Benn Robinson Ruled Out for the 2011 Season with Injury

[PTB]

whys does everyone think slipper is good, especially at scrumtime

 

[Ash]

Because of Slipper's performance in the EOYT last year, and his performances at the start of the S15 season this year. A lot of the time the Reds' scrum crumpled it didn't look to be Slipper's fault.

 

[tigerland12]

whys does everyone think slipper is good, especially at scrumtime

He's pretty dam good for a 22 year old. He wasn't the problem in the Reds scrum

 

[Blue]

whys does everyone think slipper is good, especially at scrumtime

Because when he is in a front row with either Moore or TPN and with a LH prop who is not getting his head shoved up his arse he hold up very well. Doesn't dominate really, but stands his ground very well.

Fark me I feel bad for Robinson.

Right now if I was Robbie I would barely play Kepu or Slipper in the next two months.

 

[JJJ]

Do we know much about the recent scrum camp? Which side did Alexander and Kepu spend the most time at? It's a bloody shame Slipper missed out on it, and it's also a shame fatcat got injured after rather tha before it, as that would've been useful info to have in deciding which side of the scrum to put most training into for those who can play both sides. Oh well, can't be helped. On the plus side training against him would've been more useful for the opposing TH than against a replacement.

 

[Fredfreduels]

Still going to win the world cup.

Good point.

 

[Blue]

On the plus side training against him would've been more useful for the opposing TH than against a replacement.

If there is a silver lining, you found it.

 

[Train Without a Station]

There's way to much love for Slipper going around. Sure he is a good young prop but he really hasn't done anything extremely special at scrum time.

If you are looking for all-round value a from row with Daley at LH and Kepu at TH gives you the best mix of scrummaging, work rate and playing their position around the park.

Sure Slipper and Alexander have some decent runs, but considering they are running out at 13 half the time, running at blokes half their size I'd be disappointed if they weren't regularly getting over the gain line.

Daley and Kepu on the other hand play much tighter games which is what you want from you TIGHT forwards. Benny Alexander swanning around in the backs doesn't mean we have a high work rate prop with a great running game. It just means a lighter, more gangly framed backrower has to expend additional energy picking up the slack in tight where they are less effective. Ben Daley for example was running through the Crusaders tight forwards, like they were an AFL banner on Saturday night, allowing Higginbotham and Samo to play looser games, where they are far more effective than a prop anyway.

I will agree Daley's scrummaging is not equal to Fatcat, but his workrate, and his workrate for the tight work that our props aren't always doing is probably on par with 2009 Benn Robinson, and superior to 2011 Benn Robinson. In addition, teamed up in a front row of Moore/TPN, Kepu can only help him be more effective, because we all know Fainga'a's scrummaging is his weakness.

 

[Slim 293]

Daley is the worst scrummager of the lot...

If Robinson wasn't injured Daley would not be part of the world cup squad...

 

[Lee Grant]

Daley's future including 3N and the RWC should be defined on how well he can scrummage, but given out poor depth of props and the injury to Fat Cat, the non-scrummaging matters will come to bear - and I fear much to the amusement of NH commentators.

We could still do well in the RWC unless we get Poite refereeing. He referees on the vibe, and the vibe is against Daley.

 

[Groucho]

Gutted for Robinson. And no matter what you think of him as a player it's a loss for the team and the number of props available for the WC.
However... whilst he is good and I think highly of him, I've never been a huge believer that he is in the top 5 looseheads in the World. But yes... probably the best we have.
Although... Alexander is more suited to loose I believe. I'm a big fan of Jerry Y from ACt and Sydney Uni and disappointed he hasn't figured in any training camps. We can cover for the loss of Robinson in my opinion and no matter whether or not he is playing or someone else... the fact is we are only looking for 'parity' in scrums and are not going to dominate anyone except maybe some minnows in pool games. We just simply need parity and I feel Kepu, Slipper, Alexander with Moore and TPN and Horwill in the second row... we will get parity. And with the backrowers we have and the backline... parity will be all we need. Vickerman may now displace Sharpe for his stronger scrummaging.
The only thing that will lose us a real shot at the WC in my opinion is if our scrum is penalised to death. And with Alexander now an unlikely tight head option (moving to loosehead for Robinson) this will remove that concern to a large degree as Alexander had started to become a penalty machine at tight head... like Baxter was. And that's why Baxter won't get in. Deans won't risk the penalties (deserved or not).

I believe that for a year or so Robinson was the best loosehead in the word.

 

[Reddy!]

Well just about every Wallaby world cup campaign has had the injury hard luck story leading into it (1991 - Tim Gavin, 1999 - Phil Kearns, 2003 - Toutai Kefu), why would this be any different?

2007 - Latham although he did get to play eventually but not at his best.

The Wallabies are doing it tough this year with Mitchell and Robinson out.

 

[Reddy!]

I also gotta say - all Deans blooding of young rookies over the years doesn't look so stupid anymore...

 

[JJJ]

His loyalty to Ma'food is still looking pretty silly though. On the plus side at least we know absolutely for sure and without a doubt that he isn't up to it at the highest level.

 

[Larno]

Feel free to call this a stupid suggestion if it is, but what price Kieran Longbottom? He hasn't been too bad at the scrummage this year and is a specialist loosehead. Either him or return Greg Holmes to the loosehead side.

 

[tigerland12]

Feel free to call this a stupid suggestion if it is, but what price Kieran Longbottom? He hasn't been too bad at the scrummage this year and is a specialist loosehead. Either him or return Greg Holmes to the loosehead side.

I'm annoyed Baxter and Cowan got the nod over Holmes and Longarse.
I understand Baxter over Longbum, but Cowan over Holmes, cannot see the logic in that

 

[Ash]

For me, their have only been two Aus looseheads who have successfully attacked opposition scrums: Robinson (who was the more destructive) and Kepu.

When you combine that with the three best props in the squad were likely Robinson, Kepu and Slipper, then by shifting Kepu you still get your best two props on the park. With a strong scrummaging hooker like TPN or Moore, I think Kepu and Slipper should be able to hold up the scrum.

It's the best of a sad situation.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I also gotta say - all Deans blooding of young rookies over the years doesn't look so stupid anymore...

I have a suspicion that he's going to look like a genius by years end on that score.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Daley is the worst scrummager of the lot...

If Robinson wasn't injured Daley would not be part of the world cup squad...

With the greatest respect to Daley, I don't want to see him anywhere near a Wallaby scrum come crunch time unless he improves significantly in that department. It's a pity, because he's great around the paddock.

 

[Joe Blow]

This is very Sad for Fat Cat. He has had a good year and looked to be getting back to his best form.
He is still young and should be around for the next RWC.
It is not the end of the world for the Wallabies. We can still have a GOOD scrum without Robinson.
Alexander, Kepu and Moore make a solid front row and Slipper is a very good bench prop.
Horwill and Vickerman help our scrum a great deal as well.
Problem is that 1 or 2 more injuries will see us back where we were at this time last year.
Don't give up on Big Al just yet!