching so closely either.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
It needs fitness and practise.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
That could also be because they are not running the right lines to support or are infront of where they should be. Our support running on breaks is atrocious. Many times you se an AB break and there are 2 or 3 supporting him in good positions to receive a pass or off load.
scubasteve
Guest
Tommy, once in a generation player would mean he is easily the best 8 or 6 in the world under my interpretation. First picked in one of those positions. And first picked for the next 5-8-10 years. Let's be kind to that claim and say that you are talking about Wilson when he gets older. How can you make a claim like this so early? Don't get me wrong; I would love that statement to be true for the Wallabies sake. ATM: I would on form put Valentini ahead of him just in the wallabies team let alone the world team.
Harry Jones
Expert
Should Pat Lam be fined for bringing the game into disrepute? (For his post match press remarks).
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
I will look at exactly this point Mugs!
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
See today's article EFF - it is balancing roles, not numbers on the jerseys!
Olly
Roar Rookie
I think Tupou just needs a game off every now and then over a season. The guy plays a fairly intense 80 and does have a lot of pressure on him as he is key to the overall team performance. He is still young so I think a game off here and there will do him mentally and physically wonders.
Ex force fan
Guest
Nick, what about explaining what is meant with balance in the back row. Ball carrying ability, distribution skills, running into gaps, line out option, defensive abilities etc. It is more than just traditional roles as players need to cover several roles and basis and specialists are few.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I just see lineout problems. If Wilson can start to jump in the lineout then that would be a great backrow, it is just he is not used in the lineout at the Reds. I struggle to see the Wallabies with a 2 man lineout as teams kick so much not the lineout is so key.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
In some teams it seems like a lack of fitness in support? Also a lack of faith in support so that the carrier looks to make maximum metres rather than compromising and looking for the right location for the next breakdown? An obsession with run metres and metres after contact?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Trying too hard to do something every time he touches the ball?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
:shocked: you were thinking of not including them? On the other hand, why isn't there an exclusive article?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
My favourite subject. I think my current view is that in SRAU he (with his hooker?) puts himself into a good position to bore in if he gets an advantage. Then he just kicks in the door. You highlighted that the other week with some great shots of how AU sides are allowing that to happen. In the TT games he does not seem to be able to get himself in that position as easily. As with the 2020 tests he then does not dominate as fans seem to expect. Is that really a problem? If he is holding his own and doing his job elsewhere then we should be happy rather than judging him negatively? Looking forward to seeing what you make of the stats.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Don't get me wrong, I am no Liam Wright fan but IMO with Hooper and Val I see lineout issues and speed to the breakdown issues. To me it will be Hooper in the wide channels and Val doing the enforcement role. Having 2 man lineout will not go well for the Wallabies. I think this does bring Swinton and the rebels guy back into the picture.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Using the logic of one performance would mean that Naisarani must be the first pick from the weekend. He was clearly the best number 8 for AU sides on the weekend.... Speed to the breakdown is specific Bodger...everyone can see this is the area we are weak compared to the NZ sides
JP
Guest
It`s ironic the game McReight played in they won ( Chiefs) the one he didn`t play in they lost. ( Blues). Sounds very personal to me.Thorn is up to his old dirty tricks again it seems.