at the role Cheika wants the 6 to play in a backrow with McMahon & Hooper?
Higgers has very little impact through the middle in either defence or attack, that isn't his game
The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
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at the role Cheika wants the 6 to play in a backrow with McMahon & Hooper?
Higgers has very little impact through the middle in either defence or attack, that isn't his game
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
I think he probably wouldn't combine extremely well with Hooper and McMahon, but most likely for different reasons than you might think that to be the case. IMO Hooper and McMahon are too alike to form a basis for an exceptional back row, perhaps no matter who the third member happens to be. Like Pocock, I think McMahon should be directly competing with Hooper for the No 7 spot. I am aware of your viewpoint that there is no-one else to fill the No 8 spot, particularly, so Pocock is best placed there. I hold the view that the coaching effort should have been put into Timani when he showed promise in the position on the EOYT so that he became or remained a viable option. Combined with that, he should have been playing No 8 at the Rebels, not stuck in the second row where the demands of that position seemed to drain his energy levels and hence his impact with ball in hand. I don't believe his defense has ever slacked off substantially and when he hits he hits hard. It is not too late to retrieve the situation for Timani if the coaching staff are prepared to put the effort and time into developing him as they would want to see him play. The benefits down the track could be immense. Failing all that, however, I do think that a backrow of Higgers at 6, Hooper at 7 and McMahon at 8 would perform better as a unit and as individuals than one containing Hanigan at 6. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I firmly believe Ned wouldn't have had much tme at 6 for the Tahs this year had Dempsey not been injured and missed virtually the whole of the Super Rugby season. There has been understandably a lot of dismay in the supporter base at his selection in the Wallabies and now in the continued support by Cheika for his inclusion.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
FP, it might be argued that it is Hanigan's game, but it is hard to argue that he is effective at it.
and I would happily see someone who can actually fulfill that role better.
It seems clear to me that the first to two selected this season will be Hooper and McMahon. So the question simply is who can fulfill a role that balances out that backrow
It would be fantastic to have someone who can actually do those individual efforts Hanigan gets through at a higher quality, I just don't see many actual options.
Proud Pig
Tom Lawton (22)
The discussion is basically a discussion around Cheika's priorities. He wants his Backs to be purely attack focused and is willing to ignore their defensive frailties. However, he wants his forwards to be defense focused. McMahon, Hanigan and Hooper are all defensively efficient. They make a lot of tackles and miss very few, they have a high work rate in defense and will offer a full 80 minutes if required. McMahon and Hooper are also strong ball runners with Hooper better in broken play and McMahon capable of bending the line. Hanigan is unfortunately a bit of a liability in attack offering very little and when he does get involved he often seems to get the contact wrong making it difficult for the clean out. Higgers will not be the sort of player that Cheika wants as while he is not bad defensively he is not a high energy defender who will make a lot of tackles. I think when Pocock comes back we will see a back three of McMahon at 6, Hooper at 7 with Pocock at 8.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
I said that would be a bad combo, but also no, I don't think it would be any worse then a Dempsey/Mcmahon/Hooper or a Korczyk/Mcmahon/Hooper
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Invite you to have a look at Matt Philip's recent NRC games. While he has been playing Lock, he is almost identical to Scott Fardy in size, and plays a very hard game. And while it might be a jump from NRC to Wallabies, he also had a very strong Super Rugby season with the Force. He is a year or two older than Hanigan/Dempsey and has a bit more experience at Super Rugby level. He has the pace to play No 6, a good ability to break tackles and imposes himself in contact the way we want to see our No 6 play. I have no doubt he would offer significantly more than Hanigan does, and would be more impactful that Dempsey who I rate much higher than Ned in any case. EDIT : forgot to mention, he is most capable in the lineout also, often being the go to jumper for the Spirit/Force.
Cheika is already copping shit around here for cross training Tua as a 6, but it would be Ok to bring a guy from outside the squad to play that spot?
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T
TOCC
Guest
Do you not like the idea because I and one other on here voiced an opinion against swapping Tui, or because its not Cheika who proposed it?
weve been saying for months Philip should be in the squad
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Do you really believe Cheika is seriously considering Tui at 6? I think pigs might fly. Even if so, and I have a suspicion Tui would make a good fist of it, Philip has been around the rugby traps a bit longer than Tui and has more experience playing at Super level. It's not his fault that he hasn't been elevated by Cheika while less experienced and less effective players like Hanigan, Dempsey, Tui and Rodda have been brought through. Don't get me wrong, Rodda will be up to the task at Wallaby level as has been fairly obvious since he starred at the U20s level. Tui also looks to have the potential to get there, while I think Dempsey has a lot more to offer than Ned Hanigan. But imo Philip is a class act and has the skills to really make his mark at 6 if given a chance.
EDIT : actually I haven't seen a lot of shit flying around about the possibility of Tui pulling on the No 6 jersey at all. All of the criticism of Cheika seems to relate to his perseverence with Hanigan. Would you care to enlighten us?
T
TOCC
Guest
I believe his comment was in reference to me, I said I don't want Tui playing at 6, and my reasons for that are that I believe it's a fleeting desire from Cheika without any longevity in the concept, he is 20yrs old and still learning the technicalities of lock, for his own personal benefit I believe it would serve him best to focus on the development of his primary position rather then experimenting in different roles and positions, especially at test level.
Edit: my mistake, he turned 21 yesterday
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Edit: my mistake, he turned 21 yesterday
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Killer
Cyril Towers (30)
BTW, both Phillip's and RHP have good motors, like Hanigan, and often played the full 80 for the Force.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
I guess Matt Philip's best chances of recognition will be if he signs with the Tahs for next year. Always a big possibility as he hails from there afaIk.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
For starters Wamb, Hunt plays 15 for the Reds and debuted at No 12 for the Wallabies, DHP played 15 for the Force and debuted at wing for the Wallabies. Probably many more, maybe one of our best in Mortlock. Has been known to happen.
And Hunt played most of the year being foil in the line for Cooper and defending there; and in France through to finals, while DHP played a load of wing at the Force and in France in past years.
Even Folau started off as a wing in tests
Most of these guys are good enough to play multiple positions and have to at the start of their careers as it makes them better bench options at higher levels
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Fuck this shit gets boring