Wallabies v Springboks - Suncorp, Brisbane, 10th September 2016

[dru]

Unfortunately I have prior committments (4wd camping weekend). Otherwise I'd be flying up to Brisbane for this one. Cant beat Lang Park as a venue, and the two teams coming from difficult positions could really open the game.

I know we've not been happy in the Bled, but I'm figouring this game might be OK (both teams).

 

[Froggy]

Interesting a few of you would leave Hooper out altogether, and have McMahon in his place.
Hooper was the top carrier and top tackler in the first Bled, 3rd in ruck involvements, just was Tahs players player for the 4th consecutive year, a more sceptical person than me would suggest it related to the province he played for!!!
Look, I can see the arguements for having him come off the bench (although I don't necessarily agree with them) but the idea of replacing him with McMahon in the 23 just doesn't make sense.
Also, the constant suggestion that Pocock should captain the side, presumably because he is an advocate for good causes and when he gets cited for ripping someone's head off he apologises also doesn't make a lot of sense. Tthere is a world of difference between being a good person and being a good captain of a rugby team, and you have to ask yourself why some players are always being selected to lead at all levels by a variety of caoches, and some aren't.

 

[KOB1987]

I found that the media 'leaks' leading up to the last test were mostly spot on when the team was announced.

Today's focus has been on Kyle Godwin and the disbanding of the Pooper.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I don't think that's good enough cover for what is probably the most key position in the back-line. One super xv cap in the position doesn't make him a 10. JOC (James O'Connor) also played 10 for the Force and scored a lot of points and we all know how that ended up.

Like it or not Foley will be on the bench if not starting given he's the only other viable 10 option remaining.

Really don't need to be very good to be better than the Bernard Foley option this year. At least, anyone playing 10 has a starting advantage in that they haven't yet given away an easy try from a kick charge down as Foley seems to do every test match.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Interesting a few of you would leave Hooper out altogether, and have McMahon in his place.
Hooper was the top carrier and top tackler in the first Bled, 3rd in ruck involvements, just was Tahs players player for the 4th consecutive year, a more sceptical person than me would suggest it related to the province he played for!!!
Look, I can see the arguements for having him come off the bench (although I don't necessarily agree with them) but the idea of replacing him with McMahon in the 23 just doesn't make sense.
Also, the constant suggestion that Pocock should captain the side, presumably because he is an advocate for good causes and when he gets cited for ripping someone's head off he apologises also doesn't make a lot of sense. Tthere is a world of difference between being a good person and being a good captain of a rugby team, and you have to ask yourself why some players are always being selected to lead at all levels by a variety of caoches, and some aren't.

Personally I don't think there is any one player in the squad that screams "Pick him as captain"

Slipper is good but only plays about 60 and if run on
Hooper plays 80 but has shown some bad decisions when captain
Pocock talks well to Refs I think but his personal points of view on some issues and the possibility of him using the position to further those views precludes him for me.
Fardy just irritates Refs.
Folau may be a possibility but he is out of a lot of the action at 15. Maybe a move to 13 would make him a more viable option.

I just don't think there are other alternatives than those listed above

PS: Shit I ignored Stephen Moore just as the Refs have been doing. Should have been a standout captain but communication has let him down

 

[Brumby Runner]

Have you met Brumby Runner previously? I assume, as a Brumbies fan, you also know you Arnold plays for

Cherry picking again Pfitzy. Might just have something to do about Arnold having more experience than Coleman at this stage and has shown better form over a longer period in Super Rugby. But don't let facts get in the way of a good sarcastic response.

In truth, I wouldn't mind if Coleman edged out Arnold for this test, or even if both of them made the starting lineup. Just keep Simmons and Skelton out of the picture.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Look, I can see the arguements for having him come off the bench (although I don't necessarily agree with them) but the idea of replacing him with McMahon in the 23 just doesn't make sense.

From my point of view, McMahon covers more positions from the bench than does MH, and with at least equal aggressiveness and effectiveness with ball in hand. Also plays a lot closer to the ruck than MH, which I see as a benefit.

Without Pocock next year, MH definitely the starting No 7 but for now I'd prefer to see Pocock at 7 and McMahon on the bench.

Perhaps you can point out any holes in my argument? Other than doing a Pfitzy and just claiming bias toward the Rebels over the Tahs.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Folau may be a possibility but he is out of a lot of the action at 15. Maybe a move to 13 would make him a more viable option.

I would be intrigued watching and listening to Folau arguing the intricacies of Scrum penalties with the ref.

 

[Viking]

Interesting a few of you would leave Hooper out altogether, and have McMahon in his place.
Hooper was the top carrier and top tackler in the first Bled, 3rd in ruck involvements, just was Tahs players player for the 4th consecutive year, a more sceptical person than me would suggest it related to the province he played for!!!
Look, I can see the arguements for having him come off the bench (although I don't necessarily agree with them) but the idea of replacing him with McMahon in the 23 just doesn't make sense.
Also, the constant suggestion that Pocock should captain the side, presumably because he is an advocate for good causes and when he gets cited for ripping someone's head off he apologises also doesn't make a lot of sense. Tthere is a world of difference between being a good person and being a good captain of a rugby team, and you have to ask yourself why some players are always being selected to lead at all levels by a variety of caoches, and some aren't.

McMahon is used regularly at line-outs and he is getting close to Hooper's level around the field - at super xv level he's already there. So there's a small point of difference there. Although, personally I'd stick with Hooper off the bench but I can see McMahon pushing Hoopers heels come RWC - although not quite their yet.

But confused with your comment on Pocock who has been regularly been part of leadership groups (Force, Brumbies, Wallabies). He's captained the wallabies before. He often seem on-field addressing the team during team huddles etc.

And your last comment "some players are always being selected to lead at all levels by a variety of caoches, and some aren't" - that directly conflicts with say, our current Captain - who was consistently overlooked by multiple coaches for captaincy and leadership until he was basically the last incumbent standing that was guaranteed to start in the Wallabies - then the Brumbies decided to follow suit. I think Jake White was the one who came out and said he didn't think Moore would suit being Captain and went for Mowen (Despite never playing a game for the club), the previous coach decided on Gits, Moore and Captaincy never seemed to come into any equation.

So it's really not about whether Pocock would be a great Captain - it's the fact he's a hugely better choice then the current one.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I would be intrigued watching and listening to Folau arguing the intricacies of Scrum penalties with the ref.

The Ref might at least listen to him whatever he says

 

[TOCC]

Agree re Morahan but let's not nit pick, it's a squad inclusion. As for Godwin, yeah it's because of injuries and it's been discussed at length on this forum. Personally I'm excited to see what he can offer, if it's not him who is your choice to fill the hole? And don't say kerevi or hodge, they are already in the squad.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/nrc-2016-rnd-2-team-of-the-week/#disqus_thread

 

[TOCC]

Wi

I have no real concerns about any of the later inclusions. We certainly need some wing cover after losing both Horne and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and with question marks hanging over DHP. Good to see Sefa included though he won't be eligible for the Bokke test on Saturday. Godwin's form has been patchy, but there is no other No 12 available so it is understandable that he has been recalled to the squad. Arnold's return is good news.

From this squad, I'd like to see the following team go against SA.

Slipper, TPN, Kepu, Douglas, Arnold, Fardy, Pocock, Timani, Genia, Cooper, Hodge, Kerevi, Kuridrani, Morohan, Folau.

Reserves - Hanson, Sio, Robertson, Coleman, McMahon, Phipps, Godwin, DHP.

Timani?
He played bloody awful on the weekend

 

[wamberal]

McMahon is easily our best forward ball runner at the moment.

 

[Viking]

McMahon is easily our best forward ball runner at the moment.

Easily? Based on what? Super XV form? cos he's had one Test (against a Teir 1 nation) so far where his ball-running was above average.

 

[KOB1987]

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/nrc-2016-rnd-2-team-of-the-week/#disqus_thread

I'm not sure what you're getting at there - that Wileman or Horwitz should be ahead of him? Or that to be selected in the wallabies squad he needs to be in the NRC team of the week?

I'm not suggesting he's the best 12 going around, but given the injuries he's the best one to be given a crack. I didn't know a lot about him until I was compiling those stats a few pages back, some of those caught my eye. Particularly the tackle completion rate, I think it was 61/65 for the season. It would be nice to have a 12 that can actually defend there properly.

 

[Froggy]

Seb V, your second last paragraph I think makes my point. Moore had not been regularly selected as a captain elsewhere, and as a result, hasn't proven to be much of a captain.
I'm quite sure Moore is a great person, but that certainly isn't the only pre-requisit for captaincy, and I would make the same point about Pocock. At least Pocock was a captain at U20 level, which means others have seen him as a captain. If you want to know who I would select with the c next to his name, it's Slipper. Pocock won't be around next year, so we would then be looking for another captain if he was to get the job/

On another topic, I would prefer Foley at 12 to Godwin, who hasn't looked anything out of the box at NRC level over the last two weeks, and that's in a side that's really going forward. Having said that, I would have thought Hodge was the obvious choice at 12, with Foley as 10/12 cover.

 

[KOB1987]

I should just clarify that I'm not advocating for Godwin to be in the 23, only that he was the logical choice to fill the hole in the squad. I think he will be given a chance on the EOYT, possibly a run off the bench sooner. My preference too would be to bite the bullet and throw Hodge in there v the Boks but I suspect it will be Foley.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Cherry picking again Pfitzy. Might just have something to do about Arnold having more experience than Coleman at this stage and has shown better form over a longer period in Super Rugby. But don't let facts get in the way of a good sarcastic response.

In truth, I wouldn't mind if Coleman edged out Arnold for this test, or even if both of them made the starting lineup. Just keep Simmons and Skelton out of the picture.

Coleman has played 39 super rugby games and 2 tests to Arnolds 29 super games and 2 test so going by that Coleman is the more experienced. They have both had 2 good season in Super Rugby imo you would be splitting hairs as to who has been the better however I feel they aren't competing with each other.

Coleman is in direct completions with Simmons as the lineout caller option with Arnold up again Douglas. I think in time they will be our lock combination and will be bloody good together when given the chance.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The Ref might at least listen to him whatever he says

And then perhaps fall over laughing.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Wi

Timani?
He played bloody awful on the weekend

So did Simmons, Skelton, Speight, and they're also in the squad. Maybe others who were so invisible I didn't notice them?

It's clear that something has to be done about the No 8 spot, and that impacts on the No 7 also. Ward was a standout at 8 for the Eagles, and has been for the Rats for a number of years, but he's not in the squad. And Leroy certainly didn't set the world alight either.