Roar Rookie
Joined August 2020
11.4k
Views
7
Published
61
Comments
Published
Comments
The past few months of international rugby have proven one thing, past performances are no guarantee of future results. As we move into the…
As Round 1 felt like a prelude to the Super Rugby season, Round 2 launches with some of the more historically anticipated matches of…
On Saturday night the Wallabies return to Eden Park with the task of keeping Australia’s Bledisloe hopes alive. All too regularly we witness the…
Then there were three. The short finals campaign of Super Rugby AU dawns this weekend. After a spectacular finish to Round 10, we find…
This weekend Super Rugby AU presents us, the fans, the viewers, the tragics with two curious matches. In each respective game, there is a…
Saturday night’s game between Rebels and Reds will provide onlookers with a number of anticipated match-ups and serious consequences for Wallabies caps in July.…
The team sheet announced by the Reds suggests they are treating this weekend's match against the Waratahs as anything but a bankable win. While…
Great article Harry.
I have to agree with your observation, the second row has been a continued spot of weakness for the Wallabies. I think in the absence of Izack Rodda, Simmons would be a wise inclusion. You don’t get 100 plus international caps by being an inefficient Lock! Much of what he contributes goes unseen, and what I liked in his last few Gold jersey tests was that he showed a game awareness that our other tight forwards lacked. Lets also not forget that Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is also now at Northampton and it will be interesting to see how his career progresses after a difficult super season with injury. However LSL does not have the set piece skills of Simmons.
'Spend them all on locks': Giteau Law bolters Dave Rennie should pick to fix Wallabies' biggest weakness
Hah! had to read over again to find that typo! I am sure there are more!
'Luxury the Wallabies sorely miss': How the Bledisloe rivals match up man-for-man and the key area ABs dominate
Yes and I would add that on the odd occasion that McReight has come from the bench for both the Reds or Wallabies, he has not looked threatening. I think he either starts or he doesn’t. Rennie is maybe worried about how he breaks the All Blacks in the final 15minutes, and maybe thinking that McReight can get a few turnovers late in the game to achieve this. However I still think Samu coming on fresh in the last quarter has more impact on the game.
'Luxury the Wallabies sorely miss': How the Bledisloe rivals match up man-for-man and the key area ABs dominate
I think its the reason why Lukhan Salakaia Loto was ostracised from the Reds. Those braids were in clear defiance to the Mullet standard set by McDermott, Wright, McReight and Creighton. He had to go.
'Luxury the Wallabies sorely miss': How the Bledisloe rivals match up man-for-man and the key area ABs dominate
Shake & Bake!
Great final round, hoping for wins from the Reds and Tah’s, expecting the worst. Also hoping it will be a dry night in the stands at Force v Hurricanes!
Super Rugby tipping panel Week 15: If you ain't first you're last
Thanks for the read Rhys,
Yes the skill level was a point of difference for the reds. However in regards to strength and conditioning, this may not have been managed particularly well. We have seen injuries, soft tissue, to a number of high profile players. Also what was glaringly obvious at the game and may not have been so much televised was the number of times the Reds players were going down between play and requiring physio work. Kalani Thomas and the outside backs in particular looked very uncomfortable all game.
Reds' commitment to skill and strength shows against the Force
Thanks Jez,
Yes the Tahs forward pack certainly looks a lot better in comparison to 2021. I think the Reds have the advantage here as their 4-8 play a more expansive game and are better drilled to do so. The Tahs have some strong individuals but they may lack the cohesion for multi phase attack.
Refreshed Waratahs host Reds in Super Rugby Pacific Round 2
Thanks, yes the contest between the halves will be exciting, but I think JOC and Tate have this covered.
Refreshed Waratahs host Reds in Super Rugby Pacific Round 2
Hooper is a clever cookie. He puts his Mum on jersey washing duty every week. Best way to secure your place in the team!
UPDATED: Ultimate guide to Autumn Series week 2 - Teams, talking points and predictions for all six games
Rennie should take the same approach as my under 8’s Soccer coach. Open the jersey bag on the morning of the game, step back and let the kids fight for their favourite number.
UPDATED: Ultimate guide to Autumn Series week 2 - Teams, talking points and predictions for all six games
Would be interested to know the accurate numbers. Rugby Au site has a headline number of 246,000, which I thought was high.
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
Given our population in comparison to NZ. I would assume our participation numbers in rugby are greater. The sport does however compete for talent against more popular codes.
I understand your point but I don’t agree that playing in a lower level of competition is the solution. I have no problem seeing the Wallabies lose (and occasionally win) against the All Blacks and Springboks. I think a shift to second tier international competition would be more detrimental to the sport in Australia. I would prefer to see inclusion of Fiji into the current club and RC format.
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
Haha, not sure about the punch in the face, putting more points on the board would be a better strategy.
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
True, never want to see anyone cop a injury and our competent midfield stocks are getting low. As much as I would like to see a return of Samu Kerevi when available, I wouldn’t want it to be on the back of a injury to To’omua, Paisami or Ikitau.
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
Always welcomed on a Friday afternoon!
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
I hope they remember that there is a separate volume knob for the radio alarm.
Snoozy All Blacks set early wake-up call
I like your fruit metaphor.
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
What I enjoy about watching those replays is the realisation about how much the game has evolved. I was 15 when that was played and rugby was like a religion to me, yet following it consistently, you tend not to notice the incremental changes that occur over time. But the comparison between now and then, they could be different sports!
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
Pressure rarely gets to the AB’s, they are professionals from 1-23, but the Wallabies are always in with a chance of winning.
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
Thanks KCOL,
“There’s not a lot of flash in this team” Agree, not as currently it stands, Noah is progressing well and perhaps with To’omua outside him he may have the confidence to play a little more expansively. Also we are yet to see what he has learnt Quade Cooper over the past weeks!
But yes the Wallabies will likely play to current strengths, attacking from set piece hoping to catch out a sleeping or flat footed opposition.
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
That’s right JC, two game’s this test season at Eden Park shouldn’t be considered a negative or a foregone conclusion. As always I just want to see a good competitive game!
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
Thanks MP, yes the AB’s are the rightful favourites, they have vulnerabilities, but boy they are tough to find and even tougher for teams to exploit. Good luck to Wallabies and I hope we have a decider in Perth, that may allow me to justify the price of admission!
What will the Wallabies make of their second bite of the cherry at Eden Park?
I believe Simmons reached his 100 caps under Rennie. By the end of Chieka’s tenure his first choice locks were Arnold-Rodda. Simmons was battling with the likes of Coleman and LSL as the 3rd/4th choice lock in 2019. He is still likely in a top 5 of available Australian locks based on form, so its not surprising to hear his name thrown out there.
No one is gifted caps, this is a silly notion. At test level incumbents are rarely afforded more than 1-2 poor games to prove their position, before being dropped.
'Spend them all on locks': Giteau Law bolters Dave Rennie should pick to fix Wallabies' biggest weakness