[2015 RWC] Pool A: Australia vs. Wales (10/10/2015)

[valley commando]

He got a retrospective yellow card for it....which is about right.

In real terms what does a retrospective yellow mean does he have to miss 10 minutes of the next training session ?

 

[AzaMatt]

In real terms what does a retrospective yellow mean does he have to miss 10 minutes of the next training session ?

Basically nothing, they have to have 3 in one competition and they get a ban apparently.

 

[MojoPin]

[video]https://youtu.be/0Aeq2lJlu64[/video]

And who was the ref standing in clear view of the incident in question!!!!!
Get rid of this incompetent buffoon.

Not being sarcastic at here but...who? Clicked the link but couldn't see the guy's face...

 

[Red Ted]

One of the interesting thing about the Wales/Australia match is that Cheika has been so innovative in his approach to attack and Gatland and Edwards have been so fixed in their approach to defence. That blitz defence has stood Wales in good stead over recent years but when it breaks down it leaves so much space open behind, I noticed in the England match that Cheika has adapted the running diamond from open play to backs starting play from the breakdown (I suppose he could even do it from the set piece). I wonder if he noticed the English perpendicular line set up behind the scrum (might have worked if the English scrum had not been so vulnerable against Australia). Both types of running could, potentially, neutralise the blitz style of defence, maybe its time for Wales to innovate in the defensive line when such formations are apparent.
I am also worried about the scrum, Wales seems to have drifted backwards (forgive the pun) in scrum technique even since the warm up games, what Fiji did to us was frightening. I worry that the wrong referee could mean that we are leaking penalties and points from an early stage and thereafter, and despite what happened against England catch-up rugby is hard!!

 

[AzaMatt]

One of the interesting thing about the Wales/Australia match is that Cheika has been so innovative in his approach to attack and Gatland and Edwards have been so fixed in their approach to defence. That blitz defence has stood Wales in good stead over recent years but when it breaks down it leaves so much space open behind, I noticed in the England match that Cheika has adapted the running diamond from open play to backs starting play from the breakdown (I suppose he could even do it from the set piece). I wonder if he noticed the English perpendicular line set up behind the scrum (might have worked if the English scrum had not been so vulnerable against Australia). Both types of running could, potentially, neutralise the blitz style of defence, maybe its time for Wales to innovate in the defensive line when such formations are apparent.
I am also worried about the scrum, Wales seems to have drifted backwards (forgive the pun) in scrum technique even since the warm up games, what Fiji did to us was frightening. I worry that the wrong referee could mean that we are leaking penalties and points from an early stage and thereafter, and despite what happened against England catch-up rugby is hard!!

Nice analysis, that move with the diamond formation was spectacular for foley's try. Don't think we'll get caught out by it now though as gats will be expecting something like that again.

 

[Red Ted]

Of course what I mean by the wrong referee is one that knows what he is doing

 

[tompaton7]

I'd pick this team:

1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Scott Baldwin, 3. Samson Lee, 4. Luke Charteris, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Sam Warburton, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 9. Gareth Davies, 10. Dan Biggar, 11. Liam Williams, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Tyler Morgan, 14. George North, 15. Gareth Anscombe
BENCH: 16. Ken Owens, 17. Paul James, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Jake Ball, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Lloyd Williams, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Matthew Morgan

Retain Gethin, because I don't don't think James will add a huge amount to the scrum in comparison. Plus we need to go hard at the breakdown, hence the reason for the Warburic combination. Moriarty is on the bench as I feel he would offer more impact than Lydiate with his carrying later in the game. Lydiate to come back in for the quarter final. Only for this game bare in mind, to counter the threat of Pocock (I know Hooper is gone, but Poey makes most of their turnovers). In the backs Williams moves to wing, to accomodate Anscombe at the back. Cuthbert simply should not be there anymore and with Williams to 11, Anscombe is the best option for this game, as he has a good kicking game and is decent with ball in hand. Matthew Morgan is great but I'm scared he'll run us into trouble at some stage, so bring him on for spark later in the match.

I do feel they will go with Lydiate again though, Gatland is pretty consistent in that regard. I think with Hooper out it might change his mind.

For the Aussies, I wonder if they'll shift Pocock to 7 and put McCalman at 8 or if they'll put McMahon to 7 and continue the dual openside combination. Will be interesting to see.

I do think the Wallabies will get up, but I don't its going to be a blowout. In the 7 times we've lost since that 3rd place play-off last world cup, the largest margin of victory has been 8, with the rest of the matches within 7 points. There has been 2 last minute victories and 2 won in the last 5 minutes. So it will be tight. They are a better team now though than before so I reckon they will take it by 10. This is a tournament defining game for Wales in my opinion. If we win, I can see a road to the final for us with all the teams in that half of the draw being teams we know how to win against. In fact, if we win, I wonder what the possibility of a rematch between the teams in the final would be? It's happened last 2 world cups so it could happen again but only if Wales win. If we go into the other side of the draw, it's game over unfortunately. Anyway bring it on, can't wait!

 

[General Tah]

[video]https://youtu.be/0Aeq2lJlu64[/video]

And who was the ref standing in clear view of the incident in question!!!!!
Get rid of this incompetent buffoon.

Probably the same bloke that allowed Burgess to try a decapitate one of our players.

 

[Ospervat]

Not being sarcastic at here but...who? Clicked the link but couldn't see the guy's face...

The AR is Marius Mitrea (Italy) To be fair he should have also called it.

The ref is Poite. You can see him on the other side of the ruck quite clearly.

 

[Red Ted]

Nice analysis, that move with the diamond formation was spectacular for foley's try. Don't think we'll get caught out by it now though as gats will be expecting something like that again.

What would the defensive strategy be? Blitz is OK if we reach the first playe in the diamond before a pass after that all bets are off: I do wonder whether a split defence might be the answer or whether it will leave even bigger gaps. Rugby is essentially like military strategy in attack either overwhelm or flank the enemy. Defence has always been a case of overwhelm (the Blitz) dig in (drift) or adopt guerilla tactics, what are the guerilla tactics for rugby?

 

[Ospervat]

Probably the same bloke that allowed Burgess to try a decapitate one of our players.

And you'd be absolutely right. Poite is just not up to standard.

 

[AzaMatt]

What would the defensive strategy be? Blitz is OK if we reach the first playe in the diamond before a pass after that all bets are off: I do wonder whether a split defence might be the answer or whether it will leave even bigger gaps. Rugby is essentially like military strategy in attack either overwhelm or flank the enemy. Defence has always been a case of overwhelm (the Blitz) dig in (drift) or adopt guerilla tactics, what are the guerilla tactics for rugby?

I have no idea haha. I suppose that kind of attack relies on the defender taking the wrong man or getting 'blocked', if our defence are expecting that to happen then it might not be so easy for them to create those gaps. Not sure how exactly it could be stopped though, especially as we tend to only have one man behind our initial line of defence

 

[Red Ted]

I have no idea haha. I suppose that kind of attack relies on the defender taking the wrong man or getting 'blocked', if our defence are expecting that to happen then it might not be so easy for them to create those gaps. Not sure how exactly it could be stopped though, especially as we tend to only have one man behind our initial line of defence

I wonder if a planned interception is possible? That would fall within the definition of guerilla tactics!

- - - Updated - - -

BTW "interception" as a tactic is not a serious suggestion in case Sean Edwards is dipping in for inspiration.

 

[Swansea Osprey]

I just think that even though Morgan is small and Hook is capable of throwing the odd "interception" lol they both are capable of an " X factor " moment and changing the game ? Put Liam Williams on wing instead of Cuthbert and he can interchange with Morgan for highball situations!

 

[Belvedere]

I just think that even though Morgan is small and Hook is capable of throwing the odd "interception" lol they both are capable of an " X factor " moment and changing the game ? Put Liam Williams on wing instead of Cuthbert and he can interchange with Morgan for highball situations!

When was the last time hook created one of those X-Factor moments for Wales?

By my reckoning it was about 2006.

 

[AzaMatt]

I just think that even though Morgan is small and Hook is capable of throwing the odd "interception" lol they both are capable of an " X factor " moment and changing the game ? Put Liam Williams on wing instead of Cuthbert and he can interchange with Morgan for highball situations!

as much as i agree with the williams/morgan suggestion we all know it wont happen. williams will go to full back with the god awful cuthbert on the wing again.

 

[bushytop]

Batsy, I have been reading this forum for a few months now but never posted but I feel obliged to make my first post in reply to your comment about Wales playing games in Cardiff.

In 1999 when Wales was the host nation various games went to other stadiums in the UK and Ireland. I don't know which games they were but I know that England played a few games in Twickenham. The deal was then that Wales would have a few games in Cardiff when England eventually hosted the tournament. The two games Wales have played at home were against Uraguay and Fiji, neither were the most significant of matches in this pool and having attended the Uraguay match I can say from personal experience that the atmosphere was not that of your average home game and at times will have been more of a disadvantage.

I am not the first person to say this to you but please listen on this occasion. It is not unfair nor does it give Wales an advantage it does, however, spread the much needed income across the British Isles and make for a more diverse and enjoyable tournament.

Cheers

That my friend... Is a fine first post.

 

[wayevs]

This should be a close game on the face of things. A couple of reasons why , firstly Australia almost certainly won't play as brilliantly as they did in twickers last week , last week they were out for revenge big time , a lot of stuff said in the English press only served to **** of the aussie and make them more determined for the win, another important reason - they are without 2 of their best players folau and man of the match last week(regardless of the decision) Michael super hooper! Yes they did have good replacements in mcmahon and Beale but the would put them in the league of the former 2 . Also Australia will almost take this win for granted , they haven't lost in the last 10 so you can't blame them, thing is when you go out expecting to win as always you can sometimes go through the motions , it happens to Wales alot when they play tier 2 teams that they are expected to win! . so taking all this into account I see a close game but Australia as usual will take the victory by 3-7 points . If they come out and play like they did last week then it will be a 15 point plus win however I don't see them replicating last weeks performance.

 

[bushytop]

When was the last time hook created one of those X-Factor moments for Wales?

By my reckoning it was about 2006.

On the whole I tend to agree but don't think he's had a run at 13 in a while. Never liked him at 15, wanted to like him at 10 but he just never did it in the welsh shirt. I did however like him at 13 (probably around 2008ish).

 

[AzaMatt]

On the whole I tend to agree but don't think he's had a run at 13 in a while. Never liked him at 15, wanted to like him at 10 but he just never did it in the welsh shirt. I did however like him at 13 (probably around 2008ish).

I think we'll see him replace Morgan around the 60 mark