The Kiwi Back 3

[Aussie D]

i think siti is so slow he should move into the centres (like others before him..umaga, bunce) then he could replace conrad smith who as a white guy in abs backline looks out of place and scruffy and lets face it hes a lawyer by training so heds had a good run anyway and he does need the money...plus over the past few years hes missed a bunch of tackles anyway

that leaves (if all being fit) and on 2012 form dagg, toeava, jane/gear

but for this weekend - gear gets his chance, mils will get another chance and maybe jane a second shot

if i was an aussie i would be praying for this back 3: brent ward, ben smith, keiran crowley (91 world cup joke)

For a second there I read "put Mils at centre" instead of Sivi (getting old I know) and had a huge smile across my face at the thought of the All Blacks moving a fullback to centre for a third time in a World Cup after the obvious success stories of Cullen and McDonald. Could you ask Henry to try it? I am sure it would work this time....

 

[undercoverkiwi]

Our best back three (IMO) is Mils, Sivi and Jane. Mils speaks for himself, Jane is excellent in the air (covers fullback), has a great fend, underestimated gas and the odd bit of Wilson-esque magic (see try v France EOYT 2009). Has never put a foto wrong for the All Blacks. Sivi is our "freak" player, capable of magic, but also capable of being caught out on D.

Dagg would be next cab off the rank (if fit) but as a 15, isn't really a tested winger.

Hosea Gear is a S15 bully, IMO. He was excellent on the EOYT last year (against shithouse NH teams) but lacks the finesse needed for serious tests and will be dealt with by as strong defence. Should make the RWC30 though, and will be given chances to show he's up to 3N quality.

Toeava is the dark horse and ideal man to wear 22 cause covers 15 and centres (at a pinch). Was in awesome form pre injury in S15 but not sure he can recapture it with limited opportunities bertween now and busienss end of RWC.

Guildford is not up to it. Isn't as fast as he looks, gets into strife and runs sideways a lot, does dumb shit like ineffectual grubbers and no-look passes to no-one. Should be axed now to avoid wasting caps that other guys need to get up to speed.

Kahui can cover wing adequately and also is a centre, making him a better RWC squad option than Guildford (when not injured - i.e. hardly ever).

Let's not forget Ben Smith who would make an excellent squad player. I'm a big fan (Highlander), has deceptive pace and a bit of Conrad Smith's under-stated old-school ability about him. Would pick him ahead of Guildford, who if you haven't worked out, I don't rate. At all.

Thanks

 

[Braveheart.]

I think the back three match-up between the AB's and the Wallabies this weekend is one of the more tantalising.

Sivivatu, Gear & Mils vs Beale, JOC (James O'Connor) & Ioane.

That match-up is right up there with Qquade vs Carter and Richie vs Bam Bam

 

[Bullrush]

I think the back three match-up between the AB's and the Wallabies this weekend is one of the more tantalising.

Sivivatu, Gear & Mils vs Beale, JOC (James O'Connor) & Ioane.

That match-up is right up there with Qquade vs Carter and Richie vs Bam Bam

Watching Carter make the second most tackles in the team last week to go with his 7 runs and 2 linebreaks was simply beuatiful. IMO Quade will never be in Carters class unless he can show the same committment in the tackle..

 

[tblackadder]

Aussie D

re fullback to centres

Well obviously macdonald didnt work (and abs have tried plenty of rubbish centres in the past decade...yes maherhofler... i am looking at u.....) but cullen was fine...in that year in 99 he won the tri nations game for us in SA and we didnt lose against the french becuase of him.....though maybe he positional play against the french in the semi would have been better than wilsons......

 

[Ruggo]

Watching Carter make the second most tackles in the team last week to go with his 7 runs and 2 linebreaks was simply beuatiful. IMO Quade will never be in Carters class unless he can show the same committment in the tackle..

I don't disagree with what you are saying but to put it into perspective, Quade has been on the winning side of the last three clashes between these two and 4 of the last 5. Rugby is a team sport and they both happen to play in a position crucial to the function of the team.

 

[Athilnaur]

Doubt Quade will ever show Carter's skill in defense, but for all his silky skills Carter does not match the freakish distribution and linebreaking skills of Quade imo. Carter wins as the complete player of a traditional 10, but in terms of value on the park to Aussie I'd tip it to Quade. Doubt Quade would have been trusted in an AB side tho. Carlos burnt them and as the ultimate percentages team, they won't afford it.

 

[Bullrush]

I don't disagree with what you are saying but to put it into perspective, Quade has been on the winning side of the last three clashes between these two and 4 of the last 5. Rugby is a team sport and they both happen to play in a position crucial to the function of the team.

Agree. That's what make me so nervous about the Wallabies - I think they have the firepower and x-factor (in the backs at least) to stun the All Blacks. And Quade is a huge part of that.

My comment was more in relation to the one-on-one match-up of QC (Quade Cooper) v Carter. Carter isn't flashy like QC (Quade Cooper) but he I think he is almost as potent on attack. And in defense, QC (Quade Cooper) doesn't even come close - as the Boks match last week highlighted. I mean, did you see how many tackles DC made? I'll take Carter over Quade every day of the week.

 

[Ruggo]

Carter is a real thinking mans footballer and a great general for his side. I have huge respect for him. As a complete flyhalf in a more traditional sense, Johnny Wilkinson is the only player I put around his level. One thing where you have a massive advantage over us is that you have a better chance of replicating Carter in his absense through Colin Slade. If we lose Quade, we are in trouble and will have to seriously re design how we play. I think this explains to some extent why his coaches treat him like a protected species in defense.

Quade is maturing with experience and controls play better than previous years but Quade the athlete just blows my mind. For Carter to hold that defensive load and still have an impact in attack is a measure of the quallity of him.

 

[Bullrush]

Carter is a real thinking mans footballer and a great general for his side. I have huge respect for him. As a complete flyhalf in a more traditional sense, Johnny Wilkinson is the only player I put around his level. One thing where you have a massive advantage over us is that you have a better chance of replicating Carter in his absense through Colin Slade. If we lose Quade, we are in trouble and will have to seriously re design how we play. I think this explains to some extent why his coaches treat him like a protected species in defense.

Quade is maturing with experience and controls play better than previous years but Quade the athlete just blows my mind. For Carter to hold that defensive load and still have an impact in attack is a measure of the quallity of him.

Quade's defense is pretty much the only thing that keeps him from being regarded in the same class as Carter. Some of the s**t he pulls out is just ridiculous - it's like he's still playing touch with the neighbourhood kids on the street after school.

The thing about his tackling is this - he doesn't need to be a Pocock or even a Wilkinson but it is so unbelievable pathetic at times that I find it almost disrespectful to the game.

 

[Sully]

I think we will hear about Quade's tackling his entire career. On our podcast Matt Taylor said that he was a better side on tackler than front on. He believe more suited to cover defend than in the line. He also said that all aspect of his defence had improved.

 

[tblackadder]

back to the topic

after re watching some 2010 bledisloe games...and seeing how many tries jane created (and after last week) i cant believe they included siti the tugboat over him...

 

[DPK]

The thing about his tackling is this - he doesn't need to be a Pocock or even a Wilkinson but it is so unbelievable pathetic at times that I find it almost disrespectful to the game.

I've dished out my fair share of criticism about Quade Cooper, but I think this is a little extreme, Br.

 

[tblackadder]

although as a kiwi i would like to see sonny bill have a go one on one running at cooper....all the talk about his defence really has a life of its own and hasnt adjusted to his improved D in super 15 this year

as sully menetioned the bit from queensland D coach on the podcast was excellent about quade..

 

[disco]

Quade was no worse than Carlos Spencer or Andrew Mehrtens in defence there was never a mention of them disrespecting the game.

 

[mark_s]

back to the topic

after re watching some 2010 bledisloe games...and seeing how many tries jane created (and after last week) i cant believe they included siti the tugboat over him...

I for one am very happy Jane is out. He has hurt us often.

 

[I like to watch]

although as a kiwi i would like to see sonny bill have a go one on one running at cooper....all the talk about his defence really has a life of its own and hasnt adjusted to his improved D in super 15 this year

as sully menetioned the bit from queensland D coach on the podcast was excellent about quade..

I don't think his "D" has improved at all, the difference is that the Reds defence was able to hide him. If the Wobblies can replicate this (and it appears that is the plan) then whether or not he can/will tackle is a moot point.
Lets hope the AB's can't find a way to expose him or we are in big trouble for the RWC

 

[Bullrush]

Quade was no worse than Carlos Spencer or Andrew Mehrtens in defence there was never a mention of them disrespecting the game.

Quade is FAR worse than both these blokes were.

 

[ChargerWA]

Either way, as a Wallabies fan I love your back 3.

 

[Bullrush]

Either way, as a Wallabies fan I love your back 3.

I hate it....but Beale is becoming one of my favourite players.....