Comments on: Rugby World Cup 2015: Australia player ratings vs Argentina

By: Pablito

Pablito — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:00:44 +0000

This is not just about back rows and England do not have lumbering giants.

Fardy – 6′ 6, 17st 13lb
Wood – 6′ 4, 16st 11lb

Pocock – 6′ 1, 18st 1lb
Robshaw – 6′ 2 17st 2lb

(figures taken from national team websites)

Check the stats for the Aus / Eng game. Whilst they do not show everything, they do show that both Pocock and Robshaw were 1st or 2nd to rucks, (both offensive and defensive) a similar amount of times and more than anyone else on the field.

The difference is that A. Pocock’s technique and timing is the best in the world and B. he has quick support and aggressive rucking from the rest of his pack. Too often Robshaw was trying to the job on his own with little support and when he did get support it was often ineffectual.

Cheika has hit upon a brilliant and radical set-up. Outside of the scrum, Pocock is not playing as an 8 but as an openside. Hooper is playing as a kind of openside/centre. Fardy is playing a more traditional blindside role

They can do this as their locks and props are carrying the ball effectively enough to allow them the lee-way to not play a ball-carrier at 8 a la Vunipola / Picamoles / Faletau but instead to play an openside there. This is also helped by Fardy turning in brilliant performance after brilliant performance in supporting both Hooper and Pocock. He is the lynchpin for this back row and wiithout him it would not work anywhere near so well.

It will be interesting to see what happens when they come up against the ABs who are equally as good on the floor, have a pack who are ball carriers 1 through 8 and who ruck aggressively, effectively and as a unit.

England’s problem is that they do not have the correct strategy or technique at the breakdown and until they fix that, changes in personnel will make little difference.

By: Mitchell

Mitchell — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 22:15:26 +0000

A bit hard on Giteau and Folau. Beale was sharp? My favourite player wasn’t that sharp on that game. Well done Australia, the most eligible challengers for New Zealand, no question.

After next weekend, what am I going to do with myself. It’s been an epic world cup.
The 6 nations, Pro 12 big matches and Heineken cup – the filler for me as I wait for my favourite tournament in my favourite sport for another 4 years. I love this game.

By: AlexD

AlexD — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 17:05:25 +0000

To me it highlighted how badly England need fast mobile 6 & 7’s instead of lumbering Giants
Tardy and Hooper were immense and backed up by probably the best 8 in the world at the moment!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:48:13 +0000

Pocock was just utterly ridiculous. Thought Beale was very good off the bench but I’m not sure how you can get him in the starting line up. Polata-Nau certainly has his wheatabix too; started his game with a couple of massive carries.

Really hope we see Australia win next weekend.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 15:52:32 +0000

What does Pocock have to do to get a 10? I’d have said that was pretty much an impeccable display

Thinks scores on the Aussie front row are all too high, especially on Slipper. His primary role is as a pro, not an extra centre and as a prop, he got utterly, totally demolished. No more than a 2 in my book