Another Bledisloe Cup match, another comprehensive New Zealand victory.
Australia’s woe in matches against their trans-Tasman rivals continued on the weekend and many a Wallaby fan is wondering when – or if – they’ll ever see their side lift the Bledisloe Cup again.
Every second Friday, we give you the opportunity to ask The Roar’s preeminent rugby expert, Nick Bishop, questions about rugby.
Miss the latest issue of Coach’s Corner? Catch up right here!
Following yet another poor showing against the All Blacks, we’re sure you’ve got plenty of questions to ask. Where did it all go wrong? What selections changes need to be made? Were there any silver linings to be found amongst the dark clouds?
Then, there’s the small matter of Jordie Barrett’s red card. Did the refs get it right?
That’s still not all, however. The next round of Rugby Championship fixtures gets underway this weekend and the Wallabies only need to back up against the reigning World Cup champions in South Africa.
There’s also an interesting Test between New Zealand and Argentina that could give us a big insight into how far of the Wallabies really are from matching it with the best.
So, fire away with your questions in the comments section and visit us again on Friday to see Nick Bishop’s answers. You’ll also want to be here on Wednesday to see his dissection of Bledisloe 3.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Sorry... I didn't notice an answer to the actual question in your response.
BigSur
Roar Rookie
Hi Nick Hopefully not too late. I note you (and some others) don't think Tom Banks is international standard at the moment. Am interested as to what specific errors he's made this year (vs AB and French) that leads you to this conclusion. And, especially, what another FB would have done better. Thanks very much.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
If available I'd be putting White and JOC on at the same time. Tate might be a very good test player in years to come but Lolesio will only be a good super R player.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
Seems crazy having 9, 10,12 or 9,10 13 all being blooded at the same time. Options aren’t great for Australia but surly aiming for a collective RIQ above a certain level should be a must? Everyone loves to love McDermott, shows real promise but if Lolesio is your best option at 10 then it seems naive to leave all of Whites experience sitting on the bench, and Hodge in the wider channels for that matter.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Some pretty ordinary scrummaging. Penalties sometimes unexplained.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Nick a couple of questions for you..do you think that the supporting cast for DR was the correct ones..how much leeway does a coach get in choosing his assistants or do this depend entirely on the administration or director of rugby...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Nick..doesn't it appear to you that the wallabies had successful periods when both scrumhalf and flyhalf are playing for the same super rugby team..like Tate fits with JOC and nic fits with Noah..this way both Tate or Noah have experience blokes next to them...
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Starts in the halves N. Tate and Noah are still trying to play Super Rugby AU on the Test stage.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
What was was funny MO was Pete won both his line outs he was put up for in second half and successfully slowed on of the ABs. I don’t buy the thinking he’s not tall enough, he’s taller than hooper and bigger frame. I agree that’s Rennie’s thinking, but DR is wrong on this one.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
The kicker needs to run forward and put them onside.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
But numpty this was the first game that kellaway was anonymous/poor and remember DR shelved tom after the second game of French series...
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Fair comments, MO. Got a fair number in the sort of "sub top class" who may develop , as some very young...Henry and Flook in Qld as examples.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Hey Nicholas What are the All Blacks doing around their ruck defence that is allowing McDermott and co to able to make breaks through there?
SolidGold
Roar Rookie
Hi Nick, does Oz need a 2nd playmaker? If so why not shift Kellaway to 15 and develop him in that role? He has good vision, hands and speed. I cannot see Banks developing any more skills than he has shown already.
frisky
Roar Rookie
When the ball is kicked in front of the players, such as when the fullback returns a kick that stays in play, at what stage can the players in front of teh kicker advance? There have been the occassional penalty when the forwards move forward to tackle the opposition player who has retrieved the ball from our kick.
MO
Guest
MZ unless Petaia steps up and plays 13 Kerevi is the only world class centre we have and one of very few world class players. Korobeiti is world class but there are so many good wingers going around he still may not get close to a run in a world team. Reiko and Will Jordan for example, before we get to the Japanese winger, Kolbe, some Fijians, Argentine (Imhoff?) etc etc. Kerevi and Petaia at 12 13 would be nice but need Petaia to come along and we still need servicable 9 10 s
MO
Guest
Cos, the Reds didn't dominate the Force set piece and Slipper at the Brumbies was injured a lot. He's back and better than any of the Reds looseheads including Fotouaika. BPA was starting but got injured and LSL was starting but left. so what Reds do you want to start? the only candidate is Tupou and he seems more effective coming on after AAA.
MO
Guest
Pretty lucky to have Pete Samu on the bench when Hooper needed some repairs. Pete is one the properly trained smart guys we have. Was a very good Shute Shield player, couldn't crack the Tahs, was smart enough to head to Christchurch for some education, received proper training in Christchurch then comes to the Brumbies and hooks up with Laurie. I think Rennie just doesn't like Pete's size but he lets Lachie Lonegran off the hook for being small.
MO
Guest
We needed one of Toomua and JOC available and fit and I don't Toomua has ever been better than good. You wouldn't swap him for Mounga. There are no 25 - 28 year olds in the mix! So what's the answer? Noah can step up but it'll be quite some time before he can do it consistently. Starting Nick White at 9 is probably the injury allowed short term plan but if or when Tate comes one how do change things to suit?
numpty
Roar Rookie
JOC injured, Toomua didn't take his chances. Now that Samu is back, it'll be interesting.