dru
David Wilson (68)
I got there by not being fast enough to be a back, not skilful enough to be a 9, and not big enough to be anywhere else in the pack. Plenty of energy though, enthusiasm trumps ability doesn’t it?
Wallabies 2021
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
I got there by not being fast enough to be a back, not skilful enough to be a 9, and not big enough to be anywhere else in the pack. Plenty of energy though, enthusiasm trumps ability doesn’t it?
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I ended up there too. I had a growth spurt early so got moved from inside centre to the second row, then the actual tall blokes overtook me so I got moved to number 8 and then ended up at flanker. Most of the teams I played in had left and right instead of open and blind, but I was clearly more in the ilk of an openside.
Froggy
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Yes, my day was left and right also, but being small played the role of a current day 7. Like dru, I wasn't quick enough for wing, couldn't kick for 15, not clever enough for anywhere else on the backline and too small for the tight five. Pretty fit, enthusiastic and liked to tackle, equaled the total sum of my ability!
Zero_Cool
Arch Winning (36)
Rob Simmons dat you?
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
What were your thoughts on Rob when he played for the Reds?
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Rob's best years (2011-2015 in my opinion) really coincided with a surplus of world XV standard of locks playing the game. If Simmons were at his peak now, I think he would be far better received, as generally the second rowers aren't as dominant in other countries.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Interestingly for a player who isn’t at his peak, he rated in the top 3 wallabies twice in the recent test matches as chosen by the fans.
I don’t think Simmons is any worse then he was 5 years ago, in fact I probably think he is better. What no longer exists is the expectation of greater potential, he is a known quantity and we know he isn’t going to be making big runs or dominant tackles. But what he will do is anchor the scrum, steady the line out and make his tackles.
I don’t think Simmons is any worse then he was 5 years ago, in fact I probably think he is better. What no longer exists is the expectation of greater potential, he is a known quantity and we know he isn’t going to be making big runs or dominant tackles. But what he will do is anchor the scrum, steady the line out and make his tackles.
Clawhammer
Herbert Moran (7)
I was always the second fastest in the team and played 'breakaway'. I has two jobs, tackle the opposition fly half when they won a scum and support anyone who made a line break. It wasn't until I saw Josh Kronfeld play that I figured out that maybe there was more to it than that.
It's pretty impressive that a player considered "not very good" has been selected consistently by four coaches and become one of the ten most capped Wallabies ever.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
It's not even a unique phenomenon.
It always amazes me to see 100 test rugby players being judged as "big and useless"
(hint: there are no crap 100 test rugby players)
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
I mean, would you have taken Retallick, Whitelock, Etzebeth, Itoje ahead of Simmons if they were Aussies? Most would have.
Just because he isn't considered very good by many doesn't mean he doesn't warrant selection. The fact is there hasn't been other players who would have taken his place.
it is the old bear chasing you in the woods analogy
"How fast do you have to run not to be eaten?"
"a little bit faster than you"
Proud Pig
Tom Lawton (22)
The fact that your girlfriend isn't Charlize Theron does not mean she chases parked cars.
Simmons is an unexciting but solid citizen.
He does what a second rower should, good in the lineout, solid tight defence, adds to the scrum. It would be great if he was a little more dynamic at times when we have the ball but that is not his principal job.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Yeah, in my view we actually need more Simmons typed players. We often value secondary attributes above competency at core roles. Our Hookers, for example, are very good around the ground but are not much chop when it comes to throwing.
I also think we've done it a bit in the backline this year. I would have had Simone at 12 (im just gunna ignore his debut in Sydney) over Paisami all year, just because he can do all the basic stuff properly. Like draw a man and pass, kick, etc. Sure Paisami runs harder and faster but he lacks the basic skills. Same goes for Petaia over TK.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Been banging on about core skill sets for years, Derpus. Rugby is a game where each position has fundamentals that need to be done well and the rest is a bonus. In my view if you've got a tight forward that doesn't do the core of their job well then why are they in the team?
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Tackle the opposition fly half whether or not he had the ball.