Resting Test Players during the Super Rugby Season

[Ali's Choice]

During last night's Reds/Blues clash it was interesting to hear that Will Genia had apparently played every minute of every Reds game up till that point. I imagine there are quite a few other Wallaby players in the same boat?

In contrast, the NZRU and New Zealand S15 coches have backed a Graham Henry initiated proposal to ensure that all likely All Blacks will be rested for no fewer than two games during the S15 season. And the Crusaders top players will miss at least three, because they also missed playing in Week 2 due to the earthquake.

I was a vocal critic of Henry's 'reconditioning' program in 2007, but given the fact that the Wallabies and All Blacks are considered to be two of the favorites to win the RWC later this year, could the fact that the top All Blacks have played significantly less rugby this season than the top Wallabies make a difference to the relative freshness or fatigue of squads come RWC time? It could even make a difference come finals time of the Super 15, if players like Genia and Cooper continue to be played into the ground, whilst players like Carter, Read, McCaw and Owen Franks are relatvely fresh.

 

[Crow]

Link's said that he's rotating players except Genia and Cooper.
Which is nuts, IMO. I think it puts Deans in a bad position where he needs the 3N to choose and test the WC team, but the best players will all require resting at the same time. I think that the injuries incurred by teams earlier in the season may mitigate this a bit. I'm hoping Mitchell will be back, in particular.

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Just let the Super teams do their thing.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Link's said that he's rotating players except Genia and Cooper.
Which is nuts, IMO. I think it puts Deans in a bad position where he needs the 3N to choose and test the WC team, but the best players will all require resting at the same time. I think that the injuries incurred by teams earlier in the season may mitigate this a bit. I'm hoping Mitchell will be back, in particular.

I'd have thought those would be arguably the only two Reds players that needed rest, given their vital importance to the Wallabies? And I agree that there seems to be much less co'operation between Deans and the Australian S15 coaches when compared to what is happening in NZ. In saying that, perhaps Deans is happy for Genia and Cooper to play almost every minute of every game?

 

[qwerty51]

Play Cooper for every minute so he gets burned out come Test time.

 

[MrTimms]

And I agree that there seems to be much less co'operation between Deans and the Australian S15 coaches when compared to what is happening in NZ.

Could that be because of the central contracting setup in NZ? They are a lot tighter there than here. Here the franchises are much more autonomous.

In saying that, perhaps Deans is happy for Genia and Cooper to play almost every minute of every game?

Link was saying this week that he has been very open with the wallabies, giving them time with the players, participating in the testing they require and ensuring open access by the wallabies s&c. so there must be some agreement.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Play Cooper for every minute so he gets burned out come Test time.

I'm sure there will be plenty of All Black fans wishing just that. Ditto with Will Genia.

 

[Scotty]

They shouldn't need to be rested when they get two byes during the season. Isn't like it is that long a season by international standards and there will be a good amount of time after the end of the super season for reconditioning.

 

[Newb]

They shouldn't need to be rested when they get two byes during the season. Isn't like it is that long a season by international standards and there will be a good amount of time after the end of the super season for reconditioning.

agreed. i would hope that they're conditioning levels would be adequate for the season with subbing here and there. where i think resting is warranted is if it's not a case of simple fatigue, but more one of carrying niggling injuries. those you'd want to wipe out before the international season starts but that's about it as i see it. and pray for no long term injuries.

besides only six teams make the finals. the remainder will get a break during that time. 3N's will take their tole anyways.

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Play Cooper for every minute so he gets burned out come Test time.

Yeah, we all want to see Barnes at fly-half crabbing across the field and kicking when he panics.

 

[DPK]

Yeah, we all want to see Barnes at fly-half crabbing across the field and kicking when he panics.

Huh? You mean Giteau?

 

[Viking]

Don't we have Japan or something in our RWC pool. Genia and Cooper can rest then.

 

[JimboJoe1006]

Don't we have Japan or something in our RWC pool. Genia and Cooper can rest then.

Ireland, Italy, Russia and USA.

 

[JimboJoe1006]

I agree with NZ policy of resting players. I think that Australian teams have been really reckless in this regard and run the risk of burnout and also further injury. Not only QLD, NSW's treatment of TPN has been very poor, also Beale was not 100% in the Rebels game in Sydney. Could not see this happening in NZ this year. In addition, I read this week the Bulls were taking particular care of the key SA players, with Victor starting from the bench.

I disagree with Scotty that they do not need to be rested. The fact is NZ and SA players will be relatively more fresh come WC.

Slighty off topic, I think Link should have given Quade and Will a game or two of rest, not only for their sake, but also to allow the team to get a win without them. NSW's only chance of catching QLD now is if Quade gets injured - the team has become so built around him.

 

[Crow]

It'll be interesting to see who's fielded in the 3N, particularly the Bled. If we can't have the WC, the Bled is halfway there

 

[TOCC]

This whole resting of players is just rubbish, have a look at someone like Darren Lockyer, the guy plays up to 30 games a season(NRL State, Test)..

The Wallabies wont lose at the RWC because QC (Quade Cooper) and Genia are tired from a long season, If they will lose it will be because the Wallabies don't have the sufficient composure and experience. In my opinion, getting more game time is only going to help the Wallabies at the RWC.

 

[I like to watch]

How many starting Wobbles will be playing in the finals series anyway?
They can all have a rest then.

 

[waratahjesus]

Resting players

with the later stages of the superugby comp now with us, just thought i would get an update on opinion from a few people.

the tahs are on the verge of a finals spot but another loss and this could be goneski so i dont see how they can rest players who pass medicals, or there basically throwing away there season. alot of people have blasted Hickey for not rotating but in these circumstances he has to pick the best 15 available.

the reds have more or less sewed up top spot and a finals birth so people like genia and horwill should be having spells. i cant understand why genia has played so many minutes sithout criticism from these forums, the guy is needed for the world cup and should be rested.

the rebels dont have squad depth and the force arnt far behind in that department so its a hard call resting wallabies but one that should be made, not saying dont play them, just saying maybe 50 minutes instread of 80 some weeks or starting them fromt he bench on others.

the brumbies, well, with the form of there players i would like to think they need the game time, however AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Gits and Moore are going to be needed during RWC and maybe getting them away from canberra for a while would do them good,

thoughts, ramblings, nastiness?

 

[DPK]

the rebels dont have squad depth and the force arnt far behind in that department so its a hard call resting wallabies but one that should be made, not saying dont play them, just saying maybe 50 minutes instread of 80 some weeks or starting them fromt he bench on others.

This is a salient point. For games some of the lower risk games (although are there any low risk games any more? Cheetahs aren't the easy beats they once were...), players don't need to be taken from the team, but certainly a reduction in the length of their stints on the field is helpful.

I think the S&C and generally the support staff in the teams are adapting to the long season, just as the players are. It'll take time.

 

[Joe Mac]

The AB's proved in the 2007 WC that resting players doesn't work. I agree with Robbie about players, playing if available.