The Wallabies Thread

[Zero_Cool]

Dempsey and Rodda both got put into the first team last year and got injured fairly shortly afterwards.

Who else was there, besides Higginbotham?

You are the only person who would prefer Simmons at 6 over Hanigan.

Sucking up to the coach? Are you in high school?

How else does Hanigan have nearly 800 minuets of test rugby, last year it was painfully obvious to literally everyone that Hanigan wasn't up to test rugby, yet he keep getting picked, sure there are a lack of alternatives but even Simmons was better when played in the same role at 6.

And actually if we are looking for someone to fill the role Haingan would fill Simmons is a much better option, he's better in the line-out, he's more effective at the breakdown and never run the ball well. The only slight advantage Haingain has is that he can play 80, but with both Pocock and Hooper we don't need back rowers who can play 80 as both Po and Hooper can play 80 with ease.

 

[Braveheart81]

How else does Hanigan have nearly 800 minuets of test rugby, last year it was painfully obvious to literally everyone that Hanigan wasn't up to test rugby, yet he keep getting picked, sure there are a lack of alternatives but even Simmons was better when played in the same role at 6.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Simmons played one test in the 6 jersey in 2013.

 

[wamberal]

How else does Hanigan have nearly 800 minuets of test rugby, last year it was painfully obvious to literally everyone that Hanigan wasn't up to test rugby, yet he keep getting picked

Literally everyone?

 

[Braveheart81]

He's going to get bigger and he's going to get better. I'd persist with Timu for now but wouldn't be unhappy to see Ned in the 23 if he's fit. He's rangy and versatile, and works his arse off.
.

He's got huge potential. He's only 23.

I reckon he'll play 50+ tests.

I tend to think he'll only play in this series if there is an injury though.

 

[RugbyReg]

My comment about a third “2m +” player is being misconstrued. In my perspective I don’t think we need to weaken other aspects of our game to strengthen a weakness.

Defence is such a key part of the modern game so having players who can break it is invaluable. So if there are 2 backrowers who are equally adept in defence and work equally around the paddock, but one is a better lineout exponent while another is a better runner with the ball, then I’d go with the latter.

A dominant scrum is crucial - I just don’t think a dominant lineout is. There are other areas to focus on.

Of course if we could kill it at every aspect of the game then brilliant, if not then I’d be willing to take a slight hit on the lineout.

 

[Braveheart81]

Following on from Reg, I agree and would prefer to keep Timu and Samu as our backrow options than Tui (assuming we are cutting down to a 5:3 bench) because I think the additional mobility around the field and the way those players play as backrowers adds more than Tui who will be stronger in the lineout.

 

[Joe Blow]

When weighing up a scrum against a lineout not all players are equal. Whoever is selected to join the Pooper in the backrow can have more influence on the lineout than the scrum.
Timu appeared to be a pretty good target. We need to see his ball carrying this week otherwise you may as well just go with Hanigan who is just as busy in defence.
Samu is good on the bench and is a pretty similar type player to McMahon. Hopefully we will see Timu impose himself a little more this week.

 

[wamberal]

Following on from Reg, I agree and would prefer to keep Timu and Samu as our backrow options than Tui (assuming we are cutting down to a 5:3 bench) because I think the additional mobility around the field and the way those players play as backrowers adds more than Tui who will be stronger in the lineout.

Another very important factor is ball-carrying ability. One might assume that Tui would have an edge in this?

Front on defence? Mauling? Lots of factors apart from the lineout and mobility (including the scavenging element).

 

[Braveheart81]

Another very important factor is ball-carrying ability. One might assume that Tui would have an edge in this?

Front on defence? Mauling? Lots of factors apart from the lineout and mobility (including the scavenging element).

Tui might have an edge over Samu (but are very different ball carriers) but I certainly wouldn't say he does over Timu.

 

[Getwithme]

If Foley injures himself, who plays flyhalf? Kurtley Beale?

 

[Up the Guts]

We played a lot tighter on Saturday so there weren't as many opportunities for a guy like Timu to clock up the run metres against size mismatches out wide. In many of his games for the Reds he's made metres receiving the ball out on the wing but I don't think I saw him positioned out there once on the weekend.

If the game plan shifts and we start playing a bit more expansively at some point (and isn't it nice to have multiple game plans) then it'll be easier to judge whether Timu's ball carrying ability is really greater than Hanigan at test level.

 

[fatprop]

If Foley injures himself, who plays flyhalf? Kurtley Beale?

I would put Hodge there and let Beale continue to float

 

[Strewthcobber]

We played a lot tighter on Saturday so there weren't as many opportunities for a guy like Timu to clock up the run metres against size mismatches out wide. In many of his games for the Reds he's made metres receiving the ball out on the wing but I don't think I saw him positioned out there once on the weekend.

If the game plan shifts and we start playing a bit more expansively at some point (and isn't it nice to have multiple game plans) then it'll be easier to judge whether Timu's ball carrying ability is really greater than Hanigan at test level.

For whatever reason Sio took most of the runs in the Kepu/Sio/Timu pod. The other two were often on support/ruck duty.

Probably a good way to expose and ease him in to test rugby.

Reckon we might see Timu eventually join the other pod - which gets most of the carry duties, with the hooker reverting to the other one.

Maybe even a swap with Pocock to the wider spot if that's the game plan

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[Tomikin]

I would put Hodge there and let Beale continue to float

Ive got my boots ready..just saying

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[upthereds#!]

I personally think Hanigan is still too lightweight to be an international forward.

EDIT: I've just seen his stats, listed at 110kg. Surely not! Doesn't look anywhere near that big.

I think a lot is composition more then pure weight. Mass is important but only as a component of Force. Need mass and acceleration. So need a good % of the mass being muscle, and the muscles you do have need to be strong and fast. Higs and Hanigan are the same weight...higs you'd say has a lot more force.

 

[Up the Guts]

For whatever reason Sio took most of the runs in the Kepu/Sio/Timu pod. The other two were often on support/ruck duty.

Probably a good way to expose and ease him in to test rugby.

Reckon we might see Timu eventually join the other pod - which gets most of the carry duties, with the hooker reverting to the other one.

Maybe even a swap with Pocock to the wider spot if that's the game plan

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Could have been setup that way because Timu tends to run rather upright with long strides which is good for stepping out of tackles out wide but is vulnerable to being held up in the tight. Sio probably has the best body height of that group and was no danger of being held up.

 

[Zero_Cool]

If Foley injures himself, who plays flyhalf? Kurtley Beale?

No one, well just play with 14.

But I think if Foley goes down during a game, we push Beale to 10 (standing wider/deeper than Foley is currently) and shuffle the backline from there, we could go with Hodge at 10 but that's hardly a long term solution.
For the following game, it's completely up in the air, Beale is likely the best answer but we really have on one else. Hodge or Maddocks could fill in there but aren't really answers. Maybe they call in Lance or Lealiifano, but they aren't all that much better than Beale.

 

[Bandar]

Maybe they call in Lance or Lealiifano, but they aren't all that much better than Beale.

I think we would lose more by moving Beale, he plays really well in that role, I think we lost by moving him to fullback last year. There is no point moving the strength to plug a hole.

 

[Strewthcobber]

If it happens in the next two matches I reckon we'd see a straight swap with Hodge at 10

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[Derpus]

Not saying it would happen, but if Foley copped a long-term injury i would like to see one of the promising young 10s brought in to the Wallabies squad for grooming.

The Irish seem to be doing OK with Carberry