Wallabies Watch

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Two matches? C'mon it's form v class. That and the reds being Maul obsessed.

Quade is a classy player?

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

Depends if we go for a lineout general at 4 (Simmons) or 6 (Mowen). If the latter, then with Horwill and Douglas at lock we probably have enough grunt.

Agreed. Much is said about the balance of the back row. In many respects it should be about the balance of the back 5, or entire 8 for that matter.

As well as Mowen is playing, I can't see him making the 15 for the first test. I think it's more likely that we'll see Simmons return to favour and run the line out with Higgers on the side of the scrum.

 

[Bernie_Larkham]

Quade is a classy player?

As a 10 and with Genia as a combo its a no brainer...

 

[Bernie_Larkham]

Just how many 10s has Phipps played with this season?

His pass is fine, knowing instinctively where your 10 is under pressure takes time to develop and chopping and changing doesn't help
Just look at how McKibbon has 'improved' as he developed his relationship with Foley, just look at how Genia knows where Cooper is.

The other thing to consider is the shit ball the 9 is dealing with when he chucks that bad pass


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I'd prefer my 9 for AUS to have a pass that is more than "fine" which his isnt for a Test player or S15 p[layer IMO. He is a poor mans Burgess...

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

i was sitting on the sideline near the 22 for last weeks rebels game and got a lot of excellent straight on views of phipps' pass......it's not nearly flat or accurate enough.
strzacker has a much better pass at the rebels. if burgess can get a couple game pre lions tests, he is a real chance.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

and burgess' physicality would be an excellent counter to phillips almost flanker style of play.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

I think the six that we'll see added to the squad after the 7 June look something like:

1. Barnes: needs the game time for the Tahs. If he is selected in the initial squad he'll be very underdone.
2. MMM: same as Barnes above.
3. Palmer: in all likelihood there'll be 5 props in the 31 man squad. I assume Alexander, Kepu, Slipper and Robinon will be the first picked. I think this will be largely dependent on the Tah's vs Brumbies on 17 May.
4. Cooper: I don't expect Deans to name Cooper in the initial squad. I think he'll be held back for the Reds vs Lions game for the coaches to see how be plays against the Lion's systems / patterns.
5. Mowen: Again, I can't see Mowen in the initial 25 picked. It's been quoted in the press that the initial 25 man squad will be largely dependent on the positioning of teams for the finals. I therefore can't see Dean's picking Mowen, the captain of the Ponies who have very real finals hopes in the initial 25 man squad. I do expect, however that he'll be in the 31 man squad.
6. McCabe or Mogg: If McCabe is in the initial 25 man squad, then I'll expect Mogg to get the last jersey. If Mogg is selected in the 25 man squad, then I expect McCabe to be given a full game against the Force, then back into the Wallabies fold.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

Why are people talking about Burgess. Yes, he is contracted to the Rebels - but for next year. We've got no hope of seeing him in Wallaby gld this year.

 

[Bernie_Larkham]

i was sitting on the sideline near the 22 for last weeks rebels game and got a lot of excellent straight on views of phipps' pass..it's not nearly flat or accurate enough.
strzacker has a much better pass at the rebels. if burgess can get a couple game pre lions tests, he is a real chance.

The red head is pretty stiff IMO, besides the obvious. Has a good pass and good nuggety defender too. Doesnt get nearly enough game time.

Burges shouldnt be any chance of the Lions tour. A couple of matches, maybe, is not enough. Id have thought we have moved on from him anyway...

 

[qwerty51]

Why are people talking about Burgess. Yes, he is contracted to the Rebels - but for next year. We've got no hope of seeing him in Wallaby gld this year.

Because he's eligible and our next best option to Genia. He's experienced, physical and played against the NH the last 2 years.

 

[Braveheart81]

If Toulouse lose to Racing Metro this weekend Burgess could be back in the country next week and playing for the Rebels immediately.

I'm sure the Rebels have at least one player gone for the season which would free up the spot for him.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Burges shouldnt be any chance of the Lions tour. A couple of matches, maybe, is not enough. Id have thought we have moved on from him anyway.

By that logic haven't we moved away from Smith too then? Yes he's got some games under his belt at least but he's not a permanent fixture. Even without Pocock we still have two genuine international quality 7's to use yet with a scrum half it's daylight between Genia and White or Phipps. Again by that logic it's Burgess we should be begging to play for the wobs as we do not have any real depth at 9 for the Lions. White can be blooded later as many would argue the lions is not the place for an uncapped scrum half to buckle under pressure.

For the record I actually don't think either Smith or Burgess should waltz back into the wallabies via rule bending or just being contracted for next year without playing locally first, I'm just playing devil's advocate

 

[Slim 293]

Because he's eligible and our next best option to Genia.

Nah, you're thinking of Nic White.........

 

[Bernie_Larkham]

By that logic haven't we moved away from Smith too then? Yes he's got some games under his belt at least but he's not a permanent fixture. Even without Pocock we still have two genuine international quality 7's to use yet with a scrum half it's daylight between Genia and White or Phipps. Again by that logic it's Burgess we should be begging to play for the wobs as we do not have any real depth at 9 for the Lions. White can be blooded later as many would argue the lions is not the place for an uncapped scrum half to buckle under pressure.

For the record I actually don't think either Smith or Burgess should waltz back into the wallabies via rule bending or just being contracted for next year without playing locally first, I'm just playing devil's advocate

Its not apples with apples though is it? Unless you think Burgess is in the same realm as Smith, an all time great that has played the entire season nearly (not that I am advocating him being selected, we have a stack of depth at 7). Burgess is a journeyman who has issues with his core duty as a 9, hasnt even played here yet this year and I wouldnt ever beg for him to be in the Wallabies. White is the sort of guy who would love the opportunity vs the Lions IMO. He is aggressive with a good skill set and excellent long kicking game. Mind you he wont see any time anyway unless Genia is injured.

 

[qwerty51]

White is aggressive? He doesn't have anywhere near the sort of defensive game Burgess does.

 

[Braveheart81]

On what planet is Burgess a journeyman?

I am not advocating for Burgess to be picked against the Lions but he has played 37 tests for the Wallabies, a lot of Super Rugby, won a French Top 14 competition and made it to the finals this year.

 

[Richo]

On what planet is Burgess a journeyman?

I am not advocating for Burgess to be picked against the Lions but he has played 37 tests for the Wallabies, a lot of Super Rugby, won a French Top 14 competition and made it to the finals this year.

I think it's a fair argument to say that White is better than Burgess and would be an appropriate selection. But if White is 2a, then Burgess is 2b. The Wallabies missed him massively last year when Genia went down and White was already wounded. He's also a great change-up from Genia because he snipes so effectively and tackles like a backrower. I fully expect White to be picked and to play somewhere between 0-10 minutes in the series, but to say that Burgess would be a poor option is crazy.

 

[Braveheart81]

Maybe Nic White can replicate Chris Whitaker's performance against the Lions in 2001?

 

[I like to watch]

The red head is pretty stiff IMO, besides the obvious. Has a good pass and good nuggety defender too. Doesnt get nearly enough game time.

He has a good ball,and can snipe well.
I would never describe him as a nuggety defender.Go back and watch him get run over by Sio.Was not even a speed bump.
If he can bulk up without losing speed, he might become the full package.

 

[Bernie_Larkham]

White is aggressive? He doesn't have anywhere near the sort of defensive game Burgess does.

Certainly plenty of Tahs supporters in here. Burgess is a great defender, dont think anywhere did I say White is better in that department.

Maybe journeyman was the wrong call. Put it this way Burgess is or was hardly irreplaceable. His passing is along the lines of Phipps, maybe thats why NSW want Phipps so bad