Wallabies 2020

[Bobby Sands]

The story I got (third hand - so feel free to dismiss as idle gossip) was that after a test Higgers felt his post game review didn’t align with the role he was assigned and the coaching staff unfairly criticised him. The next test, Higgers adjusted his game based on the feedback but was assessed against different requirements again. So he told Cheika he wasn’t being treated fairly and that he played favourites with his players and allowed some far more latitude then others. From that time on Higgers was surplus to requirements.

That obviously came from someone who was a friend of Scott’s but I do recall that in two of Higgers last 3 tests he received votes on here as one of the best on ground and one of those games, from memory, he played a much tighter game then normally.

Sorry - a bit off topic from the Wallabies 2020 but I always thought it said a lot about what was going on in the background at the Wallabies (assuming you believe there is a reasonable level of accuracy in the story).

Mods - feel free to delete if you don’t want this all being RE-hashed.

Cheika played the players against each other.

Should have never been in the hot seat as long as he was.

The bloke is toxic.

 

[Bobby Sands]

It's easy to say 'we need a workhorse, not a power runner' but realistically that type of player just doesn't cut it at Test level any more. Ned Hanigan was that player - led tackle and ruck stats, got around the park OK but lacked the physicality with ball in hand.

Fardy is unfairly maligned as a 'workhorse' when his ball-running was actually bloody good and he had the pilfering ability of a 7. I think Valetini is the bloke who reminds me the most of him at the moment - doesn't take 20 carries a game, but when he does he is dynamic and physical. He also hits rucks, makes tackles, jumps in the lineout, and doesn't give away mindless penalties.
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No he isn't/wasn't.

Let's put that to bed.

 

[Braveheart81]

It's such a different landscape with the 6 and 8 options now. When Hanigan was consistently selected in 2017 these were the regular starters elsewhere:

Brumbies still had Fardy at 6 but he had signed to go overseas and Butler was playing 8.
The Force had Stander and Naisarani at 6 and 8, neither of which were eligible.
The Rebels had McMahon at 6 mostly who played every test he was healthy for and Mafi at 8 who wasn't eligible.
The Reds had Higginbotham and Tui who wasn't eligible plus Korczyk.
The Waratahs had Hanigan, Dempsey (who was injured a lot of the time) and Wells.

There's half a dozen players you'd pick in the 6 jersey now and a bunch in the 8 jersey who are all better than every realistic option we had back in 2017 (apart from McMahon).

You could almost say that Lachie Swinton, who won't make the test squad this year would have started at every franchise back in 2017 for the Wallabies if he was available and playing like he is now.

 

[Derpus]

It's such a different landscape with the 6 and 8 options now. When Hanigan was consistently selected in 2017 these were the regular starters elsewhere:

Brumbies still had Fardy at 6 but he had signed to go overseas and Butler was playing 8.
The Force had Stander and Naisarani at 6 and 8, neither of which were eligible.
The Rebels had McMahon at 6 mostly who played every test he was healthy for and Mafi at 8 who wasn't eligible.
The Reds had Higginbotham and Tui who wasn't eligible plus Korczyk.
The Waratahs had Hanigan, Dempsey (who was injured a lot of the time) and Wells.

There's half a dozen players you'd pick in the 6 jersey now and a bunch in the 8 jersey who are all better than every realistic option we had back in 2017 (apart from McMahon).

You could almost say that Lachie Swinton, who won't make the test squad this year would have started at every franchise back in 2017 for the Wallabies if he was available and playing like he is now.

Praise the lord we have some options eh.

Let Rennie pull back some Locks (and Latu) and we have a test team - maybe.

Edit: Personally very excited to see Valetini monstering blokes in defence while Wilson monsters blokes in attack - with Hooper harrying everyone in sight.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

It's easy to say 'we need a workhorse, not a power runner' but realistically that type of player just doesn't cut it at Test level any more. Ned Hanigan was that player - led tackle and ruck stats, got around the park OK but lacked the physicality with ball in hand.

Fardy is unfairly maligned as a 'workhorse' when his ball-running was actually bloody good and he had the pilfering ability of a 7. I think Valetini is the bloke who reminds me the most of him at the moment - doesn't take 20 carries a game, but when he does he is dynamic and physical. He also hits rucks, makes tackles, jumps in the lineout, and doesn't give away mindless penalties.
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Of the current Australian back-rowers, I certainly agree that Valetini fits the bill as striking the best balance between ruck monster / aggressive defender / workhorse and dynamic and physical in attack. I would like to see some small improvements in breakdown accuracy.

He's also the only blindside candidate (with the partial exception of Wright) who is actually playing on the blindside. All others would be repurposed No.8's (Samu, Wilson, Naisarani).

Anyone suggesting Swinton needs to read McKellar's recent quote re: the Aussue Rugby public's tendency to pick on the next big thing on 30 minutes of good footy.

 

[upthereds#!]

One of the reasons i love the backrow options now in Valetini, Wilson and Naisarani. Because they are still tall for a 3rd jumping option, all quite fast for 110kg plus forwards, so dynamic, have high force in their hits and runs, yet still the stats are showing they have high workrates and are getting the numbers of their involvements right up there.

 

[Braveheart81]

The options we have now are all far more complete players. They don't only do some aspects of their role which is the reality we've been stuck with for a few years.

 

[Joe Blow]

I would like to see a starting backrow of
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
with Samu on the bench.

That might be tough on Naisarani but he or whoever misses out will get time over 4 games no doubt. Rennie will chop and change a bit until he finds the right mix. Injuries as always will have their say. Nice to have options. Wright has really been pushing his claims and will most likely also get minutes.

 

[Dctarget]

I would like to see a starting backrow of
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
with Samu on the bench.

That might be tough on Naisarani but he or whoever misses out will get time over 4 games no doubt. Rennie will chop and change a bit until he finds the right mix. Injuries as always will have their say. Nice to have options. Wright has really been pushing his claims and will most likely also get minutes.

Yeah spoiled for choice, to think that 2 of Samu, Valetini, Naisarani, Wright or Wilson will miss out. Unless of course Rennie goes with a 6/2 split on the bench which is likely, then just 1 will miss out. Almost NZesque in depth for backrowers.

 

[Jimmyjam]

I would like to see a starting backrow of
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Wilson
with Samu on the bench.

That might be tough on Naisarani but he or whoever misses out will get time over 4 games no doubt. Rennie will chop and change a bit until he finds the right mix. Injuries as always will have their say. Nice to have options. Wright has really been pushing his claims and will most likely also get minutes.

With lock depth the way it is at present, we could well see Naiserani as bench lock cover anyway.....

 

[upthereds#!]

TBH i Thiknk a 6/2 split is the way to go. Forwards is where we have a chance to overcome the AB's. A slim chance, but a chance nonetheless. A steayd onslaught of large, dynamic, dangerous hitters and runners is what we need to get in a scoring position.

 

[Brumby Runner]

For best balance in the backrow, I'm favouring, 6 Valetini, 7 Wright, 8 Naisarani. Toss up between Samu and Wilson as bench cover. I have no doubt Wilson will be one of the very best in another year or so.

Tough on Hooper, but Wright gives another and better lineout option as well as being a more conventional No 7. The great pity is that MH had many years at the top level but due to ignorant game plans was never able to convince at least half the Aussie fan base of his abilities at No 7. Having said that, it won't surprise me one way or the other just how Rennie chooses to use him, or not.

 

[Up the Guts]

For best balance in the backrow, I'm favouring, 6 Valetini, 7 Wright, 8 Naisarani. Toss up between Samu and Wilson as bench cover. I have no doubt Wilson will be one of the very best in another year or so.

Tough on Hooper, but Wright gives another and better lineout option as well as being a more conventional No 7. The great pity is that MH had many years at the top level but due to ignorant game plans was never able to convince at least half the Aussie fan base of his abilities at No 7. Having said that, it won't surprise me one way or the other just how Rennie chooses to use him, or not.

Curious what makes Wright a more conventional 7?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Plays on the ball significantly more than Hooper did during the lamentable Cheika years.

 

[Derpus]

Days of a specialist pilferer at test level seem over anyway. Neither England nor SA used one last WC. Plus theyve tightened all the ruck rules because Poey existed.

 

[Jets]

As of today I'd start with

6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Samu

Bench Wilson

Naisarani will come in to push for the 8 role as he plays more games. I'd also have Wright in the squad and would be fluid with who's on the bench. Also, make sure they get 20 at the end of the match to give them some development.

 

[Slim 293]

I think overall Hooper has been in slightly better form than Wright this year, but Wright is playing very well, is good over the ball and can jump in the lineout.........

I'm split, but this does look pretty good on paper:

6. Valetini
7. Wright
8. Naisarani or Wilson

20. Samu or Wilson

 

[Up the Guts]

Plays on the ball significantly more than Hooper did during the lamentable Cheika years.

Even if that is true, it is no longer the Cheika years.

 

[Rebels3]

NZ and any other country for that matter would laugh and love it if Hooper wasn’t picked. He’s about 1 of very few players we have that would legitimately get a look in for every team in the world. Probably Koroibete and Tupou (Kerevi and Poey would be there to) the only others.

He’s still only 28 so age isn’t even an issue. Let’s get real people, he will be the first name on the sheet.

 

[upthereds#!]

Expect Wilson to be the one who misses out more often then most in 2020 - especially against the AB's. Give the young gun some space and time.