interesting.Going off hints by training photos, it doesn't look like Skelton is in the starting #1 team. Pocock is @ #8.
The problem with that sentiment is that it's actually true that the ABs were interfering with Phipps at the breakdown. And the Wobs did fail to adjust to the Eagles' breakdown strategy, resulting in the Eagles having more defenders that attackers in the line, allowing them to play an unimpeded rush defence in the first half of the game.
Neither did Phipps have a "shocker". One bad boxkick was the worst of it. He was just ordinary. You can't blame Phipps for Foley and Giteau being continuously sacked deep in the pocket.
None of which alters the fact that Genia was better than Phipps when he came on. Although he managed the obligatory bad boxkick as well.
If we wanted shit boxkicks then we should've picked Nick White.
For anyone wondering how Mitchell and Gits have been going at Toulon- here's a highlight reel posted by the club's twitter.
Mitchell seems to have lost a bit of pace, but gained strength. I'd expect both to be in the A XV, especially after Speight, Horne & Tomane's lackluster showing against the yanks.
@Groucho, I actually think Nick Phipps had a few more shockers against USA than his one poor box kick (which in reality was two poor efforts in itself - a box kick which should be eliminated from the Wallabies' play list, and it went out on the full from outside the 22m). A number of his passes were also badly directed (again) especially aimed above head height for the receiver, and he was beaten to the ball at the back of one particular ruck leading to a turnover and was quite slow to release the ball on other occasions which then did contribute to his outside supports being under extra pressure from the defense.
You're being hyperbolic if you call that a shocker. What do you call actual shockers, where players make major mistakes, and let in tries by bad defence, or bomb them with the line wide open? Supershockers?
Phipps is always going to spray the ball, like Genia is always going to take two steps and White is going to boxkick turnover ball away. Phipps is particularly susceptible to interference because he goes into the ruck to pass quickly. It's a tradeoff. The only halfback we have without obvious faults is Stirzaker.
Nah - there are a few halfbacks who haven't been selected for the Wallabies out there still.
Who are you thinking of?
Stirzaker will be the starting Wobs halfback sooner rather than later.
BR please don't use big words like Facetious this early in on Saturday morning. But Yes Stirzaker has a good chance to be the half next year, I think he was really unlucky not to get a run this year, he was great this super rugby season.My comment was a facetious one, intending to say that any half back not yet in the Wallabies is without obvious faults. I agree, Stirzaker will likely be in and around the Wallabies from next year.
Who are you thinking of?
Stirzaker will be the starting Wobs halfback sooner rather than later.
Frisby!
Mitchell was never really quick, he is a whole runnerFor anyone wondering how Mitchell and Gits have been going at Toulon- here's a highlight reel posted by the club's twitter.
Mitchell seems to have lost a bit of pace, but gained strength. I'd expect both to be in the A XV, especially after Speight, Horne & Tomane's lackluster showing against the yanks.
My comment was a facetious one, intending to say that any half back not yet in the Wallabies is without obvious faults. I agree, Stirzaker will likely be in and around the Wallabies from next year.