Marce
John Hipwell (52)
Tom WrightAgree that Hodge is the logical choice at 15 now
Tom WrightAgree that Hodge is the logical choice at 15 now
Not sure Wright has the kicking game or tactical nous just yet. Hopefully this is rectified by some time in the saddle at the Brumbies next season.Tom Wright
Not sure if it's a "just yet" thing with Wright. He's an instinctive player that you hope his worth out weighs his cost. At Test level this is harder to do but I still see a lot of upside in him on the Wing. He reminds me a lot of Cory Jane.Not sure Wright has the kicking game or tactical nous just yet. Hopefully this is rectified by some time in the saddle at the Brumbies next season.
Hodge should come in for his kicks for touch alone. How many times on Saturday did we see Noah/O'Connor kicks for touch fall a little short. Seemed like a few times we should have had a lineout 5 meters out but instead were between 10-15 meters due to safe kicks which took our rolling maul out of the equation. Not to mention JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)'s kick that failed to go out at a crucial stage of the game
Any update of injuries?
Marika is awesome.I actually thought Marika did a good job sweeping back during general play when the Wallabies were scrambling. He put in a few decent kicks from memory to cap it off.
This isn’t a sleight, but there’s regular commentary that players like Marika and Kerevi, whose main weapon is hard running, need to ‘expand their game’; when they try to, they’re criticised for it.Marika is awesome.
I don't think we want to see him have to do anymore of that than he absolutely has to.
Rae Rae
Fair call.This isn’t a sleight, but there’s regular commentary that players like Marika and Kerevi, whose main weapon is hard running, need to ‘expand their game’; when they try to, they’re criticised for it.
I'd prefer Wright at fullback over Hodge, thought he played one of his best games there the other night. Was very safe under the high ball and his running threat in open play is the best we have. That said, a Vuni/Marika wing combo may expose us against the Poms and would require Noah to drop back for the tactical kicking battle that Eddie would more than likely employ. Because of that, it might end up seeing Hodge back there.
Fair call.
I think both these players have a far more rounded game than we give them credit for because their main asset is so strong.
Rae Rae
Agree with this Reg.yeah, I have a theory that the Japanese league actually enhances skills and decision making - I think we've seen that in each of Cooper, Kerevi and Marika who have each come back better in these areas. And that UK/Europe footy enhances physicality thus guys like Porecki, Philip, Arnold, Skelton did well over there.
Thus we pick backs playing in the Japan league and forwards playing oop norf.
Sean McMahon has been very open about the fact he can play in Japan with less wear and tear on his body, and probably get paid more than he would in Super Rugby.Agree with this Reg.
I've chatted with quite a few guys who have done a stint over there and one of the common things I hear is that it isn't as physical. What that does is free up a bit more mental space for players to focus on other aspects of their play during the games.
McMahon also seems very content to have good offseason and time with his family etc...Sean McMahon has been very open about the fact he can play in Japan with less wear and tear on his body, and probably get paid more than he would in Super Rugby.
It seems pretty obvious why Japan is the preferred sabbatical destination!
It will be interesting to see if he is picked v All Blacks and how he goes there….there will be definitely more pressure on him.Quade is looking pretty near fit again, doubt his return is far off
Of course Quade offers a more complete game, he's been playing since Noah was in nappiesI would wager that despite Noah coming on in leaps and bounds, which he has been, Quade still offers a more complete game. We need both of them and a decent 3rd option at 10 moving forward.