Tomikin
David Codey (61)
His bringing back Smith !!Pocock at 6 and Hooper at 8... does that mean what I think it means...
TRIPLE OPENSIDE MADNESS!!!!!!
You've sold me BH. But which of Gill, Hodgo or McMahon plays 7?
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His bringing back Smith !!Pocock at 6 and Hooper at 8... does that mean what I think it means...
TRIPLE OPENSIDE MADNESS!!!!!!
You've sold me BH. But which of Gill, Hodgo or McMahon plays 7?
.
Now that we're most of the way through the season, I'd be looking at something like this:
Props: Slipper, Sio, Kepu, Holmes, Alexander,Robinson
Hookers: Moore (c), TPN, Fainga'a
Locks: Simmons, Skelton, Coleman, Jones
Backrow: Fardy, McMahon, Pocock, Hooper, Palu, McCalman
Scrumhalves: Phipps, White, Genia?
Flyhalves: Foley, Cooper
Centres: To'omua, Kuridrani, Giteau
Wings/Fullbacks: Speight, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Folau, Horne, JOC (James O'Connor)
It's only 12 backs with Giteau to cover centre, flyhallf and halfback in an emergency.
The following players miss out: Carter, Horwill, Higgers, Genia, Beale, Cummins and Tomane.
Edit: Only need 5 props, so it makes way for either a third halfback, or at least another back.
Not including Higgers is a tough call, but McMahon's form warrants selection.
I don't think we have the luxury of taking McMahon if both Hooper and Pocock are fit. I would start either of them over him at 6 or 7.
He only plays 6 and is not a legitimate lineout option
Now that we're most of the way through the season, I'd be looking at something like this:
Props: Slipper, Sio, Kepu, Holmes, Alexander,Robinson
Hookers: Moore (c), TPN, Fainga'a
Locks: Simmons, Skelton, Coleman, Jones
Backrow: Fardy, McMahon, Pocock, Hooper, Palu, McCalman
Scrumhalves: Phipps, White, Genia?
Flyhalves: Foley, Cooper
Centres: To'omua, Kuridrani, Giteau
Wings/Fullbacks: Speight, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Folau, Horne, JOC (James O'Connor)
It's only 12 backs with Giteau to cover centre, flyhallf and halfback in an emergency.
The following players miss out: Carter, Horwill, Higgers, Genia, Beale, Cummins and Tomane.
Edit: Only need 5 props, so it makes way for either a third halfback, or at least another back.
Not including Higgers is a tough call, but McMahon's form warrants selection.
With Folau a lock in at fullback the winger roles should be 11. Specialist 14. Second Fullback.
So essentially it is:
Specialist - Speight, Tomane, Horne, Cummins - fighting for one wing.
Second Fullback - AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), JOC (James O'Connor) - fighting for one wing.
1. The backline is one that would be feared.
A smokey for the second fullback spot could well be Moggy if he continues to play as he did against the Clan, and shows he has regained some defensice heart. Big provisos, I know, but his kicking game puts all others in the shade.
I've been thinking about what team I'd like to see for Bledisloe 1 & I just think that Hooper & Pocock should both start. I just see it as a waste to have either of them on the bench.
Hooper at 6 and Pocock at 7 for me. We've got no 2nd row standout players so I'd move Fardy from 6 into Lock as he is a good scrummaging Lock also & play probably Higgers @ 8 for his lineout jumping.
I have watched very little super rugby so I might be way off the mark but if Cheika is going to play his high tempo rugby then I'd like to see Hooper & Pocock start.
I think back up props and locks are the only real contentious areas; and I expect the candidates to get opportunities within the rugby championship. (although Latu may end up in Fainga'a's spot as well, Cheik's teams use a dominant tackling counter ruck approach to forward play as a opposed to a chopping tackle deep reach & scrag approach, so the edge selections may go towards units that can play in that system )
Cheik's approach to our scrummaging needs changed through November and this year, with Ledesma's help at the Tahs, it is all about scrummaging square, working hard as a unit and not being penalty magnets. I see that approach being replicated with the Wobs and a couple of our props don't match the criteria
Props? we need 3 THP's Alexander & Holmes? dunno, one is a penalty magnet at test level and the other hasn't been selected for years, a few of the other TH's Weekes, Alo-Emile & Faukner are no worse scrummagers, they just play for less fancied teams.
I would like to see us take 4 THP's into the rugby championship and really be hard on the them and see what floats to the top.