Wallabies 3rd choice RWC hooker.

[waratahjesus]

i vote we dont need one. we have TPN as first choice, if he gets injured, Moore comes on, if Moore is injured TPN can play 80 injured and is still better than anyone on that poll, case solved

 

[TheTruth]

And what's the point of a poll if Fitzpatrick isn't there when someone like Edmonds is.

Fitzy certainly on the outer even with his own franchise. Kid was special at 20's level but hasn't seemed to rise greatly above that level - one of Fox commentators bagged him about poor scrummaging - he seems to be as mobile as a 7. Think Hanson from the Reds appears to be the future (at some point after TPN and moore)

 

[blues recovery]

Jeez i wish Ged Robinson was an Aussie. 3rd string Hurricanes hooker would clearly be 3rd string Wallaby hooker.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Jeez i wish Ged Robinson was an Aussie. 3rd string Hurricanes hooker would clearly be 3rd string Wallaby hooker.

Speaking of Hurricanes, did anyone see Jack Lam on the weekend? Bring him back asap, he was everywhere.

 

[Slim 293]

i vote we dont need one. we have TPN as first choice, if he gets injured, Moore comes on, if Moore is injured TPN can play 80 injured and is still better than anyone on that poll, case solved

When it comes to the RWC you can't have both of them playing every single game...

Thankfully Australia have pool matches against minnows such as Russia, USA and Ireland to give these guys a break... so despite there being a fair drop in quality in our third choice hooker they're not going to be up against the toughest competition... and if Moore or TPN get injured then they'll maybe get a few minutes on the field if the Wallabies are dominating...

 

[ACT Crusader]

Slim I think waratah was being ironic given the post game comments by Hickey on the weekend

 

[en_force_er]

Jeez i wish Ged Robinson was an Aussie. 3rd string Hurricanes hooker would clearly be 3rd string Wallaby hooker.

I don't see a reason why he couldn't one day be an Aussie for rugger purposes.

I do think he is a journeyman and not a WC player but Hardman did fill the number 3 hooker jersey last WC... so I guess journeyman it is.

 

[Hawko]

I agree, James Hanson I think will be the third choice hooker and before too long, be the number one rake with the Reds.

I think he deserves to start and the Reds would be better for it but with Link selecting the team it ain't going to happen any time soon.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Saia

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Hanson has become the front row equivalent of Mike Harris

 

[TOCC]

Hanson has become the front row equivalent of Mike Harris

substitutes who have come into games and made significant contributions to closing them out?

 

[fatprop]

substitutes who have come into games and made significant contributions to closing them out?

More about a player appearing to have the attributes that are required to play test match rugby, to often in Aus the mobile athletic tight forward gets ahead early, but the majority get found out when it gets hard. Nau is one of the few that can do both, but even he really struggled to get his set piece right.

Being a tight forward is about playing a role and grafting away doing the hard unglamorous work, most of it goes unnoticed until a side comes up against another side intent on sticking it up them.

Saia and Fitzpatrick are too intent on playing like backrowers, fine for S15, not enough for test match rugby.

 

[Scotty]

I don't know if it is because they want to play like backrowers, or it is just where their skills lie. Saia for one doesn't have the strength and size to play a real tough tight forward role.

 

[Gnostic]

It doesn't help matters when the national selectors select the tight 5 for mobility and "work rate" forgetting the set piece, or considering it as an after thought. Players will look at the skill set of those being selected and will naturally say, well I have to drop 10 Kg and run around like Richard Brown to get selected in the front row, I don't need to scrum or be an exceptional lifter at the lineout, "work rate" is king actual effectiveness is irrelevant.

 

[Tank]

I think he deserves to start and the Reds would be better for it but with Link selecting the team it ain't going to happen any time soon.

How do you mean Hawko? Do you think Link is a fan of Fainga'a, not a fan of Hanson or does not like making changes?

Sorry just interested as to why you said that about Link's selections

 

[Ruggo]

More about a player appearing to have the attributes that are required to play test match rugby, to often in Aus the mobile athletic tight forward gets ahead early, but the majority get found out when it gets hard. Nau is one of the few that can do both, but even he really struggled to get his set piece right.

Being a tight forward is about playing a role and grafting away doing the hard unglamorous work, most of it goes unnoticed until a side comes up against another side intent on sticking it up them.

Saia and Fitzpatrick are too intent on playing like backrowers, fine for S15, not enough for test match rugby.

Going off that description and taking smaller size into account I think you have just described Sean Hardman.

 

[Gnostic]

Going off that description and taking smaller size into account I think you have just described Sean Hardman.

I think we can get caught up worrying about size too much. It is about the mode of play and technique. I can think of a few very well respected international props who were around the 100Kg mark who were good scrummagers. Tom Smith (Scotland) comes to mind.

 

[Ruggo]

I don't know if it is because they want to play like backrowers, or it is just where their skills lie. Saia for one doesn't have the strength and size to play a real tough tight forward role.

Makes you wonder why these attributes are not being assesed at a younger level. Saia is now getting towards mid career and it is probably too late but why was he not identified as loose forward material when he was younger? Why was Ben Daley not identified as hooker material younger as he goes very close to fitting fatprop's description above. His physique is very suitable for a hooker. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but what a waste.

Both are good players with good application, good attitude and strong work ethic but both are playing out of their niche that would see the best results out of them.

 

[fatprop]

Going off that description and taking smaller size into account I think you have just described Sean Hardman.

and Keven Mealamu, and Adam Freier, it ain't size it is attitude and appilcation

 

[Ruggo]

I think we can get caught up worrying about size too much. It is about the mode of play and technique. I can think of a few very well respected international props who were around the 100Kg mark who were good scrummagers. Tom Smith (Scotland) comes to mind.

I agree. Do you think we get too caught up in the weight side of the eqaution and not compare it with the players height? Players like Mealamu and Rutlidge are light but have a low centre of graity which would most certainly help them play tighter. Adam Frier also fits into that mould.