It would be nice if you could advocate for the inclusion of a player who doesn't wear red just one time. One time bro.
It would be nice if you could advocate for the inclusion of a player who doesn't wear red just one time. One time bro.
Zero is starting to remind me of that guy who hated Foley and counted his ‘mistakes’ every game.Hodge or Beale will play 10 before Hamish Stewart. I don't think he will be in the squad.
What makes you think Stewart will do better at 10 at test level than Hodge?
a suspicious resemblanceZero is starting to remind me of that guy who hated Foley and counted his ‘mistakes’ every game.
Simmons and Genia.
Simmons pretty much killed the Highlanders lineout on the weekend. Better to go into the first test with a functioning set piece also giving the younger fellas, who are better around the park, more time to get used to the setup than go in and not be able to win any ball.
I have said a few times that Hanging is much better this season. Naiyaravoro has been killing it. Maddocks has been good.
@Braveheart
Beale I'd want a look at as a 10 but could be good. Hodge is no 10 IMO, they are playing him at 10 this weekend and we will see if I'm wrong on this, but really he's just not got the aptitude for it.
I wouldn't mind Mac Masion being in the squad then to cover 10 if not Stewart, but bottom line we actually need a backup 10 not a centre/wing/fullback shoehorned into 10. If not Stewart/Masion than Lance (although please god no!), Ireland will cut us to ribbons if we are in a situation where we have to play anyone who isn't a real fly half at 10.
Just on the locks, I think Rodda is equaly as efficient at the lineout as Simmons and worth two of him around the ground. It will be a huge opportunity missed if Simmons makes the side instead of Rodda, but I do agree it is more than 75% likely.
#needsfarmoarredsYou'd maybe see ASY (Angus Scott-Young), Wright in instead of Cottrell, Higgers is an alternative too and could potentially bring some more balance to the back row.
Also surely you'd have to take Hamish Stewart in the 33 man squad, the only other viable fly half in Australian Super Rugby? (I'd maybe drop Rona out of the 33 for Stewart, you need a second fly half -- we can't be one head-knock away from Hodge at 10 for a Test again!)
Not sure if you can pick Tui given his lack of form (well actually any rugby at all).
Just on the locks, I think Rodda is equaly as efficient at the lineout as Simmons and worth two of him around the ground. It will be a huge opportunity missed if Simmons makes the side instead of Rodda, but I do agree it is more than 75% likely.
I think it’s hard to deny. Argue all you want about whether he is a complete lock, but it seems, from teams he has played for, that line out, and scrum, work is not in question. From coaches and co-players. Line-buster, defensive Hulk.............maybe not. We don’t need all players to be all things they might be. We need balance. He may well have a place. Especially with Coleman and Rodda.The argument in favour of Simmons is that he is a very good lineout tactician. So it is said, not by me incidentally.
Rodda and Simmons to start not like Coleman setting the world on fireRodda is also a very good lineout technician. He has played more minutes but he has more lineout wins and as many lineout steals as Simmons this season.
The only thing that needs to be resolved in my view is who the lineout caller is and who the backup is. One of them needs to start and one needs to be on the bench.
Rodda and Simmons to start not like Coleman setting the world on fire
Not actually a proponent of his selection, but Douglass has been very good this season too! How did we go from zero stock at lock to an actual glut at lock -- Maybe Arnold is the odd many out given he's got a few weeks off.