The Wallabies Thread

Brumby Runner · Apr 14, 2016

If Cheika continues with Pocock at 8, then Holloway would be the ideal bench cover for 6 and 8. With his size, skills and line breaking ability, he could be anything if given the chance. We really do have to move on from some of the workhorses who haven't delivered at the top level, ie against the ABs in the recent past. I would place Ben McCalman in that category along with Dennis and Mumm.

Rob Simmons is also in danger of joining that group if one or two of the more aggressive up and coming locks can consistently operate the lineout. While we are all talking up Arnold and Coleman, with reason, the future could well be Tom Staniforth. He is now realising the potential he showed from Schoolboys to U20s and is the type of aggressive, never say die lock I think we've been looking for over many years. Loves to get his hands on the ball and just doesn't allow a tackler or two to stop him, and his maul work is reminiscent of Will Skelton at his best.

Braveheart81 · Apr 14, 2016

I'd be very surprised if we didn't see Hooper and Pocock at 7 and 8 in the series against England.

Hooper's form hasn't been outstanding in the last couple of games but his first couple of games were great and his test form has been exemplary across his career. He's also the vice captain.

barbarian · Apr 14, 2016

Hooper will be there. End of.

We all moaned about him at this point last year, and then he came out and was MoTM or close to it in the first 3 RC tests.
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Brumby Runner · Apr 14, 2016

It's the time of year when we get to moan about established Wallabies who seem to be a bit out of form. I distinctly remember last year the target was Scott Fardy who allegedly wasn't in the sort of form needed for the RC and RWC. And, iirc, a fair bit of that criticism came from some died in the wool Tahs' fans here.

With Gill's (very) recent form, it isn't surprising some are now focussing on Hooper. Fair to say though that MH will be in the 7 jersey for England.

Scrubber2050 · Apr 14, 2016

Based on form Gill should get picked at 7. If not Gill then McMahon. If not McMahon then Pocock (and pick another 8).

In other words Michael Hooper is the 4th best 7 ATM.

Will Cheika choose Hooper - of course he will !

qwerty51 · Apr 14, 2016

I reckon you guys are watching different games to me, Tahs have been ordinary but Hooper hasn't been one of them. Only behind McMahon in terms of Aus backrower form.

FWIW: http://www.rugby.net/s/w2L4e7MLVVo

Braveheart81 · Apr 14, 2016

qwerty51 said:
I reckon you guys are watching different games to me, Tahs have been ordinary but Hooper hasn't been one of them. Only behind McMahon in terms of Aus backrower form.

I think it was really only the Rebels and 2nd Reds game where he wasn't excellent.

I think it is really just noticeable how well McMahon and Gill are playing (albeit Gill in limited opportunities) that is making Hooper's form look less impressive.

barbarian · Apr 14, 2016

Brumby Runner said:
It's the time of year when we get to moan about established Wallabies who seem to be a bit out of form. I distinctly remember last year the target was Scott Fardy who allegedly wasn't in the sort of form needed for the RC and RWC. And, iirc, a fair bit of that criticism came from some died in the wool Tahs' fans here.
.

Ahh yes let's bring it back to Tahs fans, hey. How is that relevant to anything?

I was uncertain about Fardy last year. And he came out and proved me totally wrong, he's a test match player through and through. I think you can say the same about Hooper.
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RebelYell · Apr 14, 2016

Scrubber2050 said:
Based on form Gill should get picked at 7. If not Gill then McMahon. If not McMahon then Pocock (and pick another 8).

In other words Michael Hooper is the 4th best 7 ATM.

Will Cheika choose Hooper - of course he will !

It's funny, it's almost like you're suggesting Gill is in better form than McMahon? Surely not, it's universally accepted that Seanny has been THE form player of any position in the Australian conference

Braveheart81 · Apr 14, 2016

barbarian said:
Ahh yes let's bring it back to Tahs fans, hey. How is that relevant to anything?

I was uncertain about Fardy last year. And he came out and proved me totally wrong, he's a test match player through and through. I think you can say the same about Hooper.
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There was no doubt that Fardy's form was below his best for much of the 2015 Super Rugby season and then he had some absolute blinders towards the end of the season and then was outstanding in the tests.

I'm sure that could be quite easily tracked through teams of the week and/or forum comments and match reviews after each week.

Any suggestion that his form was consistently excellent throughout the Super Rugby season would be a substantial revision of history.

fatprop · Apr 14, 2016

Scrubber2050 said:
Based on form Gill should get picked at 7. If not Gill then McMahon. If not McMahon then Pocock (and pick another 8).

In other words Michael Hooper is the 4th best 7 ATM.

Will Cheika choose Hooper - of course he will !

Scrubs

did you by chance see rugby 360 on Fox last night, Kafer highlighted three or four moments (Bad kicks and passes.) in the last Reds game, decisions by Gill, that showed why he isn't a test player yet.

boyo · Apr 14, 2016

Rugbynutter39 said:
Holloway at least finally cemented a super rugby starting position this year with his performances.lets not get ahead of ourselves suggesting anything more. As not a wallaby contender by any stretch of the imagination.

He is not playing for Wales

Viking · Apr 14, 2016

Am I the only one who is not sold on McMahon as a test player YET? He absolutely carves up super XV and low-level test teams but has been fairly average against top opposition - if I remember correctly.

I think Gill deserves a shot before him. At least if we are talking pecking orders behind Poey and Hooper who are proven world class test players.

Scrubber2050 · Apr 14, 2016

fatprop said:
Scrubs

did you by chance see rugby 360 on Fox last night, Kafer highlighted three or four moments (Bad kicks and passes.) in the last Reds game, decisions by Gill, that showed why he isn't a test player yet.

Kafe was right in a couple of silly decisions by Gill.

Happy to change to McMahon then Pocock then Gill and finally Hooper

Tomikin · Apr 14, 2016

It be Fardy and the Pooper.. The others are bench or making up the numbers why are we talking about it..

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

fatprop · Apr 14, 2016

Scrubber2050 said:
Kafe was right in a couple of silly decisions by Gill.

Happy to change to McMahon then Pocock then Gill and finally Hooper

what? no Hodgson, Colby Faainga & Butler in front of Hooper as well?

Slim 293 · Apr 14, 2016

fatprop said:
what? no Hodgson, Colby Faainga & Butler in front of Hooper as well?

Butler first, then Hodgson and Fainga'a...........

Scrubber2050 · Apr 14, 2016

fatprop said:
what? no Hodgson, Colby Faainga & Butler in front of Hooper as well?

Nope he is mid field ATM - some of the posters think he is playing at his best - time to be realistic

No doubt he will get chosen (because of past performances in green & gold).

Brumby Runner · Apr 14, 2016

barbarian said:
Ahh yes let's bring it back to Tahs fans, hey. How is that relevant to anything?

I was uncertain about Fardy last year. And he came out and proved me totally wrong, he's a test match player through and through. I think you can say the same about Hooper.
.

I do say the same thing about Hooper.

Hugh Jarse · Apr 15, 2016

Slim 293 said:
Butler first, then Hodgson and Fainga'a.....

and then the two lads from the Under 20's before Hooper.

Not forgetting the campaign to Bring Back Rugby God George Smith.

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