Super Rugby AU Round 6 Rebels v Brumbies, 7.05pm Leichhardt Oval, Friday 7th August

[mst]

Muirhead would be probably pushing for a place where guaranteed starting wing position and in fairness probably warranted as he is super rugby quality - but assume would chase overseas dollars.

Good fullback option possible even a Conrad Smith type 13. Runs, kicks and defends well. Should be selected ahead of Banks and TK right now IMHO. Performs every time he gets an opportunity. Not surprised he would look elsewhere.

 

[mst]

There were a few passages of play by the Brumbies prior to the Koroibete try in the first half where I thought they were about to take control the match, but they just kept shooting themselves in the foot and then I buried my head into a Four Pillars martini...

I’m glad we have the bye next week.

I wonder when Lolesio and Neville are back?

Kuenzle always seems to be stationery when he receives the ball.

Whole back line is static. One big point of difference comparable to past issues is Simone had stopped taking on the line again. Not sure if this is to compensate for new 10's.

With a continually anonymous 13, a 12 that has defaulted to playing like a 10, 10s that are new and are struggling to get any support or options to work with, a 15 the kicks almost everything and forwards that don't run more than a few meters (Slipper being the exception) there is not much to threaten any defence atm aside from getting lucky with a winger in space to use the jets or using the maul.

Experiment I would like to see is 10:Hansen, 12:Kuenzle, 13:Simone, 15:Muirhead

 

[Up the Guts]

Play Wright at 13

 

[Brumby Runner]

Whole back line is static. One big point of difference comparable to past issues is Simone had stopped taking on the line again. Not sure if this is to compensate for new 10's.

With a continually anonymous 13, a 12 that has defaulted to playing like a 10, 10s that are new and are struggling to get any support or options to work with, a 15 the kicks almost everything and forwards that don't run more than a few meters (Slipper being the exception) there is not much to threaten any defence atm aside from getting lucky with a winger in space to use the jets or using the maul.

Experiment I would like to see is 10:Hansen, 12:Kuenzle, 13:Simone, 15:Muirhead

Based on his time on the field against the Rebels, I'd have to disagree on playing Mack at 10. He looked lost most of the time and when he took the line on he was mostly pushed back further than where he started. I see him as a 15 primarily who can fill in on the wing when necessary.

Bayley Keunzle looked and played a lot better at 10 in the trials and against the Reds. In those games he did hit the line and made at least a few line breaks. He played deeper against the Rebels and essentially just transferred the ball along the line. I reckon it would have to be the game plan. I wouldn't discard him yet at 10, but otoh it might also be an opportunity to let Pasitoa see some action.

I think we missed Tom Wright and James Slipper against the Rebels, and that we have been missing a seasoned lock since Neville went down injured. His return will add some polish and attacking flair to the forwards pack. I'd again like to see Slipper take the bench THP spot with Lloyd continuing to cover LHP.

Tom Banks is sorely out of form, while Kata has not been as menacing as before his injury. It's a pity Brown is out of the country, and I hope he can make it back for later games as I rate him as a No 7. In the meantime, Miller offers a more traditional 7 game than Cusack.

Hopefully, a week's rest will set them up for a stronger performance at home against the Tahs. Should be a cracker of a match if the Brumbies can regain their early form.

 

[Rebels3]

I think Hanson looks like an out and out 15, Kuenzle looks like he could be a good 12. Both obviously good enough to do a ‘job’ at 10 but really surprised to see Pasitoa hasn’t been looked at. Fully expecting White to come into the side in the coming weeks and Brums playing a lot from 9.

 

[Uh huh]

Hansen has to start at 10.

As I was the only poster advocating for Lolesio ahead of Kuenzle before the start of this season, I trust my opinion will be recognised as the authority it clearly is.

Time to bench Kuridrani as well. There's a wealth of choice at 13 with Ikitau, Wright and Muirhead all strong contenders.

 

[Uh huh]

I'd like to see this line-up against the Waratahs:
9. Lonergan
10. Hansen
11. Wright
12. Simone
13. Ikitau
14. Kata
15. Muirhead

21. Powell
22. Kuenzle
23. I'm resisting the urge to put George Morseu.... Banks I guess?

 

[Braveheart81]

I'd like to see this line-up against the Waratahs:
9. Lonergan
10. Hansen
11. Wright
12. Simone
13. Ikitau
14. Kata
15. Muirhead

21. Powell
22. Kuenzle
23. I'm resisting the urge to put George Morseu.. Banks I guess?

Well, I sure hope you guys start to panic and ditch half your starting players.

 

[Uh huh]

It's an experimental competition, with a bunch of terrible new rules and no real title at stake, so what better opportunity to advocate for all the exciting young players I've been wanting to see on the pitch for the past year?

 

[dru]

It's an experimental competition, with a bunch of terrible new rules and no real title at stake, so what better opportunity to advocate for all the exciting young players I've been wanting to see on the pitch for the past year?

What a lot of tosh.

 

[Uh huh]

Ok, a title of a similar level of importance to the ARC.

 

[KevinO]

Ok, a title of a similar level of importance to the ARC.

Well it's still a title that all 5 teams are aiming to win, all would want the trophy in the cabinet at the end.

 

[Uh huh]

Yeah look I'm sure that's true. As a fan though, I'll honestly be quietly miffed if the Brumbies win this, having not managed a proper Super Rugby title since 2004 and with the Vikings losing three NRC finals!

Given the silly rule variations, I see this comp as the sort of T20 cricket of rugby, and all I really want is to see some fun rugby and some exciting young players, and that definitely makes Mack Hansen the obvious choice at 10. He's played three games off the bench for a total of maybe 80 minutes and is equal top of the comp for defenders beaten.

 

[hifflepiff]

Yeah look I'm sure that's true. As a fan though, I'll honestly be quietly miffed if the Brumbies win this, having not managed a proper Super Rugby title since 2004 and with the Vikings losing three NRC finals!

Given the silly rule variations, I see this comp as the sort of T20 cricket of rugby, and all I really want is to see some fun rugby and some exciting young players, and that definitely makes Mack Hansen the obvious choice at 10. He's played three games off the bench for a total of maybe 80 minutes and is equal top of the comp for defenders beaten.

Hansen is a great fullback, and a below average 10.

Banks is playing pretty terribly at the moment, give him a go at 15.

If Kuenzle's out, give Pasitoa a go at 5/8th

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah look I'm sure that's true. As a fan though, I'll honestly be quietly miffed if the Brumbies win this, having not managed a proper Super Rugby title since 2004 and with the Vikings losing three NRC finals!

Given the silly rule variations, I see this comp as the sort of T20 cricket of rugby, and all I really want is to see some fun rugby and some exciting young players, and that definitely makes Mack Hansen the obvious choice at 10. He's played three games off the bench for a total of maybe 80 minutes and is equal top of the comp for defenders beaten.

I wouldn't be advocating such radical changes myself, but if it were to happen I'd much prefer to see Mack at 15 with Pasitoa at 10. All of Hanson's beaten defenders came when he was playing either wing or fullback. He looked completely out of sorts at 10 on the weekend.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Hansen has to start at 10.

As I was the only poster advocating for Lolesio ahead of Kuenzle before the start of this season, I trust my opinion will be recognised as the authority it clearly is.

Time to bench Kuridrani as well. There's a wealth of choice at 13 with Ikitau, Wright and Muirhead all strong contenders.

Not sure that your memory is reliable Uh huh. I seem to recall that I was the only one advocating Keunzle to start ahead of Lolesio in the early part of the season. I remember being outnumbered in the Keunzle v Lolesio debate.

 

[Derpus]

Not sure that your memory is reliable Uh huh. I seem to recall that I was the only one advocating Keunzle to start ahead of Lolesio in the early part of the season. I remember being outnumbered in the Keunzle v Lolesio debate.

Kuenzle doesnt seem like a 10 to me. His first instinct is always to run.

 

[Uh huh]

Not sure that your memory is reliable Uh huh. I seem to recall that I was the only one advocating Keunzle to start ahead of Lolesio in the early part of the season. I remember being outnumbered in the Keunzle v Lolesio debate.

It probably just felt like that because of the overpowering might of my argument.

On Hansen, he's a 10 who has had to play a few games in the outside backs off the bench because of a logjam of options ahead of him. He should be given more than 30 mins off the bench in a team that's being thrashed in the rain.

 

[Brumby Runner]

It probably just felt like that because of the overpowering might of my argument.

On Hansen, he's a 10 who has had to play a few games in the outside backs off the bench because of a logjam of options ahead of him. He should be given more than 30 mins off the bench in a team that's being thrashed in the rain.

You say he is a 10. But doesn't he predominantly play 15 at the Eagles?

 

[Braveheart81]

Mack Hansen also played 15 for the Under 20s team in 2018.

It would seem he's predominantly a 15 who can play 10.