Rugby Championship 2012: Our Backline

[RedsHappy]

Bardon:

Some typically wise and astute observations there.

But here's the thing: for some years now, the Wallabies have had no, repeat no, designated backs/attack specialist coach. Deans has effectively assumed this role himself in addition to his Head Coach duties. One Richard Graham was appointed as Skills Coach from early 2009 through late 2010 and for some vague-ish role with the Wallaby backs, but no one quite knew precisely if he was in charge of backs and attack in a serious and consistent manner.

Even the 'new management team' under Deans from this year does not possess a clearly designated backs/attack coach:

http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/TheTeam/CoachingStaff.aspx

The closest we get to a possible backs specialist is Scrivener (see via link above) in terms of some of his noted past experience with Australia A sides, etc.

This lack of a well-regarded designated backs/attack specialist coach in a top national team is very unusual, I think you'd concur.

I am not offering the above up as "the" explanation for the type of decline in innovative, instinctive Wallaby backs capability you note, but I don't consider it irrelevant to these issues either.

 

[light]

Genia - Barnes - Ioane - JOC (James O'Connor) - McCabe - AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - Beale

Cooper to play 10 when he is fit, right now Barnes is our best bet for the Kiwi's until Cooper shows form. We can only pray its before the Rugby Championship kicks off.

More importantly, what is our best pack and bench?

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and KB (Kurtley Beale) are easily our two best exponents under the high ball

Genia > both of them

 

[Bardon]

This lack of a well-regarded designated backs/attack specialist coach in a top national team is very unusual, I think you'd concur.

I am not offering the above up as "the" explanation for the type of decline in innovative, instinctive Wallaby backs capability you note, but I don't consider it irrelevant to these issues either.

Completely agree on the need for a top rated backs/attack coach. Currently we in Ireland don't have anyone to fill this position either. Although I'd be firmly in the camp that argue we're better having none to the position we were in when Alan Gaffney filled the role. Still I'd like to see an appointment as we don't fully use the talent in our backline and can often be predictable on attack against the top sides.

If IRFU had any vision (a forlorn hope in any national union sadly) then they'd look at the model of having coaches who are also working a day job with a club. If this were the case I'd have Conor O'Shea in the post ASAP.

 

[Scotty]

I think Cooper is fairly week under the high ball. I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and KB (Kurtley Beale) are easily our two best exponents under the high ball and one of them should play fullback.

I think Bernard Foley is probably a better option at 15 than Cooper due to his ability to catch the high ball.

Wow.

9 tahs in the current starting lineup and it looks like you want more!

 

[cyclopath]

Hmm, those Australian players in 1,2,3,8,10,13,15 on the weekend were real duds, eh?

 

[Scotty]

9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Barnes
13 McCabe
14 Mitchell
15 Barnes

I think this is our strongest attacking backline and will be very organised in defense. It can vary the game plan from kicking to ball in hand, get the ball wide fast and counter attack brilliantly.

 

[Scotty]

Hmm, those Australian players in 1,2,3,8,10,13,15 on the weekend were real duds, eh?

Won by a couple of points. Who knows what could happen with some ability in attack? Might even score more than one try?

 

[Slim 293]

9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Barnes
13 McCabe
14 Mitchell
15 Barnes

I think this is our strongest attacking backline and will be very organised in defense. It can vary the game plan from kicking to ball in hand, get the ball wide fast and counter attack brilliantly.

I don't know if Barnes is that good...

 

[TOCC]

9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Barnes
13 McCabe
14 Mitchell
15 Barnes

I think this is our strongest attacking backline and will be very organised in defense. It can vary the game plan from kicking to ball in hand, get the ball wide fast and counter attack brilliantly.

Barnes at 12 and 15?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Assuming the fitness of several key players:
Genia, Cooper, Ioane, Barnes, McCabe, Ashley-Cooper, Beale. JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench.


Assuming Mitchell can come back:
Genia, Cooper, Ioane, Barnes, McCabe, Mitchell, Beale. JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the bench.


Holy crap.

 

[Paradox]

Don't forget one of the better Aussie wingers this year: Tomane. I'd rate him as a better wing than AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) other than for experience.

 

[Paradox]

Don't forget Sam Norton Knight has just signed for the Force!

 

[cyclopath]

Won by a couple of points. Who knows what could happen with some ability in attack? Might even score more than one try?

Like who? Just any "Not a Tah", which was the point since we can't consider Tah players.

 

[Braveheart81]

Wow.

9 tahs in the current starting lineup and it looks like you want more!

Not at all. I just really don't think Cooper and O'Connor are good options at 15.

 

[drewprint]

I bet as soon as he read that Cooper posted on JOC (James O'Connor)'s FB wall suggesting they go out on the lash and put his liver through it's paces.

He won't be piss fit. He'll only be able to handle 2 raspberry daiquiris instead of his regular 3.

 

[barbarian]

I honestly can't understand people who don't select JOC (James O'Connor) in their backline. Don't you remember the RWC? JOC (James O'Connor) was our best player (or a very close 2nd to Pocock). He is one of our few current backs who has consistently stood up when the pressure is on. He oozes class and can play anywhere. In short he is wasted on the bench.

FWIW my backline would be:

9. Genia
10. Beale
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. McCabe
14. Mitchell
15. JOC (James O'Connor)

Although the next month of Super Rugby could change all that. The question is can JOC (James O'Connor), Beale and Cooper reclaim their form. I'm backing the JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale to get there, but not sure on QC (Quade Cooper).
.

 

[TOCC]

JOC (James O'Connor) is a natural selection in the back line, change the backline to suit him

 

[ChargerWA]

Don't forget Sam Norton Knight has just signed for the Force!

Stop rubbing it in!

 

[Woodenspoon]

If everyone was fit and at his best, this would be my favourite backline:

9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Barnes
13 Ashley-Cooper
14 O'Connor
15 Beale

Anyway, in the backline posted above several players can play in different positions, it's really important to decide in what position each one gives his best.
Considering that Genia is the best available half-back, Ioane is a wonderful winger and Beale maybe the best fullback in the world, these are the player I wouldn't change at 9, 11 and 15.
Once said that, there can be doubts about the other positions, with pros and cons.
For example:
10: Cooper is unstoppable sometimes, but we know he's not the best for defensive attitude and when he's under psychological pressure he even tends to disappear (see RWC). Barnes is having a good time, but often tends to kick almost every ball, O'Connor could be a good choice, but needs to be more tested , Beale would like to play as fly-half, but he's just perfect with the shirt number 15.
12: McCabe is the best center in defense, but seems to lack the capability to break opposite lines or pass the ball quickly. Barnes could be the best choice, as well as O'Connor (who needs to be tested more at 12 in official competitions, in that case he'd be my first choice)
13: depending on who is number 12, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), McCabe and Fainga'a seem to have the skills to play in that position
14: plenty of choice if everyone is fit. O'Connor, Mitchell, Turner, Shipperley are just the first names that come into my mind

The Wallabys coach who will fix this Rubik's cube, well, he'll make a great favour to australian rugby