Rugby Test Los Pumas v Wallabies 21.11.20 Newcastle Part 2 Second Half Attack

 The 2nd Half starts with a territorial kicking duel indicating both coaches half time speech included a call to play 'in their half' because players can retain those words for about 5 minutes! Wallabies attack the short side on a call from Michael Hooper after they earn a penalty advantage BUT the pass to the winger, instead of running hard and straight, is too high and is spilled, though we go back for the penalty and kick for field position and line out throw. As I said, they stand too close together, evidenced by this line out!

The Thrower knows it, trying to seperate them, throws it and we lose the ball off the top of the catch!

Pressing from the penalty we drive deep into Pumas territory and draw a penalty for not releasing the ball in the ruck, after three penalties and warning, that player spends 10 mins in the 'sin bin.'

43.55 gone on the clock, penalty kick 12-6 Wallabies

The Wallabies choose the wrong option 46th min but Sanchez misses the penalty shot

Next passage of play the Wallabies go through their attacking options and the Pumas are rushing up and meeting them, good play all around. The Wallabies go right through their three player set ups, out the back to the number 12 from second phase. They come back left with Hoopers good pass and go through the same pattern again... this time White could have kept going right but coming back left the defence is up on Korebete who is again wider and this time drops the ball... we get it back in next phases but now we are in the grind of the game with 15 on 15 again post sin bin. We closed the line out gap and Argentina drive centre field but knock on a few phases of play on.... subs take the field across the next minutes...

Wallabies go right lacking numbers

Wallabies come back left from White's pass

Ball to Hooper and wider to Korobete

Korobete and a three on two

Wallabies go back right

White to come back left to Hooper again

Korobete too wide and can't hold on

54th Minute Wallabies grab a line out ball, go centre field and put up a high ball with great chase, pinning Argentina on their line, drawing a 'not releasing the ball' ruck penalty. As well as Hodge copping a backhander, Hooper nearly gets his head ripped off at the ruck. Penalty Kick 15-6 Wallabies!

56 mins gone! It's now showing steadier rain and has been for a while!

From here you should go on to win the game...

Kicks back and forward, Wallabies knock on from a speculative pop up by the tackled second rower (second rowers should never pop up a ball to a number 10 in the wet if they haven't called for it.

Penalty Argentina now in a scrum with a sub in the front row and wet ground...

Attacking line out is a 'dockyard brawl' but Wallabies drive the defensive maul and a tall kick puts the Pumas on attack on our line, we gather and drive then clear with box kick but the Pumas step and run into attack but knock on.  Rob Simmons is having a good game, for someone lucky to be an experienced head in a young side, who some would not pick on form (including me)! Scrum penalty Argentina and they take a shot at goal. 15-9 to Wallabies...

A few changes to both teams... Angus Bell who can play is on BUT in my humble opinion Waratahs play harry Johnson Holmes Loose head prop and he is here not Bell. This is going to be a battle in coming years as both have good skills and toughness... Waratahs had HJH swap sides for them and he's good but it does sap more energy and effect your open play and role.

65th minute ten phases going the left and we knock on... 

Play and kicks too and fro and Pumas get a midfield penalty from the replacement winger holding the ball after falling awkwardly isolated in the ruck. Sanchez lands it from halfway 15-12 Wallabies.

Argentina play a ball control and kicking game, we return it but it come back to us. From a kick Koribete is bumped, the Puma knock on but he is then offside, penalty 15-15 10 mins to go. 

Great 60m kick from Banks to clear, linnet not straight but ref misses it, long kick to us and Argentina's defence goes to work, box kick, smashed and we get advantage and scrum! Play goes on and we advantage, kicking deep, back for the penalty. 4 mins to go, Hodge steps up and misses the clutch kick. This will be cited as why we lost, it wasn't... the next 4mins are not controlled well, this would have obviously helped... it remains 15-15 with 2mins to go... 22m drop out.

The drop kick is caught here and Banks returns with a high ball! Look at the space he has... if he runs straight he has forwards to help. If passes left they can get something going down the left and yes maybe risk a good tackle, if he goes right Hodge might get isolated mid field. I would want him to run straight, looking to pass left or be met by defence with the help of those forwards in front of him. There 2mins 10 left. The kick doesn't challenge ( a bit short) Argentina clear with a box kick and Banks gets it again and kicks. 

This deeper and the marks the ball, meaning hands off and he gets to kick it again... he kicks into touch and here Banks takes the quick line out throw.. two isolated players albeit at the wrong end of the field... Hodge kicks it high and Wallabies give good chase but Pumas catch and then ruck it forward. They hold it in to 79mins 30 and box kick, the defender chasing punches the ball out of Hodges hands. Paisami fields it midfield and makes a good run, advantage over for the knock on. Ball goes right quickly, all good, Petaia kicks ahead hard on attack BUT there's only 15secs left...

Here he has two players outside and one defender (who would consider the sideline his friend and cover would cross) but he also has Korobete on his inside shoulder. The ball is grounded in goal and Sanchez goes down for an injured leg (maybe cramp or a knock). The siren sounds! Play is held up but ref gives hurry up... Pumas fake a 22m drop, Sanchez back on his feet, drop out, now we run centre field, ball goes wide right and Pumas grind in defence. Short side right... the ball was stolen from Hannigan (who played strongly_ Pumas kick through and chase as Gordon is forced to take the ball out! game over 15-15...

Thanks for reading, it helps me move on from disappointment to have a second look at these games and work out what we were trying to do and what worked or didn't!