An eclectic mix of some of the finer things in life - politics, sport, music, humour and God. Welcome!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Robbie's nightmare
RWC 2011 year got off to a bad start for the Australians when they were beaten-up by a fired up Manu Samoa side. And in the first match of 2012, it's deja vu all over again.
Australia has been beaten 9-6 by Six Nations wooden-spooners Scotland in dreadful conditions at Newcastle. Unlike the Samoa game last season though where the Wallabies had an experimental look to them, this was a strong Australian side, with most of the first choice players available.
And the pressure is already going on Australian coach Robbie Deans; angry Ockers are venting on boards across the internet. Here are a few examples from the SMH's Rugby Heaven board:
God, what witless rugby. All that possession, and with
the gale at their back, and they kept trying the one tactic that
neutralised their strengths and put Scotland on an even footing. Why
did they wait 35 minutes to try a high ball? In that wind, it would
have really hard to handle, and they didn't have to worry about getting
back possession. And trying a 48 metre penalty goal in those
conditions! They deserved to lose for sheer stupidity.
Pathetic..... Watch everybody blame the weather (both teams were playing in it). @Jono
- Your so correct, the ARU put a game in league strong hold, and field a
side with no will to win. Did see one player really fighting in the
tackle.
Even if it was dry, the Scotts wanted to win, it was all
in their attitude, their rucks and mauls so much stronger. Genia again
so slow.....
Over watching Wallabies, not going to waste my time anymore.
Brain dead rugby by the Wallabies. Absolutely no plan evident or any
intelligent thinking. Either we need about 20 new Wallabies or one new
coach (luv ya Ewen!). Plus a completely new set of administrators at
National and State level. Too much infighting, ego and leather patches. Really this was a pathetic outcome and a great advertisement for Aussie Rules, League or Soccer.
Ouch! But congratulations to the Scots; not only do they have the best anthem in world rugby, but they had the passion and commitment to win the game last night, even when playing into the tempest in the second half. They deserved their victory.
And so to celebrate, here is that anthem, brought to you by the our inner Scot:
Well done Scotland. Wales will now be licking their lips.
Rugby now means nothing except for one tournament every four years - the one the last NZ "coach" did his best to lose, ignominiously, twice.
Deans has always built teams and only been successful when allowed to do exactly that.
If Deans survives the politics his 2015 Ocker team will be competitive.
One other note; Deans does not seemed to have given positions on his team to fat, lazy, talentless team-killers so at least one side of the Tasman has a rugby team with potential.
Strange game. At half-time I thought that Australia (with the wind behind them in the second half) would romp home by 20+ points.
Scotland wasted too much possession with crooked throws to the lineout, but out-scrummed the Aussie pack comprehensively and defended stoutly. Laidlaw's final penalty under pressure and into the wind was courageous.
The Aussies were complacent, and witless tactically. They under-rated Scotland (N'castle on a Tuesday evening???), and played as though a green-and-gold victory was pre-ordained. Rugby can be a great destroyer of inflated egos, especially with the help of that great leveller, heavy rain.
Final comment - the S.A. ref seemed to have no idea when it came to players (from both teams) ending up on the wrong side of the break-down and sealing off the ball. I thought that that tactic was to be fixed this year by the refs!
2 comments:
Rugby now means nothing except for one tournament every four years - the one the last NZ "coach" did his best to lose, ignominiously, twice.
Deans has always built teams and only been successful when allowed to do exactly that.
If Deans survives the politics his 2015 Ocker team will be competitive.
One other note; Deans does not seemed to have given positions on his team to fat, lazy, talentless team-killers so at least one side of the Tasman has a rugby team with potential.
Strange game. At half-time I thought that Australia (with the wind behind them in the second half) would romp home by 20+ points.
Scotland wasted too much possession with crooked throws to the lineout, but out-scrummed the Aussie pack comprehensively and defended stoutly. Laidlaw's final penalty under pressure and into the wind was courageous.
The Aussies were complacent, and witless tactically. They under-rated Scotland (N'castle on a Tuesday evening???), and played as though a green-and-gold victory was pre-ordained. Rugby can be a great destroyer of inflated egos, especially with the help of that great leveller, heavy rain.
Final comment - the S.A. ref seemed to have no idea when it came to players (from both teams) ending up on the wrong side of the break-down and sealing off the ball. I thought that that tactic was to be fixed this year by the refs!
Post a Comment