The Super Rugby season is over for the five Australian teams, but the Wallabies’ squad announcement for the series against France means there’s plenty to discuss in this week’s issue of Coach’s Corner.
If you’re new to the corner, every Friday, The Roar’s resident analyst Nick Bishop is on hand to answer your questions about everything going on in the world of rugby.
Miss the latest issue of Coach’s Corner? Don’t worry, you can catch up right here!
Dominating discussion this week will, of course, be the 38-player squad Dave Rennie has picked to take on France in next month’s three-Test series. Eleven debutants, a host of stars under injury clouds and some controversial snubs have already made Sunday’s reveal a hot topic.
Did the selectors get it right? Which players are set to take Europe’s finest by storm when the series begins in early July?
Meanwhile, the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition ended as it had begun for the Australian teams: a handful of losses, few of them competitive, as the Blues and the Highlanders secured their spots in next week’s final. There was the odd bright spot, like another stirring effort from the Force across the ditch and the Rebels restricting the Crusaders enough to cost them a spot in the decider – but it’s a year that won’t go down fondly in the history books. Especially if you’re a Waratahs fan.
Got a question about the Wallabie squad? Or is something different from the world of rugby on your mind? Whatever it is, be sure to leave it in the comments section below.
You’ve got an extra day than normal to get your questions to Nick, so make sure you make the most of it!
Grev
Roar Rookie
Nope. Same deal though. I was a huge fan of Maddocks but he seems to have lost his confidence.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
That's a huge question, I think I might need extra payment! :happy:
Chester B
Roar Rookie
Hi Nick, line speed on defence seemed to be an issue for the Aussie teams in TT. Do you have an opinion on Matt Taylor's defensive strategies in his time with Glasgow/Scotland?
Chester B
Roar Rookie
Banks really needs to step up and prove himself as Tom Wright has all the attributes of being an international FB.
jcr
Roar Rookie
If you were the national coach advisor for RA and had direct influence into each Australian Super team , what would you advise the coaches on to concentrate on in relation to tactics and or select which players on ? Team by team .
Beefa
Guest
Nick hopefully Rennie picks the correct Wallaby 23 this year.Last year every team was different. ( and it wasn`t because of injuries)He must let players settle and not have the musical chairs like he did in 2020 or he will fail again .I thought the first test team was the best but he had to change it for no reason at all. He has a lot to learn about being a test coach.He needs patience.So far he has been erratic manic and bizzarre. All Cheika traits.
JP
Guest
I prefer my prop to not be penalised ( none form Tupou ) and dominate a scrum and also gain parity to a fellow who tackles alot but also folds like a deck chair and has proven to be way too small for test rugby. Robbo aint no Dan Crowley.
JP
Guest
Banks has looked good to me in tests. You must have been thinking of Jack Maddocks.
JP
Guest
Thorne failed again. He didn`t rate our best young 10 Gordon .Thorn must go now.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Tooly, I reckon you (and the sensible people) would get about 10 positions and / players wrong in your listed team !
Olly
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, it has turned season rugby fans away from the game.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Lonergan is an accurate thrower. Time will tell I suppose.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Reffing of the tackle area has been a real disappointment in TT given the big raps we were getting about applying the law etc in 2020. It's been a real mess.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
He'll have to convince them how exceptional the WB culture is...!
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
If Paisami is really going to move 12, then maybe that is th WB future. Liam Wright is getting caught between positions - not quick enough for 7, not quite big enough for 6.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
The overall standard in TT has been disappointing in relation to the programme set out last year at the breakdown ZC.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
While the Aussie lineouts have not been quite as good as their NZ counterparts, they have certainly not justified going back to the wing throwing in! Ever. If your wing throws in, you have one less attacker in the backs.
hein cloete
Guest
Given that we have no hooker that can throw a ball into the line out, i was wondering why we cannot go back to the seventies when the wing use to do that job? Surely it can't be any worse. Andrew Reddy is about the best of the current lot but he will never be picked. Somebody should explain to our coaches that when we play NZ teams we are never going to beat them by say 30 points, it will always be close, say 3-5 points if we do win. With that in mind, when we do get a penalty right in front of the posts we must take the points. Kicking to the corner has been a 100% failure rate for our teams. Given our 50/50 line outs it is a no brainer.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
No idea, smi.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
What astounds me Zero is that number 10 playmaker has been a conundrum for 6 years now. We could’ve built a factory to clone a mash of Ella, Larkham, Lynagh, Flately and Cooper in that time. But what did we do instead? Character assassination tennis.