Australia v New Zealand - Sydney 16 Aug

[Scrubber2050]

I wouldn't be writing Horwill off just yet.

I think Link will certainly go with Simmo and Carter.

The bench will be tween Skelton and Horwill. Skelton to edge out Horwill as he is a much better impact option than Horwill. Both carter and Simmo are 80 minute players so Skelton can be injected iunto the game at anytime that impact is warranted.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Robinson cannot be feeling any of Link's manlove.
Bit of a shame and a surprise when Sio went home

 

[Pfitzy]

EDIT: thinking further about what happens if both Crockett & Moody are ruled out, that seems to leave Macintosh as the only remaining capped LHP in NZ. Scary stuff.

Agreed. I was watching a replay of Tahs v Chiefs from this year and marveling at what a hopelessly unfit lump Whoppa is. Hoping for the Chiefs' sake that they get his picture and Tamiefuna's up at the local KFC with a "DO NOT SERVE" order.

After that is ticked off, get them both out to the local harness racing track, hook them up, and have a jockey whip their fat arses for a few km every day.

In the meantime, Hansen will just have to cap someone else. Like Kane Hames.

 

[Pfitzy]

Robinson cannot be feeling any of Link's manlove.
Bit of a shame and a surprise when Sio went home

Comments I've seen is that Sio was being trialled at THP, and that Link knows what FatCat can bring, but wants to look at shoring up the number 3 jersey.

Its still a kick in the balls. You're not going to convert Sio - who I think is a good LHP for a young bloke, and fantastic around the park - into a THP before RWC2015. Mainly because he's unlikely to play there at provincial level.

Back when you only had one prop on the bench, changelings were valued. But now you can have two specialists, the need to swap is minimised.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Actually Sio has the arse and general body shape for a THP - maybe he would be a good fit. Most young blokes playing front row want to play LHP because its a bit easier on the body than THP and they get to be a bit "looser".

Don't profess to understand all of the dark arts or nuances of front row play but it would be a useful experiment to introduce Sio to THP for the longer term.

 

[KOB1987]

You're not going to convert Sio - who I think is a good LHP for a young bloke, and fantastic around the park - into a THP before RWC2015. Mainly because he's unlikely to play there at provincial level.

This is the crucial point - it's possible to convert from one to the other because the aptitude is pretty much the same (techniques differ), but to do it for an international player requires the province (in this case the Brumbies) to be on board with the change.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Agree in principle but the Brums played Alexander at LHP (until Sio came along) and he played THP for the Wallabies and the Reds played Slipper at THP and LHP at the Wallabies.

 

[KOB1987]

Those players were already proficient in those positions though. Some props can swap sides no problems, some can cover hooker too without much of an issue. I don't know enough about Sio to comment on whether or not he is already proficient at THP, but I'm assuming from the above comments that he needs to be taught, which is a different scenario. If he already has experience there then it makes the job a lot easier.

 

[KOB1987]

Back rowers can have a similar dynamic. No 8's like Palu are dead set No 8s and that's it, someone like Higgers can do 6 & 8 no problems, and you get the occassional Ben McCalman that can do 6, 7 & 8 (at the elite level I am referring). And the Fardys & JacqPots that can swap between 6 & lock.

I'm a forward, so I won't comment on the similarities in backline positions, but from the current squad I'm assuming that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Beale & McCabe are all players that you could put in multiple positions without any real issues?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Agree in principle but the Brums played Alexander at LHP (until Sio came along) and he played THP for the Wallabies and the Reds played Slipper at THP and LHP at the Wallabies.

So would you expect the Brumbies to start playing both Ben and Scott at THP, one starting and the other on the bench. Really don't think so.

 

[Braveheart81]

Trying to transition Sio to THP is a strange one. The guy was clearly the reserve LHP for the Wallabies after the June series and a strong Super Rugby season and would presumably have gone to 3rd choice THP.

Hard to ask a guy to lose his Wallaby spot to switch positions.

You'd think Ben Alexander would need to switch back to LHP at the Brumbies to make it happen.

 

[Pfitzy]

Thing about moving Sio to THP is it will limit his ability to impact around the field. You're the last one out of the scrum, having done the most work, and then he will want to go run the ball. Just not going to work.

Yes, his body shape - which is basically "granite block" is a great size for either propping position (couldn't cover hooker especially well though as his hips are on the big side) but he's so good at LHP why fuck with it?

Overall Australia does have a bit of a depth issue when it comes to THP. But just like great players don't always make great coaches, great looseheads don't always make great tightheads, unless you get to them early enough

 

[Tip]

Trying to transition Sio to THP is a strange one.

Word. We've already got a prop that can service both sides effectively in Slipper.

However, I'm going to but my money behind our coach - a former international THP - knowing what he's doing.

 

[Richo]

I've said a number of times before that I think Benn Robinson is out under Link, at least for the foreseeable future. That Weekes was called into the squad after Fat Cat had a strong run home scrummaging confirms that, IMO. Link must have some very good reasons for preferring every other starting provincial LHP over him, so I'm not going to get upset about it until we get towelled in the scrums. And hopefully that won't happen.

(Btw, from a Waratahs perspective, I don't mind having angry and hungry Fat Cat).

 

[USARugger]

I don't think lack of hunger has ever been an issue.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I don't think lack of hunger has ever been an issue.

The issue with Robbo has been his lack of good involvement away from scrum-time. Slipper to a large degree has changed the perception of what is wanted/needed and to a lesser degree so has Alexander, Kepu and Sio. The worm has turned from being primarily a "bookend" to being cross-bred of 4/5/6/7/8.

Robbo has always been a scrummaging prop, no question, and a very good one at that. But how he was described some years ago as the best LHP in the world buggers me..

Having said that I still think his experience would be invaluable to the team during the RC and RWC in 2015 and I was very surprised when Sio was out Robbo wasn't in.

 

[Braveheart81]

Robbo's involvements around the field in the second half of the year have been strong.

I would have picked him ahead of Cowan based on their all around games. It's certainly a close call though. Cowan has been good and is deserving of his spot.

From a tactical point of view I'd be wanting Robinson in our squad heading towards the RWC. His experience is important and I think he still excells at scrumtime. I feel that he'd be a good option if we decided our scrum needed bolstering for a certain match.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Suppose when I think about Scott is only 21 or 22. He will certainly "thicken" up as he becomes older and he may be a great THP for a long time, IF he can make the transition.

 

[boyo]

Suppose when I think about Scott is only 21 or 22. He will certainly "thicken" up as he becomes older and he may be a great THP for a long time, IF he can make the transition.

A dumb prop.

What will they think of next?

 

[GaffaCHinO]

The irony is that in the West today you can read about how Kieran Longbottom will be eligible to play for England this year with his move to Saracens and here we are trying to convert one of ur best LHP into a THP........