The Wallabies Thread

[Braveheart81]

Obviuously he was not one of Cheika's gavourites. Got picked on Super form because EVERYONE expected that. Once the masses were placated Chek dumps him pretty well straight after and brings in someone who IMO just doesn't deserve a Wallaby jumper (at least not yet). And surprise surprise he sticks with the bloke.

It really ain't Hannigans fault - he is doing his best I'm absolutely certain - unfortunately his best is not test standard.

That says more about Chek methinks

The last three Wallabies coaches have all arrived at similar destinations with Higginbotham. McKenzie selected him most regularly during his short tenure but more often than not it was as a reserve.

It's not like Higginbotham went from being the centre of the Wallabies backrow to being cast aside by Cheika.

 

[Tangawizi]

what's the actual go with Higgers, overseas, injured or taking a break?

Good question. He's not overseas. Quade posted a photo with him just hanging out in Brisbane yesterday.

But then he wasnt picked in either Qld NRC squad so maybe he negotiated a break after Cheika dumped him?


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[jimmydubs]

The last three Wallabies coaches have all arrived at similar destinations with Higginbotham. McKenzie selected him most regularly during his short tenure but more often than not it was as a reserve.

It's not like Higginbotham went from being the centre of the Wallabies backrow to being cast aside by Cheika.

All well and good but he's still a better option than the 2 options currently in the squad? No?

 

[Brumby Runner]

The last three Wallabies coaches have all arrived at similar destinations with Higginbotham. McKenzie selected him most regularly during his short tenure but more often than not it was as a reserve.

It's not like Higginbotham went from being the centre of the Wallabies backrow to being cast aside by Cheika.

Yeah, but who was Higgers competing with at those times? I suspect Cliff Palu most of the time. Hanigan surely can't be said to be in the same league?

 

[Joe Blow]

I'd like to see Tui get some minutes at 6 against the Boks. It is teams like them and England where our back row seems to be a little under the cosh muscle wise.

 

[upthereds#!]

Yeah, but who was Higgers competing with at those times? I suspect Cliff Palu most of the time. Hanigan surely can't be said to be in the same league?

Think also with Rocky Elsom @6 when Radike and Palu were playing 8, with sometimes Mccalman making an appearance.

 

[fatprop]

I don't want to see Luckhan Tui played at 6, the young guy is still learning the technicalities of playing lock, I would prefer that be the focus of his development.

The technicalities of playing lock play aren't brain surgery, push hard in scrums, smash units in tackles & rucks and run hard. The rest is getting off your arse and doing it again and again

Upskilling him to cover 6 might be about him getting more bench time by being able to cover both lock & 6 if necessary. He could then take that Dempsey spot.

 

[TOCC]

The technicalities of playing lock play aren't brain surgery, push hard in scrums, smash units in tackles & rucks and run hard. The rest is getting off your arse and doing it again and again

Of course it's not bloody brain surgery..
But learning to scrum effectively at lock isn't as simple as learning to "push hard". You only need to look through the last generation of Wallaby locks to see that. Like a prop, some of these lessons are only learned through experience.

But, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised your defending a Cheika decision.

 

[fatprop]

Of course it's not bloody brain surgery..
But learning to scrum effectively at lock isn't as simple as learning to "push hard". You only need to look through the last generation of Wallaby locks to see that. Like a prop, some of these lessons are only learned through experience.

But, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised your defending a Cheika decision.

And I am not surprised that any decision Cheika takes is triggering you.

Why is it so surprising that when we have a load of good locks and a dearth of dynamic 6's that a dynamic mobile lock is being cross skilled.

 

[TOCC]

And I am not surprised that any decision Cheika takes is triggering you.

Why is it so surprising that when we have a load of good locks and a dearth of dynamic 6's that a dynamic mobile lock is being cross skilled.

Actually it's the lack of Cheikas decisions which triggers me.

Because at 21 the kid is still learning the technicalities of his primary position, it's not cross skilling when one of your primary skills is still lacking.

Despite what you claim about it just learning to "push hard", the complexity of lock is far more significant then that and this reeks of a whimsical idea which won't have any longevity and will be at the cost of Tui's own development in the second row.

 

[Micheal]

Copy and pasted from the NRC coverage thread, as I think this concept is equally applicable at for all Super Rugby franchises following the end of the season:

"What I want to see at the NRC GF, as pre-game and half-time entertainment is:

+ A 100m sprint race, with each team electing their fastest player to represent them. You could have 1 timer per player on the 40, 60, 80 and 100m lines to see who's the fastest over what intervals; and

+ A strong-man competition. You could easily set this up on the oval with overhead press, chin ups, farmers walks, bench press, vertical leap, dead lifts etc.

I think the fans would genuinely be really interested to know who is the fastest / strongest of all the players, but also, quite oddly, I also think it'd help to serve to further develop our players / increase professionalism.

Why?

If you can reward those who win in a somewhat meaningful way, you're encouraging players to invest in their own S&C.

More importantly, however, if you're a 16-17 year old school boy player who wants to make it as a professional you may see Lopeti Timani benching 5x180kg and reflect on the fact that you're only capable of doing 5x90kg.

The solution? Get in the fucking gym.

Maybe we'd develop some non-powderpuff tight 5 players as a result."

Perhaps you could make each Super Rugby team have a testing day to see who to elect for what exercise, before making all of the results public.

It'd serve to motivate / possibly shame some players.

Imagine if RHP absolutely outlifted Hanigan. It'd light a fire under Hanigan's arse and give us more vitriol to hurl at Cheika.

 

[Braveheart81]

All well and good but he's still a better option than the 2 options currently in the squad? No?

Yeah, but who was Higgers competing with at those times? I suspect Cliff Palu most of the time. Hanigan surely can't be said to be in the same league?

Would he make a good combination with Hooper and McMahon? I don't really think he would.

Maybe if Timani was making himself a first choice option then Higginbotham would be a better candidate to be part of the squad. That hasn't happened though.

 

[Derpus]

^^^^^
Just thought i'd point out that if you are 17 and benching extremely heavy weights you are probably damaging yourself more than you are helping yourself.

 

[TOCC]

^^^^^
Just thought i'd point out that if you are 17 and benching extremely heavy weights you are probably damaging yourself more than you are helping yourself.

It's subjective..
there are studies both for and against around the subject of whether weight lifting stunts growth. Extremely heavy weights are likely to do more harm then good too most people if not done with the correct technique and foundations, irregardless of age.

Most schools and rugby program offer weights programs for teenagers these days, some in Brisbane require the students to get a license to train, they first have to go through an education program before they are allowed to train outside of formal classes.

 

[Derpus]

It's extremely high impact exercise being exerted on a developing body. Doctors typically advise against lifting weights period. Fucks up your joints and all sorts of shit, even with perfect technique.

I'd tell my kid to just wait a year or two.

 

[TOCC]

It's extremely high impact exercise being exerted on a developing body. Doctors typically advise against lifting weights period. Fucks up your joints and all sorts of shit, even with perfect technique.

I'd tell my kid to just wait a year or two.

Weights don't have to be high impact, like everything if don't with incorrect technique and poor form there's risk of injury.

That's why any weights program for young kids needs to be done in line with an education program and regular supervision to ensure it's causing damage. If parents don't want their kids lifting weights, that's fine as well, but I don't agree that kids under 17 shouldn't be lifting at risk of injury. There's a few variables to consider.

Edit: but we digress

 

[upthereds#!]

Would he make a good combination with Hooper and McMahon? I don't really think he would.

Maybe if Timani was making himself a first choice option then Higginbotham would be a better candidate to be part of the squad. That hasn't happened though.

No that would be a bad combination, but a squad has 6 backrowers and higs would be better then a couple of them. A Mcmahon Hooper Hanigan/Dempsey/Korzcyk combos are bad also.

 

[Micheal]

^^^^^
Just thought i'd point out that if you are 17 and benching extremely heavy weights you are probably damaging yourself more than you are helping yourself.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find any 17 year olds playing representative rugby, anywhere, not participating in a weights training program.

I'd say at my school about 50% of the (large) year group was training by 16. That probably jumped to 70% by 18.

It's extremely high impact exercise being exerted on a developing body. Doctors typically advise against lifting weights period. Fucks up your joints and all sorts of shit, even with perfect technique.

I'd tell my kid to just wait a year or two.

We're obviously dealing with different doctors! Lifting weights regularly and properly is fantastic for your long-term health, and in particular it is a fantastic preventive measure for all sorts of bone ailments (see joints).

Bitta Harvard for ya: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/strength-training-builds-more-than-muscles

Bitta Peer Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22777332

Bitta BUPA: https://www.bupa.com.au/health-and-...iving/exercise/strength-training/doc/benefits

Bitta Diabetes Australia: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/news/11104?type=articles

Bitta VIC Government: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/resistance-training-health-benefits

You sound like my mother trying to convince me that protein powder is bad for you.

 

[barbarian]

Maybe take the discussion to a new thread if you want to continue, guys. Veered a little off topic now.

 

[Dctarget]

Eh, I think this is the type of stuff Aus Rugby needs to avoid, an emphasis on purely numbers and statistics. I reckon it contributes a lot to people like Hanigan making the grade. Their game/gym data hits all these criteria that the coaches have been told are necessary and so are shoehorned into the team.

I think if RHP demolished Hanigan in a tackle in an actual game environment, it'd shame him much more than some arbitrary gym competition.

Edit: apologies @barbarian, didn't see your post.