Sack Graham now!

[Darren]

Maybe the players should do a lap *before* the game to tell the fans what they are about to do face to face, and then do another lap post game to account for their pregame promises (good or bad) ...

[zimeric]

That is quite a different thing and I doubt it was in the plan....

Despite a supposed advantage in the line-out, did we ever kick for one?.

What game were you watching? it was almost as obvious as if it were written on their foreheads, that the game plan was to pin the Tahs in their own half with deep kicks into space or out on the full where we could contest their line out. It actually worked for 40 mins... but then the Tahs at half time were told to change their game plan to counter it (which was why it became a kickathon)
The Force did not adjust, they just kept trying the same thing till the death. We did not have a plan B and the players weren't given licence to "play what was in front of them" to steal a phrase from Deans.

[AndyS]

OK, put it this way - 44 kicks (only 10 by Ripia) for 12 line-outs...that is a lot of people kicking and not finding the line. My bad on the second one; I meant from penalties where every one within range was aimed at the posts. The whole point of a position game is to get in their half and apply pressure, which we did on the board. Problem is it puts you immediately back in your own half, where they do the same back to you (they kicked for the posts five to our six, so if they had been a bit more accurate it would have been a bloodbath). If you want to play position, apply pressure and think you have them in the line-out, kick for the line and try to score tries. As has happened soooo many times this year, penalties just keep us in touch for a losing scoreline.

[James]

I wouldn't judge Richard Graham or the Force game plan until we run out after the bye round.

Two things occur to me. The first is that, against the Crusaders, that hoof it high and then attack the ball receiver worked really well after the initial kicking jitters. Cummins and Dellit in particular were awesome in putting the pressure on and winning a few of those contests. The second is that maybe Graham was factoring in squad fatigue a bit. We had our last bye 10 weeks ago. That's a long time in between breaks.

Now whether the constant kicking was part of the gameplan or not, I don't really know but it probably would have worked if not for Cross' try. What do we want more, to win or to lose well? I'd say in a written-off they are probably both as good as each other.

If we play another game of that poor standard then by all means lay in but give these guys a chance to prove it was a one off.

[shasta]

If you want to play position, apply pressure and think you have them in the line-out, kick for the line and try to score tries. As has happened soooo many times this year, penalties just keep us in touch for a losing scoreline.

Says it all in one sentence, Andy. The story of 2011 - Reds, Blues, Rebels, Tahs.

[Rex Messup]

I doubt the Force are in any position financially to sack the coach.

He was signed on for 3 years ............

We'll all be roooned said Hanrahan

[Rex Messup]

Says it all in one sentence, Andy. The story of 2011 - Reds, Blues, Rebels, Tahs.

another 12 points right there. All games that should have been won

The Rebels should have been put to bed by half time after blasting them off the paddock in the first 15 minutes...........

[jombi]

Eddie jones under him?
Sorry but wtf? Eddie wouldn't ever go for a contract where is is working under an unproven coach.
He's coached at international level. Sharpe could do worse than to serve an apprenticeship under eddie however. But I seriously doubt that Sharpie becoming head coach just after he finishes his playing career would ever happen.
Posted via Mobile Device

Because he was the one who gave Sharpe his chance, and look what happened in 03. A wallabies side that was lucky to even leave the round stages of the WC made the final.

If it was anyone else (besides the obvious ponies that worked under him aswell) he wouldn't do it, but I have no doubt he would if Sharpe asked him.

[jono]

realistically though jombi, do you think sharpe has enoug chaching experience to lead a super rugby side as head coach?

can he step back immediately and look at things from a coaching perspective as opposed to a playing perspective.

i seriously doubt that he would finish playing and just straight into a head coaching role. if thats even what sharpe wants to do. i think he would serve an apprentiship before getting a head coaching gig. to see how good he is at it. and if he likes it or not.

[beige]

Or just developing the tools he'll need to be successful.

[todd4]

If Sharpe was interested in coaching I imagine he would want to have a go at being a forwards coach to start with and see where he goes from there.

[jono]

i think he would start out as A forwards coach, and not THE forwards coach.

you need experience before you can say you're experienced

[Action Hardcore]

Shut the fuck up jono, you don't know shit
Posted via Mobile Device

[todd4]

i think he would start out as A forwards coach, and not THE forwards coach.

isn't that what I said?

[jono]

was wondering where you've been AH