Wallabies Watch

[qwerty51]

Ha not really just an oversight on my part, do you think he deserves to be there?

 

[Train Without a Station]

Hard to say. Considering people cite his defence, he only had to make 2 one on one tackles, one cover tackle on Mogg and one of Smith when he took the Reds line out on the back, he showed his ability to tackle has improved. He did make one stupid offload. Otherwise his game management, kicking and composure was good. Would have liked to see him wanting the ball while we were under pressure though. Laid on some fucking excellent passes. The one for Davies try is what separates him from every other 10 in Aus.

 

[barbarian]

Here is a question that occured to me tonight- people say that if Folau signs with League, he shouldn't be picked to play the Lions. Should we take the same stance with Dan Palmer? I am far from certain he is our best 3 (was underwhelming tonight), and even if he is he is not far in front of 2 or 3 others. He has already signed with an overseas club. He may come back, but he may not. Do we need to be consistent here?

I understand the two situations aren't exactly the same, but the underlying fact is both are leaving the Aussie game (that is IF Izzy signs with league).
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[Scotty]

Yeah, I'm happy to be consistent with that, provided he isn't seen as that much better than the other options (ie indispensable).

 

[Train Without a Station]

Very different though. One has been plugging away for a number of year. One has seemingly chased the coin code to code. Palmer will likely come back. Folau, not.

 

[Scotty]

What I learned from this weekend:

Cooper is the best 10 and creates much more than the others.
Douglas has to partner Horwill
Mogg and Folau need to be in the squad and probably the 23. Maybe Izzy to start at wing and Mogg on the bench.
Robinson is the best loose prop.
Smith is the best 7.
Palu if fit is the best 8 by far.
Digby still offers a running option the others can't match.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is the best 13.

What I still don't know:

Who is the best tight head, blindside and 12.

 

[barbarian]

You've been reading my mind Scotty, just put this on the front page a few minutes ago!

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/12-short-observations-from-the-weekends-matches/
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[Brumbieman]

12 is Lealiifano.

Blindside: Mowen or McMeniman

 

[qwerty51]

Good point on Palmer, not sure on that one.

Palmer outplayed Slipper in the scrums tonight. Palmer to start and replaced by Slipper looks pretty good to me.

 

[barbarian]

Palmer outplayed Slipper in the scrums tonight. Palmer to start and replaced by Slipper looks pretty good to me.

Really? Didn't look clear cut either way to me- no real dominance from either side, penalty count 2-2 from memory. Plus they weren't scrumming on the same side anyway. Thought Slipper was a lot better around the field.
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[Scotty]

You've been reading my mind Scotty, just put this on the front page a few minutes ago!

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/12-short-observations-from-the-weekends-matches/
.

Wow.

Now we just need to get Robbie to agree with us.

 

[barbarian]

12 is Lealiifano.

Blindside: Mowen or McMeniman

I don't think any of those three have really stepped up and shown they are dominant and deserve the jersey. All have had good seasons and are right in contention, but not quite Mogg/Folau seasons IMO.
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[qwerty51]

Just the way I saw it I guess, when the Brumbies got penalties the pressure looked to be from Palmer and when the Reds got them it looked like Alexander under pressure.

 

[barbarian]

Wow.

Now we just need to get Robbie to agree with us.

A man can dream.......

 

[Scotty]

Really? Didn't look clear cut either way to me- no real dominance from either side, penalty count 2-2 from memory. Plus they weren't scrumming on the same side anyway. Thought Slipper was a lot better around the field.
.

I think penalties were 3-2 Brumbies?

Palmer appeared better at the scrum, while Slipper better around the field.

 

[barbarian]

Palmer appeared better at the scrum, while Slipper better around the field.

I wouldn't disagree with that. I would say Palmer's scrum dominance was not clear-cut, where Slipper was clearly the better player around the field.

But I reckon Deans will pick Ben Alexander there.
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[qwerty51]

Palmer should start, take him off after 50 mins where his workrate will really suffer and let Slipper rip.

Alexander for the other prop. Kepu really needs to lift his game and Ryan needs to discover what he was doing early in the season.

 

[Scotty]

So we have

1 Robbo
2 Moore
3 Palmer or Slipper
4 Douglas
5 Horwill
6 Mowen or MMM
7 Smith
8 Palu
9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Lilo or Taps
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 Folau
15 JOC (James O'Connor)

16 TPN
17 Alexander
18 Palmer or Slipper
19 MMM or Mowen
20 Gill or Hooper
21 White
22 Lilo or Taps
23 Mogg

For me, not many question marks.

 

[Scotty]

For Robbie, I suspect the following changes to my side:

3 Alexander
6 Dennis
7 Hooper
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
12 McCabe
15 Barnes

Bluuuurrrrgh.

 

[qwerty51]

Why do you think he'll pick Dennis? It's hardly like he was a favourite last year. He was the best 6 in Super rugby and deserved his spot last year. He played ok and sometimes Higgers got the spot. He's not really shown any favouritism for him.

There's no way McCabe and Barnes are going to get picked not playing Super rugby. Gotta remember he also picked Palmer at 3 in the first game and then he got injured.