Super 15 2011

[Somerset]

AWTA

Further thoughts on the game =

Gilford has poor decision making - I hope he doesn't get into the ABs again for some time.
Maitland needed better hands on his try opportunity
Ellis' box kick from inside his own 22 that went 30 metres down the middle of the field would never have been done in the 1980s. And with good reason it resulted in a try to the reds.

Ellis was another who I thought was average tonight; whilst Genia was poor in the first half, he was excellent in the second. I rate Fotuali'i quite highly and prefer him to Ellis so was happy enough when Ellis was replaced. The decision making and handling from Guildford and Maitland has been superb throughout the season and although neither played at their best tonight I would put a lot of that down to the defensive effort from the Reds. Maitland's drop ball was frustrating but with such little time to react that happens sometimes; bit like Ioane in the first half.

 

[Somerset]

Daniel Carter pretty much dominated that first half, played bloody well and made Quade Cooper look every bit of a fool.

Cooper seemed to panic at times and his option taking wasn't quite at the standard he'd set throughout the rest of the season. Still, a better goalkicking effort than last week and even the risks that didn't pay off didn't cost his team dearly (not pushing Carter wide when scoring his try was a bit of a non-issue for me). I still believe that all things considered, he was the best 10 in the competition this year, even if Carter edged him in the final. And with a Wallaby backline including Beale and O'Connor, he'll certainly have a license to create havoc in a gold jersey for the rest of the year.

 

[Nate]

Awesome.

 

[James]

Who would you guys pick as half-back for the All Blacks? Presume it's going to be one of Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson.

I noticed a stat appear tonight saying Carter has kicked at 73% this season, with Cooper at 67%. Will be interesting come World Cup time if the weather is horrible with the better goal-kickers from the Northern Hemisphere coming down under. I can imagine a cold wet windy night in Auckland/Wellington and Hodgson/Wilkinson kicking the Poms to victory over one of SA/AUS/NZ.

 

[Hurricane]

Who would you guys pick as half-back for the All Blacks? Presume it's going to be one of Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson.

I noticed a stat appear tonight saying Carter has kicked at 73% this season, with Cooper at 67%. Will be interesting come World Cup time if the weather is horrible with the better goal-kickers from the Northern Hemisphere coming down under. I can imagine a cold wet windy night in Auckland/Wellington and Hodgson/Wilkinson kicking the Poms to victory over one of SA/AUS/NZ.

I personally would pick those three players - but piri is just back and may not get picked.

Carter will step up his kicking when he has the black jumper on. I don't know why he missed the first kick tonight. That ended up being costly.

I think if you take the Crusaders and add in the ABs from the other teams we will be a strong contender.

I am pleased that Aussie may have a good team. Should make for a more exciting tournament - they weren't looking great shakes last year.

SA looking like they will sandbag in this year's tri nations - wish we would do the same thing to be honest - I really don't care who wins that tournament. And would almost prefer it if we didn't win it just so that we don't go into the world cup as favourites.

Can't wait for the world cup.

 

[Somerset]

Who would you guys pick as half-back for the All Blacks? Presume it's going to be one of Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson.

I noticed a stat appear tonight saying Carter has kicked at 73% this season, with Cooper at 67%. Will be interesting come World Cup time if the weather is horrible with the better goal-kickers from the Northern Hemisphere coming down under. I can imagine a cold wet windy night in Auckland/Wellington and Hodgson/Wilkinson kicking the Poms to victory over one of SA/AUS/NZ.

Cowan must be the first-choice halfback. I don't think Weepu is fully fit but am happy for him to work his way back to full fitness during the Tri Nations. Personally I'd go with Mathewson in the AB squad named tomorrow but I think Ellis will be selected as the third halfback.

I'm predicting that O'Connor will kick for the Wallabies with Beale taking long range shots, so I doubt Cooper's goalkicking percentage will matter in test matches. If they select Giteau theres another option too. IMO the goalkicking at the World Cup will definitely be an issue at one point or another, a lot of the knockout games are late (9pm kickoffs) and in early-mid spring thats not the easiest of conditions to play in in New Zealand, so converting penalty attempts (or drop goals for that matter) will be crucial.

 

[Somerset]

I think if you take the Crusaders and add in the ABs from the other teams we will be a strong contender.

I certainly hope we'll be more than just a strong contender!

I am pleased that Aussie may have a good team. Should make for a more exciting tournament - they weren't looking great shakes last year.

Australia were actually the only team to beat us last year, and they also beat South Africa away which for them was huge. I guess losses to England and Munster don't look particularly flash but otherwise they made great progress.

SA looking like they will sandbag in this year's tri nations - wish we would do the same thing to be honest - I really don't care who wins that tournament. And would almost prefer it if we didn't win it just so that we don't go into the world cup as favourites.

Yup PdV's basically said he's going to select a massively weakened squad to tour Australia and New Zealand, and TBH I don't blame him. The Boks have so many injury concerns anyway so it makes sense to plan to have their best squad ready for the RWC.

 

[Hurricane]

Cooper seemed to panic at times and his option taking wasn't quite at the standard he'd set throughout the rest of the season. Still, a better goalkicking effort than last week and even the risks that didn't pay off didn't cost his team dearly (not pushing Carter wide when scoring his try was a bit of a non-issue for me). I still believe that all things considered, he was the best 10 in the competition this year, even if Carter edged him in the final. And with a Wallaby backline including Beale and O'Connor, he'll certainly have a license to create havoc in a gold jersey for the rest of the year.

It is a good thing for Aussie that Barnes is out (if I recall correctly) - that guy seems to just kick away possession every time. A backline without him will be more potent. Some early talk of Giteau being a bench player which you wouldn't have dreamed of 2 years ago.

From an AB perspective we have 3 great centres - and DC. If no one gets injured during the tri nations we will be strong there too.

 

[Somerset]

It is a good thing for Aussie that Barnes is out (if I recall correctly) - that guy seems to just kick away possession every time. A backline without him will be more potent. Some early talk of Giteau being a bench player which you wouldn't have dreamed of 2 years ago.

From an AB perspective we have 3 great centres - and DC. If no one gets injured during the tri nations we will be strong there too.

Not sure where Barnes is at but he missed the later part of the Super 15 and I don't think hes in the best Wallaby 22 even if he is fit. I actually wouldn't even select Giteau for the bench and have been saying that he, along with Rokocoko, Spies and to some extent Habana, are some of the most over-rated players in the Southern Hemisphere. I'd much rather face Giteau at 12 than have, say O'Connor and Ashley-Cooper at 12 and 13, and Ioane/Davies/Turner/(Mitchell) on the wing.

 

[James]

Carter will step up his kicking when he has the black jumper on. I don't know why he missed the first kick tonight. That ended up being costly.

I think if you take the Crusaders and add in the ABs from the other teams we will be a strong contender.

I am pleased that Aussie may have a good team. Should make for a more exciting tournament - they weren't looking great shakes last year.

SA looking like they will sandbag in this year's tri nations - wish we would do the same thing to be honest - I really don't care who wins that tournament. And would almost prefer it if we didn't win it just so that we don't go into the world cup as favourites.

Can't wait for the world cup.

I hope so, because we need Carter to be on song with the boot in the close games like this which are bound to come World Cup time. I read the other day that SA are leaving their best players at home for the Tri Nations so will be interesting to see what happens in the World Cup when they come back.

I imagine the World Cup finals stage will be something like:

Q1 Australia v Wales
Q2 England v France

Semi Final - Australia v England

Q3 South Africa v Ireland
Q4 New Zealand v Argentina

Semi Final - South Africa v New Zealand

Final - Australia v New Zealand

 

[Hurricane]

Cowan must be the first-choice halfback..

Cowan is head and shoulders the best.

 

[Hurricane]

I hope so, because we need Carter to be on song with the boot in the close games like this which are bound to come World Cup time. I read the other day that SA are leaving their best players at home for the Tri Nations so will be interesting to see what happens in the World Cup when they come back.

I imagine the World Cup finals stage will be something like:

Q1 Australia v Wales
Q2 England v France

Semi Final - Australia v England

Q3 South Africa v Ireland
Q4 New Zealand v Argentina

Semi Final - South Africa v New Zealand

Final - Australia v New Zealand

Aussie with the easier path to the final although Wales and England will put up a gallant fight.

 

[James]

It is a good thing for Aussie that Barnes is out (if I recall correctly) - that guy seems to just kick away possession every time. A backline without him will be more potent. Some early talk of Giteau being a bench player which you wouldn't have dreamed of 2 years ago.

From an AB perspective we have 3 great centres - and DC. If no one gets injured during the tri nations we will be strong there too.

Agree with you there and as you said a Wallabies team without Giteau would be amazing.

I think we have clearly the better forward back but the Wallabies have the slighty better backline so it will be interesting to see which matters most.....

 

[Hurricane]

Not sure where Barnes is at but he missed the later part of the Super 15 and I don't think hes in the best Wallaby 22 even if he is fit. I actually wouldn't even select Giteau for the bench and have been saying that he, along with Rokocoko, Spies and to some extent Habana, are some of the most over-rated players in the Southern Hemisphere. I'd much rather face Giteau at 12 than have, say O'Connor and Ashley-Cooper at 12 and 13, and Ioane/Davies/Turner/(Mitchell) on the wing.

Giteau has to be on the bench as cover - too much experience to leave out.

Yes Joe is over rated. I don't mind Habana - but yes his legend was getting over hyped when they were having him race against cheetahs and so forth.

 

[Hurricane]

Agree with you there and as you said a Wallabies team without Giteau would be amazing.

I think we have clearly the better forward back but the Wallabies have the slighty better backline so it will be interesting to see which matters most.....

Who are our wings going to be Somers?

 

[Somerset]

I hope so, because we need Carter to be on song with the boot in the close games like this which are bound to come World Cup time. I read the other day that SA are leaving their best players at home for the Tri Nations so will be interesting to see what happens in the World Cup when they come back.

I imagine the World Cup finals stage will be something like:

Q1 Australia v Wales
Q2 England v France

Semi Final - Australia v England

Q3 South Africa v Ireland
Q4 New Zealand v Argentina

Semi Final - South Africa v New Zealand

Final - Australia v New Zealand

One would imagine that, all things going to plan, that would be the path the tournament follows. In saying that I'd love to see one of the Island nations cause an upset and qualify at the expense of one of the favoured teams, a la Fiji in 2007 - particularly after some strong performances from those teams at the end of last year against good Northern opposition.

 

[Somerset]

Who are our wings going to be Somers?

I'd personally like to see Sivivatu and Jane play as the main wingers, although wouldn't have too many concerns if Gear plays instead of Sivivatu (which seems to be tipped by a few experts). I'd also love to have Toeava and Dagg somewhere in the mix (wing/fullback) but finding space for them in the squad is obviously the problem! Either way all 5 of those names I've mentioned should get some time during the Tri Nations to press their claims for a starting spot in the top team for RWC - and even then theres bound to be some rotation against the weaker sides in the group.

 

[James]

One would imagine that, all things going to plan, that would be the path the tournament follows. In saying that I'd love to see one of the Island nations cause an upset and qualify at the expense of one of the favoured teams, a la Fiji in 2007 - particularly after some strong performances from those teams at the end of last year against good Northern opposition.

Hope so as well, and that Group D is the only one where it's really interesting as Wales, Fiji, Samoa all stand a great chance there.

Never know what Scotland could do to Argentina or perhaps England in Group B as well.

 

[Hurricane]

Agree with you there and as you said a Wallabies team without Giteau would be amazing.

I think we have clearly the better forward back but the Wallabies have the slighty better backline so it will be interesting to see which matters most.....

Quade < DC (DC has more experience in tests)
O'Connor < Nonu / SBW
Cooper = Smith
Ioane > anyone we can put up Gear/Joe/Ranger
Mitchell = Jane
Beale > Mils

Reckon the backs are about equal if you believe that DC is better than Cooper. Cooper will need to step up his game in tests for the Aussie backline to be better.

 

[James]

Quade < DC (DC has more experience in tests)
O'Connor < Nonu / SBW
Cooper = Smith
Ioane > anyone we can put up Gear/Joe/Ranger
Mitchell = Jane
Beale > Mils

Reckon the backs are about equal if you believe that DC is better than Cooper. Cooper will need to step up his game in tests for the Aussie backline to be better.

I disagree with who I've marked in bold. I don't fancy Nonu or SBW in midfield and reckon it will be our weak link as will our wingers. I think it's the first time is as far back as I can remember that we're short of quality wing men. We have some good up and comers yes, but our experienced ones are getting on and don't have the fizz that they once had and this is where the Wallabies will target I think in getting the ball out wide.