G&GR Wallaby of the Season 2009 - BaaBaas game

[Juan Cote]

3 Morty
2 Gits
1 JOC (James O'Connor)

I know JOC (James O'Connor) only played 15 or 20 mins, but what an impact. I didn't give the forwards points due to the nature of the opposition.

 

[fatprop]

For people who can't see the bit where you vote, some instructions:

1) Click on "Blog" at the top of this page, or simply go to http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/

2) Look in the right-hand column. See the bit at the top called "Recent Comments"? Look a bit lower

3) See the bit labelled "Subscribe"? Go lower... its OK, you're nearly there.

4) Now you are probably looking at something called "Democracy In Action" which has a subtitle of Your Wallaby pick of the BaaBaas game

Note that getting someone else to vote might not work because you can only vote once (you have to do other difficult things to make that work).

If that hasn't yet helped, see the attachment below - making sure you go to Step 1 (above) first.

With all due respect ....................................

It doesn't allow for 3, 2, 1 points so it is just poo

 

[Pfitzy]

Meh. I didn't make the world, I just try to live in it.

Naz must have voted - Moore has 1.

 

[Langthorne]

I think Waugh is done. He didnt do enough in the S14 or in that game to suggest to me that he is equal to Pocock. He is a specialist 7 and so doesnt suit a bench role (unlike, for example, Brown). Unless there is an injury, I cant see him being retained in the squad for the full season. With Elsom back and Palu to come back, keeping Waugh as well would give a disproportionate back row representation in the squad. I was surprised he was picked to start with. Deans also knows that, if there was an injury, Waugh is good enough, experienced enough and smart enough that it wouldnt take him long to settle back in. I expect to see him getting plenty of game time for Syndey Uni.

I agree that if you don't start with Waugh, then he is not the best option for the bench.
If we are looking at having 4 forward reserves: Prop, hooker, Mumm and Brown (assuming Smith, Elsom and Palu starting).

As far as I'm concerned, Waugh is not equal to Pocock - he is better (but if his skills and experience are not welcome or required even for the benefit of the younger players in the squad, he is better off playing for his club). I can, of course, see the benefit of bringing Pocock into the squad as he will probably be the top No7 in Australia very soon (for me he is third at present).

What sort of 'enough' did Waugh not do? It can't be rucking, mauling, pilfering, tackling, ball retention, leadership - is anyone suggesting his work rate is not high and very (often the most) effective?

If Deans wants a Smith style No7, I'm also surprised that he would select Waugh to be in the squad (unless he plans on playing very different styles of play, and players, for different opponents).

 

[Pfitzy]

Langthorne - according to everyone around here (except us) Waugh is utterly finished and should go back to Uni 2nd Grade. He's too big, too slow, and outmoded in the modern game. What they all want to see is more chip kicks from our backrowers. Step up G Smith.

 

[Cutter]

Waugh and Pocock are pretty close, but Pocock is younger. The players around Waugh will benefit more if they are Sydney Uni 1st, 2nd, 3rd graders rather than fellow Wallabies. The best option for Oz rugby is for him to go back to club. If Smith was injured its a different story. But at the moment, the 30 man wallabies squad doesnt need to be 10% full of 7s.

 

[barbarian]

Can we have a discussion about voting methods for this award?

I quite liked Noddy's system last year, and much prefer the 3-2-1 system which rewards consistent good play over sporadic great play.

Is anybody with me?

 

[Gagger]

As they say, "Feedback's a gift" (but so is a turd in a box).

Of course we can do 3-2-1, but not automated (that I'm aware of).

So who's gonna run the spreadsheet?

 

[Pfitzy]

Exactly - fancy player awards come at a price.

 

[RugbyReg]

I'll do the spread sheet.

Consider this a training run.

We do capped games only.

So starts this weekend v the Ities!

 

[Spook]

Langthorne - according to everyone around here (except us) Waugh is utterly finished and should go back to Uni 2nd Grade. He's too big, too slow, and outmoded in the modern game. What they all want to see is more chip kicks from our backrowers. Step up G Smith.

You and Lang need a room together. >

 

[Blue]

I think Waugh is done. He didnt do enough in the S14 or in that game to suggest to me that he is equal to Pocock. He is a specialist 7 and so doesnt suit a bench role (unlike, for example, Brown). Unless there is an injury, I cant see him being retained in the squad for the full season. With Elsom back and Palu to come back, keeping Waugh as well would give a disproportionate back row representation in the squad. I was surprised he was picked to start with. Deans also knows that, if there was an injury, Waugh is good enough, experienced enough and smart enough that it wouldnt take him long to settle back in. I expect to see him getting plenty of game time for Syndey Uni.

I agree that if you don't start with Waugh, then he is not the best option for the bench.
If we are looking at having 4 forward reserves: Prop, hooker, Mumm and Brown (assuming Smith, Elsom and Palu starting).

As far as I'm concerned, Waugh is not equal to Pocock - he is better (but if his skills and experience are not welcome or required even for the benefit of the younger players in the squad, he is better off playing for his club). I can, of course, see the benefit of bringing Pocock into the squad as he will probably be the top No7 in Australia very soon (for me he is third at present).

What sort of 'enough' did Waugh not do? It can't be rucking, mauling, pilfering, tackling, ball retention, leadership - is anyone suggesting his work rate is not high and very (often the most) effective?

If Deans wants a Smith style No7, I'm also surprised that he would select Waugh to be in the squad (unless he plans on playing very different styles of play, and players, for different opponents).

I think it's simply a case of Pocock offernig more off the bench. Younger, faster and more dynamic. Waugh is hanging on by his fingernails. Time to move on. He is still a great player but the Wallabies are better served by Smith and Pocock.

 

[Spook]

Well I reckon when Palu gets fit, Brown is going to take a bench spot over both Pocock and Waugh...although Robbie might make a space for another openside with a 5 / 2 bench split. In fact, it's likely he will.

 

[fatprop]

Yeah, to me Brown offers better back row cover and with a lock/6. We really missed directness of Palu and say an Elsom.

We also really lacked any close in support on the hip driving the ball carrier as well

 

[Biffo]

I'll do the spread sheet.

Consider this a training run.

We do capped games only.

So starts this weekend v the Ities!

Noddy, you are a star

 

[Moses]

I think Waugh is done. He didnt do enough in the S14 or in that game to suggest to me that he is equal to Pocock. He is a specialist 7 and so doesnt suit a bench role (unlike, for example, Brown). Unless there is an injury, I cant see him being retained in the squad for the full season. With Elsom back and Palu to come back, keeping Waugh as well would give a disproportionate back row representation in the squad. I was surprised he was picked to start with. Deans also knows that, if there was an injury, Waugh is good enough, experienced enough and smart enough that it wouldnt take him long to settle back in. I expect to see him getting plenty of game time for Syndey Uni.

I agree that if you don't start with Waugh, then he is not the best option for the bench.

Waugh's impact off the bench in last years Tri-Nations was immense, he was most of the reason for our victory in Perth over the Boks..

 

[Cutter]

Really? I thought it was pretty widely accepted that if Smith had been playing for the Boks, they would have won. ie he was the difference.

 

[Pfitzy]

I think last year we saw that whichever player came off the bench (Smith or Waugh) the effect was noticeable, mainly because other sides weren't carrying a spare fetcher. Either of those guys, with their experience and the benefit of fresh legs, will have a huge impact.

 

[eddo]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3824_5360202,00.html

The well respected gents over at planetrugby.com voted Phil the choice #7 of the S14.
It's not just langy and me that see his days are far from done.


"7. Phil Waugh (Waratahs): Made the Team of the Week on six occasions - the most any players selected in our XV managed to achieve (Matt Giteau and Pierre Spies were a close second with five appearances) - which just goes to show what an impact Waugh had on the tournament. Leads from the front with aplomb and hates to lose. "

Now,.. aplomb is a gay word - probably written by a saffa, but the point is the man is one of the best at his trade.

 

[Scotty]

Lucky for us that Phil Waugh is a lot more mature than you.