Well the year he started consistently the people on this site voted him equal best Wallaby for the year so he was doing something right.
TRC2021 - Wallabies v Pumas @ Townsville 25/09
- Thread starter Braveheart81
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Well the year he started consistently the people on this site voted him equal best Wallaby for the year so he was doing something right.
My concern with that is whether McMahon covers the lineout work as well as Swinton. Samu gets used there a bit for the Brumbies, but I can't recall McMahon being a lineout jumper much? Can anyone recall if he was? A straight swap might not be as simple as some think.
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Desmond Connor (43)
Playing your bloody best team. That includes McMahon starting. Forget the other shit. We want to WIN regardless of who did what and when.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
I think Samu better off the bench but because been so good in recent games if Swinton given a rest would not be a good look to put McMahon ahead of Samu given not proved anything recently at wallaby level vs Samu who has in recent games.
dru
David Wilson (68)
With a bit of luck JOC (James O'Connor) goes to bench as a utility.
Not sure "forgetting the shit (like the lineout)"against Argentina is a great idea. They're not mugs.
I have no problem with McMahon, whom I rate as a player, was actually asking a valid question as to his lineout work.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Fair
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
He is a reasonable operator. Not quite as good as Pete Samu - who is actually very good IMO as a third jumper because he is very quick off the ground - but McMahon is pretty good.
My recollection of McMahon was that initially he was a bit so-so, but then put in 4-5 tests in conjunction with Hooper where he was very good at 8.
Personally I have no issue if he’s picked but no issue if he’s left our either. In terms of the role he’d play I actually think he’d be most similiar to Valetini. Not quite as physical, but higher work rate. But the fact that Swinton has been coming off and with his discipline issues in both the last two games it would seem more likely he is under the gun if anyone is.
If you ended up with a backrow of McMahon, Samu & Hooper on at the end you’d certainly welcome expect to lift the tempo.
My recollection of McMahon was that initially he was a bit so-so, but then put in 4-5 tests in conjunction with Hooper where he was very good at 8.
Personally I have no issue if he’s picked but no issue if he’s left our either. In terms of the role he’d play I actually think he’d be most similiar to Valetini. Not quite as physical, but higher work rate. But the fact that Swinton has been coming off and with his discipline issues in both the last two games it would seem more likely he is under the gun if anyone is.
If you ended up with a backrow of McMahon, Samu & Hooper on at the end you’d certainly welcome expect to lift the tempo.
Would love to see Hodge 15, JOC (James O'Connor) 22 and R.Leota to 6
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Desmond Connor (43)
Not sure "forgetting the shit (like the lineout)"against Argentina is a great idea. They're not mugs.
Not talking the line out, that’s always a concern. I was referring to the fact he left Aus rugby to play in Japan. Sorry for the confusion.
Ah, got it. Cheers.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Reported where exactly? I've also heard reports that ABC was carrying news that JOC (James O'Connor) would be in 15.
Wasn't Hodge starting at 15 also a rumour before the last test?
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
why would you trust the ABC? They barely even cover rugby.
Ch 9 news Qld reported it, Michael Atkinson who is currently in Townsville to be exact. He is a reliable source
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Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yeh and in reality if McMahon was not in the picture we would be very happy with our backrow. I can’t help but feel we have people putting McMahon on a pedestal way above where he last was with his last time with the wallabies. But then again it really is how much he has improved since then- as Cooper showed and demonstrated. Sounds like McMahon has had same growth mindset Cooper had in recent years. And hence keen to see what he can offer..which should be from the bench and ideally at least with 30 to 40’minutes in second half to see where he is at and whether hype justified.
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
What happens with McMahon after these two tests? Does he come to Europe with the squad or is he back in Japan? Is this about convincing him to return to Oz or would he be one of the two OS players selected for future Wallaby squads? Our back row stocks seem to be very healthy right now and our 6/8 combo a big part of our recent improvement.
dru
David Wilson (68)
That's the thing I find odd - we are pretty strong in the back row, albeit the perfect combo around Hoops isn't quite there. I wish McMahon all the best, but I am surprised at him being a Rennie target. So far, tbf, Rennie's targets have been spot on. Whatever the general rugby public think.
I think the style of what he wants is kind of there with Swinton / Hooper and Valetini. Obviously there could be improvements individually - Swinton less reckless; Valetini switched on more of the time (although has been pretty bloody good lately) etc. But with Hooper's work-rate / tackling / breakdown work, Valetini's work in wider channels especially, and his good minutes played, and Swinton with aggression and lineout work there is a basis for a pretty good balance.
Now maybe others can fill some of those roles as well, and maybe even better, but I reckon Rennie might be getting closer to what he wants. It'll be interesting to see what we get in the next 2 weeks.
dru
David Wilson (68)
Yes. ish. The intent of the combination is there. But I'm not convinced that we won't find better personnel over time to push the matter further.
I can only agree with this. And we are learning, well from my perspective anyway, that Rennie has a plan and we aught run with it.