KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I thought about putting this in another thread, but I figured it's relevant for this as our strategy and mindset towards RWC 2015 needs to start in this game next weekend and then be built upon thereafter.
This is primarily prompted by the post by @FrankLind over on p84 of the post game thread, where he claimed that the gap between the ABs and Wallabies has widened in the last 12 months and is at risk of widening further, as the ABs will continue to improve and develop and that our only players who can offer the same are Foley & Hooper.
Props - this time last year we were calling for nationwide scrum schools etc after the Suncorp debacle v the Springboks. Whilst not claiming perfection in this area, we have made massive progress and Slipper & Kepu collectively have been as good as any front row going around. Link has to admit his mistake now though and bring Robbo back in for Cowan. More improvement coming.
Hooker - the fact that we are now down to our 4th & 6th choices (assuming Latu was 5th) and still performing OK highlights our depth in this position. No more injuries though please.
Locks - this is easily our biggest area of concern. We need Horwill's experience and it was a mistake to drop Jones from the 32. His counterpart Neville also comes to mind as having all the attributes of a good lock (although I admit to not knowing his game well). Point is we need a couple of big tough buggers who don't give a shit and put their body on the line for the whole time they are out there. Skelton offers potential obviously but he comes across as a bit greeen, as does Carter. Hence Horwill for now.
Back row - I don't think we can beat the AB's here, but I don't think we have to, as long as we are effective. Hooper at 7, and then there are Fardy, Higginbotham and McCalman all providing depth in the 6. I think we need to consider making Palu a bench impact player, but none of those 6's I don't think fit the mould of a World Cup winning 8. So we need to blood someone else.
Halves - this has been the other area of concern highlighted, but it's not because we don't have the cattle, we just had the wrong ones out there. At 9 we have Phipps, White, Burgess and potentially Genia, and at 10 we have Foley, To'omua, Lealifano, throw Beale in and Cooper to return. It's just a matter of finding the right combo, looks set to be Phipps & Foley tried next. Add to that the U20's coming through as inside backs - McIntyre, Horwitz & Stewart. (On Beale I don't think Link is wrong in thinking he is a 10 - he just isn't an international 10, marginal at Super rugby there too, but play him there in the NRC every day of the week).
Centres - due to our obsession with having 2 playmakers (which I don't necessarily agree with), all bar the one above which gets picked at 10 become the options for 12. What we are lacking is a player like Horan or Nonu who was/is a top class 12 and that's it..To'omua is probably the closest thing to it, and if I were to nominate a left field candidate it would be Kerevi and I think he should be the one picked for McCabe's spot in the 32. At 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is only just behind if not on par with C Smith, and Kuridrani is there as well..if Kerevi isn't seen as a 12 option, then he should at least be blooded now for the 13 jersey where the Reds have been playing him.
Back three - here is one area where we can potentially outperform NZ..it didn't happen in the last 2 games because we didn't have proper wingers, but a back 3 of Folau, Speight and Cummins (if he comes back) or JOC (James O'Connor) is better than the AB's. There's also AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) if required there, Horne & Beale as cover, and Tomane & Betham as new kids on the block. Don't tell me there's no improvement/development coming in this area.
That's my piece..
This is primarily prompted by the post by @FrankLind over on p84 of the post game thread, where he claimed that the gap between the ABs and Wallabies has widened in the last 12 months and is at risk of widening further, as the ABs will continue to improve and develop and that our only players who can offer the same are Foley & Hooper.
Props - this time last year we were calling for nationwide scrum schools etc after the Suncorp debacle v the Springboks. Whilst not claiming perfection in this area, we have made massive progress and Slipper & Kepu collectively have been as good as any front row going around. Link has to admit his mistake now though and bring Robbo back in for Cowan. More improvement coming.
Hooker - the fact that we are now down to our 4th & 6th choices (assuming Latu was 5th) and still performing OK highlights our depth in this position. No more injuries though please.
Locks - this is easily our biggest area of concern. We need Horwill's experience and it was a mistake to drop Jones from the 32. His counterpart Neville also comes to mind as having all the attributes of a good lock (although I admit to not knowing his game well). Point is we need a couple of big tough buggers who don't give a shit and put their body on the line for the whole time they are out there. Skelton offers potential obviously but he comes across as a bit greeen, as does Carter. Hence Horwill for now.
Back row - I don't think we can beat the AB's here, but I don't think we have to, as long as we are effective. Hooper at 7, and then there are Fardy, Higginbotham and McCalman all providing depth in the 6. I think we need to consider making Palu a bench impact player, but none of those 6's I don't think fit the mould of a World Cup winning 8. So we need to blood someone else.
Halves - this has been the other area of concern highlighted, but it's not because we don't have the cattle, we just had the wrong ones out there. At 9 we have Phipps, White, Burgess and potentially Genia, and at 10 we have Foley, To'omua, Lealifano, throw Beale in and Cooper to return. It's just a matter of finding the right combo, looks set to be Phipps & Foley tried next. Add to that the U20's coming through as inside backs - McIntyre, Horwitz & Stewart. (On Beale I don't think Link is wrong in thinking he is a 10 - he just isn't an international 10, marginal at Super rugby there too, but play him there in the NRC every day of the week).
Centres - due to our obsession with having 2 playmakers (which I don't necessarily agree with), all bar the one above which gets picked at 10 become the options for 12. What we are lacking is a player like Horan or Nonu who was/is a top class 12 and that's it..To'omua is probably the closest thing to it, and if I were to nominate a left field candidate it would be Kerevi and I think he should be the one picked for McCabe's spot in the 32. At 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is only just behind if not on par with C Smith, and Kuridrani is there as well..if Kerevi isn't seen as a 12 option, then he should at least be blooded now for the 13 jersey where the Reds have been playing him.
Back three - here is one area where we can potentially outperform NZ..it didn't happen in the last 2 games because we didn't have proper wingers, but a back 3 of Folau, Speight and Cummins (if he comes back) or JOC (James O'Connor) is better than the AB's. There's also AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) if required there, Horne & Beale as cover, and Tomane & Betham as new kids on the block. Don't tell me there's no improvement/development coming in this area.
That's my piece..
