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daz
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You don't score a hat-trick in a semi-final and not get noticed......
Exactly. I have no doubt Rod is on the Deans squad list this morning. Whether he stays there after Wobs camp is another matter.
Wallabies Trinations Squad
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You don't score a hat-trick in a semi-final and not get noticed......
Exactly. I have no doubt Rod is on the Deans squad list this morning. Whether he stays there after Wobs camp is another matter.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Just btw, I would argue that Davies' defence is now better than Mitchell's. Mitchell has had serious defensive lapses (two v England 2010 that led to tries come to mind, and why he was temporarily dropped by Deans). Rod is very near the complete Test-ready package in all aspects of his play IMO. But will Deans innovate this year, vs merely replicate?
G
GC
Guest
JOC (James O'Connor) and Digby are the likely wings in Mitchell's absence.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Hmm. I'm not sure that not rating Higgers as a test 6 is sour grapes. There is an authentic rugby debate about how tight or loose he plays. He's obviously playing to Link's satisfaction in the Reds pack, but that doesn't necessarily translate to the Wallabies pack or style of play. For my two cents worth, I believe the Wallabies pack will play tighter than the Reds and Higgers isn't quite the right man. Hodgson plus Paul/Samo are the back row cover for me. None of that is a criticism of Higginbotham as a player.
Garryowen
Larry Dwyer (12)
Mitchell was the form Australian winger before Higginbotham took him out. I hope he recovers in time, but I would have Rocket Rod as back-up ahead of Turner, with JOC (James O'Connor) moving to 12 (not sure I understand Dean's comments about JOC (James O'Connor)'s physicality, given he played Gits at 12 for most of last year).
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
Gufaw!!!
Have you ever considered that he's playing to the coaches game plan when he's "seagulling"?
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
Indeed, they are serial offenders...... shouldn't they be pulled up under the shit stirring rule?
Garryowen
Larry Dwyer (12)
Re: comments about Higgers, this is a thread discussing squad selection, accordingly it should be expected that some people will take differing views on the merits of various players. For me, I think It is somewhat telling that he was the one who took out Mitchell, suggesting comments about him playing wing are not entirely without basis. I think he's great with ball in hand. However, echoing the thoughts of some in this forum, I've noticed he hits very few rucks and is quite soft in the tackle (he was embarrassed twice against the Chiefs for instance). Thus, he wouldn't make my 22 at this stage.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I don't see any sour grapes here...
If you're looking for what constitutes sour grapes there are a couple of match threads that I won't name...
Anyways, Groucho is on the money.
Higginbotham lacks the workrate required for a test blindside.
We don't need another repeat of RWC 07.
Higginbotham's absence from the tackle was particularly noticable when Robinson didn't play.
Beau seems to pick up the slack.
If you're looking for what constitutes sour grapes there are a couple of match threads that I won't name...
Anyways, Groucho is on the money.
Higginbotham lacks the workrate required for a test blindside.
We don't need another repeat of RWC 07.
Higginbotham's absence from the tackle was particularly noticable when Robinson didn't play.
Beau seems to pick up the slack.
So picking a clearly inferior player is 'innovating'? News to me. Mitchell was the form player in all of Super Rugby before his injury, and his game has improved out of sight since the defensive lapses you mention (his dropping after those games has been acknowledged by Drew as a big turning point). Davies is a good winger but he lacks the game-breaking abilities Drew has.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Rockets defense this year has been a massive improvement. But I wouldn't be discarding Drew Mitchell for anyone, he is such a quality winger and on his day one of the best in the world.
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daz
Guest
I think Deans has done his innovation over the last 4 years, getting the type of squad he wants. Now he has that, to maintain it he needs to "replicate". You know, like for like.
What's the problem with this?
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
Re - Higgers
He would fit into a backrow with Pocock at 7 and Palu at 8 very nicely as they both play a tight game and get through a lot of the glamour-less work. It also depends on how much of their work the tight 5 get through as to what sort of back row is best.
On the other hand he may not go as well with Samo at 8 in place of Palu (at test level).
The back row needs balance. Actually the whole pack needs to be balanced and tight and loose forwards need to compliment each other.
He would fit into a backrow with Pocock at 7 and Palu at 8 very nicely as they both play a tight game and get through a lot of the glamour-less work. It also depends on how much of their work the tight 5 get through as to what sort of back row is best.
On the other hand he may not go as well with Samo at 8 in place of Palu (at test level).
The back row needs balance. Actually the whole pack needs to be balanced and tight and loose forwards need to compliment each other.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
my thought exactly
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
I had been rating Higginbotham as a test 6 for most of the season, but last few games he has gone missing, I think he should be an inclusion in the squad, but bench at the most.
Another point of discussion is how Cooper will play in defence. He has been brilliant attacking from fullback and it would be great if he could replicate that style for the Wallabies. But then you have Beale who is one of the best counter-attacking players in the game. In a perfect world everyone would shift in one, but I doubt that would happen.
Another point of discussion is how Cooper will play in defence. He has been brilliant attacking from fullback and it would be great if he could replicate that style for the Wallabies. But then you have Beale who is one of the best counter-attacking players in the game. In a perfect world everyone would shift in one, but I doubt that would happen.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Barb, I apologise, I didn't realise you were such an authority as to be able to designate players - comparing say a 2011 Davies and a 2011 Mitchell - as 'clearly inferior'. I must do better next time in recognising such obvious truths. Your recent blog essay on Wallaby selection dilemmas and choices makes it clear just how black and white and easy these player calls are.
On point: I did not advocate 'dropping Mitchell for Davies', didn't even go close. I noted what I suspect is Davies' 2011 improvement in defence that may now place him above Mitchell in that department (btw I think Davies is quicker than Mitchell as well. IMO, Mitchell's defensive frailties and his less-than-world-class speed were pretty clear when he failed to both tackle and then chase down Ashton at Twickenham v England 2010 when Ashton made that near all-of-field try). For the record: I rate Mitchell highly, but he is far from perfect in my view.
Turning to the point re Deans 'innovating', again I did not say 'drop Mitchell', but I am of the school of observers that believe that it would not be unwise to conduct some considered experiments in different backline Wallaby combinations this year v Samoa or in the 3N. Moreover, we have the practical possibility that Mitchell may not be able to return to match fitness this year, but let us hope that he does. Given the real uncertainties re his fitness, we certainly need to assess credible Aus winger choices now, I see nothing wrong with that.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
If one accepts that Deans in 2010 achieved outstanding results and had thus and then clearly arrived at the 'optimal' Wallabies squad for 2011 and the RWC, then strict 'replication' is indeed a rational direction for 2011. I am not of that view as a Wallabies fan, so I consider some 'innovation' and change in selections and playing combinations thereof may be highly desirable. But let's not restart a Deans debate, I think you'd agree that's a waste of space at this time.
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