Wallabies team for next week?

[DPK]

True, but to suggest that Horne could reach the heights of those (I think at least that was implied) is at this stage, fanciful. I see more potential in Chambers at the moment, considering he has only played a handful of top grade games, his improvement has been remarkable.

Chambers is a good player, as is Horne. But if Horne isn't allowed to be forecasted to become a future great, Chambers shouldn't either.

 

[Richo]

Langthorne, I think a lot of the focus on the backs is because that's where it looks like the changes are going to happen -- in part out of necessity.

 

[Scotty]

Chambers is a good player, as is Horne. But if Horne isn't allowed to be forecasted to become a future great, Chambers shouldn't either.

I don't think I have forecast Chambers to be a future great at all in that post, merely said that I see more potential in him at the moment. And like I've said previously I would like to see Horne move one in to the 12 spot anyway.

 

[Groucho]

I actually like the team Growden thinks might be playing this weekend. There aren't a lot of choices anyway, with all the injuries. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) had to go to 13 and Beale might actually be pretty useful back there against the ABs. It will be interesting to see Fainga'a playing because I think a hard running 12 makes Gits a much much better 10. Disappointed Brown is still in there, don't think he's been good in either 3N games so far, but I'm satisfied with the rest. Yes, the Wallabies got murdered on the weekend, but there is easily fixable stuff in their game. Do I think they will win? No. Will they do much better? Yes.

The good thing about Beale, is that uniquely amongst our backs his first instinct is to set up his supports.

This may not be a major feature of classical fullback play, but given we so rarely break the line at the moment then Beale injecting himself then passing (hopefully not grubbering!) may be our best way through.

 

[DPK]

I don't think I have forecast Chambers to be a future great at all in that post, merely said that I see more potential in him at the moment. And like I've said previously I would like to see Horne move one in to the 12 spot anyway.

12. Horne and 13. Chambers is pretty close to the old centre combinations the Wallabies used, but I think it would be very effective in the game today. Both are big enough, I know for sure Horne can run very hard crash ball (something the Wobs are missing from their 12's) and both have great offloading capabilities.

However I think we'll be waiting a while to see that in action, probably post-RWC if it ever does happen.

 

[Scotty]

Hopefully in the June tests next year! But you are right, it is unlikely.

 

[DPK]

It's one step down in unlikeliness from having a fully fit 12. Mortlock -- 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) centre combo.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Hopefully in the June tests next year! But you are right, it is unlikely.

We don't have any June tests next year, right?

 

[Gnostic]

True, but to suggest that Horne could reach the heights of those (I think at least that was implied) is at this stage, fanciful. I see more potential in Chambers at the moment, considering he has only played a handful of top grade games, his improvement has been remarkable.

I wasn't comparing them at all. I was saying that if Herbert, Horan et al got the same amount and quality of ball as Horne has this Test season they would have been struggling as well. I can only think of one real opportunity that Horne has been given and he made a clean break against the Boks. Apart from that his defence had been pretty good.

 

[Scotty]

I have no doubt what-so-ever that Horan in particular, but Herbert as well would have stood out more than Horne has so far, no matter the quality of ball. Horne has looked good in defense on occasions, but I seem to have read about a few missed tackle stats from both 3N games. Not sure how accurate they are.

I hope the Horne achieves the heights that some on this site have predicted (next great Wallaby 13 by some - I believe fatprop was one), however at this stage I'm just not seeing it.

 

[Ruggo]

Horne is a player on the way up. It will be a slow climb for this poor bastard given the horror injury run he has suffered at such a young age. He has shitloads of talant and heart. What I suspect he does not have is confidence. Nobody could blame him for lacking that given what he has been through. I think we are rushing him. He is still young and the best of his career is yet to come. Shelve him from international rugby and not consider him until he can string some consistant game time together and rebuild his confidence. Spend a full year in club rugby if that is what it takes.

 

[Groucho]

It's one step down in unlikeliness from having a fully fit 12. Mortlock -- 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) centre combo.

Mortlock at 12 is the classic example of a great player who becomes completely ordinary when moved just one spot in. I can't remember how many Brumbies games I watched where Mortlock struggled to have any impact at all at 12.

 

[Groucho]

Horne is a player on the way up. It will be a slow climb for this poor bastard given the horror injury run he has suffered at such a young age. He has shitloads of talant and heart. What I suspect he does not have is confidence. Nobody could blame him for lacking that given what he has been through. I think we are rushing him. He is still young and the best of his career is yet to come. Shelve him from international rugby and not consider him until he can string some consistant game time together and rebuild his confidence. Spend a full year in club rugby if that is what it takes.

I don't think dropping Horne from the Waratahs will do him (or the Waratahs) any good. What he really needs is to be free of injury for a while.

Horne's problem is tests has been playing at the end of a backline where his insides continually run for themselves, until they run out of space, and then his wingers cut in looking for ball, and do not pass until they run out of space. The one position that cannot 'go roaming' is 13.

 

[Richo]

Horne's problem is tests has been playing at the end of a backline where his insides continually run for themselves, until they run out of space, and then his wingers cut in looking for ball, and do not pass until they run out of space.

Surely this is one key reason for our stuttering back line.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Horne's big issue is not ability but the fragility of his body. Being injured all the time saps your confidence (I can speak from experience here). If he can get a good S14 campaign under his belt next season I hold some hope that he'll show us more than the glimpses we have seen so far. Potentially he is top quality.

 

[tranquility]

I just hope Horne does not become the next Hugh McMenimen. Just like Hugh, Robbie has all the attributes to be anything. It is quite remarkable that he is even in the side as a 20 year old first choice outside center. However it appears like his body is just not coping with the duress. However he is still young and these injuries could all be coincidental, let's just hope he can reach his potential. I for one definitely think he could be the next long term 13 a good player to build a side around.

 

[Slim 293]

McMenimum
Heenan
Kanaar
Caldwell

What is Australia's problems with keeping good lock/backrowers fit?

Heenan was a great purchase for the Brumbies back in 2006... he was in such good form that he was ahead of Rocky for the Wallabies' 6 position... and then gets injured in the first test never to play again in the country... argh!

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Madness is the biggest disappointment for me. So many injuries and then off to Japan. We could do with a bit of his style of mongrel in the pack right now.

 

[Scotty]

Agree. The few times he strung some games together without injury he looked to be one of the best forwards in the S14 comp.

 

[Gnostic]

McMenimum
Heenan
Kanaar
Caldwell

What is Australia's problems with keeping good lock/backrowers fit?

Heenan was a great purchase for the Brumbies back in 2006... he was in such good form that he was ahead of Rocky for the Wallabies' 6 position... and then gets injured in the first test never to play again in the country... argh!

I don't think you can include Caldwell in that given his condition.