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The Wallabies Thread

Getwithme

Cyril Towers (30)
I don't think zero_cool is necessarily rubbishing those high level players but more so trying to show that even though they are some of the best we have they still have some big holes to their game.
 

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
I don't think zero_cool is necessarily rubbishing those high level players but more so trying to show that even though they are some of the best we have they still have some big holes to their game.

Yeah, I don't think so. I've been around here, and other similar places, long enough to know the form.
But enough from me.
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Obviously that reporter for the Guardian hasn’t been keeping an eye on how many steals Creevy has been getting for the Jaguares a game. The art of pilfering has not been written out of the game, Pocock will hopefully adapt.


Sure if Pocock hangs back and waits for the cut tackle of isolated units he can still get turnovers

It is Pocock's ability to tackle slide to his feet and attack the ball that is being negated by the rule change along with the time to execute being less

He will adapt, but he has to change as well. No 7 is getting the turnovers they used to
 

Zero_Cool

Arch Winning (36)
I don't think zero_cool is necessarily rubbishing those high level players but more so trying to show that even though they are some of the best we have they still have some big holes to their game.

I think it's a case of 'if you're not with me you're against me'.
 

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
Sure if Pocock hangs back and waits for the cut tackle of isolated units he can still get turnovers

It is Pocock's ability to tackle slide to his feet and attack the ball that is being negated by the rule change along with the time to execute being less

He will adapt, but he has to change as well. No 7 is getting the turnovers they used to
Agree but I think the game has been heading this way for a while with the amount of turnovers Pocock and others were getting as the tackler reduced somewhat when they started emphasising that the tackler has to give a clear release a few years back. Since then the best players over the ball have started getting more turnovers by positioning themselves on the outside of the tackler and hopping on the ball after the tackler has gone low.

On a side note I’m not a great fan of the continued crack down on the pilfer. Maybe in 7s you might want the game to be more up tempo but to me pilfering is an art form and the ability to turnover the ball in the tackle contest is what separates us from League.
 

Zero_Cool

Arch Winning (36)
On a side note I’m not a great fan of the continued crack down on the pilfer. Maybe in 7s you might want the game to be more up tempo but to me pilfering is an art form and the ability to turnover the ball in the tackle contest is what separates us from League.


I largely agree, but I think the rules need to be such that they are easy to enforce, this is probably the biggest issue we are having with Rugby at the moment, we have all these wonderful rules (probably drafted by lawyers or something). There is clearly little if any consideration given to how hard are these going to be to officiated.

I think the knock down laws are a good example of this.
 

Scrubber2050

Mark Ella (57)
Yeah man it's all about the English. They have no breakdown specialist and it was painfully exposed in the RWC and in the past 6 nations. Robshaw is a 6.5. Too small to be a 6 and a bit too shit to be a 7. Tinfoil hat stuff, though, really.

I think Pocock will probably do fine over the ball.

Thank Goodness for your positive thoughts that Poey will do well over the ball.

That's about as guaranteed as daylight tomorrow.

I can go to bed with kind thoughts !
 

KOB1987

John Eales (66)
One option at 6 might be one of the locks, and I do still remember the Garrick Morgan fiasco.

And that was indeed a fiasco but there are locks who are well suited to the gig - Fardy was one, Hanigan is emerging as one, and then there's Tui & Timani, and even someone like Matt Philip.
 

Zero_Cool

Arch Winning (36)
And that was indeed a fiasco but there are locks who are well suited to the gig - Fardy was one, Hanigan is emerging as one, and then there's Tui & Timani, and even someone like Matt Philip.

Honestly, I felt like last year did more damage to Hanigans development than the good it did. He should have been playing NRC.
He might be ready towards the end of the season but I Timu and Tui are closer to being Wallaby ready.

Timani has yet to do anything to justify his continuous selection he can have moments of amazement but generally has been very poor.

I'm not sure about Matt Philip yet, but he could be an option.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
I think Hanigan has started the season pretty strongly. He is playing a more physical game than he played last year.

Tui is Wallaby ready on the basis that he played well at lock for the Wallabies last season.

He hasn't played a game yet this season though and has lots of competition at lock if everyone is healthy. It's hard to see him getting a chance at 6 for the Reds so Cheika would need to be light on options to unleash him there in June in my opinion. Far more likely to see Hanigan, Timu or Dempsey starting in the backrow in my opinion.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
Is he a disappointment or is he just not that amazing as a rugby player?

I think he's a guy who has had some patches of excellent form but his general standard isn't that great. His biggest asset has always been how hard he can hit in defence but he's never been an outstanding ball runner, he's generally got poor handling which makes him average in the lineout and not a good ball player in attack.

He's big and athletic looking so people assume he should be awesome. I just don't think he is or ever will be.
 
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