T
trophyhunter
Guest
So does everyone think sacking Deans and replacing him with someone else at this stage, would improve our RWC hopes, or make them worse?
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Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Good post cyclo. You agree with me. 
I'm not sure how easily fixed those problems are. Pick different forwards, I suppose.
So, I mostly agree with you that there are no easy answers. Except I think Chiz and Brown are lost causes and not worth developing, so we're wasting time when people like Simmons and Douglas should be playing. And most of us wanted to see Rocky at 8, etc, etc.
I'm not sure how easily fixed those problems are. Pick different forwards, I suppose.
So, I mostly agree with you that there are no easy answers. Except I think Chiz and Brown are lost causes and not worth developing, so we're wasting time when people like Simmons and Douglas should be playing. And most of us wanted to see Rocky at 8, etc, etc.
Good post cyclo. You agree with me.
I'm not sure how easily fixed those problems are. Pick different forwards, I suppose.
So, I mostly agree with you that there are no easy answers. Except I think Chiz and Brown are lost causes and not worth developing, so we're wasting time when people like Simmons and Douglas should be playing. And most of us wanted to see Rocky at 8, etc, etc.
Yeah, I agree that Chis and Brown have been well test-driven, and should be returned to the showroom, but as second hand, not demos. Puzzled as to why Van went, then was essentially unused.
The prop thing is a bit beyond me. I am a bit old school - I reckon we should have a good scrumming front row, then work on the rest. If the other 5 do their stuff properly, do we need seagulling ball players in 1-3? Hence I wondered out loud if the Pot-Plant Palmer should be getting looked at, as well as Slipper more. Al Baxter, but I really don't want to have that argument again. The hookers are fine, if fit. The good replacement scrumming hookers at at home. Add Salad Fingers to the used car allotment. Or get him some protein shakes.
Nobody can really answer for Giteau the Cancerian Crab. But who has really stuck their mitt up and said, "Pick me, FFS, I'll go hard, tackle till I die and under no circumstances crab across field"?
You are agreeable enough, Scarfy!
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Scarfie, here is mine:
1) The list was about the best scrumagers, wasn't it. Not necessarily the best props. There is no doubt in my mind that the two Bens are the best we have when in form. Slipper is quickly proving the next best, and Ma'afu proved vs Munster that he isn't too bad either.
2) He is only good as a bench player IMO
3) Deans should be trying Simmons on the is tour, or even Van
4) I'm happy to have him there at the moment. He can move to 12 later. A type of 'project player'. And if he is going to kick during the RWC he needs to practice that responsibility.
5) Yep yep yep. Although I don't recall any other Wallaby coach ever dropping Giteau, so Deans isn't alone here.
However this doesn't have to go down the path of the climate change debate, where we have Deans alarmists (haters) and Deans deniers (defenders). There is a lot of grey in between the black and white, and it doesn't all come down to one person.
1) The list was about the best scrumagers, wasn't it. Not necessarily the best props. There is no doubt in my mind that the two Bens are the best we have when in form. Slipper is quickly proving the next best, and Ma'afu proved vs Munster that he isn't too bad either.
2) He is only good as a bench player IMO
3) Deans should be trying Simmons on the is tour, or even Van
4) I'm happy to have him there at the moment. He can move to 12 later. A type of 'project player'. And if he is going to kick during the RWC he needs to practice that responsibility.
5) Yep yep yep. Although I don't recall any other Wallaby coach ever dropping Giteau, so Deans isn't alone here.
However this doesn't have to go down the path of the climate change debate, where we have Deans alarmists (haters) and Deans deniers (defenders). There is a lot of grey in between the black and white, and it doesn't all come down to one person.
disco
Chilla Wilson (44)
I don't know why this team is so up & down from week to week but our defence is so poor under Deans & now Blake it's just embarrassing. How can Quade Cooper be so piss poor at tackling & he is showing no signs of improvement if anything he's gone backwards on this EOYT.
If Deans wants Cooper at 15 then he needs to stack the backline with bigger bodies & that would mean dropping Giteau, JOC (James O'Connor) & Drew Mitchell for better defenders which would mean bringing in Ioane,Turner or Hynes for the wing & playing centres like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Ioane, Fainga'a, Inman, Chambers & Horne.
If Deans wants Cooper at 15 then he needs to stack the backline with bigger bodies & that would mean dropping Giteau, JOC (James O'Connor) & Drew Mitchell for better defenders which would mean bringing in Ioane,Turner or Hynes for the wing & playing centres like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Ioane, Fainga'a, Inman, Chambers & Horne.
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
A good new coach could make a positive impact on our World Cup hopes, but finding such a person is the issue. After his (relative) success building on the work of Mooney for QLD, Link looks like he could do a similar job and build on the work of Deans et al for the Wallabies BUT I have no idea of his contractual obligations with QLD etc. There are excellent and experienced coaches out there, but they just might not be available.
My conclusion the last time this was discussed was that Deans has a contract, so let him see it out. The other 'potential' coaches may not be available, and there is no guarantee (especially given the time available) that they would perform better at the World Cup than Deans. After the World Cup Deans will have two options: 1. A job for life (if we win) or 2. Thanks for your excellent work, we won't be needing your services any more (if we don't).
In the meantime he should (like the players) be given whatever resources he needs to do his job - be that facilities, critical appraisal, support staff etc.
Joe Mac
Arch Winning (36)
Haggard, so what you are really saying is;
21 Years ago, the NZRU genetically created the ultimate fly-half with the mother being Mrs Cooper. They then relocate Quade Cooper wonder kid to Australia. To develop as the future Wallaby. just in-case he becomes patriotic to his new country they give him a genetic deformity which makes sure that no matter how good he gets offensively- he cant tackle shit.
They then place a Kiwi as the head coach in RD who on game day will move all his defenders away from QC (Quade Cooper)'s defensive channel so the AB's can run straight thru and finally win a second WC.
You should write a letter to JO'N about this conspiracy. I can see it unfolding before my eye's
21 Years ago, the NZRU genetically created the ultimate fly-half with the mother being Mrs Cooper. They then relocate Quade Cooper wonder kid to Australia. To develop as the future Wallaby. just in-case he becomes patriotic to his new country they give him a genetic deformity which makes sure that no matter how good he gets offensively- he cant tackle shit.
They then place a Kiwi as the head coach in RD who on game day will move all his defenders away from QC (Quade Cooper)'s defensive channel so the AB's can run straight thru and finally win a second WC.
You should write a letter to JO'N about this conspiracy. I can see it unfolding before my eye's
Who hasn't had decent run? I believe it's just Weekes (one season of S14) and Baxter (the prop refs love to hate)
Slipper is starting this weekend, Ma'afood has come a long way in his first season.
And the replacement would be....
McCalman? We're seeing what he hasn't got to offer
Higgers? Not even playing 6 well at the moment, despite queenslander fantasies
Isn't the other criticism of Deans that he hasn't kept enough experience in the team, which is why pensioner Van should be getting a start? I love this flip-flopping.
Surely it's about balance. We have a small inexperienced pack on this tour, how many more rookies do you want to cram in?
Simmons gets a start this weekend, which seems about right to me
And what a disaster he was in Honkers, or the other matches he scored those tries in.
This is more about who's at 12. With a rookie at 10, and young blokes just about everywhere else, Gits - rightly or wrongly - takes 90 caps with him when he walks out.
As has been established elsewhere, JOC (James O'Connor) is a freakish man-beater....it's about keeping the balance of raw talent and experience on the pitch at once. This balance is, and will shift as the raw talent gains more experience
See above
What else ya got?
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
Indeed it is...in limited time thus far he hasn't grabbed that chance. Not really a criticism of him, but an observation.
The list was best scrummagers.
Test selection is always a compromise and Deans wants a balance between scrummaging ability and play/mobility around the field.
That is, he doesn't want two pot plants who scrum well, but drop the ball and leak tries because they lack mobility
Epi
Dave Cowper (27)
Did someone say I like Giteau at 12? Or anywhere at the moment to be honest?
You can see how little penetration or dominance in the tackle we have in the midfield at the moment.
I'm hoping Ant or Chambers become an option in this position before the RWC.
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
In answer to the question, RWC - What Universe:
The Wallaby Team for the 2011 RWC Final.
1. Benn Robinson (having won the s15 with the Waratahs, Fatcat has his mojo back)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (now enjoys the nickname "Dead Eye" for his immaculate lineout throwing)
3. Ben Alexander (unlucky to be on the losing side of the all-Australian s15 final, but enjoyed playing the whole season at tight head)
4. James Horwill (has been uninjured for a now record time)
5. Nathan Sharpe (still on fire, having led the Force to its best ever super season)
6. Rocky Elsom (now know as "Silvertongue" for the way he has refs eating out of his hand)
7. David Pocock (just as awesome in 2011 as 2010)
8. Wycliff Palu (back to kicking ass and taking names)
9. Will Genia (turns out he played the whole 2010 international season with a broken leg)
10. Quade Cooper (the amazing turn around in his defence has all teams deliberately avoiding his impregnable defensive channel)
11. Digby Ioane (Lazarus has risen!)
12. James O'Connor (we all knew this was his real position - Dingo was just fucking with us!)
13. Stirling Mortlock (Rod McQueen has rebuilt him bigger faster and meaner than ever)
14. Drew Mitchell (top try scorer in Super rugby - a shoe in)
15. Kurtley Beale (the moustache is out of control but we don't care - he rocks!)
16. Stephen Moore (this legend would start for any other nation)
17. James Slipper (it turns out Dingo was right about this guy, and what a 2011 he has had so far)
18. Dean Mumm (would like to thank Phil Waugh for the testicle transplant - now a man among men)
19. Matt Hodgson (another great season playing across the back row)
20. Luke Burgess (passing like a dream all year)
21. Berrick Barnes (Mr Dependable. Mr Versatility. Mr soon to be a world cup winner)
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper (as well as all backiline positions, he has added flanker to his repertoire)
Special mention to squad members who have also played their part in this sucessful march to the RWC final: Lachlan Turner, Al Baxter, Will Chambers, Rob Simmons, Christian Lealifano, Pat McCabe, Pat McCutcheon, Leroy Houston
The Wallaby Team for the 2011 RWC Final.
1. Benn Robinson (having won the s15 with the Waratahs, Fatcat has his mojo back)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (now enjoys the nickname "Dead Eye" for his immaculate lineout throwing)
3. Ben Alexander (unlucky to be on the losing side of the all-Australian s15 final, but enjoyed playing the whole season at tight head)
4. James Horwill (has been uninjured for a now record time)
5. Nathan Sharpe (still on fire, having led the Force to its best ever super season)
6. Rocky Elsom (now know as "Silvertongue" for the way he has refs eating out of his hand)
7. David Pocock (just as awesome in 2011 as 2010)
8. Wycliff Palu (back to kicking ass and taking names)
9. Will Genia (turns out he played the whole 2010 international season with a broken leg)
10. Quade Cooper (the amazing turn around in his defence has all teams deliberately avoiding his impregnable defensive channel)
11. Digby Ioane (Lazarus has risen!)
12. James O'Connor (we all knew this was his real position - Dingo was just fucking with us!)
13. Stirling Mortlock (Rod McQueen has rebuilt him bigger faster and meaner than ever)
14. Drew Mitchell (top try scorer in Super rugby - a shoe in)
15. Kurtley Beale (the moustache is out of control but we don't care - he rocks!)
16. Stephen Moore (this legend would start for any other nation)
17. James Slipper (it turns out Dingo was right about this guy, and what a 2011 he has had so far)
18. Dean Mumm (would like to thank Phil Waugh for the testicle transplant - now a man among men)
19. Matt Hodgson (another great season playing across the back row)
20. Luke Burgess (passing like a dream all year)
21. Berrick Barnes (Mr Dependable. Mr Versatility. Mr soon to be a world cup winner)
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper (as well as all backiline positions, he has added flanker to his repertoire)
Special mention to squad members who have also played their part in this sucessful march to the RWC final: Lachlan Turner, Al Baxter, Will Chambers, Rob Simmons, Christian Lealifano, Pat McCabe, Pat McCutcheon, Leroy Houston
C
centreman
Guest
Despite Robbie Deans poor record there is no way JON will sack him this close to a world cup. The only way he would go is if he fell on his sword and resigned.
The comments of Bullrush are interesting about the 2003 world cup where he was the AB's assistant coach and maybe the NZRU had a bit more inside information than JON when they passed him over for the AB's job.
I agree with a previous post about some of the gibberish he spouts at press conferences and I have also heard him speak at a rugby club lunch. Typical is his a quote in the SMH after the England game that ' they play closer to the ground over here'. What the hell does that mean? Its over my head and maybe what he is saying to the players is going over their heads as well.
The comments of Bullrush are interesting about the 2003 world cup where he was the AB's assistant coach and maybe the NZRU had a bit more inside information than JON when they passed him over for the AB's job.
I agree with a previous post about some of the gibberish he spouts at press conferences and I have also heard him speak at a rugby club lunch. Typical is his a quote in the SMH after the England game that ' they play closer to the ground over here'. What the hell does that mean? Its over my head and maybe what he is saying to the players is going over their heads as well.
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