Wallabies 2020

[dru]

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.

I don't get opinions like this. "Get real" should perhaps apply to understanding that perhaps other fans think differently.

I see no reason whatsoever to swallow the first line on the sheet "correct" thinking. Hooper is certainly in the running. If our youngsters were to step up though, we'd not miss him. There is a view that playing a 4 game Bled is not the time to blood team with youth. If Rennie subscribes to this then Hooper is a shoe-in. If not there are several names with a shout, key among them being Hooper.

From my position I'm quite calm with whatever Rennie does in the loose forwards, just hoping that it has some logic not just in selection but on roles, positional play, and balance. There is more than enough talent for that back row to do this.

 

[wamberal]

No reason why young players should not be blooded during the Bleds, per se. But it will be safety first for the first couple, I reckon. A good coach like Rennie will hasten slowly.

 

[Derpus]

I don't get opinions like this. "Get real" should perhaps apply to understanding that perhaps other fans think differently.

I see no reason whatsoever to swallow the first line on the sheet "correct" thinking. Hooper is certainly in the running. If our youngsters were to step up though, we'd not miss him. There is a view that playing a 4 game Bled is not the time to blood team with youth. If Rennie subscribes to this then Hooper is a shoe-in. If not there are several names with a shout, key among them being Hooper.

From my position I'm quite calm with whatever Rennie does in the loose forwards, just hoping that it has some logic not just in selection but on roles, positional play, and balance. There is more than enough talent for that back row to do this.

I'm obviously a Hooper fanboy, but seriously? Yeah McRight is the next chosen one, the saviour if you will. But he's not even nailed 7 at the Reds yet.

Give him a few years to get ready to take over.

Unless you are talking about Wright? Wright is a fine player who i admire and i think is incredibly intelligent. A test captain potentially. But he's got a lot of 'stepping up' to do before we get to the point where we wouldn't miss Hooper.

I feel like people take Hooper for granted. The guy is a phenomenal rugby player.

That said - i'd be happy to see someone else take over the captaining duties. Let him focus on running around lots.

 

[dru]

I'm obviously a Hooper fanboy, but seriously? Yeah McRight is the next chosen one, the saviour if you will. But he's not even nailed 7 at the Reds yet.

Give him a few years to get ready to take over.

Unless you are talking about Wright? Wright is a fine player who i admire and i think is incredibly intelligent. A test captain potentially. But he's got a lot of 'stepping up' to do before we get to the point where we wouldn't miss Hooper.

I feel like people take Hooper for granted. The guy is a phenomenal rugby player.

That said - i'd be happy to see someone else take over the captaining duties. Let him focus on running around lots.

I'm happy with everything you've said. Still think we wouldn't miss Hooper with the caveat I gave presuming they step up. I don't have an issue with Hooper at all, just the attitude that he is somehow anointed to the role.

 

[Derpus]

I'm happy with everything you've said. Still think we wouldn't miss Hooper with the caveat I gave presuming they step up. I don't have an issue with Hooper at all, just the attitude that he is somehow anointed to the role.

I think it's almost the opposite. For pretty much his entire career at least half the fanbase have slagged him off and said he should be replaced with 'insert any other 7 currently playing'.

 

[dru]

have h

I think it's almost the opposite. For pretty much his entire career at least half the fanbase have slagged him off and said he should be replaced with 'insert any other 7 currently playing'.

I speak for myself, Derpus. Not half the fan base. And I have never "slagged off" Hooper.

There is no doubt however that Hooper, or more the Pooper, created balance issues. Going back in time I probably would have preferred LFG, but this doesn't change what Hooper has given in pretty much every international he has played. IT was also a tough gig to handle Captain sitting next to an increasingly recalcitrant Cheika in media conferences. Something Hooper generally did with dignity.

But he should not be considered anointed to the position. On the balance I imagine he will be Gold 7, but there is little reason for fans to claim it is somehow a god-given "first on the sheet".

 

[Braveheart81]

let's be a bit more specific then.

Tom Horton (WAR) 29 throws for 2 misses @ 93%
Robbie Abel (WAR) 17 for 2 @ 88%
Feleti Kaitu'u (FOR) 42 for 6 @ 86%
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (RED) 35 for 5 @ 86%
Folau Fainga'a (BRU) 48 for 7 @ 85%
Jordan Uelese (REB) 41 for 7 @ 83%
Efi Maa'fu (REB) 12 for 2 @ 83%

Andrew Ready (FOR) 18 for 6 @ 67%
Connal McInerney (BRU) 20 for 7 @ 65%
Alex Mafi (RED) 25 for 12 @ 57%

Let's try and move the conversation out of the Reds thread.

Out of interest which three hookers would you put in a Wallaby squad?

I think Fainga'a is the only one that is a certainty.

I'd have BPA, Uelese and probably Horton as a bolter in the next group.

I certainly think Fainga'a, BPA and Uelese are the three most likely to make a squad.

 

[Derpus]

The Force hooker eligible? might be worth closer inspection.

 

[Braveheart81]

The Force hooker eligible? might be worth closer inspection.

Kaitu'u is eligible. Maybe he's another chance as a bolter. Will be interesting to see how the back half of the season goes. Horton really has a chance to impress as he's now the starter. If he can play a couple more games like he did against the Brumbies he'll be hard to ignore.

 

[Joe Blow]

Let's try and move the conversation out of the Reds thread.

Out of interest which three hookers would you put in a Wallaby squad?

I think Fainga'a is the only one that is a certainty.

I'd have BPA, Uelese and probably Horton as a bolter in the next group.

I certainly think Fainga'a, BPA and Uelese are the three most likely to make a squad.

Looking at those numbers you would have to agree. I’m not a big fan of BPA in general play but he has been good over the past couple of games. Fainga'a has been going pretty well. Uelese needs to get his frame in the game a bit more. He has the strength and weight required but his work rate needs to improve in order for him to play up to his potential.

 

[barbarian]

I've been really impressed by Fainga'a so far this year. Looks to have taken a step up - he's physical, works hard and doesn't make many errors.

 

[Joe Blow]

I should qualify that by saying Uelese has a much higher potential level than the other two in his size, strength and skill.
He’s been coasting.

 

[Up the Guts]

I should qualify that by saying Uelese has a much higher potential level than the other two in his size, strength and skill.
He’s been coasting.

I thought he played well against the Tahs on one ankle. I would be surprised if he wasn't wearing 16 behind Faiingaa.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I'm happy with everything you've said. Still think we wouldn't miss Hooper with the caveat I gave presuming they step up. I don't have an issue with Hooper at all, just the attitude that he is somehow anointed to the role.

Agree, he should go overseas in my opinion. He’s carried a lot of load and barring the super rugby ring hadn’t had much success.

Bit of time in France would freshen him right up.

Would love to see Wrongaz have a go in the short term.

 

[Slim 293]

Agree, he should go overseas in my opinion. He’s carried a lot of load and barring the super rugby ring hadn’t had much success.

Bit of time in France would freshen him right up.

With Hooper overseas, I guess that would provide an opportunity for Tom Cusack or Will Miller.........

 

[Bobby Sands]

With Hooper overseas, I guess that would provide an opportunity for Tom Cusack or Will Miller...

Sure, sounds good.

 

[Adam84]

Hooper should learn how to throw a line out and shift to hooker

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think it's almost the opposite. For pretty much his entire career at least half the fanbase have slagged him off and said he should be replaced with 'insert any other 7 currently playing'.

More accurately D, the suggested replacement in past years was always David Pocock.

Personally, I think Wright is very close to Hooper right now and offers a better jumping option which allows a better balance in the backrow.

 

[dru]

Hooper should learn how to throw a line out and shift to hooker

Not really, but Pocock might have made an interesting 2. Hooper may have been a Stewart style 12.

In the mean time, Hooper is an excellent 7.

 

[TSR]

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.

There is always a changing of the guard and it’s not always when people are past their best.

You should reflect on the fact that even George Smith was benched and then moved on (and then bought back) when David Pocock emerged and Smith was far from finished. Smith was 29 at the time. I do expect Hooper to be picked, and fair enough - he is incredible - but Wright has emerged as a genuine contender and has been outstanding too. And he does offer a different profile as a player - which may or may not be something Rennie is looking for. IF he is I would expect him to make the change sooner rather than later.

On a side note, I had to go back and check a couple of articles to make sure my recollection of the phasing out of Smith was correct. Reading some of those articles just reminded me of what an incredible player Smith was, and at such a young age (and how good
Pocock was to force him to the bench).

So, if it can happen to Smith, it can happen to anyone. And that turned out ok.