Gnostic's Form players for Wk 10

[Gnostic]

1. Robinson (NSW)
2. Hanson (Qld) - Close but TPN just isn't fit
3. Kepu (NSW)
4. Sharpe (Force)
5. Horwill (Qld)
6. Saffy (Rebels)
7. Robinson (Qld)
8. McCalman (Force)
9. Genia (Qld) Just a master class
10. Cooper (Qld)
12. JOC (James O'Connor) (Force)
13. Delit (Force)
11. Ioane (Qld)
14. Cummins (Force)
15. Lucas (Reds)

16. TPN (Tahs)
17. Blake (Rebels)
18. Wykes (Force)
19. Dennis (Tahs)
20. Mowen (Tahs)
21. Sheehan (Force)
22. Morahan (Reds)

Good to see a better spread of performers across the squads this week. Predictably only forwards from the Tahs did the backs do anything except Ryan Cross missing tackles.

I was impressed with Blake's effort for the Rebels who were let down hugely by his flakeyness Cipriani (I now fully understand why he was dropped totally by England, some games he has no interest at all). I felt that Blake was very hard down by on one scrum penalty which the ref accused him of "diving in" when it was obvious the Blues pulled back on the hit.

Wykes and Sharpe continue with their top class performances for the Force and Brown appears to be having more "effect" to go with his "work rate" and McCalman has cemented the No8 IMO with Palu continuing his injury/fitness problems.

Well the Reds - S. Fainga'a has surely dropped out of contention for the 3rd Hooker spot. We do not need a fourth back rower we need a scrummaging Hooker who can throw to the lineout. Excellent defensive work and structure under huge pressure, but then the Rebels (apart from Cipriani & Mitchell) and the Force displayed similar levels against much better opponents.

 

[Groucho]

Something must be done about TPN. What does Hickey think he is doing? Why does Sharron Flahive allow it to continue?

 

[GC]

Pretty much right I reckon. Only changes I'd make are Brown for Saffey and Beale for Lucas (seeing as Beale played mostly 15).

 

[Ash]

Being at the game I can say that TPN was not well for a long time and should've been of the ground way earlier. They desperately need to let the guy rest and heal or they could do some long term permanent damage.

Even before he came off he was down for a long long time in the previous scrum. When he went off he just sat behind the dead ball line looking sick and not moving before a Tahs staffer helped him walk off - he couldn't even walk by himself.

I know it is courageous and all - but someone has to put TPN's long term well being at the front. Plus he will be key to the Tahs and Wallabies for years to come, or should be.

 

[qwerty51]

I think Mumm's been hardly done here. He was the best on the park last night imo. We all gave it to him last week and he really stepped up.

 

[Gnostic]

Something must be done about TPN. What does Hickey think he is doing? Why does Sharron Flahive allow it to continue?

Have a think about the factors at play behind the scenes Groucho and post your thoughts on my other thread. It is all a great Tapestry as the quote goes, nothing happens in isolation.

 

[Gnostic]

I think Mumm's been done hardly here. He was the best on the park last night imo.

Mumm was OK, but the locks mentioned had a material effect on the outcome of the games they played in and were conspicuous in all they did, including the work in tight. IMO I would also have Pyle ahead of Mumm, Douglas and Timani.

 

[Scotty]

Being at the game I can say that TPN was not well for a long time and should've been of the ground way earlier. They desperately need to let the guy rest and heal or they could do some long term permanent damage.

Even before he came off he was down for a long long time in the previous scrum. When he went off he just sat behind the dead ball line looking sick and not moving before a Tahs staffer helped him walk off - he couldn't even walk by himself.

I know it is courageous and all - but someone has to put TPN's long term well being at the front. Plus he will be key to the Tahs and Wallabies for years to come, or should be.

He vomited on the field at that scrum and then after being replaced past the in goal area again. He seemed to concuss himself when he hit Higgers hard to drive him back into the in goal with Burgess. I don't think he even suffered a head knock. He is in the Barnes and Elton Flatley category now, and needs to be careful for his long term health.

 

[fatprop]

Nau looked sick, not "injured", the Doc was letting him get through some nausea, not working his supposed injured AC joint

 

[Groucho]

Nau looked sick, not "injured", the Doc was letting him get through some nausea, not working his supposed injured AC joint

It's not his AC joint that seems to be the problem, fatprop. He goes down with nausea or down on all fours a half dozen times every match.