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Maybe he does… DMac still took the Chiefs to the final last year, and every chance he’ll do it again
'We would like him back': Razor plotting to bring back Richie as NZR open up on eligiblity, Sio staying put
I reckon the Blues are a better side than the Hurricanes. This one will prove it. It also opens the door for the Brumbies to go top two, assuming they win their remaining games against relatively weak opposition. Very strange to be saying that about the Crusaders, but there it is.
The Roar's Super Rugby expert tips and predictions, Round 12: The game of the season headlines a round of blockbusters
He’d be awesome, CS. He’s got more creativity than any other back in the country. However, bit late to be putting him in a 10 jumper, he should have been there last year, and all this season…
The five candidates for the Wallabies No.10 jersey - and the old heads who may sneak in to join them
He does seem to want him, doesn’t he? His statements from the very beginning of his tenure as AB coach all seemed to be around selecting his favourite players, and “keeping an open mind” re: overseas players. I think it’s a bit crazy when DMac is absolutely killing it, right under his nose. Any other coach in the world would be in raptures to have DMac at 10. He basically is that Chiefs side. He’s perpetual motion, everywhere, doing everything, and then kicking goals to top it off. Just stick with him as the AB 10. He’ll be a superstar there too. If not, well, please come to the Brumbies!
'We would like him back': Razor plotting to bring back Richie as NZR open up on eligiblity, Sio staying put
Larkham was definitely just a generational talent. He didn’t do an ‘apprenticeship’, he was thrown in for his first ever game at 10 for the Wallabies against England, and he led them to a 76-0 win, scoring 3 tries himself in the process. I know the poms argue that it was a young development side, but that side had a whole bunch of experienced players as well as young blokes who went on to become English greats (e.g., Wilkinson).
The five candidates for the Wallabies No.10 jersey - and the old heads who may sneak in to join them
I think you’re absolutely right, Hugh. If you look at the Brumbies, their main issue (consistency) is actually mostly related to their attacking breakdown and general forward play. When they’re dominant, their backs look brilliant. Couldn’t really ask for more from the backs. Toole, Wright, Ikitau, and Lolesio have been involved in some brilliant attacking plays. For me, those 4 players should be among the first selected for the Wallabies. Foketi would be my first choice 12 at the moment, and Dylan P from the Waratahs possibly on the other wing (young Ryan from the Reds and Lancaster at the Rebels both look brilliant, but too green at the moment). So, you’ve got your young 10 in Noah, and some experience in Foketi, Ikitau, and Wright. Lolesio and Wright have worked brilliantly together this year, by the way. Just watch how they cover the back field, receive kicks, kick and chase etc. They’re always talking, always covering each other, and it looks fluid.
The five candidates for the Wallabies No.10 jersey - and the old heads who may sneak in to join them
I think this is pretty simple, really. At the moment, Noah is the most rounded and complete player. Carter Gordon has potential to be a world-beater, but he’s not there. His form this year has been patchy, and his kicking game is ordinary, both from the tee and in general play. He needs work. Ben Donaldson has not shown the potential to be the equal of past greats at all and often just looks confused (will he ever be Larkham? Or Dan Carter? Or Lynagh Snr? I don’t see it.). He performed well against Georgia, but all he really did was FINISH tries, strolling over the try line. Well, for goodness sake, Slipper can do that. Lynagh looks like a very good, well-rounded player who has potential to do EVERYTHING well, but he has very little experience at Super level and if we’ve learnt anything over the past 12 months, it should be NOT to throw young, under-prepared players into test rugby against hard, seasoned, confident opposition. At present, Noah is our only real option.
The five candidates for the Wallabies No.10 jersey - and the old heads who may sneak in to join them
I’m sorry Biscuit, but that’s just utter BS. I grew up in Jindabyne, lived in Cooma for much of my adult life, played rugby league as a junior and union from 19 onwards, and know pretty much everyone in in the Snowy Monaro region. The schools have links to the Brumbies, the majority of the communities who follow union support the Brumbies, the Brumbies players visit, the kids LOVE them, and the Waratahs are never even seen south of Campbelltown!!
'Toughest decision': Wallaby's blunt admission over form as Force land Brumbies lock, teammate brought to tears
We’ll see, Wizz. I’m a bit worried about this game, mate. That front row for the Brums is a bit of a worry, and the Waratahs will be up for this one. Hope Jack goes well, and our man Tom W steps up and has a blinder!
Super Rugby Rd 12 teams: JOC and Tate return, Tahs let Pone off leash, Crusaders welcome back All Blacks duo
Well, not really 100%. They beat the Chiefs (I think), and who knows? They could come home with a wet sail. Hope not though, it’s just so refreshing seeing them lose. Repeatedly.
Super Rugby Rd 12 teams: JOC and Tate return, Tahs let Pone off leash, Crusaders welcome back All Blacks duo
I know the Crusaders have lost some quality players, but I still don’t know how they’ve been losing with that squad. Their starting pack is full of class, with Bower and Bell to come on off the bench. This may be the weekend where they turn it all around…
Super Rugby Rd 12 teams: JOC and Tate return, Tahs let Pone off leash, Crusaders welcome back All Blacks duo
I don’t “love ’em or hate ’em”, but I like watching them play. They’re starting to play like the Wallabies of the late 90s and early 2000s. One or two of those tries were reminiscent of the Wallabies 76-0 thrashing of the poms; changes of direction, multiple back-up runners, everything happening at pace. Brilliant to watch. A few points though… I don’t think their 10s have flourished, as you state. Lynagh has been solid and done his job well (with great potential and room to improve), but Creighton has looked way out of his depth in every game aside from this win over the Crusaders. Also, I can’t see Valetini being dropped for Wilson, and Tate is one of the most over-rated players in the Reds squad. The young 9 from last week was, in my opinion, quicker, flatter, and more decisive. Anyway, good luck to the Reds, hope they go on beating Kiwi teams before failing against the Brumbies! 🙂
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
I wish. Whats-his-name up above there somewhere made a comment about a sucker punch. Not sure what he’s referring to, George Smith was a clean but extremely competitive player who never engaged in ‘grubbiness’ on the field. Maybe he’s referring to a night on the turps at Suntory? Whatever. I’d pay good money to be sucker punched by the great George Smith 🙂
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
My opinion, the only Waratah from those you mentioned who should get a call-up is Foketi. He’s good. Paisami has been strong for the Reds, but Foketi has been strong in an underwhelming waratahs team and he’s always performed well at test level.
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
Smith is the best player, in any position, I’ve ever seen.
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
McReight has some George Smith in him. Much better compliment 🙂
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
I don’t want to engage in any culture wars, racism, or inappropriate comments of any kind really. What I will say is that I’d never let my daughter travel in the Middle East, and that discriminatory laws and customs are so ingrained and accepted as morally (or religiously) right that genuine change is a VERY long way away. I’ve served with contingents of Egyptians and Jordanians on deployment. I have never felt more concerned for female serving members and vulnerable civilians (including children) with whom these soldiers came into contact. Anyway, enough said. It seems that anything can happen, anywhere, including your average surfing holiday to Mexico.
COMMENT: It's a disgrace rugby is heading to Qatar - but that's not because of sportswashing
For me the most encouraging thing about the Reds’ win over the Crusaders was that they did it in Christchurch. Maintaining the belief and effort across 80 mins in NZ speaks volumes. The Brumbies still compare very well across several positions (Ikitau, Wright, Toole, Tua are all outstanding), but they really are starting to struggle up front. I saw Valetini lose ground for the first time last week, and the entire forward pack seemed to lack urgency at the breakdown. Again, it was the attacking breakdown that was most concerning, and this was in Canberra, against the Drua, NOT a competition favourite. The Brumbies seem to lack confidence when they travel, and almost switch off against weaker sides at times (Force last year, prime example). They’ve proven themselves capable, it’s their attitude and belief that seem to vary week to week.
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
Wow Biscuit. Mate, your Waratahs are as terrible as ever, and I totally understand the frustration and disappointment you must be feeling, but taking that out on our most successful Super team is, well, rather unbecoming.
'Toughest decision': Wallaby's blunt admission over form as Force land Brumbies lock, teammate brought to tears
G’day Mac, yep, but the aim was not to allow the opposition to catch the ball. If they take it cleanly it doesn’t really matter where they took it, you’ve just lost possession. What you want is for your opposition to be deep, under pressure, hopefully near the sideline, with few options available to them. If they do manage to mark it, at least they’ve got no angle to work with and you should get the ball back from the lineout. I’m just frustrated with repeated box-kicks from good attacking positions, when we should be good enough to recycle and roll-on downfield. Often, with certain players (e.g., White, Lonergan) the default setting is to kick, and maybe think about running/recycling if you’re in the red zone. Default setting should be keep the ball and use it, and kick occasionally to keep them guessing. The Blues at the minute are the blueprint (pardon the pun).
'Toughest decision': Wallaby's blunt admission over form as Force land Brumbies lock, teammate brought to tears
I agree, BUT… We haven’t won a title, or even made it to a final, for many years. At some point we need to move past ‘developing’ and start ‘peaking’. If we could identify good players and hold them long enough to find a peak that’s higher than, say, the Blues and Chiefs (who I think are a better team than the Hurricanes, to be honest), I’ll be happy.
'Toughest decision': Wallaby's blunt admission over form as Force land Brumbies lock, teammate brought to tears
Like Rory Scott? And the Lonergans?
'Toughest decision': Wallaby's blunt admission over form as Force land Brumbies lock, teammate brought to tears
This was the Eddie Jones master plan, remember? Madness. Let’s watch our forwards fight and scrap for possession at the ruck, scrum, and lineout, then hand it straight to the opposition via a useless box-kick and do it all over again. It makes no sense. The box-kick used to be a valuable tool used to literally box the opposition in deep inside their own half. You’d make sure it was high, deep, and close to the sideline, with 4 or 5 chasers to force the receiver into touch or into an error. Now, there’s a box kick from the first ruck following every kick off, and probably every third ruck in general play (it seems) unless hot on attack inside the red zone. And, these kicks are mid-field, they’re being received 10 metres from where it was kicked, and we’re being punished on the scoreboard each time by good attacking sides. The box-kick should be used twice in a game, and only kicked DEEP. This insane kicking has to stop.
'Toughest decision': Wallaby's blunt admission over form as Force land Brumbies lock, teammate brought to tears
Neville? Cale? Rory Scott?
'Toughest decision': Wallaby's blunt admission over form as Force land Brumbies lock, teammate brought to tears
Mate, that would be awesome for two reasons; no Kiwi teams in the final, and the final would be in Canberra 🙂 Go you Brumbies!!
The Roar's Super Rugby expert tips and predictions, Round 12: The game of the season headlines a round of blockbusters