Wallaby No 10 jersey - Barnes or Cooper?

[Athilnaur]

If it's per game, why does it matter if his season was limited or not?

Quite right, it doesn't.

Doesn't change the point however. JOC (James O'Connor) played 577 minutes this year and was in the top 10 for metres per game. I can't understand the people who would bench him.

 

[Joe Blow]

JOC (James O'Connor) will be picked on one wing when fit.
It will be interesting to see who Deans plays at 13 when JOC (James O'Connor), Ioane and Beale are all available.
Will he stick with Horne or move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to outside centre?

 

[disco]

If JOC (James O'Connor) is fit then he is in my starting team everytime.

For the test's in Sydney & Auckland my backline would be.
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Ioane
12.Barnes
13.Mccabe
14.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15.Beale
Res: White, Horne & Turner

With JOC (James O'Connor) on board.
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Ioane
12.Barnes
13.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14.JOC (James O'Connor)
15.Beale
RES: White, McCabe & Turner

 

[Joe Blow]

If JOC (James O'Connor) is fit then he is in my starting team everytime.

For the test's in Sydney & Auckland my backline would be.
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Ioane
12.Barnes
13.Mccabe
14.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15.Beale
Res: White, Horne & Turner

With JOC (James O'Connor) on board.
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Ioane
12.Barnes
13.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14.JOC (James O'Connor)
15.Beale
RES: White, McCabe & Turner

If it was up to me I would go with this, but I doubt Deans will play McCabe at 13.

 

[rotary hoe]

Slim I agree 100% with you that Lilo would be the man at 12(or Benny Tapuai) but unfortunately his leg is snapped in half. I just find your new insight into what a 12 should actually do quite amusing after your undying love for(the undoubtedly lionhearted)out of position Pat Mccabe.
Richo you obviously did not watch the 2010 end of year tour,AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) started with a try in Hong Kong from halfway and finished by tearing the French a new one in Paris.He was acclaimed best outside centre in the world up here and I was at every game,makes me sad he has not been persevered with in his best position.
And there is no question that Quade should be at 10,his distribution is without compare.
Anyone who has actually watched Australian Rugby for the last 30 years would realise that we only achieve parity at best in the forwards and rely on the brilliance of our backs to win. Mccabe,Faainga,Horne at al are not the way forward.

 

[Scoey]

Mccabe,Faainga,Horne at al are not the way forward.

I understand the arguments about Horne & Fainga'a but I don't understand how people can still not rate Pat McCabe at 12 particularly after this season with the Brumbies and then the June Tests. I can only assume that you simply haven't watched him of late and are basing your opinions on performances a year or two ago.

 

[wikman]

I understand the arguments about Horne & Fainga'a but I don't understand how people can still not rate Pat McCabe at 12 particularly after this season with the Brumbies and then the June Tests. I can only assume that you simply haven't watched him of late and are basing your opinions on performances a year or two ago.

I have no doubt McCabe is a very talented player and very capable of playing for the Wallabies. Although it looks like since his inception into the wallabies starting line-up has been used poorly and inefficiently. It appears Deans is trying to use him like NZ used Nonu or is using SBW at the moment, when McCabe does not have the same attacking capabilities or line breaking ability. Not saying McCabe is not able to break the line but SBW and Nonu are much superior in that facet of the game.

 

[Slim 293]

Slim I agree 100% with you that Lilo would be the man at 12(or Benny Tapuai) but unfortunately his leg is snapped in half. I just find your new insight into what a 12 should actually do quite amusing after your undying love for(the undoubtedly lionhearted)out of position Pat Mccabe.
Richo you obviously did not watch the 2010 end of year tour,AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) started with a try in Hong Kong from halfway and finished by tearing the French a new one in Paris.He was acclaimed best outside centre in the world up here and I was at every game,makes me sad he has not been persevered with in his best position.
And there is no question that Quade should be at 10,his distribution is without compare.
Anyone who has actually watched Australian Rugby for the last 30 years would realise that we only achieve parity at best in the forwards and rely on the brilliance of our backs to win. Mccabe,Faainga,Horne at al are not the way forward.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) played on the wing for much of the RWC, and no one has ever rated him that highly at 13.......

 

[Viking]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) played on the wing for much of the RWC, and no one has ever rated him that highly at 13...

Back then when he scored those tries, I was convinced he was the best choice at 13 for the wallabies and possibly the next Mortlock. I probably would only consider him for wing/fullback cover, he just never passes, even when he has outside options he always runs himself, and his runs are becoming quite one dimensional, right hand fend then run. Dont get me wrong, i still think he is a very solid player but this Mr. Versatility has killed him, he could have been a great 13.

I guess the disappointing thing with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for me is that I havent seen much growth in last couple of years, in fact he might have even gone back-wards. Similar players like McCabe are different because they are continuing to develop and grow different aspects of there game eg. McCabes distribtion, kicking both getting better, as well as his running lines. I see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as the same player I saw 3 years ago, maybe a slightly better kick.

 

[Richo]

Richo you obviously did not watch the 2010 end of year tour,AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) started with a try in Hong Kong from halfway and finished by tearing the French a new one in Paris.He was acclaimed best outside centre in the world up here and I was at every game,makes me sad he has not been persevered with in his best position.

I did, actually. All the games. Tearing the French a new one wasn't exactly difficult. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was very good, but best 13 in the world was - and is - simply inaccurate. Certainly few in Australia would have had AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) over Conrad Smith or Jaque Fourie.

 

[mudskipper]

this is a bit of a shame, chosing between 2 also rans here.... Christian Lealiifano was Australias best Flyhalf in Super rugby this year 2012... Pity he is injured and not fit to play...

 

[mudskipper]

Back then when he scored those tries, I was convinced he was the best choice at 13 for the wallabies and possibly the next Mortlock. I probably would only consider him for wing/fullback cover, he just never passes, even when he has outside options he always runs himself, and his runs are becoming quite one dimensional, right hand fend then run. Dont get me wrong, i still think he is a very solid player but this Mr. Versatility has killed him, he could have been a great 13.

I guess the disappointing thing with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for me is that I havent seen much growth in last couple of years, in fact he might have even gone back-wards. Similar players like McCabe are different because they are continuing to develop and grow different aspects of there game eg. McCabes distribtion, kicking both getting better, as well as his running lines. I see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as the same player I saw 3 years ago, maybe a slightly better kick.

Agree I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) peaked 1 few years back... fine player but when he hasn't that the caliber for Mortlock next to him he doesn’t shine...

 

[Bullrush]

He was acclaimed best outside centre in the world up here and I was at every game,makes me sad he has not been persevered with in his best position.

I don't know where 'up here' is but there must be like 3 of you there.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) played on the wing for much of the RWC, and no one has ever rated him that highly at 13...

I doubt that. I don't recall too many saying he was better than Conrad Smith (the best in the world), but there are plenty of people (myself included) who think it's his best position. There are a couple of ways of reading that sentence

 

[something]

Why not play Cooper off the bench? He will be more of a threat and less of a liability against a tired opposition. Barnes' best quality is his all round game supports a bit of a conservative approach. Try to keep up for 60 minutes and then bring on Cooper to create a few tries in the final 20. You could always have Nic White come off the bench around that point too. Cooper and White would send a jolt of energy through the backline.

i actually dont mind the idea of cooper coming off the bench with tired opposition. but i wouldnt pair him with White. Genia & Cooper combo is unreal, why get rid of that?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

If anyone was going to be a bench player, I would nominate Berrick. He can cover 10/12/15 and is very calm in tight situations. The Genia/Cooper combination is too good to break apart IMHO.

 

[Richo]

If anyone was going to be a bench player, I would nominate Berrick. He can cover 10/12/15 and is very calm in tight situations. The Genia/Cooper combination is too good to break apart IMHO.

I agree with this, particularly if it puts JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 and Mitchell at 14 (fitness allowing, obviously).

 

[REDinCPT]

at the risk of sounding a little old fashion, how about picking the best player who plays in that position instead of the mix'n'match globetrotter style backlines which have only worked inconsistently in the past?

9 - genia
10 - cooper
11 - ioane
12 - tapaui
13 - horne
14 - mitchell
15 - beale

also, what's wrong with the traditional 3 backs on the bench with a specialist scrumhalf and utility players?

20 - white
21/22 - barnes/JOC (James O'Connor)/mccabe/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

and replacements for injuries shouldn't only be considered from the utility players. e.g., if mitchell goes down consider replacing him with a specialist winger from outside the 22 in tomane or shipperly or if horne goes down consider Fainga'a.

 

[No4918]

Tapuai, Horne and Mitchell are some way from being the best in there positions at the moment. 2 are also very short on match fitness and will be lucky to see any game time barring injuries. Are you secretly a kiwi?

JOC (James O'Connor) is out for at least the first 2 tests and Tomane for the season.

 

[Forcefield]

I have watched plenty of games of rugby this season.

Elaborate. Or shut up.