Pool C - Australia, Ireland, Italy, Russia, United States - Page 6

Quaggas · 17-09-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TT Boy

No Pocock for the Aussies. Ireland have a chance.

TTB called it.

Johnners · 17-09-2011, 09:29 PM

I'm guessing it's Wishful thinking, but would anyone give Italy much chance of upsetting Ireland?

Athlai · 17-09-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnners

I'm guessing it's Wishful thinking, but would anyone give Italy much chance of upsetting Ireland?

Italy are pretty woeful. But then again a lot of the lesser teams have been putting up some top performances so it isn't completely out of the question.

Burgey · 17-09-2011, 09:37 PM

Well, I'd like to say I'm surprised that a pack of poncy GPS Silver Spooners didn't stand up when it was time to roll the sleeves up, but it's been Australian rugby culture since, well, forever really.

Hurricane · 18-09-2011, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBH001

Need to get past the Boks in the QF first, I think.

The Australian forwards are simply just not up to it. Their tight 5 was outmatched in the set-piece and their back three in the loose. The lack of Pocock and Moore was an issue, but I think missing Moore had more of an impact as he has had a stellar year, is good at the graft and a good and combative runner. I don't think Pocock would have made too much difference at the breakdown given the dominance of the Irish forwards (although, that said, he would certainly have been streaks better than his replacement). A lot of work seems to have gone into the forwards but they seem to crumple against muscular/physical opposition.

It's a pity that Berrick Barnes was out most of the year with injury, but even if he has not had much test play he needs to come back for the USA/Russia games, and then, all going well, play against SA. He has the brains and composure to direct play when things are not going well which Cooper, at the current time, lacks. The Australian mid-field with McCabe/Faingaa also offer little, and Barnes/ACC would offer more on attack and defense.

Deans should really have rung the changes early in the second half, but he has always been reluctant to use the bench throughout his tenure. I can understand that sometimes, but last night, Higginbotham needed to be on earlier as did S Faingaa and maybe Palu (I don't really rate Palu, he is a little reminiscent of Kefu but not really a patch on him). Simmons went alright and should start in the final group games.

But yeah, given the Bok performance against Fiji, I think a QF exit for the Wallabies is on the cards.

Since we don't have a "like" button - let me say good post mate.

Zinzan · 23-09-2011, 02:24 AM

Australia win the toss & elected to bat on a damp pitch ...hang on

Hurricane · 23-09-2011, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinzan12

Australia win the toss & elected to bat on a damp pitch ...hang on

This is either a clever play on words or you are in the wrong thread.

I am honestly not sure which.

Athlai · 23-09-2011, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurricane

This is either a clever play on words or you are in the wrong thread.

I am honestly not sure which.

Ye of little faith

Hurricane · 23-09-2011, 09:44 PM

My new Aussie backline after watching Barnes' kicking

Genia
Cooper
JOC
Beale

11 AAC
14 Ioane

Barnes 15

Edit Barnes must play and should either be 10 or 15 - they are the only spots where you can have a kick first mentality that he has. He was a terrible 12.
Only issue I have with my backline is whether cooper can handle the defence - at 13.

HeathDavisSpeed · 24-09-2011, 01:31 AM

I'm honestly not sure whether Barnes fits in the team. I don't think Cooper is best served being played in the Centres. I'm also not really sure what the Aussies' game plan is in terms of territorial kicking against better teams. I thought they looked a bit undercooked against the Yanks last night; maybe trying to get rid of the cobwebs that formed against the Irish. Too many utility backs, and not enough specialists, maybe?

Hurricane · 24-09-2011, 01:57 AM

Yep good post heef,

Return of Barnes relieves Australia's Rugby World Cup pain - Rugby World Cup - NZ Herald News

This article seems to suggest the backline worked better with Barnes in command. I think he is a better 1st 5 than a centre. So if he is to play then I think Cooper should move elsewhere.

All this said you have valid points and I think that Aussie should be shooting for stability at this stage of things rather than making major reshuffles such as cooper playing out of position. So I side with your view after consideration rather than mine.

I do think Aussie is going to struggle without a genuine goal kicker though. And this is what caused my post.

I think if they do play Barnes at 2nd 5 like the article suggests then they won't beat anyone.

HeathDavisSpeed · 24-09-2011, 02:14 AM

None of these place kicking options last night are good enough on the evidence they put up, but I think Barnes, Beale and Cooper are all better at place kicking then they showed last night. Barnes hit a couple of nice ones shortly after he came on, but went off the boil shortly after.

Odd to see Samo on the wing for the last 10 minutes.

Uppercut · 24-09-2011, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnners

I'm guessing it's Wishful thinking, but would anyone give Italy much chance of upsetting Ireland?

Of course. We have a tendency to play to the level of our opponents and we were seriously lucky to beat them last time the sides met.

JBH001 · 24-09-2011, 03:54 PM

Barnes needs to play with, ideally, AAC outside him. He should slot in at 12 and inter-change, IMO, with Cooper at 1st 5. The real issue though is the Australian forwards, Pocock has to return and enough has to be done for parity with the South African forwards. Frankly, I am doubtful that I will see this happening.

Australia had best pray that Italy pulls off an upset against Ireland.

Hurricane · 24-09-2011, 11:47 PM

Russia vs Namibia would be a good game - but this isn't.

17-09-2011, 09:37 PM	#79 (permalink)
Burgey Cricket Web Staff Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Castle Posts: 35,138	Well, I'd like to say I'm surprised that a pack of poncy GPS Silver Spooners didn't stand up when it was time to roll the sleeves up, but it's been Australian rugby culture since, well, forever really. __________________ WWCC - Loyaulte Mi Lie "People make me happy.. not places.. people" "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson "Oh my God, there's a castle! A castle!"

23-09-2011, 09:44 PM	#84 (permalink)
Hurricane International Captain Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wellington Posts: 7,359	My new Aussie backline after watching Barnes' kicking Genia Cooper JOC Beale 11 AAC 14 Ioane Barnes 15 Edit Barnes must play and should either be 10 or 15 - they are the only spots where you can have a kick first mentality that he has. He was a terrible 12. Only issue I have with my backline is whether cooper can handle the defence - at 13. Last edited by Hurricane; 23-09-2011 at 11:03 PM.

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23-09-2011, 02:24 AM	#81 (permalink)
Zinzan Cricketer Of The Year Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: cover point Posts: 9,734	Australia win the toss & elected to bat on a damp pitch ...hang on

24-09-2011, 01:57 AM	#86 (permalink)
Hurricane International Captain Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wellington Posts: 7,359	Yep good post heef, Return of Barnes relieves Australia's Rugby World Cup pain - Rugby World Cup - NZ Herald News This article seems to suggest the backline worked better with Barnes in command. I think he is a better 1st 5 than a centre. So if he is to play then I think Cooper should move elsewhere. All this said you have valid points and I think that Aussie should be shooting for stability at this stage of things rather than making major reshuffles such as cooper playing out of position. So I side with your view after consideration rather than mine. I do think Aussie is going to struggle without a genuine goal kicker though. And this is what caused my post. I think if they do play Barnes at 2nd 5 like the article suggests then they won't beat anyone.

24-09-2011, 02:14 AM	#87 (permalink)
HeathDavisSpeed International Coach Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rummaging through Iain O'Brien's dustbins. Posts: 12,899	None of these place kicking options last night are good enough on the evidence they put up, but I think Barnes, Beale and Cooper are all better at place kicking then they showed last night. Barnes hit a couple of nice ones shortly after he came on, but went off the boil shortly after. Odd to see Samo on the wing for the last 10 minutes.

24-09-2011, 03:54 PM	#89 (permalink)
JBH001 International Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3,236	Barnes needs to play with, ideally, AAC outside him. He should slot in at 12 and inter-change, IMO, with Cooper at 1st 5. The real issue though is the Australian forwards, Pocock has to return and enough has to be done for parity with the South African forwards. Frankly, I am doubtful that I will see this happening. Australia had best pray that Italy pulls off an upset against Ireland.

24-09-2011, 11:47 PM	#90 (permalink)
Hurricane International Captain Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wellington Posts: 7,359	Russia vs Namibia would be a good game - but this isn't.

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