The Wallabies Thread

[fatprop]

Cheika could always decide to sure up the lineout and pick Hanigan - he is the only serious 3rd lineout option in the squad and realistically will do as much as Timu delivered in the first test around the field

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

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.

 

[RugbyReg]

Cheika could always decide to sure up the lineout and pick Hanigan - he is the only serious 3rd lineout option in the squad and realistically will do as much as Timu delivered in the first test around the field

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

I don't think hes the only serious 3rd lineout option. I think Simmons and Tui are both options. Tui has been named in the squad as a backrower in fact. I think the need for a 3rd 2m+ is overrated though.

As for the Timu v Hanigan argument. I think the Ned could have done what Timu did the other night but Timu's potential impact with the ball is drastically better. It's something I'd expect we will see more in the next couple of tests (if selected) as he settles.

 

[Tomikin]

Cheika could always decide to sure up the lineout and pick Hanigan - he is the only serious 3rd lineout option in the squad and realistically will do as much as Timu delivered in the first test around the field

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

I think this could be true .. and wouldnt be a bad selection.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[fatprop]

I don't think hes the only serious 3rd lineout option. I think Simmons and Tui are both options. Tui has been named in the squad as a backrower in fact. I think the need for a 3rd 2m+ is overrated though.

As for the Timu v Hanigan argument. I think the Ned could have done what Timu did the other night but Timu's potential impact with the ball is drastically better. It's something I'd expect we will see more in the next couple of tests (if selected) as he settles.

I don't see Simmons as a 6. I agree Tui & Timu have for more upside ball in hand but I also see an argument that Hanigan is the most effective lineout functionary playing 6

I expect the Irish to attack our set piece big time this week, especially our lineout and was considering counters

 

[fatprop]

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.

He is a big unit still growing into his bones

 

[dru]

I don't think hes the only serious 3rd lineout option. I think Simmons and Tui are both options. Tui has been named in the squad as a backrower in fact. I think the need for a 3rd 2m+ is overrated though.

It isn't as simple as that. Height in itself is not the issue, it's jumping and interference value. Kolisi is only 1.88 but fabulous in the line. Could say the same about Itoje though the 2.00m mark is clearly nothing more than an easy line.

In our current situation though, the line out needs the chance to work itself through in training. Better familiarity and communication could lead to marked improvement. I'm not particularly against the return of Hanigan, not for it either. Right now though I think all 23 from Ireland #1 deserve a second run.

Let's see how the line out pans out next time.

 

[Derpus]

I must confess, i've never been particularly erudite when it comes to set piece matters. But does an extra couple of centimeters really make that much of difference? Because, it doesn't seem like it ought to. Being co-ordination and bouncy seems more important.

 

[dru]

I must confess, i've never been particularly erudite when it comes to set piece matters. But does an extra couple of centimeters really make that much of difference? Because, it doesn't seem like it ought to. Being co-ordination and bouncy seems more important.

For me it is interest rather than erudition.

All things being equal a couple of cm does matter. Of course things are NOT equal. Who can forget Skelton's miserable line out "prowess"? At the end of the day it is how high above the line that a jumper can get his hands. Athleticism is as important as height, what you want is a proven jumper.

Reg's line a 3rd 2m+ is overrated is a polemic that I don't think really applies. It is not "tall is good, short is bad". It is about the respect given to the line out. When you have multiple options in the line that actually keeps the opposition guessing, you have more flexibility to be less than perfect in the throw, the lift and the jump. If you have only two true jumpers you have to be much closer to perfect.

They are working on options, let's see it pan out.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I must confess, i've never been particularly erudite when it comes to set piece matters. But does an extra couple of centimeters really make that much of difference? Because, it doesn't seem like it ought to. Being co-ordination and bouncy seems more important.

Rather than height, experience is much more important.

Someone with 10,000 lineouts over 20 years is going to be better than the guy who has a hundred under his belt over 2 years of playing and training.

Of course, naturally taller guys who have player second row their whole lives are going to have that higher number.

A recent league convert isn't

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[Brumby Runner]

The good thing now for the Wallabies is that whereas a year ago it looked like the red carpet would be rolled out for Naisarani by the Wallabies and we would be desperate for him to play as soon as he qualified, he's now likely to face genuine competition to get into the team.

What a position the Wallabies would be in if we had Pocock, Hooper, McMahon, Dempsey, Timu, Hanigan, Naisarani, Valetini and others all competing to make our 2019 test team.

And Samu. Has he been forgotten already, or just out of favour as he'll be a Brumby next year?

 

[Braveheart81]

And Samu. Has he been forgotten already, or just out of favour as he'll be a Brumby next year?

Woops!

And he was excellent in his debut.

 

[Joe Blow]

On top of Hanigans height is that he is a very good lineout exponent.
Not saying he should get a run but he is a very strong lineout option.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Good to see his omission was only a blooper BH. I think there is a real difference between Samu and Hanigan/Timu that could well see him (Samu) cement that third backrow spot at least for the remainder of this year. He looks to carry harder, can pilfer and isn't wanting in defense or workload. While, I'd like to see him in the starting 15, I wouldn't be put out if Timu retains the spot and Pete again comes off the bench in Test 2.

 

[Derpus]

So we won the last game by being relentless at the breakdown and in defence. Do we ease off on this to include a better line-out option?

 

[Braveheart81]

So we won the last game by being relentless at the breakdown and in defence. Do we ease off on this to include a better line-out option?

I'd have faith that the lineout is going to improve just on the basis that BPA is going to more than double his overall training time with the lineout this week compared to going into his first test.

I'd be surprised if he had more than 3 hours of solid lineout time to practice with the whole pack last week. That's not a lot of time to be ready for a big test match.

 

[barbarian]

He is a big unit still growing into his bones

This is the key. Hanigan was thrown in way before he was ready for test rugby. People have completely written him off on the basis of a couple of games.

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.
.

 

[Zero_Cool]

This is the key. Hanigan was thrown in way before he was ready for test rugby. People have completely written him off on the basis of a couple of games.

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.

I think there is a big difference between 'a couple of games' and what Ned played last year. I think most people would have been fine with Hanigan had he been played for 2 or 3 games, perhaps been brought off the bench a bit, but had something like 10 starts playing close to the full 80 in most of those. That's more than guys who are well and truly entrenched and up to the task. (Dempsey and Rodda for example.)

Yes, Hanigan has potential, and he started to show it this Super Rugby season, but what Cheika did last year was madness, it's very concerning, but equally telling that there are people who would rather Rob Simmons at 6 over Hanigan. I agree Hanigan should be given a go off the bench, but he's had more than long enough with the starting jersey and did less than noting with it, gotta make him actually earn it and force his way off the bench rather than just sucking up to the coach and being handed it.

 

[barbarian]

'Sucking up to the coach'? what a load of rubbish.

Not his fault Cheika kept selecting him.

 

[Derpus]

I think there is a big difference between 'a couple of games' and what Ned played last year. I think most people would have been fine with Hanigan had he been played for 2 or 3 games, perhaps been brought off the bench a bit, but had something like 10 starts playing close to the full 80 in most of those. That's more than guys who are well and truly entrenched and up to the task. (Dempsey and Rodda for example.)

Yes, Hanigan has potential, and he started to show it this Super Rugby season, but what Cheika did last year was madness, it's very concerning, but equally telling that there are people who would rather Rob Simmons at 6 over Hanigan. I agree Hanigan should be given a go off the bench, but he's had more than long enough with the starting jersey and did less than noting with it, gotta make him actually earn it and force his way off the bench rather than just sucking up to the coach and being handed it.

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?