Ben McCalman - Analysis

[Swat]

I've been able to justify to myself why Dingo wants to start with McCabe on Sunday although it involves him using his bench for a change (so I'm still holding out on the Dingo-is-sabotaging-us-for-NZ theory). What I haven't been able to get my head around is his man-love for McCalman, especially as it has been suggested that he's on the bench as a replacement for Pocock. Whether that is true or not is a moot point. What I would like is if RGS or anyone could produce some McCalman stats or if we could get a Video Analysis done like the one's done previously for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Higgers. As far as my limited memory goes the only impact on a test I can recall McCalman ever doing was selling a dummy to Vito(?) last year and putting JOC (James O'Connor) away in the corner. Seriously, I cannot recall another bit of good work. Surely this is just my bias, he must have made it over the advantage line at least once or twice. Any help?

 

[Sully]

I'm pretty certain Austin did something on McCalman.

 

[tranquility]

Yeah, good idea.

As a reds fan I remember in the opening round of the season he was playing in the second-row around against us and he was immense. Constantly belting blokes, and disrupting mauls - he just doesn't seem to be able to carry that form into test matches unfortunately. Higginbum should feel robbed about missing this weekend.

 

[No4918]

Give him another season and he will go the way of Dick Brown.

I am definitely not a fan but who else is there? Samo is going to be 36 next year and not likely to be around. Palu cant stay fit and prob look to go overseas. Higgers has a fair bit of developpment left if he wants to be an 8 and i'd like to see him there for the full season next year for the Reds if he is serious about it. Then who? Vaea & Schatz are highly regarded but a couple of seasons away at least from test selection. Maybe Timani could make the change. Lack of a world class 8 recently is costing the wobs.

 

[Swarley]

Dave Dennis for mine. Palu is great when he's had a bit of game time, but that's been years. He's too injury prone and I agree, he's likely to head to Europe eventually. Higginbotham isn't the ball-of-muscle type #8 the Wallabies need, and his work rate is well below par. Schatz isn't quite there yet and Vaea, whilst promising, could turn in a 'second year syndrome' 2012. Dennis is far from definite, but he's strong, hard working, skilled, offers a line-out option and he has a fair bit of Wallaby camp experience.

 

[Ruggo]

Jake Shatz could be the man to watch in the comming years. Mowen and Dennis I also admire. I don't buy this bigger is better argument and think it is soundly discredited by the likes of Read and Piresae. It is more about how you use what you have.

I don't subscribe to all the McCalman crapping out that is going on.

 

[DPK]

How about:

4. Vickerman
5. Sharpe
6. Horwill
7. Pocock
8. Timani

We're getting closer to my dream: the all second row back 5...

 

[Waylon]

When McCalman was trialing for the Force i was noted that he had " a bit of sh1t ( mongrel)" about him
He is a no nonsense bloke who will hit it up and smash people all game. he is 'ard.
he is not a 7 however. Hodgson or Beau Robinson should be on the bench

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Most of our superXV clubs have a good #8, and a good backup. Plus, I'm sure some new guys will come onto the scene during the next few seasons.

I wouldn't say we are lost for an #8 post WC. We are just waiting for someone to put their hand up.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

I'm pretty certain Austin did something on McCalman.

Yea, I think this was it:

I don’t think you’ll find anyone who doesn’t agree that the loss of David Pocock hurt the Wallabies’ performance, but what’s that got to do with Ben McCalman?

In this game McCalman had an Involvement Rate of 0.58 — equal with James Horwill, and bettered only by Dan Vickerman with an Involvement Rate of 0.73. Of course you want your No. 7 having a better rate than your starting locks but I’ll come back to that.

McCalman carried the ball 4 times in the game. Too low you may, say but David Pocock has been averaging only 6 carries per game in 2011! McCalman made 11 tackles in the game compared to Pocock’s average of 14 per game in 2011. He did have only 46 breakdown involvements ,compared to the 62 Pocock has been averaging per game in 2011.

Overall McCalman’s Involvement Rate of 0.58 is well down on Pocock’s average in 2011 of 0.85. But is that really comparing apples to apples? Pocock is one of the top No. 7s in the world, if not the best. McCalman is not a No. 7 and surely noone expected him to match Pocock’s phenomenal work rate.

How did McCalman do compared to his other games in 2011 where he’s started? In the three games he’s started in this year at No. 8 he’s had an average Involvement Rate of 0.51. He’s averaged 7 carries per game, 10 tackles per game and been involved in an average of 16 breakdowns per game. So in this game he carried the ball a little less (which you’d expect, playing No. 7 compared to No. 8), he’s made one less tackle than his average but nearly doubled his breakdown involvements from 16 to 31 in this game (and you’d want your No. 7 focusing on the breakdown more than a No. 8).

I’ve never heard anyone claim Ben McCalman is a dynamic player — he’s more a solid performer who gives his best in every game I’ve seen from him. That appears to be what we got this game: he was given the task of filling in for one of the world’s best No. 7s and lifted his performance from what he’s been doing all year.

So back to my original question: what has the loss of David Pocock got to do with Ben McCalman’s performance? I say, very little. What’s it got to do with those who chose to go into a major tournament without a specialist No. 7 backup? Everything!

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/austins-rwc2-stats-and-analysis-wallabies-v-ireland/

Great stuff as always.

 

[Swat]

Thanks Bru!
I know he is a workhorse and this confirms it. It is just a pity he doesn't seem to have much impact. A slightly bigger version of Dick Brown, all heart and no go-ahead.

 

[fatprop]

Thanks Bru!
I know he is a workhorse and this confirms it. It is just a pity he doesn't seem to have much impact. A slightly bigger version of Dick Brown, all heart and no go-ahead.

you need some guys to just get the dog work done because that allows some of the "impact" guys to do their stuff

 

[wamberal]

Keep an eye on Locky McCaffrey.

 

[Swat]

you need some guys to just get the dog work done because that allows some of the "impact" guys to do their stuff

I think it's because I grew up watching an enforcer like Jerry Collins at 8. The kind of guy who makes bustling runs and momentum breaking tackles. I guess that's our inside centers job now

 

[fatprop]

I think it's because I grew up watching an enforcer like Jerry Collins at 8. The kind of guy who makes bustling runs and momentum breaking tackles. I guess that's our inside centers job now

don't forget all the work Reuben Thorne (as an invisible man apparently :-\ ) did so Collins could do his stuff.

rugby is about balance

 

[Gnostic]

don't forget all the work Reuben Thorne (as an invisible man apparently :-\ ) did so Collins could do his stuff.

rugby is about balance

That is part of the problem, Pocock is the worker. Elsom is, was and remains a centre playing at 6. We have only this year had any impact at 8 with Samo. McCalman has a huge workrate (though not as huge as Pocock and without the scavenging ability) but has little to no impact in what he does. There is no balance in the Australian Backrow.

It just occurred to me that the AB backrow of Thorne, Randell (C) Kronfeld had similar balance issues IMO.