T
Train Without a Station
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Well let's find out if that's true at test level hey?
Wallaby Watch 2014
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It is what it is
John Solomon (38)
I'm a Jones fan but it's a lot to ask of him defensively to play 8.
Does anyone else think he may be a little too small to play lock at test level?
Will his frame handle a bit more bulk?
I don't advocate picking a lock/6 (who has played almost all his football at lock this year) at number 8.
What if he went to 8 and was a bit too slow for the position and threw the pack out of balance and was also terrible securing the ball at the back of the scrum?
It's not like we're short on options for the number 8 jersey this year.
Jones should be picked at lock. He's been the standout lock amongst the Australian teams this year.
I definitely think someone can be trained up to do it and with practice they'd hopefully do it well.
Given the lack of preparation for the French series, I'm guessing that at the very least the lineout calling will be done with someone who was in the starting team on the EOYT and most likely will be Rob Simmons to continue doing that job.
Link would be crazy not to establish other options for himself though. Like anything, you don't want to have to make compromises when selecting your team.
So Simmons is a walk up starter then?
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Pete, I'm sure you're right that there is a fair few blokes who could take that role given the opportunity. The fact remains however that of those players who are on the Wallabies radar, only Simmons has been getting good practice calling the lineout this season.
I think it'd be too much to ask of a green Wallaby to start calling their first lineouts in a test match.
I think it'd be too much to ask of a green Wallaby to start calling their first lineouts in a test match.
Im not ridiculously anti Simmons (was prior to EOYT) but he does give away some shit penalties. My point is that im sure in the past at an elite level a player has left the test arena as a lineout general and been replace by someone who hadnt been previously. Whose not to say that all in contention hadnt spent the previous ten years of their life calling line outs. Dont think there are to many Tom Bowman eske players getting around these days
According to the stats, Higginbotham and Fardy are the two most penalised players in Super Rugby this year.
Benaud
Tom Lawton (22)
I'd love to know the answer to this too.
I think it would mean Slipper doesn't play a game before the Test.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
The distinction is that Fardy gives away penalties because of his aggressive style around the Ground, especially at the breakdown.
Higgers just gives away stupid penalties.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
Just read an article in relation to Kepu trying to regain his starting test spot. supposedly Chieka dropped him because his passing and catching game was not good enough; Kepu talks about trying to find some good form and the fact that on the EOYT last year his real focus was on his scrummaging more than anything.
I'm glad the Kepu conscious of improving his form and i can understand why Cheika wants to get more out of Kepu in open play given the tahs style of play.
Kepu does need to play his way into some form, but at the same time test rugby is a different beast. At Super level you can give up a bit of scrummaging strength in search for better performance around the park. Not so at test level.
I'm glad the Kepu conscious of improving his form and i can understand why Cheika wants to get more out of Kepu in open play given the tahs style of play.
Kepu does need to play his way into some form, but at the same time test rugby is a different beast. At Super level you can give up a bit of scrummaging strength in search for better performance around the park. Not so at test level.
T
Train Without a Station
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Yes they have, but has the line out contributed to flourish after this?
He is still one of the best line out operators in Australia (as a jumper and leader), if not the best. That's one of a locks core duties so you cannot just ignore this when judging his form.
Also, for the record probably 50% of Simmons penalties are conceded contesting the line out. I just find the double standard intriguing that Fardy giving away penalties going hard at the breakdown is ok, but Simmons at the line out is not. They're both doing it fighting for possession. It's just one is more liked than the other so he is accepted for it.
For the record I like fardy's style of play and think it's worth it, I'm just pointing out the double standard
More referring to the cards again argentina and scotland in test matches for dumb shit. Think leaving your side one tight forward short with the game in the balance is pretty dumb
Bairdy
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Horwill has called the lineout on several occasions.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
he seemed to be calling it yesterday - that could be the kiss of death
T
Train Without a Station
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Refer to my other comments on this bairdy
Dumbledore
Dick Tooth (41)
Playing 8 in the Shute Shield is a pretty different issue to playing 8 in Tests. It's not a good move, even before you take into account that he's played all season at lock. I personally think he's best suited to 6, has the prototypical size for the position at Test level, but since he's been the best lock in Australia all year he should be given a run there to see if he's up to it. I think he'll be good at lock, then will lock down the 6 spot once Fardy retires/moves overseas.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
I like Jones at 6 as well.
Jones has almost demanded selection as well - but he's played lock doing that.
Then there is Fardy who hasn't lost his position.
Dumbledore
Dick Tooth (41)
Yeah absolutely, it's a good problem to have. He definitely deserves a starting spot against the French, and given he's been playing so well at lock I reckon they should put him there.
Since Pyle's been benched he's been a lot more involved in the lineout and he's going well there. Have no idea whether he can call or not, but he's certainly a viable target.
At this point I'd almost have Jones penned in with the question being whether it'll be Horwill or Simmons to partner him. Having both Jones and Fardy on the team gives some added bench flexibility as well.
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