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Joined October 2015
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Wright plays tighter than Wilson. And as much as I love him, his role for the Reds is about good foundations, stability (in both attack and defense) and leadership (despite his age). He is not a noted ball carrier or skill player, like Wilson and Samu are. I don’t see Hooper and Wright working in the same team at international level. Will be interesting to see how Rennie uses the backrow. Our best clean out proponent is on the bench, in Valetini.
O'Connor at 10, four debutants in Wallabies team for Bledisloe 1
Nice one Barry, good analysis. Great point about his ability to stay injury free over such a long period. Part technique, mainly the way he plays the game. If there were a stat for high impact collisions per minute played, Smith would have to rate at the absolute low end of the scale, in attack and defense. He has a remarkable ability in defense to absorb the impact of the runner, then strangle their momentum. Another variable in this equation is the number of games per season, which presumably has settled on a sweet spot. Players union won’t allow more games, broadcasters won’t allow less, so Smith’s annual run rate will need to be replicated or bettered. Last variable is age, which by staying injury free and in form, you’d have to say Smith has covered as well.
Cameron Smith won’t be beaten
Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere in the comments, but more than 30 of the sixty point were scored down the Roosters right edge, where Aubusson and Ikatau (sp?) were defending together for the first time this year – not sure who the edge back rower inside them was. The Bunnies didn’t just have momentum, they had perpetual motion, continually raiding that side of the field. Throw in the some Cody Walker magic and its easy to see where the scoreline came from. This is not to detract from the Bunnies performance, but with Manu and BMoz on the right, perhaps some tries aren’t scored, possession and field position even up and suddenly 60-8 is more like 24-12. Still a problem, but not the catastrophe that it turned out to be. Roosters have issues, no doubt, but some of them will be automatically solved with personnel, some with attitude (I’d expect, after that thrashing). No denying that the Roosters do look like a team running out of gas at the wrong time, but I’m not prepared to write them off just yet.
Cooked Chooks make NRL semis a five-team fight
First of all, Geoff, great article. As someone who follows both rugby codes, it really is interesting to see the different trajectories that league and union are following with respect to policing foul play, especially relating to head knocks. A few years ago when Rugby started the high-shot crackdown and red-cards were almost an inevitable part of any weekend fixtures, there was certainly similar views from the commentary box about was “a good solid hit”, “part and parcel of the game”, “showing his toughness” etc, always framed as the offender somehow being the victim. We are now in a period of feeling mild sympathy for the offender depending on the severity of the action (because “they are the rules now”) and genuine concern for the victim’s well being. Soon enough, I am sure the sympathy for the offender will completely dissapear except for the most obviously accidental incidents (incidental accidents?). League is certainly trailing well behind in this regard. But now to my second point, one that you introduce, Monorchid. While any sport has rules or laws in place that prevent direct contact with the head, the onus is certainly on the governing body, through referees, judiciaries, and directives from above, to ensure that these laws are enforced. Otherwise, every player who suffers brain injuries has a case against the sport (and potentially against individual perpetrators). How long will these sports survive once the link between repeated “legal” collisions and brain injury is substantiated.
How the NRL is failing the concussion test
Agree peterj, holds his own in an era of very good northern hemisphere locks. He also gets better every year.
My five favourite Welsh players of all time
Great list, identical to mine, although I would change the order. Liam Williams, one of the most nonchalant players I’ve ever watched – total class though.
My five favourite Welsh players of all time
Watching the game on fox/Kayo certainly added to the theatre. Voss’s prescience in connecting Johnston’s feat to Ellery Hanley’s ten tries, and then for Allen to throw the pass after he crossed the line was brilliant. The commentary box were willing the Rabbitohs towards a bunch of records and they all fell, as if on command.
Records tumble as Rabbitohs roast Roosters
I’d have Toomua on the bench as fly-half/centre cover at best. Would like to see a JOC/Lolesio combo at 10/12. And Daugunu’s upside is there for all to see, let Rennie & co train the tip tackle out of him.
The Wallabies team Dave Rennie should pick for Bledisloe 1
Phil, I had the same feeling that although Reds heavy I could also make argument for both Paisami and McDermott in the 15. In the context of selecting a tournament best of, the Reds also benefit from having the most settled side week to week in a relatively short competition.
The Roar’s Super Rugby AU team of the season
I feel like this side is too Reds heavy, perhaps a reflection of the fact that they were the form team between their Waratahs shellacking and the GF. Also that a lot of players had good patches of form without being super consistent or were absent for periods with injury or missed minutes to due to rotation.
The Roar’s Super Rugby AU team of the season
Hey Geoff, great wrap as usual. I think there was a small amount of shame for the Reds to perform the way they did on Saturday. Maybe it was the pressure of the final, the travel, or the lack of home ground advantage but they were disappointingly back to bad habits, it wasn’t one step back, it was several. Daugunu’s performance was almost a microcosm for the whole team’s. The first 20 minutes killed them, and it was almost entirely self inflicted. It wasn’t until the phases leading up to Murihead’s try that the Brumbies really applied pressure and that wasn’t until 25 minutes in and yet the Reds were somehow still in the game both at half time and at the 75th Minute. You’d also expect by this point in the season that the line out would be humming or at least serviceable.
The Wrap: Rugby learnings of Australia for make benefit glorious nation of Brumbies
I’ve enjoyed watching the two competitions as standalone things. Am hoping the formats are retained next year plus the addition of an Aotearoa final, and a trans-Tasman championship (with the 2 winners only) at the end. So much about the NZ comp to enjoy as an oz supporter, not sure how much interest there is the other way round.
The Wrap: Rugby learnings of Australia for make benefit glorious nation of Brumbies
Yep, Kerevi is a 12. We have depth at 12. As much as I would love him back in Oz, we have needs elsewhere.
Wallabies dealt major blow as the extent of Jordan Petaia's injury is revealed
Such an interesting match-up, Brumbies relatively out of form compared to the start of the season, particularly in the backs. Wright, Simone, Kuridrani, Banks and the half backs have all been below their best, while for the Reds, Daugunu, Campbell, Stewart, JOC and little man Tate are all in form. Tupou and Wrighty McReightface also give the Reds the edge in the forwards, but it’s a points decision. Having said that, all the external factors are well and truly in the Brumbies favour – home ground advantage, travel etc. History says it will be tough for the Reds to get up, fingers crossed.
Brumbies reveal key to decider
Will be interesting to see the shape of the Brumbies backline tonight. They played wide and deep two weeks ago with Kuenzle throwing a lot of long balls from first receiver. I can’t remembering him engaging the first defender at all. Noah has the ability to straighten the attack, poke his head through and offload to support runners, not unlike JOC. I wish him well, but go Reds.
Noah better place than the final for Lolesio to show his class
Am also going to start referring to Harry Wilson as “Face” to round it out.
Super Rugby AU final teams: Lolesio back for Brumbies, Petaia given the all-clear
Consider this the beginning of a concerted campaign to get Wrighty McReightface into the Roar lexicon 😛
Super Rugby AU final teams: Lolesio back for Brumbies, Petaia given the all-clear
I prefer to call them Wrighty McReightface.
Super Rugby AU final teams: Lolesio back for Brumbies, Petaia given the all-clear
Hi peterj, really been enjoying the articles, looking forward to the rest. To continue on from what others have said, it is really difficult to favourite a English rugby player, especially while they are still active. Us Aussies reserve a special amount of hatred for the motherland. As someone of a similar vintage to yourself, I could never admit to enjoying Wilkinson in his prime, but on reflection my respect for him only grows as time goes on. Because of his technically superb kicking game, it’s easy to forget how good his all round game was. Of the modern players, I have a soft spot for Watson and would do for Itoje if he cut out the carry on. I’d like to say Robinson, but I just forgive him for standing up Latham at the Gabba in 2001.
My five favourite English players of all time
With players picked in position, players defending in position, a balanced back row, a team picked on form, a tactical kicking game, a international rugby suitable game plan and a modicum of decency from the coach’s box, I’d say anything is possible.
New Zealand Bledisloe Cup fixtures confirmed for mid-October
TWAS, I tend to agree, particularly with quarantine restrictions added into the mix (same applies for bringing in a lineout caller). As an unabashed Kerevi fan, it’s a shame Oz rugby will be missing out on his best years Although he’ll back for RWC 2023, he’s definitely a player you want in your system for the preceding years. I’m not sold on our 12 options though, I’d prefer Toomua, as bench cover for 10 and 12, with JOC at 10. I was high on Simone a few weeks ago, but he has plateaued after a solid start to the season. Stewart, solid but not spectacular, don’t think he has the physical tools to make the leap to internationals. Same for Meakes, but age against him as well.
Rugby Australia changes Giteau Law for 2020
Reds v Rebels will be my first post-COVID (mid-COVID?) attendance at a professional sporting event. Every chance that the turnout exceeds pre-COVID numbers for a Reds home game. The Reds backs have more creativity and points in them, hopefully we get to see it. Reds by 12.
Super Rugby AU qualifying final: Simply Red vs the Rebel yell
Remember Noah is an accomplished 12 as well, it’s where he played at U20 world cup, outside Harrison. Could be his long term position. I’d prefer JOC and Lolesio, in any combination over one that includes Toomua.
O'Connor at 10, four debutants in Wallabies team for Bledisloe 1