Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:21 pm  

Who replaces Cronk, Slater and Smith for Australia - that has to be the worry for them, when they retire from rep footy

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:21 pm  

Beverley red wrote:

Am I the only one who wonders why the Australians 1, get to play a day earlier than the other semi finalists? 2,with their own countryman as ref? 3,wont have to travel overseas to play the next match? 4,plus playing on the same ground as the final (no travel at all)?
If we had done that to them they would have whinged the ears off the world!

And if they had played tomorrow, you would be whining that they got an extra day to recover (after playing in the Darwin heat and humidity).
Let's face it, whatever happens you'll blame the Aussies.

Would have been too cruel to make your blokes play in the Top End though. 30 degrees C and 80% humidity; heat strokes left, right and centre.

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:26 pm  

Exceptional effort by Holmes.
Yes he was on the end of a pretty good backline, but there have been plenty of bigger name players in teams as good or better who have not done as well.
6 in a game is pretty special at any level, and 11 in 2 games is phenomenal.

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:36 pm  

Wilde 3 wrote:

Who replaces Cronk, Slater and Smith for Australia - that has to be the worry for them, when they retire from rep footy

Agree with this.

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:40 pm  

Could have been a draw if the clown on Fiji's right wing didn't go on the pitch. Has there ever been such a poor display by an individual in a test?

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:24 pm  

Wilde 3 wrote:

Who replaces Cronk, Slater and Smith for Australia - that has to be the worry for them, when they retire from rep footy

Moses looked quality for Lebanon. No idea what he's like at club level but it wouldn't surprise me to see him as half back in the future.

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:22 pm  

Wilde 3 wrote:

Who replaces Cronk, Slater and Smith for Australia - that has to be the worry for them, when they retire from rep footy

Absolutely. They are the huge difference between the Aussies being a good team and an almost unbeatable one with them in it.

I don't think its any coincidence that Queensland have won almost every SOO and we have not beaten the Aussies over the last decade.

I know they have always coped replacing great players in the past but there is a pretty big gulf between the quality of those 3/4 if we are including thurston as well and their next in line, particularly in the halves and at hooker.

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:38 pm  

Dally wrote:

Could have been a draw if the clown on Fiji's right wing didn't go on the pitch. Has there ever been such a poor display by an individual in a test?

He definitely made Australia's job easier.

Never ceases to amaze me seeing top level wingers (and centres) flying out the defensive line. It almost never works and inevitably leaves a channel for the attackers to develop and usually score.

Australia were good but not amazing. Fiji went away from what worked previously and turned into the stereotypical island team - big, strong and passionate, but indisciplined, prone to error and defensively fragmented, handing Australia far too much territory and possession.

All in all - even though a Fiji win was always unlikely - that was a hugely disappointing game.

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:47 pm  

If england do get there next week i cant see them getting within 20.

Re: GAME ON GROUP SF : Australia v Fiji - Fri - 09:00:00 : Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:32 pm  

Seth wrote:

If england do get there next week i cant see them getting within 20.

If we do not get within 20 I will want the full aussie team drug tested 14 world cup finals what are they Machines like the sky advert