Bledisloe IV 2010 Hong Kong

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep, Higgers will get his chance in the mid-week games.

 

[Groucho]

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.

But Reddy!, he wouldn't even make the bench in his ideal position, 12, only as a utility. His career isn't being hurt: he's getting valuable development time. And he may yet turn out to be a very good winger.

 

[DPK]

http://tv.rugby.com.au/

The video "Deans on Ben Alexander and Spring Tour" has Robbie talking about making the right decisions. This is something he can't control that I think the Wallabies did very poorly in Sydney.

Why is it when we got to the 60th minute we decided to kick our way to the win? Are we that timid that it didn't cross the Wallabies minds that they should put the AB's to the sword? Then when Giteau missed one they still didn't decide to go for the jugular.

This is what I don't like about having Rocky as captain. He doesn't seem like the sort of bloke that will say "Let's finish 'em off". Then again, who in the Wallabies squad has that killer instinct? And don't say Van the Man because it's unlikely he'll be a regular at this stage.

One thing I'd like to see the Wallabies develop on this tour is and instinct to annihilate their opposition, not just try and cruise to victory.

 

[Ruggo]

O'Connor will shine after the RWC and find a more perminant role in the side then after the usual player clean out.

 

[barbarian]

Its a good point Konze. We need a touch of that Steve Waugh killer instinct, it seems we are incapable of backing ourselves to score tries in tight scenarios. Rocky seems to vastly prefer a 50/50 penalty shot from 40m out than booting it into the corner and running a lineout move or backline play.

Thats not to say we should be doing it every time, but I think the last Bled was a prime example. In the first half we had the ABs measure, but kept taking 50/50 shots, most of which we were missing. We need to read the game better and work out the right moment to attack and the right moment to play safety first.

 

[Ruggo]

I think it is a confidence thing. If we just crack that win I think it will sort itself out.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I tend to agree. Get that first win and the flood gates will open.

 

[Reddy!]

But Reddy!, he wouldn't even make the bench in his ideal position, 12, only as a utility. His career isn't being hurt: he's getting valuable development time. And he may yet turn out to be a very good winger.

Yeh but what is he going to develop into? Mr Average winger? Playing on the wing isn't going to help his game at 12 or flyhalf if those positions are deemed his best. The only benefit of him playing of the wing is to get more international experience while he keeps better wingers on the bench or out of the 22.

If he had been playing 12 all year, he would probably be challenging Gits right now or even have over taken him. That competition is much more valuable than competiton on the right wing. Well actually there is no competition on the right wing, J'OC gets selected by default because apparently he HAS to be in the team.

 

[Scarfman]

You're onto it, Reddy! If Robbie does something mad for long enough, people start forgetting how mad it is. JOC (James O'Connor) is not a wing. Not even close.

 

[Hawko]

Yep, Higgers will get his chance in the mid-week games.

The tour features five tests and two midweek games in 29 days. That is a huge workload, and way too much for 15 players. You may recall the game against Scotland last year (fourth game in a similar schedule). Everyone remembers Giteau missed the sitter, but that day the whole team played awful, and a big part of the reason for that was over-use of the top 15. We will have another "Scotland" experience if we do not make sure that the top 15 (as defined by the fifteen picked this week) do not get at least one full test off this tour to freshen them up. By that I mean that they miss the game or play from the bench.

Given that, I expect Maafu, S. Fainga'a, Mumm, Hodgson, Higginbotham, Burgess, Barnes, Turner, Davies and Hynes will get at least one test start this tour. There should already be a draft selection plan for the tour that can be adjusted based on performances, injuries and results. There is no reason why every squad member should not get at least one start. That didn't happen last tour, I just hope that lessons were learnt and that this time there is better use made of the full squad.

 

[fatprop]

Yeh but what is he going to develop into? Mr Average winger? Playing on the wing isn't going to help his game at 12 or flyhalf if those positions are deemed his best. The only benefit of him playing of the wing is to get more international experience while he keeps better wingers on the bench or out of the 22.

If he had been playing 12 all year, he would probably be challenging Gits right now or even have over taken him. That competition is much more valuable than competiton on the right wing. Well actually there is no competition on the right wing, J'OC gets selected by default because apparently he HAS to be in the team.

It is an rugby "process" to blood young talented players on the wing. Mortlock, Umaga & Gerrard, Shepherd & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all come to mind quickly. JOC (James O'Connor) is just another

 

[disco]

In regards to JOC (James O'Connor) & this goes for all players if your not #1 in your position than it's hard luck, sure he's a talent but so is Toeava but unfortunately there is a couple of blokes who are better so he has to bide his time.

I personally see JOC (James O'Connor) as a brilliant super 15 player but only a bench option at test level.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

It is an rugby "process" to blood young talented players on the wing. Mortlock, Umaga & Gerrard, Shepherd & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all come to mind quickly. JOC (James O'Connor) is just another

Beale got his kick start off the wing last EOYT too

 

[Scarfman]

I've never heard of this startong at wing process. I think what you are observing is that players start out fast and get slower and bulkier.

 

[Jnor]

Where did you start, Scarf?

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I've never heard of this startong at wing process. I think what you are observing is that players start out fast and get slower and bulkier.

I've seen it quite a bit. Fullbacks and Outsides starting out on the wing, fly halves starting out at inside. Gives palyers the exposure and experience without too much compromisation

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Me too. It's an often used way to get players used to back line play without mistakes leading to catastrophe.

 

[Muttonbird]

Excepting, of course, JOC (James O'Connor)'s mistake in the last minutes of Bledisloe III 2010.

Surely, in international rugby, there are no places to hide.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I was more referring to grades of rugby lower than test level, but yeah you're right.

 

[Scotty]

It is an rugby "process" to blood young talented players on the wing. Mortlock, Umaga & Gerrard, Shepherd & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all come to mind quickly. JOC (James O'Connor) is just another

Ah, didn't JOC (James O'Connor) start at fullback?

And don't we all consider him to be a future 12? I can't think of a long term 12 that was blooded on the wing.