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Rugby Union
The Rugby Championship 2023
[2014 TRC] Australia v South Africa in Perth (06/09/2014)
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<blockquote data-quote="RoosTah" data-source="post: 670166" data-attributes="member: 12207"><p>Definitely agree with all that. Whatever people say about our backs though, our forwards are where we're losing games, and lock in particular. Simmons and Carter just aren't test standard for me; they just lack the grunt and power necessary to impose themselves at this level and it makes it that much harder for the backs. The guys just look like soft private school boys too - and that doesn't help (would love it if we could unearth a bloke like Brad Thorn). This is certainly where Australia's selection policy hurts us - I'd rate Douglas, Horwill and Timani all ahead of Simmons and Carter, but the reality is we don't have a serious world class player there to match it in the big tests.</p><p></p><p>The front row is funnily enough looking more stable - I was pretty impressed with how well we went given we're now down to our fourth choice hooker. Hooper was pretty good again, but I still feel like at test level against powerful sides like the boks we'd be better off with Pococks more abrasive and confrontational approach.</p><p></p><p>You're right about Palu too - he does a tonne of work, but because he doesn't bash through players whilst carrying 5 on his back like in the style of a guy like Sam Moa over in the NRL people think he's not doing anything.</p><p></p><p>On the backs though, Foley had a pretty nervous start I thought, and whilst Phipps was quicker and generally more accurate than White, he needs to let the captain make the decisions - his quick tap option in the first half was stupid and unnecessary - there was nothing on and we turned the ball straight over.</p><p></p><p>As for Folau, he is truly dynamite with the ball in hand, but he seriously can't kick to save his life, and more and more I can't help but think the obvious solution is to drop AAC to the bench, put Beale at 15 and shift Folau to the wing.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RoosTah, post: 670166, member: 12207"] Definitely agree with all that. Whatever people say about our backs though, our forwards are where we're losing games, and lock in particular. Simmons and Carter just aren't test standard for me; they just lack the grunt and power necessary to impose themselves at this level and it makes it that much harder for the backs. The guys just look like soft private school boys too - and that doesn't help (would love it if we could unearth a bloke like Brad Thorn). This is certainly where Australia's selection policy hurts us - I'd rate Douglas, Horwill and Timani all ahead of Simmons and Carter, but the reality is we don't have a serious world class player there to match it in the big tests. The front row is funnily enough looking more stable - I was pretty impressed with how well we went given we're now down to our fourth choice hooker. Hooper was pretty good again, but I still feel like at test level against powerful sides like the boks we'd be better off with Pococks more abrasive and confrontational approach. You're right about Palu too - he does a tonne of work, but because he doesn't bash through players whilst carrying 5 on his back like in the style of a guy like Sam Moa over in the NRL people think he's not doing anything. On the backs though, Foley had a pretty nervous start I thought, and whilst Phipps was quicker and generally more accurate than White, he needs to let the captain make the decisions - his quick tap option in the first half was stupid and unnecessary - there was nothing on and we turned the ball straight over. As for Folau, he is truly dynamite with the ball in hand, but he seriously can't kick to save his life, and more and more I can't help but think the obvious solution is to drop AAC to the bench, put Beale at 15 and shift Folau to the wing. [/QUOTE]
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[2014 TRC] Australia v South Africa in Perth (06/09/2014)
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