Roar Guru
Joined December 2010
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There are any number of reasons why the All Blacks are too good for the Wallabies at the moment. This includes fitness, skills, the coaching at national, Super and pathway level, basic skill errors and a lack of rugby smarts.
The European Aquatics Championships have just finished. This has given us a much better idea of how Australia is placed ahead of the Rio Olympics.
The Aussies look surprisingly well placed for a strong performance in this series, starting with the first Test in Chennai.
It’s only 60 days until the start of the Olympic Track and Field program. Four meets into the Diamond League series, it’s a good time to start having a look at some of the main events as a prelude to the Games.
Without commenting specifically about what the team should be for Perth, this article looks beyond this series, up to around the next Ashes series in England in mid-2013.
I have been very concerned by reports and assumptions in the last 24 hours that, with Simon Katich out for the series, Phil Hughes will logically come in to replace him. Ricky Ponting said as much yesterday, and news reports have confirmed this.
Me too jez. I think DP is a more reliable option, and a better playmaker out wide.
Reds should go hard for Giteau
Got to say that’s looming as a pretty solid team. 3 or 4 or the tight 5 are the best in the country, plus two back rowers pushing. Some of the best young backs in the country too (Kerevi, Petaia, Daugunu, Stewart), plus experienced guys like Naivalu and Paia’aua.
I’d go:
1. JP Smith (coming off a good season)
2.BPA (also did well)
3. Tupou (enough said)
4. Rodda
5. Salakai-Loto (my Wallaby locking combo and combining grunt with athleticism)
6. Higgs
7. Korczyk
8. Timu (balanced back row, jumpers, win collisions, maybe a bit short on speed and pilfering)
9. Sorovi (bit of a weakness here)
10. Stewart (getting better by the game)
11. Naivalu (becoming close to our best out and out winger)
12. Kerevi (his spot)
13. Petaia (just play him at 13 and let him learn and destroy)
14. Daugunu (had a gun season)
15. Paia’aua (good value there – lacking a 2nd boot in the back 3)
16. Mafi
17. ? (lost Slipper, need someone here)
18. R Smith
19. Hockings (big drop down here)
20.Scott-Young
21. Tuttle
22.Feauai-Sautia
23. Toua
Reds should go hard for Giteau
If you’re batting, I reckon, say nothing. If they sledge you, laugh. That’s what I always did. They give up after a while.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
Best article I’ve seen from you Geoff. Especially this bit:
“The men’s team “needs to stop worrying about being liked, start worrying about being respected,” was Clarke’s take. Here was the illusion that the two are contrary aims”.
I want them to play hard cricket for sure. But making personal remarks, or mercilessly mocking someone, is not right.
The players know what is right and what isn’t, but they’ve been allowed to persist with what they know is not right.
Australian greats can't see the 'good hard cricket' lie
It’s Nevill with two lls by the way Johnny boy.
Thanks for playing…
BREAKING: Three Indian players ruled out injured ahead of second Test against Australia
I assume you mean grammar check because the spelling’s correct, and you should have phrased it “their” side.
Glad to help John.
BREAKING: Three Indian players ruled out injured ahead of second Test against Australia
Agreed it wouldn’t be hard for technology to check every ball from side on, and tell the ump.
I’ve umpired too and it’s a bit difficult looking down then getting a handle on the delivery, but not impossible. Surely the on field ump can even tell the 3rd ump the bowler is getting close, can refer individual balls, or ask them to check the next handful.
When are international umpires going to start calling no balls again?
At least Stoinis scored some Shield runs at last.
Marcus Stoinis and James Pattinson get into it in hilarious duel
No, they have to follow it through logically.
They can’t make up their mind on whether to sack Cheika until they’ve heard from him.
And they can’t consider possible replacements until they’ve decided they will or may sack Cheika. They may decide “OK Michael not bad, but we’re going to hear proposals from possible replacements (like Jake White) and compare them”.
Cheika survives Rugby Australia review - for now
How could he TWAS? All he could do is sure if terminated early – depending on what his contract says.
Cheika survives Rugby Australia review - for now
And considering other candidates and interviewing them.
Cheika survives Rugby Australia review - for now
Or following process.
1. Hear from Cheika as to what he proposes.
2. Discuss and consider it.
3. If Cheika or some of his assistants are to go (and they can’t make this decision until after they hear Cheika’s presentation), discuss replacements and contact them, and hear what they have to say.
4. Discuss the proposed new coach’s presentation and compare/contrast with Cheika’s.
5. Make a decision and lock it in.
Maybe they had time for 1 and 2 yesterday, or maybe there is more info they need. But a 2-week delay really means they’re doing their job. Would you sack him without having a new coach ready to go?
I don’t see how people think they could do 1-5 in one day.
Cheika survives Rugby Australia review - for now
Yeah but should they have? They should listen to Cheika, discuss what he said, discuss whether they should replace him (after hearing from him), then if replacing him consider candidates and talk to them.
And should they sack Cheika without having an alternative available?
Rugby Australia: No guarantees on Cheika
I don’t think he hit it. When you looked at rts with the split screen the tiny bump wasn’t when the ball was close to the bat.
Australia cruelled by wasted starts with the bat
I don’t get the impression that the delay favours Cheika.
Rugby Australia: No guarantees on Cheika
Who are these allies in the media? I don’t read the SMH rugby much, but is Georgina Robinson close to him? I do hear her refer to him as Cheik. They do seem reasonably close.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Those footmarks do help Ashwin too, you know.
Mitchell Starc must be dropped for the second Test against India
When he was wild yesterday it was because the ball was swinging so much.
There goes that theory…
Mitchell Starc must be dropped for the second Test against India
Yep. No JJames Pattinson yet.
Trremain is in good form this season and has been the best in the Shield for the last 2. That’s a no brainer for me.
Mitchell Starc must be dropped for the second Test against India
Sure hope so
Does this bonkers Perth Stadium deck spell doom for India's batsmen?