Do we persist with cooper and Beale?

[Moffo]

Look, both have undoubtable talent

But given this is such a big game, do we persist? Both have been liabilities (moreso cooper) throughout the tourney, and we know that NZ will take advantage of this more then anyone else.

I just don't know what we should do?

f**k it would be funny if Australia beat them! Weirder things have happened, wasn't that convinced with NZ tonight

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

Isn't everyone allowed an off day? Has Beale really been that bad the whole time? Or you just judging it by today.

As much as I hate Cooper, his main issues I find are that he either tries too hard to make things work. If he learnt to somehow be patient with his passing and general play he may surprise himself a bit.

But if you take them out who else would you put in?

LOL Australia weren't that impressive lets be honest, because South Africa were always the better side through the first half, except for their poor execution and all the handling errors which hence gave australia a bit more chances. But australia themselves look rubbish through the whole game.

 

[aussies1st]

Beale looked fine for me, made one of the few breaks in the game. And the replacements don't offer much more anyway. Quade is a worry but too late to be trying a new 10 and Barnes has struggled in the past to get the attack going, if anything him in 12 would be better.

 

[Moffo]

Beale hasn't added a lot for me this tourney, and has cocked up a few things. Cooper has been awful

But you are right, no obvious replacements. Maybe barnes to 10 and perhaps use Beale as an impact player off the benchZ the Australian style doesn't suit how he plays IMO

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Cooper is a match winner and he's due for a good one. Problem with him is that he's just as capable of losing a match for us. I'm happy for us to persist with him especially with Barnes playing alongside him. Barnes is another kicking option and settles things down with his solid decision making and good defence. Genia is our best half, though Robbie needs to use the bench more. He should have recognised that Genia wasn't doing much and replaced him after 50 minutes. I have no issues with Beale. None of the outside backs had much of a chance because Genia and Cooper were awful...

 

[aussies1st]

Well if there was ever a game for Cooper to perform in then this is it. Fairytale and karma are there for him, him guiding the Wallabies to the final would put a massive dag in the hearts of the Kiwis who have been on his case for the whole tournament. Of course could go the other way where it all finally gets to him and has a shocker, although how much worse can he get from tonight's performance.

 

[aqua_duck]

Quade Cooper the best player in either code........

 

[jc155776]

Hard for QUade to do much when one his best assets (quick shift to a speedy back in space) is nullified by the backs being slow poke McCabe and Adam Ashley Invisable Man Cooper.

 

[Timbo]

I thought for someone playing with only one arm, McCabe had a brilliant first 40.

Cooper was abysmal - but he could turn it around and cut the All Blacks in half. Whereas Barnes will give a solid performance garunteed but not the potentially gamebraking one that Cooper could provide.

Me, I'd play it safe and go with Barnes. But Cooper is more likely to get us the win if he's on. So perhaps a compromise - Barnes to 12 to take some pressure off Cooper?

 

[Butters]

Bit hard to have a good game when the forwards aren't going forward at all and Genia being constantly harassed while passing to Cooper. Cooper hardly ever got any clean ball and was in his 22 for most the game which nullified his best aspect of running the ball and forcing him to kick (his worst trait).

Deans should've seen what was happening and have Barnes take the kicking duties as soon as he got on the field.

McCabe was good, but it's a joke that he's got the 12 because of his defence. Barnes is probably the wallabies best back in defence and he can actually kick as well, something the wallabies desperately needed yesterday.

Genia
Cooper
Ioane
Barnes
Faingaa
O'Connor
Beale

That's what the backline should be for the semi, but AAC will be in there somewhere no doubt.

 

[aussies1st]

Agree if McCabe is in there only for his defense then get Barnes in there as he can do that too. I thought the reason for McCabe in the side was his hard running game but he only had 3 runs for the match. However that was better than invisible AAC who had no runs in the match. Faingaa at least has the ability to create turnovers in defense if we are going for a defender center.

 

[jc155776]

O'Connors runs are much harder and more effective than McCabes, O'Connor at least gets his legs pumping and gets through the line.

McCabe is shit.

 

[Thomas]

Get rid of Cooper and Beale? No thanks.

Beale may be injured for this match though. JOC to fullback.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Get rid of Cooper and Beale? No thanks.

Beale may be injured for this match though. JOC to fullback.

Yes I'd like to see that happen, but i fear that Deans will put Ashley-Cooper to fullback and Faingaa at 13...

 

[shiznit]

i reckon Quade Cooper is your only chance of beating the All Blacks...

sure when he's cold, he's terrible... but IMO..... if you dont have him... you wont beat NZ.

his upside is what will win it for Australia... and i really fear that he finds some form... with Carter out we are in a position where a bit of magic from a Quade Cooper or a Trin-Duc or a Parra can send us packing...

 

[Twizzle]

I think you're right and I also think he wont play as bad as he did against the saffas again this weekend, I hope

 

[aussies1st]

Someone mentioned that since Quade is defending at fullback that takes out the kick returns which is Beale's specialty and the reason he was so good last season. Does explain why Beale hasn't looked as threatening this season. With Beale out this shouldn't be much of a problem as AAC isn't an x-factor player on the kick returns.

 

[Moffo]

quade, what a f**king nuffie

we should've turfed him. complete liability