Four Nations Finals Discussion..

[Ghibli]

- Bird's penalty was ludicrous IMO - what if J Smith got the ball?

You just contradicted yourself!

 

[Aeetee]

Lockyer was outstanding tonight, his defense was great I think I saw one badish pass, the way he was directing everyone behind the line, covering holes in defense moving players around was fantastic. They would have walked us tonight if it wasn't for his directing off the ball.

 

[Anonymous person]

Nice, a series decided by a pass that went 7m forward lol.

Well done referees, well done NRL. fitting end to the worst season of all time.

 

[Big Pete]

Where was the 40-10 scoreline AP? Thought that's all that happens in Internationals. [icon_lol1.

Or is it the refs fault you were wrong?

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

LOL at ppl actually trying to put some blame on slater for the loss. i shouldnt be surprised tho lol.

 

[Big Pete]

Alright then Queenslander, Slater didn't play a major role in 3 important patches in the game...nor blew a try by throwing it into row 601.

I think you can blame most of the Aussies from 1-6 but surely Slater deserves to be called out on tonight's performance.

 

[Ghibli]

I think that NZ were a lot more controlled then us, they never looked too worried I thought.

 

[Ghibli]

And does anyone know the minute when Tate did his knee? He must've been in a hell of a lot pain to get through to half-time.

 

[Aeetee]

After that Australia couldn't take a trick - Luke Lewis (ankle) went down in the 22nd minute and Tate suffered a serious knee injury but somehow battled on to halftime.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl ... 5953135159

 

[Porthoz]

Just got back and I'll start by congratulating NZ for the win.
As a reward, you are entitled to shag one sheep each back home. Only ONE per player!!! (No mobiles or cameras are permitted during the celebration.)

Having said that, FU Sheens, FU Slater, and FU very much Archer! :evil:

I don't like Bird a tiny bit, but I refuse to blame him for what happened tonight, especially since he pretty much did everything but score the try for Slater that should have given us the win.

Everyone seems to think that Locky had a bad game, but I think he did as well as he could with the poisoned selection and game plan that was given to him. I don't think I've ever seen Lockyer play so much from dummy half as tonight. He deserved so much better from what probably will be his last Test at Suncorp. FU Sheens!

What is it with Billy Slater and playing NZ at Suncorp? Those last 10 mins were diabolical! First being too nonchalant to pick up a ball and ending up being pushed in goal, then that knock on and finally the positioning on the play that dictated our defeat. FU Slater!

I can understand the pressure to show no bias towards Australia and I can understand mistakes like Morris foot on the line or the forward pass for the first Kiwi try, but I can’t understand the BS penalties to keep NZ in the game, and even less how such a blatant forward pass that decides a final less than 2 minutes from the end, goes unseen. So FU very much Archer!

Sorry, I'm bitter because unlike some, the green and gold means as much to me as the maroon of Qld and the Broncos! [icon_non

 

[Big Pete]

F**k yeah AuDragon, that's the spirit.

All Aussie supporters want to do is tear the team down and suck New Zealand's d**k. It disappoints me a bit.

 

[Porthoz]

F**k yeah AuDragon, that's the spirit.

All Aussie supporters want to do is tear the team down and suck New Zealand's d**k. It disappoints me a bit.

I seriously don't get it and I wasn't even born here!' [icon_thumbs_do

 

[Big Pete]

F**k yeah AuDragon, that's the spirit.

All Aussie supporters want to do is tear the team down and suck New Zealand's d**k. It disappoints me a bit.

I seriously don't get it and I wasn't even born here!' [icon_thumbs_do

It's because people care more about the game itself than the country. Take into account the fact they've seen their country win a thousand times (40-10 every game right AP and Coxy?) they just want a reason to give a damn about the International scene again.

Personally speaking, I care about the Kangaroo's just about as much as I care about the Broncos and the Maroons and I was absolutely livid when we lost the World Cup and I'm really uncomfortable with tonight's result - it doesn't sit well with me at all.

It isn't going to get any easier from here either, the gap between both sides is really starting to close to the point where I think if they billed it right you could have a fantastic Australia vs. New Zealand series.

Will be interesting to see what comes out of tonight. No coach has survived an unsuccesful Four Nation's campaign, Tate's career could be over, a few players could be stamped never to play rep. again and one of those players could be Lockyer who showed some worrying signs.

 

[Professor47]

- Bird's penalty was ludicrous IMO - what if J Smith got the ball?

You just contradicted yourself!

Sorry let me rephrase - what if J Smith got the ball and he's away?... I've got no beef with players tackling on suspicion from behind tbh since its all about timing. I haven't had a close look at it but that is what it looked like.

Big Pete - way too harsh on Slater... say what you will about 08 but come on... that knock on was big but it wasn't the be all and end all. Furthermore just one second of complacency... wasn't a brain snap or WTF moment.

 

[Professor47]

[quote="Big Pete":117jllzv]F**k yeah AuDragon, that's the spirit.

Will be interesting to see what comes out of tonight. No coach has survived an unsuccesful Four Nation's campaign, Tate's career could be over, a few players could be stamped never to play rep. again and one of those players could be Lockyer who showed some worrying signs.

[/quote:117jllzv]

Although the criticism on Locky sounds very 06 - it IS now four years since and no one can deny his age is showing. However I think people are jumping the gun here - it wasn't his best game but he was far from terrible. It was one of those games where he sort of just sits back and does all the simple stuff while he pretty much waits for something to happen. We've seen him play those sort of games for the Broncs plenty. Arguably should have done more but you can't really say he had any errors or misjudgement in his game. Personally I just think the backline was off in general - I mean... there is no chemistry there (apart from Locky/Slater). I mean it really did show why the QLD backline is so good. Sure they are super stars but they make it look EASSSYY... watch the 09/10 origins... It shows a backline that KNOWS each other... beautiful to watch.

 

[Big Pete]

Big Pete - way too harsh on Slater... say what you will about 08 but come on... that knock on was big but it wasn't the be all and end all. Furthermore just one second of complacency... wasn't a brain snap or WTF moment.

Mate Slater was off the entire night.

- Whether it be throwing the ball over the sideline when a try was begging to be scored.

- Poorly positioning himself for an inside pass from Lockyer (who admittedly shouldn't of thrown the pass anyway because Slater didn't know what he was supposed to be doing)

- Taking an age to make a decision about a grubber...before being trapped in goal.

- Poor positioning for Nightingale's try.

- Knocking on a bomb any decent fullback would've taken.

He was off, and it's a dead set shame to see him come up with this type of performance on this stage. I thought after the Origin series he'd gotten that s**t out of his game but he was terribly under done tonight. It probably goes to show that him and Lockyer should've played that 3rd game against New Zealand...but hindsight's a b***h.

And yeah, I agree with your general thoughts on Lockyer. There were just a few instances like a time where he put this high kick up for himself, chased it down only to miss a tackle on Hohaia where you think geez Lockyer would've made that tackle and gotten Australia off to a great start defensively.

I'm not saying these players should be red stamped or anything, but they have a right to be called out for their performances.

 

[Porthoz]

Cronk was worse than Lockyer the whole series as well as tonight IMO.

Once again, I believe that the team's performance has been seriously prejudiced by Sheens and his selections, and the half back is only the tip of the iceberg. [icon_shady
Nothing against Cronk, but why wasn't the form h/b of the comp, Prince, selected?

Tonight was a clear proof that Sheens is a myth IMO... :roll:

 

[Big Pete]

Despite his Dally M selection...I really didn't make much of Prince's year, thought it was his worse in some time which probably says a lot about the quality of halves in the NRL.

I actually thought Cronk was good tonight, came up with a 40/20, a smart repeat set and nearly pulled off something brilliant with his chip through the middle.