Should Pocock have to earn back his starting spot?

[TOCC]

Being an openside isn't purely about stealing the opposition ball, even more critically it's about securing your own ball...

The Wallabies were dominated by France in this area..

 

[Shiggins]

How many steals did Pocock get at test level this season? I seem to remember a discussion after the Bledisloe Cup encounter where he failed to get any, that he appeared to be losing his impact in that regard this season.

He has only played 4 games this season. One bad game? Not Even a bad game. Just got beat at the breakdown.

 

[Shiggins]

I agree with the idea that hooper needs a rest. He Gould have a blinder off the bench. He will make one hell of an impact in the last 30. Surely he will get 30 if the game pans out right

 

[Shiggins]

this argument is getting Sully. Sorry i meant Silly

couldn't resist.

I think we all need to watch the game and then comment after. It will be an interesting night

 

[Bullrush]

I would play Pocock at 6 and Hooper at 7 going forward. The benefit to both of them playing at the same time would be awesome I reckon. ALthough they both play 7, they do seem to play different styles and for me, Pocock is at flippin' rock who I would have at 6. The enforcer, the Big Boss Man....who could take a steal in a blink of an eye if you put him in a that small box. Hooper has some of the 'hard graft' responsibility taken off him allowing him do carry the ball a bit more, be a bit more loose etc etc.

I think it would be scary......

In saying that, I think Hooper has been able to surprise a few people this year - he's a bit unknown. Like Aaron Smith has been......let's see the form continue into another season.......

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Bullrush, as I've said before, I could live with that combo if we could get a tall bash and barge man as the other back rower who is an option in the lineout. Madness could be that man if he stays fit.

 

[brumsfan]

Shiggins we can't take you seriously if you keep inventing stats.

1) pocock only played 4 games this year, actually Scotland Wales x3 and All Blacks makes 5
2)pocock only played 6 super rugby games, actually he played every minute up to the June tests which would be about 13 games
It's ok to have your favourites but don't make stuff up

 

[mr pls]

Who cares about the wallabies flankers they need to find some decent props

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Bam Bam has comprehensively outplayed the Breadman in every game they have played against as opposite #7s over the last two years. Maybe that is behind Dingo's selections.

I also like the idea that if the experiment doesn't work, he can run Hooper off the bench.

If Hooper has already been replaced, he can't come back on if Bam Bam gets crocked.

 

[Shiggins]

Shiggins we can't take you seriously if you keep inventing stats.

1) pocock only played 4 games this year, actually Scotland Wales x3 and All Blacks makes 5
2)pocock only played 6 super rugby games, actually he played every minute up to the June tests which would be about 13 games
It's ok to have your favourites but don't make stuff up

He barely played 5 games. How early did he get taken off in the first Bledsoe? Anyway 1 off. Be fair. Lol

However he only missed around 3 games in s15. Where do you get all these stats from? I could do with a source

Anyhow it's not even about him being a favourite. He is just a better rugby player, or at least was. We will see if he comes back in full form on sat night.

Point taken though mate

One more thing. How the hell does gill come into these conversations. He is a good player but still well off pocock surely.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Anyhow it's not even about him being a favourite. He is just a better rugby player, or at least was.

That takes the cake. He is porbably one of the most limited players in the first choice team. You could argue and possibly be correct and say that he is a better openside, however he is clearly not a better rugby player. The fact that Hooper has an attacking and linking game, is one of the best defenders in the side and has ability to pilfer shows that. Despite this, Pocock brings qualities to the team that are important enough to see him be picked over Hooper depending on the circumstances.

 

[Shiggins]

That takes the cake. He is porbably one of the most limited players in the first choice team. You could argue and possibly be correct and say that he is a better openside, however he is clearly not a better rugby player. The fact that Hooper has an attacking and linking game, is one of the best defenders in the side and has ability to pilfer shows that. Despite this, Pocock brings qualities to the team that are important enough to see him be picked over Hooper depending on the circumstances.

It's my opinion mate. Hooper is a brilliant defender however I still think poey is better in defence. His running game has come on miles since 2011. Saying he is limited is a joke. Pocock would be a lot of people's first choice in any world 15 when in form.

 

[Train Without a Station]

No he wouldn't. How can you possibly compare him to McCaw? Also, how is it a joke to say he is limited when compared to Moore, Genia, Beale, Ioane, JOC (James O'Connor), etc. Our top 15 players?

Earlier you said he'd hardly played in 2012, now his running game has come on miles in this time. Based on what?

I'm not saying the guy isn't a good player. Just don't be blinded by the muscles and the image and say he is a once in a generation player. He's the heir to Phil Waugh's throne, not George Smith's.

 

[Shiggins]

I admitted to fucking up my "stats". His running game has gotten a hell of a lot better. I think you are underestimating the bloke. Better then Phil. The only reason you wouldn't throw him in with George and co is because its so early in his career.

Oh yeah and fuck mccaw. He can have a shit year and people still lick his ass. For me 2011 wasn't his best year And he still was rated one of the best for the year. Don't get me wrong. I like the bloke. Think he is a great player but just get annoyed at how he is always rated up there. Maybe because he captions the best team every year.

Now all I need is poey to have a shit game tonight.

One more thing. He would be in a lot of people's world 15. Your kidding yourself to say he wouldn't.

Edit: after researching poey shows up in a lot of world 15s written in the press and on forums Over the last 2 years

 

[Ruggo]

Oh we do love to cling onto man love for new opensides. We are just as quick to dump them into the gutter.

They are all fantastic players in their own special way but none as good as George Smith.

Pocock has put the runs on the board but lets wait and see if Hooper can back up his stella 2012 in 2013.

 

[Train Without a Station]

McCaw did have an average 2011. I actually commented that he appeared to be fading, he was not more of a workhorse trucking the ball up quite regularly than showing a lot of class. Than he recoved from injury this year and once again showed the gap between the two players. I fucking hate the bloke with a passion and would love to see him fade away, but it doesn't appear to be happening.

What I'm saying is that George and Phil were different players, each preferred at different times in their career. Pocock plays a similar game to Phil Waugh, however a much more modern version of it. He certainly does not have the skills or running game to be compared to Smith as a player of similar style. Until Pocock can show ability as a playmaker, and running hitting holes regularly, whilst still being one of the best opensides in the world, he cannot be thrown in with Smith.

Just on these World VX's, how many of these were outside of Australia?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The Cock was very good last night and justified his selection. Hooper brings something different though and wouldn't have let us down against the Welsh had he started last night. The two of them together worked OK and maybe that's how we work it from now on. I'm just not sure how yet.

 

[Dave Beat]

They are all fantastic players in their own special way but none as good as George Smith.

Spot on.

I think Poey is better playing the borring, kickink, defensive gave the Dingo is coaching.
I think Hoops is better with the attaching brand that the brumbies played last year.
They each bring something different.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Oh we do love to cling onto man love for new opensides. We are just as quick to dump them into the gutter.

They are all fantastic players in their own special way but none as good as George Smith.

I totally agree and maybe I hold a slight grudge against Pocock because he was picked over Smith, before he actually surpassed the bloke which bothered me greatly.

Couldn't agree with your second statement any more. I think Hooper probably has the best chance to be close to Smith if he continues on from where he is now. A lot can happen over time obviously, but I think he at least does have the potential to reach those heights.

 

[Bowside]

The thing about pocock is that the opposition have to change their whole game-plan to accommodate for him.

Hooper has all the skills around the field and plays the perfect linking game, but in terms of digging in at the breakdown and slowing down ball and making the opposition commit I think pococks the man to play that role.

The other thing to consider is that Hooper is still new on the scene and as such isnt targeted in the same way. 2009/10 Pocock was a lot more effective than he is now because he was allowed to be by the opposition and the referees.

I think it will be 2 more seasons before we can conclusively say one player is better than the other.