Do we really need a playmaker @ 12?

[Reddy!]

Mitchell steps into first receiver quite alot, especially in the back half of games. Pretty much anyone can do it these days, you don't have to be a pretend 10 inside centre.

 

[Reddy!]

Pommy press is literally thrashwanking over our back line

and Sheridan

Care to link us to any articles like that? You've got me interested, and I get sick of only hearing the Australian perspective (that's why I like Gagger's blog posts, I've never met an Englishmen so passionate about Australia rugby )

 

[Lindommer]

And Lindo - I refer you to my prediction on the previous page that you would say that! JOC (James O'Connor) is no smaller than Giteau and I doubt the oppo are going to farm 12s much bigger than Nonu (whom he's handled at 12) in response.

Had a dose of food poisoning this week and I'm feeling a bit fishy. :-X uke:

 

[Gnostic]

Again Cooper was found out diasterously in defence. If Cooper continues to be selected at 10 the Wallabies MUST have a strong defender at 12, not justs a technically good defender but a strong one that leads the line forward but also completes all tackles. Giteau does not do this, and IMO even though I think 12 is JOC (James O'Connor)'s position I would want him to play 12 at S14 level for the season first (and given what Graham has said that will not happen).

Who is playing 12 for the Rebels next year?

 

[Reddy!]

There should be another thread called: "Do we really need a human speed bump @ 10?"

 

[naza]

Again Cooper was found out diasterously in defence. If Cooper continues to be selected at 10 the Wallabies MUST have a strong defender at 12, not justs a technically good defender but a strong one that leads the line forward but also completes all tackles. Giteau does not do this, and IMO even though I think 12 is JOC (James O'Connor)'s position I would want him to play 12 at S14 level for the season first (and given what Graham has said that will not happen).

Yeah, see, I don't think its just in defence that Quade has issues. I'm concerned with his lack of bottle. In attack we're seeing far too many cutesy chips and cross field kicks. Its usually Giteau who takes that soft option. Too often when the pressure is on, Quade doesn't want to know.

But you're right, its increasingly an issue as he's clearly being targeted in defence, it looks to be the #1 thing in opposition team game plans.

I think the Wallabies lack offensive defenders in general. Who can put on a big hit ? When we were defending on our line, it seemed we were 100% reliant on ruck pilfering to turn the ball over.

 

[Scotty]

Possible 'offensive defenders' for the wallabies:

TPN
Palu
Horwill
Robinson (when in form)
Genia (when in form)
Burgess
Chambers
Ioane
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Horne

4 of these guys will walk back into the side when they recover from injury, two are off their games are only going to be better next year, and we can only hope that Horne and Chambers get a full season of S15 next year to show what they can do.

 

[Brumbieman]

Possible 'offensive defenders' for the wallabies:

TPN
Palu
Horwill
Robinson (when in form)
Genia (when in form)
Burgess
Chambers
Ioane
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Horne

4 of these guys will walk back into the side when they recover from injury, two are off their games are only going to be better next year, and we can only hope that Horne and Chambers get a full season of S15 next year to show what they can do.

Don't forget Fainga'a. He would have excelled in Saturday's game. It was the perfect game for him, Cooper under pressure and needing a reliable option to get go forward, and aggressive defence for when we didn't have the ball. Plus, his cover defence is 2nd only to Burgess in Australian rugby, the way he sweeps in behind the wings once the ball has reached the edges of the field.

 

[vidiot]

Don't forget Fainga'a.

Yup, and at the risk of picking at that scab, the downside is minimal. Gits could do with a break.

 

[Langthorne]

Do we need a playmaker at 12? It depends who else is in the backline.

If QC (Quade Cooper) is at 10, we need someone at 12 who can cover two attackers at once.

If we go with a more conservative option at 10, like say Barnes, then a 'creative player' at 12 could work well.

 

[disco]

After Twickers I think it's prety clear we need someone other than Giteau or at least a back who can bust tackles because twice Giteau was pulled down far too easy after being in a half gap.

These half gaps need to become full line breaks & we need someone with better leg drive in contact.

 

[Crow]

Do we need a playmaker at 12? It depends who else is in the backline.

If QC (Quade Cooper) is at 10, we need someone at 12 who can cover two attackers at once.

In that case, I'm all for the first centre to grow an extra pair of arms.

 

[Scotty]

After Twickers I think it's prety clear we need someone other than Giteau or at least a back who can bust tackles because twice Giteau was pulled down far too easy after being in a half gap.

These half gaps need to become full line breaks & we need someone with better leg drive in contact.

Horne. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Chambers.

Maybe we team up AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) with Ioane in the centres. I'm sure that would scare a few sides.

 

[rugbypundit]

Berrick Barnes is a better option at 12 with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13....Quade Cooper's defence is not up to international standards( when compared with Dan carter, Wilkinson, Morne steyn, even Toby Flood!!)...

Quade Cooper could be better used as an impact player off the bench....

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

RugbyPundit, welcome to the board. Who would you have at 10 in that scenario?

 

[stoff]

In that case, I'm all for the first centre to grow an extra pair of arms.

There's already plenty of arms in the tackles coming from 10, an extra set of shoulders may be more beneficial.

 

[trophyhunter]

I have started a new rugby drinking game for when the wallabies play.
You have a drink every time quade misses a tackle, if you want to get really plastered you have a drink everytime quade forgets to use his shoulder.

 

[Joe Blow]

Maybe Morty will be at 12 outside Cipriani for the Rebels and make the move to 12 permanent.

That could work much better with Cooper at 10 than it did with Gits there.

 

[Groucho]

Maybe Morty will be at 12 outside Cipriani for the Rebels and make the move to 12 permanent.

That could work much better with Cooper at 10 than it did with Gits there.

Morty's previous efforts at 12 have been notable for their complete lack of success.

 

[Bullrush]

RugbyPundit, welcome to the board. Who would you have at 10 in that scenario?

KB (Kurtley Beale) to 10
A Fainga'a to 13
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 15

Maybe?