De-runting the backline

[Bruce Ross]

I also wonder about the tendency for everyone to make a huge fuss about big guys in the backs. Australia can certainly use one bigger guy to take the ball forward, but you don't have to be huge to make straight meters. Horne (for instance) made fairly good meters running straight all season for the Tahs (when he wasn't broken). An 85 to 90kg guy is not that much smaller than a 105kg guy, and with some speed, skill and a willingness to commit when necessary, they can be as effective.

I was still trying to get my head around that one when Groucho raised the bar to a dizzying height:

Good post. This is very true. We're at most a direct back (not a big back) from a good balance. If you don't get a hand on them, it doesn't matter whether they're 80kg or 120kg. As long as they can defend. All our small backs except Cooper can defend.

A 40kg weight difference "doesn't matter ... as long as they can defend"!

For the first time in a very long time I'm wordless.

 

[Richo]

Both Mitchell and JOC (James O'Connor) have had their moments this year, and Turner as well when he has had the opportunity.
Ioane can play at 13 or on the wing and will be in the squad. No doubt there will be an injury concern or two during the next 12 months and we have some great depth in our backs division to cover that.

Sure, but the Wobs have a bad habit of shuffling guys around and out of position searching for an elusive perfect combination (or the next Bernie-esque switch) when sometimes it's best to just stick a guy where he excels.

 

[wobbly]

Barnes and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) are clicking as a centre combo. Their defensive combination gives the backline the balance it's been missing and they'll no doubt continue to cover for Cooper.

I said at the start of the season we have excellent playmakers / passers but we need to compliment them with gap runners / tackle breakers. We finally have that in spades. Please don't fuck with it Dingo.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep, I am hoping that Deans sat back and looked at that display and said to himself: "well that's taken care of for the moment, now let's sort out that pack"

 

[Groucho]

I was still trying to get my head around that one when Groucho raised the bar to a dizzying height:



A 40kg weight difference "doesn't matter ... as long as they can defend"!

For the first time in a very long time I'm wordless.

I didn't make myself very clear.

I was making the point that size makes no difference if the player can't be reached by a defender.

Of course I don't think there is no difference between an 80kg and 120kg player in the dynamic interplay of an actual game.

JOC (James O'Connor) is quite small but he often beats three players with guile - in those runs it does not matter how big he is. In fact his small size is an advantage.

A good good big man will always beat a good little man. But Tim Horan will always beat Matt Banahan.

 

[Bruce Ross]

I didn't make myself very clear.

I was making the point that size makes no difference if the player can't be reached by a defender.

Of course I don't think there is no difference between an 80kg and 120kg player in the dynamic interplay of an actual game.

JOC (James O'Connor) is quite small but he often beats three players with guile - in those runs it does not matter how big he is. In fact his small size is an advantage.

A good good big man will always beat a good little man. But Tim Horan will always beat Matt Banahan.

Sorry, Groucho and sevenpointdropgoal, I couldn't resist.

 

[Groucho]

Sorry, Groucho and sevenpointdropgoal, I couldn't resist.

You're lucky I only weigh 75kg, Bruce, or I'd be gunnin' for ya.

 

[Jnor]

I'm 88 but I doubt the skin folds are good enough to get me into contention there...

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Fainga'a and Chambers in, Beale out? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) the best fullback, and fullback his best position?

Hmm, these were the Reds fans' arguments during the S14. Are we in a time warp here?

Never said he was the best fullback, backline was based on size.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Its absurd to put Chambers in a dream wallabies line up when he hasn't even played a test.

Not as absurd as Ryan Cross notching up 8 or so test caps, now that's an absolute joke.

 

[Groucho]

Never said he was the best fullback, backline was based on size.

Sorry mate, I was Reds-baiting.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Sorry mate, I was Reds-baiting.

That's OK, I cop the Kiwi-baiting on a regular basis yet only ever been there on rugby tours from Oz teams.