Rugby Head
Ted Thorn (20)
Hoping to be proven wrong, but I thought Liam Wright was absolutely monstered by the ABs last game he played. He is not a 6 or 8, Hooper will play the full 80- we needed Samu there.
Wallabies 2020
- Thread starter A mutterer
- Start date
A bit like Latu, I like the presence BPA has at the defensive breakdown. Plays as the second 7, gets over the ball well. It's something that sets him apart from Fainga'a and Uelese.
He gives our pack a bit more balance, as we can select a Swinton/Hanigan type at 6 instead of a Pocock/Samu type, if we decide that's what suits our game plan.
He gives our pack a bit more balance, as we can select a Swinton/Hanigan type at 6 instead of a Pocock/Samu type, if we decide that's what suits our game plan.
dru
David Wilson (68)
I’ll never forget his first cap. He had been dragged out of SS to fill a gap in Qld and in no time flat was singing girt by sea.
Keep throwing straight Brendon, for the rest - just keep doing.
BPA should be starting now and is playing well. I think hooker is about our most open position and is probably more open to being chopped and changed than elsewhere over the next few years.
It's really hard to see out of our current bunch a long term starting 2. No one is head and shoulders better than everyone else as was the case with Moore and TPN.
It's really hard to see out of our current bunch a long term starting 2. No one is head and shoulders better than everyone else as was the case with Moore and TPN.
Samu hasn't faired any better in his limited opportunities at test level
Rugby Head
Ted Thorn (20)
with confidence, I'd say Samu has been the better of the two.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
This year, Samu was fairly quiet starting in a game where our forwards were on top. Liam Wright was very average off the bench in a game we were being dominated in (Eden Park) and pretty reasonable off the bench in one where we were on top (Brisbane). I'd say much of a muchness. Personally, I'd have selected Naisarani for the bench.
I yearn for the day we have a bench of:
16. Uelese
17. Bell
18. Tupou
19. Skelton
20. Naisarani
21. McDermott
22. Kerevi
23. Korobeite
I know it'll never happen and that, even if it did, it would never be half as good as I imagine, but having those guys rampage off the bench at 60 minutes would be beautiful.
I yearn for the day we have a bench of:
16. Uelese
17. Bell
18. Tupou
19. Skelton
20. Naisarani
21. McDermott
22. Kerevi
23. Korobeite
I know it'll never happen and that, even if it did, it would never be half as good as I imagine, but having those guys rampage off the bench at 60 minutes would be beautiful.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
They were?
I seem to recall them being bested in several aspects of forward play.........
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
At Wellington? We were at least on par with them. I didn't think Samu was too bad that day, but I don't think he's a clear pick for the bench gig either.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Our offensive ruck work and lineout were shite
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Liam Wright's inclusion is something I'll never understand. If for any reason you can make a case for him, then you put McReight in.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Qwerty, I reckon the coaches see Wright as an option for all three spots in the backrow while they probably regard McReight to be a specialist No 7 only. McReight won't come into calculations while Michael Hooper is available.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
I actually think McReight will play plenty of games off the bench with Hooper starting. He adds something special and you can bring him on for 20mins and he'll win 3-5 turnovers, is quick and has great ball skills. Don't think it will happen this year but a season of Super AU and the TT comp he'll be demanding a spot.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
Perhaps I should have used different words- our forwards were winning the collisions on the whole. We were doing poorly at the ruck (which Samu needs to take some responsibility for) and in the line-outs. Either way you spin it, Samu didn't do much with his opportunity. Compare how he went, for example, with Wilson.
Don't pick holes for the sake of picking holes. If you think the essence of the argument (there is not much between them)is wrong, state your case.
Samu was responsible for one of our lost rucks. Most of the others were backs.
He's a player that lots of people love so I think he gets credit above and beyond what he does sometimes. Most rated his game as being pretty good but he was one of our least effective forwards in that game.
dru
David Wilson (68)
I’m not so sure. The moment that Hooper was reiterated as Captain, McReight’s full entry to the WBs went in to a slower progression. It is a simple implication from that call.
I agree with Jets though that McReight will get a fair number of caps off the bench.
The decision to make Hooper captain has confirmed to the fans that Rennie thinks Hooper is still a clear first choice. There are obviously some people who were arguing that Wright or McReight could have been first choice this year.
Whether it has actually slowed McReight's progression in reality is hard to say.