Wallabies need lineout step-up
James Horwill says the Wallabies must work on their lineout for the clash against Ireland on Saturday.
The Wallabies have always been strong contenders at lineout time, but they have been poor in the air battle this season. Especially in their last three matches against England, Gloucester and the All Blacks.
Horwill believes an improvement will be crucial if they want to secure a victory against Ireland.
‘We started out a bit shaky against England, which wasn’t good enough,’ Horwill told rugtbyheavan.com.au. ‘But we finished a bit better and it was an improvement against New Zealand. This week we have to improve again because Ireland will put a lot of pressure on us there.’
The Wallabies’ lineout leader added that the team has identified the problem and they just need to solve it.
‘The problem with our first lineout against England was that we probably under-threw it and made the wrong decision. But after that we went back to what we wanted to do, by throwing to the maximum height and speeding it up a bit, which worked quite well.
‘We were happier with that but still not obviously happy with where we are. We need to be better than that.’
Against Ireland, Horwill will face Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan – a second row combination he rates highly.
‘When you’re up against two players who have been together a lot, it does make it more challenging,’ said Horwill.
‘It’s definitely an advantage, as shown with the South Africans, with Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, who play together at national and provincial level. The Irish pair are the same. They know each other inside out.’
November 11th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Line out dragons
November 11th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Horwill & Chisholm.
Not a lock pairing that will go down in history as particularly fearsome.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:48 am
They showed improvement in the second half so hopefully thats a basis that they can work from
November 11th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Hell they are going to get a pasting in the line out. Aussies have been meaning to step up in this facet of the game since Eales left with little success. However, they should really scrum the Paddies all over the park. Aussie scrum doing really well since Dingo arrived (maybe credit to Jim Williams)
Going to be a good game this. Hopefully some nice running rugby.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
#4 Cheetha Champs: Harrison and the ex South African were a fantastic locking partnership and taught young Victor & Bakkies a thing or two
November 11th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
#5 stew: Granted, but only for one season. Vickerman has since turned into a crock touring Europe and Harrison was last seen bidding to play for Boland……. Sad loss.
As with most positions, Deans has not been able to settle on one combo and grow them (centers being the classic example). I like Horwell, but he needs a partner. Sharpe sucks, and Chisholm is good in the loose, but not dominant enough.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
wallabies will be fine…these irish pretenders will fold. O’Connell an over-rated chump