Autumn Internationals 2022

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119909460#Comment_119909460

Bizarre that he jogged after his own kick, and then slow-jogged after the ball like an under 8 player, followed the ball and jogged around the blind-side of the ruck. Why didn't he just return into his 10 slot into the defensive line, would have prevented the hole that was there, he offered nothing to the ruck, so should have stayed out in his normal 10 channel.

He's let himself and his team down badly in that phase of play there.

Just picked up there that it was 7 minutes into the game!! 😲

No way he could have been tired by then, just pure lack of effort.

Clegg

Michael Hooper has also been ruled out of Australia's game against Wales. I think at least 5 players who played against us last weekend are are now injury enforced absences. Will Skelton will also miss this game as it falls outside the test window. He's back with La Rochelle.

Shehal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119909167#Comment_119909167

It that were true its funny how their fixtures against Premiership opposition in the Champions Cup didnt get that big a crowd either...

CIARAN_BOYLE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119910688#Comment_119910688

Agreed. That's one the reasons I said it won't fix their attendance issues.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119910246#Comment_119910246

Hes lazy, talented but lazy.

Russell is a gifted player. He has terrific balance, a great read of the game and his skill set is well developed (passing, kicking).

The only reason he isn't one of the best outhalves in the world is his attitude. He obviously has poor discipline off the field - this is well established on two fronts. Firstly he has been disciplined by his national coach and has subsequently aired his grievances in public. For me - that is a sign of deep immaturity, and a lack of self awareness. Secondly - his conditioning is poor, compare him to the likes of Biggar, Sexton, Farrell and it's pretty clear the guy doesn't really bother with anything more than the bare minimum.

He's in the wasted talent category for me. He's still a really impressive and successful player - I can only imagine what he'd be like if he applied himself.

PMC83

Whats the craic with games outside the International window? Just money spinners? Rake of league games this weekend and a good few looking very unbalanced

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119911199#Comment_119911199

The absolute worst place he could gone was Racing, they seem to be extremely tolerant of slackers and wasters over there.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119911709#Comment_119911709

It actually appears that most International teams have taken on additional fixtures this year. Ireland for example had the Maori games, the Emerging Ireland tour and the game against the All Black A's. SA had two wider squad games also. Australia has played additional fixtures from what it normally would.

Remarkable state rugby is in currently, I can't remember a time when it was this competitive between the top 8 teams. Reading about Ireland in foreign press also quite fascinating, other countries are a lot more complimentary about us and foreboding about their chances against us.

CIARAN_BOYLE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119911709#Comment_119911709

Pretty much yeah.

The normal tours sees all the money going to the homeside.

Any games outside the window is a negotiated split of the money or a large match fee.

lawrencesummers

Finn russell is such a good OH that he is signing for the amazing and powerful and world conquering club that is Bath.

HAhahahahahahahahhahahahah

Him and jvg are going to get on like a house on fire!!!

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119911199#Comment_119911199

He is deeply undisciplined on the field as well. Not in the sense of penalties, but in the sense that he just decides he's not bothered at times. All part of the same issue of course, but its not just a conditioning or behaviour thing - he frequently mentally quits on plays/games.

swiwi_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119910505#Comment_119910505

Gonna be honest. I have next to zero interest in this week's games and won't be watching. Maybe the Eng vs SA game, but I'm sort of rugbyed-out for the year. Australia are riddled with injuries and will be imagining the beach, but then again Wales are crap. Next stop for me is Super Rugby and 6N. Maybe some of the European games once it gets interesting. It's been a good while since I've watched the Irish provinces, I just can't drum up enthusiasm for the URC.

Digifriendly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119914055#Comment_119914055

Agree re Wales vs Australia but England vs

S. Africa should be a cracker after last weekend's results.

Lots of rugby on TV with URC resuming but

note that BT Sport aren't showing any Friday night GP match probably due to England playing in Soccer WC.

Wales have made 6 changes to the team that lost to Georgia, with Joe Hawkins coming in to make his debut at 12, Leigh Halfpenny back in the 15 shirt, and Rio Dyer and Gareth Anscombe brought in for the dropped Josh Adams and Rhys Priestland.

In the pack Alun-Wyn Jones comes back in and Taulupe Faletau is back at 8.

Interesting how the reaction has been to turn to three guys with an average age of 34, who have an average of 114 caps each. Kind of underlines behind their 'golden generation' there isn't huge faith in what's coming next.

Team (15-9,1-8): Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Gareth Thomas, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Reps: Ryan Elias, Rhodri Jones, Tomas Francis, Ben Carter, Josh MacLeod, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Priestland, Josh Adams.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119916170#Comment_119916170

Has the potential to be a good game, both teams really need a win. I'd say Australia are shattered after the Ireland game but I think they've more quality.

Pivac definitely under pressure: https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/63705484

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119916170#Comment_119916170

Cuthbert ?

They may as well bring back jenkins ffs.

Both teams need a win to save their autumn, could be a good battle alright.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119918402#Comment_119918402

Yeah, I do think Wales will bounce back. They tend to lift themselves against better opposition and will surely be stinging from the amount of criticism they've taken in the past week.

It might be a game too far for the Aussies too; they supposedly only had 25 players fit for selection of their 36 man touring squad.

They're giving a first start to Ben Donaldson at 10, along with another couple of enforced changes, still looks a strong side though:

15-9,1-8: Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Len Ikitau, Reece Hodge, Mark Nawawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Ala'alatoa, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Jed Holloway, Fraser McReight, Langi Gleeson.

Reps: Lachlan Lonergan, Tom Robertson, Sam Talakai, Ned Hannigan, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Jock Campbell.

pickarooney

I suppose Australia are getting a chance to test/develop their squad depth

Mad seeing Pivac go back to the class of 2012 to try and save his international coaching career. Basically picking a Gatland team to try and beat a second string Australia.

sydthebeat

i still think that if Australia are focused, they can win this.

if theyve one eye on the bondi surf wales will power over them

lawrencesummers

Presumably australia will be going with the tactic of passing quickly and often to the lad with the long last name.

lawrencesummers

The welsh fans cant be happy ( generally speaking as well as recently) so a good start by the aussies would quieten the millennium stadium no end

Dubinusa

AWJ starting again! Wales do need a good start. They should be in this one as Oz have a few inexperienced lads playing. I think ifOz win and win comfortably, Pivac could be toast.

Clegg

I think Wakes will win. They aren't great, but Australia have at least 10 players out with injury who would have started this game were they fit.

Clegg

Also, I think it's madness that Alun Wyn Jones is starting. He has been finished as a player since before the Lions Tour to South Africa. He was rushed back from injury to take part in those tests and made zero impact. He has continued to make zero impact as a starter or as a sub since then too.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119920691#Comment_119920691

It says more about the players behind him than anything else.

Former Former Former

Rassie has scheduled a live Vimeo event for 4pm on Nov 30th, ie the minute his media ban expires.

fitz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119923953#Comment_119923953

What legitimate reason does he have for this? Tour will be over, really smacks of trolling WR. Wouldn't be surprised if he did/said something to get a further ban.

Burkie1203

https://twitter.com/andNickMullins/status/1596536759290310656?t=2a5pps8bm_Jp-dU9Phg9XA&s=19

Sadly this is down to Rassie and his pathetic behaviour