RWC Pool D: Wallabies v Fiji, Sat 21st September, 2.45pm AEST, Sapporo Dome

[Viking]

It negates his primary strengths of “breaking away” from the scrum to be dominant as first hit in defence and over the ball.

It makes him more accountable for clearing the ball and running the ball. A bad use of his skill set in my mind.

I don't think this is an issue at all. Hooper is faster at 'breaking away' off the scrum anyway. Pocock can cover the blindside if the attack goes that way.

Line-out really the only issue I can see, and maybe a lack of dominate big-body ball-runners.

 

[Derpus]

I don't think this is an issue at all. Hooper is faster at 'breaking away' off the scrum anyway. Pocock can cover the blindside if the attack goes that way.

Line-out really the only issue I can see, and maybe a lack of dominate big-body ball-runners.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) doesn't bring dominant ball carrying anyway. He suffers from Simmons syndrome where he runs into contact far too upright.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Right, so he's our most experienced number 8 we've got (is this his first 6?)

Question for the backrow aficionados: Does Pocock's job change with no. 6 on his back? Or are we just playing with two 7s and no 6.

Of course it does.

David can obviously play 8, in fact he grew up idolising Bobby Skinstad.

But the roles and responsibilities are different, and to my mind we want David over the ball and being the first person to not only the breakdown, but to be the first contact in defense and he is more likely to win the collision which heightens our chances of a turnover or holding the player up and turning the collision into a maul.

If we haven't learned by now we never will, number 8 is a specialist position and it is to our detriment in constantly retrofitting general backrowers to player there.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I don't think this is an issue at all. Hooper is faster at 'breaking away' off the scrum anyway. Pocock can cover the blindside if the attack goes that way.

Line-out really the only issue I can see, and maybe a lack of dominate big-body ball-runners.

This is a consideration for both "breakways" not just the 7.

David is better on the side of the scrum rather than behind it.

I am happy to let this convo die, as I've said my piece.

I think its clear that the selectors get it, which is why he has been selected at 6 and not 8.

 

[Tex]

in text

Wallabies team to play Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo on Saturday 21 September, 1.45pm JST
1. Scott Sio (59 Tests)
2. Tolu Latu (15 Tests)
3. Allan Ala'alatoa (33 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (21 Tests)
5. Rory Arnold (22 Tests)
6. David Pocock (78 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (95 Tests)
8. Isi Naisarani (4 Tests)
9. Nic White (26 Tests)
10. Christian Lealiifano (22 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (24 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (29 Tests)
13. James O’Connor (48 Tests)
14. Reece Hodge (37 Tests)
15. Kurtley Beale (87 Tests)

Reserves

16. Jordan Uelese (4 Tests)
17. James Slipper (91 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu (106 Tests)
19. Adam Coleman (34 Tests)
20. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (16 Tests)
21. Will Genia (105 Tests)
22. Matt To’omua (47 Tests)
23. Dane Haylett-Petty (33 Tests)

Ripper team. We'll carve them three new ones.

 

[TSR]

[quote="Bobby Sands, post: 1094845, member: 21979"If we haven't learned by now we never will, number 8 is a specialist position and it is to our detriment in constantly retrofitting general backrowers to player there.[/quote]

Although, to be fair, Sam Scott-Young said something very similar to this in 91 and it turned out ok.

 

[Finsbury Girl]

I'm also glad we've chosen Hodge, an out & out winger with pace, to contain Radradra.

Yep, when I think of world class wings, quite a few names come to mind Shane Williams, David Campese, Ben Tune, Jonah Lomu, Reece Hodge

 

[Bobby Sands]

Although, to be fair, Sam Scott-Young said something very similar to this in 91 and it turned out ok.

I think its fairly obvious the benefit of Isa, a genuine 8, has had on our team.

Ie someone who can carry the ball, be lifted in the lineout, clear the scrum while also defending in close to the breakdown. It allows us to get the most benefit of playing two 7s.

This current backrow will work MUCH better than LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Po, Hooper.

 

[KOB1987]

I don't think this is an issue at all. Hooper is faster at 'breaking away' off the scrum anyway. Pocock can cover the blindside if the attack goes that way.

Line-out really the only issue I can see, and maybe a lack of dominate big-body ball-runners.

Logic would suggest that the numbers on their back aren't that representative if the roles they will play. Poey will obviously be the over the baller and Hooper will play a looser game out wide as the ball runner. I'd reckon Poey will be on the open side in defensive scrums to try to monster the breakdown.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Logic would suggest that the numbers on their back aren't that representative if the roles they will play. Poey will obviously be the over the baller and Hooper will play a looser game out wide as the ball runner. I'd reckon Poey will be on the open side in defensive scrums to try to monster the breakdown.

Despite his height, Hooper plays much more like a 6 than David. Something that Bob Dwyer has spoken about at times, as to why they can play together if we found an 8. Which it looks like we might have in Isa.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Fiji had two scrum feeds in the 2015 World Cup match in total. For this match at least, I don't think it will make much difference.

Wales is a different story, and probably a different team

 

[Brumby Runner]

BR might be taken more seriously if he hadn't been screaming conspiracy at every selection for the last 5 years.

Every fan base is as bias as the next, particularly in Aus. Each also tends to think the other is more bias.

D, I appreciate your comment, but I must take exception. I have rarely, if ever, accused the Wallabies setup of conspiracy. Incompetence at the head coach and selections table, yes. It is only now, in light of the treatment being dished out to various in-form Brumbies, Powell, Samu, Kuridrani, Fainga'a, that I have come close to asking wtf is going on.

I invite you, or anyone else, to check my posts over the past RWC cycle, and I'll wager that I have suggested as many players from other teams have been hard done by in team selections as any of the Brumbies. Including, I might add, some Tahs players as well, eg Holloway and Robertson, and on one occasion I recall, Rona.

Almost all of my criticisms over the years have been directed at our failing head coach. No matter how we go at the RWC, and I sincerely hope it is to at least QF, I can't wait to see the back of one Michael Cheika.

 

[Dctarget]

Ahh I'll bite BR:
- They took two halfbacks, White & Genia are both a class above Powell. Nothing to see here.
- Pete Samu fits in to the team where? We already have the Pooper starting.
- Kuridrani is a specialist 13 and JO'C has performed better than him.
- I personally think Uelese is better than both Fainga'a and Latu, but that's just my Melbourne bias. But Latu v FF (Folau Fainga'a) is much of a muchness.

There are some lineball calls, just goes to show that we've got some serious depth.

If AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) had been starting... that'd be a different issue.

 

[TSR]

I think its fairly obvious the benefit of Isa, a genuine 8, has had on our team.

Ie someone who can carry the ball, be lifted in the lineout, clear the scrum while also defending in close to the breakdown. It allows us to get the most benefit of playing two 7s.

This current backrow will work MUCH better than LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Po, Hooper.

It was a joke.

Sam Scott-Young was a controversial omission from the 91 World Cup squad despite a late injury to Tim Gavin. Similar comments were made about the need for a genuine 8. Things turned out okay.

Like most things 91 it has no actual current relevance.

 

[Viking]

Ahh I'll bite BR:
- They took two halfbacks, White & Genia are both a class above Powell. Nothing to see here.
- Pete Samu fits in to the team where? We already have the Pooper starting.
- Kuridrani is a specialist 13 and JO'C has performed better than him.
- I personally think Uelese is better than both Fainga'a and Latu, but that's just my Melbourne bias. But Latu v FF (Folau Fainga'a) is much of a muchness.

There are some lineball calls, just goes to show that we've got some serious depth.

If AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) had been starting. that'd be a different issue.

Phipps over Powell for the Samoa test a surprise selection, don't you think?

I agree with the rest.

Although Fainga probably hard done by given his superb super xv season - probably deserved to start but personally i also like the look of Uelese and even Latu (they just seem harder into contact).

Funny thought: I recall Cheika stating this season Fainga needs to work on his fitness as he was carrying too much weight - that's plan old fat-shaming and might be the reason why he isn't first choice

 

[Adam84]

Kuridrani is also injured

 

[KOB1987]

Phipps over Powell for the Samoa test a surprise selection, don't you think?

I agree with the rest.

Although Fainga probably hard done by given his superb super xv season - probably deserved to start but personally i also like the look of Uelese and even Latu (they just seem harder into contact).

Funny thought: I recall Cheika stating this season Fainga needs to work on his fitness as he was carrying too much weight - that's plan old fat-shaming and might be the reason why he isn't first choice

At the time it probably seemed odd but then it was plausible that Phipps was given a testimonial at Parra in front of a heap if Kings boys before he heads overseas. The reality is that there isn't much between them and Phipps tends to add a lot of impact off the bench, so regardless of the reasoning it was a pretty low risk stance to take. It's still 50/50 as to whether Powell or Phipps will be called up if White or Genia go down.

 

[fatprop]

At the time it probably seemed odd but then it was plausible that Phipps was given a testimonial at Parra in front of a heap if Kings boys before he heads overseas. The reality is that there isn't much between them and Phipps tends to add a lot of impact off the bench, so regardless of the reasoning it was a pretty low risk stance to take. It's still 50/50 as to whether Powell or Phipps will be called up if White or Genia go down.

Yeah, if we needed a 9 to start a test Powell is obvious, but Phipps is better at supplying the energy at the end of matches

 

[fatprop]

Ahh I'll bite BR:

- Kuridrani is a specialist 13 and JO'C has performed better than him.

It is also the reality that our attack is being built around our only real attacking threat, Kerevi, so selection is whoever they think compliments him and that doesn't have be our "best" form 13 (who really needs a ball playing 12)

 

[Derpus]

It's a shame really, because TK is one of the best defensive 13s in the world.