Australia v Wales First Test post mortem.

First topic message reminder :

Ok so Ive watched the game a couple of times now and have come to a few conclusions.

Australias kicking game was much better than ours Whlist we are ahead on the possessoin stats (54%) that possession was in our own half. Halfpenny dealt with the expected bombs but our kick return and chase was poor. When compared to the RWC and Six Nations, it was very very poor. Priestland has to hold his hand up here and look at his kicking from hand. Execution was poor.

The scrum and lineout went well, 100% in the line is unheard of for Wales Charteris was the target man and secured 5 out of wales throws. However, in the scrum we need to learn to adapt to the referees calls. Yesterday the kids were suffering from the same problem and changed it on the pitch, you could hear them call before every scrum "no early engage) after they had been pinged a couple of times. If our kids can do it our first team should. Lack of concentration cost us.

The turnovers conceded was a real worry with Priestland Halfpenny and Davies the main culprits with 4,4 and 3 repsectively. Whilst the rest of Halfpennys game was good he does get turned over in defence too often. The other two had bad days at the office and those stats are a concern.

Defensively Shaun is not going to be a happy bunny. Three tries conceded and 10 first up tackles missed is not the kind of stats we have become accucstomed to. Faletau normally very good in defence missed two and had only a 50% success rate when he was hauled off. Lydiate was again awesome in defence with 18 made none missed and his chopping technique was certainly effective. However again execution was poor.

Our ball carrierrs made the same amount of yardage as the Aussies but again pinned back as they were with the ozzie kicking game they had more to make up, Unsurprisingly Cuthbert was our top carrier in terms of yardage with 105 exceeded only by Genia on 116 yards from scrum half! Priestland didnt show any threat with the ball carrying only three times and only making two yards. For me he seemed to take the wrong option a lot during the game.

Conclusions?

1. Well firstly we need to improve the kicking game, we must chase our kicks much better.
2. we need to cut turnovers down,
3. Some changes, from the stats Faletau, Davies and Priestland werent at the races today.
4. Injuries permitting North back with Scott if he is fit, Becks beautiful offload but needs to offer more in defence.
5. Our carriers in the pack need to step up. Hibbard to the bench perhaps as it is certainly an excellent part of his game but that would be harsh on Owens.
6. Hook needs to start at ten against the brumbies and demonstrate if he is in a position to take RP's place.
7. Get Genia! Phillips needs to attack him much more and use his physicality as do our back row. stop Genia and I think you stop the Ozzies.
8. maybe have a whipround and see if we can get biltong to send susie to melbourne for us.

Yep, Halfpenny is the only 15 I trust in the squad at the moment.

However, I don't trust any of the 10s.