Search results

I haven't seen too much of Timani, but in Vaea's case if you look at his last few games he IS near the quality of Palu and Higgers and seems to be getting closer with each game. If only he had more time until RWC.

He also hasn't exactly cemented his spot either. If he has another average Test season this year I wouldn't bother looking at him again even if he is still eligible. Higgers will be the one too watch. I got a feeling he is just peaking now. You heard it here first.

Haha I think Cooper should go to the Rebels they need some spark in attack down there. We are pretty privileged to have a settled back-line already. Next year will be great with Lilo 10 and To'omua 12 all season. A decent kicking fullback would be great though.

I think the Ref summed it well when he gave the red card. Something like "As unlucky as it was it was still dangerous." Certainly didn't mean to throw him head first into the ground but that's the way he fell, I'm expecting 2 weeks minimum probably 4 weeks. Not sure they will regard throwing...

Tough call. Hooper and Pocock are the best 2 players we have, the one who isn't starting will surely be on the bench. Nor Vaea or Gill will shift them out of the 23. I think the impact Pocock and Hooper is more valuable then their utility value. The rest of bench can be decided on utility...

How good was Damian de Allende against the Brumbies. Surely would fit right into the Boks 12 to replace De Villers.

Yes but Lilo's biggest fault was the high ball, I think he's improved in this area.

Back-line for next year: 9. Dowsett 10. Cooper 11. Tomane 12. To'omua 13. Kuridrani 14. Speight 15. Lilo

I actually think Vaea is competing with Will SKelton for the basher role, because as long as Skelton is preferred at lock the Test number 8 will be required to be a jumping option. Palu can be an option, Vaea hasn't taken 1 line-out this year. I think it will also take a few solid Tests from...

Vaea will be one for the future. No doubt about it. It is pretty amazing to think about what he accomplished this year after his return from injury. He certainly gets better with every game but there is too many experienced options ahead of him Palu, Higgers, McCalman - 2 of those will be gone...

How come you see Tomane as a fullback unit? He does not kick often. I see Tomane and Speight very interchangeable.

As good as Speight is, Yes. Tomane's been consistently good in defence and the high ball all season and superb on attack the last 4-5 games. He's officially on fire. He'd probably just shade Horne on form now too.

I rated Foley as a better fullback than 10. He was close to the form super xv fullback at the Tahs. BUT I'm not sure what his high-ball skills are like but I doubt they are very strong. Given the high ball was a consistently effective weapon used against us prior to the arrival of Folau then I...

I wish Hunt was 2-3 years younger.

I actually think Dane Haylett-Petty missing out is worse then Godwin for the reason you mentioned. No back-up for Folau.

Well last year he was pretty average too. He defended well but certainly didn't have the same affect on attack as the previous year.

Even in a poor coaching team you'd think a quality player would have at least 1 or 2 moments of brilliance in the entire season. Did Godwin even manage that? I don't think so. Last year was quiet too and was lucky to make the extended wallabies squad. So that's 2 years in a row of average...

I agree with this. Foley V Cooper and probably back row combinations, I'd say the tight five would be fairly obvious at the moment with little changes. 1-5 - settled combo Slipper, Moore, Kepu, Simmons, Skelton 6-8 - needs experimentation 9. Phipps locked down 10. Cooper V Foley (maybe V...

To'omua named on the bench. Not liking this.

I actually disagree. I think we can afford to rotate ONE player per game. Especially in those positions where the starters and 2nd choice are so close. One player won't disrupt team combinations and game structure - if Cheika does his job at getting everyone on the same page. I'd argue if one...