What a weekend full of great yet interesting games. Some teams stepped up while others faulted more than your average electric fence.
Australia vs France was full of intrigue as there was no lack of want from either side; the Wallabies found ways to unsettle the French in Paris. Again Australia lacked the composure late in a game to gain a well-deserved victory, but this was still a huge step in the right direction. I doubt many would have given the Wallabies any chance of losing by just one solitary point against this very good French team.
Australia are now set to play Italy but will then go to Ireland with real belief.
Wales just for some reason find the All Blacks a team that beats them before a game – no wonder the men in black love playing in Wales. The Welsh were taken in the forwards and were totally out muscled, and then bamboozled by the black machine’s backline.
South Africa will be thinking that they let a great chance go against Ireland. As usual the Boks pack were strong, but Ireland were composed and were driven on by their traditional passionate crowd. SA are really needing a 10 that is consistent with his kicking, especially from distance, and is a genuine general for the backline.
(Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Argentina just love being the giant killers – first Australia this season and then their first win in New Zealand. Only those in the Northern Hemisphere would have written them off against England, but this is not an English side of the past where teams going there would be nervous and intimidated by the home crowd.
England were the team that least impressed as they did not show any consistent pressure and punch. Their scrums are not the strength of days gone by and they make basic mistakes when under pressure. Marcus Smith is standing too deep which is stagnant for the backline, so no real attack with penetration can happen. This makes me wonder if it is the player himself or Eddie Jones that wants Smith to stand deep?
With many believing that New Zealand, France, South Africa, and Ireland are the favourites for the Rugby World Cup, this could be the best Argentina team of all time. They have their typical forward strength but now they have a backline that is world-class with a great number ten.
Australia and Argentina have shown that they can match it with the very best teams, but consistency is now the key for the two sides.
(Photo by Ian Jacobs/MB Media/Getty Images)
What this shows is that the Southern Hemisphere and North Hemisphere teams are very even, the difference between who wins the RWC and those who struggle could be about squad depth.
One big factor will be the coaches; with team selections and the right combinations with a game plan to bring out the best in the players and the team as a whole.
What is encouraging for the Southern Hemisphere teams is that they seem to be understanding the referees in the North – win the refs over and you are halfway to winning the game.
What are your thoughts Roarers? How are different teams travelling?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Cheers BS, and you are right as there is not much between the top 10 teams. Enjoy the games this weekend mate.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Good summary Tim. I think this year has shown that despite the rankings, there really isn’t much between the top 10 teams. They can all win on their day. Should make for one of the most competitive World Cups in a while.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
G’day Billy, you are totally correct with all points made. The Wallabies I thought did very well and a couple of key mistakes cost them, as you said the winning try for France was well taken. The attacker had the advantage over the defence and took it, the Wallabies certainly had more positives than negatives after the game… :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thank you so much mz, for your kind words and support. There certainly are some interesting games but France v SA will be a beaut for sure, Scotland will certainly test the ABs so the men in Black need to be on song. I would expect the Wallabies to be too classy for Italy, hopefully their discipline is bang on.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thank you Decoy, I appreciate your positive feedback. A great post and I fully concur with everything that you stated, like you I am impressed by the Pumas with their structure and style… :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thank you Bluffboy, and sorry for the late reply mate. I was called into work, it was a busy but a good day. I agree with your concerns and your post totally, the Black Ferns really have done the Country proud :happy: Another great weekend of games coming up, and I want to say to you how you contribute immensely to the Roar Community… :happy: :thumbup:
Billy Boy
Roar Rookie
Interesting comments Tim and thanks. For mine Pumas & WB would get the "on the up" medal. Pumas for grabbing the win and the WBs for taking it to the French and going down by a point. A lot of people have been critical of TW & JC but that was a very good try by the French winger, damn good step. The only player who could have probably stopped him was the flying Marika. Ireland, SA and ABs were pretty much as expected and to some extent Wales. The AB side, regardless what is said, are still a very good side. SA going into the game against Ireland without a recognised goal kicker was pretty silly. England gets the "miss" medal I would suggest they have only 1 game in mind at the moment which Im sure will be a belter. Haha what will this weekend bring, enjoy the games
Art3mis
Roar Rookie
I confess I’m not a regular reader of RL columns. Surprises me that league refereeing might be as contentious as union given that the laws of the game, on the face of it, appear more straightforward. What role officiating culture in all this?
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Thanks, Tim, and I second JDK. These are good articles. I hope you keep some back for the slack period when there is little rugby being played down here post these Nov. games. The main writers have a break, and not much is written. Armchair Halfback wrote several last year, keeping "the pot boiling" Interesting weekend coming up. Agree re this being a very good Argentine side. They are looking very complete now. Ironic that Michael Cheika is the man in charge....which imo is good to see. Upcoming weekend will be interesting. The WB team is full of good performers, and I would say too strong for Italy. But I could have to eat my words ! Scotland NZ is a hard one to call, with the NZ side picked. I think NZ will maintain momentum....maybe only just. England could find Japan a real handful....another defeat for Eddie would be priceless. Fiji probably not enough time together to really test the Irish. France SA the real cracker....I'm not game to call that one. Enjoy the games, Tim !
Decoy
Roar Rookie
Cheers Tim, good overview. I'm pleased the ABs seem to be on the up, and hope they stick with a focus on combinations. The Argies are impressive, in my view. They are fast developing into a serious threat under a coach I did not rate when he was rolling the dice with the Wobblies. I sense they have more potential growth in them before RWC '23 than most other teams. The Saffas will get a kicker on the field and kick on, but I have no idea where the Wobblies are going under Rennie. When a coach is unable to install on-field discipline, he has probably lost the change room.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Goodonya Tim There will be several changes for the pipers with main focus up front and one of the locks. Interesting at lock, it probably should be Whitlock but raises questions over captaincy. Maybe Smith gets his second nod. Artie should sit down to freshen up with Donaldson filling in (or defiantly on the bench). But it will probably Ioane to justify his existence :unhappy: The problem for me is again Centers. Do we continue to develop Barrett/Ioane, give them as much game time prior to the RWC (this pairing has been the 2022 surprise for me). He is certainly going to want to run Ennor :unhappy: ALB will certainly start. I can see Mo'unga rested and running the water for Perofeta and Barrett to stay at 15 covering 10. Wings, just flip a coin, I have issues here and are no judge of ability. I was a Clarke fan, but no much of late, so what the h3ll would I know :unhappy: Whoever straps up, I hope they continue to show improvement with a solid game plan. Go well AB's :thumbup: Also, to the Black Ferns We are all extremely proud of you guys. Go well, play hard and most of all enjoy the moment. Kia Kaha.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Obviously you don’t read Australia’s rugby league writers!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Thanks Tim, your articles each week are a great contribution. Sunday is a bit of an unknown. We haven't played well two matches in a row, we will rest players for the England match six days later, Scotland has a habit of playing one big game, and Fin Russell has a point to prove!
Art3mis
Roar Rookie
“ win the refs over and you are halfway to winning the game” Sad but true. It is a shame a team has to unpick the vagaries of each referee’s interpretations as much as they have to focus on unpicking the opposition’s defensive structures. I don’t know of any other sport where officials take up so many column inches. It’s a blight on the game but what can be done about it?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It is perplexing JD, Christie has had his chances and has not been consistent. TJ has been in good form this season so it should be between himself and Weber for the back up spot to Smith.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I find it amazing that Christie is still so beloved by Foster. Very scruffy 9 at test level. At least Weber will get game time for the XV I suppose.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Hopefully we will play with the same intensity with the forwards Rongo, and use the pick and goes. I would go with TJP off the bench if we have the game won, I am hoping that Smith snipes more if the space is there.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
We will see this weekend whether the All Blacks have learnt to back up a good performance with another one. The Scottish forwards should give a tougher inquisition than the Welsh forwards. Hoping the same forward pack get to start. Our wing defence needs improving as well. Interesting to see who gets the bench spot behind A Smith if he starts. Christie seems a bit indecisive. Fingers crossed we continue along the ‘continuous improvement’ highway.