[RWC2019][Pool D] Round 2 - Australia vs. Wales (29/09/2019)

[Derpus]

Wallabies have a stronger bench imo.

With Foley and AAC into the starting side I'd like to revise my previous optimism.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Wallabies have a stronger bench imo.

With Foley and AAC into the starting side I'd like to revise my previous optimism.

Cheika likes his Waratahs lol

But seriously Foley has been out form this year, his kicking terrible. AAC is so slow at the moment.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

So Cheika reverting back to his old Tah’s playmaker in Foley. A bit harsh on Lealiifano, to drop from the 23 completely.

 

[bushytop]

I think Cheika was waiting for any excuse to reintroduce Foley... and CLL’s performance against Fiji was enough to do so (in his opinion not necessarily mine).

Still not getting too excited as I’ve seen this movie too far many times but ‘on paper’ I’d take the Welsh back-line over that of Oz by some margin. Obviously it all comes down to how the forwards generate momentum though and Oz did look strong in the tight five... and Pocock is always going to create havoc at the breakdown. Wales have a more than decent pack, who scrummaged well for a half against the Georgians, had a pretty good line-out and are always a handful at ruck and maul time.

Australia 20 - 21 Wales

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Good to see Genia start, made a massive impact when he came on vs Fiji

That Welsh backrow is gonna get battered.
Shame it got so decimated by injury and form drop offs cause it was class before

 

[bushytop]

Good to see Genia start, made a massive impact when he came on vs Fiji

That Welsh backrow is gonna get battered.
Shame it got so decimated by injury and form drop offs cause it was class before

Honestly, I would’ve gone 6. Navidi 7. Tips & 8. Moriarty but Gats has obviously been very impressed by Wainwright... I do rate him myself but still wouldn’t have him as first choice yet (I’d trust the coaches judgement over my own though).

Either way, they aren’t the strongest or the most powerful (though Navidi punches above his weight) but they’re quick and their work rate is normally exceptional.

I’m hoping you’re wrong as in order to get the win, the back row confrontation is probably going to decide the outcome.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Which one of the Welsh coach's who was saying Wainwright could be better than Warburton; was it Robin McBride? High praise indeed. Can't say I've seen enough of him to warrant such high praise.

I think this is a must-win game for Wales if they have any ambitions to get to the final and hopes of lifting the trophy. This is the weakest Wallabies team I've seen and they are there for the taking. I don't read too much in the streak of losses being snapped last November, which was a truly terrible game, as I recall.

This match is the pick of the weekend's matches ahead of Ireland v Japan for me, so really looking forward to it. For the Boyos on here, I am backing them to beat the Wobblies in a close one by 5 points. Especially if England top their pool, I am actually preferring to meet Australia in the quarters, rather than the Welsh.

 

[bushytop]

Which one of the Welsh coach's who was saying Wainwright could be better than Warburton; was it Robin McBride? High praise indeed. Can't say I've seen enough of him to warrant such high praise.

I think this is a must-win game for Wales if they have any ambitions to get to the final and hopes of lifting the trophy. This is the weakest Wallabies team I've seen and they are there for the taking. I don't read too much in the streak of losses being snapped last November, which was a truly terrible game, as I recall.

This match is the pick of the weekend's matches ahead of Ireland v Japan for me, so really looking forward to it. For the Boyos on here, I am backing them to beat the Wobblies in a close one by 5 points. Especially if England top their pool, I am actually preferring to meet Australia in the quarters, rather than the Welsh.

Feelings mutual, we’re hoping both you guys and ourselves top our groups and avoid each other. It’s not that I don’t think we can beat you (& I’m sure the English would feel confident of getting the victory also) it’s just a Wales vs England game takes so much out of the players that with a SF and a Final still to go... it would probably be asking a bit much.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I rate him, he's only 22 and only started playing rugby 4 years ago. However he's the dynamic type flanker, will make plenty of tackles, do loads of work and carry well in the wider channels. The problem is on the other flank is Tipruic who is a similar type of player and one who is much more accomplished at this point. Moriarty would have been better suited to start this game though, i still hoping that Shingler can hit is pre-injury form as a I think that an inform Shingler at 6, Tipruic 7 and Navadi 8 is Wales' best backrow. (That they can field in the WC)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Rufus looks good, think the comparisons to Warburton are a bit much though - pundits gonna pundit though, these little snippets should never really be taken seriously.

Tipuric is the weak link in the back row, he never looks good against tier 1 opposition (too lightweight/no aggression in his play so his carries and tackles make no impact and he gets blown away at the ruck). An on form Moriarty (or a Taulupe) at 8, allowing Navidi to shift to 7 and then Tipuric on against tired legs would be a massive improvement.

 

[bushytop]

Rufus looks good, think the comparisons to Warburton are a bit much though - pundits gonna pundit though, these little snippets should never really be taken seriously.

Tipuric is the weak link in the back row, he never looks good against tier 1 opposition (too lightweight/no aggression in his play so his carries and tackles make no impact and he gets blown away at the ruck). An on form Moriarty (or a Taulupe) at 8, allowing Navidi to shift to 7 and then Tipuric on against tired legs would be a massive improvement.

I definitely agree with that last part.

I do think you’re underrating Tips performance against Tier 1’s a bit though. I agree that you don’t see the Tipuric we all ‘expect’ in these match ups but he does a lot of the dirty, spoiling work that POM gets huge plaudits for in the Irish set up.

Our back-row was the bedrock of the recent GS, and you can’t have no passengers.

 

[MikeTheNative]

The way Wales play doesn't really suit Tirpuic's strengths but only last AI he was good against SA as well Hooper and Pocock in the Aus game.

 

[bushytop]

The way Wales play doesn't really suit Tirpuic's strengths but only last AI he good against SA as well Hooper and Pocock in the Aus game.

Yeah I’m sure he got the MOTM award in at least one of those matches... maybe both.

Edit. Also, I’d imagine that with Wellies influence over possession, it will only play further into Tips wheel-house.

 

[bushytop]

@Pom in Exile

What’s the viewpoint on this match-up from down under?

 

[Pom in Exile]

@Pom in Exile

What’s the viewpoint on this match-up from down under?

There’s a fair bit of despondency actually based on Foley playing, also many feel that it’s Wales’s time given that there’s been plenty of close games over recent years that Australia have come out on top, Wales have shifted the balance a bit.
One thing I can tell you is that there is a promo on Foxtel which literally fawns all over Wales and bigs them up to an almost ridiculous degree. It’s in stark contrast to the promo before the England series down here a couple of years ago which had to be seen to be believed in how contemptuous it was of England and the English, it openly mocked the team, players and country. Well England royally ****** them in the ass for that one....so maybe Australia have got this one...who knows. It’s a bit of a Sophie’s choice for me though I have to say.

 

[bushytop]

There’s a fair bit of despondency actually based on Foley playing, also many feel that it’s Wales’s time given that there’s been plenty of close games over recent years that Australia have come out on top, Wales have shifted the balance a bit.
One thing I can tell you is that there is a promo on Foxtel which literally fawns all over Wales and bigs them up to an almost ridiculous degree. It’s in stark contrast to the promo before the England series down here a couple of years ago which had to be seen to be believed in how contemptuous it was of England and the English, it openly mocked the team, players and country. Well England royally ****** them in the ass for that one....so maybe Australia have got this one...who knows. It’s a bit of a Sophie’s choice for me though I have to say.

Cheers Pom, sounds like they might be bigging us up to ride the sense of positivity should they win.

I get the Sophie’s choice remark as you’d have to deal with the brunt should the Ozzie’s beat you but surely you’d fancy your chances ‘more’ against the Wobblies than a hard fought NH slug-fest (at only the QF stage)?

 

[Pom in Exile]

Cheers Pom, sounds like they might be bigging us up to ride the sense of positivity should they win.

I get the Sophie’s choice remark as you’d have to deal with the brunt should the Ozzie’s beat you but surely you’d fancy your chances ‘more’ against the Wobblies than a hard fought NH slug-fest (at only the QF stage)?

Yes very probably. The average Aussie fan has zero faith in Chieka, they literally can’t stand the bloke and think that he’s wilfully incompetent but he’ll be a bloody hero if he takes Australia deep into the tournament.
As an England fan I’d rather face Australia than Wales, not least for the reasons you mentioned, however I wouldn’t feel confident despite the fact that I think England are clearly a better team than Australia. It doesn’t generally pay to get too far ahead of oneself.

 

[bushytop]

Yes very probably. The average Aussie fan has zero faith in Chieka, they literally can’t stand the bloke and think that he’s wilfully incompetent but he’ll be a bloody hero if he takes Australia deep into the tournament.
As an England fan I’d rather face Australia than Wales, not least for the reasons you mentioned, however I wouldn’t feel confident despite the fact that I think England are clearly a better team than Australia. It doesn’t generally pay to get too far ahead of oneself.

You sure you’re English?

 

[TheSaffycen]

I think if Oz play how they did against Fiji in the first half Wales will win quite comfortably, Wales have a right defence and if they got a lead of 10/13 points then I couldn't see the wallabies turning it around.

Back row battle will be brilliant

 

[Goodey]

My fantasy team has Leallifano in it so I low key hope Australia lose

Isn't the first time I've felt screwed over by the Wallabies