The problem for the Rebels was not Quade Cooper, as the player nearest the ball he is supposed to be rushing up to get to the ball.
The problem is the rest of the Rebels backline, and particularly the players either side , they were also rushing up, whereas you can see the Waratahs players propping.
People making excuses Cooper and downgrading Foley are really having a laugh.
In this play both Foley and Cooper go for the overthrow but Foley shows way more. Skill to smatch the ball and turn on the gas.
Foley totally outplayed Cooper this game. It just hurts for those obsessed with Cooper to admit this.
It was a slippery night and both teams played for field position, which was the correct approach, but tends not to lead to many multi phase tries like you describe. The Tahs won through superior discipline and goal kicking in the second half, just as legitimate way to win a rugby game as a try fest. That said the try by Ashley Cooper was the best constructed team effort of all those scored.
So yes, I would be proud of that performance if it was my team. Sometimes you gotta win ugly.
But were the Tahs actually better across the entire park? Would you be proud of that performance?
Not once did they threaten to cross the line after sustained pressure of multiple phases.
They got lucky. The Rebels gifted them the win.
Bigger ticker? Maybe. Stepped up? Questionably.
Tahs got lucky, and by lucky, I mean the Rebels imploded.
They were the less worse of two teams. Foley only survived compared to Cooper totally fading away.
But I wouldn't say Foley did anything special. His first half was atrocious. Sure, Gibson and the Tahs stuck by him, but what other option is there? Foley, and that's it. If there's an injury....
I don't know how Foley running onto a loose ball from a bad over throw translates to "Bernard Foley completely shows up Quade Cooper in long-range try for the Tahs"? Sure, Cooper was there to attempt to clean up, and beaten to the ball by Foley, but the over throw from the Hooker was the guilty play for conceding that try lol.
Long range?? Geez, the title sells it as though Foley did something magical. He ran on to an overthrow at a line out and scored. Nothing showy about it.
In fact, both flyhalf played rubbish. I wouldn't select either, but Cheika will be happy his incumbent won a terrible un skillful game
Matt Toomua.
But on the two who played tonight, Cooper completely failed to assert himself in the second half of that game. In particular during the last couple of minutes he spent all his time with his nose in the ruck, instead of being out the back looking for opportunities and directing traffic accordingly. In contrast after a shaky start with the missed kicks for the sideline, Foley stepped up to effectively win the game in the second half. Foley may be less flashy, but he has a bigger ticker and that is what counts when finishing out tough games.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The problem for the Rebels was not Quade Cooper, as the player nearest the ball he is supposed to be rushing up to get to the ball. The problem is the rest of the Rebels backline, and particularly the players either side , they were also rushing up, whereas you can see the Waratahs players propping.
Jacko
Guest
Cooper is used to club rugby......More time to do what is needed.....Foley quicker between the ears
Redsfan1
Guest
People making excuses Cooper and downgrading Foley are really having a laugh. In this play both Foley and Cooper go for the overthrow but Foley shows way more. Skill to smatch the ball and turn on the gas. Foley totally outplayed Cooper this game. It just hurts for those obsessed with Cooper to admit this.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
It was a slippery night and both teams played for field position, which was the correct approach, but tends not to lead to many multi phase tries like you describe. The Tahs won through superior discipline and goal kicking in the second half, just as legitimate way to win a rugby game as a try fest. That said the try by Ashley Cooper was the best constructed team effort of all those scored. So yes, I would be proud of that performance if it was my team. Sometimes you gotta win ugly.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
But were the Tahs actually better across the entire park? Would you be proud of that performance? Not once did they threaten to cross the line after sustained pressure of multiple phases. They got lucky. The Rebels gifted them the win.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
That is a lot of effort to avoid saying that the Tahs were better, which is in fact the usual reason for a win.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Bigger ticker? Maybe. Stepped up? Questionably. Tahs got lucky, and by lucky, I mean the Rebels imploded. They were the less worse of two teams. Foley only survived compared to Cooper totally fading away. But I wouldn't say Foley did anything special. His first half was atrocious. Sure, Gibson and the Tahs stuck by him, but what other option is there? Foley, and that's it. If there's an injury....
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
I don't know how Foley running onto a loose ball from a bad over throw translates to "Bernard Foley completely shows up Quade Cooper in long-range try for the Tahs"? Sure, Cooper was there to attempt to clean up, and beaten to the ball by Foley, but the over throw from the Hooker was the guilty play for conceding that try lol.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Long range?? Geez, the title sells it as though Foley did something magical. He ran on to an overthrow at a line out and scored. Nothing showy about it. In fact, both flyhalf played rubbish. I wouldn't select either, but Cheika will be happy his incumbent won a terrible un skillful game
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Matt Toomua. But on the two who played tonight, Cooper completely failed to assert himself in the second half of that game. In particular during the last couple of minutes he spent all his time with his nose in the ruck, instead of being out the back looking for opportunities and directing traffic accordingly. In contrast after a shaky start with the missed kicks for the sideline, Foley stepped up to effectively win the game in the second half. Foley may be less flashy, but he has a bigger ticker and that is what counts when finishing out tough games.