The Wallabies look fatter and slower every time they step on the park. I don’t know what those Union guys did to Wendell. What a slow ass. What about Latham, runs on his heels like an extra puppet from the Thunderbirds set. Rogers played pretty well but you can only do so much on your own.
Maybe we should play the Aussie Rugby League team v the NZ All Blacks. Now that would be a contest!
You shouldn’t be so harsh on your own players dcw23, the Wallabies did well in patches but were outclassed by a far better backline. I thought Wendell did well, he is not a speed merchant like the All Black’s wingers but his style is very much like a football running back (strong running and good agility) and he has used it effectively (the try that he scored was an awesome individual effort). Mat Rogers made the All Blacks defense look silly at times, he is a class player.
The Wallabies constantly troubled our lineouts and the All Blacks will have to do something about Carlos Spencer’s lack of goal kicking consistancy.
Latham however, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Apparently across the Tasman a lot of Aussies are calling for Latham as the starting fullback? The guy is a real liability on defense, I’ve seen so many players turn him inside out, he is not worth his place on the team for his attacking merits alone.
One thing I noticed that they should take from league is the offload. The All Blacks have no answer for it. Tuquiri did a beautiful offload to Rogers and it sliced NZ to pieces. It also makes the game much more interesting for spectators.
Yes, Wendell’s try was good but his defense is still suspect at times as he is so slow to turn. I don’t know about those gloves either.
There’s no real playmaking ideas in the Wallabies but there is talent there for sure. Maybe if they could play with the same side for more than game! Clearly Rogers should be starting every game and Tuquiri will work when he is fed with quality and everything is allowed to gel.
fell asleep…guess I didn’t miss much…
I can’t believe they didn’t use Tuquri more. He is probably Australia’s most powerful attacking weapon out wide, I believe he could match Rokocoko in terms of flat out speed.
The Wallaby backline made him look useless with the poor quality ball he received.
Exactly David! He definitely has the ability to match Rokocoko in speed but I think there are some real issues with the conditioning of all the Aussie squads. I think they are living in an era gone by.
I worked with the 2002 Auckland NPC team (NPC champs) and 2003 Blues team (Super 12 champs) in the past seasons and they had some players with extraordinary ability (eg. Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Joe Rokocoko). In fact the whole team had great all round conditioning which has been greatly improved since the previous years. This is due to the great work done by their head trainers. I don’t want to breach confidentiality and give away details as to how they trained but I can tell you that their methods were certainly different to the Charlie Francis Training System principles.
they had some players with extraordinary ability (eg. Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Joe Rokocoko). In fact the whole team had great all round conditioning which has been greatly improved since the previous years. This is due to the great work done by their head trainers. I don’t want to breach confidentiality and give away details as to how they trained but I can tell you that their methods were certainly different to the Charlie Francis Training System principles. [/b][/QUOTE]
I think you start building a great rugby or league team by rounding up your fastest players. Then the trainers have to protect and, hopefully, continue to develop that speed while gradually building muscle mass, power and power-endurance.
I worked as performance manager in 1990/91 with the Penrith Panthers in the NRL to lay the basis for their title win. I worked only during their off and pre-season.
Of course, speed without skill and intelligence cannot be harnessed.
At the end of the day though, you cannot hide from speed. I agree with dcw23 that several members of the current Wallabies outfit look slow, but perhaps that’s just the years ankle-tapping them.
I too would like to see the Kangaroos versus All Blacks (half the Roos’ backs are already in the Wallabies’ three-quarter line anyway, so the idea is not so fanciful, although I think of course the rules are so far apart the game would end up looking something like that peculiar fight between Muhammed Ali and the Asian wrestling champion).
-kk.
The forward won or held there own against the all blacks. They also won the line outs. Get rid of rid wendell at least Lote and Matt look half decent.
I am trying to decide who to go for in the world cup. England or New Zealand. New Zealand I think.
My opinion is that Australia still has a good team that will probably make the semi-finals and perhaps the final.
However, they will be no match for the New Zealanders even if they played better and were fitter. NZ players overall look bigger, stronger and faster.
Still, I hope Australia will win and build upon the fact that we are the only nation to win the World Cup twice despite rugby union being only the third-strongest football code within the nation.
Originally posted by dcw23
One thing I noticed that they should take from league is the offload. The All Blacks have no answer for it. Tuquiri did a beautiful offload to Rogers and it sliced NZ to pieces. It also makes the game much more interesting for spectators.
Absolutely. Second phase play in union only refers to retaining the ball via a ruck, not like in league with an offload. There were a few occasions in the game where the player hitting it up was ready to offload, but the players in support were waiting for him to hit the deck and come in for the clean out - one in particular when Larkham almost broke the line just outside the 22, I think, was a prime example.
Originally posted by Bridge
There were a few occasions in the game where the player hitting it up was ready to offload, but the players in support were waiting for him to hit the deck and come in for the clean out
Quick, someone tell Eddie Jones… but don’t tell the Kiwis. 
Being serious for a second, I really do think it would work well. The hits in Union are so soft it should be easy to offload. Even better, four guys will jump on the ground looking for the ball except it will be gone… 
dcw, having been run over by a number of former wallabies, I can assure you union tackles (you can’t just hit someone with your shoulder) are far from soft.
Certainly keeps the Cullen/Merthens/Mitchell debates off the headlines …
… well for the time being at least.
I agree that the offloads could be more utilized in the Union backlines, but I think the NZ forwards do a fantastic job of keeping the ball moving in close contact situations. On the other hand, I’ve watched the first two State of Origin matches, and (in the first game in particular), I saw many opportunities for players to move the ball that were not taken. I know the codes are different, but space is space and opportunities must be capitalized upon.
Either way, I found the NZ union games exciting and promising for the coming world cup…although their collapse against England earlier this year was disturbing to say the least. I think the Wallabies will pull themselves together and challenge for the cup again…as long as gregan’s still around!