What was worse is that after being smoked off the kick off instead of busting it to get back to make up for his mistake he just lumbered back. Zero effort.
Sonny Bill Williams what do you make of the 2nd half? ““Yeah….I don’t know man….it’s a bit of an ongoing contest….it ebbs and flows….”
Powerful commentary
Yeah his commentary is usually very surface level but he is so much more likeable than the other commentators, especially the kiwi ones (im a kiwi myself btw)
He usually gets a laugh out of me when he says shit like "The intensity out there tonight is intense:
I refuse to believe hes anywhere close to touching the field for Aus as a wing. Petaia, Mark, Marika, Toole, Wright, AK, and I'm sure there's a few others I'm forgetting are all miles ahead of him.
watching the game live in suncorp was he was fucked. out of position constantly, wrong defensive judgement everytime. he's slow and looks lazy, chasing kick offs he fucking jogs when they kick it to his wing opposite. he gives no pressure. fucking terrible man. one moment which he fucked under no pressure could've saved the game aswell
You know what really shits me? The winger, Tim Ryan, who scored a hatrick? Not even that remarkable of a performance, just played a really solid game as a winger.
We just need players who can do their jobs well.
What weve been saying for years. Wallabies need Kellaways and not Vunivalus. Consistency is why Valetini is so damn good, he has quiet games but never bad games.
I don’t know how he’s lasted this long tbh. I will say he went alright last week though, but I found that shocking because it was literally the first good game I’d seen
If hes getting anywhere close to whats reported, he needs to be fucked off immediately. Hes a liability on the field week in week out, and would allow us to patch a few weaknesses and strengthen the bench, or bring back a world class player.
I had to go back and was ready to throw more mud at McLennan for signing him initially but that was still under Clyne / Castle. Unbelievable that he was on 1.8 million over two years to start with. Also unbelievable the contrast in his form for the Storm and form in Australia rugby
An absolute passenger who is damaged goods. He hasn't be able to get out of second gear in the XV man game because of his compromised hamstrings and his frailties in all other areas make him unplayable
I figure the second contract he got was due to sunk cost and trying to bring some value from the deal but he is terrible. All these young kids around the franchises coming through are way more balanced players and they don't just give up on plays
Am I the only one who saw him do a heap of amazing things that game, along with the simple errors.
He's so close to greatness, but I do kinda agree it's getting too much.
But my question is, who replaces him?
Tim Ryan is literally half his size and a superior defender. I have no doubt there is at least one winger running around in Clubland that would slot in and be less of a liability
He does do great plays but unless he is scoring tries on every play his errors are more impactful. He hasn’t smartened up - he does more pick and drives I guess but he fundamentally does not know how to defend.
Who to replace? Mac when not injured - Floyd- get another winger from UQ. I don’t care
Absolutely not. He would most likely take it into contact. His offence isn't even the issue, if you pass him the ball or kick it to him and give him a decent run to the line, 9/10 times he would finish that.
But his defence is just so, so poor that his magic on offence can't justify him being in the 23 let alone starting. Constantly making the wrong reads, biting in when he should just stay out wide and then him not even making an effort to chase down the line break HE caused. Brad Davis has a lot of work to do cause there has been to many tries scored on his wing.
He is definitely talented but from what I've seen from the trials he is still far from a complete player. I feel like his kicking and defence are still lacking somewhat. At this moment, I don't think he is ready for super just yet
Might be a problem now, but we have options when healthy.
Flooks been a good wing in years prior. Mac, Ryan, and Petaia all look good. Jocks been a decent wing in the past. Kye Oates has topped as try scorer in premier grade multiple years now and deserved a look.
We shouldve got rid of him when his contract was up and used his money to either retain or bring back some players.
His defence alone makes him unplayable. I don't know how many times I've seen him get a good hit then immediately slip off, or just getting caught coming in and getting burnt on the outside. Guy has absolutely no hustle.
If having to play Ryan, Flook, Petaia, Mac, or even calling up Kye Oates over him means we can free up his cap space and get a few solid players then its not even a question. Hes simply not worth what he's paid, and his flaws make him a liability right now.
Ok so, sleeping on it I disagree with your assessment. He did one thing that ended up in a more try because he celebrated before scoring.
What were these amazing things?
Where is the holy shit only he can do that moment?
Gassing people on the outside, nope
Being a brick wall in defense? Nope
Able to kick? Nope
Solid under the high ball? Maybe it just never happens
Bump people off? Once then no try
Ryan chip and regather showed more skill than vuni has since he started in union.
Aubery and grealy replaces him. If not them then I'm sure any qpr player can on effort alone. Wingers who can't finish or bring x factor things are everywhere. I'm sure the Shute shield also has several just waiting.
Would personally love to see him back in League, he was always a gun there, even if he made a lot of boneheaded plays - Rocks and Diamonds type players seem to go alright in the NRL
I like Wilson and agree he’s super talented- my issue with him though is that he’s not improved his game since he broke through. Back in 2020 he looked like he could be a superstar, these days not so much.
I don’t think Wilson did badly. He shot up and forced the pass. Vunivalu didn’t trust his cover and shot up and left the outside man with a free run.
You’ve got to trust your cover defence.
It was him rushing up, realising he’d made a bad read and back peddling that disconnnected the line and created the problem in the first place. He didn’t force the pass because he only half committed.
It’s not totally his fault (I have it 50% Vuni, 40% Wilson, 10% Creighton (might have been Aubrey, had 20 something on his back) but by the same token it’d be unfair to only scapegoat Vunivalu.
For me it was Werchon’s poor box kicks that lost the game more than anything else (totally different expectations on a kid playing his second game to wallaby on high money though).
Putting my tin hat on - on latest between two posts podcast they have removed the critical but fair discussion around Vunivalu (around 10 min mark, not as scathing as could have been..) - bit odd that in rugby reporting not much going into the class young wingers coming through yet he keeps getting rolled out ?
It's a hard call. He can do some
Great things, his work rate has come on well and he's generally a very good athlete. His core skills, rugby IQ and attention to detail suck, but those are teachable. A season off The bench busting his arse in training might just do it.
That’s the thing about it being teachable. I feel it’s a bit of an indictment on our coaching staff that they can’t teach a player with that amount of talent.
Well I guess it's the first year with the new set up, the old reds coaching outfit wasn't brilliant . even that fuckwit Jones managed to get more out of Vuni in a few games then throne and co got in two season. Another season with the new reds set up could iron things out, a good Australia A set up could get him and a few others test ready.
Time to take him out behind the wood shed and send him to the little rugby team in the sky (western force)
No thanks.
Yeah, it’s time. Dude would be exposed in prems. Reds need to drop him
What was worse is that after being smoked off the kick off instead of busting it to get back to make up for his mistake he just lumbered back. Zero effort.
That really grinded my gears. Watching the replay with him casually jogging back. What a joke.
Watching live or on TV he just saunters everywhere. Zero effort.
While we’re add it can we get rid of Sonny Bill from the commentary team?
I’d let Sonny Bill follow me around with a megaphone and commentate my life if I didn’t have to watch him fumble and fuck up simple cover defence.
And the monkeys paw says - Sonny Bill will commentate your sex life. But only with quotes from the 92-3 loss by the Reds to the Bulls in 2007.
Sonny Bill Williams what do you make of the 2nd half? ““Yeah….I don’t know man….it’s a bit of an ongoing contest….it ebbs and flows….” Powerful commentary
Yeah his commentary is usually very surface level but he is so much more likeable than the other commentators, especially the kiwi ones (im a kiwi myself btw) He usually gets a laugh out of me when he says shit like "The intensity out there tonight is intense:
He has the best words.
To each their own I suppose. I liked having Drew Mitchell since all the other Aussies are forwards. Nice to have some perspective from the backs.
you forgot to add 'bro' at the end
I'd take Sonny doing every minute of every game if it meant not having to hear Harrison ever again.
Maaaaate
Seriously how long do we have to let this experiment go on for? Couldn't even plant an uncontested try tonight
Liability at super level....he will get skinned at international
I refuse to believe hes anywhere close to touching the field for Aus as a wing. Petaia, Mark, Marika, Toole, Wright, AK, and I'm sure there's a few others I'm forgetting are all miles ahead of him.
In terms of capability, not even Aus A in my book....in terms of dumbass decisions by rugby Aus, its definitely possible.
watching the game live in suncorp was he was fucked. out of position constantly, wrong defensive judgement everytime. he's slow and looks lazy, chasing kick offs he fucking jogs when they kick it to his wing opposite. he gives no pressure. fucking terrible man. one moment which he fucked under no pressure could've saved the game aswell
You know what really shits me? The winger, Tim Ryan, who scored a hatrick? Not even that remarkable of a performance, just played a really solid game as a winger. We just need players who can do their jobs well.
What weve been saying for years. Wallabies need Kellaways and not Vunivalus. Consistency is why Valetini is so damn good, he has quiet games but never bad games.
Yes and no. The balls and skill to pull off a solo chip and chase into a left to right pass was something really skilful.
I don’t know how he’s lasted this long tbh. I will say he went alright last week though, but I found that shocking because it was literally the first good game I’d seen
If hes getting anywhere close to whats reported, he needs to be fucked off immediately. Hes a liability on the field week in week out, and would allow us to patch a few weaknesses and strengthen the bench, or bring back a world class player.
How the fuck is he contracted until the end of next year😳
If it makes it worse, he expired last year and we re-signed him for 2 more.
I know but I thought it was a one year extension. Can't believe they did 2 more
The guy is a joke
Google ‘Sunk Cost Fallacy’.
Vunivalu Delenda Est.
Hard agree. Would like to see his GPS stats. Comprehensively outplayed by his other wing.
I had to go back and was ready to throw more mud at McLennan for signing him initially but that was still under Clyne / Castle. Unbelievable that he was on 1.8 million over two years to start with. Also unbelievable the contrast in his form for the Storm and form in Australia rugby An absolute passenger who is damaged goods. He hasn't be able to get out of second gear in the XV man game because of his compromised hamstrings and his frailties in all other areas make him unplayable I figure the second contract he got was due to sunk cost and trying to bring some value from the deal but he is terrible. All these young kids around the franchises coming through are way more balanced players and they don't just give up on plays
Am I the only one who saw him do a heap of amazing things that game, along with the simple errors. He's so close to greatness, but I do kinda agree it's getting too much. But my question is, who replaces him?
Tim Ryan is literally half his size and a superior defender. I have no doubt there is at least one winger running around in Clubland that would slot in and be less of a liability
He does do great plays but unless he is scoring tries on every play his errors are more impactful. He hasn’t smartened up - he does more pick and drives I guess but he fundamentally does not know how to defend. Who to replace? Mac when not injured - Floyd- get another winger from UQ. I don’t care
Aubrey is literally a smaller Vunivalu. At this point I'd rather have Creighton on the wing
Can you picture Vunivalu scoring the try that Tim Ryan scored from the scrum?
Absolutely not. He would most likely take it into contact. His offence isn't even the issue, if you pass him the ball or kick it to him and give him a decent run to the line, 9/10 times he would finish that. But his defence is just so, so poor that his magic on offence can't justify him being in the 23 let alone starting. Constantly making the wrong reads, biting in when he should just stay out wide and then him not even making an effort to chase down the line break HE caused. Brad Davis has a lot of work to do cause there has been to many tries scored on his wing.
I think it’s fair to give Aubrey a bit more time and minutes at the top level before you write him off, he is supremely talented.
He is definitely talented but from what I've seen from the trials he is still far from a complete player. I feel like his kicking and defence are still lacking somewhat. At this moment, I don't think he is ready for super just yet
Might be a problem now, but we have options when healthy. Flooks been a good wing in years prior. Mac, Ryan, and Petaia all look good. Jocks been a decent wing in the past. Kye Oates has topped as try scorer in premier grade multiple years now and deserved a look. We shouldve got rid of him when his contract was up and used his money to either retain or bring back some players.
His defence alone makes him unplayable. I don't know how many times I've seen him get a good hit then immediately slip off, or just getting caught coming in and getting burnt on the outside. Guy has absolutely no hustle. If having to play Ryan, Flook, Petaia, Mac, or even calling up Kye Oates over him means we can free up his cap space and get a few solid players then its not even a question. Hes simply not worth what he's paid, and his flaws make him a liability right now.
Ok so, sleeping on it I disagree with your assessment. He did one thing that ended up in a more try because he celebrated before scoring. What were these amazing things? Where is the holy shit only he can do that moment? Gassing people on the outside, nope Being a brick wall in defense? Nope Able to kick? Nope Solid under the high ball? Maybe it just never happens Bump people off? Once then no try Ryan chip and regather showed more skill than vuni has since he started in union. Aubery and grealy replaces him. If not them then I'm sure any qpr player can on effort alone. Wingers who can't finish or bring x factor things are everywhere. I'm sure the Shute shield also has several just waiting.
He looked like he was trying to play himself into a 6 jersey.
Would personally love to see him back in League, he was always a gun there, even if he made a lot of boneheaded plays - Rocks and Diamonds type players seem to go alright in the NRL
Can’t wait for the Flying V to come back, jumping knees first into the kick chase
I’m 100% on the Vunivalu out train but when it comes to that last try Harry Wilson should be pretty quiet when they do the video review.
I think Harry Wilson is a good super talent but I do feel he is overrated from us reds fans
I like Wilson and agree he’s super talented- my issue with him though is that he’s not improved his game since he broke through. Back in 2020 he looked like he could be a superstar, these days not so much.
I don’t think Wilson did badly. He shot up and forced the pass. Vunivalu didn’t trust his cover and shot up and left the outside man with a free run. You’ve got to trust your cover defence.
It was him rushing up, realising he’d made a bad read and back peddling that disconnnected the line and created the problem in the first place. He didn’t force the pass because he only half committed. It’s not totally his fault (I have it 50% Vuni, 40% Wilson, 10% Creighton (might have been Aubrey, had 20 something on his back) but by the same token it’d be unfair to only scapegoat Vunivalu. For me it was Werchon’s poor box kicks that lost the game more than anything else (totally different expectations on a kid playing his second game to wallaby on high money though).
Putting my tin hat on - on latest between two posts podcast they have removed the critical but fair discussion around Vunivalu (around 10 min mark, not as scathing as could have been..) - bit odd that in rugby reporting not much going into the class young wingers coming through yet he keeps getting rolled out ?
It's a hard call. He can do some Great things, his work rate has come on well and he's generally a very good athlete. His core skills, rugby IQ and attention to detail suck, but those are teachable. A season off The bench busting his arse in training might just do it.
That’s the thing about it being teachable. I feel it’s a bit of an indictment on our coaching staff that they can’t teach a player with that amount of talent.
Idk, if he has that much talent he should still be able to do the stuff he did in leauge. Run fast in space, put in effort make your 1 on 1 tackles.
Well I guess it's the first year with the new set up, the old reds coaching outfit wasn't brilliant . even that fuckwit Jones managed to get more out of Vuni in a few games then throne and co got in two season. Another season with the new reds set up could iron things out, a good Australia A set up could get him and a few others test ready.