Form Australian Players After Round 4

[thierry dusautoir]

I dont believe in that Brad Thorn was only 194-196cm which is shorter than Luke and we know how he panned out.........

 

[qwerty51]

Yeah but Brad Thorn is an exception, he was a freak.

Jones is probably his height so he is a short lock. The ABs have never had a strong lineout but they more than make up for that in other areas..

 

[disco]

Hugh Pyle has been brilliant I really like him as a player.
Nathan Charles
James Hanson

 

[James Buchanan]

He certainly looks big enough for the job on the park.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Paul O'Connell 198
Alun wyn Jones 197
I think Jones will survive, as long as he is mobile can jump in a line out and play good footy i dont think deans will care if he doesnt have that extra 2cms

 

[Bruce Ross]

I don't see Luke Jones's height precluding him from developing into an international standard lock. Note the elevation achieved on Sunday by Tim Davidson who is 3cm shorter:

As this photo indicates, if the concern is the height achieved by the jumper the real determinant is how high the rear support player can reach with arms extended.

 

[tigerland12]

Hugh Pyle is a massive man, cannot wait to see him in Wallaby colours. I thought he was unlucky not to make it last year.

With Sharpe and Vickerman leaving we certainly still have depth in that position to back up Horwill (Pyle, Jones, Simmons, Timani)

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Hugh Pyle is a massive man, cannot wait to see him in Wallaby colours. I thought he was unlucky not to make it last year.

With Sharpe and Vickerman leaving we certainly still have depth in that position to back up Horwill (Pyle, Jones, Simmons, Timani)

Wykes

 

[tigerland12]

Wykes

Hasn't impressed me in his appearances this season.

 

[Braveheart81]

Kane Douglas has been one of the Tahs' better players this season. After a superb 2010 and a slow 2011, 2012 could see him get back on track towards becoming a Wallaby.

I agree that our lock stocks (without the two smoking barrels) look really healthy even in a post Sharpe and Vickerman world.

Like everyone else, I think Hugh Pyle will absolutely be a Wallaby star within the next couple of years.

 

[Slim 293]

France's locks (Nallet & Pape) are only 196cm and they dominated during the World Cup...

Luke Jones is taller than both of them...

But as the other guys have mentioned... it's not so much height as it is about reach...

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Hugh Pyle has the additional benefit of having the hands, pace and foot skills of a excellent number 8. He's a tremendous addition to the locking stocks of australian rugby and will surely replace Sharpe and Simmons.

he is the sort of player I would suggest the AFL would be dying to get their hands on...but no doubt he was turned off of aussie rules by such statements

" Geelong captain Joel Selwood and Western Bulldogs onballer Liam Picken were fined for wrestling each other."

was chatting with a guy who used to play club rugby with scott higginbotham and against horwill. he said higginbotham is psycho in that good on the field way and absolutely terrifying at training. he said horwill is clearly a good player, but suggested if you watch him closely, he tends to arrive at the rucks late and generally be a passenger when there.

haven't reviewed any games and in fact have none to review, but wondering thoughts on this?

 

[disco]

Speaking of Scott Higginbotham & height in lineouts I think he is a perfect example of not needing to be 200cm to be a brilliant lineout jumper. When the Reds have a pressure lineout they always call to him because he is like Matfield & has a very explosive leap & gets to his max height very quickly unlike Horwill.

 

[qwerty51]

Well he does jump at the front so height isn't usually an issue there...

love your sig btw

 

[What2040]

Speaking of Scott Higginbotham & height in lineouts I think he is a perfect example of not needing to be 200cm to be a brilliant lineout jumper. When the Reds have a pressure lineout they always call to him because he is like Matfield & has a very explosive leap & gets to his max height very quickly unlike Horwill.

absolutely right but think the lifters have a lot to do with success of jumpers (as does the hooker)

 

[James Buchanan]

Last year I would have said that Luke Jones wasn't big enough to play lock.

This year, I would say he is. Not because he has increased his height at all but instead because he's added on some serious beef and can legitimately play tight.

 

[Forcefield]

I like the idea of Luke Jones playing 6 and sticking with 6. He's powerful and athletic and a more than capable jumper. He reminds me of Juan Smith who is along with Kaino as the best 6 in World Rugby. We could use an enforcer 6 like that. We have plenty of other lock options. I reckon Kimlin should be looked at as a 6 too.

 

[James Buchanan]

I like the idea of Luke Jones playing 6 and sticking with 6. He's powerful and athletic and a more than capable jumper. He reminds me of Juan Smith who is along with Kaino as the best 6 in World Rugby. We could use an enforcer 6 like that. We have plenty of other lock options. I reckon Kimlin should be looked at as a 6 too.

I am sure if the Rebels had two superior locks to him, he would be playing 6.

We do not currently, and his usefulness to the team as a 4 is far more important.

 

[Forcefield]

And fair enough too. I'm sure the Rebels would play him there because they did before Byrnes was rubbed out. You've got to do what's best for yourself provincially before you do what's best for the national team. I'd like to see Sam Wykes given a run at 6 for the Force, but I know it won't happen. It's a shame though because it can be bad for the development of some players.

I doubt it would happen with Luke Jones, but I am fearful that a lack of a fixed position will see him end up like Dean Mumm.