Important game this week. I wouldn’t mind seeing a change to the backline this week, rather than seeing a bench influx in the last 15 minutes with no benefit. Player blooding but no game benefit.
9 McDermott
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Dangunu
12 Paisami
13 Henry
14 Petaia
15 Campbell
21 Jeans
22 Stewart
23 Grealy
Yes, that’s right Paisami at 12 and Henry at 13. I see Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies and I think Henry has more to offer than Flook at 13. Henry gets more involved and is a stronger runner. Flook only has a couple of touches in any game, whilst they have good outcomes, I think Henry will have better results in that channel, and will connect better with the outside backs.
I can't comment on Flook/Henry at 13 although on the whole Flook has been looking the goods at Super level imo. He's done little wrong and plenty right.
I think Paisami is better at 13 but it's another item that doesn't have broad agreement. More likely though, the difference between Paisami and Stewart at 12 isn't much, noting that Stewart has been shining. OTOH there is a definite difference between Paisami and say Flook/Henry at 13. Overall the team looks stronger to me with 12 Stewart 13 Paisami.
While I would be happy with it, why would the coaches backflip-swap Petaia and Campbell? Doesn't make sense to me - unless there is something specific in their strengths for the Brumbies game? If that's the case. what is it?
Flook has been great this year. But I’m still puzzled both by Daugunu’s apparent fall from favour on here, and within the Reds squad. Personally I’d still have him in my top 23.
One thing it does shows is Thorn has used far less player rotation this year.
Duagunu started the season well off the pace, especially based on his own standards. He was improving and I don’t know why this hasn’t been followed with more game time.
Do we have an update on Vunivalu?
