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tranquility
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To be honest, I think he will struggle to keep his place in the 22... Quirk is too good to be missing out.
The Wallabies problem positions: Discussion thread.
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GaffaCHinO
Peter Sullivan (51)
I think the macalman hate is alittle over the top the bloke is still very young and seeing him in the waratahs game he looks a lot bigger this year and made a huge impact off the bench. The bloke is being used as abit of a scape goat I feel for the world cup and the way he played it's not his fault deans is a dick and played him at 7 he gave it his all I think he still has plenty to offer the gold jersey
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The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
I agree totally that lock, blindside and eight are problematic for us. I would pick Pyle to partner Horwill, he's the form lock in Australia right now. Higgers at 6 is looking increasingly to be the obvious choice and I agree with others that Rocky is cooked. I could forgive him being given every chance in a RWC year, especially when others weren't sufficiently advancing their cases to replace him. Now, however, the game has moved past him and he may not even play this domestic season. Time to move on.
Hardest is eight I think. I said last year some time that I reckon the concept of Cliffy at test level is often better than the reality. I don't think we get enough value out him when you consider the potential. On that basis, his position in the team would be far from assured. Of the other candidates, I feel Mowen looks to be the strongest. The move to the Brumbies has been good for his footy and he seems to be a better player under Jake White this year. He'd be my candidate.
Hardest is eight I think. I said last year some time that I reckon the concept of Cliffy at test level is often better than the reality. I don't think we get enough value out him when you consider the potential. On that basis, his position in the team would be far from assured. Of the other candidates, I feel Mowen looks to be the strongest. The move to the Brumbies has been good for his footy and he seems to be a better player under Jake White this year. He'd be my candidate.
Your use of the past tense is quite apt, CWA. Samo had a stellar year in 2011 but it's all downhill from there. Unfortunately, age has wearied him.
fit, he is the best 8 we have
he is fit, if he stays fit, he will be selected. Samo has been terrible this season, Mowen is a tradesman, he would do the job, but he doesn't offer that special something you want from an 8, unless it is workrate to cover for say Higgers ranging wide.
Locks, Horwill & Sharpe then daylight. Simmons has too much of the "Mumm" shortcuts about him, the rest (Douglas, Pyle, Jones) well they aren't test standard yet, they neither physically dominate moving rucks consistently or boss a lineout, they work hard but are not yet test players.
6? I wouldn't write Elsom off just yet, if he is fit and stays fit he is the best 6 we have. Otherwise you have the outwide runner or the tradesman (Higgers or Dennis) a fit Elsom does both those roles. The smokey could be Luke Jones, he like Dennis & Elsom look proper, hard-working 6s
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Absolutely. As I noted elsewhere, he's looking and playing like he's mentally retired. As an aside, every Reds player that played the full Reds season to S15 GF, and then played the full Wallaby program, look jaded in 2012.
thierry dusautoir
Alan Cameron (40)
You could easily have higgers and dennis/mowen in the same team as all threee can play both 8 and 6 i wouldnt mind starting mowen with dennis on the bench as a lock flanker substitution.
I believe sharpe is retired intenrationally but even if he isnt we need to choosea ne wlock for the future. I would be happy with Pyle, Jones or Douglas but on form i would say pyle but if we ar elookign for a lock that doesnt mind getting his hands dirty its not not him....fardy fits this mould but i think he needs to nail that brumbies psot down a little bette rbefore we choose him.
I believe sharpe is retired intenrationally but even if he isnt we need to choosea ne wlock for the future. I would be happy with Pyle, Jones or Douglas but on form i would say pyle but if we ar elookign for a lock that doesnt mind getting his hands dirty its not not him....fardy fits this mould but i think he needs to nail that brumbies psot down a little bette rbefore we choose him.
I don't think it's so much that everyone is using McCalman as a scape goat. I agree with you that McCalman is looking pretty good this year and has looked good in Super rugby in the past.
It is more the fact that he is a good example that being a good super rugby player and then getting a substantial opportunity for the Wallabies doesn't guarantee that you are going to become a dominant international player. I was a big fan of him as a Wallaby at the start because he was much better than Richard Brown, but he never really went much further than that.
He was cited as an example to point out that putting Vaea in the test side on promise in the hope he is an absolute world beater in two years isn't guaranteed to succeed.
Troy
Jim Clark (26)
Ther's a lot of love for Palu going round for good reason, but for everyone pimping him, can you honestly say you'd expect him to play the full international season without injury?
Who would you put in 8 when Cliffy is injured?
Some players play at another level when in gold. Look at AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) last year, bearly average at the Brums but played well in gold!
Who would you put in 8 when Cliffy is injured?
Some players play at another level when in gold. Look at AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) last year, bearly average at the Brums but played well in gold!
I don't expect any player to play the whole season, but when fit (or nearly fit) you pick Palu. Even if it is for his ability to take crap ball off the back of the scrum and hold off two or three until support gets there.
Troy
Jim Clark (26)
Thanks FP - I get that, I'm trying to get a feel of who would be no 2 behind Palu..and don't say daylight ..
JimboJoe1006
Chris McKivat (8)
I thought there was a common consensus on these forums after the WC that Australia's selection mindset should change from less 'development' based to picking to best XV for each game.
Australia's supporters seem to love the idea that any young player who has "potential" will become 'world-class' when given a year or two of test rugby. Simple as: give young guns a test season and without a doubt they will become just as good as there NZ counterparts. This view seems to be continued despite being seen time and time again that it doesn't work like this and the best way to beat NZ to put out your best team for that match.
"I believe sharpe is retired intenrationally but even if he isnt we need to choosea ne wlock for the future". No we don't. Force the younger players to lift their game and earn their place, this will be better for them and the team.
Thus, in regards to your question:
5 should be (in order) Sharpe, S.Timani, Pyle
6 should be (in order) Dennis, Hinningbotham, Elsom/Mowen
8 should be (in order) Palu, McCalman, Vaea
Australia's supporters seem to love the idea that any young player who has "potential" will become 'world-class' when given a year or two of test rugby. Simple as: give young guns a test season and without a doubt they will become just as good as there NZ counterparts. This view seems to be continued despite being seen time and time again that it doesn't work like this and the best way to beat NZ to put out your best team for that match.
"I believe sharpe is retired intenrationally but even if he isnt we need to choosea ne wlock for the future". No we don't. Force the younger players to lift their game and earn their place, this will be better for them and the team.
Thus, in regards to your question:
5 should be (in order) Sharpe, S.Timani, Pyle
6 should be (in order) Dennis, Hinningbotham, Elsom/Mowen
8 should be (in order) Palu, McCalman, Vaea
I thought Elsom's 15 minutes against the Rebels were pretty good.
He tried to make as many tackles as possible and get involved. It was obviously only a teaser of what his form might be like when he plays more minutes, so it will be get to see him get more of an opportunity.
He is going to have to do a lot to edge ahead of Dennis, Higginbotham or Mowen though.
He tried to make as many tackles as possible and get involved. It was obviously only a teaser of what his form might be like when he plays more minutes, so it will be get to see him get more of an opportunity.
He is going to have to do a lot to edge ahead of Dennis, Higginbotham or Mowen though.
I am also pretty sure that it was announced that Sharpe was retiring from international rugby however I'd be highly surprised if he'd say no to getting a spot in the starting 15 for any of the June tests if asked.
On current form, it would make sense to pick him.
Pyle, Douglas and Timani are the next in line after that in my opinion. I think all of them have pushed ahead of Simmons this season. I don't think Simmons has excelled enough at test rugby to be considered an incumbent worth retaining despite average form.
On current form, it would make sense to pick him.
Pyle, Douglas and Timani are the next in line after that in my opinion. I think all of them have pushed ahead of Simmons this season. I don't think Simmons has excelled enough at test rugby to be considered an incumbent worth retaining despite average form.
W
What2040
Guest
think Samo is done at the Reds at least for a run on spot - best is a bench position unless more injuries occur
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I think we got the player to cover 6 and 8, Mowen, Higgers, Rocky, Vaea, All good candidates, all are "nearly there" or "just past it", im sure one will step up to the plate..
Of more concern right now is the flyhalf issue. JOC (James O'Connor) and Cooper are out.
Barnes? I feel he doesnt offer enough, doesnt seem to spark a backline (especially if McCabe is at 12.. that would be one boring/predictable backline)
Beale? Not sure he is up to it, doesnt seem to be able to control a game at flyhalf, and IMO too much irradic gameplay (which often works as its unpredictable, but it usually doesnt eg chip kicks)
Lealifano? becoming better this year, but not sure he is up to it... probably my first pick up (yeh im a brumbies fan - yes bias but honest about it)
Of more concern right now is the flyhalf issue. JOC (James O'Connor) and Cooper are out.
Barnes? I feel he doesnt offer enough, doesnt seem to spark a backline (especially if McCabe is at 12.. that would be one boring/predictable backline)
Beale? Not sure he is up to it, doesnt seem to be able to control a game at flyhalf, and IMO too much irradic gameplay (which often works as its unpredictable, but it usually doesnt eg chip kicks)
Lealifano? becoming better this year, but not sure he is up to it... probably my first pick up (yeh im a brumbies fan - yes bias but honest about it)
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