Wallabies 2019 Thread

[RoffsChoice]

Really hope it's DHP at fullback. Much as I have faith in Banks, I want to see that Ben Smith/Joe Roff/Ruan Combrinck style fullback. Banks reminds me more of Liam Williams or Israel Dagg; lord knows that's no insult, but it's not what I want to see from the Wallabies backline.

 

[Tex]

What are his physical deficiencies that concern you Barbs, and whatever they are, do you think they leave him more deficient than KB (Kurtley Beale) is in defense?

I had the same thought tbh. He's a slight player with gun acceleration. Mogg was burning up Super Rugby and was pretty comprehensively ragdolled in his few Wallabies starts. There are quite a few blokes at the international level who play 'underweight' and thive, and I hope Banks is one of them.

 

[barbarian]

What are his physical deficiencies that concern you Barbs, and whatever they are, do you think they leave him more deficient than KB (Kurtley Beale) is in defense?

His defence is fine enough, certainly as good or better than his counterparts as you point out.

It's the attack that worries me. He's a fairly spindly type who needs space to thrive. In test rugby there is just less space, gaps close quicker and defenders are bigger and faster. I worry he's just going to get smashed.

If we're rolling with the Beale comparison, what Kurtley has proved is that he is fairly capable in contact due to sharp stepping and acceleration. And he's probably a bit more solid than Banks to begin with.

As I said though, it's just a gut feeling at this stage. Jesse Mogg is one option for his trajectory, but the other is Ben Smith. He's a pretty spindly type as well but has been phenomenal for the ABs. I'd also say he's a pretty big outlier as there aren't many people of his size/shape in international footy.
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[Derpus]

His defence is fine enough, certainly as good or better than his counterparts as you point out.

It's the attack that worries me. He's a fairly spindly type who needs space to thrive. In test rugby there is just less space, gaps close quicker and defenders are bigger and faster. I worry he's just going to get smashed.

If we're rolling with the Beale comparison, what Kurtley has proved is that he is fairly capable in contact due to sharp stepping and acceleration. And he's probably a bit more solid than Banks to begin with.

As I said though, it's just a gut feeling at this stage. Jesse Mogg is one option for his trajectory, but the other is Ben Smith. He's a pretty spindly type as well but has been phenomenal for the ABs. I'd also say he's a pretty big outlier as there aren't many people of his size/shape in international footy.
.

This applies to Maddocks as well, IMO. He got bulldozed in his few appearances at test level. Very skeptical of his ability to step up.

I think a test level winger needs to be explosive and powerful in contact like Koroibete, Naivalu even Hodge

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Try scoring and security under the high ball are definitely going to be issues to be resolved. I have no doubt about that. The flip side is that it may force a change in game plan that doesn't revolve around shovelling the ball to Izzy and hope he does something incredible. I liken it to when JOC (James O'Connor) played at the Force. Our one and only move was to get the ball to him and hope for the best.

I'm with others who think that KB (Kurtley Beale) will get first crack at it and that would be correct IMHO. He's got runs on the board there and this is no time for funky experiments. I'd also like to Banks in the 23 and tried in one of the back three positions in the lead up to the RWC. What I've seen of him impresses me, he reminds me of a young Chris Latham (quite a lot actually).

 

[fatprop]

This applies to Maddocks as well, IMO. He got bulldozed in his few appearances at test level. Very skeptical of his ability to step up.

I think a test level winger needs to be explosive and powerful in contact like Koroibete, Naivalu even Hodge

I like the option of having one winger with the skills of a 15 and the other a power option. I think Maddocks, Pulu & Banks will be tested for the first and Koroibete, Speight, Palu & Naivalu for the later

I could see Pulu & Koroibete on the wings with Kerevi & Kuridrani in the centres & DHP at 15

 

[Derpus]

I like the option of having one winger with the skills of a 15 and the other a power option. I think Maddocks, Pulu & Banks will be tested for the first and Koroibete, Speight, Palu & Naivalu for the later

I could see Pulu & Koroibete on the wings with Kerevi & Kuridrani in the centres & DHP at 15

I wish we had a hard running winger that could also kick.

Pulu and MK on the wings puts a lot of pressure on DHP.

 

[Finsbury Girl]

DHP should be nowhere near the squad. Likewise Hodge. Couldn't give a fig about "versatility" they are extremely lucky they have been around when there has been a perfect storm of unavailability and questionable selection policy.

 

[Braveheart81]

LOL. They have both been pretty good performers for the Wallabies.

I'm not really sure where all the substantially better options who have been missing out are.

Tom Banks is probably the only back three player currently who could count himself unlucky not to have played some more tests.

 

[RoffsChoice]

I mean, if form is any measure, there wouldn't be a single Rebel in the Wallabies bar Naisarani and Jones. But people have said the same about Kuridrani in 2016, and look how wrong they were. There are players who lift for the jersey, and who rise to the level of the players around them. Hodge and DHP have shown themselves to be these players previously, I'd back them to do it again.

 

[fatprop]

DHP should be nowhere near the squad. Likewise Hodge. Couldn't give a fig about "versatility" they are extremely lucky they have been around when there has been a perfect storm of unavailability and questionable selection policy.

So who would you have at 15?

 

[Finsbury Girl]

^ Banks

 

[formerflanker]

Apart from my Manly bias, I am a Hodge fan.
Strong in contact, quick enough, makes an impact at breakdowns, a big boot for those pesky exits, and a constant reminder to the opposition to stay onside/stop slowing down the ruck ball inside their own half.
Selected consistently in one position his defensive positioning would improve.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Apart from my Manly bias, I am a Hodge fan.
Strong in contact, quick enough, makes an impact at breakdowns, a big boot for those pesky exits, and a constant reminder to the opposition to stay onside/stop slowing down the ruck ball inside their own half.
Selected consistently in one position his defensive positioning would improve.

Which position though?

 

[Braveheart81]

The reality for Hodge is that if he was deemed only selectable in one position he would have missed selection for a fair number of the tests he has played.

 

[Up the Guts]

I know JOC (James O'Connor) has played 12 this season but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s in the discussion for the 15 jersey.

 

[fatprop]

And here are the "experts" selections

https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/...k/news-story/516b142ddce9b9b913ddb194cdcbc5d0

None selected Cooper or Naisarani, the all selected AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the outside backs and To'omua as the 10 back up to Foley

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon they're wrong on Naisarani. I think he's in the box seat to start the first test.

I find it interesting that none selected Luke Jones either. I agree his form fell away but I think he'd be a good partner for Hooper and Naisarani and think he is more likely to be there than McCaffrey.

 

[Up the Guts]

Yeah don’t understand the rationale for Liam Wright being ahead of Naisarani. I thought Wright was excellent for the Reds but don’t know why we need another 7. I’d be disappointed if Naisarani wasn’t there.

 

[RugbyReg]

Liam Wright over Luke Jones and Isi Naisirani really surprises me. I don't see the point in selecting Liam. Is it as backup to Hooper with no Pocock with Samu an injury concern?

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) staggers me but then again it doesn't.