I thought the Wobblies were very much as per their name "wobbly". While some aspects of their game improved they were never a real threat in attack. This might improve somewhat when Cooper returns but it won't matter if Giteau stays in the backline. This guys is playing poorly & will not take the ball to the line - the moment someone runs at him he moves sideways like a bloody crap! It just isn't good enough. Some doubt needs to be created in the defensive line to have any chance of success. He's had his chances its time for this rock star to move on!
On the other hand the defence was better but not spirited enough IMO but getting better - what we need is another 2 or 3 with the spirit and mongel of Pocock. It would also be useful if we were able to develop a couple of players that could kick the ball with some precision. Still an improvment but a long way to go if we are going to pose a serious threat to the AB's Bok's (other than at Suncorp) or Frogs.
Lets get rid of Robbie & Rocky - or at least get Ewan coaching the forwards & appoint a new captain.
jj
JJ damn but you are on fire.
In part there is not too much I can disagree with in the first part of your rant i.e. improve in some areas backwards in others.
I totally agree that the dual play maker experiment is resembling a old horse with a broken leg so its now time to put it out of its misery. So Giteau at 12 or Barnes for that matter must make way for a genuine 12 that straightens up the line. A. Faingaa had a mixed game. His rush defence and uncharacteristic high tackling exposed the defensive line. The rush defence may have been a tactic but it was poorly executed by the rest of the team. He calmed down during the match and got back doing what he does best getting the ball over the gain line. However, as the tactics were non existent in the backs it was impossible to really tell how he will gel with AAC or actual is the answer at 12 until a couple more games.
Pocock has been very very good this season and I thought Hogdson offered a lot. Hogdson at 8 would be a fine experiment.
In regards to the Robbie, Rocky and Link comments I not 100% sure. Firstly after all the crap the Reds have been dishing out for the last decade loosing link could be telling. However, in the national interest I would consider it. Yes the forwards are lacking something and the loss of Foley as forwards coach is noticeable but that also has to do with half of the pack injured. I do agree that Rocky is nowhere near his best and lets face it not a captain. The question becomes is who then would be captain? Pocock is still too young in my opinion and lets face it has not captained anything of note lately. Sharpe well he is probably not guaranteed his spot (although was a damn fine work horse in the game), Mumm is a wimp, Robinson well no, S. Faingaa no too young and not guaranteed a spot and this applies to Moore, TPN as well. The only player who is guaranteed his spot in my opinion is AAC and I hate anyone past 9 as captain and well yes Genia is inspirational when on fire but he is not at the moment. The only thing I could consider was Sharpe as Captain and then Pocock and AAC as deputies.
If we are dropping Rocky, then who takes his place. Higgenbottom is raw and untested, who else? Everyone else I can think of is simply untried. That's not bad but experience is needed and perhaps Van Humphries would slide in? Simmons to me is a better option at lock for Mumm.
The Deans issue is interesting. The thing that has me disapointed in Deans is his inability to adequately use the bench. Hodgson has been poorly used to date. While I was expecting Moore to get at least 20 minutes against the ABs. I believe Deans is a very good coach but he is not using the bench well nor does he seam to make the hard choices (Giteau is not a 10) this is costing him and the side.
I still don't reckon that Link will provide a magic solution. Injuries are robbing the best out of the side but the team is not playing smart rugby anymore and its costing them. What the solution is however, will require me spending more time thinking through the issues before I start hypothesising on solutions.
