@MiketheSnow said in Rennie Sacked, Eddie In!:

I don’t think any coach would have done significantly better than Rennie if they’d had to select from a very shallow pool of players with the pool springing a leak and play the teams Australia played during his tenure

It was a panic decision

@NTA said in Italy v Australia:

@MN5 said in Italy v Australia:

@NTA said in Italy v Australia:

@ACT-Crusader said in Italy v Australia:

@Winger said in Italy v Australia:

WTF. Bad result for NZ as we need a stronger Aust. Hope the team can sort themselves out and win at least one of their next 2 games

Yeah nah.

The ABs will continue to play what’s in front of them when it comes to the Wallabies. They’ve been inconsistent over the past 15 years - from very good to very poor. They don’t have great depth (not that unusual) and there were a bunch of newish players in this side. They didn’t perform and were whistled off the park because of poor discipline.

Look longer term: we're a tier 2 nation. Everyone who thinks we're top tier haven't looked at the history of mostly average work, garnished with a couple of awesome stretches where we punched above our weight.

You only just beat Scotland. It doesn’t get much lower than that

And could so easily have lost .... Bar the massive choke from Kinghorn...

They were keeping the powder dry for the victory over the ABs tomorrow.

@Bovidae said in France v Australia:

Holloway is the player who has really stood up this year with his physicality . Fainga'a has a habit of missing key lineout throws.

The try on HT was the real killer blow.

I think there was a knock on by Fickou.

@Derpus said in ANZAC XV:

It would probably involve the tier of player just below/on the edge of test selection. Doubt you'd have centurians like Whitelock or Hooper lining up.

It'd still be fun though - I think a 23 selected from the best players in SR who arent currently in either test 23s would be fairly competitive.

And yeah, a true ANZAC team would only have a handful of Wallabies - Hooper, Koirobete, Kerevi, Valetini and White would probably be the only ones in with a shot.

I'd say the whole starting front row would get a look in.

Just saw Young's yellow card from this game. What an absolute shocker. That's as clear a red as you'll see.

@pakman unseen? Hardly. Still evident v Japan

@Tordah said in Bled 1 Melbourne - pick the score:

ABs to get a decent lead, then falter and almost lose it at the death, but for a B Foley knock-on.

About the closest prediction so far

@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe 1:

And if you are league supporter, just be sure to remember that whatever sanction a judiciary spits out there is a premium on top of that for any Warriors

Using the WE CAN'T PUNISH FANS AT FINALS TIME clause, because... well..... 😉

Belated watch of second half.

Not much in it. Injuries buggered Aussie backline, and the way the half went hampered what looked to me like opportunity against tiring Boks.

As it was, BOK’s refereeing mid half left a lot to be desired. Nine consecutive penalties including seven around 22 only gave way to warning, when a yellow was warranted. Then TMO call for relieving penalty. Wallabies might well have expected to have scored a try after all that at around 60, and at 10-17 would have made it more interesting.

As was, Boks’ mugging of Gold in H1 was always likely to be decisive.

@nostrildamus there’s only one ball and we want it - Pinetree, probably.

Watched the remainder just now.

I maintain there was fuck all between the teams and to be honest the Ockers were probably more creative and looked more likely to score.

Obviously the better team (the one who scored more points being the the one who conceded less points) won.

But not sure you can point the blame at Rennie because his team looked more likely to score more and concede less.

Happy if the Aussies toss him pre RWC though.

@booboo said in Pumas v Wallabies I:

Watching "Mini" on Stan.

Just on half time ref pings Aus for jumping across the line...

Only did that because the throw wasn't straight dick head ...

See my previous comment about Mike Adamson hating Rugby

@nostrildamus said in Australia v England - the decider:

@MajorRage said in Australia v England - the decider:

@Derpus said in Australia v England - the decider:

@ACT-Crusader Something seriously wrong with you if you'd rather England win.

England fans have never:

Punched me on a train after a game Ruined a dinner party over rugby
> 3. Tried to start a fight with me after the ABs lost

Cmon England.

I'd be surprised at number 3 as well..

My experience of England rugby fans over the years has been almost entirely positive. Very little in the way of unpleasantness, just the occasional bit of boorish behaviour. Maybe it’s different seeing things from an opposition viewpoint. I would also say that my overall positive view of England fans is mirrored by all the other countries too. In the main, rugby fans first, jingoistic second.

@Stargazer

Good on Mitchell for honouring the bet. Awful voice though.

@Stargazer said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

I actually agree with the decision in Swain's case. That was the softest head butt to get red-carded I've ever seen. It was stupid to respond to a provocation like that, no doubt, but it's ridiculous that he gets suspended while the grub who pulled his hair (and the incident earlier in the game) didn't even get a mandatory meeting with the Disciplinary Committee.

The softest I've ever seen was Mose Tuiali'i on Marius Joubert. It was more like a head push than a butt. Tuiali'i was red carded in the first half, the Stormers would still lose and Tuiali'i would be suspended for 3 weeks (entry point was 6 weeks).

And some say history doesn't repeat?

Swain decision definitely seems worthy of getting the blood pressure up over lol

@gibbon-rib said in Wallabies v All Blacks (Melbourne):

@booboo said in Wallabies v All Blacks (Melbourne):

@gibbon-rib said in Wallabies v All Blacks (Melbourne):

when the 80 minute hooter went, and the crowd went mad

Reminds me of a number of videos of the 2011 RWC final. The bandwagon jumping Kiwis who thought we'd won when the siren went ...

It's no surprise at all in Melbourne, expect better from Auckland though

Was really weird. Even some videos of the crowd at the ground. May track them down when more compos mentis.

Back on subject ... a trip to Melbourne in Spring would not be all bad ..

Full match on the World Rugby YouTube channel. Geo-blocked in NZ, so you need to use a VPN to watch it.

Finally got around to watching the Breakdown interview with Chelsea Semple. Was interesting to hear some of what she thought is so different with the new coaching and in doing so highlighted some of what was previously wrong.
There’s no feeling of places being anything but contested with the coaches actively turning over rocks and giving new players chances to show what they have. The older players are actually being pushed to be better to hold their places.

@duluth And that three-match ban will become a two-match ban ...

The No.8 will miss the Brumbies’ Super Rugby Pacific trial matches against the NSW Waratahs on January 29 and the Brumbies’ development team the following week plus their competition opener against Moana Pasifika on February 18.

But Valetini can opt to complete a Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention course to have his ban reduced to two matches.

That avenue is available to offending players in the hope of modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play.

I hadn't realised that that option to complete a Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention replace one of the matches a player is suspended for, had been adopted for the November internationals. Is it part of the law trials, or is it an official rule now? I only remember it being trialled by the the U20s a few years ago.

By the way, that a game of the Brumbies development team counts towards his suspension is ridiculous.

@nta said in England v Australia:

@higgins no ruck - play on, unfortunately.

Further to that: the option for Ikitau was to hit the deck and wait, but it wouldn't have made a lot of difference - only Leota and McDermott were in frame and there were about 8 Poms on their feet.

@mn5 said in Scotland v Australia 2021:

@gibbon-rib said in Scotland v Australia 2021:

I just checked the 6N odds out of interest. Clearly the bookies / betting public don't think this is a new dawn for the Scots

France 48/29
England 5/2
Ireland 9/2
Wales 6/1
Scotland 12/1
Italy 1000/1

12 is better than 1000 though

True. And probably better value too.

@stargazer said in Japan v Wallabies:

Wallabies media release:

Nathan Williamson  /  Oct 20, 2021 Hunter Paisami returns for Wallabies to face Japan | Latest Rugby News | Wallabies Rugby Hunter Paisami returns for Wallabies to face Japan | Latest Rugby News | Wallabies Rugby

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Hunter Paisami will replace the injured Samu Kerevi for Saturday's match against Japan.

When I hear the name Paisami I always think of some sort of Italian charcuterie I really must sample.

@nta said in Wallabies v Pumas II:

Good press conference from Rennie.

"In my day it was a sprained ankle. Now it's syndesmosis which is apparently worse..."

Not sure that you need us to send you Moses, you've been playing quite well the last few games.

It's a feeling I haven't had in a while as a Wallaby fan: to be happy with a comfortable win, but feeling we played a bit below our best. We left at least three tries on the park. JOC bombed one, Nic White didn't realise the law around grounding on the post pad had changed (unforgiveable), and a few times we lost our cool with numbers out wide.

But our general play around the park was as good as it's been in a long time. Defended well, secured our own ruck ball, created space and then exploited it with simple catch-and-pass. Our 10-12-13 is the best it's looked since the Foley-Giteau-AAC axis at the 2015 World Cup.

Sets up our NH tour really nicely. Not sure how undermanned we will be but that England game looks very enticing.

@machpants said in Wallabies v Springboks II:

@nta said in Wallabies v Springboks II:

@smuts said in Wallabies v Springboks II:

Congrats Aussies. First time in forever that I’ve not even watched the highlights. Hope it feels great.

Cheers. Not a great couple of games by your okes but hopefully they'll take it out on the ABs 😉

I don't know much about your coach, but a quick wiki search shows he's Rassie's man, and TBH it smacks a little of nepotism. Hopefully there is a bit of a shakeup and the Boks find their groove. And some fitness training!

One thing on which I agree with Keo: trying to play like someone else is just going to hurt the Boks. Use their strengths by all means, but they've not yet made sure they can execute that to the level required against faster teams.

That would never happen in the ABs……

Not a little smack, no...

@machpants said in Wallabies vs Springboks I:

@frye said in Wallabies vs Springboks I:

alt text

Malherbe hardly in fine fettle either.

Can you imagine what he's gonna look like after retiring? 😲

Foster? 😜

must have been a cold day..

@nostrildamus said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):

ooh baby

Tom Decent  /  Sep 9, 2021  /  Rugby Union He’s back: Cooper to partner McDermott against Springboks, Bell starts He’s back: Cooper to partner McDermott against Springboks, Bell starts

After 1541 days in the international rugby wilderness, Quade Cooper will be back in a Wallabies jersey this weekend.

Too traumatised to face ABs, so now Noah is a mental wreck from the same!

I have another apology for the AB coaches, I thought in an earlier Bledisloe the coaches had the bench replacement timing all wrong. Maybe, but it is clear that a bigger issue is, the AB bench just isn't of the same calibre.

@pakman said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe 1 Eden Park 7th Aug:

@nta said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe 1 Eden Park 7th Aug:

@pakman said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe 1 Eden Park 7th Aug:

@chris said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe 1 Eden Park 7th Aug:

Smashed in the scrum not good by the subs

Bell monstered Ta’avao.

Having Matt Philip behind him helps. I've only just reached that point.

Having just rewatched it may be Ta'avao has been a bit hard done by. First scrum after Patty T on and Whitelock swaps sides. PT packed very high on Karl, and looks like Sam slipped off Ta'avao, who then has whole Wallaby pack driving through him.
Poor cohesion by Black pack, whereas Wallaby changes seem to have been upgrade.

Ta'avao did Ok at previous scrum with Codie and BBBR still on, although scrum did collapse on his side.

@stargazer said in Wallabies v France 3:

@gibbonrib said in Wallabies v France 3:

@steven-harris where did you find that?

Sadly that statement doesn't clarify the decision at all. I'd like to watch that video to see if that helps (fully expecting that it won't though).

@stargazer said in Wallabies v France 3:

@gibbonrib It's only the media release. Not the decision.

Oh, shit, I forgot that if a red card is dismissed, there won't be a written decision. Just the media release.
So the media release is all we get. It has been published on the WR website now, btw.

Forget getting a further clarification of the decision.

For those nerdy enough to care, WR have released a written decision:

https://resources.world.rugby/worldrugby/document/2021/07/21/231213a5-9cec-4fe5-9fbd-82ec2b9f40f9/HRM000.1.996-Decision-M-Koroibete.pdf

It's a bit wordy, but I've read it so that you don't have to. Key points it makes are:

There was no contact to the head Initial contact was to the shoulder There was contact to the neck This means it is technically foul play The degree of danger was not high, so it should not have been a red

Things it doesn't clarify are:

Whether the degree of danger was low (starting sanction: penalty) or medium (yellow card) Whether there was significant mitigation (it mentions both players dipping into the tackle, but doesn't rule on whether that was relevant to the decision) Whether the correct decision would have been a yellow, or just a penalty

Things it doesn't say, but strongly implies:

Jelonch is a cheating git

@booboo said in Wallabies v France 2:

@mariner4life said in Wallabies v France 2:

Until last night the only rugby i had watched all year was the first 50-odd minutes of the Super Rugby TT final (and taht was on a small screen with no volume, through a boozed up haze, while simultaneously punting on harness racing and asian gallops), but that test reminded me why i love this game.

I know it's not great for the purists, or if you actually are supporting one of the teams, but errors make good rugby. Errors offer up opportunity, and when both teams are willing to have a crack at that opportunity, it makes for a spectacle.

What i saw was a young Aussie team with deficiencies in key areas having a real fucking go. You can't fault their endeavor, just their execution let them down at precisely the wrong time. Veletini was bloody good i thought, made repeated dents in the defense and never stopped throwing himself at the French. With the ball the Aussie forwards had a heap of vigour, problem was they couldn't muscle up on defense. And their ruck work was very ordinary. That little 2nd pop pass really is more miss than hit. They played most of the rugby, but could never make it count on the scoreboard. They were still full of running at the end too.

The French were pretty good too. Not much on attack outside of some eye catching counter. it was route 1 football and it was often brutally effective. The hooker had approximately 58 pick-and-goes, the 7 was in to everything, and i was impressed with the work of the skipper at #8. The fullback looked fucking classy as well.

Short turn around to the final test will be interesting. World Cup pool-of-death sort of stuff.

Front paged

Great. Cements the evidence that a certain poster doesn't even watch rugby but has lots to say about it 😉

@cgrant said in Wallabies vs France 1:

@act-crusader
Couilloud is ranked Nr.3 in France, behind Dupont and Serin.
Irribaren, who replaced him during the later stages, is not even the fourth best halfback in the country. Machenaud and Lucu (and Kockott and Parra, but these two are not in contention for Les Bleus) are rated higher than him.

I watched all the French 6Ns matches and what impressed me was the speed of the ball from the ruck from DuPont and Serin.

Speaking of the 6Ns, like last night the French had some last minute heroics and last minute heartbreak - the Wales match and the 80th minute try to win, Scotland scoring in the last minute to win, England snatching a win from them in the final couple of minutes.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/126893931/a-bit-of-a-surprise-wallabies-veteran-kurtley-beale-never-gave-up-hope-on-unlikely-dave-rennie-call

@chimoaus of they could give the AR a laser pointer and he shines it in the eyes of the offending player to let him know 🙂

I think generally once players know they wont get away with it, they will adjust thier own behaviour.

@NTA no! This is the last time I try to explain reading a refs mind on a discussion forum! 😭

@NTA said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

@Nepia said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

I don't think those fans exist (Australians maybe?)

Only as good as your last 2 Tests, boys. 😎

We've got the Foster * that we can lay on the table through this dark, dark time.