Don't think fitness is really a problem. It's more like the millions of tackles and 30% possession they've had to make the previous weeks. Adds up. On top of that surely with all the fitness data being shared by the Super clubs they know how fit the guys are. Can't believe they are coming in under done. Never heard anyone say the ABs or Boks aren't fit enough.
Outside that though loved all the points. Strangely I was less bummed out about this result than Argentina and not because I expected us to lose. There was genuine signs of improvement and we've got world class players e.g. Bell. EJ was always up against it trying to change things up so close to a RWC but he took the challenge on. If we keep the core of this side together for the next couple of years then Lions 25 will be a ball tearer.
The other thing that struck is what a tragedy it is we've missed out on about 7 years of seeing Will Skelton playing test matches. Another freak. Bit like Izzy in that he's on another physical level and a point a difference. By all accounts a super nice guy too.
Going to Dunedin I think EJ will experiment with a couple more players but really he's got to stick now. Bobby V could do with a rest and that brings in Gleeson to 8. We've got forced changes to THP so Nongor, Talakai and van Nek could step up. I'd keep everything else the same including Tate and Gordon. Onwards and upwards!
Fitness or training taper? I'm not close to it nor have words from the inside but I understand he is now marking them train on Wednesdays (traditionally a day off). My thoughts are that he is pushing them hard with no taper so they are right in Sept.
I'm sure the Wallabies have sufficient fitness for the 80 minutes - but we all know how emotionally and psychically draining it is to engage in a game which isn't going your way. Extremely proud of they way they began and hung in there but All Blacks lived up to expectations and just harnessed slivers of opportunity into killer moments... as they do.
The Wallabies came out so fast that no team could keep that intensity up for 80. But the problem is we burnt so much fuel doing that and only had a 2-point lead to show for it when we started slowing down. Then the ABs surged ahead when our pace dropped. So, we've got 2 choices:
1. get fitter, or
2. score more points when we are going all out before we start to fade.
I've been sick all weekend so I was doubly flat and feverish on Sunday morning!
I thought they showed some good stuff and the score was flattering for the ABs due to 20 mins of yellow cards again.
Lots of positives but the injuries can't keep happening. I can't remember a game recently where the whole team got through it in one piece.
One thing I do find tiring is the constant bitching by "fans" about how terrible the Wallabies are. I like reading all the build up during the week but there needs to be more supportive stuff written rather than constant negatives.
And there are still super negative articles written when nobody thought they would win anyway!
But that's journalism I guess. I do need to stop reading the comments...
I'm super tired of it too. We just need to accept that the Wallabies aren't as good as they used to be and stay positive. But journos will always write negative stuff because that's what gets eyeballs sadly, like you said.
I missed the game, so can't comment on their performance but I'm proud of the number of fans who turned up. In a time that looks like Rugby is dying in Australia, the Women's World Cup is on, Melbourne aren't known to be mad rugby fans and they get 83,000 odd in the MCG. The biggest Wallabies crowd since 2001! Promising!
A Kiwi mate of mine said we were in it and it was an even contest for 34 minutes.
Devastated for Allan but excited for Tom Hooper!
Discipline still appears to be an issue.
I hope the fellas are okay and not beating themselves up too much, it's been a rough test season so far with more to come.
I don't care that we lost again, as long as they get it together for the World Cup and do the best they possibly can. The World Cup is where the performances matter the most this year.
Particularly with the notion that improvements in Australian rugby will only occur once a leader emerges with a clear vision and capacity to align all levels of rugby a plan to raise our performance program to be the best in the world.
Don't think fitness is really a problem. It's more like the millions of tackles and 30% possession they've had to make the previous weeks. Adds up. On top of that surely with all the fitness data being shared by the Super clubs they know how fit the guys are. Can't believe they are coming in under done. Never heard anyone say the ABs or Boks aren't fit enough.
Outside that though loved all the points. Strangely I was less bummed out about this result than Argentina and not because I expected us to lose. There was genuine signs of improvement and we've got world class players e.g. Bell. EJ was always up against it trying to change things up so close to a RWC but he took the challenge on. If we keep the core of this side together for the next couple of years then Lions 25 will be a ball tearer.
The other thing that struck is what a tragedy it is we've missed out on about 7 years of seeing Will Skelton playing test matches. Another freak. Bit like Izzy in that he's on another physical level and a point a difference. By all accounts a super nice guy too.
Going to Dunedin I think EJ will experiment with a couple more players but really he's got to stick now. Bobby V could do with a rest and that brings in Gleeson to 8. We've got forced changes to THP so Nongor, Talakai and van Nek could step up. I'd keep everything else the same including Tate and Gordon. Onwards and upwards!
It's probably a combination of both! And sorry for the slow reply mate.
Onwards and upwards indeed!
Fitness or training taper? I'm not close to it nor have words from the inside but I understand he is now marking them train on Wednesdays (traditionally a day off). My thoughts are that he is pushing them hard with no taper so they are right in Sept.
Agreed and think that's why he's mostly going with the young squad! The older you are... the most tapering you need!
I'm sure the Wallabies have sufficient fitness for the 80 minutes - but we all know how emotionally and psychically draining it is to engage in a game which isn't going your way. Extremely proud of they way they began and hung in there but All Blacks lived up to expectations and just harnessed slivers of opportunity into killer moments... as they do.
The Wallabies came out so fast that no team could keep that intensity up for 80. But the problem is we burnt so much fuel doing that and only had a 2-point lead to show for it when we started slowing down. Then the ABs surged ahead when our pace dropped. So, we've got 2 choices:
1. get fitter, or
2. score more points when we are going all out before we start to fade.
Or perhaps a bit of both?
I've been sick all weekend so I was doubly flat and feverish on Sunday morning!
I thought they showed some good stuff and the score was flattering for the ABs due to 20 mins of yellow cards again.
Lots of positives but the injuries can't keep happening. I can't remember a game recently where the whole team got through it in one piece.
One thing I do find tiring is the constant bitching by "fans" about how terrible the Wallabies are. I like reading all the build up during the week but there needs to be more supportive stuff written rather than constant negatives.
And there are still super negative articles written when nobody thought they would win anyway!
But that's journalism I guess. I do need to stop reading the comments...
I had a fever too! Sick as Fri/Sat.
Yeah, we are done if we have too many more.
I'm super tired of it too. We just need to accept that the Wallabies aren't as good as they used to be and stay positive. But journos will always write negative stuff because that's what gets eyeballs sadly, like you said.
Wallabies aren't as good as they used to be eh?
Your comment will now be the basis for an article with headline "Former Australian Prop Slams Woeful Wallabies".
😆😆😆
That statement is also true when I was playing
😁
I've been waiting for this post :).
I missed the game, so can't comment on their performance but I'm proud of the number of fans who turned up. In a time that looks like Rugby is dying in Australia, the Women's World Cup is on, Melbourne aren't known to be mad rugby fans and they get 83,000 odd in the MCG. The biggest Wallabies crowd since 2001! Promising!
A Kiwi mate of mine said we were in it and it was an even contest for 34 minutes.
Devastated for Allan but excited for Tom Hooper!
Discipline still appears to be an issue.
I hope the fellas are okay and not beating themselves up too much, it's been a rough test season so far with more to come.
I don't care that we lost again, as long as they get it together for the World Cup and do the best they possibly can. The World Cup is where the performances matter the most this year.
Hahaha thanks Clare and it was a great turnout! Not enough made about that.
I really really want to the Wallabies to at least get to the semis. Will be very sad if I go all the way to France and don't see them play.
oh and what are your thoughts on this piece? https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/07/31/the-wrap-dont-buy-eddie-jones-taking-the-blame-for-another-bledisloe-loss-buy-the-hope-instead/?fbclid=IwAR3twmaVBvp68dvIdkMmf9i3AwWdV6KiCRc48eCYRSaMJn_qm8LYPx7qXV0
Interesting and I agree with most of it.
Particularly with the notion that improvements in Australian rugby will only occur once a leader emerges with a clear vision and capacity to align all levels of rugby a plan to raise our performance program to be the best in the world.
We were good for 39min the try at halftime opened the gate.
Agree some positives however the injuries are going to hurt big time.
Will pack the bags now for Dunedin and put the boots in just incase needed.
Catch you over there.
🏉GoYouGoodThing🏉
Injuries will cripple us.
See you there Scotty! Speights Ale House Friday?