Wallabies 2020

[ruggy]

Talking about snubs! Thought this worked out pretty timely, can really see Samu getting a proper look in now. As with the props, its kind of hard to know - I think they'll stick with youth

 

[Derpus]

I think the Slipper vs Smith question will be settled by the style Rennie chooses to play. Slipper is stronger around the park, but Smith is so dominant in the scrum. If we want to be anything beyond 'sufficient' in the scrum then Smith is probably has the edge. So if Rennie choose to be a set-piece team it'll be Sio and Smith, along with Tupou and Ala'alatoa on the other side. If we go the other way then Slipper has a good case.

Think Smith will have to have a phenomenal season to usurp the 80+ test former captain eh

 

[Zero_Cool]

Think Smith will have to have a phenomenal season to usurp the 80+ test former captain eh

So you missed that scum with the 20 year old LHP coming on, forcing Smith to switch sides... then dominate with the two wingers packing down for him? I'd say that's the beginnings of a phenomenal season. Regardless I think Smith and Slipper are about on par with each other with the difference being the balance between the scrum and around the park.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Nah, Slipper is the best LHP in the country (I know, I know, Sio is starting, explain that Brumbies fan, etc. etc.), both in terms of scrummaging and around the field work. He'll be the Wallabies LHP so long as he isn't injured (unless Sio makes a sudden recovery).

JP was great against the Lions, but was really exposed against the Brumbies when he didn't have LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) behind him. He's not taking the starting jersey from our most cappped prop ever after one and a half good games.

 

[Tex]

Yeah, Ruan won't be in the conversation the Rebels won't use him properly and they don't value the scrum enough for him to show his ability; it's a real shame because he ought to be in that conversion but probably won't be but that's the price he pays for moving to the Rebels.

Care to show your working on this equation?

 

[Zero_Cool]

@TEX
Did you not see the Rebels' scrums against the Brumbies? From watching that, Ruan wasn't getting the support from the second row/flankers, to my eyes he didn't have the support from behind to allow him to reposition his legs and move the scrum forwards. I think it was twice that he was penalized for this.

 

[Tex]

Yeah Kearns and Wessels spoke about how he was over-extending and it seemed to be addressed from that point on. I'm not a scrum doctor but it appeared to be a technique flaw from Smith though?

 

[Derpus]

So you missed that scum with the 20 year old LHP coming on, forcing Smith to switch sides. then dominate with the two wingers packing down for him? I'd say that's the beginnings of a phenomenal season. Regardless I think Smith and Slipper are about on par with each other with the difference being the balance between the scrum and around the park.

I did miss it but, as i said, he'll have to have a great season - not just one scrum.

 

[Tomikin]

The Smith Twins have always been great players, Ruan was the better one at the Brumbies, but now seems JP is playing better. JP at the start of the season is probably the 5th prop in the squad with SIO SLIPS AAA THOR.

 

[Silverado]

With HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) not showing a great deal now moved to THP (though arguably useful as a utility, but..just not as good as Kepu)

THEN the Smith Twins IMO are the no.3 Props on their respective sides. Both are better at their trade then Robertson/HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) & Ainsley/Faulkner.

LHP: Sio, Slipper, Smith 1
THP: Ala'alatoa, Thor, Smith 2

2020 may be the year a few journeyman get their hands on a gold jersey, as right now their stocks are rising, behind the incumbents, but still a step ahead of the 20 yr olds who will develop and get their chance 2021/22.

Pretty ludicrous to be picking a Wallaby front row based on 2 rounds.Lions scrum was pretty ordinary

 

[Rebels3]

With the scrum the question should be who is the better player Sio or Tupou? Ino different positions but I legitimately believe AAT might be our best LH if given the chance as well as TH. You could easily slip him to LH if the team would be better with Thor at TH.

 

[Bobby Sands]

The Smith Twins have always been great players, Ruan was the better one at the Brumbies, but now seems JP is playing better. JP at the start of the season is probably the 5th prop in the squad with SIO SLIPS AAA THOR.

I was never impressed with them early on, but JP is really, really good now.

As you say Ruan was always more gifted, but JP has become the better senior player.

One of them played inside centre when they were at TGS and was apparently unbelievable in the backline!

 

[upthereds#!]

Pretty ludicrous to be picking a Wallaby front row based on 2 rounds.Lions scrum was pretty ordinary

Aside from the fact there's been about 10 posts already regarding the Smith Twins, have you ever looked at this forum before ?! (I know you have). Ludicrous squad picks is like...90% of the content. Get amongst it.

 

[upthereds#!]

Also I don't think that Sio & Ala'alatoa as the first choice, then Slipper and Tupou as the 2nd choice - is ludicrous, no matter how many rounds have been played.

 

[Adam84]

Pretty ludicrous to be picking a Wallaby front row based on 2 rounds.Lions scrum was pretty ordinary

Well Lions might have been. But it was probably the Reds derby match against the Brumbies which counted for more. Sio-Fainga'a-AAA are the wallabies front row and benchmark for scrummaging in Australia.

I don’t think any of those names should be unexpected, they’ve demonstrated improving or consistent scrummaging for years now, i don’t think it’s ludicrous.

 

[dru]

Well Lions might have been. But it was probably the Reds derby match against the Brumbies which counted for more. Sio-Fainga'a-AAA are the wallabies front row and benchmark for scrummaging in Australia.

I don’t think any of those names should be unexpected, they’ve demonstrated improving or consistent scrummaging for years now, i don’t think it’s ludicrous.

The starting Lions front row isn’t too bad on paper, though there is no proof in two rounds and being demolished by the Reds. They have no depth or squad co sister you elsewhere info 16-18.

 

[Silverado]

Well Lions might have been. But it was probably the Reds derby match against the Brumbies which counted for more. Sio-Fainga'a-AAA are the wallabies front row and benchmark for scrummaging in Australia.

I don’t think any of those names should be unexpected, they’ve demonstrated improving or consistent scrummaging for years now, i don’t think it’s ludicrous.

The benchmark of Australian scrummaging got owned by the Reds front row. I'd have Tupou over Sio at this point, but will reserve judgment until they play some more games

 

[Bobby Sands]

The benchmark of Australian scrummaging got owned by the Reds front row. I'd have Tupou over Sio at this point, but will reserve judgment until they play some more games

Sio is a Loosehead? But in any event - The Reds might not be winning, but I’ve never seen our scrum this good.

 

[Silverado]

Sio is a Loosehead? But in any event - The Reds might not be winning, but I’ve never seen our scrum this good.

My bad. Yes the Reds are the new Brumbies at scrum time. I was trying to say that Sio hasn't had a good start to the season but there's a long way out from the first test

 

[Wilson]

The benchmark of Australian scrummaging got owned by the Reds front row. I'd have Tupou over Sio at this point, but will reserve judgment until they play some more games

Tupou and Sio play different positions, did you mean over AAA? At the moment I see them trading the start, but AAA is definitely in the box seat.