Brumbies 2018
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lou75
Ron Walden (29)
Am I being determinedly cynical? Pocock is the smartest guy in town - he took a season off from Super Rugby to rest - didn't have the much needed operation - played for the presumably big paying Wild Knights for his second Top League season before returning to the Brumbies for - not to play Super Rugby in 2018 - but to have an operation and be off work on sick leave - fully paid, too and still expect to play a part in the Wallabies schedule especially in the World Cup, and return to the Wild Knights at some point.
Now I'm not saying he screwed everyone over , but his actions suit himself, and good luck to him, but Brumbies/RA have paid and are still paying the guy a shit load to not play for us.
What about spending that money (more than, say all of South Australia grass roots get in a year) on grass roots development, or more the point, coach development?
Now I'm not saying he screwed everyone over , but his actions suit himself, and good luck to him, but Brumbies/RA have paid and are still paying the guy a shit load to not play for us.
What about spending that money (more than, say all of South Australia grass roots get in a year) on grass roots development, or more the point, coach development?
This is far from ideal but Pocock should now be healthy for the whole test season and leading towards the 2019 RWC.
He is statistically our most important player. There's no mystery why he is on one of the highest value contracts in Australian rugby and RA has made various concessions to sweeten the deal.
Who knows what the medical advice he received previously was but based on what we know now it would seem that he should have had the knee surgery whilst he was having an extended break from rugby.
He is statistically our most important player. There's no mystery why he is on one of the highest value contracts in Australian rugby and RA has made various concessions to sweeten the deal.
Who knows what the medical advice he received previously was but based on what we know now it would seem that he should have had the knee surgery whilst he was having an extended break from rugby.
Mr Wobbly
Alan Cameron (40)
And yet he is played out of position
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
with a buggered knee
MarkJ
Bob Loudon (25)
"Wasps 26-7 Ulster, 72 minutes
Ulster have endured some tough breaks today. Christian Leali'ifano becomes the latest of their number to leave the field with an injury. That's his final appearance as an Ulster player, don't forget."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/01/21/wasps-vs-ulster-champions-cup-live-score-updates/
Haven't seen anything else about it so hoping it's not serious
Ulster have endured some tough breaks today. Christian Leali'ifano becomes the latest of their number to leave the field with an injury. That's his final appearance as an Ulster player, don't forget."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/01/21/wasps-vs-ulster-champions-cup-live-score-updates/
Haven't seen anything else about it so hoping it's not serious
Maybe that will change in 2018 but until McMahon (also out of position) played some outstanding tests at number 8, Pocock had played the best tests we've had from a number 8 in years. I'm still confused what exactly Pocock didn't get to do with a the number 8 on his back compared to number 7. This constant out of position argument is bizarre given Pocock's greatest attribute is pilfering in general play which is not determined by the number on his jersey.
T
TOCC
Guest
Remember Pocock is playing back to back rugby between now and the RWC, any idea of this sabbatical benefiting him for the RWC is eroded by back to back seasons.
Pococks next 2 years:
2017-18: Japan
2018: Super Rugby-Wallabies
2018-19: Japan
2019: Super Rugby/Wallabies/RWC
The only saving grace is that the JFRU has reduced the 2017-2019 Top League season from 15 to 10 games to help their RWC interests. So this should at least offer Pocock a break between seasons.
I don’t think Pocock will even go on the Spring Tour this year, the Top League season starts in September.
Pococks next 2 years:
2017-18: Japan
2018: Super Rugby-Wallabies
2018-19: Japan
2019: Super Rugby/Wallabies/RWC
The only saving grace is that the JFRU has reduced the 2017-2019 Top League season from 15 to 10 games to help their RWC interests. So this should at least offer Pocock a break between seasons.
I don’t think Pocock will even go on the Spring Tour this year, the Top League season starts in September.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
There isn't a difference, it was just people wanting an opportunity to rip on Hooper. Infact depending on the roles the coach has given, im pretty sure that the only difference Cheika wanted was Hooper on the side of the scrum as he can utilize his greater pace to break from and reach contact quicker in a set piece situation. By in large it was also the same people who said McMahon was too small for no.8 and can't win the contact zone or constantly saying Folau is a terrible full back, or Beale should play fullback instead of centre, or Genia is well past his best and Koroibete will be suspect at international level, just to name a few.
How much of the 2018-19 Top League season can he play if he is on the 2018 EOYT? There is an overlap isn't there?
It will be interesting to see whether he pulls out of that year of the contract in preparation for the RWC.
It will be interesting to see whether he pulls out of that year of the contract in preparation for the RWC.
T
TOCC
Guest
I don’t consider it out of position, rather disrupting the balance of the back-row.
This has been discussed ad infinitum on the forum but balance is a relative thing and has to consider the abilities of the players involved. When there isn't a good number 8, picking a traditional 6, 7, and 8 might be more balanced but it probably won't be a better option if that selection involves picking a substantially inferior player. In 2017 McMahon emerged as easily our best number 8. The best two backrowers were picked (Hooper and McMahon) and the 6 was generally picked to complement them. Until we reach a point where the 6, 7, and 8 are all close to the same relative ability as an out and out specialist in their position we will probably continue to see some compromise made in selections with balance found by picking the third player to complement the first two who are the best two backrowers we have.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
Iv always thought it should be picked relative to the pack and not just the backrow. The Brumbies for example will greatly benefit this season from Naisarani as they lacked a dominant ball carrier last year. Australia on the other hand if we pick Simmons you need a definite ball carrier in the backrow, however if the locks are Arnold and Coleman, with say Kepu and TPN in the front row, the need for an out and out carrier in the backrow is less needed.
T
TOCC
Guest
Yes the back row is relative to the second row, and likewise the second row to the front row, and the forward pack to the halves. There’s also the balance of set-piece/mobility/ball runner.. which is why there is no easy solution and it will remain a contentious issue.
I don’t care whether he wears 6, 7 or 8... it’s who he plays alongside that matters
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
With poey out I'd be using Mccaffrey @ 6 as an experienced grafter and Naisarani @ 8 with cusack @ 7.
Bit light on the ball but a big mobile - mobile being a key word - backrow with Valetini on the bench.
Bit light on the ball but a big mobile - mobile being a key word - backrow with Valetini on the bench.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Surely, Valetini is a larger player than McCaffery? Certainly plays larger. The other option at 7 is Angus Allen, lately of U20s. He is good over the ball, and has a bit of size about him too. But at the moment, I'd like to see Valetini, Cusack and Naisarani as the back row. Cusack had a massive NRC season at 7, and I'm pretty sure he also jumps good in the lineout.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Valetini is a few kgs heavier but sheer mass wasn't what I was going for. With Cusack being a relatively inexperienced 7, and Naisrani also a bit green, I thought it best to introduce still teenager Valetini off the bench and let the more experienced Mccaffrey do the non fancy stuff and unleash the youngster in the later stages
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
McCaffrey is a solid journeyman and a good addition to the squad in terms of experience........ but I don't see him providing anything more than what the alternatives provide.
The Brumbies need to shake of the conservatism and reward Cusack and Valetini for their NRC form..........
Naisarani has two years of Super rugby form, so isn't that green............
Cusack has a solid head on his shoulders as shown by his leadership of the Vikings, and he's a big mobile unit who can get through a heavy workload.
And there's already loads of experience in that pack.
The Brumbies need to shake of the conservatism and reward Cusack and Valetini for their NRC form..........
Naisarani has two years of Super rugby form, so isn't that green............
Cusack has a solid head on his shoulders as shown by his leadership of the Vikings, and he's a big mobile unit who can get through a heavy workload.
And there's already loads of experience in that pack.
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