The Wallabies Thread

[Scrubber2050]

To me, the position of starting half (Genia) and bench half (Phipps) is the biggest gap in the whole team.

In nearly all other positions the second in line is not that far behind the starter.

Genia has certainly regained his form over the last 12 months or so.

 

[TOCC]

Phipps has his strengths as a halfback, I just don’t think they are suited to test match rugby.


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[Derpus]

Phipps has his strengths as a halfback, I just don’t think they are suited to test match rugby.


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He's definitely not good enough to be in the first fifteen regularly. He's perfectly suited to the bench spot, however. I think more-so than some of his direct competition. Over 20 minutes his speed and energy is unmatched and it really ramps up the pressure in attack on a tiring opposition defense, even accounting for his inaccuracy. I think that's why he has been selected on the bench in nearly every test this year, despite an indifferent Super season.

 

[TOCC]

I think he has good energy, but it comes at the expense of composure. His passing can be fractionally faster, however it’s also more erratic, and his decision making at the base of the ruck is a bit more high risk then Genia.

If the Wallabies are winning by a whisker with 20mins remaining, you keep Genia on.

If Wallabies are losing and need a boost to the tempo, throw Phipps on.




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[Derpus]

I think he has good energy, but it comes at the expense of composure. His passing can be fractionally faster, however it’s also more erratic, and his decision making at the base of the ruck is a bit more high risk then Genia.

If the Wallabies are winning by a whisker with 20mins remaining, you keep Genia on.

If Wallabies are losing and need a boost to the tempo, throw Phipps on.




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Who's going to have more composure though? a knackered Genia struggling to get to the ruck or a fresh Phipps?

 

[TOCC]

IMO.. Genia


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[Braveheart81]

It also depends on the game situation and how much the player has done. Genia played the 80 against Wales and was arguably our best player but I'd guess on the GPS tracker he did less running than he might in 65 minutes of some games.

He was fresh enough to get through the 80 with good energy still at the end.

In this sort of form particularly, he is miles ahead of our other options.

I think at this point Phipps is a better bench option than Powell because of the reasons already stated. I also think that we could see big change next year with some of the younger guys leapfrogging both of them. I think that if Cheika thought Joe Powell was likely to be a long term prospect he would have been given a lot more opportunity this year.

 

[Derpus]

I guess an example of the opposite, BH, would be the Scotland game. Was tight and Genia stayed on till the end and he was absolutely useless by the final whistle. Completely wiped out.

 

[Tomikin]

It also depends on the game situation and how much the player has done. Genia played the 80 against Wales and was arguably our best player but I'd guess on the GPS tracker he did less running than he might in 65 minutes of some games.

He was fresh enough to get through the 80 with good energy still at the end.

In this sort of form particularly, he is miles ahead of our other options.

I think at this point Phipps is a better bench option than Powell because of the reasons already stated. I also think that we could see big change next year with some of the younger guys leapfrogging both of them. I think that if Cheika thought Joe Powell was likely to be a long term prospect he would have been given a lot more opportunity this year.

Chekia picked Powell early and I think he sees something there.. Larkham and Gregan have said, he needs to work on, his pass.. I think Powell will do well and play a lot of games.. His young give him a chance to grow.. We all forget last year he was suppose to be on the bench at the Brumbies.. Although there's some good 9's around..

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[TSR]

I assume that the fact Cheika leaves Genia out there as long as he can shows he too lacks confidence in our back ups. It’ll be interesting if he sticks with them next year or starts to bring others into the fold.

I’ve always though Phipps could have been one of our best ever half backs except for one flaw in his game. Unfortunately that flaw just happens to be his most important job.

 

[Froggy]

I really don't think Powell is at test level yet, hasn't showed much in his brief appearances, and I thought in the Brumbies semi-final he looked to battle with decision-making under pressure (the same can be said for Gordon imo).
We have a number of potentially good young halves, in addition to the two above there is Louwrens, Ruru and Tuttle (who I particularly like). I think they are all a bit short of international standard yet, but with Genia and Phipps both 29, there are great opportunities for all of them, particularly post 2019.
Having said all that, I think the most composed half under pressure at the moment excluding the two incumbents is Lucas, although most of those younger blokes probably have more potential. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him grab the top job at the Brumbies next year over Powell.

 

[Up the Guts]

I’ve always though Phipps could have been one of our best ever half backs

Have you ever seen an Australian halfback throw a boot as far though? It's an element of his game that often gets overlooked.

 

[TSR]

Have you ever seen an Australian halfback throw a boot as far though? It's an element of his game that often gets overlooked.

Indeed. Can put a hit on a trainer too.

 

[Tomikin]

Have you ever seen an Australian halfback throw a boot as far though? It's an element of his game that often gets overlooked.

Problem is he hit our dug out not there's

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[Slim 293]

I really don't think Powell is at test level yet, hasn't showed much in his brief appearances, and I thought in the Brumbies semi-final he looked to battle with decision-making under pressure (the same can be said for Gordon imo).
We have a number of potentially good young halves, in addition to the two above there is Louwrens, Ruru and Tuttle (who I particularly like). I think they are all a bit short of international standard yet, but with Genia and Phipps both 29, there are great opportunities for all of them, particularly post 2019.
Having said all that, I think the most composed half under pressure at the moment excluding the two incumbents is Lucas, although most of those younger blokes probably have more potential. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him grab the top job at the Brumbies next year over Powell.

Powell hasn't really had many opportunities with the Wallabies this year........ the most game time was probably against Japan and he did fine.

As for Lucas, I would have to completely disagree.......... I'm not sure if it was a great signing by the Brumbies, and they should be playing Powell and Lonergan ahead of him.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Slim, I think Ryan Lonergan has quite a bit of development to go before he is a Super quiality player. Can't see him leap-frogging Lucas next year, but I surely would like to see either of Louwren or Ruru brought into the side.

 

[Brumbieman]

Few fantasy suggestions there, although I agree the depth building, especially in some critical forward positions is excellent - notably locks and 6. 8 remains an issue although obviously Naisarani is a huge prospect.
Gill - is OS and not gonna be back in the short term. If you're gonna include a player like that, what about To'omua?
George Smith - I doubt we will see him get picked in a Test squad going forward, despite still playing at a very high level. Just cannot see it happening.
You have some backs in multiple positions which again, I cannot really see being considered. Notably Folau at 13, Paia'aua at 13.
And I agree with upthereds#! about the 9 options. Lonergan and Tuttle would be long shots I reckon, as well.

George Smith could be 4 ludes deep and still be the best 7 in Australia. Wash out your mouth!

 

[RoffsChoice]

We've seen the 9 debate in New Zealand over the last three years, where Hansen pretty explicitly said that he was picking Kerr-Barlow on the bench instead of Perenara because he expected 80 from his starter and would use the bench if he needed something different. This has changed in 2017, and now he uses the bench more often and is picking Perenara as a reserve.

If it's Genia or bust (as it is at the moment), then Phipps is probably the best bench option because we can throw him on to change the game. If one of our other scrumhalves comes good, then it is worth considering them, but, as it stands, none of them are near the level of Genia.

 

[cyclopath]

George Smith could be 4 ludes deep and still be the best 7 in Australia. Wash out your mouth!

Yeah, nah, he has been an awesome player, still very good, but given that they are looking forward, he won't get picked at his age. It's called reality.

 

[TOCC]

G.Smith argument might be a bit different If we didn't have Hooper and McMahon in the squad currently and Pocock returning in 2018.