Anyone know who got the MOTM for the game?
Kerian Reid I think
From the votes for Turner, it beggars belief that he was cast aside earlier in the season. He played how a winger really should.
Cast side ? He has been given chances and hasn't taken them. He was toothless in the Aus BaaBaa games. He kicks incessantly. I don't think he was that good tonight either. He didn't convert his try scoring opportunity. In the 2nd half, he opted to run inside his own 40 at one stage & the ABs turned him over. Can't remember if they ended up scoring of that but it was a momentum killer for us.
3. Beale. Is on fire.
2. McCalman. Physical, dynamic, surprised with the ball in hand too. One of the only blokes cleaning out. Would love to see Elsom following McCalman's abrasive approach.
1. Moore. Was everywhere.
Yes, naza, cast aside.
The BaaBaas games were an uncoached mess. He played very good rugby pretty much all S14, was part of a few very lacklustre early international games (the whole team sucked balls if you recall) and then sent away apparently unlikely to return - until injuries hit. He played last night how he played most of the S14. How can you criticise him not getting that try? He did everything possible in that amount of space, and missed it by a toe. Very harsh call to bag him for that. He defended well. He supported the kick receivers well.
Wing is not a position you just chuck anyone in and get a result. Sure it aint the most important position on the field, but really good wingers are...wingers, not 12s, 13s and halfbacks masquerading out there. He probably would have scored the tries that Beiber has, but I bet would have committed far fewer defensive errors in the bargain.
Flynn, C.
Cruden, A.
Vito, V.
I'm not bagging Turner. I'm objecting to the perception that he's been hard done by. I watch him play for Eastwood and roll my eyes at Papworth banging on 'what is wrong Wallaby selectors..' etc. The guy was a deer in headlights in the Aus BaaBaas games. O'Connor carved up in game 1 and won a test spot on the back of that performance. End of.
Turner's style of play isn't helping him. He has great pace and needs to learn how to make the most of it. He's gone into his shell and become a conservative player, kicking like he's fair dinkum Naas Botha, at a time when coaches are looking for all out attacking flair. Who do you drop to get Turner a start ? Mitchell & JOC (James O'Connor) are both very aggressive guys who don't die wondering. Ioane is the power runner we need, and brings balance to the backline. All three are superior to Turner at working in traffic. All three make things happen and have a knack for scoring tries. Turner needs to step up to retain the wing spot, and that means he needs to convert those tough opportunities.