Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
It's where Australia A comes into it - you'd rather have Hodge as the 33rd player not really getting game time unless needed than guys like Lolesio or Campbell who could be getting good game time in Fiji
Wallabies 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
A mutterer
Chilla Wilson (44)
like the look of this, but given were up against the SD's, can see us playing a 6:2 split
would love to shoehorn holloway in as he's been so good, and get the sense we needs some bigger bodies especially against eddie's new formationless attack.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
I would have Holloway on the bench as lock / 6 / 8 cover potentially edging out Samu for bench option. But really like ball as tough competition for spots.
If we are considering a 6/2 bench he must come into consideration
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yep Hodges utility value hard to discount plus long range goal kicker for those near the death opportunities. JOC (James O'Connor) offers actually same utility value as hodge so a case of either one on the bench but not both. If 6-2 got say a JOC (James O'Connor)/ hodge plus Gordon/Tate (assuming white starts at 9). If 5-3 probably add Perese.
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Tomikin
David Codey (61)
When's the last time Hodge has landed one of those long-range shots. I think you're probably better off infringing near halfway towards the sideline and letting him have a crack, reckon you're better than a 50 % shot his going to miss.
eastman
John Solomon (38)
Ah the Hodge myth continues.
A career characterised by mediocrity for the Wallabies and the Rebels, repeated missed clutch kicks but impressive instagram content where he slots them 60m out.
And then every fourth game he plays for the Wallabies (usually when we’re injury ravaged) he plays tough and gets the job done- and every commentator forgets how garbage he actually is.
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Yeah he usually does alright off the bench, but I wouldnt be having him near any long-range kicks to win it. and if its 6 /2 I can see the appeal of running him off the bench.
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
I don't think we take enough shots at drop goals, surely rather than taking 50-60m shots at goal (allowing for angle) we could kick for touch, win the line out and then field goal off the first pass.
Australian rugby does not try field goals enough, last night on a couple of occasions the Reds kicked up and unders from 40m out and lost possession, why not try for 3 points?
If nothing else, it makes the defence think of other options they need to cover.
If you want a unit who can cover 10 to 15 who can just slot in, Hodge is the best compromise
JOC (James O'Connor) is the better 10/12 solution but for the rest of the backline - lots of shuffling
Every 60m kick is lottery
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Isn't that kinda what you want from a squad player?
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Totally agree. His error rate is absolutely mind-boggling. But he looks the part and, as you say, will occasionally get the job done. If I'm Rennie i7d be at least having a look at Carter Gordon back there.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Sometimes wonder if a coach isnt curious - in a bit of a nothing game - to go FULL-ON Franken Jannie de Beers and see what happens. Just set up "floating screens" or something and tell 2 or 3 blokes to absolutely go to town pinging droppie attempts. Fuck the fans reaction, just howitzer those fuckers up into the night sky.
Whats the rule for a missed one, droppie out from under your own posts? Or is it a scrum from the mark of the miss? Fuck knows, either way you'd still keep the pricks absolutely pinned in their own half while you have a great old laugh watching the piggies crane their necks to see yet another attempt launched towards their posts hahaha
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
Playing a 6-2 bench we need a versatile player like Hodge to cover the backline wherever required. Sure there are better players in every specific position, but we can't carry a full backline on the bench and it seems obligatory to have a back up halfback. It's like he's created a cottage industry for himself. Who else has that ability to play multiple roles competently? Petaia? Tom Wright? Newsome? 6-3 bench is a different story, you get your half, inside back and back 3 sub. I'm not saying Hodge is amazing, but he fills a specific role at present.
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
Can u copy the text here, please?For what it’s worth, Paul Cully’s squad for England:
My Wallabies squad for the England Test series
The next two weekends of Super Rugby might inform a few late decisions, but the likelihood is that most of the squad has already been picked.www.smh.com.au
I’d say once you get past his selections at hooker, it’s hard to argue against the rest of the squad… picks itself really.
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Marce
John Hipwell (52)
With those statistics, Vunivalu, Muirhead and any Super Rugby winger are racing for a Wallaby spot lol
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
To be fair Vuni would probably look pretty slick behind a forward pack that can forward.
dru
David Wilson (68)
Ah, the counter culture of hairdressers and the team work horses. Watch for the continuing guffaws as the pack tactics change to "break the kicker, no, like real, break the prick".