Wallabies Watch

[Ash]

No, I posted pretty much all the stats I was privy to on Fantasy Super Rugby other than no. of Tackles. You're reading a bit too much into this.

I agree stats can be abused but they provide a measurement which isn't totally subjective. Anyway, apology accepted

Gees, you one eyed Brumby fans (the select few on this forum, not all Brumby fans here by a long shot!) have a magical ability to read what you want from posts, regardless of the actual content! Colour me impressed.

PS What about missed tackles? Tries scored? If Lilo had better than Taps with either either, you would have included them. And that's enough for me on the subject.

 

[fatprop]

I think we will have more success with mobility late than a limited unit like Timani.

 

[Dumbledore]

Deans played a winger during the Welsh series who couldn't tackle, was awful under the high ball, couldnt kick, and yet had less attacking capabilities than Mogg...

So there's hope for the boy...

When everyone else was broken. At least make an effort, Slim.

 

[Bowside]

When everyone else was broken. At least make an effort, Slim.

Cummins and Shipperly were not broken.

 

[Lindommer]

He did make an effort, D, to amuse us. I was amused.

 

[Bowside]

Our best scrummaging front row, big athletic locks, a back row to smash
Athleticism & workrate off the bench as the game opens up

I'd have the same starting team as you but with Pyle, Gill and Mitchell on the bench ahead of Dennis, Hooper and McCabe/Mogg.

I think this season is the first in many that there is some real consensus among the rugby community regarding selections. Unless there are injuries or drastic changes in form over the next couple of months, the backline pretty much picks itself. In the forwards tighthead prop, lock and Blindside flanker are the only real bones of contention.

I like the fact that there is a bit more 'abrasion' in the pack with MMM, Moore, Horwill etc.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

Unless there are injuries or drastic changes in form over the next couple of months, the backline pretty much picks itself.

I have to disagree. I don't think Cooper is going to get a free ride to the number 10 jersey... which creates a whole range of possible combination outcomes.

 

[Braveheart81]

It's pretty hard to dump Hooper after he was one of our best test players last year.

I think Gill will need to be pretty incredible to have a chance to be selected above him. Hooper will need to be pretty quiet to miss out on being the backup to Pocock.

 

[JSRF10]

Deans on Folau, I think what he is saying is fair enough. If he continues to progress he'll be right in the recking for a spot against the Lions.

I'd still have Hooper ahead of Gill at this stage but in fairness I dont think you lose much whoever you select.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

If Folau makes the Wallabies for the Lions Tour - it will be largely driven by business rather than form.

The Lions tour is the biggest thing to happen to Rugby in Australia since 2003. There will be more interest in the Wallabies than in any other typical year. This includes interest from AFL and Rugby League fans. Folau will be therefore seen as a draw card... a marketing tool to turn on more TV's across Australia to see how he goes at the highest level.

Does he deserve to even be in the reckoning at the moment, no. Will he in two months? Perhaps... 2 months is a long time in professional sport. Sure, he is talented and has potential... but certainly is raw.

For my mind, if Folau i selected... it's due to dubious goings on behind the scenes at ARU HQ in St Leonards.

 

[Bowside]

I can only see Folau getting a run on the wing. That means either Digby, JOC (James O'Connor), Mitchell, Beale or Cooper is going to miss out.

He'll have to do some pretty extraordinary stuff to get a run.

 

[JSRF10]

I think his best shout could be the 23 jersey covering wing and full back. I agree he does have a way to go but I have a feeling he could be involved.

 

[Scoey]

7. David Pocock (Captain): Yes, Gill and Hooper are breathing down his neck - but BAM BAM is BAM BAM, the heart and soul of the pack. Respected by his team mates and feared by the opposition.

This is actually a good point that is oft probably overlooked. Even if Hooper or Gill is out shining Poey in form (I did say 'if') then a selection for this type of tour could easily be made on the basis that Poey is feared by the opposition. How much value do you put on that in a Lions Series? Tons!

 

[Scoey]

On the Folau debate, I think he would need to be out and out head and shoulders above the nearest other option for whatever position you play him at to be even considered. Even then I have my doubts.

Firstly, he has zero Test experience. Blokes who have been playing Rugby all their life and Super Rugby for years get found out at Test level. Why would we throw a deadset rookie into a Test arena ahead of guys with experience?

Secondly, this is a Lions Tour. One for the purists. I have nothing against Folau making decisions to play whatever code he wants - all power to him. What I do take issue with, is a guy who doesn't live and breathe Rugby possibly being handed a Wallabies Jersey for a Lions Tour only for him to potentially head back to League next year.

 

[Bowside]

This is actually a good point that is oft probably overlooked. Even if Hooper or Gill is out shining Poey in form (I did say 'if') then a selection for this type of tour could easily be made on the basis that Poey is feared by the opposition. How much value do you put on that in a Lions Series? Tons!

On the flipside, flankers that keep a low profile are often times more effective. Remember how unstopable pocock was circia 2009, when he was not as well known and therefore less targeted by the opposition. Likewise Hooper last year.

 

[RoffsChoice]

On the flipside, flankers that keep a low profile are often times more effective. Remember how unstopable pocock was circia 2009, when he was not as well known and therefore less targeted by the opposition. Likewise Hooper last year.

I'm pretty sure that both the Blacks and the Boks knew that 7 was key to our game and targeted Hooper anyway.

 

[Scoey]

Fair point Bowside I was thinking more along the lines of the mental battle though and not so much physical tactics and strategies. All things being equal, imagine Poey over a ball at a break down just about to latch on. The Lions clean out coming in is thinking, "Fark 'e's already there, 'ow did 'e get there so bleedin' quick? 'Ow am I supposed to move 'im now?"

Same situation with Gill over the ball the Lions clean out is thinking, "I'm going to knock this baby into next week"

I exaggerate of course, but that's sort of the lines I was going along. Some players win part of the battle on reputation alone before it even starts. The amount of debates we have about picking certain players because of form or stats or whatever but we never really give this side of it much weight.

 

[fatprop]

I would not be surprised to see Deans budget 80 minutes from Pocock.

The question is then, do you carry coverage for him as a specialist or do you cover weaker spots.

 

[JSRF10]

Seeing as the Lions won't play with an out and out groundhog, Deans has to target the breakdown. For this I'd have a specialist 7 on the bench as back up to Pocock.

 

[Bowside]

We dont really have a 6 that is quick enough to the breakdown to be an effective bench option over hooper/gill. Unless the wallabies play quirk on the bench, but you couldn't really justify selecting him for the lions tour just yet.