Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
If Foley is our 10, Lealiifano must be the 12. Foley is not creative enough to go with To'omua.
If Cooper starts, To'omua is the 12.
If Cooper starts, To'omua is the 12.
Just been reading through that Number 8 by the numbers article, been waiting a while for it, so a HUGE thank you lads for putting that together.
Looking at those numbers (and ignore the offloading/passing bit, he's got really soft hands and an awesome offload, just hasn't been used this year because of our gameplan) you would think seals the deal.
Higgers starting 8 and plays there while Skelton is on. When Skelton runs out of gas @ 50mins, we bring Vaea on to continue to bring the rain.
McCalman has been good as well, but as he's out at the moment there shouldn't be any more debate about this.
Start with Higgers, finish with Vaea. As I said a few (dozen by now I think) pages back, i'd be starting Hooper and bringing Pocock off the bench to close out games, and that article just proves that Vaea is the man to come off the bench and go on a rampage for 30 mins with Pocock.
Case closed gentlemen.
Just been reading through that Number 8 by the numbers article, been waiting a while for it, so a HUGE thank you lads for putting that together.
Looking at those numbers (and ignore the offloading/passing bit, he's got really soft hands and an awesome offload, just hasn't been used this year because of our gameplan) you would think seals the deal.
Higgers starting 8 and plays there while Skelton is on. When Skelton runs out of gas @ 50mins, we bring Vaea on to continue to bring the rain.
McCalman has been good as well, but as he's out at the moment there shouldn't be any more debate about this.
Start with Higgers, finish with Vaea. As I said a few (dozen by now I think) pages back, i'd be starting Hooper and bringing Pocock off the bench to close out games, and that article just proves that Vaea is the man to come off the bench and go on a rampage for 30 mins with Pocock.
Case closed gentlemen.
I am certain that Palu will start at 8. No ifs or buts he is Chiekas first choice preference.
Agree with nearly everything you say. Would definitely have Vaea on the bench over Palu as he has been one of the in form number 8's in the comp and Palu has dropped in form dramatically over the last 3 years.
However, I would start Pocock over Hooper, Pocock is the more complete Openside Flanker.
Actually, Palu has been better, at least at Super rugby level the past 2 years under better S&C control than previously. His form has not dropped off. By all means say you prefer Vaea, but you're kidding if you think Palu's work rate and effectiveness has got worse.
I would agree with starting Higginbotham though, at least in the first few RC Tests to see how it goes.
Don't go putting too much faith in the coach and his ability to make good decisions. I have a lot of respect for Link as a coach, but could never fathom why he played Beale at 10 against the ABs last year when he wasn't playing there for a Super side and had shown no form there for some time. Let's not talk about some of the hair-brained selections by Robbie Deans.
But as to this year's crop of locks, I don't expect to see Coleman in the starting 15 for a test, but I would like to see him in the squad in preference to James Horwill for example.
The inside word I received on that was Beale's selection came from the top. Link didn't want him there(at 10). Something to do with contract negotiations at the time.
Probably a year too early for Vaea. I can't see there be any room for him in a World Cup squad.
Okay, he may not have gotten worse but his impact is not as great as Vaea's. Palu. Palu has never really been top Wallabies quality. Yes he does have the occassional good game or impact. But his consistency of impact against the ABs or SA has never been good enough.
He's wiped the floor with all the other options at 8 in every category except the lineout.
He has the highest workrate, AND the highest impact on the game.
I'm not sure the data supports Vaea having a "greater" impact as yet. In time, it may well, he has a lot of upside if he can get and stay fitter and on the park more - he's only young. As for Palu not being Wallaby quality, it seems not to be a sentiment that past and current Wallaby coaches and players share with you, given his selection and how the players judge him in player-voted awards.
But Palu is nearer the end, Vaea at the beginning. I think both have something to offer. I suspect we might see both with some time on the park, for one reason or another.
It's all up to opinion. I don't think Cheika will go with Vaea for the RWC but with a successful 2016 Super Rugby he should overtake Palu for test matches.
Jesus some of the Brumbies guys here have worked themselves into such a lather about Ita Vaea, you'd think he was some super hybrid of Willie O and Totai Kefu, with Tim Gavin mixed in for good measure.
He didn't 'wipe the floor' in the stats. He was certainly one of the standouts, but it is worth noting he misses more tackles, he makes less offloads, and gives away more penalties than his counterparts.
He's a good player, sure. But I'd suggest there is still a chance he doesn't make the squad, and the very best he can hope for is a run off the bench before the RWC is chosen. As Slim points out he just has too many experienced guys ahead of him
.