Roar Rookie
Joined April 2013
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With the news that James O'Connor has once again transgressed, it is time to cast him aside and search for better wingers. Not only…
Cheers Brett! Bit to play out before then but don’t mind a bit of forward planning. Can make a good long weekend out of it too with the following Monday a public hol
Two issues the Brumbies need to address urgently – plus one they can’t control at all
Hey Brett, assuming the Brumbies make the top 4, do you know when the home QF will be? I think the Raiders are playing at GIO on Friday 9th, so I guess it might be Saturday 10th? Any word about an afternoon game on Sunday 11th?
Two issues the Brumbies need to address urgently – plus one they can’t control at all
Wow! I’ll be there
REACTION: Hoops wants rival to 'miss some weeks' after 'brain fart' red card helps Tahs to stirring win
Get the calculators out…
Does anyone know how the fixtures are arranged for the QFs? If Brumbies and Tahs are matched up as 3rd v 6th, would this be on Friday, Saturday or Sunday?
REACTION: Hoops wants rival to 'miss some weeks' after 'brain fart' red card helps Tahs to stirring win
Brumbies win in 2013 and Lions only winning after the siren in 2001 were pretty competitive Nick. Reds only lost 12-22 in what was a crackingy game in 2013 with Captain Quade leading the show and The Moz scoring one of the great tries you will ever see. Also don’t think Ronan O’Gara found it too easy going against the Tahs in ‘01 😂 I jest, that was pretty brutal from Duncan McRae.
In any case, the best of Eng, Ire, Sco and Wal should really be expected to beat Sydney, Perth, Canberra, so not sure why they need more competitive matches. Aren’t they just warm ups from the old tour days?
Thanks for the article, good read. How do you see the games going this weekend?
ANALYSIS: Australian Super Rugby teams and the game of snakes and ladders
Was that the game where Jongi Nokwe got 4 or 5 tries?!
Coach's Corner: Can all five Aussie Super Rugby teams fire at once?
Hi Nick
Would you play Izaia Perese against Scotland? He looked like a real threat with ball in hand in Super Rugby TT.
The team may have already been named by Friday, so apologies if this is a moot point!
Get your questions in for Issue 32 of Coach's Corner
I can certainly see why – he looks like a real find. I will be fascinated to see how he handles the blowtorch pressure of the internationals.
Another attacking gem I have stumbled across highlights of is Adam Radwan. Wow! The bloke is electric. Do you think he will make the England team or is Eddie likely to stick to a back 3 of May, Watson and Daly?
Coach’s Corner Issue 30: How Tolu Latu can get even more from Taniela, and Eddie's big decision
Hi NB, thanks for the good read. Impressive that all of those Latu highlights are from the same game! I haven’t watched a full game where Smith has played but gee whiz he looks like an assured performer on attack. Do you have a view on how he would handle the defence in Test footy? Suspect Eddie may opt for “Shoulders” Faz on defence alone!
Coach’s Corner Issue 30: How Tolu Latu can get even more from Taniela, and Eddie's big decision
G’day Willy G.
First off, thanks for all the wonderful moments in Wallabies, Reds and Rebels jerseys over the years. You were a joy to watch and would love to see you back with one of our teams.
My q is: do you think we underestimate the value in the relationship between a halfback and the number 8? You had a strong link with Radike in the early years for both Qld and Aus, providing ball security at the scrum and gain line success off short passes around the ruck.
Seems as though a strong argument to Tate McD starting is that he has played a full season with Harry Wilson, and they each know each other’s games well?
Thanks for insights in your article and on the TV.
WILL GENIA: 'Absolute machine', 'Slow under pressure', the Wallabies' good, bad and ugly
Agree with the points above.
The last couple of years have been really good but I question whether the interest can sustain with only 5 teams.
With the addition of a MP and Fiji team, the numbers are right to take us back to the good old days of Super 12!
I’d also be interested to know players’ thoughts. While Saturday’s game was full of energy, enthusiasm and celebration at the end, do you think some of the players might compare it to past Super Rugby tournaments and think “gee, 5 teams is not quite the same…”
I guess we’re all looking for the magic number. For me, it’s 12. Just stay away from the darn conferences! 😛
Thanks for another good read Brett – and have been enjoying your stuff on the radio recently too. 👍
The two lingering questions from an incredible weekend of Super Rugby finals
True, he has been very solid this year. Nothing wrong with a strong bench either
James O'Connor to lead Reds into Super Rugby final
I’m with you then. Think he’s a good SR player but hasn’t really performed in Tests (although only limited opportunities).
That said, I would play him ahead of ASY in this game
James O'Connor to lead Reds into Super Rugby final
Who thought Wright would be a Wallaby capt, Bob?
James O'Connor to lead Reds into Super Rugby final
Awesome article Nick! Cheers.
A couple of q’s for you:
1) How do you see Saturday’s finalé shaping up? Any key players? For me it’s Nic White and Valetini from the ACT and Fraser Mc and JOC from the Reds, but interested to get your take.
2) How do you see the TT comp shaping up? Is it simply a matter of 1st Crusaders then the rest? (I hope not!)
Why a moral victory was not enough at GIO Stadium
Was he? This sounds like Chance Peni. Don’t remember this happening to Pulu.
Brumbies fight past gallant Force to set up Reds showdown
Thanks for the article Nick, and for answering my question so clearly.
Looking forward to some more Ikitau magic in 2021!
Coach's Corner issue 1: Can the Reds midfield step up for Australia?
Hi Nick, thanks for a good read, as always.
A question for Friday’s article if you have time.
Len Ikitau had a strong game for the Brumbies against the Force. Do you see him as a genuine threat to Petaia’s Wallaby #13 jersey?
Cheers
Why Jim McKay is the best attack coach in Australian rugby
Is that the one with Eddie Jones, Owen Farrell and Johnny May?
You can now sign up for Stan Sport ahead of the Super Rugby season
Hi Nic, awesome article! What do you make of Pete Samu’s exclusion? Not big enough? He’s a good on baller.
Love the throwback to Finegan. What did you make of Rocky Elsom during his days as Wallaby blindside?
6-6-6: Where is the big beast of the Wallaby back row?
G’day Geoff – cheers for the article. A refreshing read on a Monday morning.
Interested in your thoughts on the non-drop goal. Do you think it is a lack of leadership from Read/Barrett not to call for it, or that they genuinely thought they were a better chance of scoring by putting it through the hands?
Or is an unspoken policy that the ABs simply to not take drop kicks?
For me, it was a chance missed by the ABs. Even after they didn’t get a scrum penalty and Owens instead ordered a re-set, Barrett could have gone into the pocket from the scrum, literally in front of the posts and dropped the goal.
To be honest, I am surprised it is not a more frequently employed tactic during games – particularly from similarly situated positions on the field.
The Wrap: Dyantyi and Lavanini ‘slide the doors’ for the All Blacks and Wallabies
This is S H O C K I N G.
Thanks for putting the article out Spiro, otherwise I would have had no idea.
P*ss weak that Fox Sports aren’t showing it. They had the times for all the international games listed on their website, so I had assumed they would show.
Having checked the TV Guide I now see I was mistaken.
For shame.
Why do they show the Spring Tour games every other year, and somehow can’t do it this year? As someone who actually stays up or gets up for all of the games, whether the Wallabies win or lose, this is pathetic.
The Wallabies could win a Grand Slam and angry fans might not see it
Spring Tour Best XXIII
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore (c)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rory Arnold
5. Adam Coleman
6. Scott Fardy
7. David Pocock
8. Lopeti Timani
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Henry Speight
12. Samu Kerevi
13. Israel Folau
14. Sefanaia Naivalu
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
16. James Hanson
17. Allan Alaalatoa
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Will Skelton
20. Michael Hooper
21. Nick Frisby
22. Bernard Foley
23. Andrew Kellaway
Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for Wales?
I like the 8 team finals series, it gives the chance for some upsets in the QFs.
Hoping that the Brumbies beat Canes, Reds beat Chiefs, Tahs beat Blues and Drua beat Crusaders, semis will be…
Brumbies v Reds in Canberra
Tahs v Drua in Sydney
There is still a chance for a Brumbies v Tahs final, and at least one more Sydney farewell for Hooper!
The Wrap: Drua delight shows why Super Rugby finals structure is right for now