vs. Australia 4 Nations

[TheDMC]

I think we still have a lot of upside, more than Australia.

We need to play footy from early in the game...maybe have two or three settling sets at the start but then play with second phase, using the edge early in the tackle count. We will only win playing dynamic footy. When we do, it completely changes the complexion of the game, tires the aussie forwards out and gives us point scoring opportunities. It should not be a 'catch up' tactic like it seemed in that game, but be the win tactic used for 90% of the game.

We made Aussie look unbeatable in the first half by playing EXACTLY how they want us to play.

The Melbourne trio is a bit stale at the moment, I don't think all three should start the game together. Maybe give Taupau a 20 min stint at the start to go nuts. Dunno. But after 7 minutes the Aussie pack was all over ours.
SKD needs to go on holiday, if he is not running sideways/backwards he is dropping perfect passes. When he is bad, he is so bad - bring in the Fus.
Congrats Kata on very Kataish try, Johnson for his D and efforts to win the game at the end, Rapana and Taumololo for being awesome.

D Boyd is right up there with the top 3 or 4 players in the world, match saving tackle on Johnson and just does perfect footy match after match (representative anyway)

 

[Cold Roses]

If we make the Final, Start Manu Ma'u with Tohu Harris coming off the bench. Need more options in attack from the start of the game. Mau's offloads could provide early opportunities.

Fusitua/DWZ to get a full game against Scotland, and providing he goes well, replace Beale/Nightingale in the Final. If we are going to have backs starting so many sets for us, it may as well be with some impact. Also gives us the variety of Kahu and Fus switching up positions between attack and defence.

We are really missing Nikorima off the bench in this series. He'd be causing havoc against Boyd and Klemmer.

At the risk of losing combinations, I think reduced minutes for Bromwich/Harris/Proctor against Scotland is the way to go. Need to freshen them up for the final. Proctor is going backwards in terms of impact from game to game.

As important as this game against Scotland is for preparing for the (potential) final, it's also hugely important for the World Cup next year. Martin, Tapine and Fisher-Harris all need game time. I'd actually like to see Leuluai at hooker with TMM starting at 6. If the kid shows he's up to it we could put him on bench for the final. If we're struggling to find points he could come on and Lueluai could always move from 6 to 9.

 

[Cold Roses]

We will only win playing dynamic footy. When we do, it completely changes the complexion of the game, tires the aussie forwards out and gives us point scoring opportunities. It should not be a 'catch up' tactic like it seemed in that game, but be the win tactic used for 90% of the game.

We made Aussie look unbeatable in the first half by playing EXACTLY how they want us to play.

Despite all the talk of our pack being huge, if we get those monsters like Klemmer and Boyd having to move more laterally, it's really going to tire them out and we will make inroads. Offloading at the line is the way to go. You're bang on about it being used as a game plan not a catch up tactic.

The Melbourne trio is a bit stale at the moment, I don't think all three should start the game together.

Need a point of difference. All those three are working really hard, but are showing the signs of fatigue. Definitely give them reduced minutes, or even a game off against Scotland.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Does anyone think that we are holding back for the final. We beat England which pretty much assures us of a final so why not just keep everything up our sleeve

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Does anyone think that we are holding back for the final. We beat England which pretty much assures us of a final so why not just keep everything up our sleeve

Would surprise me greatly if that were the case that we were tactically holding back, under a coach who's taking the head reins for the first time, and two matches ago forgot to use the Dally M Medal winner.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Has SKD committed test selection suicide or, as the week wears on, will we forgive him again IF Kidwell continues to chance him? Would Kidwell be as so bold to? Time will tell...

Right now SKD is not getting dropped for dropping everything else but I personally think he shouldve been pushed to the (left) wing after he/Johnson/Rapana failed to deliver in Perth. 'Hes got the dropsies and you wanna put him on the wing zero?' well not now. Hes just a dufus at times its hard to call him a professional.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Does anyone think that we are holding back for the final. We beat England which pretty much assures us of a final so why not just keep everything up our sleeve

Lot of questions when I think about that theory...

• Could this 'saving the best for last' theory be a figment stemming from our upset of the Roos in RWLC?
• Are the ROOS going to go another gear in this years 4 nations final? Can they?

There was no Cronk for the Roos but for most of the game they were STILL better. Its a credit we wobbled them in the 12th round but it was our face that was clearly beaten throughout the fight.

English ref last week was good. Cummings is an Australian ref thats just a fact. Perenara to reff the final then?

If were saving ourselves then the only thing I can imagine we'd unleash thats different, is offloads galore. Keeping that ball alive and unstructured. I hope we are saving for last but I think the Roos are gonna take it.

 

[playdaball]

What was the crowd today? I thought s double header in London would have been better. Why no games in Scotland? Does anybody think that Scotlands inclusion will lead to more players in Scotland? Perhaps I should be in the international section?

 

[ozbash]

Oi. Oz.
Do you have a whare-back guarantee with your tips?

We will win 4Nations..

No doubt about it..

Aussie looked vulnerable up the middle in the 2nd half, should have been a win for us.

WTF is it with aussie refs refing aussie games ?

 

[Philip_Smith007]

We will win 4Nations..

No doubt about it..

Aussie looked vulnerable up the middle in the 2nd half, should have been a win for us.

WTF is it with aussie refs refing aussie games ?

I wish I had your confidence.
We are missing a fit Foran and another player who can create something from nothing.

Anyway what scenario has to play out to meet Poms in final?
Poms winning by how much and us winning by how much?

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Ok, just did my own maths so here goes.
Poms winning by 24+
Kiwis winning by 30+
For a Kiwi V Poms final.

If Poms win by less than 24 we have to win by 31 plus their winning margin to stay in front on points differential.

 

[TheDMC]

Play dynamic attacking footy and more aggressive defence in the final we have a pretty good chance of beating Oz (i.e. the second half approach). But can't afford penalty magnets or butter finger performance by anyone.

Dunno what to do about SKD now. Such a short comp that it is almost as big a risk putting Fus into the cauldron at this stage, and SKD must be due to have a blinder (or at least good game), he is a quality player - just one with some awful games in him. Maybe SKD on the wing and Fus in the centers (and they swap halftime) against Scotland. If SKD looks sharp and error free, go with him for the final in centers, and Fus on the wing instead of Beale....a quandry...

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Would surprise me greatly if that were the case that we were tactically holding back, under a coach who's taking the head reins for the first time, and two matches ago forgot to use the Dally M Medal winner.

as mentioned in another thread, why play taumalolo in a warm up test. im glad hecstayed off and i reckon he will be rested this weekend to

i hate watching test footy in the UK
always gloomy, wet and dull. crap boggy field with centimeter in goals. rather suncorp or eden park any day. would be a totally different contrast to what we are seeing at the moment

we should just forget about touring there in the future

 

[Rich102]

Overseas tours have a lot of benefits. Good for the sport and good for the players.

 

[TheDMC]

as mentioned in another thread, why play taumalolo in a warm up test. im glad hecstayed off and i reckon he will be rested this weekend to

i hate watching test footy in the UK
always gloomy, wet and dull. crap boggy field with centimeter in goals. rather suncorp or eden park any day. would be a totally different contrast to what we are seeing at the moment

we should just forget about touring there in the future

Yeah its like they are playing in the middle ages. Always looks like they are running in treacle and no space to work in.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

of all the tests we have won there, there has never been a good open game of footy. tri nations 05 was dark wet and gloomy, even the world cup semi wasnt an overly great game

 

[Philip_Smith007]

as mentioned in another thread, why play taumalolo in a warm up test. im glad hecstayed off and i reckon he will be rested this weekend to

i hate watching test footy in the UK
always gloomy, wet and dull. crap boggy field with centimeter in goals. rather suncorp or eden park any day. would be a totally different contrast to what we are seeing at the moment

we should just forget about touring there in the future

If it was at Suncorp we would win final.
We have a good record there!

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

If it was at Suncorp we would win final.
We have a good record there!

exactly

a good fast open game it would be

 

[JJ]

We will win 4Nations..

No doubt about it..

Aussie looked vulnerable up the middle in the 2nd half, should have been a win for us.

Dunno, it was us that looked vulnerable up the middle all game - they should have won by more imo

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

We will win 4Nations..
No doubt about it..

And there will be consequences

Goodbye whare or just talking...like you do? lol jokes