Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Lindommer; oh come on, I recall you blaming the 2007 WC performance on the amount of Reds in the side! In reality, we all know it was because of the high amount of Tahs.
Regards to Timani: I am amused at the sudden "rock-shifter" descriptions. Most of his cleanouts were no more accurate than Simmons vs Scotland and in the first Welsh test. The highlights sort of failed to pick up how often he was standing midfield and standing in tight. Bit concerned about how many of our chosen forward pack like to be midfield. (Oh, and the two missed tackles were plain, both being near the start.)
More seriously:
For a huge imposing lock, Timani failed to impose himself physically on the game - compare to say Brad Thorn, who has a much smaller frame yet imposed himself more physically in the tackle and rucks. Yes, the cleanouts were mostly accurate (and it's not the hardest with a decent body height - which is a credit to Timani - with that frame), but they, and the tackles, were hardly punishing like is being inferred. The offloads are a plus for a second rower, but by any means if you're selecting a second rower mainly because he can run over people and give offloads, then you're selecting a second rower for the wrong reason.
The concern is why they called Palu in the lineout (and fluffed it royally) over Timani.
Am I being too hard a marker? Probably. But Timani currently isn't a test lock, just like Horne currently isn't a test 13. The fact that we are selecting both of them is probably a statement of both our current depth in those positions, and Deans favourites. The fact that it's really only Tahs supporters justifying their selections (with other supporters picking varoius other players) tells the story of how contentious it is.
Does the high amount of Tahs starting concern me? Yes, especially as most of them weren't in top form. (And once again, note the province that all the supporters are from defending the high amount of Tahs, when they accuse the accusers of provincialism, for those with a sense of irony, or ironing for Slim.) Say what you will about the Tahs coaching staff, but if those 8 starting Tahs in the Wallaby side were performing this year for the Tahs, their win-loss record would be better. In saying that, most of their selections were justifiable, but it doesn't mean that it does not worry me.
And AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)? Wouldn't be in my team at fullback with McCabe and Horne as centres (although in the first test AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) made me eat my words as he actually passed a few times). In terms of width and ability to spread the ball, the Wallaby backline from the first two tests is one of the worst in my memory, and if we play it in the TRC I doubt we'll score enough points to win a game against SA or NZ.
Regards to Timani: I am amused at the sudden "rock-shifter" descriptions. Most of his cleanouts were no more accurate than Simmons vs Scotland and in the first Welsh test. The highlights sort of failed to pick up how often he was standing midfield and standing in tight. Bit concerned about how many of our chosen forward pack like to be midfield. (Oh, and the two missed tackles were plain, both being near the start.)
More seriously:
For a huge imposing lock, Timani failed to impose himself physically on the game - compare to say Brad Thorn, who has a much smaller frame yet imposed himself more physically in the tackle and rucks. Yes, the cleanouts were mostly accurate (and it's not the hardest with a decent body height - which is a credit to Timani - with that frame), but they, and the tackles, were hardly punishing like is being inferred. The offloads are a plus for a second rower, but by any means if you're selecting a second rower mainly because he can run over people and give offloads, then you're selecting a second rower for the wrong reason.
The concern is why they called Palu in the lineout (and fluffed it royally) over Timani.
Am I being too hard a marker? Probably. But Timani currently isn't a test lock, just like Horne currently isn't a test 13. The fact that we are selecting both of them is probably a statement of both our current depth in those positions, and Deans favourites. The fact that it's really only Tahs supporters justifying their selections (with other supporters picking varoius other players) tells the story of how contentious it is.
Does the high amount of Tahs starting concern me? Yes, especially as most of them weren't in top form. (And once again, note the province that all the supporters are from defending the high amount of Tahs, when they accuse the accusers of provincialism, for those with a sense of irony, or ironing for Slim.) Say what you will about the Tahs coaching staff, but if those 8 starting Tahs in the Wallaby side were performing this year for the Tahs, their win-loss record would be better. In saying that, most of their selections were justifiable, but it doesn't mean that it does not worry me.
And AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)? Wouldn't be in my team at fullback with McCabe and Horne as centres (although in the first test AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) made me eat my words as he actually passed a few times). In terms of width and ability to spread the ball, the Wallaby backline from the first two tests is one of the worst in my memory, and if we play it in the TRC I doubt we'll score enough points to win a game against SA or NZ.
