Link or White?

[Brumbieman]

Link.

He's an Aussie, he's got a proven record but most of all:

He's shown the ability to select astutely, he creates a team atmosphere, he gets the best out of his players, and has shown an ability to get his teams to play various styles of rugby, according to different specificly tailored game plans, and WIN.

I'm so sick of watching Genia and Cooper turn to mediocre players in gold, because they're being hamstrung by Deans playing philosophies and crap game plans. Terrible selections. Perplexing lack of bench usage. Unfit and badly out of form players surviving multiple seasons based purely on reputation instead of proven form.

Etc etc etc.



Plus, Link speaks English, rather than Dingo, so for me thats the kicker.

 

[waratahjesus]

Until we have a pack capable of protecting genia, it's doesn't matter how they play for Qld, you will never see it in gold.

 

[vidiot]

Didn't we see it in the first Wales game? In the Brisbane Bledisloe/trinations game last year?

 

[Brumbieman]

True.


So why the hell are we persisting with Sharpe, Palu, Kepu, Timani etc?

They've not performed in gold for years, why not just select hard workers who play a style of game that will translate to gold?

 

[waratahjesus]

True.


So why the hell are we persisting with Sharpe, Palu, Kepu, Timani etc?

They've not performed in gold for years, why not just select hard workers who play a style of game that will translate to gold?

It's back to thecouch issue, what game are we trying to play? Genia is the key, him in form is greater than the need for any particular person at ten.

Will say though, hard workers in brown and mccalman were chosen a while back and there impact was measured accordingly.

 

[Brumbieman]

Brown was high workrate but not powerful enough to make an impact.

McCalman I'd be quite happy with at 8, with Higgers at 6.

 

[Slim 293]

Nah.......

 

[waratahjesus]

Brown was high workrate but not powerful enough to make an impact.

McCalman I'd be quite happy with at 8, with Higgers at 6.

If brown didn't make an impact I'm not sure why you rate mccalman?

 

[TOCC]

I believe McCalman is a better ball runner and more 'physical' then Brown is.. Not as much as Palu, but definitely more so then Brown.

 

[Jiggles]

Link seems to have the ability to learn as a coach and to adapt how he approaches the game. What he did at NSW compared to what he did in France, compared to what he is now doing in QLD has all been different and there has been an improvement in his methods with each new posting.

Someone who has the ability to identify and learn from their mistakes is someone who you want leading your organization.

White seems to be the ultimate tournament coach. He wasn't anything special in his time as Springbok coach, apart form the RWC. The way he lead the U21 Boks to their win was also very impressive. What I can't wait to see is how he will get this Brumbies team up for next year. Most people still think they overachieved, so the challenge will be to see how he prepares them for the little bit more respect opponents will give them.

 

[Jnor]

True.


So why the hell are we persisting with Sharpe, Palu, Kepu, Timani etc?

They've not performed in gold for years, why not just select hard workers who play a style of game that will translate to gold?

Really? I might give you Timani but he's, what, two starts? You've either got your hand on it or you're trolling but I think it might be the latter

 

[AlexH]

We would never hear the end of it from our South African counterparts if we were beating them with one of their own at the helm. They would probably take a good chunk of the credit for the success of our national side and conveniently ignore the fact that we had been ranked above them a long time before their national hero took the reigns.

 

[Brisbok]

We would never hear the end of it from our South African counterparts if we were beating them with one of their own at the helm. They would probably take a good chunk of the credit for the success of our national side and conveniently ignore the fact that we had been ranked above them a long time before their national hero took the reigns.

You couldn't resist could you? The only surprising thing there was the time it took you to post something anti-South African on this thread. Have you been away or something?

 

[AlexH]

I missed you too, Brisbok.

 

[Dam0]

I'm not going to say that Deans is some kind of Super Coach. I wouldn't even say fact that he hasn't succeeded is entirely due to differences in rugby culture. But I would say that it is a factor. Having gone to high school in Sydney for a couple of years it became very apparent to me that the environment that most top rugby players are produced in from is vastly different from that which produces most top rugby players in New Zealand. David Nucifora was similarly useless when he had his stint with the Blues (although it may be that he is just useless in general).

I reckon you want to recruit coaches who have come up through the Aussie system and who understand the mindset of the average player, not that of the average South African player or the average Kiwi.

McKenzie is surely the one. After the Lions tour, if not before.

 

[AlexH]

You couldn't resist could you? The only surprising thing there was the time it took you to post something anti-South African on this thread. Have you been away or something?

Also, as a point of clarification I would like to point out that I am not anti-South African. Not in the slightest. In fact, it is one of my favourite countries in the world. It is an absolutely beautiful place, the people are great and the culture is exquisite.

I am a big fan of South African rugby and some of my favourite players are South African. A fair few of my friends are South African too. There is plenty of rugby banter but no bad blood.

I think the reason why I might come off as anti-South African is because you and one or two other South Africans who post on this forum have your heads rammed squarely up your arses and it rubs me up the wrong fucking way.

Also, just quietly, my original comment in this thread was directed at you and the other Saffa muppet who posts here.

 

[Goddess]

...At the conclusion of Robbie's contract, who would you like to see replace him as Wallabies coach? You can choose between Jake White and Link McKenzie. Discuss

Hmmm... contract... if I pass a hat around, I reckon we can organise a different kind of contract for our beloved Robbie...


I'd pick Link. Not because I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Reds supporter... well actually yeah, that's totally the reason. For far too many past seasons, I've had to put up with smartarse comments for loving the Reds (e.g. "better luck next season. Or century, ha ha"). Link took over, gave a team talk that would strip paint from the walls & the Reds started winning.

 

[Jiggles]

Link playing Genia at 10, instead of bringing Taps in and Harris to 10 smells like a man panicking....

 

[Joe Blow]

Link playing Genia at 10, instead of bringing Taps in and Harris to 10 smells like a man panicking..

I don't think so. He knew that the Reds needed something special with the Sharks well and truly on song and took a punt on Genia.
It did not pan out but he would never have to make such a choice for the Wallabies.

 

[TOCC]

Link playing Genia at 10, instead of bringing Taps in and Harris to 10 smells like a man panicking..

or a coach concerned about the fitness level of a player who hasn't played for over 2 months.... Taps might have been good for the last 20min, but i doubt he had the fitness levels to play out 60min.. Might have been a mistake putting him on the bench, but considering the rest of the injuries in the squad, there wasn't many other choices.