Took the words out of my mouth PeterK. Tats pass got shorter as the game went. Lonergan to start and kick goals, at worse Tate off the bench. Tate is more suited to finish than start.

Gday Geoff great crowd but not a great score line but some perspective Darkness scored 4 of their six tries when the wallabies were down a man. The second card could have been avoided. No idea why Thor was allowed stay out there injured. Throw in the Scott Barrett moment and I think a try from a rolling maul, there is some optimism. If we don’t lose any men does it change the result. Unlikely but for sixty minutes in the game we competed well. The ultimate difference between the two side I feel was answered by Eddie before the game. He stated Darkness had picked a side with over a thousand caps compared to us with what around 200 odd caps. Leadership experience won over youthfulness. We had some great moments in that game but could not convert territory and pressure. Darkness on the other hand with messy ball breakdown pressure absorbed problem solved and adjusted.and took there opportunities. We have not learnt that that aspect yet and the challenge for Eddie is to overcome this. Credit where due Darkness played well and whilst we did not get the result credit to both sides for a great spectacle. Rugby was the winner for a change. Where does Eddie go from here. I think he has the template now, how he can get more experience leadership is key in a short timeframe. AAA is a big loss and won’t help the cause.

Gday Jeznez losts of question marks and hope DC is taking note – agree with your points. In regards to Carter I heard a whisper the reason why he did not kick this year was he had a groin injury. Well will see this weekend how good he and the groin is at a swirling MCG. Not a bad way to start your potential goal kicking career – no pressure. But we need to see him as we are thin on goal kicking options. Would hate to see say a Hodge climb into the side at the expence of say a Marky Mark. In regards to Gleeson he has to get game time some where as he is part of the initial squad. Ive seen him play 7 for the Marlins. A talent and a big body who does not mind rattling the cage. I have a feeling regardless of the result he may start next week and possibly 7 unless EJ wants to rest the big VAL – who really has nothing to prove. But back row balance is key. Same goes for Faessler who could be a bench option next week (over Uelese) although with EJ he has no fear and he could start him with Bell and Thor (more game time) next to him as AAA could probably do with a spell as well with poni off the pines. Agree with Latu, what a waste his been this year treatment wise but I would not say no to BPA who is now available – although like Quade comming back from the same type of injury. Although slow with his pass I dont mind seeing Tate starting. Sort of indicates to me they will run it more but his general kicking game is generally pop gun. Could be his last roll of the dice, needs a biggy as Im still not sure Eddie will take three half backs and the two you have named can kick on top of their core duties. Decisions decisions.

I don’t mind this selection, we have been soft at the break down for a while now both on our ball and the opposition ball. A different picture won’t hurt. Set piece is another area we really need to have a crack at. Compete for everything or make a mess of their ball but win ours. 4 jumpers and our scrum look strong. Goal kicking though could be our curse but fingers crossed. Hope they go well.

Spot on.

Fair call.

Brett I was reading Lord had made a striking observation on Jed in our last game loss. 198cm 120kg unsure to go into a ruck or not, Lord basically said just get in there and make a mess of it. Is this psychological, afraid to make a mistake. Is he to nice a bloke compared to a Jerry Collins who charge in like bull, or it could skill set I don’t know but like you say what is happening or being said in camp.
In an earlier article possibly late last year when Lord was still attached to the wallabies, Lord referred, what surprised him in camp was the different skill sets at each player from each province. Lord stated at the Brumbies they keep working on the basic skills repeatedly. Essentially repetition more so than mastery. He felt some of the other provinces may not do enough of this. Again, I feel this is at the heart of the problem. Looking at all the kiwi sides their skill levels are on a different planet to us. Each player has a deep understanding of their role in their position and as a productive team member. When someone is injured, no problem the status quo continues. The sad thing is this was our bread and butter some time back, something we really focused on in the past with smart tactics. Again a foundation we appear to have lost at generally all levels of our game.

Game one against SA, poor in every aspect. game two, set piece was better overall defensively I read somewhere the wallabies had a 91 % tackle completion rate and double the line breaks compared to the Argies with less ball. But they had to make over 200 tackles, throw in a steep penalty count and turn overs, really really soft turn overs. We were lucky to get so close at the end. If those stats are correct, obviously it’s not sustainable. Whilst holding the ball should be the answer Brett we can’t do it long enough. We are just not physically aiming up, we lack the technique and rugby nous on our ball and the opposition ball. The ABs are well drilled in this area, the best with others catching up. All NZ sides from super rugby down are efficient in this skill and understand duress. There may lie the answer to the problem Brett. Poor foundations in our system with a lack of focus on skills from the bottom up and Eddie is trying to coach them on the run. Just doesn’t make sense though to get rid of Lord who is probably the best in the business but that’s another day to regress.

Regardless if it’s speculation or not these are the type peopel or brains we need back intro the fold to build those foundations. Would be a coup to get him back as the poor buggar did get his fingers burnt.

Yep England knew the weather was coming a 150 lead was ample, should have declared and given your bazz ball batters time to chase down a small target. Not to be England we’re caught up in ego. Got to make your own luck and they were doing that – just got caught up in the moment.

You have a bit of Johnny Farnham about you today Geoff “you’re the voice try understand it” or the voice of reason.. Like you say taking the emotion out of it this World Cup could be a few years to early for this group. Just to much detail to take in, no combinations no cohesion which equals lack of trust thus poor discipline. The Lions series and building up to that challenge is more realistic. But Geoff it’s not in our nature not to have a crack and Eddie will keep reminding the boys. We’ll bet on paint drying. We have the talent, Eddie will flog them, they will be fit and hopefully brain washed by the time we get to the big dance. It has a bit of 2015 about it Geoff when Cheika picked the worst Aussie side to leave our shores only to bluff their way to a final. Who knows with Eddie’s poker face if we get past a quarter final it’s all bets off. Dam emotional side of the brain kicking in again.

Agree, if we dont head hunt the likes of Harry Hockings & Izaak Lucus home soon don’t be surprised if they roll out in the Japanese national colours.

A really good signing a smart signing. Kiss has a tonne of experience, the Reds will be a different beast from next year. Hopefully he can turn off the tap, the Reds have leaked to much talent away to other states including Japanese rugby over the years.. His signing I hope will bring back some of that talent. And how good is it having such an experienced coach back. To often we have gone down the rookie over experience coaching path. A good signing for the Reds and dam good signing overall for Australian Rugby. Having good coach like this bloke at provincial level only raises bar.

”Langi Gleeson at 7”. Now your talking

Cheika had an opportunity to bring Lord in frame and declined. Eddie had an even bigger opportunity to involve Lord and yes declined. What an absolute waist of an astute rugby brain.

I agree – dont get me started over Latu. DC like Rennie had his favourites.

”We obviously are lacking players that are strong on the ball so why not disrupt by contesting the ruck and pressuring the 9”. Backrow approach needs a rethink. Do we go bigger bodies or stay with the small jackal. Think the game has moved on to a team approach at the break down not just one designated player. Both our 7s in the last few weeks have been tackling machines but no turn overs. And then on our ball as Eddie states we need to do better and make better decisions. We are very passive at the break down with to many turn overs to the opposition occuring.

Its the rugby league approach after x5 tackles kick or bomb.

A nice read Brett and yes we are at a cross road between playing conservative or having a crack. The cattle we have in key positions just don’t know how to play a conservative game. I think this is or will be first time in a very long time we have had all of these guys together or close to it. Quade Kerevi Marika Marky Skelton Arnold with returning players like JP Thor Bell (Fingers crossed for Iki) to name a few. Again strike runners. Kicking the leather off the ball won’t work for these guys as they are not tackling machines although capable of putting the big hit on. SA went to the last World Cup with a heavy emphasis on keeping their forwards moving fwd with a heavy kick approach but have now evolved to kicking less or maybe smarter with their fwds rolling forward and backs finishing off any opportunities. A kicking running 9 & 10 is in their DNA. Not saying we need to copy but with the forwards and backs we have I thought a similar blue print would suit us. We are close to sorting out our line out and scrum. The foundations are getting there and maybe we still won’t see this until week one of the the big dance. If we can sort out our break down now which is passive I think Eddie will have no choice but to go down the procession path. Yes with smarter kicking.

Will be interesting to see which way Eddie goes. He could pinch from Australia A side. Flook was on the bench surprisingly behind a starting Joey Walton against Tonga. Izaia Perese is in the main squad with Hodge. Probably would make sense to look at those guys first although another guy returning from injury im sure Eddie would want some game time and can play 13 is Jordon Petaia. This would allow big Kev to stay at 12. Lalakai Foketi can play 12 and 13 but Jordon’s the guy Id like to see Eddie throw the dice on.

Marky Mark went off script and said we need to use the ball more. It’s funny it’s the younger blokes in the side like Mark Cater that are really standing up presently. OOE you made another good point about the break down, we are certainly passive there and I have to say it is sinful with the amount of soft turn overs in that area.

Geoff we could go to the big dance 0-5 but all that counts is winning the first game in our pool and hopefully building some momentum from there. You rattled off some names that need time in the saddle. We got a teaser from Bell what we have missed out on in the last two years, we have Thor, Kellaway to come back to name a few. The side starting last weekend won’t resemble the side starting the pool game. The last thing now we need is injury in key positions where we lack depth and Ikis injury cannot be underestimated. He was the glue of that backline and will be a tough man to replace in the short term. Fingers crossed he can get right before the dance but shoulders injuries are a nuisance to get over. A big plus was the performance of Carter. He is the real deal and heir apparent to king Quade and Marky Mark say no more. Finger crossed Eddie can install confidence and faith that can overcome poor discipline. Go forth in Eddie we trust.

A nice read Harry. My only concern about the Bokkies was the style of play they would produce. Territory and bombs away or run like wounded bulls. And it was the latter and gees they look good. Some nice selection headaches going into the AB game. If fresh pick and stick I’d say as the wallabies were pretty soft overall in the D and break down. The Bokkies have also unearthed some good talent particularly in the halves. As for the small but quick wingers. Still not sure as we applied no pressure on them what so ever but we know they know there way to the try line. Set piece, not sure was messy but still should go well. They look good Harry defending their w/ c title, extraordinary depth. Getting the mix and the style right will be their key.

Hi Brett, certainly my biggest disappointment with Eddie was not bringing Lord on for the ride, Fresh slate. There were certainly issues on the right edge. I might be wrong but it looked like the bad old days again with Quade shifting wider and not defending in the 10 channel which might explain why Koriobeti was more in the centre. But look if that was the case I don’t think it mattered where both defended. The Wallabies were very passive at D and at the breakdown. The Bokkies just kept rolling fwd with quick ball. Just wondering Brett if Eddie expected the Bokkies to bomb more like in past days. The ran us raggered. You would have expected the wallabies to play that way against a big pack and small but quick wingers. Absolutely no pressure applied to their back three. Our kicking was poor as we’re other parts of our game.

Brett no worries. All part of Eddie’s master plan to show all comers absolutely nothing and boy the wallabies did a great job of it. Their play was unrecognisable. They didn’t throw a punch. Seriously though, and not making excuses I cannot remember a wallaby side going into a contest with so many players that were half baked. AAA was gone by half time after returning from a long lay off, Slipper and his injury, Quade Kev returning after a long lay off and all the play coming off 9 or 12 who kicked the leather off the ball. Eddie has less than a week to show he can coach.