No Sharpie

[Shiggins]

Well i am quite surprised to see Sharpe out of the squad for Auckland. How can we go with Dan when we don't really know how well he is going? We all know Sharpe is in great form and in my opinion is still the best pick of the lot. One month ago i was sure Sharpe and Kev would be our best lock combination followed by Simmons, Timani and Wykes.

I know he is getting on a bit but shouldn't form be the way Robbie picks players? He has completely got rid of Gits because of form and this is a good thing in my eyes because past coaches e.g Connoly used to pick players by name and not form.

Any one here think Sharpe isn't the right guy for the job? Its starting to look like Robbie doesn't see Shape in green and gold for the world cup and past. Remember the ARU contract deal.

(Been a while since my last post, made a move into the sticks on a farm, Loving it!! foxtell installation was first priority!)

 

[qwerty51]

Yes I don't think Sharpe is the right guy for job. I think he's a very good lock but I think Vickerman and Horwill are better. I'd rather Sharpe than Simmons tbh but I can see Deans' reasoning. I don't think Sharpe has a good enough impact in collisions.

There could be some truth in looking past the RWC with Giteau being dropped too and Baxter/Waugh not in contention.

 

[Shiggins]

Good point mate i was thinking about this myself. However i am not sure that Vickerman is the opyion for collisions. if that was the reasoning though you would think Timani and Horwill will start on saturday.

 

[What2040]

WOW - but is it possible that he is being rested

 

[qwerty51]

Good point mate i was thinking about this myself. However i am not sure that Vickerman is the opyion for collisions. if that was the reasoning though you would think Timani and Horwill will start on saturday.

Vickerman is definitely the one for collisions, he's not a great ball carrier but he loves collisions. He's work at the ruck and ability to shift bodies is second to none in this Wallaby side.

 

[Shiggins]

I was going to suggest it but i think the wobs have a decent chance at the Bledisloe this year and Its too important going forward not to put the best available team on the paddock. Sharpie has had some good rest leading up to this game anyway and i don't believe he would have taken being rested lightly.

Point taken Qwerty i just haven't seen Vickerman play in a while apart from the Samoa game.

 

[qwerty51]

I posted this in the match thread, I really don't think he's been rested - it makes no sense not to put out your best side for this game

Let's look at the facts, taken off after 50 minutes vs Samoa (which we were losing when he went off) for Vickerman when there was already a rookie on the field. Demoted to the bench for the Springbok game and now missing from a squad of 24 (4 locks) to play our biggest game yet against the All Blacks. Is it really resting/trying out other options? Doesn't appear that way imo.

 

[tigerland12]

Vickerman is definitely the one for collisions, he's not a great ball carrier but he loves collisions. He's work at the ruck and ability to shift bodies is second to none in this Wallaby side.

Horwill seems to be the ball-running lock in the current combination and he does a very good job of it. And thats why I think that Sharpe has been on the outer, because Simmons and Vickerman offer alot more breakdown efficiency, whilst Sharpe specializes in ball carries, which is not what the pack needs from him with the current balance.

 

[Groucho]

Deans may be resting Sharpe. No issues with that.

But more likely he needs 'a Vickerman', and Vickerman is the only one of those we have. Obviously our coaches believe he's up to it fitness wise and believe he can be right for the RWC with sufficient game time.

Vickerman and Horwill would be a nicely violent locking partnership. With Simmons there we have three great options, depending upon who we're playing.

 

[qwerty51]

Excluding the Wallabies returning from injury Sharpe would be the most rested. He missed the final regular season Super Rugby game and has only played 50 mins against Samoa and 20 against the Springboks so far. Resting makes no sense.

 

[Slim 293]

Vickerman is definitely the one for collisions, he's not a great ball carrier but he loves collisions. He's work at the ruck and ability to shift bodies is second to none in this Wallaby side.

Based on his 2008 form?

How's Latham doing? We could do with some extra fullback cover...

 

[qwerty51]

Based on his 2008 form?

And AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was picked on his 2011 form was he?

I've seen Vickerman play 3 times this year, vs Brumbies, Samoa and Northern Suburbs. Each time he proved he still has a physical aspect to his play.

 

[EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7]

Here's how i see it.

Sharpe has been dropped for a part time rugby player.

He has also gets dropped for a bloke who couldn't catch a cold?

Simmons doesn't do enough work with the ball in hand for mine.

Timani whilst i love his aggression and physicality lacks upstairs a little. Just a little underdone.

Vickerman on the other hand is a proven player but had he came back to Australia a few weeks earlier i may have felt differently.

 

[Jets]

Up to his old tricks if this footage is anything to go by

[video=youtube;RA3amXZ4l5I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA3amXZ4l5I[/video]

 

[Slim 293]

And AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was picked on his 2011 form was he?

I've seen Vickerman play 3 times this year, vs Brumbies, Samoa and Northern Suburbs. Each time he proved he still has a physical aspect to his play.

I'd say that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been selected on his consistent test form over the past few years.

Vickerman had not played top level rugby for 3 years, and has not really had enough game time to be judged on his abilities.

I figure if he's not anything more than excellent in his test opportunities he should not go to the World Cup, as Horwill, Simmon and Sharpe are well ahead of him at this point, and Timani has shown his potential.

 

[Viking]

Its pretty simple in my eyes. This is the last chance we have to see if Vickerman is up to Test standard (not playing against a "b" team). Sharpe is a proven Test lock, I dont think this is a sign he will not be considered for the RWC. I think Deans is just weighing up this options by seeing how a more physical Vickerman or Timani go against the ABs.

 

[antipodean]

That's a selection choice I'd make playing in South Africa.

 

[Reddy!]

There could be some truth in looking past the RWC with Giteau being dropped too and Baxter/Waugh not in contention.

Wtf were the last 4 years about then if he is now looking towards next year?

 

[Lee Grant]

Should this be merged with the main thread which already has a few pages about the selection of the squad for NZ?

 

[Jnor]

Up to his old tricks if this footage is anything to go by

[video=youtube;RA3amXZ4l5I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA3amXZ4l5I[/video]

...and the crowd goes wild!!!!

As for Sharpe I think it's well and truly possible he's still being 'rested' or Deans is trying as many combos as possible while there is still time. If there was to be an injury would any of us really want to see Timani having to run on with only that Samoa test as his experience? Things would have to be pretty dire but it is possible.

For me, Sharpie's got to be in the frame, but it is Robbie so who knows.