Wallabies Watch

[Dumbledore]

I wasn't suggesting he should be picked for the Lions. I agree he isn't ready yet. But he is still relatively young and has showed real signs of improvement in the first few rounds. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him on the EOYT in some capacity.
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There have been, and will be, worse Wallabies than Mitch Inman. Still doesn't mean he's up to it. He grabs the ball and runs straight ahead, that's it. There's a place for that in rugby (see T. Carter) but I don't think it's what the Wallabies need. I'll be pretty unhappy if he gets taken on the EOYT.

 

[No4918]

Yeah Beale has been playing 10.

However Robbie Deans does like him at 15.

That is probably one of the few positions most fans and Robbie agree upon. He was only 10 last year for the Wallabies because everyone except Barnes fell over.

 

[No4918]

so this is really an anything goes thread - who should be in the wallabies on reputation, hair cut or whatever takes your fancy - as opposed to these are the 22 guys who deserve to be picked?

That seems to have been happening from the start.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

That seems to have been happening from the start.

Perhaps more on who one doesnt like?

 

[barbarian]

so this is really an anything goes thread - who should be in the wallabies on reputation, hair cut or whatever takes your fancy - as opposed to these are the 22 guys who deserve to be picked?

No, but discussion can evolve. As long as what we are discussing isn't radically off-topic (which it isn't) then it is fair game. A debate about picking on form vs reputation is absolutely relevant to this thread.

And the notion that the only way to 'deserve to be picked' is by good super form (which seems to be what you are implying) is a bit short-sighted.
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[Inside Shoulder]

And the notion that the only way to 'deserve to be picked' is by good super form (which seems to be what you are implying) is a bit short-sighted.
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What crap - I'm not implying anything but i well recall your frequent admonitions to keep things on topic

 

[SouthernX]

Wow Inside Shoulder what a negative nancy mood killer.

A thread about FORM but there is a elephant in the room (reputation) but we are not allowed to acknowledge said elephant?

Hmm.. My original off topic point was based on the fact that Wallabies FORM team won't actually be picked until we have a new head coach who will get rid of teachers pets and pick a team based on merits & not reputation.

 

[barbarian]

There have been, and will be, worse Wallabies than Mitch Inman. Still doesn't mean he's up to it. He grabs the ball and runs straight ahead, that's it. There's a place for that in rugby (see T. Carter) but I don't think it's what the Wallabies need. I'll be pretty unhappy if he gets taken on the EOYT.

It seems you believe that he cannot improve. I'm not sure why that is.

I hope he will really grow this season, and be a far better player than what he is now by the time the EOYT rolls around. I'd certainly like to see an evasive/stepping component to his game. His defence is solid, and he has a decent rugby brain. He has a lot of potential.
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[barbarian]

What crap - I'm not implying anything but i well recall your frequent admonitions to keep things on topic

Yeah, when a thread goes off topic I try and get it back on track. I'm a moderator, that is my job.

As it is, this thread has not gone off topic. A discussion of the merits of picking on form vs reputation (exemplified by a guy like Samo) is perfectly legitimate for a Wallaby selection thread.

But if you disagree you are more than welcome to hit the 'report' button on any offending posts, and it will be referred to all the other mods.
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[Inside Shoulder]

Wow Inside Shoulder what a negative nancy mood killer.

A thread about the elephant in the room but we are not aloud to acknowledge said elephant?

Hmm.. My original off topic point was based on the fact that Wallabies FORM team won't actually be picked until we have a new head coach who will get rid of teachers pets and pick a team based on merits & not reputation.

Its confusing to mix the 2 up.
for the record the players I have struck through, from one team posted today, would not (IMO) be picked in a wallabies 15 picked today:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Saia Fainga'a
3. Paddy Ryan
4. Mitchell Chapman
5. Hugh Pyle
6. Ed Quirk
7. Liam Gill
8. Richard Brown
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Bernard Foley
11. Digby Ioane
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Mitch Inman
14. Who the hell knows? Nobody deserves this.
15. Israel Folau

So debating who would be picked completely confounds the point of the thread, i would have thought. its the polar opposite of what the thread is trying to do, i would have thought.

 

[Paradox]

My form team thus far:

1. Alexander
2. Moore
3. Palmer
4. Fardy
5. Douglas
6. Quirk
7. Pocock
8. Mowen
9. White
10. Beale
11. Ioane
12. Taps
13. Inman
14. Mitchell
15. Mogg

Lots of Brums in form tight 5 but their set piece has been very accurate as has their work at breakdown so far.

 

[barbarian]

Good side Paradox, but I'd have Lilo at 12 over Taps. Actually I'd probably have Lilo at 10, none of our pivots have really stood out.

 

[tigerland12]

That's a fair side Paradox. Although from what I've seen of O'Connor this year, I have been impressed. But then again I didn't see the Brumbies game, and only a half against the Waratahs.

But I'd probably have him ahead of Mitchell (out of position but oh well).

I'd also argue that Gill has played better than Pocock so far. That doesn't mean he would be selected over him, but based on form ONLY, I'd have Gill.

 

[Paradox]

Good side Paradox, but I'd have Lilo at 12 over Taps. Actually I'd probably have Lilo at 10, none of our pivots have really stood out.

I'm trying to select blokes is positions they are playing. I thought Beale was pretty dangerous against NSW. Foley has been good. Folau in his 30 min cameo on the wing was outstanding but hasn't played enough there to be considered a form winger. Schmoo looks to have regained some power and pace. JOC (James O'Connor) would be considered a form player and could possibly have been selected over Mogg.

I could have selected Cummins over Ioane.

 

[Ruggo]

Got to get the balance right. Some players will be selected on reputation and some still must be selected on form. The pathway to the highest level needs to remain open to encourage new growth and maintain the balance as reputable and experienced players age. The other vital thing is we are not selecting 22 individuals. We are looking to select a balanced team.

The best thing is the more heated this debate get it is a sign of the more healthy our stocks look.

 

[Paradox]

That's a fair side Paradox. Although from what I've seen of O'Connor this year, I have been impressed. But then again I didn't see the Brumbies game, and only a half against the Waratahs.

But I'd probably have him ahead of Mitchell (out of position but oh well).

I'd also argue that Gill has played better than Pocock so far. That doesn't mean he would be selected over him, but based on form ONLY, I'd have Gill.

JOC (James O'Connor) has been quality and was good against the Brums. He could justifiably be selected over Mogg. I wouldn't have Gill over Pocock just yet despite Gills very good form. Pocock dominated that game in Canberra in Rnd 1. When you watch Pocock live, you can really see how much chaos he causes when the opposition is trying to attack. He still possesses a significant physical edge over Gill and Hooper at the breakdown. Gill is a jackal but Pocock ruins more opposition ball (and jackals as well). Must be an absolute cvnt to play against

 

[No4918]

It seems you believe that he cannot improve. I'm not sure why that is.

I hope he will really grow this season, and be a far better player than what he is now by the time the EOYT rolls around. I'd certainly like to see an evasive/stepping component to his game. His defence is solid, and he has a decent rugby brain. He has a lot of potential.
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No pressure then, nearly as bad as asking Tom Carter to do the same. The best players at developing this sort of subtlety either have it by the time they get to this level or move in from wing or fullback which is why i'd like to see McCabe get a go at 13. He has on the odd occasion shown some of this at 12 but Robbie seems obsessed with a crash ball type. Rob Horne can do it but not many other 13's really have it without moving a player like JOC (James O'Connor) or Tapuai there.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Interesting selection in a WALLABIES WATCH thread.

One of those days where the brain just looks right a the problem and says "that's fine!"

 

[Inside Shoulder]

It seems you believe that he cannot improve. I'm not sure why that is.

I hope he will really grow this season, and be a far better player than what he is now by the time the EOYT rolls around. I'd certainly like to see an evasive/stepping component to his game. His defence is solid, and he has a decent rugby brain. He has a lot of potential.
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a pass would be good too

 

[Pete King]

Thought Hooper was the pick of the 7's this week, watching the tahs game a second time today he was outstanding. Gill out pointed him the week before but Hooper benefited from a extra week (as gill did after been outpointed by Pocock in brumbies game). Wealth of talent at 7 we just need to unearth some 9s , 13s and tight head props (I beiebve robbo can be world class as a Loose head)