Wallabies 2020

[Brumbieman]

I'm sure at some point in the future a Reds back row of 6. Wright 7. McReight 8. Wilson will double as a Wallaby back-row. I'd hope that we turn Valetini into a proper lineout target though. His ability to stifle the opposition's momentum or force a turnover by holding up an attacking player is a real point of difference.

For the next year or two I see -

Valetini
Hooper
Naisirani

With Wilson and another backrower off the bench. Lots of depth though, wont get into that

By next WC, I reckon we'll have a starting backrow of

Valetini
McReight
Wilson

Wright will be there, but he's not better than any of those 3 in those positions. He'll get plenty of gametime though, as injuries and form play their roles.

RE the lineout - Wilson is already a great jumper. Naisirani too. Valetini isn't but he more than makes up for that as long as the backrow balance is managed by having a jumper at 8 - eg Naisirani or Wilson.

The forward pack is the least of my concerns, we have huge options in every position and depth to boot for the first time in ages. We might even pick up a few recent leavers - Rory Arnold should be given everything possible to come back.

Even in the backs, 10 is the only real weak spot and Lolesio and Harrison hardly blinked at Super Rugby.

I cannot wait till beer flu buggers off so Rennie can get to work with this batch of talent we have available - holy shit i'm excited.

 

[Brumbieman]

I've played with Harry and he's a great learner and will become a very skilled jumper if not already IMO. Has always found a way to turn 'weaknesses' into an asset of his game.

Take his tackling in high school. He wasn't the greatest tackler but has clearly worked really hard at driving through the contact and is now a much more effective tackler. I've also seen a huge upturn in defensive work rate. This one was probably due to the fact he was so good as a junior but he now gets off the deck and fills into the defensive line very quickly.

He's the best number 8 prospect in Aus since Ita Vaea.

 

[KOB1987]

He's the best number 8 prospect in Aus since Ita Vaea.

I mean no disrespect to the bloke but with regards to being an exciting backrow prospect for the Wallabies, having a dicky heart is no less of a flaw than say having hands like feet, low work rate, or being a penalty magnet. He was exciting player to watch but not cut out for test rugby because of that flaw.

 

[Slim 293]

having a dicky heart is no less of a flaw than say having hands like feet, low work rate, or being a penalty magnet.

Are you talking about Ita Vaea?

You might be thinking of Jone Tawake.........

 

[KOB1987]

Yes Ita Vaea

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/st...-due-to-heart-condition/digital-subscription/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ita_Vaea

 

[Slim 293]

Yes Ita Vaea

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/st...-due-to-heart-condition/digital-subscription/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ita_Vaea

I can't say I recall him having poor hands, a low workrate or being a penalty magnet is all.........

 

[KOB1987]

I can't say I recall him having poor hands, a low workrate or being a penalty magnet is all...

I didn’t suggest he did. I was saying that a dicky heart is an equally justifiable reason not to pick him to play for Australia. And before you say he would have been a certainty otherwise, I’ll agree, but Ned Hanigan would be a certainty too if he was 20kg heavier. Which he isn’t.

EDIT: I can see now you’re just having a go at poor old Jone

 

[Slim 293]

Apologies, I totally misread that..............

But yes, very promising player whose form was really taking off before he had to retire.

 

[Up the Guts]

For the next year or two I see -

Valetini
Hooper
Naisirani

With Wilson and another backrower off the bench. Lots of depth though, wont get into that

By next WC, I reckon we'll have a starting backrow of

Valetini
McReight
Wilson

Wright will be there, but he's not better than any of those 3 in those positions. He'll get plenty of gametime though, as injuries and form play their roles.

RE the lineout - Wilson is already a great jumper. Naisirani too. Valetini isn't but he more than makes up for that as long as the backrow balance is managed by having a jumper at 8 - eg Naisirani or Wilson.

The forward pack is the least of my concerns, we have huge options in every position and depth to boot for the first time in ages. We might even pick up a few recent leavers - Rory Arnold should be given everything possible to come back.

Even in the backs, 10 is the only real weak spot and Lolesio and Harrison hardly blinked at Super Rugby.

I cannot wait till beer flu buggers off so Rennie can get to work with this batch of talent we have available - holy shit i'm excited.

Agree with both those backrows. Long-term Wright probably takes over from Pete Samu as the permanent jersey 20 holder. If so, both can consider themselves unlucky because they are damn fine players.

 

[Slim 293]

I believe Valetini has to be a starter, just because he provides such physical dominance that we've lacked against the top tier test teams...........

I'm of the opinion that Hooper has been the form 7, but can't help feel that Wright's lineout jumping offers a nice balance at 7, especially if you've got a strong ball carrier at 8 with Naisarani, Samu or Wilson.

But as I've said this all along, so many good backrow options who were all playing so well prior to Covid.

 

[upthereds#!]

Didn't Wilson play 6 for U20 with Harris @ 8 & Mcreight @ 7?

Preferred Locks were Hosea & Wood (who is a normal 6), with Frost, Haangana, Tafa and Tizzano on the extended bench?

 

[Adam84]

I believe Valetini has to be a starter, just because he provides such physical dominance that we've lacked against the top tier test teams.....
.

No players survives at test rugby just on physical dominance, kiwis would never select on that criteria alone either. They choose players who offer balance to the team, and the right level of skill, fitness, technique and rugby smarts.

Valetini is a good player with a lot of potential, I don’t see him in the category of ‘must start’ though.. still a long road ahead for him yet

 

[TSR]

Didn't Wilson play 6 for U20 with Harris @ 8 & Mcreight @ 7?

Preferred Locks were Hosea & Wood (who is a normal 6), with Frost, Haangana, Tafa and Tizzano on the extended bench?

Yes - Wilson was normally at 6.

For what it’s worth, I think Harris will eventually come into calculations as well. Very good player.

Unfortunately some of these guys will be unlucky though. For whatever reason they’ll get stuck behind someone else and miss out. Probably not miss out completely, but not get the opportunities that may have. Damn shame we didn’t have 1-2 of these guys floating around 4-5 years ago when guys like Fardy & Palu we’re coming to the end of their tenure.

 

[Froggy]

Hooper will only be 31 next WC, I wouldn't discount him still being first choice 7.
While it's entertaining to select all these young backrowers at the moment, inevitably over time some will power ahead, and others will plateau, pretty hard to select at the moment which will be which.

 

[Adam84]

Hooper is a very very good player, and in the right team could have been considered one of the greats... but I don’t think the Wallabies have ever found the right balance which complements his skills suitably.

Not saying that complementing Hooper should be the focus, rather that they’ve lacked balance in the backrow/locks, and deficiencies across the individuals have magnified the same deficiencies across the collective group which leaves them all open to criticism.

 

[The Nomad]

Agree , Hooper's "wider" , link abilities were a perfect complement to a dominant forward pack that the Tah's had in 2014. They could afford him not to be always hard on the ball.

That same "style" of play drew some criticism when the Wallaby forward pack was getting pushed around and the backrow balance suffered with the "Pooper" combination. That's not a criticism of Hooper, more the situation.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Agree , Hooper's "wider" , link abilities were a perfect complement to a dominant forward pack that the Tah's had in 2014. They could afford him not to be always hard on the ball.

That same "style" of play drew some criticism when the Wallaby forward pack was getting pushed around and the backrow balance suffered with the "Pooper" combination. That's not a criticism of Hooper, more the situation.

Hooper and Pocock were so far ahead of other backrow options that it made the discussion about balance invalid.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yeah I think the Wallabies need to have some bruisers and guys doing the hard carrying and clean out work if Hooper is to play the wider role. That young kiddie from QLD looks promising and Isi has done a good job at eight so far.

 

[Braveheart81]

Agree , Hooper's "wider" , link abilities were a perfect complement to a dominant forward pack that the Tah's had in 2014. They could afford him not to be always hard on the ball.

In attack, pretty much every team in the world plays in these pods. The 7 invariably roams in one of the wider channels, with another backrower on the opposite edge and the third in the middle.

It's in defence where the 7s role is more variable and the amount they attack the breakdown depends on the tactics and gameplan. Hooper often gets criticised for not attacking the defensive breakdown enough although it seems that this is mostly coaching. His number of turnovers and forced penalties is always pretty high and comparable with the other opensides. He probably does attack the breakdown less though just picking his moments where the chance of a turnover is high rather than trying to slow down as many breakdowns as possible (which is a tactic teams like the Reds in particular have used a lot in recent years).

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

In attack, pretty much every team in the world plays in these pods. The 7 invariably roams in one of the wider channels, with another backrower on the opposite edge and the third in the middle.

It's in defence where the 7s role is more variable and the amount they attack the breakdown depends on the tactics and gameplan. Hooper often gets criticised for not attacking the defensive breakdown enough although it seems that this is mostly coaching. His number of turnovers and forced penalties is always pretty high and comparable with the other opensides. He probably does attack the breakdown less though just picking his moments where the chance of a turnover is high rather than trying to slow down as many breakdowns as possible (which is a tactic teams like the Reds in particular have used a lot in recent years).

Something that is often overlooked is how turnovers are created from his line speed and aggressive defense especially in kick chase situations.