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

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BarneySF

BarneySF

Bob Loudon (25)
I'm kind of surprised still that over the years, how few bullocking 8 men we've had. Since say late 80's - Tim Gavin; Scott Gourlay; Willie O; Totai Kefu then pretty much no one since then. Who did we have in 99? Pundits like me often throw out that line "surely a line bending jumping back rower can be plucked from club land" but it shows just how rarely that player comes along. I mean if someone like a Fifita could jump you'd think a player like that would have a mortgage on the position?


Edit: I mean jump in a line out as opposed to jumping over from league.
 
RugbyReg

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
BarneySF said:
I'm kind of surprised still that over the years, how few bullocking 8 men we've had. Since say late 80's - Tim Gavin; Scott Gourlay; Willie O; Totai Kefu then pretty much no one since then. Who did we have in 99? Pundits like me often throw out that line "surely a line bending jumping back rower can be plucked from club land" but it shows just how rarely that player comes along. I mean if someone like a Fifita could jump you'd think a player like that would have a mortgage on the position?


Edit: I mean jump in a line out as opposed to jumping over from league.
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Gourley never played 8 for Oz and Willie O only started there half a dozen times. In 91 Troy Coker was 8 (once Gavin got injured) and Willie O was 6.

Kefu (who was the 99 #8 with Strauss and Jim Williams as back up) was our only real bullocking player although Gavin's running game was was under rated.

From a professional age the only guy that really got close was David Lyons but his form was patchy. He was brilliant in the opening game of RWC 03 but never matched it again I don't think.

Samo is the only other one but again his tests at 8 weren't a regular thing.
 
BarneySF

BarneySF

Bob Loudon (25)
RugbyReg said:
Gourley never played 8 for Oz and Willie O only started there half a dozen times. In 91 Troy Coker was 8 (once Gavin got injured) and Willie O was 6.

Kefu (who was the 99 #8 with Strauss and Jim Williams as back up) was our only real bullocking player although Gavin's running game was was under rated.

From a professional age the only guy that really got close was David Lyons but his form was patchy. He was brilliant in the opening game of RWC 03 but never matched it again I don't think.

Samo is the only other one but again his tests at 8 weren't a regular thing.
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Yeah you're right- I'm conflating things here. I should have kept it to simply backrowers. But all those guys had qualities we greatly need right now: line bending and hard hitting, although I'll admit I can't recall their respective line out prowess - no lifting in those early years? Coker could jump IIRC and so could a certain J Eales who played no. 8 at least once at the 91 RWC!

One trait we certainly NEVER see anymore, is the ability to really put an opposing player on their arse - I remember Gourlay regularly tackling someone and that guy not getting up for a bit (88 EOYT v Scotland I think. Carved them up. Last big hit I enjoyed was Samo on Habana in RWC SF 2011. But I digest.......
 
Twoilms

Twoilms

Trevor Allan (34)
ACT Crusader said:
The "fetching" is fine, in fact that's not really a problem when you look at that specifically. What I see as a massive problem is what happens after Pocock / Hooper win a turnover. OZ don't create any real advantage from it.
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It isn't really. Pocock is attracting the referees ire more and more these days, using his hands to support his weight etc. Seems he gets pinged as often as he effects a turnover. You are right that it doesn't seem to have the pressure relieving effect it should.
 
Twoilms

Twoilms

Trevor Allan (34)
BarneySF said:
Yeah you're right- I'm conflating things here. I should have kept it to simply backrowers. But all those guys had qualities we greatly need right now: line bending and hard hitting, although I'll admit I can't recall their respective line out prowess - no lifting in those early years? Coker could jump IIRC and so could a certain J Eales who played no. 8 at least once at the 91 RWC!

One trait we certainly NEVER see anymore, is the ability to really put an opposing player on their arse - I remember Gourlay regularly tackling someone and that guy not getting up for a bit (88 EOYT v Scotland I think. Carved them up. Last big hit I enjoyed was Samo on Habana in RWC SF 2011. But I digest...
Click to expand...


Hooper can put them on occasionally.
 
TSR

TSR

Andrew Slack (58)
BarneySF said:
Yeah you're right- I'm conflating things here. I should have kept it to simply backrowers. But all those guys had qualities we greatly need right now: line bending and hard hitting, although I'll admit I can't recall their respective line out prowess - no lifting in those early years? Coker could jump IIRC and so could a certain J Eales who played no. 8 at least once at the 91 RWC!
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Willie O took at least one line out. In the 91 Final leading to the try.

Maybe we should have thrown to him more.
 
Joe Blow

Joe Blow

John Hipwell (52)
Is Holloway back soon? I saw he was used in the NRC marketing.
He and Cottrell look good at 8. I agree with Barney, there must be some other tailor made 6s rolling around that could transition to 8 as easily as Pocock has. We also seem to have large number of locks coming through the ranks right now. How did Staniorth go at 6?
Timani is starting this weekend at 8 in the NRC. That should be interesting.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
^^^^^^^^ imo Staniforth was the best forward on the ground last week. Didn't think he would be speedy enough for No 6 but he performed very good.
 
WorkingClassRugger

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
Joe Blow said:
Is Holloway back soon? I saw he was used in the NRC marketing.
He and Cottrell look good at 8. I agree with Barney, there must be some other tailor made 6s rolling around that could transition to 8 as easily as Pocock has. We also seem to have large number of locks coming through the ranks right now. How did Staniorth go at 6?
Timani is starting this weekend at 8 in the NRC. That should be interesting.
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Saw a post of his on twitter that said he was expected back from injury in October.
 
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