Bledisloe IV 2010 Hong Kong

[Gagger]

Gagger, not really interested in that sort of stuff mate. Here to talk rugby, not be a douche.

Then don't be a "douche" with back-handed insults - I suggest you get back to playing the ball.

As for talking rugby - I'm disappointed.

Disappointed that you can't rationally analyze a team's - in this case New Zealand's - self-stated tactics without either their own supporters raving on about how this is all based on jealousy and how everyone else does it too (it's just that their team is so much better at it) - or from Wallaby supporters who believe this isn't something we should discuss in fear that it looks like whinging.

There is no reason why we shouldn't discuss every facet of the game - including how teams bend and break the laws of the game. It's all part of it, and it is rugby.

To be fair, blaming losses solely on this isn't level headed either, there's obviously a lot more going on in the game than just this.

But that's not what pieces like Scarfie's video do. In his vid, Scarfie rationally lays out what he sees as the All Blacks tactics around the rucks. There are Super 15 franchises that I know have looked at this video as a good analysis.

If you've got a strong emotional reaction to seeing it, or reading other such discussion and analysis, then you need to have a good look at yourself as to why, not fly off the handle at the messenger.

To this end, I've started a thread in which we can discuss such tactics - those on the edge of legality and those well past it. If you just can't handle it, don't enter.

 

[fatprop]

I also hope Genia is now fit and able to get around the field effectively, he has been no where near his best this season

 

[dobduff11]

I agree fat prop his knee was definitely causing him trouble because he came back way to early

If he finds top form the rest of the backs will be more productive because of the threat he offers

 

[Jethro Tah]

I was hoping for Turner (or Hynes for that matter) to get the nod over JOC (James O'Connor), as do most of us here. However, I have come up with a theory with why Deans went with JOC (James O'Connor). I don't necessarily agree with it but I think Deans is looking more to the future with this decision. This year JOC (James O'Connor) has only ever been a fill in player in the run on squad due to injuries and suspensions, and has done very well with the opportunities handed to him IMO. When Digby is healthy again he will walk into the wing spot thus pushing JOC (James O'Connor) to the bench who is, for now, a great utility and impact player against tired legs. Assuming players stay injury free and their skill levels keep improving at the current rate, I think Deans is lining up for a WC final back 3 of Digby, Shmoo and Beale. And his selection policies thus far indicate the remaining back line to include Genia, Cooper, Gits & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) plus Burgess and Barnes to fill the other 2 bench spots.

If it was me I'd have a couple of different names on the team sheet but it aint. I still think, on any given day, there's enough fire power in the Hongkers team and the squad to bring home the trophy. Good luck Wobs and Deans. I'll be backing you all the way.

 

[fatprop]

The only reason for JOC (James O'Connor) over Turner to me is JOC (James O'Connor)'s ability beat defenders in open play is simply far superior to Turner's.


The kick return is becoming one of the most important attacking opportunities and despite JOC (James O'Connor) being a dwarf, he is incredibly difficult to tackle.

 

[Reddy!]

Still no reason to hurt his career by turning him into a utility that will only ever be a bench option at best when the first choice player (Digby) returns.

 

[Reddy!]

Also, I forgot about Higginbotham - How this guy doesn't get a run over a tried, tested and failed Brown amazes me somewhat. Or maybe it doesn't, maybe I am use to these kind of whack selections by now.

Either way, I can't see the Wallabies beating the All Blacks unfortunately - it is their game to lose.


WHAT I WILL BE WATCHING HOWEVER WITH GREAT INTEREST: is Quade Cooper tackling, let's see how much he has improved. He is the weak link in the team.

 

[fatprop]

Also, I forgot about Higginbotham - How this guy doesn't get a run over a tried, tested and failed Brown amazes me somewhat. Or maybe it doesn't, maybe I am use to these kind of whack selections by now.

Either way, I can't see the Wallabies beating the All Blacks unfortunately - it is their game to lose.

Brown hasn't "failed" he is a very good bench option, Brown is tested and will provide a known level of ability, Higginbotham isn't tested at this level so he was never going to start his test career in a Bled match.

Higginbotham will get his chance during the tour, if he doesn't get injured again

 

[farva]

Also, I forgot about Higginbotham - How this guy doesn't get a run over a tried, tested and failed Brown amazes me somewhat. Or maybe it doesn't, maybe I am use to these kind of whack selections by now.

Either way, I can't see the Wallabies beating the All Blacks unfortunately - it is their game to lose.


WHAT I WILL BE WATCHING HOWEVER WITH GREAT INTEREST: is Quade Cooper tackling, let's see how much he has improved. He is the weak link in the team.

Brown is useful as a bench player. He will add in the last 30. He has a high work rate, but not the size to compete from the get go.
Higgens while having had a very good super rugby season, is untested at international level. I really would like to see him tried on this tour to see how he goes as I think he could be a real option for the Wallabies. But I desperately want to win the Bled game. So lets not test players in that sort of environment.

 

[Scarfman]

Like whoever said it, above, Hodgson deserves a shot ahead of Brown. My hypothesis (difficult to test thanks to Robbie), is that he is better at 6, 7, and 8.

No hate for Brown, but he has been repeatedly exposed as ineffective at test level. Got to try someone else, especially someone who outplayed everyone at S14 level.

 

[dobduff11]

Hodgson was so dominant in the Super 14 that he deserved a shot over Brown unfortunately deans didn't see it like that, even higgo had a better super 14 than brown

It infuriates me how someone like him gets the nod over form super 14 players, good thing McCalman is the incumbent

 

[Searsy]

Still no reason to hurt his career by turning him into a utility that will only ever be a bench option at best when the first choice player (Digby) returns.

I can't exactly see it hurting his career. If he wasn't on the wing, and as Deans believes Giteau is the better inside centre + Beale the best fullback, he would be on the bench or not playing at all. It certainly won't make him any less of a fullback / inside centre / fly-half. I suppose their is the potential that he will be viewed as a utility player but I see a bright future for him in the Wallabies, and there is nothing wrong serving an apprenticeship.

In saying this, I don't believe he should be starting on the wing. I think he would be best suited to playing off the bench but Dingo must firmly believe that he is a better winger than Turner / Davies / Hynes.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I can't exactly see it hurting his career. If he wasn't on the wing, and as Deans believes Giteau is the better inside centre + Beale the best fullback, he would be on the bench or not playing at all. It certainly won't make him any less of a fullback / inside centre / fly-half. I suppose their is the potential that he will be viewed as a utility player but I see a bright future for him in the Wallabies, and there is nothing wrong serving an apprenticeship.

In saying this, I don't believe he should be starting on the wing. I think he would be best suited to playing off the bench but Dingo must firmly believe that he is a better winger than Turner / Davies / Hynes.

I don’t think Deans would necessarily see JOC (James O'Connor) as the better winger in the traditional sense, but the better player to fill his tactics. Deans has him using him as more of an open/utility role in attack, coming in as another playmaker and supporting the straight runner for the offload etc, as opposed to the “staying on the touch line” style of winger.

 

[Searsy]

I don’t think Deans would necessarily see JOC (James O'Connor) as the better winger in the traditional sense, but the better player to fill his tactics.

Yea, absolutley agree. Maybe 'right man for the job' would have been a better way to put it.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Yea, absolutley agree. Maybe 'right man for the job' would have been a better way to put it.

Yes, I don't think the number on his back truely reflects the position/role Deans has him playing. This would be why when comparing Turner to JOC (James O'Connor) in Deans eyes, JOC (James O'Connor) has been ticking all the boxes keeping him in the team, but not necessarily what we are looking for, unknown to instructions he has given to JOC (James O'Connor). Hence the grilling JOC (James O'Connor) has been copping on here lately.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Then don't be a "douche" with back-handed insults - I suggest you get back to playing the ball.

As for talking rugby - I'm disappointed.

Disappointed that you can't rationally analyze a team's - in this case New Zealand's - self-stated tactics without either their own supporters raving on about how this is all based on jealousy and how everyone else does it too (it's just that their team is so much better at it) - or from Wallaby supporters who believe this isn't something we should discuss in fear that it looks like whinging.

There is no reason why we shouldn't discuss every facet of the game - including how teams bend and break the laws of the game. It's all part of it, and it is rugby.

To be fair, blaming losses solely on this isn't level headed either, there's obviously a lot more going on in the game than just this.

But that's not what pieces like Scarfie's video do. In his vid, Scarfie rationally lays out what he sees as the All Blacks tactics around the rucks. There are Super 15 franchises that I know have looked at this video as a good analysis.

If you've got a strong emotional reaction to seeing it, or reading other such discussion and analysis, then you need to have a good look at yourself as to why, not fly off the handle at the messenger.

To this end, I've started a thread in which we can discuss such tactics - those on the edge of legality and those well past it. If you just can't handle it, don't enter.

Gagger - you've misssed the point of my post. You claimed your little NZRFU grant bullshit, which is baseless crap, against somebody else & then when I posted my post - you continued it on. Hence, my comment.

I've stated my thoughts on the cheating stuff before, not going to again. Just disappointed to see yet another thread head down this path. As for your disappointment, I assure you, your disappointment pales into comparison compared to mine that an admin for this site is encouraging a good thread to go down a path that I think most posters were well and truly sick of.

It's your site, your welcome to continuously bring this up & your right, I don't have to read them & I won't. It's not because I "can't handle it", it's because there's enough kiwi bashing here already without venturing into threads specifically setup for this purpose.

Back to the rugby. Beauftiful morning here in HK, it's going to be spot on ideal conditions tomorrow & looking forward to it.

 

[Joe Blow]

Still no reason to hurt his career by turning him into a utility that will only ever be a bench option at best when the first choice player (Digby) returns.

I don't think will hurt him too much. Deans is working him into the team structure.
The same was done with Morty and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wing and others to a lesser extent in the past.

 

[Ruggo]

Brown is there to cover Pocock. The versitility between lock and blindside Mumm offers also does not help Higgers case. With this in mind, Hodgeson is the one who got the short straw.

Would love to see Higgers get his chance against the Welsh next week. The tried and tested argument is a bit flawed as they all have been in a position where they were untested, but they got there oppurtunity.

 

[fatprop]

Would love to see Higgers get his chance against the Welsh next week. The tried and tested argument is a bit flawed as they all have been in a position where they were untested, but they got there oppurtunity.

I expect Higgers to get good time in Aus A games and bench time/game time in the lesser tests, it is what we generally do.

 

[Ruggo]

Happy for that to happen. A chance to stake his claim is all I want to see. The rest is up to him.