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End of Year Tour 2012

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qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
I'm still not sold on Kepu. He is first choice because he scrummages better than Alexander and Slipper, but I reckon both of them offer significantly more around the park than him. Will be interesting to see what palmer bring to the table once he gets back to fitness.

What on earth is this about? We're playing France, England, Italy and Wales and you're not sold on someone because they're the best scrummager? Right...
 

Bowside

Peter Johnson (47)
What on earth is this about? We're playing France, England, Italy and Wales and you're not sold on someone because they're the best scrummager? Right.

I didn't say that he should not be picked, but rather that you see the top props from other countries and they are just as effective as kepu at scrum time but they do a whole lot more around the paddock.

Hence why I said I wonder what palmer can do once he get fit again. He has often had the same perceived problem of not offering enough around the field....
 

TSR

Andrew Slack (58)
What on earth is this about? We're playing France, England, Italy and Wales and you're not sold on someone because they're the best scrummager? Right.

Compeltely agree with this. Further, can we not try picking our best scrummaging combo for every game for a while, regardless of the opposition/style? As much as there have been some good performances by a few of our props on the back of their great involvement we have lost a number of games, including some big ones, over the last 5-10 yrs with the perfomance of our scrum being a critical factor.
 

Hawko

Tony Shaw (54)
With the 23-player matchday sheets, most teams will be seleting 6 props (both France and Wales have, at least), I think, three specialists on each side. Five could do, but you'd need two specialists on each side and one who can play both.

Did I miss this rule change? Are we now taking a full front row onto the bench for the EOYT conditions? If so then an extra prop in the squad might be appropriate.
 

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
Yeah they have brought in the New Laws in the NH as of September so we will be playing with 23 man squads from now on.
 

topo

Cyril Towers (30)
Yep, that's my understanding. 2 props on the bench. I think they're planning on taking 5 props in the squad.
 

Lee Grant

John Eales (66)
With the 23-player matchday sheets, most teams will be seleting 6 props (both France and Wales have, at least), I think, three specialists on each side. Five could do, but you'd need two specialists on each side and one who can play both.

No they won't select 6 props in a 23 if that's what you meant; they will have two sets of front rows: 4 props and 2 hookers as they have done in European domestic competitions for a few years within the Union Specific Variations of the laws. This avoids uncontested scrums when 2 props are hurt; sometimes 3 are injured but that is rare.

Not even the French teams have 5 props in a 23 though they could do it once in a blue moon in the Top14.

This didn't apply to test matches, but in 2012-13 international teams also will be permitted to have 23 players in a match day squad. The additional reserve must be qualified to play in the front row.

But depending on the number of midweek games the Wallabies are playing they could take 6 props on tour instead of 5 as they had in 2010. Perhaps that is what you meant.

The weird thing is that SANZAR will not take the option of using 23 players with the extra front rower for Super Rugby in 2013.
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Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
Are there any mid week games on this tour? You'd have thought that the ARU would have announced it if they were. Also I recall reading somewhere, can't recall now, that a squad of 30 was going to be picked. If that's the case then mid week games are unlikely.
 

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
But depending on the number of midweek games the Wallabies are playing they could take 6 props on tour instead of 5 as they had in 2010. Perhaps that is what you meant.

The weird thing is that SANZAR will not take the option of using 23 players with the extra front rower for Super Rugby in 2013.
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Fairly sure that'd be what he meant. If that is so, who would our 6 props be?

Robinson, Kepu, Alexander, Slipper +2

Options: Ryan, Palmer (inj?), Holmes, Longbum, Manu, .... ??
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Considering Ryan has been the other one in the squad you'd say he's the 5th option. I think they'll only take 5.
 

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
I'm assuming he is injured. Paddy Ryan was in the squad for the last game, Palmer wasn't.
Fair enough, and I don't know his injury status either. A 23-player matchday squad might change the selections a bit, though, and bias it in favour of specialists on each side.

A fit Dan Palmer, work rate aside, is our best THP and he could make a difference against these Euro sides (and the Lions).
 

topo

Cyril Towers (30)
Dan Palmer is still recovering from foot surgery. Won't be ready in time for this tour, but should be right for the start of Super Rugby.
 
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