James Slipper
- Thread starter disco
- Start date
- Status
he was excellent all tour. Must back up in his 2nd year though.
I thought Alexander's credentials have suffered a blow and playing loosehead all year for the Brumbies, I reckon, rules him out of test match THP contention.
Fat Cat is still our best prop, in form. He hasn't been for a while but he showed v France some of his best form. Scrummaging still coming, but hopefully a decent off-season and an injury free Super Season will have him back in form. He is critical to World Cup success.
I thought Alexander's credentials have suffered a blow and playing loosehead all year for the Brumbies, I reckon, rules him out of test match THP contention.
Fat Cat is still our best prop, in form. He hasn't been for a while but he showed v France some of his best form. Scrummaging still coming, but hopefully a decent off-season and an injury free Super Season will have him back in form. He is critical to World Cup success.
Not number 1 yet but it is amazing to think that he couldn't get a start with the Reds during the S14 but has now become a starter for the Wallabies. Only 21 yo right now so he will get a lot better. His work rate around the ground is already fantastic just like many Australian props but he has the scope to become a very, very good scrummager. One we desperately need.
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
No - but he looks like he could be one day
T
TOCC
Guest
Awesome potential, but not the best in Australia....yet
When I was just 21, I hadn't even scraped the surface on my physical potential, I know Slipper is in a professional environment, but it's exciting to think he is still really a solid 2 or 3 years away from reaching his physical maturity.
When I was just 21, I hadn't even scraped the surface on my physical potential, I know Slipper is in a professional environment, but it's exciting to think he is still really a solid 2 or 3 years away from reaching his physical maturity.
MrMouse
Bob Loudon (25)
Agree with the general sentiment that he's not yet but he could (probably will) be.
Robinson was better than him in scrums at LHP and around the paddock when they were both on today, and he was only playing about 75% of his potential. But Slipper - and this is scary - might be hitting his peak at the 2019 or even '23 world cup. I suspect more likely the former given the stresses of modern football, but how crazy is that? Potentially 8 years of incremental improvement. Phew.
Robinson was better than him in scrums at LHP and around the paddock when they were both on today, and he was only playing about 75% of his potential. But Slipper - and this is scary - might be hitting his peak at the 2019 or even '23 world cup. I suspect more likely the former given the stresses of modern football, but how crazy is that? Potentially 8 years of incremental improvement. Phew.
R
Rothschild
Guest
As good as he has played this tour and all thru the domestic test season, knowing the idiosyncrasies of those at Herston, he is still not guaranteed a starting spot in the Reds front row -
Back in January Slips and his family had never thought he would end up with 14 test caps, 2 as run on and full games to boot. They may have been hopeful of 5-6 bench appearances for the Reds - how things change. He could retire now and his dad wouln't be less happy than he is now and I am sure there will be a bit of a welcome home next week for the boy.
On a side issue - for a fleeting moment, and that was all it was there were not three but 4 TSS players on the park for Australia. Now that is something those at Winchester St will be crowing about for a while.
Back in January Slips and his family had never thought he would end up with 14 test caps, 2 as run on and full games to boot. They may have been hopeful of 5-6 bench appearances for the Reds - how things change. He could retire now and his dad wouln't be less happy than he is now and I am sure there will be a bit of a welcome home next week for the boy.
On a side issue - for a fleeting moment, and that was all it was there were not three but 4 TSS players on the park for Australia. Now that is something those at Winchester St will be crowing about for a while.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
On performance in the last few games yes. But on overall season performance no.
The issue remains that Slipper has shone in a vaccuum and I would argue the best scrummaging Props in Oz on form and fitness did not even tour and in fact did not even play for Oz this year. Alexander and Robinson were rushed back with insufficient game time and in questionable fitness. The issue now is has significant harm been done to their reputation at the scrum with the officials by this?
One thing has been proved though IMHO if Alexander plays LHP for the Ponies next year (and it is pretty clear looking at their roster he will) then he must only be considered at LHP or bench for the Wallabies.
The issue remains that Slipper has shone in a vaccuum and I would argue the best scrummaging Props in Oz on form and fitness did not even tour and in fact did not even play for Oz this year. Alexander and Robinson were rushed back with insufficient game time and in questionable fitness. The issue now is has significant harm been done to their reputation at the scrum with the officials by this?
One thing has been proved though IMHO if Alexander plays LHP for the Ponies next year (and it is pretty clear looking at their roster he will) then he must only be considered at LHP or bench for the Wallabies.
T
TOCC
Guest
I dont think people should read to much into this whole sensation of Slipper not been able to earn a start for the Reds in 2010... For all we know Link recognised his ability and decided to cottonball him and ordered him into the gym so he could focus on that aspect rather then trying worrying about the distractions of week to week matches. He did afterall only turn 21 towards the end of the Super14 season.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Regardless of the academic argument of whether he is #1, #2, #3.... THP, LHP or whatever, The Golden Slipper has handsomely rewarded Dingo for his confidence in him this season.
Tons of potential there for this young man to go a long way.
Tons of potential there for this young man to go a long way.
sevenpointdropgoal
Larry Dwyer (12)
Square peg, round hole? Extrapolating - perhaps all we need is a Horwill sized hammer at No. 5.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
No, whilst I agree the structure of the scrum has been a big problem as in the tests against Wales and England, it wasn't the issue with the Italy and France games in those cases it was purely illegalities from the Oz props coupled with an inability to deal with the opposition that lead to the penalties and monstering of the Oz scrum. Until strong set piece players are selected from 1 to 8 the scrum will remain an very vulnerable place for Oz. As I said above, it is a trade off for us ATM as the best set piece players are generally not the best at the rest of the duties. I will say the exception is Baxter who was without a doubt the best THP in Oz at the end of the S14.
naza
Alan Cameron (40)
Slipper's a fantastic talent and is still just a baby in scrummaging years.
I vastly prefer him at tighthead though. He has wonderful natural strength and endurance to absorb pressure. Teams are finding packing with noses scrapping the ground doesn't worry him either - he has rare & exceptional balance to maintain his technique at very low angles. At 1, he struggles to deliver power on the engage. The positioning of his left foot is just horrific.
I vastly prefer him at tighthead though. He has wonderful natural strength and endurance to absorb pressure. Teams are finding packing with noses scrapping the ground doesn't worry him either - he has rare & exceptional balance to maintain his technique at very low angles. At 1, he struggles to deliver power on the engage. The positioning of his left foot is just horrific.
W
WB3
Guest
If the two Ben(n)'s don't find form, a combination of Slipper and Baxter would be more than acceptable in my book, although I agree with Naza that his position is probably tighthead.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
I tend to agree with Gnostic. Best prop in Oz? Doubtful. Best in the touring party? Likely.
That being said, my biggest bugbear is, much like Alexander, he plays too loose. Especially for a tighthead prop. You don't really seeing him carrying defenders in those tight runs, 2m off the ruck like Daley and Weeks did so regularly for the Reds this year. As a former team mate of mine said, on the topic of playing alongside those two last year at the Breakers, 'Daley does all the tight work you could ask for, then Slipper is amazing because he is like having another loose forward'. While I think that is great, muscling up in the tight is the biggest deficiency in the wallaby forwards at the moment.
That being said, my biggest bugbear is, much like Alexander, he plays too loose. Especially for a tighthead prop. You don't really seeing him carrying defenders in those tight runs, 2m off the ruck like Daley and Weeks did so regularly for the Reds this year. As a former team mate of mine said, on the topic of playing alongside those two last year at the Breakers, 'Daley does all the tight work you could ask for, then Slipper is amazing because he is like having another loose forward'. While I think that is great, muscling up in the tight is the biggest deficiency in the wallaby forwards at the moment.
R
Red Rooster
Guest
By all reports Link had Slipper signed prior to last xmas so the potential was recognised - after that its a function of development. His rugby ability is terrific but as it stands at the moment he has started 1 game for the Reds and 2 test matches. Terrific for a 21 y/o and the rest has been end of game slots. He will develop very well over time but its hard to say too much with the backdrop of the scrum performance throughout the tour
- Status