Wallabies front row

[RugbyFuture]

surprised no one posted something similar but thought we dedicate a post to selecting our own front row, run down of situation to follow, cant remember everything so fill it in

last nights front row:

Daley
Ma'afu
S Fainga'a

Slipper

Injured:

Alexander
Robinson
TPN
Moore

Off the radar:
the fuse
"field goal" dunning

Possibilities from Super 14 teams:

Adam Freier
Damien Fitzpatrick
Dan Palmer
Jeremy Tilse

Huia Edmonds
Guy shephardson

Greg Holmes
Laurie Weeks

Pek Cowan
Whittaker

any others and whats your suggestions?

 

[en_force_er]

Fairbrother comes to mind. He is Aussie qualified and is a genuine meat-head prop.

 

[DPK]

Jeremy Tilse was getting wraps for scrummaging. No reward for him though, I suppose lack of game time (and a red jersey) would keep him out.

 

[Redsfan]

Am I the only one who thought Slipper went ok, all things considered, when he came on? He managed to keep a straight back and good body position, and I'd say that the scrum marginally improved despite being down a man.

 

[RugbyFuture]

id go slipper and weeks, i agree with you redsfan, the scrum was going much better once slipper came on

 

[naza]

I'd start Slipper at looshead, Palmer at tighthead and have Baxter on the bench.

Palmer's workrate is underwhelming but Ma'afu's ain't that flash either.
Slipper has enormous value with his youth, naturally big frame and ability to cover both sides.
Daley is 2 years away, if at all.
Weekes is only 9-12-months away and better served being brought along gently at Aus A level.
An experienced vet in Baxter is needed. We can't expose the newbies to huge minutes and Baxter's quality work at the breakdown will set the tone for the youngsters.

Is there much point in persisting with Ma'afu ? He's already 27 years old. Yes I know props develop late. But it doesn't really fit into Robbie's youth movement. Which is why its also puzzling to see Edmonds there ahead of Fitzpatrick. Oh, and call me a bastard but given Ma'afu has 4 kids, does he have the time to put in extra hours into his training and development ?

 

[rugby_man]

James Slipper done well in his 15 minute cameo IMO. He didn't look out of his depth and would be worth moving into the starting front row after a few more games. I wouldn't throw him in just yet. The front row will be much stronger once all our injured players are back.

 

[naza]

James Slipper done well in his 15 minute cameo IMO. He didn't look out of his depth and would be worth moving into the starting front row after a few more games. I wouldn't throw him in just yet. The front row will be much stronger once all our injured players are back.

Well, we're playing against England again in 6 days time. What do you propose we do ? Serve Daley up again ? They made mincemeat out of him. He's not up to this level yet. They threw Daley into the deep end, why not throw in Slipper who looked more up to it ?

 

[fatprop]

I think the reason for Ma'afu is that he isn't Baxter

 

[rugby_man]

IMO I think the same front row should start again even though they got it handed to them. They deserve another chance to redeem themselves before we look to swapping the team again.

 

[Ruggo]

What is Fairbrothers intentions for next year. Was Australia a stop along the way to Europe or Japan?

Here is a theory for a solution tell us what you think. Bring Baxter and Holmes into the starting side at their respective sides and retain Fainga'a with the intention consentrating on Fainga'a's development but inhanced packing between two experienced players.

I wont be upset if they run the same blokes out again in Sydney though.

 

[MrMouse]

Naza, as requested, you're a bastard :fishing

I'd have a crack at Slipper, Fainga'a, Baxter with someone like Palmer on bench (for kicks). And Baa's I'd have Daley Fitzpatrick Weeks with Tilse on bench. Given Deans will never, ever, even with a gun to his head pick Baxter again, move up Weeks to wobs, and Fairbrother to Baas.
I said when selecting squads I didn't really rate Ma'afu at this level and by george if he hasn't proved me right - and how! Edmonds is older and useless in tight, Cowan useless. As a stop-gap you could have Holmes, Fainga'a Baxter/Weeks but there's no way I'd have Holmes in my world cup 30 so not much point.

 

[Scarfman]

The best availbale LHP on form is ...


... cometh the hour cometh the man ...


THE SUPERPROP

 

[Scarfman]

1. Tilse
2. Fanger
3. Baxter

I like it. Unless someone knows of someone playing 3rd division subbies who deserves a shot. Nicko, how's the ankle?

 

[naza]

Here is a theory for a solution tell us what you think. Bring Baxter and Holmes into the starting side at their respective sides and retain Fainga'a with the intention consentrating on Fainga'a's development but inhanced packing between two experienced players.

I wont be upset if they run the same blokes out again in Sydney though.

TPN returns in Tuesday's Baa Baas game so I don't mind Saia getting another game under his belt. He's just a short term stop gap. Then he can fuck off, hit the weights, work on his set pieces in club footy. He's a chance for the #3 hooker role in our RWC squad and will be better for the experience.

Its at prop where we need some longer term answers and depth, cause Alexander and Robinson could be a while away. We don't want to blood somebody against the Boks or ABs.

I don't get the sense that Deans or the selectors have a grand plan. When they named Cowan in the squad, I figured this was a "throw enough shit at a wall and see what sticks" approach to the front row. The selectors have a lot of bodies to pick from but no standouts. So the objective is to whittle away the dead wood until you have a better idea of the guys who might cut it. Daley is a lost cause. What do we gain by sticking with him ? Purge !

 

[Bowside]

I'd play:

Slipper
Fiainga
Weeks/Daly

With TPN and Daly/Weeks on the bench.

Daly is good around the field and weeks deserves a shot, he cant be worse than what we've got. As for young slipper, thought the scrum was better with him in it. I'd also move Chisolm into the starting team and chuck Douglas on the bench, at the expense of Mumm. They would add a bit more strength and stability to the tight 5.

 

[Langthorne]

The problems will not be fixed by bringing in new locks or back rowers. We all know very well that if the first choice props were playing the scrum could well have dominated.

Work rate around the park does not make up for inability in the scrum.

The ref was not the problem either.

Just when I think the scrum has reached rock bottom and the Wallaby management and supporters cannot help but have their moment of clarity the BS excuses and justifications start coming out again.


Hooker: With decent props beside him Fainga'a would be fine, but he is not big enough to compensate for prop weaknesses the way TPN (or even Moore) could. Obviously Fainga'a rides the pine if TPN is available.

Props: The first consideration must be competence in the scrum. Daley and Maafu had a whole match and multiple scrum penalties to redeem themselves from. Another test in a week won't help. In the right environment they will develop and get another chance when (hopefully) they are ready. If Slipper can be selected based on very little s14 game time then there is no reason why Tilse and Palmer (both of whom can play both sides) can't have a crack, but only as a reserve or in the Baa Baas. The Wallabies need size and experience in the front row this week, so Baxter is the obvious first addition, with Fairbrother and Palmer as strong scrummaging back ups. At loosehead the choices are less exciting. Dunning had a terrible s14 (unlike Baxter) so I'd be loath to bring him in. Holmes could do the job at scrum time, which would be a big improvement on what we've got, so I guess he is a good shot. If we are thinking about development of youth then get Tilse in as backup too.

Baxter's work around the park was excellent throughout the s14, so there will be no drop there. Holmes is capable of good things too (even if i can't forget that terrible miss on Vainakolo). As far as Palmer is concerned, improving work rate around the park is much easier than improving scrummaging technique - and the scrummaging is much more important.

Maybe now is the time to get all the Aussie props together, bring in the Aussie scrum coaches (anyone remember that Foley guy?), and have a proper scrum training camp within the Wallabies squad (which includes contested scrums - it is easy to smash a scrum machine as it doesn't fight back). ie Robbie, swallow your pride and prove you have the class to learn from your mistakes.

 

[Scarfman]

The Wallabies don't miss Foley at all ...


MUCH!

 

[mark_s]

Am I the only one who thought Slipper went ok, all things considered, when he came on? He managed to keep a straight back and good body position, and I'd say that the scrum marginally improved despite being down a man.

The scrums got better towards the end of both halves, I think the poms got tired.

Baxter has to be in the mix, either starting or on the bench. However, is he fit and why isn't he playing for norths?

 

[#1 Tah]

The scrums got better towards the end of both halves, I think the poms got tired.

Baxter has to be in the mix, either starting or on the bench. However, is he fit and why isn't he playing for norths?

He is resting for inevitable call-up