Roar Guru
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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…
We should have the edge at the breakdown (at least defensively) but will struggle to get over the advantage line… Not many big units to get the momentum going, so may struggle to be on the front foot and protect our own ball at the break down.
I feel we have gone too small and mobile with Horwill, Mumm, and Fardy. Horwill has the enforcer role but doesnt have the impact he did 3 – 5 years ago. I’m not a Skelton fan, and I dont think he is the answer, but we need more heft in the pack to compete at the adv-line. Once again, not a big McCalman fan, but having him @ 8 and Pocock at 6 may have been an improvement
Front row, back line and bench look good, happy we have dual-opensides as they are 2 of our top 3 players, the big issue is 4/5/6 for me.
ABs by 12 I think.
Wallabies announce team for Bledisloe: Pocock and Hooper to start
This was directed at DaveMs Essendon comparison – not sure why it didn’t attach to that comment.
BREAKING: Adam Goodes ruled out of Crows game, given extended leave
Completely missing the point.
BREAKING: Adam Goodes ruled out of Crows game, given extended leave
The question is why is he disliked? Is it underpinned by race? I think it is, which is disgraceful.
Also – You know what indigenous means don’t you? Don’t want to get into a history lesson but one has been here for 40,000 years and the other for about 230. there is a bit of history between aboriginals and European settlers.
BREAKING: Adam Goodes ruled out of Crows game, given extended leave
its not about money – I can only imagine the deep impact a stadium full of booing bogans (which are booing you due to your race) would have on someone which has likely been the subject of racism many times throughout their life.
In fact, The very suggestion that paying someone $600K compensates for this behaviour is deplorable and reeks of a slave/master mentality.
BREAKING: Adam Goodes ruled out of Crows game, given extended leave
Good to see Andrew Bolt is posting on the roar under the pseudonym of “DaveM” – always useful to have a range of views on here, even when completely uninformed.
BREAKING: Adam Goodes ruled out of Crows game, given extended leave
TPNs line out throwing rules him out of a Starting spot IMO. Has been an absolute liability at the line out basically his whole career. We could accept this when He was so destructive around the park while also being a great scrummaging hooker but now that he has lost a lot of his pace and power the negatives outweigh the positives for me
[Highlights] Wallabies overpower lacklustre Pumas 34-9
Definitely showed some fight, and winning when you don’t play well/don’t deserve to is a skill, however we are a long way from where we need to be skill-wise
[Highlights] Wallabies overpower lacklustre Pumas 34-9
Surely Pocock has now cemented a starting spot?… I think Hooper needs to be out there too for the energy he brings, but to win a RWC you need a Pocock-type player to influence the breakdown.
[Highlights] Wallabies overpower lacklustre Pumas 34-9
Score line flattered the wallabies IMO – need much better discipline and execution to trouble the top sides… Saying that, 2 from 2 is obviously a good start, it’s how we got the wins that is a bit of a concern.
[Highlights] Wallabies overpower lacklustre Pumas 34-9
Would be happy with Toomua there. Foleys goal kicking is a bonus though- was an issue last night.
Could be swayed at 8 as well – higgers was not overly impressive so could go with McCalman or Fardy there. Went with Higgers for line outs. Could put Pocock to 8, keep Fardy at 6.
Not sure what Arnold did wrong in training but I still need Skelton on the bench. Australia has a real dearth of elite 6’5″+ / 110kg + locks and back rowers.
Genia, Horne drop out of Wallabies squad
Hoopers immense tackle on Burger to force an attacking 5m scrum in the final 10 mins was the turning point IMO. Hooper displayed a huge work rate, while also benefiting from Poey coming on to relieve some pressure at the ruck.
Wallabies come from behind to beat the Boks
Neither injury should impact the outcome – I thought Phipps was an improvement at 9 and a winger will not determine the outcome of any test in Argentina. My picks from this squad:
1 Scott Sio
2 Stephen Moore
3 Greg Holmes
4 James Horwill
5 Rob Simmons
6 David Pocock
7 Michael Hooper
8 Scott Higginbotham
9 Nick Phipps
10 Bernard Foley
11 Drew Mitchell
12 Matt Giteau
13 Tevita Kuridrani
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
15 Israel Folau
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 James Slipper
18 Sekope Kepu
19 Will Skelton
20 Scott Fardy
21 Nic White
22 Matt Toomua
23 Quade Cooper
Genia, Horne drop out of Wallabies squad
So QC gets the nod at 10 right as the ARU is negotiating his contract? Nothing fishy there…
Good to have him stay, and will be a brilliant 7s player. As for test matches, impact player off the bench at best.
Cooper turns down Toulon for Rio
Price is only half of the issue – it’s about whether fans see value in the tickets- they clearly do for SOO (where QLD have been dominant) and ‘one off’ Liverpool matches, but lacklustre WBs form means they need to be at an even bigger discount.
My approach- find the price at which you will fill the Stadium then progressively raise prices each year if needed.
Wallabies come from behind to beat the Boks
A replay is a great result coming from where we have been in recent years. Without Foxtel, SR would never have gotten off the ground or continue to exist so we can hardly complain when they take the live games for themselves.
Of course it depends if the replay is soon after the start time i.e. 8 or 9pm for a 7pm kick off or if it is stuck in a graveyard time of 2am
New TV deal puts rugby in "much better shape from 2016"
Not really – for an outside back thats about right. You cant compare tackle % for a winger vs. a forward due to the greater distance defenders have to cover to make the tackle and the pace at which the attack is moving.
Far more important to look at positioning, which of course is hard to quantify. I didnt see every ACT game but thought he was a decent defender.
SPIRO: Cheika's Wallabies won't be Pulverised
Good to see a win in the baa baas spirit but this was a pretty average barbarians team IMO. Can’t read too much into it as the wallabies were also experimenting a bit, but I wouldn’t get too carried away Spiro.
Also, Can we all please give MC a bit of time to bed down his systems and combinations before we judge too harshly on this EOYT? Unfortunately he doesn’t have long before the RWC.
SPIRO: Cheika's Wallabies won't be Pulverised
Good article – I think there are times we expect too much from athletes. The drinking incident last EOYT where a number of players were suspended was a good example. Players need to be accountable, but also need to be trated as adults, not children with curfews.
The KB incident however is another story. The punishment was not harsh enough.
What are we asking of rugby players as role models?
Can’t hurt though.
Don’t underestimate the mental side of the game – we certainly need to beat Wales to keep the mental edge over them. England will be tougher but a win at Twickers will boost our confidence and hit theirs ahead of the RWC.
SPIRO: It's time for Wallabies to walk the talk on the field
Ben – just because League players do worse doesn’t mean this should be excused. For reference, Gallen was more harshly punished for (in my mind) far less – criticising NRL officials.
KB is an absolute mug. That much has been known for many years. The only difference with this incident is that it has been made public. Union would be better off without him. At least MC made the right call in not selecting him.
This is more of a reflection on the shambles that is the ARU and Pulver in particular. You expect better from them. The attempt to sweep this under the carpet is so clear that it needs to be called out. The hard questions need to be asked and people need to be held accountable.
ARU not looking for second offender in text scandal
Well said.
Lordys articles unfortunately dilute the otherwise very high quality analysis on the Roar.
Not sure why I read them.
Cheika sends the Wallabies a warning with Beale call
Correct. A super-sub at best. Not sure MC is trying to send a message to KB other than he is a borderline selection who has been heavily distracted in recent weeks so is not mentally ready for a test match.
Cheika sends the Wallabies a warning with Beale call
Pococks defense is a level up on Hoops as well. He is dominant vs. Hoops being effective. Havent seen this mentioned much.
Still have Hoops over Hodgo though. My 7 pecking order (if all fit and in form):
1. Pocock
2. Hooper
3. Hodgson
4. Gill
Pocock's no Hooper, but he might be a hooker
It says 115 on the brumbies site too. Find it hard to believe hes the same weight as TPN (115kg on the WBs website)
Wallabies announce team for Bledisloe: Pocock and Hooper to start