George Smith - Will / Should He Play Against The Lions?

[TOCC]

if he he's selected he will be without an aru contract, the ARU will exclude him from their normal rules.

I agree, 'development' reasons are bullshit. I wouldn't pick him because he's not better than Hooper or Gill.

every player who signs with a Super Rugby team needs a contract with the ARU(foreign marquee, short term, EPS etc) its part of the RUPA CBA and is a necessity due to liability reasons etc.

George Smith's contract would just be of a different nature for reasons you have mentioned

 

[TOCC]

really sick of this george smith precedent talk> hes contracted for an australian team for THIS year> that makes him eligible for the wallabies THIS year> what he does NEXT year is an issue for NEXT years wallabies > people gotta get off their high horse and think about whats best for australia THIS year> same argument could be made for falou> but im not touching that

I disagree, there definitely is a precedent been set, he has signed a short term contract, he wont be sticking around after the super rugby finals and he wont be eligible for the Wallabies on their European Tour, as it stands he is only going to be available for the Lions Tour.. This is an event which happens only once every 12 years, it isn't the same as your standard test match against Wales/Samoa/Italy, a player overlooked or kept out of the squad for this tournament will probably never get the opportunity to play the Lions again.

 

[jay-c]

but on the same note- we're not gunna have the chance to beat the lions again for another 12 years... this might sound harsh to some> but for me thats more important that one players feelings
hes contracted now, hes available now> worry about the rugby championships and end of year tour when they happen

 

[RedsHappy]

I also agree with the posters above that the performance gap between Smith, Hooper and Gill as revealed in 2013's S15 is not nearly as great as a many argue, especially the lathered-up mainstream media boys who now seem to think the entire fate of the BIL series rests upon the selection of Smith and Folau.

Another way of looking at this issue is to note that if winning the BIL series rests heavily upon the alleged large performance gap between Smith and our two highly talented younger 7s, then in fact we are in more trouble in the quest to win this series than it first appears.

 

[Paradox]

The gap between Smith and Gill/Hooper is massive when you consider his linking skills, passing, offloading AND HIS EXPERIENCE (and he has more pilfers). He is also more physical than both and makes less errors than Hooper at least (leads comp in mistackles). Gill is fairly mistake free but doesn't offer a lot with ball in hand compared with either Smith or Hooper. 2013 has revealed the gap. Some just choose to ignore it.

Can anyone tell me the last time Gill dominated in a test match or even stood out? He's going to be very good of course but is unproven.

 

[qwerty51]

How is Gill suppose to dominate or stand out in a Test match when he's only ever come off the bench for the last 10-15 mins. He's done very well when he's come on.

 

[p.Tah]

When you look at all the red tape we had to jump through to get Smith's Japanese club to release him for the Lions tour, its laughable that Shane Williams could jump on a plane and join the Lions on a few days notice.

 

[Jets]

They asked. Robbie seem to wait an age to ask the club is George could be released.

 

[Beefcake]

If GSmith is in the selection mix against the BIL because he is playing as good if not better than Gil and Hooper, then surely his 100+ test experience would then improve the value he offers the team, than arguments about his eligibility... And if look at history, should the Wob lose this series.... that is one series win over a hundred years (or watever it is) of rugby which makes his selection more valuable... Yes the BIL will reappear in 12 years... But GSmith is an example that while opportunities to play them are limited, it is possible to (Gil and Hooper) could play them next time round....

 

[Jets]

Gill and Hooper are both in the position Smith was 12 years ago. This series could be the making of one or both of them. It doesn't matter now as George is out of the first test. If the Wallabies loose and Hooper and Gill don't preform then he'll come into contention, if fit.