The last time we had Pocock, Hooper came on 6
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The last time we had Pocock, Hooper came on 6
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
Re Folau, I wouldn't be surprised if he does make the squad, but its really too early to say. We should assess his worth in another 7 or 8 weeks. Lets see what he puts out on a week to week basis. Lets see whether he's badly caught out in terms of positioning, etc in any games. So far he looks to be adapting pretty quickly to the game. His positioning has been generally good. His ball handling and ability to offload have been impressive. Last week he played as well (if not better) than Drew Mitchell.
Folau was a league winger of the highest quality, which, in my opinion, means he brings two major skill sets that we are looking for.
1)The ability to sniff out a try – evident in his debut game against the Reds. He had a poor game but was still in the right place at the right time.
2)Is comfortable under the high ball – I expect the Lions to rely on the up and under in attack so Folau could be worth his weight in gold.
Basically its too early to say whether he will, or should, be in the squad, but I personally expect we will see him showcasing a unique skill set over the next 10 weeks that might make him a real option despite his limited experience.
Folau was a league winger of the highest quality, which, in my opinion, means he brings two major skill sets that we are looking for.
1)The ability to sniff out a try – evident in his debut game against the Reds. He had a poor game but was still in the right place at the right time.
2)Is comfortable under the high ball – I expect the Lions to rely on the up and under in attack so Folau could be worth his weight in gold.
Basically its too early to say whether he will, or should, be in the squad, but I personally expect we will see him showcasing a unique skill set over the next 10 weeks that might make him a real option despite his limited experience.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
But BDA he was a "League" winger. This has been more evident than the two skills you mention when he has made errors that if done in a Lions Test would be game over.
Many have immediately discounted Mogg as an option for the Lions Tour simply on inexperience yet Folau is someone we should overlook inadequacies for? That makes zero sense to me.
Mogg has a similar set of attributes. The ability to sniff out a try and solid under the high ball. He also brings years of playing Rugby to the table and a subconscious knowledge of the rules etc yet according to most, he would be too much of a risk/liability in the Wallabies vs Lions. Why?
Many have immediately discounted Mogg as an option for the Lions Tour simply on inexperience yet Folau is someone we should overlook inadequacies for? That makes zero sense to me.
Mogg has a similar set of attributes. The ability to sniff out a try and solid under the high ball. He also brings years of playing Rugby to the table and a subconscious knowledge of the rules etc yet according to most, he would be too much of a risk/liability in the Wallabies vs Lions. Why?
Badger
Bill McLean (32)
If he commits to at least another year, then take him on the spring tour if his form warrants it. Otherwise, no gold jersey for him. It just cheapens the honour of being a Wallaby. Sad that some good players have never been selected, yet the likes of Timana Tahu have four Wallaby caps.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I would have to disagree on all counts......
As Badger said, he should only come into contention for the EOYT if he commits for another year...... and even then he'd have to prove himself better than a whole lot of outside backs.........
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
What 'errors' are you talking about?? I recall one poor defensive read in his first game of professional rugby. surely you're not referring to a dropped ball. that's not unique to league players. I say give the man a chance to show what he's got.
Again what inadequacies are you talking about? lack of experience? personally i dont subscribe to the idea that converting to union is rocket science. Folau has something like 5 trys and 6 try assist in the 4 games he's played for the tahs thus far. He's not exactly a fish out of water. If your talking about things like an understanding of the breakdown and positioning in defence etc, again my view is we should let him play out the season and assess him in May/June
I certainly didn't discount Mogg. But I've seen what Folau is capable at the highest level of Rugby League (State of Origin - as passionate and instense as any Lions Series) and he has BMT and skills to boot. I never discounted Mogg, nor will I discount Folau. The biggest difference is that Mogg played a full season last year and in the end was not consistent enough to break into the Wallabies squad. If Folau is similarly inconsistent neither will he.
RoffsChoice
Jim Lenehan (48)
The way Deans explains the whole George Smith selection issue makes infinitely more sense than what Pulver says.
P
Paradox
Guest
Here we go again. A simple refutation of what I'd posted would have sufficed and yet you continue with the personal abuse (one eyes, biased, etc). I told you I didn't have stats on mis tackles but both players are strong defenders. Number of tries are meaningless in this context. I'm done debating this.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Yeah I know you hadn't written Mogg off I was just using him as an up and commer that had "done his time" in the sport so to speak that offered similar things to Folau.
The inadequacies and errors aren't numerous but they have been costly at the time. Batting the ball dead in the trials, running sideways and away from support at times, the back pedalling on defence for Ships try etc.
Making the transition from league to Union probably isn't as difficult as some make it out to be. Making the transition from league (albeit State of Origin superstar) to Wallabies vs Lions test player is immensely harder. But yes I am also talking about an understanding of the breakdown and positional play, things that are unique to union. And maybe Mogg had a season to impress and didnt (as subjective as that is) but Izzy won't even have had that.
My main point though is that the Lions tour is one for the purists. It's for people who live and breathe rugby. Folau may become one of them but he's not yet and shouldn't be selected.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
I see what you mean, but it's also -- short of a RWC -- the rugby event most likely to draw the interest and eyeballs of casual fans. Purists know why it matters, casual fans (i.e. exactly the people who need to be brought into the tent) get caught up in the hoopla, the hype and, hopefully, some cracking good games.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Absolutely. It's a conundrum. Great opportunity to grow interest but is it worth it if we have to 'sell out' to do it? I'm not sure.
I'm worried the damage could be greater than the reward. If izzy plays then in 2014 goes back to league, I can see the headlines already. Unions so easy Izzy switched over and climbed to the very top of the game in a few short months. Well not quite a headline but you get the gist. ;-) And the players that felt they were close to selection but got overlooked for that last spot that Izzy got? I wouldn't blame them if they chucked the toys out I the cot and went overseas.
I get why there's hype and excitement, I just feel that there's too much at stake to select him.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
To be honest, i tend to agree with you. prior to the season I wrote a comment of the "Folau' thread on this forum and basically stated that as talented as Folau is he had no chance of playing in the Lions tour, with just not enough time to truly learn the finer points of the game. I still think he's unlikely to play in the Lions tour. Possibly make the squad, but wont get a cap til later in the year. From what iv seen so far he's actually picked the game up quicker than I'd expected so i wont count out a call up.
You make a valid point re the Lions tour being an event for the purist. Its important we don't cheapen the jersey.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
And all and sundry on this site had been calling for HB's inclusion for some time, but Deans in his usual inept way ignored him until even Vuna was no longer available.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
I think Izzy is a long-shot to make the team, although if he continues to improve or there are a few injuries, he might well get there. At the moment, he is surely a long way down the pecking order.
For the ARU, however, the Lions is likely the last opportunity before the next one or a RWC win to really grab a lot of attention from the other codes. They would be remiss in their duties if they didn't do whatever they could to make the most of it. I caught glimpses of the Roosters-Rabbitohs game last night and the attention showered on SBW was incredible. The NRL really recognizes the power of superstars to pull eyeballs to TVs, bums to seats, and sponsors to cheque books. I wouldn't be surprised to see them use Folau however they can, although credibility matters too so his form would absolutely have to demand selection... even if it shits the tragics or snubs a deserving player, unfortunately.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
We are now in the professional era, and elite sport is basically about entertainment, not about appealing to the dwindling band of purists.
If Folau is there or thereabouts, he should be given every opportunity to draw whatever headlines he can, whatever way he can. Our game is being overshadowed by what we all believe to be an inferior code, it will still be an inferior code whether or not Izzy plays for the Wallabies, but if he does, at least a few more league supporters than would otherwise have watched the Wobbs will do so, just to see Izzy. And some of them will be kids, I hope.
The Lions tour is the last station for the gravy train, folks, let us make the very best out of it that we can. Twelve years is a long time to wait for the next one.
If Folau is there or thereabouts, he should be given every opportunity to draw whatever headlines he can, whatever way he can. Our game is being overshadowed by what we all believe to be an inferior code, it will still be an inferior code whether or not Izzy plays for the Wallabies, but if he does, at least a few more league supporters than would otherwise have watched the Wobbs will do so, just to see Izzy. And some of them will be kids, I hope.
The Lions tour is the last station for the gravy train, folks, let us make the very best out of it that we can. Twelve years is a long time to wait for the next one.
The Australian newspaper is running Israel Folau ads on bus stops.
Has rugby ever had someone generate that much hype?
Has rugby ever had someone generate that much hype?
RoffsChoice
Jim Lenehan (48)
Not even Sailor got this much hype, and that was big.
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