Richo
John Thornett (49)
I don't think Deans is biased towards the Waratahs, I just think he is a shit selector.
Now that I can agree with!
I don't think Deans is biased towards the Waratahs, I just think he is a shit selector.
Now that I can agree with!
I think you're putting this stuff into isolation too much. Palmer is injured, so who is the prop left out because Kepu was selected? If Deans wanted a lock/6 to train with the squad, then it makes sense to pick Dennis -- who was the alternative? Timani over Douglas does not support your Waratah favouritism argument. As for your postulation about Hooper, you might well be right but again I don't think that has anything to do with him being a Waratah and everything to do with the style in which he plays. Hooper wasn't even a Waratah until this season and last year he was the best player for the Wallabies so I'm not sure how his selection over Gill would constitute Tah bias.
Folau over Mogg is probably the closest to 50-50, but I'm not sure how that is Waratah favouritism. If anything, it's "the-ARU-just-spent-$450k-on-a-bloke-itism" and the broader interest of the code in retaining Folau into the future.
Alexander has been pretty shoddy at THP though. Great around the park, but weak in the scrum. I'm not sure Kepu is on the right side of a 50-50, who's the other side? Holmes, Sio, or someone else? Palmer is injured, if he's fit he'll be one of the final six.
Dunno if you've run yer eye over my posts, Scotty, but in my opinion (only watched rugby for 48 years, that's all) Smith and Gill are better scavengers than Hooper while Hooper's better with ball in hand. Not that Hooper's crap attacking the ball or Gill can't run with it, I reckon one's a bit better when his team's defending while the other's a bit better on attack. Hooper's try on Saturday night when Smith tried to get to him sorta summed up my judgement.
If I was selecting this squad I'd pick one of Smith or Gill and start with that player. For mine, Hooper's perfectly skilled to come on some time in the second half. There was no way Hooper was in a 50-50 contest with Gill, Michael was a definite (he is the incumbent 7 after all); Gill was a 50-50 against Smith. Now, who would you pick, Smith or Gill?
How many code hoppers can you name that have gone to the Tahs and received large ARU top ups straight away? How many for all the other teams?
I honestly couldn't give a fuck which team Wallaby players emanate from, as long as they're the best fit for the Australian team in their position.
AND I would've waited until it was clearer if Hugh was ready for action.
Wendell Sailor at the Reds. Andrew Walker at the Brumbies. Willie Carne at the Reds. Peter Ryan at the Brumbies. A-handful-I-can't-be-bothered-looking-up at the Rebels.
How many players have Queensland pinched from other provinces over the years? How 'bout you get off your high Red horse, Scotty? I honestly couldn't give a fuck which team Wallaby players emanate from, as long as they're the best fit for the Australian team in their position. I didn't complain one bit when watching a team with 14 from Queensland and one from New South Wales wearing green and gold. Did you?
Speaking of bias, can someone explain to me how in the hell S. Finger keeps getting Wallaby caps? It has to be some sort of bias because he certainly isn't test quality...
Speaking of bias, can someone explain to me how in the hell S. Finger keeps getting Wallaby caps? It has to be some sort of bias because he certainly isn't test quality...
Hansen, clearly.