Wallaby Outside Centre

[fatprop]

Digby and Drew play different style's, Digby is more likely to break tackles in closer to the rucks and heavy traffic, whereas Drew is more about the fringe work..
I think comparing those statistics can be misleading

They complement eachother as wingers, Digby doesn't have the defence skillset to play 13 in a serious test match

 

[Scotty]

Groucho,

Strange comment after ioane broke about 12 tackles at least last night. Even stranger is that I agree that Mitchell is currently front runner for wing.

I'd like to see diggers at 13 for the rest of the year to see how is defense improves because he is the best first up tackle breaker we have had since mortlock was in his prime.

 

[Finsbury Girl]

Rocket Rod has to there or thereabouts - hungry for work , always looks dangerous, solid in defence (unlike Mitchell). He will overtake Drew by season end.

 

[cyclopath]

Rocket Rod has to there or thereabouts - hungry for work , always looks dangerous, solid in defence (unlike Mitchell). He will overtake Drew by season end.

I would be surprised if he does. Davies looks promising, I have not seen evidence that he defends better than Mitchell this year, nor worse, and Mitchell has been very good in contact and making breaks. Mitchell has greater experience at Test level, and performed well in that level last year. Given the limited opportunities for Test exposure prior to the RWC, Davies will have limited chance to prove he is better. He will be well in the mix though.

 

[DPK]

Rocket Rod has to there or thereabouts - hungry for work , always looks dangerous, solid in defence (unlike Mitchell). He will overtake Drew by season end.

Move over, Reddy!, you're position as resident QLD Nut is no more.

 

[roo]

Its all about Stirlo if he's fit and keeps this form going... His defence is amazing, he still breaks tacks, when he's the dummie runner he always attracts multiple defenders, he's experienced, he's a leader... Shit, I could go on all night!

 

[Groucho]

Groucho,

Strange comment after ioane broke about 12 tackles at least last night. Even stranger is that I agree that Mitchell is currently front runner for wing.

I'd like to see diggers at 13 for the rest of the year to see how is defense improves because he is the best first up tackle breaker we have had since mortlock was in his prime.

Sorry Scotty, I missed last night's match because my i*****l f**d broke down.

 

[Groucho]

Rocket Rod has to there or thereabouts - hungry for work , always looks dangerous, solid in defence (unlike Mitchell). He will overtake Drew by season end.

Mmmm? Mitchell is a monster in defence.

 

[Ruggo]

Rocket Rod has to there or thereabouts - hungry for work , always looks dangerous, solid in defence (unlike Mitchell). He will overtake Drew by season end.

Davies is well on the way to making the squad. As for Mitchell, it all depends on JOC (James O'Connor). If he stays on the wing, the one most likely to unseat Mitchell will be Ionae.

 

[waratahjesus]

you cant drop mitchell from the team, if he is dropped, it will certainly not be for 'rocket' rodney. honestly? rod davies?

JOC (James O'Connor) or Quade have to hit the bench. the only way not is if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) hits the bench and diggers goes to 13

 

[Groucho]

you cant drop mitchell from the team, if he is dropped, it will certainly not be for 'rocket' rodney. honestly? rod davies?

JOC (James O'Connor) or Quade have to hit the bench. the only way not is if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) hits the bench and diggers goes to 13

Genia
Cooper
Diggers
JOC (James O'Connor)
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Mitchell
Gilbert

That seems to get them all in, and is popular round these parts.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

No way Mitchell isn't picked for the first test this year. I'm pretty dismayed at how prepared many of us here are to drop proven test performers and replace them in a world cup year with guys who have proven nothing on the international stage. I would have thought that the time for experimentation with the line up was the last two seasons. To win a big tournament, history suggests that you go in with a pretty settled line up and that most of the players in their chosen positions are fairly obvious selections.

If there is a significant amount of doubt in the coaches mind about what our best match day 22 is then I would suggest that we are in some trouble.

 

[Ruggo]

Of course you can drop Mitchell. It has been done before. He won't be dropped for Davies though.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Sure you can drop him and as you say it's been done before, but you wouldn't on form. And besides, who would we play in his place?

 

[Ruggo]

No way Mitchell isn't picked for the first test this year. I'm pretty dismayed at how prepared many of us here are to drop proven test performers and replace them in a world cup year with guys who have proven nothing on the international stage. I would have thought that the time for experimentation with the line up was the last two seasons. To win a big tournament, history suggests that you go in with a pretty settled line up and that most of the players in their chosen positions are fairly obvious selections.

If there is a significant amount of doubt in the coaches mind about what our best match day 22 is then I would suggest that we are in some trouble.

I would say the players are set but who starts isn't. The squad will be made of the usual suspects plus others. Proven test players are competing against eachother as well.

 

[Ruggo]

Sure you can drop him and as you say it's been done before, but you wouldn't on form. And besides, who would we play in his place?

Ionae as said. It also revolves around where JOC (James O'Connor) plays. If he is selected on the wing three is not going to go into two. All three are showing form and JOC (James O'Connor)'s goal kicking has him in. In this situation my money is on Mitchell drawing the short straw. We all want JOC (James O'Connor) in closer but let's not forget he is incumbant as a winger. I think that is most likely how the Wallaby selectors will look at it.

Personally I would have both and JOC (James O'Connor) at 12.

 

[The Mayor of Perth]

And a big chance now for Diggers to claim that gold 13 jersey. I hope he can stay on the park for an extended period of time. In the last furlong...AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) just in front, a nice gap opens for Diggers, does Stirlo have one more effort? Cummo working hard.

Form has been spoken about in the last few days. How long can AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) keep serving up rubbish in Super Rugby and still be first choice? Stirlo was fantastic last night for the Rebels, especially in defence. Diggers was was good and will continue to improve there if he can stay on the park IMO. And Cummo continues to improve. I leave Horne out of discussion because i) he's never on the park ii) who knows his current injury status? Based on this weekend I'd go 10 QC (Quade Cooper), 12 Rabs and 13 Stirlo for balance, with defence at 12 and 13 being very good and QC (Quade Cooper) maturing (which I didn't pick) and still electrifying at 10.

 

[waratahjesus]

When the wallabys are standing opposite England, south Africa and new Zealand in the coming months, are that many people actually fine with quade and JOC (James O'Connor) marking up together.

Please don't say you can hide quad as doing so makes the team weaker cos you move another player from there speacialised position

 

[drewprint]

Yep, I'm fine with it.

People keep rattling on about how great of a defender Barnes is and how him being at inside centre will shore up the inside channel and cover up Coopers defensive flaws, but O'Connor seems to be a pretty fine defender too. Not to the same level as Barnes sure, but not as far off as many would have you believe.

 

[waratahjesus]

JOC (James O'Connor) isn't covering, he is responsible for himself. He is actually responsible for himself defensively which is good, but do you want someones who's best asset is his speed and footwork to be doing a bigger defensive load than he should? You want him to be fresh.