For the record: I'm supporting you guys.

just threw up in my mouth a little

Wow. Just when you thought everyone had the complacency knocked out of them, Ireland Schmidt the bed.

@Frank said in RWC: Japan v Ireland (Pool A):

Schmidt is on to "Hometown."

Ireland are usually the most disciplined team on the pitch but they came out on the wrong end of a 9-6 penalty count, with Schmidt hinting at some frustrations at referee Angus Gardner – who the Ireland head coach had curiously decided to criticise as recently as Thursday.

“We’ll go back and have a look at it,” said Schmidt. “I certainly understand the frustrations of some of the players and in discussing things with them based on what I saw on the monitor, it’s not too dissimilar from the last time we had this referee.

https://www.the42.ie/ireland-world-cup-japan-schmidt-4828766-Sep2019/

"Our brand of cynical bullshit finally got called on us. It happened with this referee last time but we were too stupid/arrogant/complacent to understand and rectify this either in our preparation, or during the game"

@chimoaus said in Argentina One: Parramatta, 14 November:

@NTA As a neutral are we overreacting or were we really that shit?

I can't speak for all of you as a collective but some of you may be egging it a bit too much in terms of this game being a disaster beyond all disasters. The fact is, this has happened before (RWC2019 SF) and will happen again.

EDIT: I mean in terms of this being rugby. You have to accept losses. Just makes it hard for you bastards you only lose occasionally.

Argentina won the way you always beat the All Blacks: minimise your errors, make your tackles, and don't take any shit at set piece.

I've said it a few times the last month, but I think as fans you guys occasionally get carried away with the freakish skills some of your guys possess, and think that is the difference i.e. that they're just better as a group than everyone. Really, its just that the fifteen individuals you put on the park at one time (fourteen is S Barrett is playing ;)) are probably better players than the other blokes, but what is that saying about Champion Team versus Champion Individuals? Doesn't always work.

@mariner4life - in the same period - has pointed out a few times that when under the pump, the ABs haven't really looked that special. Nothing more than good even in Sydney - it was either dinky kicks breaking things open for you + counterattack (26-0 at halftime), or getting whacked (first part of the second half).

I count one set piece try in the period - and that was a 5 metre scrum where our flanker didn't get off in time at ANZ, leaving the wing stranded.

That has been the AB game plan since Henry / McCaw left: defend, counterattack, and (occasionally) pull off your skills and fitness, complemented occasionally by the odd piece of streaky bullshit. And I'm not saying those skills and fitness aren't great, because the winning record over the last decade speaks for itself.

BUT these skills and fitness aren't really built around any structure besides "You're the Fucking All Blacks, go out and win".

Looking at the last few weeks, maybe the depth isn't as good as everyone thinks. I'll talk about the tight five, because that's my jam.

Big concern for the Wallabies was second row in particular, but we generally stood up physically with Philip, LSL, and even Simmons. On the flipside, guys like Tuipolotou have not shown up with consistency. Whitelock is still a stalwart but looked a helluva lot better with BBBR (as would any of us!)

Your props are fine around the park but getting a bit of a lesson at scrum time, as a collective - that also comes back to your second row being a little frail. The combination there is important, and what stands out is you're not learning on the run. A couple of times the Wallabies put the ABs under pressure and you didn't adjust.

Must say that Coles is a fuckwit who throws his toys when he's not allowed to just swan around on the wing while everyone else does the hard yards (like Codie Taylor).

The backs are going through the motions, and look it isn't park footy and you can't always have a highly structured plan, but "play what's in front of you" has dangers of its own, especially when half the backline changes in the space of 2 weeks from A to B and back again.

Maybe making 9+ changes two weeks in a row wasn't the right decision. Maybe the selections and combinations are just wrong.

Regardless, you haven't really moved the needle in close to a decade, tactically speaking. It makes the ABs an easy target for coaches to plan for: front up physically, don't miss your tackles, and don't give away cheap ball. Of course, that relies on players executing and the Wallabies continue to be plagued by inconsistency.

Contrast Brisbane and Wellington versus ANZ and Auckland from a Wallabies point of view. Chalk and cheese in terms of execution.

The most burning example of this was Caleb Clarke: breaks 8 tackles on his way to setting up a try in Auckland, but was well looked after tonight. Simple game, really.

I've played suburban rugby in Sydney.

Every fucking Kiwi I played with or against was an All Blacks trialist.

Just ask them.

@geebee said in RWC Final: England v Springboks:

@NTA nah its true,and remind me where you are from and why you are here please?

Australian. Long time contributor here, and I've had my share of disagreements with these kiwi bastards but I'm not about to spout fuckwit statements like "not world champs to me".

Wind your neck in, you've got school tomorrow

@duluth said in Wallabies vs Springboks I:

Anyone picking the Aussies?

@dogmeat said in 2018 Football World Cup:

So how bad must Saudi be?

@nta said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158399769766915&id=56918111914&m_entstream_source=timeline&anchor_composer=false

Twitter version

Walk today. Calves were feeling it the first couple of klicks. Basically no jogging at all except a couple of street crossings, so decent pace.

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158399769766915&id=56918111914&m_entstream_source=timeline&anchor_composer=false

Some more detail from Rennie on selections for this week, as well as some general thoughts:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/09/23/everything-rennie-said-about-indispensible-bench-weapon-pete-samu-leota-swinton-and-mcmahon

So as a back rower, with Pete Samu's bench versatility, you're either starting or out of the 23.

Some good stuff around the backs as well.

@stockcar86 said in Four Hour Body Diet:

After hitting 76kg, and my shirts getting pretty tight around the middle,

@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.

@rapido good read. The change in landscape being the main takeaway from that. Of course, it may change again by the time the first keel is laid 🙄

Walk this arvo with a bit of jogging to get the heat rate up and prevent boredom.

@bovidae said in Wallabies v Pumas I:

As Valetini seems to have found his mojo in recent weeks, Wilson looks to be on the outer now. He probably isn't versatile enough to be a bench option over Samu either. Still very young.

Apparently he's been told to go add some bulk to help his impact game.

To me, he's more of a Kieran Read style link player and backup ruck pest. However, when the other 2 options are Valetini and Naisarani, and Pete Samu is Mr Versatility off the bench, I guess it is hard.

Wilson would also need to look at the depth we can call on for blindside and think he's a better shot at 8.

EDIT: one issue for him playing at the Reds is they're a young, mobile forward pack, so his role is fast feet and hands. Others are doing the blockbusting hard lines so he and McReight can range wider and be support. Wilson is still young so he's got time on his side.