Wallabies Backup Scrum-half

[wamberal]

Holmes.. the one is who playing 12 at the Rats because Sheehan is 9.

Josh Holmes must be the most disappointing Australian prospect of the last decade. He was the IRB International Under 19 Player of the Year in 2006, but never, ever fired a shot at the senior level.

 

[No4918]

Having watched Phipps all year, I have warmed to him a lot in the latter half of the year. Dangerous around the ruck, fairly good pass, and showing some good drive. I'd have him ahead of most in Australia. Irony then that I suspect that 3 are better, 2 of which are at the Rebels and the other isn't selected at the worst team in our conference - Kingi, Stirzaker and Godwin.

You really think only 3 halves are better? I'd have White, Lucas, Prior, Kingi, Frisby, McKibbin and Sheehan in the test team before him.

 

[Dumbledore]

Don't rate Phipps at all. Runs around the field at a million miles an hour doing absolutely nothing. Inconsistent passing, blindingly predictable running game. Third best scrumhalf at the Rebels, let alone the second best in Australia. White is clearly the second best at the moment, but given he's injured I'd take a punt on someone with a big upside and a long future - be that Stirzaker, Prior, Frisby whoever.

 

[Aussie D]

Don't rate Phipps at all. Runs around the field at a million miles an hour doing absolutely nothing. Inconsistent passing, blindingly predictable running game. Third best scrumhalf at the Rebels, let alone the second best in Australia. White is clearly the second best at the moment, but given he's injured I'd take a punt on someone with a big upside and a long future - be that Stirzaker, Prior, Frisby whoever.

You take a punt at super rugby level not at test level. As I stated earlier the reserve halfback is unlikely to get a lot of game time unless injury occurs so we need to pick someone on the bench who can cover other positions. Ben Lucas appears to be the best bet as he has proven capable of playing fullback and flyhalf at super level.

 

[Dumbledore]

When was the last time Lucas played scrumhalf at Supe level?

 

[Aussie D]

Think it was about 2009. The point I was trying to make is that the reserve scrumhalf is unlikely to get any game time unless there is an injury to Genia. Having a player like Lucas, who has played at scrumhalf before (he can still train to play there) will enable 3 positions to be covered whereas the likes of Phipps can only fill one, possibly 2 if Deans selects him on the wing (though it would be scary having him opposing Corey Jane).

 

[Allsports]

Have to agree with slim here, White challenged Genia for most of the season, he has an all around game which is great as a backup for Genia & the Wallabies, for his 1st Super season & under a injury cloud all year he's certainly putting himself up there. A new shoulder, 1yrs experience under his belt & Jake White ! can't wait for the next season, don't feel there's to much to worry about at 9, Genia solid as a rock ATM. Phipps not ideal but has been with the Wallabies long enough now to see them through the rest of the year. I'd be hesitant to bring another player.

 

[Proud Pig]

You need someone who is comfortable at Scrum-half as backup not a makeshift scrummie like Lucas. It is desirable to have someone who can play other positions but scrummie is the most specialised position in the backs. If Genia gets injured and we have to turn to a makeshift scrummie the game is as good as over. I think with White not available Phipps is probably the best bet as at least he is a solid passer from the ruck and can at least supply reasonable ball even if he is not a world beater.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Think it was about 2009. The point I was trying to make is that the reserve scrumhalf is unlikely to get any game time unless there is an injury to Genia. Having a player like Lucas, who has played at scrumhalf before (he can still train to play there) will enable 3 positions to be covered whereas the likes of Phipps can only fill one, possibly 2 if Deans selects him on the wing (though it would be scary having him opposing Corey Jane).

If the 5/2 is persisted with perhaps, but I think a specialist halfback replacement is still very important. How many years went by Gregan getting all the playing time and Cordingly and others getting splinters because he was an 80 minute man. But when GG got injured, Cordingly came in and it was almost seamless.

These guys just need to bide their time. I just don't see an issue with the back up halfback not getting game time when your starter is such an important piece to the puzzle.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Sheehan stakes Wallaby claim

HALFBACK Brett Sheehan has again pushed his case for a recall to the Wallabies squad with a man of the match performance in Warringah's 46-7 win over Penrith on Saturday.
The victory at Pittwater Rugby Park means the Rats play Northern Suburbs in a sudden-death Shute Shield qualifying final at Woollahra Oval on Saturday.
Sheehan will be a key figure after the way he led the side around the paddock superbly on Saturday, continuing the form he showed with the Western Force.
The Manly Daily understands the tenacious No.9 is on the Wallabies' radar and his competitive nature would not be out of place as the squad looks for a lift ahead of Saturday's rematch with the All Blacks at Eden Park.
"If I can keep performing well you never know what will happen," Sheehan said of selection for Australia.
"It's one of those things where you just have to keep working hard and I would be very proud to represent my country again."
In the meantime Sheehan is happy to be playing with the young Warringah side who have defied the odds to make the play-offs.
"Coming back to your junior club is always a special thing - although there are quite a few new faces I had to acquaint myself with," Sheehan said.
Coach Sam Harris has done a great job overcoming a dreadful injury toll to steer his side into seventh position. After a slow start against Penrith, the Rats produced an impressive second 40 minutes to run away with the game.
"The first half was really sloppy, we are not going to be able to start like that this week or in coming weeks," he said.
"We played to our potential in the second half."

http://origin.manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/sheehan-stakes-claim/

 

[Braveheart81]

Ben Lucas might also be able to play 10, but is that really going to improve his chances of being on the bench for the Wallabies?

If our 10 came off, you'd move Beale to 10 (or JOC (James O'Connor) if he was back playing on the wing) and bring on an outside back long before you'd play Lucas at 10 in a test match.

The reserve halfback is going to be there purely to replace Genia if he gets injured (once White or someone else develops well enough, maybe they'll get game time without an injury). I don't think the ability to also play 10 is going to improve Lucas' selection chances at all.

 

[Dumbledore]

Think it was about 2009. The point I was trying to make is that the reserve scrumhalf is unlikely to get any game time unless there is an injury to Genia. Having a player like Lucas, who has played at scrumhalf before (he can still train to play there) will enable 3 positions to be covered whereas the likes of Phipps can only fill one, possibly 2 if Deans selects him on the wing (though it would be scary having him opposing Corey Jane).

Fair enough, just seems a bit disingenuous to say don't take a punt at test level when you want to play a guy at scrumhalf who hasn't played there at provincial level for three years now. I don't entirely disagree about the need for utility value if we're going to run a 5-2 split, but the one good thing about our squad at the moment is the ability of players to play multiple positions. Beale can play 10 and 15; Barnes can play 10, 12; AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can play 11-15; McCabe can play 11-15; Cooper can play 10 and 15; Bieber can play 10, 12, 11, 14, 15. None of them can play scrumhalf however - I'd rather have a specialist in a specialist position than shoehorning an underdone utility in there.

 

[humanbeast]

It's a tough choice, Lucas hasn't played half back for a while and the others weren't great through the year, but as long as Phipps keeps dating dingos daughter I'm going to assume he will be the first choice back up

 

[Waylon]

Sheehan

He is one tough son-of-a-_ _ _ _ _

The bloke is 'ard. He plays like a ninth forward. he tackles his heart out.

His service is reasonable. He's the sort of bloke you'd want playing for your life. he gives everything and doesn't take a backwards step

The Force backline is so sh1te he doesn't get any recognition but his work rate is phenomenal

If genia got injured, sheehan would get the business done. The rest are soft as margarine in the Australian sun

 

[Paradox]

Gregan still looks pretty fit.

 

[disco]

We are completely different to the All Blacks who haven't really settled on a halfback for more than 1 or 2 seasons.

I always wanted Lucas or Stannard. Shame that Stannard as departed.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

This solution to the long term #9 weakness has progressed little.

Dingo seems to have little confidence in the current group less Genia.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Nic White has been on and off, but on average he has been good. Nick Phipps has had some blinders but also thrown games, on average he is ......... average. Burgess has kept his "I'll run two steps sideways, skip, do a backflip, taunt the opposition, kick it into my own hands and then pass it to the next guy" but runs pretty well - not better than Phipps or White though.........

 

[fatprop]

Nic White has been on and off, but on average he has been good. Nick Phipps has had some blinders but also thrown games, on average he is ... average. Burgess has kept his "I'll run two steps sideways, skip, do a backflip, taunt the opposition, kick it into my own hands and then pass it to the next guy" but runs pretty well - not better than Phipps or White though...

I would pick White, but Burgess's other key skills are his defense and his running is far more physical than the other bench spots

but ....
White has a better pass and kicking game, but rarely runs. His style suits a side playing for field position and front foot attack, now will the Wobs be wanting to play field position in the last 10 minutes, dunno, he doesn't personally attack tired defenses

Phipps has a lesser pass but a better running game

Now hear is the conundrum, I can see both Genia and White as perfect/quality starters, but I see the point that Burgess or Phipps may be more suited to the last 10 minutes

 

[Richo]

Now hear is the conundrum, I can see both Genia and White as perfect/quality starters, but I see the point that Burgess or Phipps may be more suited to the last 10 minutes

Yep. Robbie likes to bring on players with a contrasting style to provide a different look to a tiring defense.