Rugby Championship: Australia - Argentina (15/09/2012)

[madflyhalf]

Left me wandering the pick of Barnes at full back.
Against the second most kicking team you should put a specialist out there... He will be bombed and put under enormous pressure.

Not understimating Phipps, he can be very hungry for work, btw the problem is he isn't the playmaker that Genia uses to be; PMC is surely a door shut and locked, but has distribution qualities of a 6yo kid ("Mine! mine! mine!"): QC risks an overloading of responisibility without any playmaker inside or outside him! Barnes must stand up often from back and working as a second playmaker, otherwise there will be a lack of creativity (again).

We can make a game:
Which body part will the Wallabies captain break this match?

Guess 3 times and you will be named Wallabies captain.

 

[Darwin]

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

Yep, I'm supporting the Aussies in this one, as in a few months I'm going to be one of them! When it happens, I am considering changing my name to Dingo Darwin

Anyways..... I agree that putting Barnes at fullback is a bit of a gamble, but I personally think it will pay off. Barnes spent a lot of time against South Africa covering at the back, and looked very comfortable under the high ball - I'm sure he will be tested, but I think he actually has the skillset to be a very good fullback. I suppose time will tell....

 

[admartian]

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

Yep, I'm supporting the Aussies in this one, as in a few months I'm going to be one of them! When it happens, I am considering changing my name to Dingo Darwin

Anyways..... I agree that putting Barnes at fullback is a bit of a gamble, but I personally think it will pay off. Barnes spent a lot of time against South Africa covering at the back, and looked very comfortable under the high ball - I'm sure he will be tested, but I think he actually has the skillset to be a very good fullback. I suppose time will tell....

:huh:Not sure if serious....

 

[Darwin]

:huh:Not sure if serious....

Yep, I'm deadly serious. I think picking Barnes at fullback is a gamble, but I think it will pay off

Oh, and yes I'm going to be officially an Aussie in a few months, as I have just this afternoon accepted a job in Brisbane..

 

[nickdnz]

Yep, I'm deadly serious. I think picking Barnes at fullback is a gamble, but I think it will pay off

Oh, and yes I'm going to be officially an Aussie in a few months, as I have just this afternoon accepted a job in Brisbane..

You're off to live in Oz? Eww.

Heard stalking Ben Smith was a fulltime job, the commute will be a killer.

 

[admartian]

You're off to live in Oz? Eww.

Heard stalking Ben Smith was a fulltime job, the commute will be a killer.

You'd think so right?

I guess that's what IP trackers and remotely activate, secret cameras are for...

 

[Darwin]

You're off to live in Oz? Eww.

Heard stalking Ben Smith was a fulltime job, the commute will be a killer.

I was thinking of taking him with me - I'm sure the Reds could do with a world class fullback

 

[InsaneAsylum]

You won't know the difference living in Brisbane, just like back home ey bro

 

[Big Ewis]

agree mostly. maybe we have a chance here, but i dont see the pumas winning in australia. but i guess the´ll be close. we are going to need better bench to be able to beat any of these teams. we are allways falling apart on the final 20 minutes, for the game with australia we have the psicological advantage of having beaten them before. everybodys mind in argentina is focused on australia, but this wallabies, actual champion of the tri nations, who have just beat sa rather confortably, are as dificult as the other 2 teams

yeah man, but they didn't really beat SA comfortably. They were tied (19-19 I think ?) until that last try at the end of the game. But anyways, there's no way to determine what will happen, again. We've seen times where Australia gets smashed at home by the Boks, and then the very next week they go on and win in NZ on the road...each game, a new anatomy, a new psychology...

Rugby really is a sport that is heavily concerned with psychology...

I'm gonna trust the Pumas on this one and bet on them...

 

[madflyhalf]

yeah man, but they didn't really beat SA comfortably. They were tied (19-19 I think ?) until that last try at the end of the game. But anyways, there's no way to determine what will happen, again. We've seen times where Australia gets smashed at home by the Boks, and then the very next week they go on and win in NZ on the road...each game, a new anatomy, a new psychology...

Rugby really is a sport that is heavily concerned with psychology...

I'm gonna trust the Pumas on this one and bet on them...

Ehrm... while I agree on the psychological side of rugby, I'd like to mind you that the last time the Wallabies were "smashed" at home by the Springboks were in 2009, when they lost 25-32 (3 tries vs. 2), not a proper smashing.
The following match they won 21-6 in Brisbane.

That was the Bokke who won the Lions Series, when IMO they probably peaked as never before.
That was an Australian side still assembling with many guys who won't featured again in the following years.

After that, Australia lost to South Africa once in 2 years (2010 in the first test on the highveld), won 6 of the last 7 matches, with a streak of 5 consecutive wins against them.


And the last Aussie side who won in New Zealand was the class of 1986.

 

[Shaggy]

Yep, I'm deadly serious. I think picking Barnes at fullback is a gamble, but I think it will pay off

Oh, and yes I'm going to be officially an Aussie in a few months, as I have just this afternoon accepted a job in Brisbane..

Congrats on the job ... just in case you develop alzheimer's disease, you can take comfort in the knowledge that someone will always be available to remind you that you are a Kiwi, and to cheer you up with a well though out, and clever, Sheep joke

... Anyway, on the topic yes, they needed to make room for their goal kicker somewhere, and as Kurtley isn't fit for 80 minutes of rugby (apparently), then fullback isn't a bad place to put him.

I just feel that he number of players unavailable to the Wallabies, due to injury, is going to take it's toll ... no disrespect to Phipps, but they'll miss Genia's leadership ... no Horwill, Pocock, Genia, O'Conner etc, leaves just about all of the responsibility on Nathan Sharpe's shoulders.

Also consider that the Pumas don't have any injuries, a great scrum, an awesome defense, and an openside that will contest the breakdowns, and I think they are in with a more than reasonable chance to take this match

 

[Draggs]

I was thinking of taking him with me - I'm sure the Reds could do with a world class fullback

I was about to say, I wonder if we'll hear reports of Smith signing for the Reds.
New job, right Darwin???

Tough match to call, this. Australia didn't look a great side against the Springboks, and will be missing Genia. On the other hand, Argentina will still be disappointed from that SA draw and want to start winning matches. Australia can be very fragile at times. If Argentina can get an early score and play level-headed rugby (they have the player capable of doing this), then anything is possible.
I do think it will be an Australia victory, but I am **** at predictions.

 

[admartian]

Congrats on the job ... just in case you develop alzheimer's disease, you can take comfort in the knowledge that someone will always be available to remind you that you are a Kiwi, and to cheer you up with a well though out, and clever, Sheep joke

... Anyway, on the topic yes, they needed to make room for their goal kicker somewhere, and as Kurtley isn't fit for 80 minutes of rugby (apparently), then fullback isn't a bad place to put him.

I just feel that he number of players unavailable to the Wallabies, due to injury, is going to take it's toll ... no disrespect to Phipps, but they'll miss Genia's leadership ... no Horwill, Pocock, Genia, O'Conner etc, leaves just about all of the responsibility on Nathan Sharpe's shoulders.

Also consider that the Pumas don't have any injuries, a great scrum, an awesome defense, and an openside that will contest the breakdowns, and I think they are in with a more than reasonable chance to take this match

THose Aussies, - soooooo original... Congrats anyway Darwin!



I was a bit worried of the Pumas over-committing to Genia/Cooper and leaving the other one to space. But with Genia gone, and Barnes all the way at FB, who's gonna bail out Quade?

 

[ari_ale]

Argentina haven't to forget that this is his first tournament, the Pumas are learning from the best three teams in the world.
This is not time to win games. It's time to improve his attacking play.

If Argentina wins any game, this would be very good for everyone.
but the most important is to improve for the next years.

 

[Darwin]

You won't know the difference living in Brisbane, just like back home ey bro

Yeah, I hear it is basically the same ey bro... though I understand the weather is a bit better!

Congrats on the job ... just in case you develop alzheimer's disease, you can take comfort in the knowledge that someone will always be available to remind you that you are a Kiwi, and to cheer you up with a well though out, and clever, Sheep joke

... Anyway, on the topic yes, they needed to make room for their goal kicker somewhere, and as Kurtley isn't fit for 80 minutes of rugby (apparently), then fullback isn't a bad place to put him.

I just feel that he number of players unavailable to the Wallabies, due to injury, is going to take it's toll ... no disrespect to Phipps, but they'll miss Genia's leadership ... no Horwill, Pocock, Genia, O'Conner etc, leaves just about all of the responsibility on Nathan Sharpe's shoulders.

Also consider that the Pumas don't have any injuries, a great scrum, an awesome defense, and an openside that will contest the breakdowns, and I think they are in with a more than reasonable chance to take this match

Thanks Shaggy. Those Aussies are certainly a clever bunch, they always surprise me with the wit

In terms of the match... I agree Australia's lack of experience could be a major issue, especially if the game is tight. Nathan Sharpe certainly has a lot of pressure on him this match!

I was about to say, I wonder if we'll hear reports of Smith signing for the Reds.
New job, right Darwin???

Tough match to call, this. Australia didn't look a great side against the Springboks, and will be missing Genia. On the other hand, Argentina will still be disappointed from that SA draw and want to start winning matches. Australia can be very fragile at times. If Argentina can get an early score and play level-headed rugby (they have the player capable of doing this), then anything is possible.
I do think it will be an Australia victory, but I am **** at predictions.

I was going to predict an Aussie victory, though given you have predicted that I am no reconsidering my prediction!

THose Aussies, - soooooo original... Congrats anyway Darwin!

I was a bit worried of the Pumas over-committing to Genia/Cooper and leaving the other one to space. But with Genia gone, and Barnes all the way at FB, who's gonna bail out Quade?

Cheers mate.

In terms of bailing out Cooper, I have always believed that Cooper is always better off with a hard running centre to bail him out, rather than another playmaker. This is because Cooper always likes to spend a lot of time with the ball - by the time he makes a decision to pass the ball of think it is too late for the player outside him to do too much, and as such having a hard straight runner is often the best option. McCabe often gets criticized for not passing the ball enough for Australia, but this is often as he is used as a bail out option for Cooper, so doesn't really have much time to do anything. I just have a suspicion that Cooper will thrive as the sole playmaker, though I suppose we will find out on Saturday!

 

[admartian]

Cheers mate.

In terms of bailing out Cooper, I have always believed that Cooper is always better off with a hard running centre to bail him out, rather than another playmaker. This is because Cooper always likes to spend a lot of time with the ball - by the time he makes a decision to pass the ball of think it is too late for the player outside him to do too much, and as such having a hard straight runner is often the best option. McCabe often gets criticized for not passing the ball enough for Australia, but this is often as he is used as a bail out option for Cooper, so doesn't really have much time to do anything. I just have a suspicion that Cooper will thrive as the sole playmaker, though I suppose we will find out on Saturday!

That's an interesting alternative view. Never thought of it that way.

I think he's the type of player that has no middle. As in, he only really thrives when his forwards or others re having a good day; and if not, he's invisible.

As opposed to other 10's where they're not breaking the game, but they're not doing anything stupid either and still influencing positively.

 

[petite]

is Cooper the Cristiano Ronaldo of rugby? i allways think that when i see him showing off..

 

[Colombia]

is Cooper the Cristiano Ronaldo of rugby? i allways think that when i see him showing off..

People assume Cooper is showing off but he is just playing the game. Like Hernandez, Cooper is one of the most naturally talented players to ever pick up the oval ball.

 

[Icemn]

People assume Cooper is showing off but he is just playing the game. Like Hernandez, Cooper is one of the most naturally talented players to ever pick up the oval ball.

cooper is a league player, union does not suite him

 

[The big Kangaroo]

cooper is a league player, union does not suite him[/

how?