RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Pack strength in sufficient depth is a prerequisite to get to a semifinal in the Rugby World Cup. Then, magic and nerve is needed…
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I think he’d be forced to if QF/SF looms and, for example, CG can’t hit kicks and has the yips.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Boks have been living off the counter (and Willie’s assists).
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
And Scotland, quietly, has continuity from 2019 in the pack (it’s just that it didn’t even work then against Japan).
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Willie and Polly?
Top 10 playmakers at Rugby World Cup - and why the Wallabies' young gun has the game's toughest gig
He has the most caps in the Youth 10 list (which is very short!)
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Terminator, the selection and treatment of potential 9s and 10s rolling through Australia are really mysterious. R. Lonergan seems the perfect third 9 to take to a Cup, but never got a roll. Q. Cooper also tailormade to be player 23 or starting 10 depending on the foe; a mentor when not on pitch. More tested Noah L (or fiery Tane Edmed) seem better than Ben to me, but here is Ben.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
If we had a ranking of hybrid teams .. FIJI #1
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Toonie and Finn’s relationship has come a long way. We always mad at the kid who is most like us.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
All Kiwi boys learn to love the pass. Saffa boys love to tackle. Irish love the clever kick. French love French.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
BBBBB is still BBBBB. For a while, he became BBBB and then BBB, but never just BB.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
I pondered that. I actually think Fiji is hard to distinguish (backs from pack) and may be the most hybrid of all. They could do a 7-1.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Thank you Jimbob. It’s a pleasure to write for you (and Jacko and Tooly!)
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Well, I think there’s significant individual talent, but I agree, what keeps them out of the top 4 is no gel
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
cheers, Ken!
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Add Quade to the mix and the backline shoots up 2 places.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
The way the draw works, Ireland, SA, NZ, and France really don’t care THAT much about their head-to-head matches. The big match in Pool B is Scotland v SA. Once that’s done, it becomes IRE v Scotland. Essentially, IRE v SA becomes academic then.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
I see Mt Smart as more of an anomaly than Twickenham because of the bounce of the ball and little kicks being the key to the former, whereas the Boks could and should have got to 57 with the time they camped down in the AB 22 and it seemed like NZ could do nothing to stop it.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
The thing is some of them (besides Sexton) are quite shy or quiet. But really good. Hugo Keenan, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, JGP. These are excellent all-round players.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Correct.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
I was looking at the last year or so. Ireland’s backs have not been beaten by anyone (sometimes the pack can be neutralised as by Rennie’s WBs or SBs in Dublin) but the backs still find a way.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
There is also a size issue (horses for courses) so if you have a back 3 of Willemse-Moodie-Mapimpi, you aren’t worried about being rolled over. If you run out Willie-KLA-Kolbe, it’s quick-quick.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Defence and attack: but just the backs. Ireland is very cohesive
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
Gracias
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
I’ll be watching him closely, Nobes.
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies
NZ still the faves (10th time in 10 Cups). France at home. Ireland #1. Boks are 4th fave
RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies