Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
On the right track to where? If they can accomplish all that this year I don't think you'd find many complaining that they aren't "there".
Wallabies Watch
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On the right track to where? If they can accomplish all that this year I don't think you'd find many complaining that they aren't "there".
No.8
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Right track to becoming a great side again....lets be honest they havnt been the great side they used to be...
And if I was his junior coach I would've handed him the number 9 jumper and given him as much after-hours training as he needed to master the position. If ever I've seen a rugby player made to play halfback JOC (James O'Connor)'s it.
Dumbledore
Dick Tooth (41)
Out of sheer, idle, curiosity - why is it you think the Wallabies side was so unsettled last year?
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
My comment about JOC (James O'Connor) being the ideal bench candidate is about that fact that he is the ultimate utility back. I agree with barbarian in that he is that fucking good but in what position? It's not good enough to be an amazing footballer at Test level. You have to be an amazing <insert position here>.
Look at the benchmark in world rugby, the AB's. They generally select players that are specialists in their positions. Carter 10, Dagg 15, Smith 13, Jane, Savea, Gear 11/14 etc.
Yes JOC (James O'Connor) is amazingly talented, but what's his position? Just reading the above posts we have had calls in the last hour for him to play 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 AND 15!!!
He has never played 9. He's not even the best 10 in his S15 team. 11/14 yes he would be up there in these positions, 13 he's relatively untested and 15 as I mentioned, he could possibly make this position his own. We need to get away from picking the best 7 backs and then putting them into positions and start developing specialists. I think this is No.8 s point.
You would never hear anyone say it's a good idea to pick Cruden at 10 and then just cause he's so good, lets put Carter in at 15 or 12 or wherever. They're both 10's, pick the best one and the other one misses out.
Look at the benchmark in world rugby, the AB's. They generally select players that are specialists in their positions. Carter 10, Dagg 15, Smith 13, Jane, Savea, Gear 11/14 etc.
Yes JOC (James O'Connor) is amazingly talented, but what's his position? Just reading the above posts we have had calls in the last hour for him to play 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 AND 15!!!
He has never played 9. He's not even the best 10 in his S15 team. 11/14 yes he would be up there in these positions, 13 he's relatively untested and 15 as I mentioned, he could possibly make this position his own. We need to get away from picking the best 7 backs and then putting them into positions and start developing specialists. I think this is No.8 s point.
You would never hear anyone say it's a good idea to pick Cruden at 10 and then just cause he's so good, lets put Carter in at 15 or 12 or wherever. They're both 10's, pick the best one and the other one misses out.
If this team wins a Lions series and a Bled AND an RC in the same year then they won't be 'on track', they will be a great side.
And Mogg won't play against the Lions in any capacity, barring injury to 3 or 4 front liners.
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No.8
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Well they didnt win any games by out-playing a team or dominating them in anyway, they chopped and changed players in positions like it was going out of fashion and Deans seemed like he had no idea what he was doing with the team nor the direction he wanted to go in...
People have to admit that the current Wallabies are a few levels below what they used to be...
No4918
John Hipwell (52)
You are right about Deans and the level of the Wallabies is not where it should be. Deans has changed players regularly which has been a criticism of his on here for a long time. Hard to argue that the All Blacks were as good last year as 2010 & 2011 as well, or the Saffas.
If Mogg plays any test rugby in 2013, I would guess that it would most likely be at 14.
That is where I would select him. It utilises his speed and skill but diminishes his defensive liability at 15. Before anyone talks about picking people out of position, Joe Roff played much of his Brumbies career at fullback. He was exclusively a winger for the Wallabies.
Particularly when we're talking about the Lions series, I think Barnes, Beale, and JOC (James O'Connor) are all more likely to play fullback there than Mogg.
That is where I would select him. It utilises his speed and skill but diminishes his defensive liability at 15. Before anyone talks about picking people out of position, Joe Roff played much of his Brumbies career at fullback. He was exclusively a winger for the Wallabies.
Particularly when we're talking about the Lions series, I think Barnes, Beale, and JOC (James O'Connor) are all more likely to play fullback there than Mogg.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
I thought Deans should have got the axe after the RWC, but last season also had a huge injury toll that had him making all sorts of desperation selections. Certainly I agree there was too much shifting players around, but 2012 was a difficult year due to other circumstances as well.
something
Jim Clark (26)
Based on reputation for the lions, i reckon Cooper & JOC (James O'Connor) should play 10 & 12. Deans likes the idea of a crashball player in the 12 jersey but i think the 12 position would be better suited to a second flyhalf rather than a battering ram. If the game is tight put JOC (James O'Connor) in first receiver as he is more reliable and doesnt have (as many) brain farts, if the game is looser put QC (Quade Cooper) in first receiver.
Based on form.. nobody has been very exciting or exceptional.
Based on form.. nobody has been very exciting or exceptional.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Athilnaur
Arch Winning (36)
JOC (James O'Connor) gets put into different slots because he is that good. He is on a par with Jane and is one of a select few players in the world capable of utterly bamboozling any defense in front of him. To not play him for 80 would be crazy in the Wallabies and imo dicey in the ABs.
Our problem is that we lack depth at 10/12/13 so players like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and JOC (James O'Connor) get called upon. A situation that is rapidly improving though; our real challenge, as ever, lies in our tight five, 6 and 8. Very excited to see Quirk, Mowen, Pyle, (and personally Jones) stepping up, would like to see more from Alexander, Slipper and Kepu.
Our problem is that we lack depth at 10/12/13 so players like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and JOC (James O'Connor) get called upon. A situation that is rapidly improving though; our real challenge, as ever, lies in our tight five, 6 and 8. Very excited to see Quirk, Mowen, Pyle, (and personally Jones) stepping up, would like to see more from Alexander, Slipper and Kepu.
Scott Allen
Trevor Allan (34)
That looks like a very dangerous backline. We can only hope.
P
Paradox
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Question mark over AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) this season - been on the slide for a while but it's early days. Beale at 15.. Really struggles under high ball
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