Super Rugby Statistical Awards (Pt 1: Defence)
It's time for part one of the inaugural Super Rugby awards based on the statistical performance across the season and finals to date. First…
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It's time for part one of the inaugural Super Rugby awards based on the statistical performance across the season and finals to date. First…
If only fixing the defensive issues were as easy as Nathan Grey suggests it is.
Comments like that from Grey make me worry about his approach to coaching.
Not quite 99 problems, but the Wallabies only have time to fix three
Agree with all of that CB2 – the breakdown is the cause of so many issues for Australia. We all focus on the high-profile ruck turnovers, but accuracy at the breakdown is critical for most parts of the game.
McCalman was one of the most perplexing choices in some time. He is a mediocre test player, and at age 28, he is who he is. Which is a decent player, but he offers very little against a team like the ABs. While I am not a big Fardy fan, he has a better work rate and is more valuable at the line out. Plus, making the switch disrupted the back row combination unnecessarily.
As Brett says, we do need a strong running 8 to get over the advantage line. Just not sure if that person exists in Australia. Haven’t seen much of Lopeti but willing to try anything at this point.
My team has some changes, due to underperformance in the forwards and injuries in the backs:
1. Sio
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Coleman
5. Douglas
6. Fardy
7. Pocock
8. Timani
9. Genia
10. Foley
11. Mitchell
12. Folau
13. Kuridrani
14. AAC
15. DHP
We need to get bigger in the forwards (Coleman, Douglas, Kepu, Timani), and am happy to sacrifice the dual-openside approach for more impact. Bring either McMahon or Hooper on in the 2H.
Not quite 99 problems, but the Wallabies only have time to fix three
“the WBs would have lost that match on an uncontested pitch.” Gold.
Any Wallabies fan that puts this performance down to the brilliance of the ABs is kidding themselves. The ABs had an average game, not bad, but we gifted countless opportunities to them. I’m surprised we didnt lose by a lot more to be honest. The Wallabies would have comfortably lost to any 6N or RC side the way they played.
Giteau Law must go before it destroys the Wallabies' culture
Absolutely – Also, lets use it on players we genuinely need to bring back as they will have a major impact on the game. Players like Genia, AAC and Mitchell are still quality players but only marginally better than the SR players they are displacing.
Giteau Law must go before it destroys the Wallabies' culture
This is our best chance to medal since the height of the Gaze/Heal/Longley era.
Of course, the US will win comfortably, but its very even after that, with Australia, Spain, Argentina, Lithuania, Croatia, Brazil, Serbia and France all able to beat each other on any given day.
A really interesting mix of teams, with ageing groups (Argentina, Spain, Brazil, France) coming up against emerging young teams (Croatia, Serbia). China, Nigeria and Venezuela are making up the numbers.
Interestingly, the current Australia and Lithuania teams are more balanced in terms of experience, not the most talented but have more players in their prime. As a result, they may be a chance to medal in what is a very even race for Silver
Overachieving Boomers panning for gold in Rio
Fantastic performance from the boys. A real medal chance now, with Spain and Lithuania the big competition for silver and Bronze.
Really looking forward to how this team evolves once Simmons, Exum, Maker, etc come into the team in Tokyo.
Rio 2016: Boomers leave it late but get a big win over Serbia
Unfortunately, the Foley try was definitely an obstruction. A shame Arnold was there as I’m not sure the defense would have recovered to catch him anyway.
Despite the loss, I take some heart that we were in the game till the final minute despite playing pretty poorly, particularly the forwards.
Losing Pocock will really hurt, but we can play much better, and should be better off post the hit-out. Still a good chance to get the win in Melbourne and force an exciting decider in Sydney
What did we just see? Assessing the big Test matches of the weekend: Wallabies vs England
The boomers will probably peak at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, which at that point the core of the team will be in their prime (24-28 in basketball) with Simmons (25), Maker (24), Exum (24), Mills (31), Delly (29) with veterans like joe ingles (32), Aron Baynes (32), etc the future looks bright. Bogut will be gone by then at age 35.
Medal chances will depend on Simmons fulfilling his potential and the depth improving further. There was 58 Aussies playing college div 1 basketball this year, with Jonah Bolden, Isaac Humphries, etc all looking like potential solid role players for the national squad.
Meet the mysterious Australian basketball prodigy, Thon Maker, who's about to shake up the NBA draft
Most likely will go in the second round, very unlikely to be top 10… while his highlights are impressive, and he has plenty of potential, he has a long way to go before he is ready to play in the NBA.
While most players benefit from a year or two in college, im not sure his game would suit college basketball. Going straight to the NBA (or most likely the D-League) would probably be best for him if he lands in the right place.
Meet the mysterious Australian basketball prodigy, Thon Maker, who's about to shake up the NBA draft
Australian swimming is in a seriously bad position if we need Hackett. Have a bit of dignity in how you leave the sport
At 36 years of age, can Grant Hackett in his comeback?
How quickly we forget Foleys game against England where he put in one of the best wallaby 5/8th performances in 10yrs. KB was good but he is incredibly inconsistent from game to game. Needs to be in the back 3 at test level, and only used at 10/12 as injury cover.
Have to stick with the first choice team that we have been successful with in the RWC to date.
What a difference one or two key players make
As was I – who would have thought in 2010 that out of the four young superstars (Poey, JOC, KB and QC), only one would be in the starting XV for the wallabies at RWC15 when each was hitting their prime? And that we would be 2nd favourites to win the cup?
Once-in-a-generation O'Connor is a loss to Australian rugby
defensive work is harder to isolate to individuals but There were a few standouts – The starting tight 5, Pocock, Fardy, Foley and AAC were all excellent… KB was good off the bench as well.
DIY Player Ratings: Wallabies vs Wales
Agree RE Gits as 9 injury cover. Phipps is not test quality. Nic White should be there but is unlikely to come over now.
Quite amazing that the back up 9 selection is our biggest concern after a RWC game against England.
Five talking points from the Wallabies' win over England
Dont want to wish injuries on anyone but if Skelton goes home and Horwill is added, that is a massive upgrade at Lock. Same if Palu goes home and we can bring in a 3rd hooker. Higginbotham is not what we need in a pressure RWC game.
Five talking points from the Wallabies' win over Uruguay
Neither team had much direction in attack. Penalties and drop goals were the primary scoring option for most of the game. Both teams kicked very well, England should have taken that last one though!
England vs Wales highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
Scrum will be a major battleground. We will concede points here, no doubt.
Looking forward to seeing the Hooper/Pocock combination at the breakdown – think they will create havoc here.
Palu, Skelton and McCalman’s performance tomorrow will be interesting as we need more heft in the pack.
England vs Wales highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
Neither team was particularly dynamic – Wales seeing even more injury issues… given their history vs Aus, think Wallabies should be OK there. England will have their backs against the walls next week, I would argue wallabies should be favourites on recent form, even at Twickers.
England vs Wales highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
Well played Wales, England now at risk of not progressing out of the pool.
I dont think the Wallabies will be particularly worried about either team based on that performance. Set piece the only real area of concern for the wallabies as our scrum and line out will be under pressure.
England vs Wales highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
Classy effort from the Boks – was watching in a London pub, expectations were for a close game after the Japan shocker, but clearly the Boks tightened up their game. Samoa was very average but the Boks defense was impenetrable and had found plenty of gaps in the Samoa line.
On this form, England/Australia/Wales will have their work cut out for them in the quarters
Two-speed Boks have hard calls ahead
Horne is our best backline defender by a considerable margin – not the one to worry about.
Wallabies vs Fiji: Rugby World Cup preview
im amazed the NBL could achieve this – must be the best news for the league in 20 years.
The success of Australians in the NBA (only going to increase with Simmons and Maker over the next 2 years) would have contributed as well. Hope the NBL can invest more confidently in on court and on-air talent.
Great result
NBL scores a big win with TV deal
Agree with much of that David, Cheika has become unnecessarily reckless. However I disagree RE KB – he should be no where near a wallabies 12 jersey – at best he should be on the bench – he is a true impact player in attack but cant be relied upon defensively in the key 12 channel.
“Beale is the only one in the squad who can send Israel Folau on his dynamic way… Folau can win the World Cup for the Wallabies, if given the time and space to create his own brand of havoc.” I’m sorry David, Folau does not need KB, and our RWC chances rest on the performance of the pack at the set piece, ruck and advantage line. Without this, Folau (as electric as he is) will be redundant.
Is Michael Cheika fearless or reckless?
Really missing a bruising 8 like Palu. I fear the challenge is too big for those three
Wallabies announce team for Bledisloe: Pocock and Hooper to start
I wonder if the complacency from the coaching staff is just in public or if it reflects how they are preparing the team?
Not quite 99 problems, but the Wallabies only have time to fix three