Victorian Reds Fan
Bob Loudon (25)
inb4 people suggest Carter be in the squad.
Wallabies Trinations Squad
- Thread starter Bowside
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tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
He wasn't that good mate, McCalman has played better then that most of the year
vidiot
John Solomon (38)
Be nice if a couple of these players were fit at some stage this year. Even for maybe two consecutive games.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Palu has hardly played this year but he's shown quality. McCalman proved he cannot physically dominate the opposition in the way Palu can. The Wallabies lacked a lot of go forward last year and players that can make the dominant tackles. TPN and Palu are the missing links.
Looked well fit as he went off with the sling tonight! I hope you're right. I suspect you are overly optimistic.
darkhorse
Darby Loudon (17)
I would almost go with Samo atm. He has been very impressive, especially his general awareness. His extra years in the game seem to have benefited him greatly. In the right spot, making the right decisions, big tackles and plays more often than not.
Joe Mac
Arch Winning (36)
I agree with Qwerty that McCalman lacks the go-forward, dominant tackles etc at the next level at this stage in his career. He needs to do a Mowen in the off season and come back with another 10kgs on him for 2012.
Palu should definitely get a bench spot against the AB's in the 3N's just to see if he can still play at the next level against top opposition. All I have been saying is that Samo is the only one who has proven in 2011 (3 times) that he can and so there is not way he should not be starting at 8...
Palu should definitely get a bench spot against the AB's in the 3N's just to see if he can still play at the next level against top opposition. All I have been saying is that Samo is the only one who has proven in 2011 (3 times) that he can and so there is not way he should not be starting at 8...
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
I thought Cliffy had a good game. His physical presence on the field was noticable. He obviously needs a few more games under his belt though to get game fit.
McCalman was good, particularly at the breakdown, but he certainly doesn't have the pyhsical impact that palu, or samo, does. He's not really a damaging ball runner. We need front foot ball if Cooper is going to work his magic. I'd like to see both Palu and McCalmum in the squad, because they both offer something different. But I do think we need a Palu or a Samo either in the starting side or on the bench.
If Palu can get a few more games under his belt over the next few weeks he should be looking good.
McCalman was good, particularly at the breakdown, but he certainly doesn't have the pyhsical impact that palu, or samo, does. He's not really a damaging ball runner. We need front foot ball if Cooper is going to work his magic. I'd like to see both Palu and McCalmum in the squad, because they both offer something different. But I do think we need a Palu or a Samo either in the starting side or on the bench.
If Palu can get a few more games under his belt over the next few weeks he should be looking good.
But he can't stay on the paddock. I think Samo has been stellar, and is the logical choice. He at least deserves a crack in the Tri Nations).
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Just gonna point out that Elsom and Higginbotham (potential 6's) are dynamic impact players. So it wouldnt be a bad thing if McCalman was at 8, does all the simple things well and is good tough player. Not all your players have to be impact players
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Brumby Jack
Steve Williams (59)
Not if he has a broken shoulder, as reported on Twitter.
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Yep just saw. Not good at all.
U
Utility Back
Guest
I like higgers for 8, but im sure thats not too popular.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Why not Mowen for 8. He will give a true 4th jumper to the pack and one that has a long history of winning turnovers in that facet. He is solid of the back of the scrum, has very good defence and can run and offload.
I am not sold on Samo for test level. He has been very good for the Reds this year, but I have too many memories of him walking on the park, dropping the pill and not geting involved. Obviously Link has been doing something to consistently get the best from him (and part of that I think was his combination with Robinson, notice how much more subdued he has been the last two weeks) and I don't trust that Deans will be able to perform similar feats.
I am not sold on Samo for test level. He has been very good for the Reds this year, but I have too many memories of him walking on the park, dropping the pill and not geting involved. Obviously Link has been doing something to consistently get the best from him (and part of that I think was his combination with Robinson, notice how much more subdued he has been the last two weeks) and I don't trust that Deans will be able to perform similar feats.
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
If Palu is gone then it will be McCalman starting with either Samo or Higgenbum on the bench.
I would go with Samo as the bench cover.
Mowen is solid but nothing special. McCalman, Higgenbum and Samo all do what he does but better. We have better players available to play 8.
I would go with Samo as the bench cover.
Mowen is solid but nothing special. McCalman, Higgenbum and Samo all do what he does but better. We have better players available to play 8.
JimboJoe1006
Chris McKivat (8)
"Impact player" is the new "X-Factor". In fact, it could simply be the Piggies version. I don't agree with all the idea of picking speciality impact players, picking players who are great at the last 20 minutes. I am of the opinion you pick your best players, thankfully there is a perfect correlation between players ability over 20 minutes, and there ability over 80. I understand the importance of the entire 22 on match day, but this importance does not stem from impact players, instead from a crazy little thing called depth.
Fully fit Palu is our best #8, however in the relatively strong chance that he isn't fully fit for the 3N, or WC, then Australia has good depth in this position, of which Samo is at the forefront.
Fully fit Palu is our best #8, however in the relatively strong chance that he isn't fully fit for the 3N, or WC, then Australia has good depth in this position, of which Samo is at the forefront.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Anyone else read the new article on the front page comparing the blindside flanker candidates?
Confirms my suspicions that Higginbotham is not test level material because he avoids all the tough work.
The game against the Brumbies was a tough, physical encounter and he was nowhere to be seen all game.
We don't want to have another repeat of the 07 QF where the Wallaby forwards failed to show up to the breakdown.
Hopefully Elsom will get back to full fitness quickly.
Confirms my suspicions that Higginbotham is not test level material because he avoids all the tough work.
The game against the Brumbies was a tough, physical encounter and he was nowhere to be seen all game.
We don't want to have another repeat of the 07 QF where the Wallaby forwards failed to show up to the breakdown.
Hopefully Elsom will get back to full fitness quickly.
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