The Wallabies Thread

[Ruggo]

Things are positive ATM for the Wallabies. I hope they don't stuff it by being conservative in selections. A TPN return for the Tests should see him only make the bench. We have some quality young hookers ready to be given a shot.

Thor is ready at THP for a shot at test rugby and he is a point of difference as well as a strong set piece prop.

Our Locks are looking awsome ATM. Reds locks are both test quality, Brumbies locks are test quality, Coleman is still carving up week in, week out. Simmons is the heart of a Tahs pack that is playing above it's weight week in week out.

I would seriously consider Simmons at 6. The couple of games he has played there in the past have been good performances but putting him at six balances out the pack of 8 dynamic if you start Thor. This bloke needs the licence to play wider than a conventional THP and Simmons has the engine and workrate to take that load. We get three good talls in our lineout and still a solid scrum. The other benefit we get is that it also will balance out the usual Pooper issues where the balance is upset by playing them together.

If the coaches have the balls to be innovative, we could be in for a good year with the Wallabies.

 

[Derpus]

TPN isnt coming back for the tests. Although, if he were he would be starting for sure because he's way better than any of the next best.

And a lock at 6? i think not.

 

[Up the Guts]

Tor (as one of the Kiwi commentators called him) was amazing last night for the Reds. His run down the sideline where he sent NMS into oblivion with a massive fend and had Peranara pretending to try and tackle him by diving at his ankles was what you'd hope a winger like Ben Lam or Taqele would do, except Thor's a bloody prop and his scrummaging is up there with the best of them. Must be in the 23 and will be pushing Kepu for the starting spot.

 

[Derpus]

Tor (as one of the Kiwi commentators called him) was amazing last night for the Reds. His run down the sideline where he sent NMS into oblivion with a massive fend and had Peranara pretending to try and tackle him by diving at his ankles was what you'd hope a winger like Ben Lam or Taqele would do, except Thor's a bloody prop and his scrummaging is up there with the best of them. Must be in the 23 and will be pushing Kepu for the starting spot.

For once a good selection problem.

 

[TSR]

TPN isnt coming back for the tests. Although, if he were he would be starting for sure because he's way better than any of the next best.

And a lock at 6? i think not.

That’s fair enough - but who is the test ready 6 we have ready to go?

Our backrow is going to require some level of compromise. I don’t see Simmons as the answer personally - but the general gist of Ruggo’s strategy is sound enough.

 

[Ruggo]

TPN isnt coming back for the tests. Although, if he were he would be starting for sure because he's way better than any of the next best.

And a lock at 6? i think not.

I take it you are your typical conservative obscurantist. A conversation about something positive with vision and talk of dynamics is met with three simplistic sentences of negativity.

Derpus, from the depths of my heart, I would like to thank and congratulate you on the fabulous contribution you have made to the discussion.

 

[Brumby Runner]

That’s fair enough - but who is the test ready 6 we have ready to go?

Our backrow is going to require some level of compromise. I don’t see Simmons as the answer personally - but the general gist of Ruggo’s strategy is sound enough.

Agree, Ruggo's gist is ok, but Simmons is not a test quality No 6,nor Lock for that matter. His two games at No 6 have taken on urban myth proportions, totally undeserved.

 

[TSR]

Agree, Ruggo's gist is ok, but Simmons is not a test quality No 6,nor Lock for that matter. His two games at No 6 have taken on urban myth proportions, totally undeserved.

Harry Hockings?

 

[Tomikin]

Matt Philips at 6 but then his not playing there for Rebels..I dunno who the best 6 out there.. Maybe I dunno Valetini but be a massive gamble..

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[Zero_Cool]

Harry Hockings?

I don't know why you are talking about Hockings, and while I REALLY rate the kid, he's a good year away from test rugby minimum. He could eventually become a nice 6 option particularly given the Reds have Rodda filling the role he'd likely fill. But he's just not ready yet.

I think if Timu can get more opportunities in the line-out with the Reds he'll be a really good option at 6/8 and should be our first choice 6/8 this year.

 

[upthereds#!]

Harry Hockings at...what..208 cm? Will never be a 6. And as long as he is under 115kg at that height (he is actually still under 110) he will be all workrate but no impact. Huge future. Key word. Future.

 

[TSR]

Guys - it’s a joke. BR hates Simmons and he recently called Harry Hockings a powder puff.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Harry Hockings at.what..208 cm? Will never be a 6. And as long as he is under 115kg at that height (he is actually still under 110) he will be all workrate but no impact. Huge future. Key word. Future.

Dude he's 19 years old and is capable of hanging with a number of the world class locks; just get him on the Rodda / Tupou diet and he'll be 120+ in no time!

 

[Tomikin]

Guys - it’s a joke. BR hates Simmons and he recently called Harry Hockings a powder puff.

And he looks like Simmons

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[Silverado]

And he looks like Simmons

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He is a Simmons clone without the experience


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[upthereds#!]

Dude he's 19 years old and is capable of hanging with a number of the world class locks; just get him on the Rodda / Tupou diet and he'll be 120+ in no time!

Rodda put on weight real quick once he was there, Hockings has a little bit further to go to be more arnoldesque but he will get there absolutely.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Rodda put on weight real quick once he was there, Hockings has a little bit further to go to be more arnoldesque but he will get there absolutely.

Maybe the QRU secretly own and run a KFC franchise in their HQ...

 

[Brumby Runner]

Rodda played with aggression at the U20s and showed al the potential that he is now playing with.. Hockings will never be another Rodda.

 

[Micheal]

I agree that things are looking positive for the Wallabies - even if our teams aren’t going too flash, most of our potential 23 in Gold are hitting form.

A team as below isn’t shabby at all. Main question is around the back row, and another minor annoyance about who’ll play at 11 and 23.

1 Sio
2 Paenga-Amosa
3 Kepu
4 Coleman
5 Rodda
6 Hooper
7 Pocock
8 Timu
9 Genia
10 Foley
11 ?
12 Beale
13 Rona
14 DHP
15 Folau

Potential 11s are Hodge, Koroibete, Maddocks, Banks. I’d go with Maddocks as I think he has considerable potential and none of the others are setting the world alight.

16 Tupou
17 Uelese
18 Ala'alatoa
19 Arnold
20 Higgenbotham / Timani / McAffrey
21 Phipps
22 Hodge
23 ?

 

[Slim 293]

On form, Rory Arnold has to be starting for the Wallabies.

Edit: Although he's gone and got himself red carded tonight.