New Zealand v Wallabies, Eden Park, Sat 22nd October

[Viking]

Hooper would have better impact from the bench then Pocock. In my view Pocock's value is better utilised as a starter, if he is reff'd out of the game he can be subbed early for Hooper.

Hooper has been consistent but not that good to not even consider starting a player of Pococks calibre - often regarded the best 7 in the world.

I wouldn't call picking the best 7 in the country a "dick move" - maybe its just better for the team.

To be fair, if it was a choice between either of them it would be a 50/50 call between Hooper/Poey. We all know Timani will go to the bench though.

 

[fatprop]

To be fair, if it was a choice between either of them it would be a 50/50 call between Hooper/Poey. We all know Timani will go to the bench though.

As he should, Pocock is a better 8 today than Timani.

It isn't like Timani's dynamism at lineout (his only possibility of being better than Pocock as an 8) will do anything to combat the Ab's when in all likelihood we will run a load of 5 or 6 man lineouts anyway

 

[KOB1987]

On a level playing field I wouldn't really care which of the two got selected at 7 if it could only be one of them in the starting side, but in this instance I would be surprised if Hooper is displaced. 50/50 between Timani and Pocock for the 8 jersey IMO.

 

[Scrubber2050]

There is no way Hooper will get benched for Poey. Poey at best will be a bench option. Hooper will win the John Eales Medal by the biggest margin in history this week.
At some time Chek will wack Hodge at 12 and give him a crack and should be for 3 consecutive games (to build some combos with wither QC (Quade Cooper)/Foley at 10 and Kerevi at 13). Chek continues to persevere with Folay at 12.
Foley ain't a 12. He's a 10 for better or worse.
Obviously Phipps will start and personally I think he will be better for the team. He may not shine as much personally, as Genia is want to do.
This week, Timani should be better again.

 

[Viking]

As he should, Pocock is a better 8 today than Timani.

It isn't like Timani's dynamism at lineout (his only possibility of being better than Pocock as an 8) will do anything to combat the Ab's when in all likelihood we will run a load of 5 or 6 man lineouts anyway

Agree, but at this point the series is lost and we have little hope of winning at Eden Park. I think it would be better served to stick with Timani and further develop him.

By the end of next year Timani could very well be the better 8.

 

[Viking]

On a level playing field I wouldn't really care which of the two got selected at 7 if it could only be one of them in the starting side, but in this instance I would be surprised if Hooper is displaced. 50/50 between Timani and Pocock for the 8 jersey IMO.

Not sure it's a 50/50 with Timani and Pocock, I think Cheika has a very clear pecking order for 8.

1. Poey
2. McMahon
3. Timani

Timani way down the list. Would love to see him start though especially given the Pooper will not be around next year.

 

[A mutterer]

hooper wont be dropped, and i don't think he should be either. all the talk about development for every other player should be applied to hoops as well, particularly as he looks like the long term captain in waiting.

 

[Viking]

hooper wont be dropped, and i don't think he should be either. all the talk about development for every other player should be applied to hoops as well, particularly as he looks like the long term captain in waiting.

Nah Pocock is the long-term Captain after he returns

 

[Twoilms]

Hooper would have better impact from the bench then Pocock. In my view Pocock's value is better utilised as a starter, if he is reff'd out of the game he can be subbed early for Hooper.

Hooper has been consistent but not that good to not even consider starting a player of Pococks calibre - often regarded the best 7 in the world.

I wouldn't call picking the best 7 in the country a "dick move" - maybe its just better for the team.

To be fair, if it was a choice between either of them it would be a 50/50 call between Hooper/Poey. We all know Timani will go to the bench though.

This is nonsense, he's being rushed back from a broken hand. There's no way he's going to be effective enough to actually play better than Hooper, which he wasn't doing prior to his broken hand anyway. Yes, yes Hooper plays looser but he's played tighter in the absence of Pocock, to great effect.

 

[gel]

particularly as he looks like the long term captain in waiting.

I hope this was said in jest.

As captain, Hooper has been and will be a disaster.

On topic: Like others have posted, I just can't see us winning this one, but I really hope we see a tighter game than what most have been this year against the NZ team.

 

[Viking]

This is nonsense, he's being rushed back from a broken hand. There's no way he's going to be effective enough to actually play better than Hooper, which he wasn't doing prior to his broken hand anyway. Yes, yes Hooper plays looser but he's played tighter in the absence of Pocock, to great effect.

Yes a broken hand, so he can still run? Doubt fitness would be much of an issue given he can still train for fitness.

Not likes its a torn hammy. He probably could play with a broken hand if he had too.

 

[Braveheart81]

Pocock will be selected. It will just be a question of whether it is starting at 8 or coming off the bench. Hooper will start at 7.

As captain, Hooper has been and will be a disaster.

He captained the test team at age 22 after the first choice captain got injured. You don't think his captaincy can improve?

 

[Viking]

This is like 2015 over again, everyone saying Hooper should be chosen over Poey, Poey is not as effective etc etc.... only for Poey to come out firing and was certainly the better performer over the year. Probably would have won world player of the year if Carter did have a superb final.

Not sure why everyone is writing him off now.

 

[Braveheart81]

No, it's a case of the vice captain of the team being in consistently good form and Pocock returning from more than a month out with a broken hand.

No one is writing Pocock off. Saying that he won't be starting at 7 instead of Hooper this weekend is in no way writing him off.

 

[formerflanker]

Speaking of open side breakaways, Richie McCaw being interview by Alan Jones this morning was asked to nominate his toughest opponents. George Smith followed by Schalk Burger.

 

[gel]

Pocock will be selected. It will just be a question of whether it is starting at 8 or coming off the bench. Hooper will start at 7.



He captained the test team at age 22 after the first choice captain got injured. You don't think his captaincy can improve?

No, I don't.........

 

[cyclopath]

No, I don't...

Geez, if we all peaked before 22 in terms of maturity etc that'd be a worry............based on just about everyone I know.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Hooper should and probably will retain the No 7 spot given the form he's been in this year.

It is a conundrum - Poey is a player who causes other teams to adjust the way they play to counter him. I have no doubt opponents put more players into the breakdown when Poey is present. Hooper otoh offers more in the ball carrying/attacking aspects, but would really be another player for opposition defenses to be wary of, rather than causing them to alter the way they play.

But, with Poey returning from injury and realising he won't be available to the Wallabies next year, together with the more conventional, tighter style of game Hooper can play with Timani at 8, I would not expect Poey to replace Hooper in the starting lineup for this test.

I would also retain Timani at 8 given his impressive debut there against the Argies. Bench would be best place for Pocock this test, I believe.

 

[gel]

Geez, if we all peaked before 22 in terms of maturity etc that'd be a worry....based on just about everyone I know.

I was referring to Hooper specifically, so I think the world is safe.

For now.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Geez, if we all peaked before 22 in terms of maturity etc that'd be a worry....based on just about everyone I know.

I think Hooper personally is pretty good leader...not saying should be captain but in top mix certainly for those to be considered.....