Roar Rookie
Joined July 2021
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“Cleveland, this is for you.” I know you’re probably thinking: what does LeBron James have anything to do with a Wallabies series win against…
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” I recently…
The Wallabies got their 2021 Test season off to a winning start against Les Bleus on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium. While it took…
I remember seeing Paia’aua play in the Wallabies trial where he played against the Wallabies in the possibles side at Leichhardt Oval in 2018. Was close to best on ground and next thing he was gone to Toulon. All the skills in the world hopefully he can translate those to test level if he gets a crack!
Quade Cooper added to Wallabies squad as 'mentor' but available to play in Bledisloe Cup
100% Jacko!! Couldn’t agree more. Can only play what’s in front of you
How the Wallabies are winning back the public
Agree with that point re the big men not fighting for that extra bit of gain line. It’s something the top sides do so we’ll.
Valetini wasn’t able to translate his SR form to the test level which I found interesting as I thought he would’ve had a bigger impact!
How the Wallabies are winning back the public
Enough there to write an article boredofstudents!
As mentioned, if France had DuPont, Ntamack and a few others who are world class players. Of course their quality improves dramatically straight away.
Your points around the game needing to be explained by commentary are spot on and so relevant. I was a call with my boss this morning (an ex soccer player) who said he enjoyed watching the game but had no idea what was going on. He said, “I don’t get why when one team has the ball they just kick it away so much.” As you said this could be translated so much better by those commenting to win over the average Joe whose now put it on because it’s on FTA!
How the Wallabies are winning back the public
Good questions freddieeffer,
I think it comes down to how kids are coached from when they start playing the game. It’s usually parents who are doing the coaching at this age who aren’t equipped with the skills or knowledge to coach these youngsters and give them a good grounding when it’s important. In no way is this a dig at the parents but rather the development structures currently with rugby in Australia.
I was talking with a mate who has a 6 year old son recently who said; “mate look no further than the juniors. I coached my boys u6s, me and another former player got given a couple old balls and told to do our best. At soccer I got given 12 training balls, wp2 match balls, training bibs, cones, coaches shirt and ball bag. I’ve also had 2 coaching seminars.”
So I think that’s where it starts and it then filters up through the ages and in some cases to some of the semi professional clubs where the coaching isn’t up to standard.
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
Cheers Sherry, I’d put Hooper in that World class category. I don’t get the criticism he gets here in Australia when he’s so respected by fans and players around the world, but that’s just me!
I like the path this sides on even though both tests so far haven’t been spectacular. There’s some talent to come through with the u20 side from 2019 who made the final of the World Cup. So I’m hoping we see that group come through leading into 2023 and help us keep building.
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
Yeah I agree TC, on YouTube there are a couple of good interviews with Ronan O’Gara if you’re interested.
He talks about staying in the now and doing whatever you need to right then and there. He says If you’re thinking about what’s next is when you’ll see a skill error and or technical error so I think you’re on the money there.
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
I’d definitely agree RahRah, although I don’t think some of these youngsters have the ability to get there with some good coaching that I believe Rennie, Wisemantle and co. Can give them.
Playing the style it looks like they’re wanting too takes time but it’s frustrating as fan when wanting results.
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
It’s a good question Rich, I think a number of things come in to play. As we’ve seen in these first 2 tests, the breakdown is one of if not the most important part of the game and can cost team or on the flip side like the French, win teams a game. They clearly had tactics to attack us here, if you watched a majority of their tackling players ended up on the Australian side of the ball and slowed the first Australian player coming to clean out by a split second which allowed the next French player a split second to get their hands on the ball, to steal or at the least slow down our ball. I believe the ref could’ve controlled this area better so maybe it was on Hooper to keep reminding the ref around the tactics the French were using as it was a clear tactic and they could have been penalised a bit more I thought.
As for identity, it seems they want to play an attacking game where they build their phases and back their skill sets. This will take some time but I think good things are coming under Rennie. They look fit and look like they’re buying into his style.
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
Thanks ManilaA, I was pretty lucky my dads profession was a rugby coach so I was pretty close to the game from an early age and fell in love with it through him.
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
Thanks! 2nd article.
WFH due to Covid has given me a bit more time to get into some writing and I’ve enjoyed it!
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
Big fan the podcast mate! Keep them coming
Keeping up with the trends and the importance of having more than a Plan B
Good pick up re: Hosea!
I left Harrison out on purpose as I just don’t see him as a quality playmaker. Isaac Lucas is someone with potential to be a genuine playmaker but as we know is unavailable for other reasons!
As for the centre’s I agree, Perese and Ikitau could be anything if they keep growing and have a good run injury wise and off the field.
And yes, there are plenty of players overseas who would strengthen our depth and add to our quality but I left them out under the current rules the ARU are sticking too.
The rugby two-up: 'It's not rust, Australia lacks depth in every position'
After the last few years of struggling with experienced players, did you think we’d come out firing last Tuesday night and be world beaters all of a sudden?
The England side that won in 2003 got flogged years earlier with Wilkinson and co as youngsters yet they stuck together and had success.
The Springboks that won the 2007 World Cup were horrendous at the 2003 World Cup and in years leading into the tournament. Yet they developed their squad, built depth with a mix of talented youngsters and experienced older heads which culminated in World Cup glory.
If you read my comment in no way am I saying that we have World Class depth. What I’m saying is there’s enough young talent who’ve had success at u20 level in 2019, mixed with some proven, experienced players to potentially build a squad moving forward to 2023 World Cup which is what these cycles are for.
The rugby two-up: 'It's not rust, Australia lacks depth in every position'
Props: AAA, Tupou, Bell, Slipper, Sio, Fa’amausili, HJH, Zander.
Hookers: BPA, Faiinga, Lonergan, Porecki, Kaitu’u, Pollard.
Locks: Phillip, Salakai-Loto, Swain, Timani, Blythe, Douglas, Rodda.
Back row: Hooper, Leota, Wilson, Swinton, McReight, Valetini, Wright, Wells.
Halfbacks: White, Tate, Gordon, Lonergan, Thomas.
Fly-Half: O’Connor, Lolesio, Donaldson
Centre’s: Paisami, Perese, Foketi, Simone, Toomua, Ikitau, Walton.
Outside backs: Daugunu, Hodge, Koroibite, Vunivalu, Wright, Muirhead, Kellaway, Grealy,
Whilst you could argue the class of a lot of these players would not be of “World Class”. If we’re honest, Australia hasn’t been a world class team for a while now.
I do however think we have some exciting depth, and with the right “systems” and coaching; there’s enough talent in that list to build something for us to be excited about come 2023.
*There’s clearly a play making issue with some even unsure if O’Connors our best option at 10. This is an area we need to develop with the current generation and the ones to come.
The rugby two-up: 'It's not rust, Australia lacks depth in every position'
Call it what you want Ken, if we don’t fix the issues there, our attack will continue to just be glimpses of what could be, without us ever finding any flow or consistency.
Let's focus on the moments between the madness for the Wallabies
Some great thoughts Cheika_mate,
Consistency and continuity will be important. Interesting to see they’ve given Tupou a chance to start and stuck solid with the halves. Another chance to grow a combination and like you said they’ll all be better for the run. Let’s hope to see some improvements as there are some troops still to come that we’ll need later in the year against the Kiwis.
The back 3 will need to improve for sure. No doubting the ability but Test footy requires more than ability and unfortunately I haven’t seen test level from Banks as yet, here’s hoping!
Let's focus on the moments between the madness for the Wallabies
Thanks mzilikazi,
Interestingly watched the All Blacks struggle to match the Fijian intensity at the breakdown last night, which in turn hampered Smith and Barrett’s ability to play their natural game.
Such an important area of the current game and one the Wallabies will need to improve from here on.
Let's focus on the moments between the madness for the Wallabies
Cheers Tony,
I guess time will tell with Banks as we don’t have a whole lot of other options lining up putting pressure on him.
The worry for me with Tupou is pigeon holing him as an “impact player”. Yes Test level is a step up from Super Rugby, but he’s proven against top quality NZ sides that he can do what he does from the start of a match. When playing against the top sides, what good is an impact player if he’s coming on with the game already lost?
Let's focus on the moments between the madness for the Wallabies
Cheers Olly, no doubt Tate has a lot of work to do on those core skills required for the position he plays.
I just think with White streets ahead when healthy, Tate is our 2nd best option so worth getting him as much experience as possible until Whites back.
Let's focus on the moments between the madness for the Wallabies
Jimbo, who would be your preferred choice at 7?
I’m guessing your a QLDer (as am I) and I’m guessing your option would be McReight?
Let's focus on the moments between the madness for the Wallabies
Cheers jeznez!
Will be interesting to see which way Rennie goes considering a shorter turn around than usual. The Test on Tuesday should hopefully make another week in isolation easier!
Let's focus on the moments between the madness for the Wallabies
Tahs won’t see Hooper for the first 4-5 rounds I believe. May do it tough until then as he’ll add a lot of value to this young side
Super Rugby Radar: Only way is up as Hooper and Coleman have Tahs fans frothing