Macqueen past his used by date?

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Does the high performance manager actually get out on the training paddock with the young guys? That's the kind of thing I would like to see Bob be asked to do.

 

[Ruggo]

Most of this thread is ridiculous. Far too soon for anything.

The only thing we can hold him accountable for so far is recruiting. I was surprised by the roster, and in particular, by the inability to secure any current Wallabies.

I thought he went for older players that would understand his now redundant style of playing the game.

What was he thinking with his centres? Huxley and Morty looked to be building a fluent combination so he decides to split them and play Morty where he has never been any good in the past.

 

[Gnostic]

You are so clever you should have applied for the job. I can see a team who won 8 games last season, who are now 3 from 4 and have broken record scores last year and this year, broken hoodoo in Canberra and beat Crusaders for first time, Won both trial games (Mooney never won even a trial game and no more than three games in a season). 1/3 of the squad was changed and now there is suddenly depth - Proof will be at the end. I am sure Link won't be around for ever so Mooney can come back and finish the job - did he win a game with Otago by the way or has he become the "co-coach"? Why does Link have to be judged 'solely on this years results'? Everyone blamed Connelly and Jones for Robbie Deans inheritance. Why does Hickey and Foley get credit for the tahs when they are still using 80% of the players Link signed. If you dont like Link fine but just say it

Ah Rooster, I gave you the hint in my last sentence what my answers are.

The whole post was designed for you to actually think and do some analysis of not only your team who you obviously passionately support, but others as well.

Yes you have quoted the records quite nicely. The Tahs won more and set a few records themselves, but nobody in Oz said they played well last year and only a few deluded people got on the bandwagon early this year. A good analysis of the Tahs actually showed that the game plan was very similar to last year and that against the Rebels and the Reds they just executed very accurately and with a significantly better amount of aggression and pace. Hence when they lost that accuracy against the Crusaders and last week even worse they look exactly like the Tahs of old. Because nothing has changed.

The Reds on the other hand has changed a few things. QC (Quade Cooper) is being hidden away more and more at 15, meaning the rapid turnover counter attack is more difficult to initiate for him as he isn't at 10 to receive the quick ball. The defensive dynamic has changed with QC (Quade Cooper) at 15 and no Hynes so Chambers who as a revelation for the Reds last year has been pretty ordinary.

It was you who suggested that Macqueen could be judged solely on the results at the Rebels, so I said Link should indeed be judged on his results this year, since his "fingerprints" alone are on the team this year. Liking Link or not has nothing to do with judging him by his record, I do not know him personally and make no personal judgements. The jury is out on Link and the Reds, as it is with Macqueen and the Rebels. Suffice to say whilst I say I like what I see at the Rebels as a brand new unit, I am more reserved with what I see at the Reds. They top the table in the Oz conference ATM but their play is no where near as accurate and they do not execute their game plans as well as they were last year.

The Tahs - well lets not go there. My comments last year about Hickey are bearing fruit again this year unfortunately and yes he did inherit the team from Link. A team which was almost but never quite true contenders, and so it remains.

 

[Red Rooster]

The Reds on the other hand has changed a few things. QC (Quade Cooper) is being hidden away more and more at 15, meaning the rapid turnover counter attack is more difficult to initiate for him as he isn't at 10 to receive the quick ball. The defensive dynamic has changed with QC (Quade Cooper) at 15 and no Hynes so Chambers who as a revelation for the Reds last year has been pretty ordinary.

You write some rubbish sometimes. I would like you to explain the above passage in more detail because its crap. If you actually watched the games you would have noticed that Quade is being used in defence exactly how he was last season - so there is no change. You have completely ignored the change in laws focus that the referees admitted they got wrong after round 3 which was stifling attack. By round 5 the Reds score 7 tries - no correlation? no mention by you. The fact that every team has made an investment in more dynamic rush defence which limits play around 10 is also not mentioned - Happy for some extra detail if you could be bothered

 

[Gnostic]

You write some rubbish sometimes. I would like you to explain the above passage in more detail because its crap. If you actually watched the games you would have noticed that Quade is being used in defence exactly how he was last season - so there is no change. You have completely ignored the change in laws focus that the referees admitted they got wrong after round 3 which was stifling attack. By round 5 the Reds score 7 tries - no correlation? no mention by you. The fact that every team has made an investment in more dynamic rush defence which limits play around 10 is also not mentioned - Happy for some extra detail if you could be bothered

Just for the hard of understanding.

Cooper was positioned in defence at 15 on set pieces last year. Stop and have a look at where Cooper is on defence at most phases now. And yes I do actually watch the games, it would help if you did too.

I would love to hear what your explanation is for the change in dynamic in the backline and the total deterioration of Chambers in attack and defence from last year.

Do not let your blind patriotism for the Reds blind you totally to valid criticism of players. Indeed go and have a read of a few recent articles, printed since my post, being critical of Link on this very subject.

 

[spectator]

I voted "Yes" on the understanding that he had a major say in picking the squad, and he has a major say in week to week selections. If the cattle aint good enough then it's his fault for picking them in the first place.

 

[Slim 293]

As already mentioned, he didn't have much to pick from with most Australian players already being contracted through to 2011, and others not wanting to take the risk of switching teams in a RWC year to play for a potential bottom dwelling team...

 

[spectator]

That may be the case but I would ask why Laurie Weeks hasn't started for one thing. He must regret leaving Qld, where he would have been a starting prop IMO.

Also, if back depth is so thin, why isn't Betham given a crack at fullback? Different standard altogether but he played there for OZ schools. Actually why isn't he even on one wing?

 

[Gnostic]

That may be the case but I would ask why Laurie Weeks hasn't started for one thing. He must regret leaving Qld, where he would have been a starting prop IMO.

Also, if back depth is so thin, why isn't Betham given a crack at fullback? Different standard altogether but he played there for OZ schools. Actually why isn't he even on one wing?

RE:- Weeks - simply because he isn't as good a prop as Sommerville even the pensioner Sommerville.

Re:- Betham - I would personally rather him in the team than Mitchell. I do not rate Mitchell at all, even less than Huxley. Betham however should get a chance but there may well be a reason why he has never managed to get a start elsewhere either you know. How is he at training etc. I would say that there have been selection bungles from my POV. Such as I said Huxley and Mitchell, but last week also Chamberlain.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm not sure if Betham ever took to the field in his 2-3 years with the Brumbies?

 

[Duncher]

I think it's a bit premature to think of Rod as over the hill. Let's not forget the stirring win over the Ponies and the fantastic "oh so close" effort against the Shorks. This team has had two cracking games and a few brain farts. It's only 5 games into the season, let's wait till there's a bit of history and consistency before we start playing the Brumbie game.

The Force and Cheetahs were both rubbish in their first season and as mentioned above the Force pretty much had the QLD first XV at their disposal and the Cheetahs had come off a reasonably successful Currie Cup campaign. This team is brand new and has already exceeded the expectations of lots of experts especially those over at a different website who refer to the Rebels as the "five point bye" (fuckers).

In short, in Rod we trust. It's a brand new shiny team hit hard by injuries and struggling with consistency. Given all that we've still performed better than expected. Bring on the Canes (actually I'm worried they'll tear us apart, think we're better suited to the Saffa teams)

 

[Gnostic]

I think it's a bit premature to think of Rod as over the hill. Let's not forget the stirring win over the Ponies and the fantastic "oh so close" effort against the Shorks. This team has had two cracking games and a few brain farts. It's only 5 games into the season, let's wait till there's a bit of history and consistency before we start playing the Brumbie game.

The Force and Cheetahs were both rubbish in their first season and as mentioned above the Force pretty much had the QLD first XV at their disposal and the Cheetahs had come off a reasonably successful Currie Cup campaign. This team is brand new and has already exceeded the expectations of lots of experts especially those over at a different website who refer to the Rebels as the "five point bye" (fuckers).

In short, in Rod we trust. It's a brand new shiny team hit hard by injuries and struggling with consistency. Given all that we've still performed better than expected. Bring on the Canes (actually I'm worried they'll tear us apart, think we're better suited to the Saffa teams)

Better not I have tipped them to give me a smokey win to improve my tipping score which the Tahs and Ponies have done their level best to totally *&^%%^^& up this year.

 

[RebelArmyno1fan]

RE:- Weeks - simply because he isn't as good a prop as Sommerville even the pensioner Sommerville.

Weeks is an up-and-coming prop, one to watch. Yes Sommerville is indisputably one of the greats, but how are new 'greats' supposed to develop and grow into such without room to do so? He won rookie of the year for Reds and ARU in his first year, i think he is extremely underrated.

 

[MrMouse]

Interesting that in your first post you have chosen to write off a world Cup winning coach and talked up a second rower from Rat Park who is no world beater at all, he didn't star in colts let alone grade. Also I dont understand your ridiculous use of exclamation marks as well.

To be fair, players develop at different rates, and Pyle has been impressive in the opportunities he's had. I say that as a Tahs and Uni fan so no risk of bias.

Agree with the criticism of writing off McQueen - incredibly early to be making statements like that.

 

[jay-c]

There is no doubt that Rod Mcqueen was a legend.. IN HIS DAY. The question must be asked, in light of the Rebel's recent THRASHING by QLD reds, is Mcqueen simply experienced in what he does, or is he holding onto something that he should have let go of, at the expense of all the Rebel's players? Any thoughts?

how dare you?

 

[ACT Crusader]

McQueen is definitely past it

 

[matty_k]

Incredibly

 

[Groucho]

I'm just cooking up some crow for the Internet heroes to eat. :lmao:

Rebels 42 : Hurricanes 25

Go Rod McQ! :yay

 

[Gnostic]

Better not I have tipped them to give me a smokey win to improve my tipping score which the Tahs and Ponies have done their level best to totally *&^%%^^& up this year.

I know its immodest to quote oneself. But........ Yay for me.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep, he's clearly rubbish. Knows nothing.

And Gnostic, well played Sir.