@Winger said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Well done Fiji.

I want Aussie rugby to be strong. And, not run by a fool. So, I hope Aust lose to Wales and Jones and especially the fool who pushed to appoint him both get the boot.

Maybe too late to cut the teams in super rugby though.

I can't see how cutting Aussie SR teams helps Aussie rugby at this stage. Might make short-term sense purely from the perspective of playing resources, but it would just be yet another kick in the nuts to an already massively disillusioned fan base.

Probably a discussion for another thread.

@GibbonRib said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

I can't see how cutting Aussie SR teams

@GibbonRib said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@Winger said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Well done Fiji.

I want Aussie rugby to be strong. And, not run by a fool. So, I hope Aust lose to Wales and Jones and especially the fool who pushed to appoint him both get the boot.

Maybe too late to cut the teams in super rugby though.

I can't see how cutting Aussie SR teams helps Aussie rugby at this stage. Might make short-term sense purely from the perspective of playing resources, but it would just be yet another kick in the nuts to an already massively disillusioned fan base.

Probably a discussion for another thread.

Weak super rugby teams that almost always lose to NZ sides and have zero chance of being the overall top dog must flow into a weaker national side.

IMHO it must start here. Get this right with 3 teams max and it will flow through into the top side. But I guess it's not over yet. And this discussion needs to be on another thread.

@GibbonRib said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

I can't see how cutting Aussie SR teams helps Aussie rugby at this stage. Might make short-term sense purely from the perspective of playing resources, but it would just be yet another kick in the nuts to an already massively disillusioned fan base.

It won't.

As demonstrated by the disciplinary and ruck issues, the quantity isn't the problem; it is quality.

That is down to the development systems which have basically not changed since before professionalism.

Look at the guys overseas or playing for other nations - we produce talent.

It is just that we've got too much Big Kid Syndrome. Tiny development pathways mean guys don't have to learn hard lessons, and can walk into contracts because of politics rather than merit.

@gt12 said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

For 60 minutes out there, Fiji showed how to play modern rugby in a style I’d enjoy as an AB fan.

Careful exits and minimize rucks in your own half, chase hard and apply huge pressure when down their end, then kick your goals.

So, play smart, direct, aggressively and well then.
Good learnings for our 2027 RWC.

@Winger said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Loose and undisciciplined super rugby teams that almost always lose when in the NZ team to tier 1 opponents because they don't know any other way to play and have zero chance of being the overall top dog internationally must flow into a weaker RWC chance

IMHO it must start here. Get this right with decent coaching and it will flow through into the top side. But I guess it's not over yet. And this discussion needs to be on another thread.

Fixed it for you.

@booboo said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@frugby said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@mariner4life said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

It's pretty disgraceful what the ARU have done to the fans here

When Fiji started to fall apart in the last quarter, a team that has played together before, coached by guys who didn't meet at the airport on the way to the tournament, probably go on an win it. Instead the team is completely disjointed, with no idea what they are trying to do, they lose, and suddenly their cup future is in the balance.

All because head office wanted some headlines.

I firmly believe, that this World Cup should not be judged until after 2027 (on the basis Eddie Jones doesn't walk).

They didn't have the players to compete at this World Cup, they lost to Italy last year for pete sake... wouldn't have done any better with Rennie in real terms, but they might have avoided a defeat here or there with older players. This should leave them quite well set up for the Lions Tour and the 2027 tournament, where if they win it, this shambles will be forgotten.

Will he have that choice?

Surely they wouldn't sack him... would be bizarre. There has been conversations behind closed doors I reckon... Jones didn't take the job with the demand of competing at this World Cup. All about the Lions Tour and the Home World Cup, and IMO he is prioritising it for right or for wrong. If he wanted to win now, he might have opted against Hooper and Cooper, but he would have brought a more experienced team.

It's a mental game. Bringing Gordon as the only real 10 (Donaldson being used at 15), I reckon was probably designed by Jones to show him, that he is his guy and he backs him to the hilt. Hooper isn't an option after the RWC, so he is basically useless to Jones as harsh as it is.

@frugby If the hosts do not automatically qualify then the Wallabies might have to negotiate their way through the last chance qualification playoff against the likes of Cypress and the Channel Islands.

@Higgins said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@frugby If the hosts do not automatically qualify then the Wallabies might have to negotiate their way through the last chance qualification playoff against the likes of Cypress and the Channel Islands.

Nup - it'll be Oceania. We're fucked

Eddie Jones is the worst coach in the world. Everything published about him screams asshole. You love to see it.

That McClennan is an A grade moron. Hopefully Rugby Australia will be forced to confront reality by bankruptcy soon.

@Tim said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Eddie Jones is the worst coach in the world. Everything published about him screams asshole. You love to see it.

That McClennan is an A grade moron. Hopefully Rugby Australia will be forced to confront reality by bankruptcy soon.

Due to Wellingtons extreme wind all fucken weekend I binged The Office for old times sake. Still good fun.

Eddie and David Brent share a remarkably similar lack of awareness as to what others think of them.

@MiketheSnow said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

In our own hands

Fiji need to beat both Portugal and Georgia scoring 4 or more tries in both matches to finish on a maximum of 16

Australia have to beat both us and Portugal scoring 4 or more tries in both matches to finish on a maximum of 16 points

We beat Aus, we’re through

We lose to Oz with no BP and beat Georgia with BP and we have 15 points, and if the others have accomplished the above then we’re out

At this stage it’s us and Fiji going through

What happens if you lose to Australia with a bonus point and everyone has 16 points? Is it down to points dif?

Seems there are a few ways this could pan out, in theory if OZ don't get 4 tries vs Wales but win, and Wales get a losing BP then they could finish higher? Also, Wales could just score 4 tries to get a BP and get to 16 even if they lose?

@NTA said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@Higgins said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@frugby If the hosts do not automatically qualify then the Wallabies might have to negotiate their way through the last chance qualification playoff against the likes of Cypress and the Channel Islands.

Nup - it'll be Oceania. We're fucked

Australia look to have jammied their way in for the 2027 Webb Ellis Cup on a technicality

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/rugby-union/news/where-next-rugby-world-cup-host-nation-venues-2027/5d38b8df8a3682198ab51699#:~:text=At the time of writing%2C the only confirmed,World Cup%2C with 20 teams in total competing.

Who will compete in Rugby World Cup 2027?

At the time of writing, the only confirmed team for the 2027 tournament is Australia, who qualify automatically as hosts.

Another 12 teams will gain automatic qualification for the tournament by finishing in the top three of their pool in the 2023 World Cup, with 20 teams in total competing. The remaining spots will be allocated through teams competing in a global qualification process.

Expansion to 24 teams in the Rugby World Cup has been mooted from 2031 onwards.

@Winger said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@GibbonRib said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

I can't see how cutting Aussie SR teams

@GibbonRib said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@Winger said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Well done Fiji.

I want Aussie rugby to be strong. And, not run by a fool. So, I hope Aust lose to Wales and Jones and especially the fool who pushed to appoint him both get the boot.

Maybe too late to cut the teams in super rugby though.

I can't see how cutting Aussie SR teams helps Aussie rugby at this stage. Might make short-term sense purely from the perspective of playing resources, but it would just be yet another kick in the nuts to an already massively disillusioned fan base.

Probably a discussion for another thread.

Weak super rugby teams that almost always lose to NZ sides and have zero chance of being the overall top dog must flow into a weaker national side.

IMHO it must start here. Get this right with 3 teams max and it will flow through into the top side. But I guess it's not over yet. And this discussion needs to be on another thread.

Indeed, not over yet. The Wallabies might not make it out of the pool, but could quite possibly make the semifinals. The difference in how that would feel would be immense, even though it wouldn't change much about how good the team is, and even less about the underlying problems

@Higgins said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Australia look to have jammied their way in for the 2027 Webb Ellis Cup on a technicality

A technicality and a fuckload of money for hosting rights.

The system works.

@NTA said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@Higgins said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Australia look to have jammied their way in for the 2027 Webb Ellis Cup on a technicality

A technicality and a fuckload of money for hosting rights.

The system works.

USA Rugby emphatically agrees

@Billy-Tell said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Aus vs Wales not to be missed.

A cripple fight from two “tier 1” [wink wink nod nod] sides the likes a World Cup has never seen…

@chimoaus said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@MiketheSnow said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

In our own hands

Fiji need to beat both Portugal and Georgia scoring 4 or more tries in both matches to finish on a maximum of 16

Australia have to beat both us and Portugal scoring 4 or more tries in both matches to finish on a maximum of 16 points

We beat Aus, we’re through

We lose to Oz with no BP and beat Georgia with BP and we have 15 points, and if the others have accomplished the above then we’re out

At this stage it’s us and Fiji going through

What happens if you lose to Australia with a bonus point and everyone has 16 points? Is it down to points dif?

Seems there are a few ways this could pan out, in theory if OZ don't get 4 tries vs Wales but win, and Wales get a losing BP then they could finish higher? Also, Wales could just score 4 tries to get a BP and get to 16 even if they lose?

Yeah still plenty of permutations

If Oz score 4 tries against us in their win they deserve to go through

Can’t see it though

If they score 4, I reckon we score 4 also

If we also finish within 7 points that gives us 2 points and a 5 pointer against Georgia will see us on 17 points and through

Far from over

But if we play like we did against Fiji, we’ll win

@ACT-Crusader said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@Billy-Tell said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Aus vs Wales not to be missed.

A cripple fight from two “tier 1” [wink wink nod nod] sides the likes a World Cup has never seen…

The side least terrified of losing will be the winner.

Confidence must be terribly low in the Wallaby camp right now.

Injuries very important for Wales.

Team vs Fiji was decent, team vs Portugal a decent step down.

I’ll be gutted if Fiji don’t make it

@MajorRage said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Injuries very important for Wales.

Team vs Fiji was decent, team vs Portugal a decent step down.

I’ll be gutted if Fiji don’t make it

We’re going well in that department

And players like Faletau playing themselves into great form

Right, I've watched it. TBH it wasn't a complete disaster, but wasn't up to Tier 1 standard.

Rugby, like a lot of sport, is a game of inches. Mostly for us it is the top 2 inches that goes missing.

We had a chance to draw level with 10 to go and fluffed our lines. So many times through the match we made good ground and then didn't secure our ball. Wales will have watched that with interest.

A proper Tier 1 team would have finished that game off. Sliding doors but I'd have backed Rennie's Wallabies to win that game. There, I said it.

Our maul defence was rubbish. Our maul attack not much better. When you're no good at the breakdown, you're no good. The stupidity of some of the penalties was mind-boggling.

White needs to go. The increase in speed was noticeable when IFL came on. Lonergan from the Brumbies should be parachuted in. I don't really rate McDermott's passing either, and if you want to play quick rugby on the fringes you need quick passing.

Petaia does nothing, and in fact is a negative. Partly for his stupid kicking just outside Fiji's 22, but also witness him hanging out on the wing in one of our last attacking plays instead of being close in to support or take a short ball.

I'm fucking sick of over-hyped kids who come out of school or club rugby, having torn it up, only to get all their shit destroyed against grown men. This is why we need a third tier - to sort out this bullshit schoolboy rugby once and for all. But that is a rant for another thread. Put Uelese in that column. Marky Mark not much better but at least offers something on attack.

The inability of the back three to take the high ball cost us a lot. Gordon, Marika, and Marky Mark to take blame there.

But enough about the clods...

Frost was the shining light of the forward pack. Good in contact, great in the air. Poor bastard has one of his ears half-separated from his head and still going for 80 minutes. Champion.

Porecki also good in hitting all his targets.

Valetini was pretty good as well but zero support.

In general we looked flat.

Referee - jeez if we'd had a TMO like that Aussie dickhead the other night there might have been some cards both ways. Brace is someone I have trouble watching, but have no issue with his decision-making in general. Lot of shit missed both ways.

TBH we weren't far away but 1 point behind was too far at this stage of the campaign.

Fiji were pretty good. Dropped a lot of ball. Great scrum but had an advantage with Slipper there, and went even harder when Philip came into the second row and got the reward at the end.

They've always been good athletes. Weld a bit of set piece and discipline onto them and they'll go far.

Hope Tonga were watching.

@NTA said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Frost was the shining light of the forward pack. Good in contact, great in the air. Poor bastard has one of his ears half-separated from his head and still going for 80 minutes. Champion.

A few years in the Crusaders system may have benefited Frost.

who goes through to the QF's if all three teams finish on 15 points?

@LABCAT said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

who goes through to the QF's if all three teams finish on 15 points?

Good question ( he said as a desperate Scottish fan hoping for a miracle )

@LABCAT said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

who goes through to the QF's if all three teams finish on 15 points?

Several factors influence pool placings and a team’s qualification to the knockout stages. If teams are level on points at the end of the group stage, the list of criteria for deciding who advances is as follows:

1. The winner of the match between two tied teams is ranked higher.
2. The team with the best points difference in the pool stages is ranked higher.
3. The team with the best difference between tries scored and tries conceded in the pool stages is ranked higher.
4. The team which has scored the most points in the pool stages is ranked higher.
5. The team which has scored the most tries in the pool stages is ranked higher.

Should the teams remain level after steps 1-5, official World Rugby Rankings on a set date will determine the higher ranked team

@NTA That seems quite fair.

What about who hit the most four's?

@NTA Interesting to hear one of the journos at the press conference ask Eddie if Kellaway is a chance to play against Wales. I'm sure I am not the only one puzzled at why he isn't in the starting XV when you see who Jones does select in the back three.

@Bovidae said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@NTA Interesting to hear one of the journos at the press conference ask Eddie if Kellaway is a chance to play against Wales. I'm sure I am not the only one puzzled at why he isn't in the starting XV when you see who Jones does select in the back three.

Hope Eddie selects the same team

@Bovidae said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@NTA Interesting to hear one of the journos at the press conference ask Eddie if Kellaway is a chance to play against Wales. I'm sure I am not the only one puzzled at why he isn't in the starting XV when you see who Jones does select in the back three.

Fucking weird eh?

It'll be interesting to see if Gordon gets another run after getting yanked with 30 to go. If he doesn't, Eddie will get accused of not taking a pick n stick approach.

If that happened, he could at least shoehorn in another Randwick player in Kellaway, moving Donaldson to 10.

Personally think we should start IFL with Donaldson in that case.

Keep up the good work fellas @mariner4life @NTA ...

Couple of bloody interesting takes right there! Pretty hard to disagree with how the 2 of them put down their thoughts, and what their thoughts were.

@booboo said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Keep up the good work fellas @mariner4life @NTA ...

View embedded content

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a few people over at GAGR will read that and join the dots.

I'm more diplomatic over there about people like Petaia because otherwise all the Queenslanders immolate

@mariner4life said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Their young 10 they've chucked in teh deep end Eddie towed, and will now probably never play again

Gordon is super talented.. I can't believe how bad they've mishandled him

They were asking a lot by making him ten this year, but you could make an argument that he was ready. However, the only ten in the squad? A ten in side that lacks other kicking options? Crazy

@Duluth said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

@mariner4life said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

Their young 10 they've chucked in teh deep end Eddie towed, and will now probably never play again

Gordon is super talented.. I can't believe how bad they've mishandled him

They were asking a lot by making him ten this year, but you could make an argument that he was ready. However, the only ten in the squad? A ten in side that lacks other kicking options? Crazy

and they took no old head to help him manage it. Foley or Cooper, even if you didn't intend to play them much, would have been huge for his confidence and to help him navigate it.

But no, you take only him, and as soon as it gets tough, you tow him? appalling man management (from the outside)

@Duluth flipside: if we took a Quade or Foley along as well, then Eddie would probably find it hard to say "squad picked on youth" to justify some other selections he made.

Additionally:

@GibbonRib said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

USA Rugby emphatically agrees

I'd back us to turn it around quicker than them. The USA is a basket case.

@mariner4life said in RWC Week 2: Australia v Fiji:

and they took no old head to help him manage it. Foley or Cooper, even if you didn't intend to play them much, would have been huge for his confidence and to help him navigate it.

I'm sure plenty of people would disagree, but I would've had JOC standing next to him at 12