I guess Eddie achieved what he set out to do. ITV numpties noting it's "a real wake up call for Australian rugby" to be knocked out in the pool stages, despite mentioning Eddie had selected the youngest team.
He could have easily progressed to the quarters if he'd picked better players and not lost his marbles trying to forge his own way and be Mr Innovator.
@MiketheSnow was thinking the same thing
Portugal play proper rugby. I’ve been very impressed. We see if they can keep it up but they aren’t that far off the likes of Italy and Georgia imo.
This is the worse prepared Aussie team I can recall. Poor cohesion, appalling discipline and little in the way of leadership. Is it coaching? Is it selection? It’s certainly a step backwards over the past 9-10 months from what I’ve seen.
Yeah, Ozzie rugby has deep issues, but Jones has made it worse. RWC success, or even good performance, is based a lot on experience on the big stage - getting rid of pretty much all of it was ridiculous. Even if HooperCooper were there just for support and playing minnows, they would've made a difference. Hooper has mana in Ozzie rugby, and Quade has very much matured from what I have seen
@MiketheSnow said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
Portugal could do Fiji next week if Fiji play like they did yesterday and/or finally get pulled up for dodgy tackles
All Fiji need is one competiton point - 4 tries or losing by 7 or fewer will do.
@Machpants said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
So now they just hang around on the off chance they have a game in two weeks, ouch
Yes, will be very hard to keep the players mentally switched on at training knowing its likely you are going home.
Phucking hell, just watched that. Portugal just gave it all. Wow. Would they have beaten Italy with that performance?
@Catogrande said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
This is the worse prepared Aussie team I can recall. Poor cohesion, appalling discipline and little in the way of leadership. Is it coaching? Is it selection? It’s certainly a step backwards over the past 9-10 months from what I’ve seen.
Just 100% the coach, and the lack of time he's had to get them prepared. They were on the right track under Rennie and had both France and Ireland under pressure on their own turf last EOYT - that seems like an awful long time ago now! Parachuting Eddie in at the last minute is I think the most idiotic decision I've ever seen from a rugby union. Just incredible stuff. So damaging as well, my wife is a long time Wallaby supporter and she has checked out on them completely now. She won't be alone in that either after this debacle.
@KiwiMurph said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
@MiketheSnow said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
Portugal could do Fiji next week if Fiji play like they did yesterday and/or finally get pulled up for dodgy tackles
All Fiji need is one competiton point - 4 tries or losing by 7 or fewer will do.
Something they toiled to achieve against Georgia (the winning points, no BP)
It's not out of the realms for Portugal to beat Fiji by more than 7 without conceding 4 tries
@MiketheSnow said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
@KiwiMurph said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
@MiketheSnow said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
Portugal could do Fiji next week if Fiji play like they did yesterday and/or finally get pulled up for dodgy tackles
All Fiji need is one competiton point - 4 tries or losing by 7 or fewer will do.
Something they toiled to achieve against Georgia (the winning points, no BP)
It's not out of the realms for Portugal to beat Fiji by more than 7 without conceding 4 tries
Nah, that was their dip game after a massive upset win. They'll cruise to a win next week
Fiji will beat Portugal and finish 2nd in the pool. No doubt. I say that having not even watched this game yet.
Agree with @Machpants that Georgia were their dip game
There's a theory that the GF appearance in 2015 actually haunted us longer term. That maybe the best thing foley could have done was miss that kick against Scotland.
Don't know how that would end up of course. A review? We've had a dozen of those in the last 20 years and nothing is getting better...
Ok watching now.
You can tell our defence coach is from league because we leave acres of fucking space on the wings.
Portugal's backs have great hands and run great lines.
Fuck me it's ironic that the TMO's first name is "Joy" because every time I've seen them in the booth, they do everything they can to suck all the joy out of the game
Wallabies' first try good example of how to put your key ball runners into your first two phases. Bell crashes in, recycle to Valentini, luckily Arnold holds the pop
Try #2: good touch finder from Donaldson. Good lineout from Porecki. Good maul from the pack. Good finish from the skipper.
Porecki's strengths are set piece. Best lineout thrower we've had for a while and can scrum
Try #3: silly kick from Portugal 9, and we actually decide to counterattack. Fuck didn't appreciate how fast Foketi is.
Nearly goes to shit but Bell cleans up, then we're smart enough to use hands instead of going straight into contact. Funny how you can cover your rucks in time when you play on your feet.
You're not stopping Bell from there. Best prop we've had in so long. Wish we had Alaalatoa there with him
Lol koroibete killed a guy.
Not sure that's a legal strike by Portugal at the scrum following - only front rowers can strike at the ball?
Gotta say that tackle by the Portugal 2 on Pone is borderline illegal. Front on it becomes a cannonball. Side on its a different story
Lost our scrum on 56:30. Why the fuck is Arnold packing behind the loosehead? He should be the big lump on the right
Followed by a dumb late shot from Foketi and a dumb shoulder from Kerevi. Why? Just hold the fucking line and tackle low.
@NTA said in RWC Week 4: Australia v Portugal:
Lost our scrum on 56:30. Why the fuck is Arnold packing behind the loosehead? He should be the big lump on the right
Rinse and repeat for Portugal's second try
Last minute. Better scrum.
Ref says "tackle" multiple times. Marky Mark just did not listen. Facepalm.
