A place to spin some yarns tell us what your wife reckons. Does not have to be rugby related. Remember to play the ball, not the man.

I've seen criticism of Lolesio's kicks for touch. However, on my first watch of the Ireland game I thought his clearance kicks were quite good. I've just watched again and made notes on every kick by Lolesio from within our 22m.

12min - in touch 1m over halfway

13min - in touch 2m inside our 40m

28min - in touch 1m outside our 22m (kicked under pressure from 3m behind our tryline)

46min - not out, 2m in from touch at halfway, taken quickly from a mark at the 5m line

60min - in touch 1m over halfway, kicked from a mark middle of the field on the 22m

63min - not out, 2m in from touch at halfway, kicked from middle of field, 6m out from our try line

65min - in touch 1m outside our 40m

68min - in touch 2m inside our 40m, off a bounce pass/drop from McDermott getting smashed, lots of pressure

71min - goal line dropout to halfway

Most of these kicks were pretty good. The kicks at the 13 min mark and 65 mins could have had better distance. The other shorter kicks were taken quickly under a fair bit of pressure (28 mins, 68 mins).

There were 2-3 other good clearance kicks made by Jorgo and Wright. One from Jorgo near the end that was charged and went into touch at the 22.

By stark contrast, every kick that ended up only 5-10 metres outside our 22 was from a box kick - and there were a lot of them. I didn't count but I'd estimate there were at least as many box kicks made as regular clearance kicks, but none of them went past the 40.

In this game at least, although Lolesio's distance is not huge, his kicks were reasonably consistently making it to touch around halfway.

When you watch a rugby game it feel like your memory lasts about 2 rucks. I've always tried to pay attention to what happened in the last 2 minutes or that cause Australia to always be defending in our half of the field. Every team in super rugby and the wallabies just gets dominated in territory, it's as if we just neglected that aspect of the game for an entire generation. I don't think we even consider a players ability to kick for touch, kick long, or chew off meters after a catch; It's more just a lucky draw.... Yet I feel like almost every game is won off the back of field position and it has been responsible for so much of our losses the past 20 years, made worse by our handling penalty giving.
Legit the biggest reason the Aussies are playing so well is because we barely knock the ball on anymore! it's glorious to watch. simple and fast! and we stay further up the field for longer because of it. I love it!. But our field kicking is still hurting us.

Every time we kick from our 40m. They kick it back into our 22m.. We then dawdle and then either walk back and get tackled on our 30m. or we kick it deep into the grandstand to the 40m line. - So the net result 1 minute after we kicked from our 40 is ALWAYS worse than the position we started. Tom wright has a super boot on him and can kick deep into the 22m. Also runs back fast to take as much territory as he can after a catch. Everyone else however, it feels like they aren't aware that we are getting destroyed on the front.

The conversation for aus has been about whether we should kick or hold possession. but no one focuses on the execution of why the kicking play style sucks for us. And it's cause no one understands the point of kicking is to get as much territory as possible. like that's the whole point of doing it. Put teams under pressure and they turn it over close to their line. Even Irelands drops outs were deep. and we'd have to clear from our 10m line with a box kick and they have possession on our 40m again lol.

Pumped to see how our super sides go next year. Reds back row, brumbies backline, tahs backline, tahs front row, wallabies galore in the west… this November series has me horny for next year. Sua'ali'i against the lions after a season at super will create bigger headlines than he did the past month.. it’s a good time to be an Australian rugby fan

🏉 Complete Guide: Dubai 7s SVNS 2024-25 Broadcast & Schedule (Day 2)

Everything you need to know about catching today's action from the HSBC SVNS series in Dubai!

Follow Dubai Rugby 7s Sevens Official Channels 2024.

📅 Tournament Details

Dates: November 30 - December 1, 2024
Location: Dubai, UAE
Current Stage: Day 2 - Quarter-Finals & Finals

📺 How to Watch

Free Streaming Option

• RugbyPass TV - Available in regions without broadcast deals
• Perfect for international viewers!

Regional Broadcasters

🏆 Men's Tournament Schedule (All times local)

Quarter-Finals

• 6:48 - Great Britain vs Spain
• 7:10 - South Africa vs New Zealand
• 7:32 - Fiji vs France
• 7:54 - Argentina vs Australia

9th Place Semi-Finals

• 9:44 - Uruguay vs United States
• 10:06 - Kenya vs Ireland

Semi-Finals & Finals

• 10:06 - Semi-Final 1 (TBC)
• 10:28 - Semi-Final 2 (TBC)
• 11:20 - 7th Place Play-off
• 12:32 - 11th Place Play-off
• 13:06 - 5th Place Play-off
• 13:16 - 9th Place Play-off
• 15:03 - Bronze Medal Match
• 16:11 - GRAND FINAL 🏆

After staying up for the game last night I had a bit of hope we could pull off an upset. This spring tour showed how well we are developing and how good we actually can be.

To say how impressed I was with the game is an understatement. Regardless of the loss (which stings a lot), it was the best game we played all year and probably for the past few years.

We were absolutely brilliant in defence. The Irish side is arguably the best attacking side in the world and they hardly made the gain line. We probably defended for 30 minutes of that second half and made some of the grittiest tackles I’ve seen in a long time. Consistent pressure and we hardly faulted (albeit the BS try from the knock on). Wallabies are known for having huge holes in defence and we showed how good we have become in defence but also being gritty and staying in the grind. Not only that but we hardly gave away any penalties when usually our discipline is quite bad.

We took most of our opportunities and didn’t bottle them. Most of the time we were in their half (which was hardly ever), we came away with points.

Not only this, the attack was extremely versatile. Off scrums we made 30 metres off a nice set play. We tested their defence and made gain line when we had the ball. Our backs were electric and that came off the forwards putting in the hard yards.

I’m so so proud of the team we are building. Joe Schmidt is the answer and we really need him for the World Cup. We have the talent and the direction and we need everyone to get behind the boys over the next couple years. Things are looking up and as a die hard supporter super excited for the future.

Get behind the boys!!!

With the spring tour finished it makes sense to move our minds to the Lions tour, and discuss which players selected themselves and which positions are still up for grabs. My $0.02 is:

Front row:

Bell and Faesslar are easy picks, as is some combination of AAA and Tupou. I thought BPA brought much needed physicality and scrummaging so he gets the bench spot unless Porecki really impresses at SR level. Slipper seems on the way out for Kailea but Slipps could surprise us - he's obviously highly rated internally.

Second row:

Skelton has to be first name on the team sheet. Faesslar's excellent throwing can help to offset the detriment to our lineout and we can sub off big Will once BPA comes on.

Other lock position seems set with Frost, with Williams on the bench. Can't see much changing based on SR results though I could be surprised here.

Backrow:

This is where things get interesting. Bobby V and McReight are written in permanent marker on the teamsheet. Liam Wright was first choice captain but might have lost his spot to Wilson. I prefer Wright on the starting squad for balance, given he's a better lineout jumper and I've pencilled in Skelton at 5, though Wilson's jumping has improved.

Bench spot for backrow could be whoever misses out between Wright and Wilson, or some other wildcard.

Halves:

Gordon and Noah have these spots on lock. I love what Tate brings but his work around the ruck is a lot more valuable late in the game off the bench. Both 9s need to work on their box-kicking though - we didn't clear our lines well enough in a few games which particularly hurts against NH opponents.

Backup 10 is up for grabs based on SR results - Edmed shows a bit more than Donno but Donno's ability to play 15 could potentially open up a 6/2 bench?

Centres:

Len and Joe is an easy pic. Midfield has been a real strength since they linked up. Reserve could be Hunter, maaaaybe Samu can be trusted to break tired tackles in a bench cameo? This bench spot goes away in a possible 6/2 split though.

Back 3:

Kells and Wright are easy picks. 11 is probably the most up for grabs spot based on SR outcomes. Daugunu, Jorgo, Pietsch, Potter, Junkyard Dog, Toole and Darby have all been around the team so we'll see.

All in all it's been a fun tour! Glad we have a bit of hope heading into next year and now we just need the news that Schmidt has signed on for the WC too!

FUUUUUUCK. Good defense effort from the team in an insane game with some mad reffing. also that knock on wasnt our fault.

Look I like to think I’m a pretty unbiased spectator, you’ll rarely hear me complain about the ref. But 15 minutes in and you’d have to say that we’ve been very unlucky with some of the calls. That shot by joemcarthy was a a yellow.

Side note: we should have a live discussion thread during the games.

Pretty much just the title....and a minor rant about not having access to tour games.

LFG 🫡

Sorry, just got around to watching it, moving house.

So basically, all the things I've been worried about and taking about were pretty much exactly what e saw and what Scotland exploited.

Weak defencive links between forwards and backs.

Not enough lineout. Skelton, LSL, and Wilson are just way too slow to get up to be a 'real' jumper. Especially to act as a defencive spoiler. Liam Wright probably fills that gap, especially if Joe wants something other than McReight.

On McReight, wasn't that a daft decision... Enough said. While Dizzy was a bit unlucky on a few calls, he hardly justified continued selection absent injuries.

Though Wilson really showed the value he brings being a very smart player and a better then handy captain.

Scrum was surprisingly good. BPA thew well, and showed he's gotta be the number 2 hooker. Lineout issues probably were more to do with the derth of genuine jumpers. Also he showed he's not really a great fit starting, in terms of fitness, he's probably got 40 min in him. 40 great mins, but only 40.

Noah... Is just so slow, so uncreative. A defencive liability. Not sure who's more frustrating, him or Gordon. Play them together, and don't bother picking backs, just pick two forward packs. Because our backs won't be able to do anything useful.

The kick cover tactical ineptitude of Tom Wright was on full display. He could have easily been carded on that shoulder on Kinghorn (I'm shocked they didn't). He also made a number of poor defencive reads.

Kellaway was pretty poor, without being very noticeable. Even Len had a few issues in defence, but was one of our better backs.

Tate changed our attack when he came on, but only so much he can do. Not sure why Joe isn't starting him. At this point, I kinda don't even care any more. But he was the only real spark in our backline.

Gleeson made a good case to keep his bench spot. While Frost looked to have made no impact. I'd hate to say it, but we'd really benifit from a real lineout technician like Ned Hanigan, perhaps shutter Swain could fill that gap?

Also when did Donaldson get on, if we're picking him on the bench, we need to use him, especially in this type of game where we need that x-factor to change the situation.

Mes amis, I've had my thinking cap on, and would like to propose a new trophy for Australia v Scotland. Yes, there's the hopetoun ? Cup for the winner, but this will be a very exclusive wooden spoon equivalent.

It should be called the Keller Cup, in a good natured in honour of Doug Keller who played for both Oz and Scotland?

https://classicwallabies.com.au/players/douglas-holcombe-keller/615

And for the drongos, In modern German Keller means cellar or basement

Let’s here them - true stories only

At the time Tate kicks the ball Tuipulotu is still retreating. He’s doing it diagonally across field, which I didn’t think was legal. Plus he never gets back to behind the feet of the last Scottish player at the ruck which was almost at the 6m line.

A place to spin some yarns tell us what your wife reckons. Does not have to be rugby related. Remember to play the ball, not the man.