Wallabies 2018 Spring Tour

[Dctarget]

But that leaves us worse off in the lineout than where we're at now...

I think the tough decision finally needs to be made that while Pocock and Hooper might be the two best backrowers in the country, we can only start with one of them.

In my opinion it's pretty clear which one should start, buuuuuuuuuuuut that's not going to happen.

Where are we right now in the LO? who's the incumbent 6, not Hanigan?
Dempsey is 6'3, surely the bloke can jump. Are any of the other touted options better than him in the LO?

What's your proposed backrow: Pocock + Dempsey + Naisirani?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Happy to have Dempsey back in the saddle and he does add something different to the back row. He's a more abrasive player, as BS says, which is one thing the Wallabies need in the back row. There has been a distinct lack of a larger bodied line bending forward who can also dominate at the tackle area and he's developing into exactly that. Needs to be someone in the second row to do the same thing as well, though Coleman mostly fits the bill.

We had the opportunity all year to try someone like that in Gus Cottrell, same height only a couple of kgs different, and probably a more abrasive player. But our brilliant national coach had nothing of it.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Where are we right now in the LO? who's the incumbent 6, not Hanigan?
Dempsey is 6'3, surely the bloke can jump. Are any of the other touted options better than him in the LO?

What's your proposed backrow: Pocock + Dempsey + Naisirani?

Well, Naisarani does jump and is quite good, but won't be eligible until April next year or thereabouts. I think Dempsey is ok, and Cottrell has done a really good job in the NRC where he seemed to be the prime jumper for the Rising in some games. Both are better jumpers than Hooper so either would improve the lineout operation if selected.

 

[Slim 293]

Where are we right now in the LO? who's the incumbent 6, not Hanigan?
Dempsey is 6'3, surely the bloke can jump. Are any of the other touted options better than him in the LO?

What's your proposed backrow: Pocock + Dempsey + Naisirani?

Dempsey's a reasonable 4th target, but if you start him with the Pooper it leaves our lineout more vulnerable than it has been with 3 strong jumpers............

That proposed backrow could be a possibility next year.......... but to be honest, with the current spring tour squad there aren't a lot of great options with the lack of big backrowers.

 

[Derpus]

But that leaves us worse off in the lineout than where we're at now...

I think the tough decision finally needs to be made that while Pocock and Hooper might be the two best backrowers in the country, we can only start with one of them.

In my opinion it's pretty clear which one should start, buuuuuuuuuuuut that's not going to happen.

Yeah, or like sensible teams, we just rotate the two. One starts a few and then the other. Each can captain and each can come of the bench and have some impact. This has the added bonus of keeping our two best players fresher.

 

[Dctarget]

Yeah, or like sensible teams, we just rotate the two. One starts a few and then the other. Each can captain and each can come of the bench and have some impact. This has the added bonus of keeping our two best players fresher.

Surely that’d be a first, when in recent times has any national team alternated captains?

 

[Derpus]

Surely that’d be a first, when in recent times has any national team alternated captains?

Don't see why it should be an issue, regardless.

 

[fatprop]

Surely that’d be a first, when in recent times has any national team alternated captains?

Any team that has a hooker or prop as captain has a plan as to who becomes captain after the 45-50 minutes. That plan maybe a player in an another position or the replacement. As 7s, it would work as well

 

[Strewthcobber]

The captaincy is the least of the issue. Bigger problem is how do you replace
a) 50m a game at an average of 5m a carry + 5 defenders beaten and 2 clean breaks and 10 tackles while leading the defensive line
Or
b) 2 turnovers, 15 tackles and slowing down every defensive ruck in the game

 

[Derpus]

I guess the idea is that Naisarani/Dempsey can split the running duties and can be lineout options too.

Think the biggest loss would be in defence, which is not really an area we can afford to have any weaker.

 

[Dctarget]

Any team that has a hooker or prop as captain has a plan as to who becomes captain after the 45-50 minutes. That plan maybe a player in an another position or the replacement. As 7s, it would work as well

I meant more as a different captain starts each game. But I am genuinely interested about teams that have had two successful captains for a prolonged period of time.

EDIT: to answer my own question, off the top of my head I guess John Smit and Victor Matfield would qualify. I only really saw the tail end of their careers but they must've alternated captaincies.

 

[Dctarget]

The captaincy is the least of the issue.

Yeah but it's one we can argue about all day and try and fix overnight. The idea that a better captain might suddenly fix all our woes is very appealing.

 

[wamberal]

I know this is kind of off-topic, but I would love to see the next Wallabies captain being of PI ethnicity.

 

[RugbyReg]

I know this is kind of off-topic, but I would love to see the next Wallabies captain being of PI ethnicity.

why?

 

[Joe Blow]

Both Hooper and Pocock are excellent players and captains. Hooper will be around for a while.
Skin colour and ethnicity have no place in our selection process. All available players are equal.

except maybe the Tahs..........they of course have preferential treatment

 

[Derpus]

Both Hooper and Pocock are excellent players and captains. Hooper will be around for a while.
Skin colour and ethnicity have no place in our selection process. All available players are equal.

except maybe the Tahs....they of course have preferential treatment

The mightiest ethnicity of all.........

 

[Joe Blow]

I wonder what it is with Cottrell that does not impress Cheika? He is the quintessential back rower. He can play both 6 and 8 very well and could fill in as a 7 when required. He is a legitimate lineout option, has a very good running game and often runs into a gap. He can pass and has vision and is defensively sound. He is a tough nut who does not take a backward step.
He’s not the messiah but he does seem like a bloke you would like to have around. He is no superstar but they can’t all be.
For mine he is a much better option than Samu or Hanigan, as is Higgers.

 

[RugbyReg]

he was injured wasn't he?

 

[southsider]

I know this is kind of off-topic, but I would love to see the next Wallabies captain being of PI ethnicity.

I’d love for our next captain to be an excellent leader on and off the field, be a certain starter every week, make good decisions throughout the game and inspire his team mates to play to the best of their ability..........but you’re right making sure they are Pacific Islander is pretty damn important too

 

[Derpus]

Changing the topic. I remember when Kerevi first came onto the scene he was so pumped and keen to get stuck in. Would try and rev up the lads before scrums etc.

Don't see much of that anymore, from anyone. Love seeing that shit. Itoje does it for England a lot.