Aus S14 - team of the round week 3

[fatprop]

1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Baxter
4 Mumm
5 McMeniman
6 Mowen
7 Pocock
8 Palu
9 Valentine
10 Giteau
11 Hynes
12 Barnes
13 Ioane
14 Tuqiri
15 Shepherd

 

[disco]

1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Baxter I would have taken Shepherdson
4 Mumm
5 McMeniman-Probably edged by Van Humpries
6 Mowen-My pick would be Higgingbotham
7 Pocock
8 Palu
9 Valentine
10 Giteau
11 Hynes
12 Barnes
13 Ioane
14 Tuqiri
15 Shepherd

I would have a few changes but otherwise I'd be happy with that 15, Ryan Cross very unlucky but Ioane is on fire.

I noticed the commentators thought Smith had the wood on Pocock but I couldn't see it, maybe Smith looked to be on top in the 1st half but he should have looked better as he was playing the spoiler 70% of the time as the Force played all the running rugby.

Berrick Barnes was better today but he needs to improve his options choices when attacking.

 

[Ash]

Some of the other players must have come close.

For the Reds, Cooper would've been my pick but for his two errors: the shoulder charge and dropped ball. Van Humphries was also very good (again).

Force, Brown unlucky as he was very good. Playing well above his weight and really getting around the park and doing some work. Pelesasa and Cross were the only other Australian midfield combination that looked good on the weekend, and must've come close as well. Shepherd maybe should've been picked on the wing ahead of Tuqiri, as that's where he played.

Brumbies, well, only Smith and Gerrard are the only others that come close for consideration.

Tahs, maybe Sam Two-Dads if Shepherd moves to wing - if only he could bust a tackle. Beale was good, but Cooper and Gits were better.

 

[RugbyReg]

Mine:
1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Shepherdson
4 Caldwell
5 McMeniman
6 Hodgson
7 Smith
8 Palu
9 Valentine
10 Giteau
11 Hynes
12 Barnes
13 Ioane
14 Shepherd
15 SNK

 

[fatprop]

Disco

Shepherdson was up against Pek Cowan ..........................

 

[cyclopath]

Mine:
1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Shepherdson
4 Caldwell
5 McMeniman
6 Hodgson
7 Smith
8 Palu
9 Valentine
10 Giteau
11 Hynes
12 Barnes
13 Ioane
14 Shepherd
15 SNK

Baxter and Mowen probably, and line ball for Van Humphries for 3M. If we don't have to pick them in the position they played, maybe Shepherd at 15 and Tuqiri on the wing, but that back line is OK anyway.

 

[disco]

Disco

Shepherdson was up against Pek Cowan ..........................

Still smashed him & you can only play what's in front of you.

Phil Kearns said mid game that Shepherdson can play both sides of the scrum surely that warrants an almost automatic bench spot for the Wallabies this year with Fat Dunning out?

 

[Ash]

Ohhh, Hodgson. Best game I have seen him play. Can't argue with his selection, he probably deserves it ahead of Mowen and Higgenbottham. One area with Hodgson that has been weak is his defence, but it was very good against the Brumbies. Hodgson does look to be maturing as a player who can play 6, 7 and 8.

 

[mark_s]

So no clear winner in the Smith V Pocock duel?

 

[Ash]

G&G team of the week, with the usual bias. I see that they are carrying an unholy love for the centre flyhalf loosie lock Sharpe this year.

Apart from Sharpe, not too bad. Selection of the whole Brumbies front row is interesting. Smith/Pocock was an each way bet, and they picked Cooper over Gits.

15 Sam Norton-Knight (NSW) (2)
14 Cameron Shepherd (Force) (1)
13 Digby Ioane (Qld) (3)
12 Berrick Barnes (Qld) (1)
11 Peter Hynes(Qld) (1)
10 Quade Cooper (Qld) (2)
9 Josh Valentine (Force) (1)
8 Wycliff Palu(NSW) (2)
7 George Smith (ACT) (2)
6 Matt Hodgson (Force) (1)
5 Nathan Sharpe (Force) (2)
4 Hugh McMeniman(Qld) (1)
3 Guy Shepherdson (ACT) (1)
2 Stephen Moore (ACT) (2)
1 Nic Henderson (ACT) (1)

 

[RugbyReg]

Cooper over Gits is a big call I reckon.

 

[formeropenside]

I'd have Hardman over Moore myself. An error-free game with some good defence and good ball possession.

 

[Ash]

Cooper over Gits is a big call I reckon.

I would've picked Gits because of Coopers' two mistakes: that dropped ball, and the shoulder charge.

 

[TOCC]

Cooper over Gits is a big call I reckon.

I would've picked Gits because of Coopers' two mistakes: that dropped ball, and the shoulder charge.

An 85 kilo five-eighth shoulder charging a 110 kilo fullback is pretty self explanatory,? he joked.

?It was pretty funny from my side of it. It was pretty much a push and there was probably no shoulder involved.

?But it is the ref?s decision at the end of the day and we still came away with the victory.?

he does make a pretty valid point, i dont think that i saw any real contact from his shoulder, Cooper hit him front on in a upright position

 

[Pfitzy]

So no clear winner in the Smith V Pocock duel?

I think Pocock probably gets it, just. Both pulled off some amazing steals though.

 

[fatprop]

Cooper over Gits is a big call I reckon.

I would've picked Gits because of Coopers' two mistakes: that dropped ball, and the shoulder charge.

An 85 kilo five-eighth shoulder charging a 110 kilo fullback is pretty self explanatory,? he joked.

?It was pretty funny from my side of it. It was pretty much a push and there was probably no shoulder involved.

?But it is the ref?s decision at the end of the day and we still came away with the victory.?

he does make a pretty valid point, i dont think that i saw any real contact from his shoulder, Cooper hit him front on in a upright position

the 2nd video shot clearly showed the shoulder

 

[TOCC]

Cooper over Gits is a big call I reckon.

I would've picked Gits because of Coopers' two mistakes: that dropped ball, and the shoulder charge.

An 85 kilo five-eighth shoulder charging a 110 kilo fullback is pretty self explanatory,? he joked.

?It was pretty funny from my side of it. It was pretty much a push and there was probably no shoulder involved.

?But it is the ref?s decision at the end of the day and we still came away with the victory.?

he does make a pretty valid point, i dont think that i saw any real contact from his shoulder, Cooper hit him front on in a upright position

the 2nd video shot clearly showed the shoulder

well no, i dont think it did

 

[Blue]

Mine:
1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Shepherdson
4 Caldwell
5 McMeniman
6 Hodgson
7 Smith
8 Palu
9 Valentine
10 Giteau
11 Hynes
12 Barnes
13 Ioane
14 Shepherd
15 SNK

One long dash down the side line and suddenly Ioane as a converted winger is the best center in Aus? :nta: Don't get me wrong, I am fan, but one good game against a crapola team an international center a player doesn't make.

Cross would be my choice. He defended like a Trojan and his timing and judgment was good, especially when he put Shepherd away.

 

[RugbyReg]

Ummmm Blue its team of the WEEK. Nothing about being the best centre in Australia.

But one thing, did you watch the Reds game?

 

[fatprop]

Cooper over Gits is a big call I reckon.

I would've picked Gits because of Coopers' two mistakes: that dropped ball, and the shoulder charge.

An 85 kilo five-eighth shoulder charging a 110 kilo fullback is pretty self explanatory,? he joked.

?It was pretty funny from my side of it. It was pretty much a push and there was probably no shoulder involved.

?But it is the ref?s decision at the end of the day and we still came away with the victory.?

he does make a pretty valid point, i dont think that i saw any real contact from his shoulder, Cooper hit him front on in a upright position

the 2nd video shot clearly showed the shoulder

well no, i dont think it did

He leads with his shoulder and doesn't use his arms ........................