Australia v New Zealand - Sydney 16 Aug

[KOB1987]

Although Pocock is a specialist 7, that's only in terms of where to play him in a starting side. Assuming full fitness you'd have him on the bench every day of the week..if you already have Fardy, Palu and Hooper out there and you get an injury in the first minute you aren't really going to be stuck for options, not to mention the impact he'd make if you ran him out at any back row position for the last 20.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Disagree. It will be dependent on balance. If Skelton was daylight ahead of all other options as a bench lock and there was a quality 6/8 reserve you wouldn't necessarily go with a reserve 7. Especially as Pocock doesn't necessarily got into out style of play and would leave you with 1 decent line out option potentially.

 

[KOB1987]

It would affect your reserve lock choice no doubt, but you'd take the risk on a couple of lineouts to have Hooper and Pocock out there at the same time, especially if you were chasing down a deficit..

EDIT: the key assumption here is that he is back to 100%, he's no good at 80%

 

[Braveheart81]

The only real reason to have a backup 7 on the bench is if the other 7 is so good it makes sense to put both of them on the field at once.

Otherwise, your bench is primarily set up for planned replacements rather than injury cover. The 7 is generally expected to play 80 minutes (particularly when it's Hooper and he's also the captain).

 

[KOB1987]

anyway, it's completely hypothetical at this stage..hopefully its a headache the selectors will have to deal with at some stage..

 

[Brumby Runner]

If Poey gets back (and I have some doubts) there is no question he would be in the squad (to cover injury to Hooper - although this bloke is unbelievably durable and injury free ATM). It would be unlikely for him to even make the bench as his only real playing position at top level is very limited - 7. Benchies HAVE to cover a few positions.

I'd be happier with Poey covering 7 and 8 than Ben McCalman covering 8 and 7. But, even if not, I'll just be more than happy to have Poey back fit and healthy for the Brumbies.

 

[Marcelo]

Joe Tomane and Laurie Weeks have hamstring strains.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/w...-weeks-sidelined/story-e6frf55l-1227019508995

You'd have to think that these puppies would challenge that

He's THE man!!!!!!!!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-Blacks-get-good-hitout-before-Bledisloe-test

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...Cane-is-ready-willing-and-able-for-All-Blacks

Other than Coles & Ben Franks, does anyone know which other props & hookers played? Obviously not Crockett due to there being no Crusaders involved even if he was fit ( which still hasn't been confirmed one way or t'other as far as I know).

 

[qwerty51]

Mealamu Charlie?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Mealamu Charlie?

Defo Kev who's on the score sheet (missed that on first reading) & assuming CharlieF but interested to know who else is in the frame.

 

[Dan54]

Yep Gwerty, I think Hames from Highlanders maybe training with them too, so would imagine he got a run.

 

[Dctarget]

Tolu Latu just broke his arm.

Presumably Saia Fainga'a will get called up.

Front rowers are dropping like flies.

 

[KOB1987]

far out!

 

[Bullrush]

If Pocock comes back as good as he was back in 2011, I would take him every day over Hooper. As an AB fan, I fear Pocock more than Hooper by about 100. If Hooper does something different this RC than last year then I may change my mind but he did nothing against the ABs last year that made me think we can't match and/or contain him.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Viking]

If Pocock comes back as good as he was back in 2011, I would take him every day over Hooper. As an AB fan, I fear Pocock more than Hooper by about 100. If Hooper does something different this RC than last year then I may change my mind but he did nothing against the ABs last year that made me think we can't match and/or contain him.


Sent from my iPhone

Agreed.

But before the thread gets into another Hooper V Pocock debate lets stick to talk about the game.

When is the team announced?

 

[Brumby Jack]

Agreed.

But before the thread gets into another Hooper V Pocock debate lets stick to talk about the game.

When is the team announced?

Agreed. And Tuesday 12pm.

 

[Scrubber2050]

#justiceforrobbo

Poor comment Breaveheart

 

[Pfitzy]

I'd be happier with Poey covering 7 and 8 than Ben McCalman covering 8 and 7. But, even if not, I'll just be more than happy to have Poey back fit and healthy for the Brumbies.

Except Pocock is a poor ball runner. In contact with the pill, for such a strong guy with good balance, he is not very effective.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Spot on Pfitzy, Pocock for all his strengths would make a fucking horrid 8, or 6 for that matter. He's not a jumper and lacks the wingspan to be as good as others are at pulling the ball out the back of the scrum.

McCalman on the pine and forced to play at 7, you can play more ball in hand and attempt to counter ruck more so than pilfer. Pocock on the pine and forced to play at 8 you risk your line out, scrum and ability to get over the gain line.

Sometimes the better player isn't necessarily best for the team.

I'd be more confident with Hooper who is more so in the George Smith mould adapting if either of them were too. Hooper offers more facets to his game to adapt to differing tactics.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Shit when did they discover Laurie had hamstrings - always thought props were born without them.

Seriously, it is a bit of a concern that Sio and now Weekes are both out. Paddy scares me, not around the park but at scrumtime - if he comes on i hope there are not too many scrums left