Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[Cutter]

WJ rates Burgess world class - I've heard it all now :nta:. Genia is a far superior player. There is no comparison. End of story.

Scarfy if there isn't already a rule against saying "End of story." or "End of." can we please introduce one. Spook I've fixed it for you below.

WJ, a sterling chap whose right to an opinion I respect, rates Burgess world class - I've heard it all now :nta:. I don't necessarily agree with WaJu's reasoning. In fact, my personal view is that Genia is a far superior player for reasons others have mentioned. There is no comparison. End of story.

 

[fatprop]

I think both Burgess and Genia are very good, but Genia is the better all round footballer.

Burgess is an athlete who plays 9 while Genia is both a footballer and athlete.

 

[Spook]

WJ rates Burgess world class - I've heard it all now :nta:. Genia is a far superior player. There is no comparison. End of story.

Scarfy if there isn't already a rule against saying "End of story." or "End of." can we please introduce one. Spook I've fixed it for you below.

WJ, a sterling chap whose right to an opinion I respect, rates Burgess world class - I've heard it all now :nta:. I don't necessarily agree with WaJu's reasoning. In fact, my personal view is that Genia is a far superior player for reasons others have mentioned. There is no comparison. End of story.

Can you please rationalise these edits? Are you are implying that I made a personal attack on WJ?

Can I also bring to your attention one of your previous posts (February 24, 2010, 12:01:48 pm):

The only class To'omua is in of Giteau's is a Masterclass session...

Mate I think you should leave the jokes to our resident funny man Moses. Giteau is over rated. He's got a step and speed but he's not a natural 10. Witness the EoYT last year. Case closed.

Scarfy, if there isn't a rule regarding hypocrisy can we please introduce one? : Actually, ditch that. :lmao:

 

[Scotty]

Big fail for cutter.

 

[chief]

I'm sorry but Burgess, I predict will lose his Wallaby reserve jersey to O'Young or even Phibbs or Valentine. One good game isn't enough to make up for Burgess's consistent slow service, consistent shit ball running. At least get someone with a crisp pass.

 

[Sully]

Agreed the #2 halfback spot is wide open.

 

[cyclopath]

I'm sorry but Burgess, I predict will lose his Wallaby reserve jersey to O'Young or even Phibbs or Valentine. One good game isn't enough to make up for Burgess's consistent slow service, consistent shit ball running. At least get someone with a crisp pass.

O'Young has certainly shown some form, but only really a couple of games. Phibbs had 1 blinder this year. Valentine has been reasonable. But really, only O'Young has shown me the ability to make the step.
I think if he plays as well for the rest of the S14, he certainly should be vying with Burgess as a back up. The fact is Burgess has history at International level, and I think in the selectors eyes that counts for a fair bit. But a coach, at some stage, needs to get Burgess back to just passing the ball clear, rather than running a slightly backwards and across loop as he is at the moment, due largely to the way the Tahs are playing. One thing about Burgess I would not fault is his defence - very strong one-on-one.

 

[Cutter]

WJ rates Burgess world class - I've heard it all now :nta:. Genia is a far superior player. There is no comparison. End of story.

Scarfy if there isn't already a rule against saying "End of story." or "End of." can we please introduce one. Spook I've fixed it for you below.

WJ, a sterling chap whose right to an opinion I respect, rates Burgess world class - I've heard it all now :nta:. I don't necessarily agree with WaJu's reasoning. In fact, my personal view is that Genia is a far superior player for reasons others have mentioned. There is no comparison. End of story.

Can you please rationalise these edits? Are you are implying that I made a personal attack on WJ?

Can I also bring to your attention one of your previous posts (February 24, 2010, 12:01:48 pm):

The only class To'omua is in of Giteau's is a Masterclass session...

Mate I think you should leave the jokes to our resident funny man Moses. Giteau is over rated. He's got a step and speed but he's not a natural 10. Witness the EoYT last year. Case closed.

Scarfy, if there isn't a rule regarding hypocrisy can we please introduce one? : Actually, ditch that. :lmao:

Like a rabbit in the headlights...

I didn't think you were attacking WJ. However, I do think there are better ways to debate than saying "end of" etc. Case closed is close but is used in the context of there being no more evidence required. This is way off topic.

 

[Biffo]

Good news on Big Cliff. I would say World Class implies you could make a World squad of 20 - 30 players. So top 2 or 3 in your position.

Top 3 scrum halves in order of ablity:

1. FdP
2. Genia
3. Burgess

Tutorial time, young Spooky. Fixed.

Time for your medicine methinks.

English language and reasoning tutorial time. You wrote "in order of ablity (sic)".

I have no doubt that Burgess is in the top three halfbacks on the planet in terms of ability.

Perhaps you intended to rank halfbacks in terms of performance in international games? If that were the criterion, my ranking might change.

As an aside, O'Young and Phibbs, while clearly admirable players with potential, have no international record to be assessed.

 

[wobbly]

I just read a post on Fox Sports suggesting Gits to Wallaby fullback, which allows Cooper to be protected defensively by Barnes at IC and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at outside, with Ioane and Hynes on the wings.

Whilst I had JOC (James O'Connor) as preferred FB (and I actually think JOC (James O'Connor) has a better kicking game in play and off the ground than Gits), I think this could be worth a try. It might reinvigorate Gits (take pressure of him defensively and running the game) and provide the best midfield defensive balance. It will give us a great armoury of playmakers (Cooper, Barnes and Gits), kickers (ditto) and line breakers (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Ioane, Gits, Hynes). You could then possibly get away with a 5/2 bench with JOC (James O'Connor) and Baby John Burgess (unless another half stood up). That would give us the luxury of adding a rookie lock to the bench, which is a critical position we need to build depth in.

So a 22 of:

15. Gits
14. Ioane
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. Barnes
11. Hynes
10. Cooper
9. Sanchez
8. Palu
7. Bam Bam
6. Rocky
5. Sharpe
4. Mumm
3. Alexander
2. Nau
1. Robbo

16. Weeks
17. Moore
18. Higginbotham
19. Hodgson
20. Douglas / Hockings / Wykes / Simmons*
21. Burgess
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

* The jury's still out for me on the merits of our young locks, but my current order would be: Douglas / Hockings / Wykes / Simmons. I would sooner give one of these guys a taste of test rugby a year out from a World Cup than persist with Chisholm or punt on an old stager like Van H. As mentioned elsewhere Rocky and Higgy are both lineout options as well.

Yes and I'm clearly leaving Mitchell, Baxter and Waugh out. Nothing against the Tahs, I just see each of them as liabilities, ditto Chisholm. And Stirlo is well out of frame unfortunately.

In terms of form the biggest worries are Barnes and Gits. If Barnes form doesn't continue to improve and A.Fingers does, then I would straight swap these two at 12. Deans will only shelve Barnes/Gits if we continue to lose 3N games. At least this season we've started to develop liable alternatives at 10/12 in Cooper/Finger and to a lesser extent To'omua/Lealifano.

 

[RugbyReg]

I don't mind that team. Am intrigued as to how Gits would go at 15 and I don't mind it. I am not rapped in Hynes as a test 15 at all. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would still be ahead of them in my eyes.

Why the 5 man forward bench? With two backrowers? Is it overkill? Particularly when Hodgson can play alll three back row spots.

I'd pick Mitchell for sure. Even ahead of Hynes. Admittedly I think Deans needs to ride his arse a bit more with regards putting in around the park, but he's a dangerous player, and those two Diggers and Drew) would be a bloody dangerous pairing.

 

[Biffo]

Add me to the Gits for 15 club. I suspect his use-by date for 10 has passed and that for 12 is nye.

 

[HG]

Don't write off Gitts just yet.
I never have seen him as a 10 but as a 12. The guy has been playing out of position for a number of years now due to our lack of depth at 10.
This run he is getting at the Brumbies will do him well.
IMHO he is a far better option that Barns at 12 with a far better kicking game that Barns.

 

[Ruggo]

That's not a bad team Wobbly.

I would definatly take Hynes over Mictchell. Hynes is such a complete package.

The two backrowers isn't overkill. Higgers and Hodgeson both offer different aspects to the game. Higgers the size and aggression. Hodgeson with the mobilty and on the ball talent. Being able to select from these two at the back end of the game sounds fantastic.

 

[TOCC]

Higginbottam is still a long way from been a Wallaby..

Maybe bring him into the wider wallaby training squad for experience, but not into the matchday 22. There are so many good backrowers in Australia at the moment.

 

[en_force_er]

My preferred (rethought) Wallaby 22:

15. Gits (i thought this was a good idea when i read in on theroar. i hope it gains steam)
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (given a roaming license)
13. Ioane (him and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) extremely interchangeable)
12. Barnes (necessary given Cooper's defensive shortcomings. will more than likely rectify his form)
11. Mitchell
10. Cooper
9. Genia
8. Palu
7. Pocock
6. Rocky
5. Sharpe
4. Mumm
3. Weekes (because Alexander played LH this year and Robbo seems off his best)
2. TPN
1. Alexander

16. Moore
17. Robbo
18. Hockings (bread-and-butter lock, he'll do the rough stuff. young but not too young)
19. Hodgson
20. Burgess/O'Young (one has experience, one has potential. tough choice)
21. T.Smith
22. Hynes

I am aware I posted a very different 22 a week ago. Still I like the look of this one.

 

[RugbyReg]

Higginbottam is still a long way from been a Wallaby..

Maybe bring him into the wider wallaby training squad for experience, but not into the matchday 22. There are so many good backrowers in Australia at the moment.

agree. I actually rate Dave Dennis above him, despite the Double D being benched this week.

 

[Biffo]

Don't write off Gitts just yet.
I never have seen him as a 10 but as a 12. The guy has been playing out of position for a number of years now due to our lack of depth at 10.
This run he is getting at the Brumbies will do him well.
IMHO he is a far better option that Barns at 12 with a far better kicking game that Barns.

I predicted the ends for Mortlock and George Smith on this board 12 months before the event and drew some derision. I am now going for the Brumby trifecta with Giteau.

 

[en_force_er]

agree. I actually rate Dave Dennis above him, despite the Double D being benched this week.

I agree.

Higgers is still a great player though, just has a few issues like his body height into contract. It's just disappointing the Tahs have to choose between DD and Mowen every week.

Rebels really could have used one of them. They are both class players.

 

[wobbly]

Nodds, the lineout last year was our weak point and we are without one of our two recognised intl locks this year. So firstly I want to see a young lock blooded a year out from the RWC, without leaving us too exposed.

To have fresh backrow legs in tight 3N tests is desirable. Hodgson is definately the next man on the paddock and unlucky not to start. He's the new Waugh. Then I want to see Higginbotham used as an impact player ala MMM and Finnegan have in the past and if you need to replace Mumm with anything more than 20 to go, then I'd slot him or Rocky into the 2nd row.

With guys like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Ioane, Hynes, Barnes, Gits and JOC (James O'Connor) comfortable across a number of backline roles, I think we can afford a 5/2 split. With Alexander's ability to play either side, I think an extra lock is more justifyable.

The thing I like about Gits at FB is it will potentially offer him the freedom to run into space. This gives a 3rd peg on top of the Ioane/Cooper combo and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as a linebreaking threats, which just makes for lethal potentially if Coopers getting any sort of front foot ball and service.

Whilst Mitchell been in career best form, he just doesn't convince me as a genuine test match line breaker and still a liability in defence and in the tackle. His kicking game and ball return ability is not as assured as Hynes for mine.