Bench strength

[disco]

How good was it to have Mumm, Pocock, TPN, Alexander & JOC (James O'Connor) all come on to finish the game off last night?

I think the bench players of all 3 sides could be the major difference in winning & losing this years Tri-nations.

I still think the AB's bench beat us in Brisbane last year as Deans didn't have a lot of faith in his bench but that's all changed this year.

Deans made a lot of our depth last year by putting faith in players during the 2008 Spring Tour & he'll reap the benefits this year.

Our bench could look even better come Tri-nations with players like Elsom, Hynes, Will Genia, Waugh & Palu all coming back the biggest headache maybe deciding how do we split the bench.

Do we stick with the standard 4-3 or do we pick a 5-2? With our range of utility backs.

Swap Hodgson for Elsom to last nights pack against the Baa Bas & it's fair to say that's our best starting 8, apart from the wingers the backline is pretty much set we have to assume that Deans will go with Turner & Mitchell.

So my 5-2 split would be: TPN, Alexander, Mumm, Pocock, Palu, JOC (James O'Connor) & Valentine

My problem with that 5-2 split is wether we should pick a specialist halfback or not? Giteau could shift in if Burgess was injured but do we want to waste him at halfback? Every other position is covered by AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) & JOC (James O'Connor).

4-3 split: TPN, Alexander, Mumm, Pocock, Valentine, JOC (James O'Connor) & Hynes

It was tough picking a 3rd back on the bench as I'm not sure if I would pick a specialist centre or wing.

After looking at the bench options I think the Wallabies would be better served witha 5-2 split we have so many versatile back it's probably better to have another impact forward.

Of course the 5-2split goes out the window if one of Giteau,Barnes or JOC (James O'Connor) gets injured unless Deans is prepared to throw Cooper into a Bledisloe cauldron.

 

[cyclopath]

After looking at the bench options I think the Wallabies would be better served witha 5-2 split we have so many versatile back it's probably better to have another impact forward.

Of course the 5-2split goes out the window if one of Giteau,Barnes or JOC (James O'Connor) gets injured unless Deans is prepared to throw Cooper into a Bledisloe cauldron.

This last bit worries me the most. I think we have enough versatile forwards to go 4-3, but that last back spot is hard to nail. Lee will love the annual discussion about who you pick as your 22nd man gets an airing!! :lmao:

 

[disco]

This last bit worries me the most. I think we have enough versatile forwards to go 4-3, but that last back spot is hard to nail.

I personally wouldn't pick Cooper for a big Tri-nations showdown but Deans has stuck by him.

 

[Blue]

Can't see Alexander on bench come 3N.

If Baxter goes pop you're farked.

 

[cyclopath]

Someone like Tahu may get a look in for the versatility factor. Wouldn't surprise me if he did. Depends what he does on the next 3 weeks, assuming he gets some time, which I think he will. Ioane would have been nice...
And Blue, we still have Superprop Matt Dunning in the wings! ;D

 

[disco]

Can't see Alexander on bench come 3N.

Why's that?

I suppose his acid test will be on the weekend against the Italian scrum, but I'm confident he can become a very good tighthead.

 

[Pfitzy]

I think he can too - but needs about two more seasons playing fulltime THP to do so. He was OK last night but the competition weren't much chop once Yoda came on.

 

[Spook]

Baxter will be tight head and rightly so. Scrum looked good with Alexander was tight head but how poor were the opposition? :nta:

I also would like to see Tahu on the bench in front of cooper. I think Tahu could swing a match our way.

 

[Pfitzy]

Baxter will be tight head and rightly so. Scrum looked good with Alexander was tight head but how poor were the opposition? :nta:

Not poor, but not great. When the subs are coming on at the end of the game its hard to get a rhythm, and young Ben is a big lump which helps at THP.

 

[Biffo]

My major problem with Wallaby selections is that Barnes is back-up for Giteau and Giteau is back-up for Barnes. One is crocked, who comes in? Two are crocked?

 

[barbarian]

My major problem with Wallaby selections is that Barnes is back-up for Giteau and Giteau is back-up for Barnes. One is crocked, who comes in? Two are crocked?

If one gets crocked, either JOC (James O'Connor) or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) comes into 12, or Mortlock moves in one and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or JOC (James O'Connor) or even Tahu play 13.

If both, Cooper comes into 10, with the above scenario still applying.

 

[Langthorne]

If Giteau or Barnes are injured during a match then JOC (James O'Connor) comes on at inside centre.

I don't think you can set up your team based on the slim chance that they will both be injured during the course of a game, there will end up being far too many 'wasted' reseves.

The obvious solution if the worst does happen is to put George Smith into flyhalf - he stands there quite often anyway, and he loves to kick. Seriously though, I'd either bring on the reserve halfback for flyhalf, or give JOC (James O'Connor) a go at it.

If they are injured before the team is named then there are plenty of possibilities - they may not be at the same standard, but that is to be expected if you are trying to replace Giteau.

Although I favour a 5-2 split, I think that 4-3 could work with a hooker, a prop, Mumm and a flanker, plus Valentine, JOC (James O'Connor), and Tahu/Cross/some other outside back. Definitely not Cooper unless we have a lot of injuries.

 

[Cutter]

I dont see the need for a 5-2 split. Our forwards are doing the job at the moment. They dont need any help. A specialist 9 is required (Gits shouldnt be shuffled around), an inside back and an outside back.

 

[liquor box]

This last bit worries me the most. I think we have enough versatile forwards to go 4-3, but that last back spot is hard to nail.

I personally wouldn't pick Cooper for a big Tri-nations showdown but Deans has stuck by him.

It depends who is next to him, I rate coopers skills highly but not his brain!.

If he has a guy like Mortlock outside him to tell him when to pass they will be a lethal combination. Cooper has an awesome pass when he is just trying to move the ball out wide.

The day he realizes that every time you posses the ball is an opportunity to set up for a try rather than to actually score one he will be a great player.

Not many players can throw a 20-30 metre pass onto the chest regularly.

 

[disco]

If one gets crocked, either JOC (James O'Connor) or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) comes into 12, or Mortlock moves in one and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or JOC (James O'Connor) or even Tahu play 13.

If both, Cooper comes into 10, with the above scenario still applying.

If both broke down mid game then we're screwed but what team wouldn't be if both starting flyhalf & IC went down.

JOC (James O'Connor) commands a bench spot no matter what if Barnes or Giteau are injured before a game then you would have to pick Cooper on the bench with JOC (James O'Connor) at 12.

It depends who is next to him, I rate coopers skills highly but not his brain!.

If he has a guy like Mortlock outside him to tell him when to pass they will be a lethal combination. Cooper has an awesome pass when he is just trying to move the ball out wide.

The day he realizes that every time you posses the ball is an opportunity to set up for a try rather than to actually score one he will be a great player.

Not many players can throw a 20-30 metre pass onto the chest regularly.

Fair point

I dont see the need for a 5-2 split. Our forwards are doing the job at the moment. They dont need any help. A specialist 9 is required (Gits shouldnt be shuffled around), an inside back and an outside back.

I suppose that's what Deans is thinking & the reason why he has stuck by Cooper, he will need cover in case of injuries.

 

[Lachlan]

Someone like Tahu may get a look in for the versatility factor.

Jack of all trades, master of none...
Although he has played in both centre positions and on the wing, he has been shunted around and hasn't really settled into one enough (except possibly 13) to even be used as a cover option.

Theoretically Hynes is more versatile and more experienced- a specialist winger than can adequately cover fullback and outside centre, as well as having had some experience playing 12 and 10 (not that i think he should play these two positions in an international).

I've never really seen the opinion thrown around but I wouldn't mind seeing Hynes given some time in the 13 jersey for either the Reds or maybe even the Wallabies vs a minnow team.