Wallaby 6,7,8

[Groucho]

Always wondered how Mumm would do at 8. Seems to me that we need to beef up our pack under the new interps. That's fine while Cliffy is there, but if he goes you wouldn't want to see a lighter Richard Brown type player replace him. They might make the tackles but they'd be making them in a consistently backwards-moving direction, and would be incapable of pushing over the advantage line. Which is why I'm sceptical of playing Hodgson and Pocock in the same pack. I can just see 2010 Schalk and his mates smashing them back time and again, and mauling their way 30m at a time.

Pocock is the same weight as Elsom and at least as strong.

 

[waratahjesus]

are the interpretations being used in the super 14 the same ones that are going be inforced in international. If they go world wide i think the days of the "fetcher" are long gone and playing two 6's would be a much better option.

 

[Scotty]

I disagree, as you can see with Braids performances so far this season, and as I'm sure we will see in the coming weeks with Pocock.

 

[JJJ]

are the interpretations being used in the super 14 the same ones that are going be inforced in international. If they go world wide i think the days of the "fetcher" are long gone and playing two 6's would be a much better option.

They introduced the new interpretations to the 6 nations midway through the tournament. There was a bit of a stink kicked up about that by the coaches, understandably. They brought in some SH refs to handle the transition. I dunno whether they'll be able to make it stick with the clubs, but Paddy O'Brien seems determined to keep them. So it looks like all future internationals will be played under them.

 

[Reddy!]

No TPN at 8, even if he has the skills. We need him to play tight, either starting or making an impact off the bench.

I suspect if the Wallaby team was picked this week, we would see Elsom stay at 6 with Higginbotham at 8. His body position has improved over the last few rounds and he supports Genia and Cooper so well. He has a lot of developing to go of course, but he is travelling ok.

They will have to assess the likes of Mowen and Houston during the remainder of the season.

Yeh of course TPN would never be selected there, I was just putting up a "what if" scenario, since there are a lack of contenders.

But I disagree with your second point. I honestly think a Wallaby backrow was selected this week it would be Pocock, Elsom, Hodgson, but I'm not sure in what order. Deans is the type of coach who keeps faith in his players and would follow up his investment in Hodgson last year.

 

[Lee Grant]

Okay here is some food for thought. If Palu was injured play TPN at number 8

I wouldn't try this in a test match - an important one, I mean. I might give it a go at the S14 level as a stop gap; but it would need Freier to be fit. As mentioned before: he played there at school before the Brumbies cross-trained him. I would change my tune smartly if he did get to play 8 for the Tahs and blew a few socks off people but in that case, who would be the two hookers in the Wallabies 22?

Another thought on Elsom at 8. Read played there for the Crusaders last weekend and has played there before that, including for the All Blacks. He looks pretty good there and is a similar player to Elsom. But again, Rocky will have to get a gig there for the Brumbies or a test mach like against Fiji, before it could be countenanced.

 

[the gambler]

His form at 8 for Leinster wouldn't be enough? I would throw him there even with no games for the Brumbies if Palu was out.

 

[Lee Grant]

Good point - I forgot that, though I remember Heaslip playing there mostly when both were available for big games.

 

[DPK]

If our front row can play out of position in the Super 14 and Tests, surely our backrow can. I would think the switch between 6 and 8 would be easier than a front row interchange.

 

[Reddy!]

Rocky also played at no.8 for the Wallabies at the beginning of the 2006 season I think (or was it 2007), but it was against lesser opposition, France or England perhaps (and we are all familiar with the crap teams they send to Aus.)

 

[Lee Grant]

I'm just remembering now - I think. Elsom played 8 for Leinster mostly when Heaslip was with the Ireland squad.

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

Rocky also played at no.8 for the Wallabies at the beginning of the 2006 season I think (or was it 2007), but it was against lesser opposition, France or England perhaps (and we are all familiar with the crap teams they send to Aus.)

from rugby.com.au

2006 - Established himself in the Wallabies starting forward pack, playing all of the Wallabies’ 13 Tests – the first four at Number 8 and the remaining nine at blindside flanker.

Also played at 8 for the Barbarians against the Boks in 07.

 

[CanadianRugby]

If Palu is injured, Elsom at 6, Pocock at 7, Higginbatty at 8.

I partly agree with Lee, I think after Palu it gets a bit hopeless partly because the Wallabies rely on him and TPN to do some real bashing and other than Palu there isn't another 8 in Australia who runs over people like Palu when he's on form. I wouldn't put Elsom back there for two reasons. 1) I seem to remember when he was playing 8 for the Wallabies his handling at the back of the ruck was a little suspect and he was slow off the mark for a pick and go. Hoiles, Higgenbatty etc.. tend to get away from the scrum faster. 2) Elsom is the best 6 in Australia, why move him around too much?

Too bad Mowen looked indifferent at 8, thought it might be his thing.

 

[Gagger]

Nice linking recently, but Higgenbatty falls over, backwards.

Houston is the only other yard maker I've seen behind Cliffy. Can we get him banned from KFC?

 

[Lee Grant]

No, he's a member.


Good post C Rugby

GF - Thanks for that info - I had forgotten all of that. The march of time?

 

[Scotty]

Nice linking recently, but Higgenbatty falls over, backwards.

Houston is the only other yard maker I've seen behind Cliffy. Can we get him banned from KFC?

Last few games Higgin has got better (lower body height in tight) and Houston, if you haven't already noticed has laid off the KFC.

 

[Gagger]

OK, then put him back on the KFC? Whatever works.

 

[RugbyReg]

Leroy's hardly making any ground at the moment though.

 

[en_force_er]

if he did get to play 8 for the Tahs and blew a few socks off people but in that case, who would be the two hookers in the Wallabies 22?

not that I agree with TPN to 8 but you wouldnt name a hooker on the bench. maybe two props or something. moore and tpn are both 80 minute players, you would only need a sub due to injury.

 

[Ash]

Mowen was originally an 8 before switching to 6 at the Tahs.