Wallabies vs Lions III
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@pakman said in Wallabies vs Lions III:
In that same thread, there’s an interesting overhead view of the first scrum penalty against the Wallabies, with a lot of people again focusing on Porter’s boring in. But when you slow it down and focus just on the actions of the Wallaby pack, then I’d argue the main issue is their faulty timing.
Alaalatoa is a split second ahead of his fellow front-rowers but this split second ripples through the entire pack. Most importantly, the second row loses their connection with the front row, Skelton falling to one knee and Frost being in a diagonal position, leaving both unable to get a decent push on. Furthermore, Wilson detaches almost immediately at the back.
As a result, the togetherness of the Wallaby pack is severely compromised, which the Lions forwards sense and exploit by attacking as a collective. And while Porter is scrumming at an angle, I’d say that, on the whole, the Lions pack shows more cohesion and power in a forward direction.
As the former Wallaby prop Topo Rodriguez writes in his book, Rugby: The Art of Scrummaging (2015, revised ed.), “The necessary timing can’t be achieved if the scrum operates in two sections [...], it has to be the whole eight thinking, acting and reacting as one (89)." Mike Cron would’ve not been pleased, I imagine.
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@NTA said in Wallabies vs Lions III:
Alaatoa's early hit is a consequence, not a cause IMHO
I'd agree with that. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that the timing and togetherness of the Wallaby pack as a whole was off, rather than just pointing the finger at Porter for angling in.
I don't understand enough of the mechanics of the scrum to really pinpoint a single point of origin, so I'll leave that to the expertise of others.
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@NTA said in Wallabies vs Lions III:
I'd say it's more to do with the second row bind and Wilson's failure to pull them in tight.
Look at the huge gap behind the hooker - Alaatoa's early hit is a consequence, not a cause IMHO
From the overhead it doesn't even look like Wilson has a shoulder driving through the arse of the locks.
Doesn't help that Porter still clearly drives through on the angle.
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Two observations from me.
- As I’ve noticed in a few other overhead shots form game, Porter hardly has Chessum’s left shoulder on his huge arse, but Beirne’s right one is rammed in hard. There is no attempt to scrum straight so penalty for me. Vincent Koch is quite similar at TH;
- Other thing which strikes me is that Sheehan has Porter shoulders behind his armpits, so his shoulders may be 6 inches ahead. When AAA engages there is nothing for his right shoulder to contact so he inevitably shoots forward on the hit, which seems to disrupt his connection with Porecki and also Skelton’s by the look of it.
No idea of the legality of Lions approach in this aspect.
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Interesting that overhead shot, whole Wallaby pack seem to be going to right trying to wheel scrum? Wilson is pushing Skelton's arse out, causing whole scrum to twist(I suspect to take Lions hooker away from ball?). And other Wallaby lock is turning hooker almost sideways, not sure why. Porter also ends up going in as well, whether to follow Aus tighthead or not is beyond me. Very interesting to see, and gives idea how scrum try and manipulate each other.
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Wallabies rush in hooker on Test eve as double injury strikes
A hooker who was originally set to miss selection for the third Test is now starting for the Wallabies, and a back-up has been rushed in.
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Pietsch, Tupou to start for Wallabies in final British & Irish Lions Test
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made several changes for the third and final Test against the British & Irish Lions.
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Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan to start in final Lions Test against Australia
Kinghorn to replace Lowe on left wing after impressing in Melbourne as Andy Farrell’s side seek to wrap up series whitewash
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Some interesting selections and omissions
No Lowe or Tuipolotu
Hansen hasn’t made an appearance after a solid start
McCarthy must still be injuredRyan straight in over Chessum
They’ll be looking for Earl, Genge & Mitchell to bring dynamism in the final quarter
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can't say i think that is the best available XV, on reflection throughout the tests, i'm a bit disappointed by the shoe horning in of Irish players. Genge is better than Porter, not sure what Ryan's done to deserve a spot, think Conan is lucky.
Think the bench is mental, Farrell covers 10 and 12, Earl covers back row and 12 but there's a dramatic lack of cover for the other backline positions. Think Marcus should be on the bench instead of Farrell.
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@Dodge said in Wallabies vs Lions III:
can't say i think that is the best available XV, on reflection throughout the tests, i'm a bit disappointed by the shoe horning in of Irish players. Genge is better than Porter, not sure what Ryan's done to deserve a spot, think Conan is lucky.
Think the bench is mental, Farrell covers 10 and 12, Earl covers back row and 12 but there's a dramatic lack of cover for the other backline positions. Think Marcus should be on the bench instead of Farrell.
Jones can cover wing, Kinghorn can cover fullback. Don't think Smith's utility value should be enough to see him getting selected over Farrell (though you could argue he's simply a better player).
