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Wallaby Fullback of the Decade
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James Buchanan
Trevor Allan (34)
aussie1st said:
For his contribution this Decade?
R
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James Buchanan said:
Quality, versatility, sheer brilliance over a short timespan certainly outscores quantity as far as I am concerned.
Latham couldn't kick goals - a fairly significant deficiency for a full back I imagine.
You also NEVER saw Mat Burke questioning lonesman's calls, never playing to the crowd - just going about his job dutifully and professionally.
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think for this decade AT FULLBACK you have to take Latham. He specialised there pretty much since NSW booted him, and Burke's golden years at 15 were mostly the second half of the 90s through to the World Cup. After that, the Tahs shafted the great man because Mungo Rogers was a little bitch (and in Burkey's biography he kicks himself for letting it happen) and as a result he couldn't keep his spot there.
For those of you who think Latham the better attacking or allround player over his career, sorry but you're sorely mistaken. He was freakish, but Burke did all that and was the money man for goal kicking too.
For those of you who think Latham the better attacking or allround player over his career, sorry but you're sorely mistaken. He was freakish, but Burke did all that and was the money man for goal kicking too.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
agree to almost everything, burke the better alround player but latho had the stronger pressence at fullback this decade.
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Not saying they should be dropped but normally who is the first player picked - the goal kicker and I think I do recall AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) having that ability although he doesn't get called on to exercise that talent.
Secondly, in a selection between two equally talented 15's, the goal kicker will almost certainly get a nod.
Secondly, in a selection between two equally talented 15's, the goal kicker will almost certainly get a nod.
Scotty, I have never met Chris Latham, but I'm sure he's a good bloke. I have met Matt Burke, and talked at some length to him. He is not arrogant.
Both fine players, and either would do. Broken play running - nothing between them in their pomp, but the last decade belongs to Latham. Goal-kicking is a bonus, but not an essential for me. Both defensively good.
Both fine players, and either would do. Broken play running - nothing between them in their pomp, but the last decade belongs to Latham. Goal-kicking is a bonus, but not an essential for me. Both defensively good.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
NTA said::Scotty - line up under the sign that says "Bullshit Disposal Here". Any of us trying to even speculate on the personalities of players without actually knowing them is utter fancy.
Fair enough. I know one of them, but have only briefly met the other.
I was trying to make a point of the difference between on and off field persona in response to RW's post regarding 'playing up to the crowd' etc.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Latham was defensively fragile earlier in his career, especially with his position before going into the tackle. Really fixed it up by the early-mid-naughties.
Sorry, but I have to disagree and say Latham was the better attacker than Burke, even in Burke's pomp. Latham was just more unothodox in his style, more creative, and if you had a highlights reel of both then Latham's would have a lot more "wow" factor than Burke's. Burke was more consistent and reliable though, and as stated had the extra string to his bow with his accurate goal kicking.
Yes, Burke shades Latham overall if both were at their peak (thanks to the goal kicking and Burke being more consistent, especially in his younger years), but over the naughties though, I don't understand how you can't pick Latham.
One thing I'll never forget about Burke is that he put his body on the line. Dislocating his shoulder in scoring that try - you always got the feeling that he'd do it again even if he knew what'd happen.
Sorry, but I have to disagree and say Latham was the better attacker than Burke, even in Burke's pomp. Latham was just more unothodox in his style, more creative, and if you had a highlights reel of both then Latham's would have a lot more "wow" factor than Burke's. Burke was more consistent and reliable though, and as stated had the extra string to his bow with his accurate goal kicking.
Yes, Burke shades Latham overall if both were at their peak (thanks to the goal kicking and Burke being more consistent, especially in his younger years), but over the naughties though, I don't understand how you can't pick Latham.
One thing I'll never forget about Burke is that he put his body on the line. Dislocating his shoulder in scoring that try - you always got the feeling that he'd do it again even if he knew what'd happen.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Yep, Burke was overall the better player, Latham the better attacker. How many times did he single handedly beat an opposition team for the reds, and sometimes wallabies. Some of his tries were freakish, an an example of the instinct that Deans would love to have in the current squad.
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