Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Up the Guts]

Yeah but Brodie Retallick exists so...

If you're saying it's a necessary core skill and the Crusaders and Hurricanes are leading the comp with a lot lower percentage then how necessary is it?

 

[Derpus]

If you're saying it's a necessary core skill and the Crusaders and Hurricanes are leading the comp with a lot lower percentage then how necessary is it?

Eh im just saying i wouldnt be too encouraged by this perceived weakness given how completely and utterly our lineout was dismantled only last year.

Also, our Super lineouts were very good last year and it did not translate to test at all.

 

[Up the Guts]

Eh im just saying i wouldnt be too encouraged by this perceived weakness given how completely and utterly our lineout was dismantled only last year.

Also, our Super lineouts were very good last year and it did not translate to test at all.

The Crusaders were ranked 10th on % lineout won last year. There are times when you may incur losses because you're trying to hit more risky options such as throwing to the back. I don't think every miss is necessarily a complete failure of core skills, so long as you're winning them 5m out from your line and the opposition's line.

 

[fatprop]

But BR is right that NZ lineouts have been more ineffective than Australian. The Bulls lead the comp for lineout success % and the Rebels and Tahs are 2nd and 3rd respectively. Meanwhile the Reds are 7th and the Brumbies 9th. The Highlanders are the highest ranked NZ team and are 8th and, also, their lineout is only 0.2% more successful than the Brumbies.

Interesting that NZ are much vaunted for their core skills but their lineout percentages are so low across the board.

They may be struggling, but the goal isn't to factor in a percentage of failures at test level, the goal is to hit every lineout

 

[Up the Guts]

They may be struggling, but the goal isn't to factor in a percentage of failures at test level, the goal is to hit every lineout

Disagree, I think you have to take riskier options at times that may result in losing a couple of lineouts.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Pretty good line up BH - my comments in bold below below

1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. Allan A
4. Rodda
5. Arnold
6. Dempsey - wide open spot, this. Could easily be Jones. Jones/McCaffrey and then Dempsey for me
7. Hooper
8. Naisirani - McCaffrey not far behind but yeh probably right

9. Genia
10. Foley
11. DHP - hmmm - still maybe FB
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani - he hasn't been this good at Super level in a long time - Petatia/CFS as backups maybe if TK's form slips/injured
14. Hodge - yep agreed hodge deserves wing spot
15. Beale - lets see how he goes for rest of Super Rugby at 15 for tahs as otherwise been ordinary - but yes 15 rather than 12

16. Rangi - Mafi making a late play here
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. Coleman - prefer Simmons on form but yeh doubt that will happen
20. Pocock - he's just too fragile to play all 80 at this stage, IMO. - agree
21. McDermott - Powell starting to look the goods
22. To'omua - be good to see how he performs when back from England for rebels
23. Koroibete - could still be starting wing as still unsure about DHP at wing - maybe FB instead - beale to bench

 

[eastman]

Honest question- Is Hodge being selected in these teams primarily for having a booming boot? He's not strong enough in other areas to warrant a fullback or wing position surely.

 

[Derpus]

Honest question- Is Hodge being selected in these teams primarily for having a booming boot? He's not strong enough in other areas to warrant a fullback or wing position surely.

Agree entirely. He's a great utility back up. He can play any number of positions but is 3rd or 4th choice in most, in my opinion.

On the wing i'd pick any combination of Koro, Sefa, DHP, Maddocks ahead of Hodge (might even include someone like Pulu or Newsome as an out and out winger).

At fullback DHP is first choice followed by Beale. Hodge edges Banks on experience for 3rd.

At 13 i'd have him behind TK (who walks in, i reckon) and Jordy Petaia - about on par with CFS. Ahead of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) though. Also, i suspect if TK becomes unavailable for some reason they would be mighty tempted to shift Kerevi out before selecting anyone else.

12 he's behind Kerevi, Hunt and To'omua.

He definitely goes to Japan, but as a squad player.

 

[fatprop]

Honest question- Is Hodge being selected in these teams primarily for having a booming boot? He's not strong enough in other areas to warrant a fullback or wing position surely.

I think he is that "AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)" type solid unit that provides a very consistent professional delivery. You need them in a side to balance out those players with greater ups and also downs

 

[RoffsChoice]

If this is the making of Hodge having a nailed down position, I'll be happy with it. I worry about his defensive ability (note: I think highly of his tackling, but there's more to defending, particularly at fullback), but the only way to improve is to play there. He has a lot of ability and most of the core skills of a fullback, so give it a go. The Wallabies will probably play with two deep defenders anyway, probably DHP and Hodge, so there isn't that much harm in it compared to picking DHP at fullback and Hodge on the wing.

 

[TSR]

Honest question- Is Hodge being selected in these teams primarily for having a booming boot? He's not strong enough in other areas to warrant a fullback or wing position surely.

I kind of think the opposite Eastman. For me, Hodge is a very reliable player with a somewhat ungainly style and I wonder if some people overlook him for ‘flashier’ players whose overall contribution is not as good.

Personally I don’t think any of the back 3 spots are locked down, but I’d have no problem with him at 14 or 15. His best chance at selection IMO is as the floating wing/fullback role ahead of Maddocks.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The question I would have with Hodge, DHP and probably KB (Kurtley Beale) at fullback, is: is there enough outside gas in the back three to burn off defenders or mount a serious kick-chase to pin the opposition down in their half?

 

[Strewthcobber]

I'm worried about defusing box kicks way before returning the ball with any interest.

We all remember the pre-izzy horror shows right?

 

[TSR]

The question I would have with Hodge, DHP and probably KB (Kurtley Beale) at fullback, is: is there enough outside gas in the back three to burn off defenders or mount a serious kick-chase to pin the opposition down in their half?

Hodge is deceptively quick but, regardless, I only think 2 of those 3 are in your back 3 + a specialist winger

 

[Bobby Sands]

Jordy Petaia will walk into this squad half-fit I think.

Its such a tragedy he got injured when he did.

Would love to see more of Kerevi-Petaia. The all State-High combo

 

[Slim 293]

Interesting if true...........

Nic White reportedly on his way back to the Brumbies..

in 2021.

Will then be eligible for RWC.

His form o/s would easily make him the second best eligible halfback for the Wallabies.........

 

[Sully]

Surely 2021 makes a farce of our contracting system.

 

[KOB1987]

Surely 2021 makes a farce of our contracting system.

Yes my understanding is he would need to sign for 2020 to be eligible.

 

[RugbyReg]

Yes my understanding is he would need to sign for 2020 to be eligible.

if Cheicka wants him then he'll be eligible

 

[Show-n-go]

if Cheicka wants him then he'll be eligible

Is he really worth it though?

From my memory he was pretty similar to Nick Phipps just kicked more

Hope he has improved while overseas