Mitchell Out Of World Cup?

[qwerty51]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...itchells-cupending-injury-20110424-1dt0m.html

Poor form from Higginbotham.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...itchells-cupending-injury-20110424-1dt0m.html

Poor form from Higginbotham.

No, the poor form is the continued attempts to crucify (seems appropriate for this time of year) Higginbotham for something every player does in the same situation - impede the chasing player. Anyone new to the situation would get the feeling that he intentionally broke Mitchells leg, and twisted his ankle for good measure. If everyone is going to carry on about it, have a look at Cross's effort to do exactly the same to Morahan (I think) in the first half. Cross being Cross, he didn't have the skill to get in the way, but he had a red hot go, not once but twice!

Everyone, whether they are Tahs or Reds fans, is gutted about what happened to Mitchell, but blaming Higgers for it just doesn't fly. Intention to block - yes, penalty. Intention to break Mitchells leg - get the tinfoil hats out for anyone who believes that one.

 

[TOCC]

I think its quite embarrassing how some people have come out and lambasted Higginbotham over this, the fact is that ever team does it every single week, watch the game and there is even clear example where Ryan Cross attempted to do the same thing to Luke Morahan, if it werent for the fact that Morahan easily out maneouvered him we could have seen a similar result.

Yes Higgers moved to block Mitchell, No Higgers did not intend to break Mitchell's ankle and rule him out of the Rugby World Cup..

I think some people need to realise the difference..

 

[drewprint]

Lads, wouldn't worry too much about it - he's bitter and is just looking for a reaction. Let it be I think.

 

[Jethro Tah]

Dammit Shmoo, I had you down as top try scorer for Super Rugby in the G&GR Nostradamus tipping thingy at the start of the season. It does, however, give Morahan a chance who I had down as the smokey for the Wallabies squad. Good luck for recovery Drew.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

With Mitchell out, and JO'C a wing option, I feel Anthony Fainga'a is the man for the no.12 jersey. Call me crazy but he is a destructive defender and stopped a couple of almost certain tries against the Waratahs last night. Momentum stopping tackles. Similar to Horne, but he stays fit and has QLD combinations going for him. To me, he is the man you want in your defensive line in the centres, instead of guys like J'OC and Gits. I don't really see Barnes as an option as he plays bugger all rugby, and doesn't have a point of difference.

I think Quade also works best when he runs the show like a boss.

You're crazy

 

[Ignoto]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...itchells-cupending-injury-20110424-1dt0m.html

Poor form from Higginbotham.

That entire article and you vilifying Higgers makes no sense whatsoever.

Higginbotham did not move to intentionally injure Mitchell - it was a by-product of the collision - and so the Waratahs said there was no grounds for making a complaint

Higginbotham looked over his shoulder and moved left to block Mitchell, an occurrence worthy of a penalty but common practice in rugby. Mitchell tripped as he ran into Higginbotham's back and fell awkwardly, which caused the dislocation and breakage.

 

[aussie1st]

I'm not liking the idea of JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing, I can see it going real badly come the WC. Just doesn't have the size for the spot and he's been killing it closer to the action so no point in putting him in the spot where he would be farthest away. Morahan or whoever else looks like a Test winger should be given the mid year tour games and Tri Nations to see if they can cut the mustard. Then worse case if they can't then we can go back to JOC (James O'Connor) or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wing.

 

[cyclopath]

That entire article and you vilifying Higgers makes no sense whatsoever.

Your quoted bits are exactly what most on here have been saying, with 1 or 2 exceptions, who should not be taken as the feeling s of all Tah fans by any means. Indeed the quotes in the article were moderate - it was unfortunate it happened after a block, but there were no grounds to take it further. Headline trying to beat-up a stink which isn't there.
The Reds / Waratahs thread was closed for a reason, and there is no need for this thread to be used to continue the shit. I think we can mostly agree on the following:- Penalty offence, didn't happen, injury terrible bad luck, let's all move on.

 

[Ash]

Cyclo - so is there any chance at all he could be back in time for the World Cup? Or even if it wasn't as bad as they thought Mitchell will still be out till next year?

Regarding who will replace him - I guess we will see JOC (James O'Connor) stuck on the wing and Ioane will be the replacement. All of our other wingers are probably a step down from those three, especially in terms of tackle busts.

 

[daz]

It's hard being a force fan around here.

Or indeed anywhere.....

 

[Richo]

I'd also note that Hickey doesn't say that Higginbotham intended to injure Mitchell - he says "it" was deliberate. I'd say he is clearly referring to the blocking move, which I'm sure we can all agree was intend to make contact and impede Mitchell's progress.

 

[qwerty51]

Like I said, Higginbotham never tried to injure Mitchell. However the act was a deliberate infringement and that what sucks so much about the injury. It wasn't truly an accident.

 

[Brumbieman]

You're crazy

Why? Its the best option. With Mitchell out, Ioane slots straight into his wing, and then who is supposed to play the other wing? JOC (James O'Connor) gets plenty of opportunities to inject himself into the play, and having him, Cooper AND Beale in the same backline, there's plenty of playmaking options. What is need now is hard and aggressive ball runners to play off Cooper et al, and a properly hard aggressive defender in at 12.

Fainga'a is the obvious option, he's played with Cooper for 3-4 years, know's how he works, and combines very well. He's an offensive defender, and creates opportunities through his tackling. Pair him with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the centres, and there's fuck all getting through there, which funnels the opposition back towards Cooper, and the ever present Pocock/McCalman/Elsom etc etc.

He's played one test, and that was outside Giteau, so you may as well write that test off as an indication of how he would go as a Wallaby.

 

[Slim 293]

Why? Its the best option.

Nah, it's not...

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Actually I really only called him crazy because he asked us to.

Think there are better 12 options than ant f though.

 

[JimboJoe1006]

Cyclo - so is there any chance at all he could be back in time for the World Cup? Or even if it wasn't as bad as they thought Mitchell will still be out till next year?

Regarding who will replace him - I guess we will see JOC (James O'Connor) stuck on the wing and Ioane will be the replacement. All of our other wingers are probably a step down from those three, especially in terms of tackle busts.

No chance - he will probably hobble into his Christmas lunch with a walking stick. Poor kid!

JOC (James O'Connor) to play wing, I'm pretty sure Dingo was always going to play him there anyway. He can anyways inject himself around the field, just as Drew had been doing...

 

[Swarley]

Why? Its the best option. With Mitchell out, Ioane slots straight into his wing, and then who is supposed to play the other wing? JOC (James O'Connor) gets plenty of opportunities to inject himself into the play, and having him, Cooper AND Beale in the same backline, there's plenty of playmaking options. What is need now is hard and aggressive ball runners to play off Cooper et al, and a properly hard aggressive defender in at 12.

Fainga'a is the obvious option, he's played with Cooper for 3-4 years, know's how he works, and combines very well. He's an offensive defender, and creates opportunities through his tackling. Pair him with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the centres, and there's fuck all getting through there, which funnels the opposition back towards Cooper, and the ever present Pocock/McCalman/Elsom etc etc.

He's played one test, and that was outside Giteau, so you may as well write that test off as an indication of how he would go as a Wallaby.

I think everyone is writing off Giteau way too early. Yes, 2010 was a pretty average year for Gits, but people are forgetting that he is a 91 Test Wallaby with World Cup experience. His main issue is the fact that he doesn't suit Quade's gameplay as he tends to move sidewards as opposed to straightening the attack, however he has improved since the Tri- Nations. His GAGR Ratings in the last two EOYT matches show this steady improvement:

"Deservedly sin binned for one of the more cynical pieces of play going around, however it probably saved Australia four points. Straightened the attack well and almost got through the Pom defence a few times. One of the very few Aussies not to miss a tackle."

and
"Kept the opposition on their toes. Mr Crab returned for one sideways run, but you could see the glimpse of a gap there. Being overshadowed by his younger team mates, although there was a great interchange with Quade, and then a magical pass in the lead up to the last try of the game."

This also solves one of the worry of O'Connor's defence outside Cooper. He's been very inconsistent at the Brumbies, but people need to be a little more optimistic. He forms a great partnership with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and can act as Mr. Consistent outside the unpredictable Cooper.

 

[Reddy!]

I think Fainga'a does offer something in the squad, especially during the pool games or against a team like NZ who will be having big centre runners come at you. He is a more inspirational player than somebody like Giteau or Barnes in my opinion. Call me crazy and all that.

 

[Richo]

I've been a big critic of Giteau for a while now, but I'd be absolutely stoked if he keeps up his current form. Playing the way he is now, he'd be great outside Cooper and do a lot to sew up the defensive hole.