Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Viking]

I would have thought that losing 15% of your own tight heads wasn't really something to boast about. Are there stats on winning AGAINST the feed?

My impression is that all Aussie scrums have lifted in 2015, much more willingness to hold the ball in the scrum. But my impression is also that the Tahs were on the weaker end of the Aussie scrums. Reds have been impressive.

A big part of how I see the Tah scrum is Skeltons ability. Better than last year, but no way a finished product. I still see him as a risk in the set piece. But like others, I have come around in terms of what he provides around the park. He'd be in my starting line. Even though I think it's a risk.

Actually the Brumbies scrum had a pretty inconsistent season. Most put it down to Sio out injured however I have a feeling it was a little more then that. I think it was the Sharks and Lions game where we were totally blown off the park. I was pretty disappointed given last year we were very solid throughout the season.

 

[Gillys_ghost]

i know this isnt what this thread if for, but after this year with Kepu gone, is Sio a possibility for the Wallaby Tighthead Jersey? i know he plays Loosehead for the brumbies but Faulkner isnt going to cut it and Holmes is too old to build around.

 

[qwerty51]

Kepu will be eligible next year if he plays 8 Tests this year. For all the talk around "Giteau's Law" it's more "Kepu's Law".

 

[Jagman]

Kepu has mentioned that he might not make himself available to the Wallabies even if he does reach 60 caps.

 

[dru]

I think it'll be OK if we surround him with enough of the tight forwards from the packs where the set piece has been excellent, namely the Reds and Brumbies. Slipper, Moore and Simmons at the very least and possibly even Holmes could be starting. I'm comfortable with that.

Yep. We end up with "the Skelton Effect". You no longer can choose the best player in each position as you have to select to plug his gaps. In particular you need at least two genuine jumpers in the loose forwards, guys with height and are regularly experienced in jumping during the last S15 season.

The other problem is that having an excellent scrummaging lock to partner Skelton does nothing to help the scrum on his side. The choices become even more perplexing. Unfortunately a solid front row and only one competent lock does not make a scrum. Maybe a loosie who pushes paired to Skel behind the "easy" side of the scrum (loose head). Preferably an experienced lock/loosie.

Ie neither Hooper or Pocock on that side. And if either Hooper or Pocock is on the other side, then both 6 and 8 must be genuine jumpers. So no Palu.

The Skelton effect. It's not simple.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I think Sio would make a perfect THP - The spot is going to be wide open next year with keps heading overseas. Slipper is just 26 so will be around for a few years yet.

Right height, big fella, big arse, strong blah blah = Perfect THP

 

[Tomikin]

I think Sio would make a perfect THP - The spot is going to be wide open next year with keps heading overseas. Slipper is just 26 so will be around for a few years yet.

Right height, big fella, big arse, strong blah blah = Perfect THP

Or Slipper can go back to THP were he started.. I never understood moving Alexander to THP and Slipper to LHP when they were playing opposition for there clubs.



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[Intruder]

i know this isnt what this thread if for, but after this year with Kepu gone, is Sio a possibility for the Wallaby Tighthead Jersey? i know he plays Loosehead for the brumbies but Faulkner isnt going to cut it and Holmes is too old to build around.

Both players have declared themselves as permanent LHP only.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Or Slipper can go back to THP were he started.. I never understood moving Alexander to THP and Slipper to LHP when they were playing opposition for there clubs.



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Nah. He was never strong as a THP.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Or Slipper can go back to THP were he started.. I never understood moving Alexander to THP and Slipper to LHP when they were playing opposition for there clubs.



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Reckon Slipper played THP outa necessaity at the Reds - He was the best prop on either side but they only had daley (who could only play JHP) - nowadays he is a better LHP than a THP

I have absolutely no idea why Benny A was changed.

 

[Highlander35]

Maybe Weeks can fill the gap between Kepu and Holmes before PAE comes back and Ala'alatoa is up to scratch, assuming those scenarios eventuate.

Who knoes though. A question for post world cup.

 

[Tomikin]

Reckon Slipper played THP outa necessaity at the Reds - He was the best prop on either side but they only had daley (who could only play JHP) - nowadays he is a better LHP than a THP

I have absolutely no idea why Benny A was changed.

I think he was forced to move when Robbie Deans wanted him there, then Palmer got injured and he was the best THP the Brumbies had..

 

[JJJ]

The great thing about having 2 decent front rows is that they'll get a better return from opposed scrum training. It could also give them a better read on the scrummaging hierarchy of the locks.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep. We end up with "the Skelton Effect". You no longer can choose the best player in each position as you have to select to plug his gaps. In particular you need at least two genuine jumpers in the loose forwards, guys with height and are regularly experienced in jumping during the last S15 season.

The other problem is that having an excellent scrummaging lock to partner Skelton does nothing to help the scrum on his side. The choices become even more perplexing. Unfortunately a solid front row and only one competent lock does not make a scrum. Maybe a loosie who pushes paired to Skel behind the "easy" side of the scrum (loose head). Preferably an experienced lock/loosie.

Ie neither Hooper or Pocock on that side. And if either Hooper or Pocock is on the other side, then both 6 and 8 must be genuine jumpers. So no Palu.

The Skelton effect. It's not simple.

Agree it's not simple. I'm of the view that tight forwards need to execute their core functions first and the other stuff is a bonus. In the scrum I think Skelton will be OK, though we'll know for sure when he fronts up against the Boks and Argies. Ledesma I think has got his scrum technique to a point that it's not a liability. He's never going to be a lineout jumper though. What complicates matters is the sheer amount of impact that he has around the park and that he is a great maul breaker (something that will be important up North). If there were other rock shifting locks bashing the door down he'd be on the bench. As it stands he's a clear starter for mine.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Gits vs Touma..with who ever misses out on the bench..very keen to see how Gits plays as was a quality player before he left our shores and has been playing well for Toulon..at least great potential player to bring on from the bench as can cover a few positions.

Quote from Matt Giteau in today's Canberra Times :

"I look back on a lot of those games (leading into the 2011 RWC) and a lot of that season and I wasn't playing well. While I was filthy at the time, I had no reason to be there. I wasn't playing well enough."

 

[Gillys_ghost]

who are all the options for tighthead post Kepu? Holmes, Faulkner, Alexander, Ryan, Weeks, Talakai, Faagase, Ala'alatoa.Its way to early to call anything be Taniela Tupou might end up being the answer. His scrummaging seems to be alright for a 19 year old, and hes got more potential then any prop in the country. still probably a year or two of Super rugby though.

 

[Slim 293]

I think he was forced to move when Robbie Deans wanted him there, then Palmer got injured and he was the best THP the Brumbies had..

Alexander's initial stint at TH prop was quite successful though..........

The Wallabies had the rare pleasure of annihilating the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh scrums with Robinson and Alexander as the props.

 

[Gnostic]

Historical success at the scrum cannot be extrapolated since the removal of the "hit".

Also the "glory with Alexander and Robinson was very short lived with only really the 2009 tour IIRC being dominant.

I see much of that being down to Robinson being at the height of his game, being able to drop in below the THP on the hit and drive up and through them. Since then he has been injured and the hit is gone and he is much less effective.

 

[Scrubber2050]

who are all the options for tighthead post Kepu? Holmes, Faulkner, Alexander, Ryan, Weeks, Talakai, Faagase, Ala'alatoa.Its way to early to call anything be Taniela Tupou might end up being the answer. His scrummaging seems to be alright for a 19 year old, and hes got more potential then any prop in the country. still probably a year or two of Super rugby though.

Potential means shit until you get to the level of top players at top level.

I've seen a heap of schoolboys with truckloads of the stuff (as we all have over the years). Unfortunately most seem to be dumptrucks . Hope this lad reaches his....

 

[dru]

What complicates matters is the sheer amount of impact that he has around the park and that he is a great maul breaker (something that will be important up North). If there were other rock shifting locks bashing the door down he'd be on the bench. As it stands he's a clear starter for mine.

Completely agree on Skelton's ability in destroying mauls. So so on his ability around the park, capable of being amazing, but he's a target in defence for laterally mobile backs. All in all I agree, he's in my starting pack.

I'm still not convinced in the scrum. I do think he's a liability, just a worthwhile one. Like the line out, it's about how we address the issue with other selections. Yes keep up the work in training, but that isn't going to doue his ability before RWC.