Roar Guru
Joined September 2010
28.1k
Views
26
Published
405
Comments
Published
Comments
Kurtley's back, Digby's going and the Lions are coming. Here's the weekly wrap of all things rugby. 1. Lion's squad announced The British and…
The Brumbies continued the Highlanders terrible start to the season with a comprehensive 30-19 win, punctuated by a huge performance from George Smith and…
Matt Toomua isn't like Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale or James O'Connor. In this era of social interactivity, Matt Toomua is notably silent. While Quade…
The glue that links the inside backs with the finishers and the steel that protects the midfield of a teams defence. Ideally the perfect…
I was a little bit apprehensive about watching the Brumbies game this weekend. I, like probably many others, expected that the Brumbies after their…
Wow. The Waratahs played so well. I am still in shock after last night. I know that they lost, and that I should be…
Recently The Roar forums have seen a plethora of Ashes XIs as fans strive to find a way through the quagmire that Australian cricket…
It is hard not to lament after being whitewashed by India 4-0 in a Test series. But the Australian cricket team must focus on…
Flyers, speed merchants, bulldozers, wrecking balls and genuine tryscorers. These are all words we have used to describe the great wingers of the modern…
One of the greatest things Robbie Deans did was to drop George Smith for David Pocock and allow some fresh youth to come through…
The Super Rugby season really starts this weekend, with the New Zealand and South African teams joining in on the action. Much will be…
Israel Folau is a great signing for the NSW Waratahs and Australian rugby generally. I believe this because in my view league converts ('converts')…
Being a patron of the dark arts, it warmed my heart to see David Warner imitate Shane Warne and rip a couple of wrist…
Balance in a batting line-up means that a top five (or six these days) has the ability to deal with a varied attack, on…
As Australian cricket fans watch the Test against South Africa in Perth, they can't help but keep one eye on the spectre that is…
In my earlier post for the Roar I engaged in a little crystal ball gazing, perhaps in the hope of guiding some eyes towards…
The peak rugby competition in the southern hemisphere is desperately in need of a big rethink. I want to outline some of the reasons…
I think that the Wallabies are shaping to become a serious powerhouse in world rugby over the next three to four years, certainly in…
Will Genia's post interview comments with Rod Kaefer last night provided an interesting insight into the mood of the Wallabies camp. For those of…
Recovering alcoholics undergo 12 steps towards redemption and an alcohol free lifestyle. Many supporters of the Wallabies could agree on at least 12 different…
Yeah that WAS SO AWESOME. I remember that well, burnt him on the outside. He is a special player. a little gutted for him he missed out on running on. But def happy he is on the bench,
Wallabies team named to play Lions in Third Test
I am only a little bit worried about the breakdown being refereed against G Smith. Halfpenny could make us pay. Gosh I hope he gets the balance right.
Wallabies team named to play Lions in Third Test
If Folau is injured, why wouldnt you shift KB to 10, OConnor to wing and Mogg to 15? Agree 100 with that.
Same logic applies if AAC goes down. Tomane shifts in to 13. OConnor to the wing, Beale to 10 and Folau to 15.
Your initial thoughts on 12 is right.
Very capable of coping with backline injuries. AAC going down would hurt us, sure.
Wallabies team named to play Lions in Third Test
Classic. And so true. Reds fans on this site can be so petulant. Not all of them though, RK can be pretty reasonable. Not sure if The Bush is a reds fan? But if so – him too.
Wallabies team named to play Lions in Third Test
Agreed. One of the more interesting descriptions of Hooper going around, describes him as a blindside flanker with an openside’s build. I hope for his sake he doesnt become a Phil Waugh. I think he has a lot to offer.
I know that people dig into Spiro suggesting Hooper play in the centres. But is it possible to redefine the role of a position, when you have a player POTENTIALLY capable of playing it?
Wallabies team named to play Lions in Third Test
Just because Scott Allen says it is so, does not make it Bible.
His ‘statistics’ (like any othe statistics) contained value bias. Ie his ‘positive/negative’ impact anlysis
Wallabies team named to play Lions in Third Test
Probably didnt make that all that clear, I want to see JOC flying in through the 10 channel off the shoulders of forwards who are hitting it up tight off Genia. If O’Connor can pinch an offload here he could turn it into something. I saw him doing this on occassion last week, but I think George Smith brings that skill set (of being able to offload the ball) more so than Hooper. Hooper will develop this game once he realises he doesnt have to power through every tackle and can instead hit a half gap turn and offload in second phase. Richie McCaw is an absolute beast at this very skill.
Very intersted to see what Hooper’s impact is at 60 plus minutes. Intuitively you would think it would be massive, and potentially even better given he is playing against less fresh forwards (which might even out the physicality at the breakdown).
Backs are a worry, especially if AAC goes down.
George Smith will start for Wallabies: reports [with expected Wallabies lineup]
JOC is injured – Beale moves into 10 (Folau capable of covering 15 as is Mogg)
CL is injured – JOC shifts to 12 (Beale to 10 (as above).
AAC is injured – no cover
Wingers covered ok – althugh would prefer Barnes to Mogg on the bench (a bit more versatitlity)
Agree with you though Bush, obviously committing to winning this in tight off the back of Genia. Although got to say if George Smith plays very excited to see how he links from first receiver to players like O’Connor running off him. O’Connor was sniping in that first channel last test – will be itneresting to see some offloads from them this week….
Weather predictions in Sydney? Dry fast track?
George Smith will start for Wallabies: reports [with expected Wallabies lineup]
Wow shocked if this is the case.
Does anyone think there is potential for G Smith and Hooper to be on at the same time with Mowen remaining at 6. Steve Moore will have to go through a mountain of breakdown work.
Exciting backrow – is Smith still up to it. Gosh I am not sure. Its a risk.
George Smith will start for Wallabies: reports [with expected Wallabies lineup]
I thought Beale played well on the weekend, as did O’Connor. Beale’s clearance off the Gill forced penalty was crucial.
He also showed some sublime skill (catching the Sexton kick and brining infield).
O’Connor drew two and put AAC in for the winning try. He also had some great kick clearances and strong involvement across the park. I think he had a good game.
*waits to get destroyed by QLD based Roarers*
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Not sure how disastrous it has been considering he made the winning try assist, for the WIN. Not sure when winning a game ever equated to a disaster. But I guess some can never be happy?
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Simon Morahan – younger brother of Luke. Highly rated.
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Interesting background, didnt know that – thanks Roardog. Agreed – nice to see some cohesion and team unity/support. Horwill really has grown on me as a leader this series, I can see why RD made the call to chop Elsom for Big Jim. A good one in the end.
Really hope Horwill gets off tonight, but suspect that won’t happen.
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Agreed – great point. It seems the Wallabies are playing into fitness and also rhythm. While the passes didnt stick on numerous occassions this week, they will be much better for a win, and a second hit out. Im not sure what momentum the Lions will carry.
They need to do more than kick the ball high and chase. Such a shame that BoD has hardly seen the ball at 13. Why not pass to North more? Bemusing.
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
And there was plenty of that – couldnt beleive how early in the agme some of the players were covered in blood. Must be pretty bloody intense at the bottom of some of those rucks!
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Wow that is a big pick for Godwin to come that far in two years. I like Godwin and OConnor – I think OConnor has more in the bank at the moment, and that will only continue to build if he can secure a Lions test series win. I also think he is improving game to game, this last game I expect him to be even better, same goes for Beale and CL. Once combinations are settled it is hard to break them (unless the coach goes).
Which is a shame re Godwin – BUT i think he will be there in about four years time, hes still young right? If managed well I think Godwin/FSautia/Strzaker/Morahan JNR could be some of the next wave in the backline.
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Great point, I also noticed his ruck involvement towards the last 10 minutes of the game he was securing the ball for some tired forwards. He looked strong over the pill and showed good technique, cannot fault his involvement. I thought he had a solid game, but he is unfortunately the deer in the headlights for a lot of people given the QC issue. His kicking for touch was very good (too good on one occassion :P)
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Got to say it, I wasnt a Ben Mowen fan. But he was great on the weekend, very happy for him to have got the call up and play like he has. He had one crucial turnover and a great linout take. Good to see him in there. Australia going to have some good backrow seleection headaches with:
Mowen, Hooper, Higgs, Faingaa, Pocock, Fardy
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
Diagree he threw a nice linebreak assist to Hooper hitting the hole earlier in the game.
Gutsy Wallabies force the silence of the Lions
He passed more than Mowen in terms of linking, ran for almost as many metres as Mowen too (admittedly bugger all, but Australia had bugger all possession really).
Deans has gone safety first with his selections
What are you talking about??? I am saying that JOC with CL outside him is untested entity and clearly that was the game plan that the team trained for in the first instance. He thinks (rightly or wrongly) that this will beat the lions. Deans didnt get to use this plan as CL went down inside the first minute. Why change something we have not seen in action, so cannot detemine if it has failed?
Deans has gone safety first with his selections
That is ridiculous.
Wallabies team named to play Lions in Third Test