The Wallabies Thread

[fatprop]

Slipper, TPN , Kepu
Coleman, Rodda
Dempsey/Higgers, Poey, Hoops

16. Uelese 17. Sio 18. Ala'alatoa 19. Tui/Arnold 20. Hanigan/Dempsey/Higgers/Timu

 

[Brumby Runner]

Timu aside, wish we had a few more 6/8's hitting some form. Wallabies are going up against a phenomenal Irish backrow and we won't even have McMahon.

It's not enough to have one player doing okay. We need multiple options in each position.

How do we solve this? If Timu is 8 we can't play the Pooper or we will never win a lineout again. We could play RHP at 6 with Pocock/Hooper rotating starting and bench 7. But i'm not really convinced a third second rower will really cut the mustard.

Dempsey may be an option. Big injury to get over though. Despite Higgers poor performances for the Wallabies historically, he may be in simply because we have no better options.

My money though, is on Hanigan to start at 6 again.

I reckon you will be right on the money Derpus, although I would like to see changes. I don't want to see the Pooper any more. Select one and at best run the other off the bench. Right now, that would be Hooper in the side and Poey to prove his form and fitness to be considered later. Back to his best, I would start Pocock at 7 and bring Hooper into the game later on, but we really don't yet know if Dave will regain the sort of form that made him one of the best in the world.

Similarly, we have to see if Dempsey regains his form and fitness in time. If so, I'd have him over Hanigan any day of the week. Either one of RHP or Cottrill could be developed as a 6 to complement a 7 and 8 of Hooper/Pocock and Timu. But if we arelooking at a 6/lock, then Philip would be my selection.

 

[fatprop]

The challenge is we will see the "Pooper" if they are fit. They are the best two backrowers we have by miles. We aren't going to leave either languishing on the bench

Care just needs to be taken with who will take that third spot and who replaces them

 

[Derpus]

The challenge is we will see the "Pooper" if they are fit. They are the best two backrowers we have by miles. We aren't going to leave either languishing on the bench

Care just needs to be taken with who will take that third spot and who replaces them

Whatever happened to the 'finishers' rhetoric. A bench spot is still pretty important, they just have slightly less time to have an impact on the game.

 

[fatprop]

Whatever happened to the 'finishers' rhetoric. A bench spot is still pretty important, they just have slightly less time to have an impact on the game.

You replace the 3 front rowers, one lock and one backrower. I expect Pocock and Hooper to be budgeted for near 80 minutes each match

 

[Scrubber2050]

Slipper, TPN , Kepu
Coleman, Rodda
Dempsey/Higgers, Poey, Hoops

16. Uelese 17. Sio 18. Ala'alatoa 19. Tui/Arnold 20. Hanigan/Dempsey/Higgers/Timu

Based on form I reckon pretty spot on (except Poey's form to date is zero)

 

[Derpus]

Based on form I reckon pretty spot on (except Poey's form to date is zero)

Unless 10 minutes and a red card counts, so is Higgers.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Unless 10 minutes and a red card counts, so is Higgers.

Higgers had form all last year and June Tests too... Plus he came off the bench against the Stormers and was as good as could be expected in such a short period of time.

 

[KOB1987]

Dempsey’s current form is slightly below pocock amd higgers combined as well


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[Braveheart81]

It will be better for your mental health if you move on mate. I just can't it happening again.

He got a chance last year on the back of good Super Rugby form and didn't show a compelling reason that time should be invested in him ahead of younger players heading towards the next RWC.

It's even less likely to happen again this year. The only thing that has changed is the RWC is one year closer and Higgers is one year older.

 

[Up the Guts]

Similarly, we have to see if Dempsey regains his form and fitness in time. If so, I'd have him over Hanigan any day of the week. Either one of RHP or Cottrill could be developed as a 6 to complement a 7 and 8 of Hooper/Pocock and Timu. But if we arelooking at a 6/lock, then Philip would be my selection.

Tui was coming on for the Wallabies as sub at lock last year but wasn't he also being touted as a potential at 6? If so another possible combination that hasn't really been mentioned is 6. Tui 7. Hooper 8. Dempsey or if Dempsey is not fit 6. Tui 7. Hooper 8. Pocock/Timu.

 

[Derpus]

If Dempsey is fit he should play at 6 because he is an actual 6. Not an openside or second rower playing out of position a la Pocock/Mumm/Hanigan. A proper blind side flanker.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Tui was coming on for the Wallabies as sub at lock last year but wasn't he also being touted as a potential at 6? If so another possible combination that hasn't really been mentioned is 6. Tui 7. Hooper 8. Dempsey or if Dempsey is not fit 6. Tui 7. Hooper 8. Pocock/Timu.

I think if we are judging on ability only it's Hooper who takes the back seat to Pocock not Pocock taking the back seat. Plus Hooper would be a lot more damaging off the bench than Hooper. Throwing the capitancy into the mix obviously you'd select Hooper but he's going to be under some serious pressure for his spot. (Although I've never been on the side of Hooper being a good capitan by any stretch of the imagination.)

I do like Tui at 6. I didn't really think about Timu and Tui in the same side.
What about 6) Tui 7) Pocock 8) Timu? (Although, I accept it's not likely to happen unless Hooper is injured or Cheika has a stroke or something!)

 

[Zero_Cool]

If Dempsey is fit he should play at 6 because he is an actual 6. Not an openside or second rower playing out of position a la Pocock/Mumm/Hanigan. A proper blind side flanker.

The problem with this is that by selecting both Pocock and Hooper you need to then select a semi-lock at 6. The only real way to have Pocock and Hooper work in my option is by selecting someone like Tui at 6 (maybe Timu, just someone who can win contact... a lot of contact).

I'd like us to get away from playing some fucked up back row but Cheika's not going to do it, he has some kind of love affair with Hooper despite most people agreeing (on previous form at least) Pocock is the better player and better leader. With Pocock being the best player with have and Hooper being the Captain we can't not start them both. (Also does anyone know what position Hooper really plays?)

 

[Scrubber2050]

Unless 10 minutes and a red card counts, so is Higgers.

I think now a total of about 39 minutes

 

[Derpus]

The problem with this is that by selecting both Pocock and Hooper you need to then select a semi-lock at 6. The only real way to have Pocock and Hooper work in my option is by selecting someone like Tui at 6 (maybe Timu, just someone who can win contact. a lot of contact).

I'd like us to get away from playing some fucked up back row but Cheika's not going to do it, he has some kind of love affair with Hooper despite most people agreeing (on previous form at least) Pocock is the better player and better leader. With Pocock being the best player with have and Hooper being the Captain we can't not start them both. (Also does anyone know what position Hooper really plays?)

Stop trollin' bro

 

[Braveheart81]

Plus Hooper would be a lot more damaging off the bench than Hooper.

I'm not sure I agree. The pilferer coming off the bench seems to regularly have an immediate and substantial impact.

They're getting an opportunity to go up against tiring players who are getting less effective with their cleanouts.

One of Hooper's best attributes is his fitness allows him to play at the rate he does for 80 minutes but I'm not sure he'd be able to dial that up if he only came on with half an hour to go.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I disagree. Primarily the thing we need most with Pocock and Hooper as the other backrows is a lineout technician. That is definitely a strength for Hanigan.

Aside from that he has excellent workrate.

The thing that has to improve immensely from his 2017 test form is his accuracy at the breakdown. He missed too many cleanouts last year primarily because he was too close to the tackled player to be able to make an effective hit.




Coleman, Rodda, Arnold, Tui and Philip seem like a clear top 5 to me. Douglas is playing pretty well too but I see those first five guys filling the spots. We've finally got some good depth there with well rounded players.

Simmo now playing for the Tahs. He probably will be the first lock picked and Coleman must be a front runner for the other spot.

 

[Derpus]

 

[Zero_Cool]

I'm not sure I agree. The pilferer coming off the bench seems to regularly have an immediate and substantial impact.

They're getting an opportunity to go up against tiring players who are getting less effective with their cleanouts.

One of Hooper's best attributes is his fitness allows him to play at the rate he does for 80 minutes but I'm not sure he'd be able to dial that up if he only came on with half an hour to go.

I do take your point on the pilfer, but I think the Wallabies at the moment are in some kind of all out attack mode (just look at who they were selecting in the backline (you might score 20 but we'll score 30!). If that's the case Hooper's extra speed would be much more valuable. My only issue with Hooper is he doesn't (not that he couldn't) get over the ball anymore, I'm quite sure he could if that's how he wanted/needed/was asked to play but for whatever reason he doesn't. But if it's late game pilfering you want Hooper could do that too -- he just doesn't right now.

I see Hooper as being a crash ball center playing as a forward. Pocock is a real 7. Who's going to give you more points against tired legs.