Wallabies v South Africa 18 July 2015

[travelling_gerry]

I suspect that when Gits was coughing up blood he though "forget France, shit just got real!"

[brokendown gunfighter]

mere flesh wound!

[Alison]

I watched the one hd telecast until they cut out and then turned over to see how Waratah TV handled the post match.

Gordon Bray, Matty Burke and Sharpie calling the game? Even the ad breaks during the game weren't enough to put me off!

Same! In fact I didn't mind the ad breaks - which really surprised me!

[GIGS20]

Same! In fact I didn't mind the ad breaks - which really surprised me!

When they took the first one, as a kick was being lined up I though stuff this and turned over, but the commentary was such a disaster that I was back to one before the kickoff.

It's not like fox will lose a customer, because I want to watch super rugby, but I won't be watching their telecasts of the test matches.

[.X.]

During the Fox Telecast they announced part of their plan for the Rugby World Cup which will include an exclusive Rugby Only Channel.

Also - I believe that Channel 9 has the FTA rights for the RWC

[WARHORSE]

I'll take the ad free telecast everytime.
The win was a miracle and testament to the belief in the group and a measure of their will. A big tick. They found a way to win despite the frustrations of the night. A great sign.
It was also the best "first test" of the year in a very long time. The first wallaby performance of the year has been synonymous with mediocrity for a very long time now.
There is no question some of the selections will go under the microscope.
Simmons.....ive never been a fan.
Skelton....not the man for fast and open games. I think he will add value against European teams but he's going to be a passenger against teams like the allblacks.
Hooper v Pocock - we start both. They are both world class and complement each other. The sum of their strengths gives us a winning edge.
Our front row could get better at the pilfer. ..a pass mark in the scrum.
Cooper - king or clown. We had both. The combination with Giteau could be something special. I would like to see more. I thought he needed to flatten up a bit. He seemed just a bit too deep. The first try was Special. A lot of options for 10 these days. He needs to perform.
He seemed to crack under pressure. I thought he started well but lost his way.
A win in Argentina will give us a shot at the title on home soil.
Believe!

[OzFUB]

I wondered if the bench selections were made in order to allow us to finish with the best and strongest side.

[valzc]

So Quades managed to get the ARU to pay his bill to get out of French contract so he can stay in Aus and play for 7s FFS! Positive news at least Badger has been recalled to replace Rob Horne who hurt his leg. Genia's French contract also in doubt whether that's due to his knee injury or his whinging I'm not sure.

[andrewg]

There's always a good deal of discussion as to how Super XV performance and outcomes transfer to test Rugby.

A look at the available Stats plus my own Rucks data provides the following overview.

1. The Aussie ball carries were generally below SXV performance.
+ Those who were above include Higgers, Fardy, Horwill and Slipper
+ Those who were well below include Sio, Moore, Kepu, Skelton and Hooper

2.Tackling was generally well below SXV rate.
+ Those with minimal tackling involvement incude Kepu, Sio, Holmes, Skelton, Horwill and Pocock.
+ Those above SXV rates include Slipper, Simmons, Fardy and Hooper

3. Ruck involvement saw most players lift to a level well above their SXV averages.
+ First half just not enough involvement and slow arrival time.
+ Most showed improvements in arrival time and impact in second half.
+ Big improvers include Moore, Kepu, Holmes, Simmons, Horwill, Fardy, Hooper and Pocock
+ Both Skelton and Higgers saw a marked drop off in their time of arrival at rucks.

The Forwards' Defensive Ruck engagements were only 15% of their Total Ruck Engagements.
Scott Fardy made 31% of the Def Rucks made by Forwards.
Big contributors in Total Ruck engagements include Hooper (Attack 41; Defense 4; Total 45); Fardy (A27;D13;T40); Simmons (A34;D1;T35); Pocock (38 mins- A21;D2;T23); Higgers (45 mins - A17;D6;T23). Sio made only 8 Rucks in 38 minutes. Holmes made 16 in same time.
Backs made 26% of Total Rucks engagements and 18% of Def Ruck engagements.
Best Backs were Kuridrani (20) and Giteau (17).

Line Outs as follows: Fardy - 6 (Av only 3 in SXV); Simmons 4 (Av 5 in SXV); Skelton - 1; Horwill - 0; Higgers - 1 Stolen.

Ups:
+ The team showed the capability to adapt and implement a Plan B in the second half.
+ Cheika is prepared to work players hard for impact (e.g. Kepu) and use the bench.
+ Shown the benefits of Hooper and Pocock on together. Same as when Hodgo and Hooper were used last year.
+ Moore can make decisions under pressure. Gutsy call to not take the easy points for a draw.

Downs
+ No clear answer of how best to use the Hooper/Pocock combination.
+ Skelton IS NOT a Test-standard Lock. Single LOW; 8 runs for 5m (!!!) - and he DID NOT draw 3 defenders with EVERY run!; 4 tackles and 3 Missed Tackles in 50 minutes; slow arrival at breakdown. Need to blood one of the up and comers. Happy with Horwill off the bench.
+ Higginbotham, yet again, showed that he struggles to take his impact from SXV to Test rugby. McCalman is a proven Test performer.

Great that we managed to get the win.
I reckon Kuridrani's try was good.
Tragic for South Africa that they changed their game plan for the last 20 minutes.
I wonder what the media response would have been if we'd lost?

[Jules]

Well I loved that! It was exciting and we won!! Looking forward to more next week. :-)

[G_Beard]

Well I loved that! It was exciting and we won!! Looking forward to more next week. :-)

You Sir, have the right attitude!

[andrewg]

So you can tell who did all of the ruck work against the Springboks.

Attachment 3938

Attachment 3937

[jargan83]

So Quades managed to get the ARU to pay his bill to get out of French contract so he can stay in Aus and play for 7s FFS!

It is not clear how Cooper has negotiated his exit with Toulon, but he may have paid the six-figure release fee from his own pocket given the ARU's previous reticence towards players who renege on deals.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-0...n-deal/6631656

[Petalz]

Well... Isn't (a few) someone's face red at the moment. Hope there wasn't too much al-foil wasted

[Petalz]

Back on topic though - we won I guess -_- that's really the only positive