rugbyAU
Bob Davidson (42)
Never been in a GF though in past 9 years and where have the other Aussie teams been at the deep end?
Wallabies 2024
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John Thornett (49)
He's always been too small, doesn't win contact at international level
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I wasn’t really referring to Neville…
Ikitau started, and Samu and Lonergan both came off the bench, but all three had a big role in that victory.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I feel that’s one of those copy and pasted opinions, that’s not entirely true…
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Totally disagree, he's not a battering ram but his footwork makes him highly effective
"Too small" always seems to ignore the fact Ardie Savea & Kwagga Smith are two of the most effective forwards on the planet. And Michael Hooper was hardly a giant
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
This obsession with sizes is highly indicative of mental incapacity IMO. Best player in the world right now is tiny by number 8 standards. Best winger weighs 75kg.
You need some big lads but not every player needs to be big.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Certainly not every player needs to be huge and sometimes it's to detriment, but tight 5 players in particular seem to be getting physically monstrous.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Wilson and Hooper are reasonable options in the lineout as is Wright. If it was Hooper 8. Wright 7 and Valetini 6 I argue that our lineout options would be greater...
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Hooper isn't an 8. You need someone that can get moving off the back of a scrum immediately.
There are some blokes we have to work around to solve the supposed line out problem and Valetini is one of them. He has consistently been one of the Wallabies best in sides going backwards. He and Bell carried the pack.
There are some blokes we have to work around to solve the supposed line out problem and Valetini is one of them. He has consistently been one of the Wallabies best in sides going backwards. He and Bell carried the pack.
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Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Maaaate while we are all playing checkers Eddie is playing ultimate frisbee with a dog.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
True although having watched the number 8's in the QF, Valetini's lack of footwork into contact is glaring in comparison. He just runs straight into people, much like Harry Wilson, and international defenses are too good for that
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
I don't see an 8 in Aus that offers what other have so I still think he's our best option. He might go straight but he often makes meters. Defensively he is putting good contact in also.
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Oh I agree he's our best. But he could be so much better with ball in hand. He's got the talent
He makes meters, but it often leads to slow ruck ball as he doesn't attack weak shoulders. If he did he could be as good as anyone in the world
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
I suspect Hooper will be as good (or better) an 8 as Valetini and I have always thought V was a better 6 than an 8. Jed Holloway was an excellent 8 forced into the row and then as a 6. We need to use players where they are best and not use them to fill holes.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Gleeson is only a 7 option at the international level, he runs like an RL player with little smarts about him. Hooper has more upside and Wilson is the better 8 atm. Agree re his weaknesses though and would like to see him progessing faster rather than learning how to run like Bobby V./
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
So you're saying he has the ability to use some late footwork and actually execute the draw & pass unlike any of our current pack?
Wilson still has a really high ceiling to his play. Hoping a change in coach (not saying Thorn was a problem) might be a bit of a restart for him.
Wilson still has a really high ceiling to his play. Hoping a change in coach (not saying Thorn was a problem) might be a bit of a restart for him.