Wallaby Watch 2014

[Forcefield]

Stats also miss the big plays. Hodgson's snatch, run in traffic and offload for the Force's first try against the Cheetahs turned pressure on the Force into a try. Hodgo does a lot of that kind of thing- throwing himself at the ball on the deck. He's score a few tries too. Stats also don't show Hodgson's contribution as a leader.

That said, Michael Hooper often puts in the big plays. His running game is very strong. I'd still go with Hooper every day of the week, but I wouldn't be sweating if he went down injured in a game.

 

[qwerty51]

Robbie often played a reserve openside but Link doesn't like it.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Robbie often played a reserve openside but Link doesn't like it.

Last year link played 2 open sides in the 23 5/12 matches and If I remember correctly gill was injured towards the end of the RC which saw McCalman come into the squad then they shared it with Dennis in the spring tour.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Gill was only played after injuries though.

I can see the logic. An open side is generally an 80 minute player. In addition a player generally can cover 6/8 where an open side is too specialist. Therefore playing a sub leaves you short for where you need a reserve loosie.

Generally we have played reserve open sides only because they are better than any other reserve loosies.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Gill was only played after injuries though.

I can see the logic. An open side is generally an 80 minute player. In addition a player generally can cover 6/8 where an open side is too specialist. Therefore playing a sub leaves you short for where you need a reserve loosie.

Generally we have played reserve open sides only because they are better than any other reserve loosies.

He started the first 3 games of the RC under link not sure who was injured

 

[Pedrolicus]

1 Slipper
2 Moore
3 Alexander
4 Skelton
5 Simmons
6 Fardy
7 Hooper
8 Palu
9 White
10 Cooper
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12 To'omua
13 Kuridrani
14 Cummins
15 Folau
16 TPN
17 Sio
18 Kepu
19 Jones
20 Higginbotham
21 Genia
22 McCabe
23 Lealiifano

Definitely a much harder team to select than in previous years. Having so many players in contention is a great problem to have.

I think the size of Palu and Skelton is worth the gamble, especially as it's easy to stack the team with plenty of good jumpers. When they tire Jones and Higgers add increased pace while bolstering the lineout. Plus you might get a blood bin to mix it up as you go.

McCalman could easily replace higgs. Hodgson wouldn't let you down either, just depends on game plan you're going for.

McCabe and Lealiifano cover every back line position besides scrum half. Lealiifano has a great kicking record for the wallabies but I couldn't argue that Beale or a few others might be more deserving at the moment.

 

[BDA]

Gill was only played after injuries though.

I can see the logic. An open side is generally an 80 minute player. In addition a player generally can cover 6/8 where an open side is too specialist. Therefore playing a sub leaves you short for where you need a reserve loosie.

Generally we have played reserve open sides only because they are better than any other reserve loosies.

If Pocock is back for the world cup i reckon you would play Pocock and Hooper in the same 23. Play a 6/2 bench. If worst comes to worst, Hooper can play in the backline.

 

[cyclopath]

If Pocock is back for the world cup i reckon you would play Pocock and Hooper in the same 23. Play a 6/2 bench. If worst comes to worst, Hooper can play in the backline.

Are we the only country in the world that ever thinks like that? I don't doubt he's capable, but do the All Blacks, who have to be the benchmark, ever select in that way? It's a curious thing that these left-field selection options get raised so often.
In NZ, the second best 10 plays reserve 10, not 12, or 15 or whatever.
Same for every other position.
I'm not shit-canning having Pocock and Hooper in the 23 together, but I just find some of the reasoning, well, interesting.

 

[BDA]

1 Slipper
2 Moore
3 Alexander
4 Skelton
5 Simmons
6 Fardy
7 Hooper
8 Palu
9 White
10 Cooper
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12 To'omua
13 Kuridrani
14 Cummins
15 Folau
16 TPN
17 Sio
18 Kepu
19 Jones
20 Higginbotham
21 Genia
22 McCabe
23 Lealiifano

Definitely a much harder team to select than in previous years. Having so many players in contention is a great problem to have.

I think the size of Palu and Skelton is worth the gamble, especially as it's easy to stack the team with plenty of good jumpers. When they tire Jones and Higgers add increased pace while bolstering the lineout. Plus you might get a blood bin to mix it up as you go.

McCalman could easily replace higgs. Hodgson wouldn't let you down either, just depends on game plan you're going for.

McCabe and Lealiifano cover every back line position besides scrum half. Lealiifano has a great kicking record for the wallabies but I couldn't argue that Beale or a few others might be more deserving at the moment.

I like that side. Pretty good mix of young and experience. Not sure if skelton is ready to start but i also think we're going to need some big bodies to beat the French. A big reason the tahs have been able to play so much front foot football this season is the likes of Palu and Skelton getting them over the advantage line. If the wobs are going to carve up the Poms defence theyll need plenty of go forward

 

[BDA]

Are we the only country in the world that ever thinks like that? I don't doubt he's capable, but do the All Blacks, who have to be the benchmark, ever select in that way? It's a curious thing that these left-field selection options get raised so often.
In NZ, the second best 10 plays reserve 10, not 12, or 15 or whatever.
Same for every other position.
I'm not shit-canning having Pocock and Hooper in the 23 together, but I just find some of the reasoning, well, interesting.

Is playing a 5/2 bench that left field? One of Hooper/Pocock would be on the bench as a backrower. I think most games you can get away with two backs.

I was just pointing out that it's worth the risk.

 

[qwerty51]

Hooper can play in the backline.

Alex Cuthbert vs Hooper 2013 Brisbane.. cost us the series.

 

[BDA]

Alex Cuthbert vs Hooper 2013 Brisbane.. cost us the series.

 

[Viking]

I have always been a massive Pocock fan, he is one of my favourite players and my first pick in a wallabies squad when fully fit. BUT I think we are getting a head of ourselves assuming he is going to be in the mix come RWC. He has been out of the game for so long now its going to take a lot of work to get back to where was. And the injury is to his knee TWICE - he is so strong over the ball which I'd imagine takes a lot of strain on your knee's. He may never get back to the level he once was.

We need to play what we have today! Hodgeson needs to be in the mix. He could very well be a very good back-up to Hooper come RWC.

 

[Viking]

Alex Cuthbert vs Hooper 2013 Brisbane.. cost us the series.

OR Beale missing 2 easy penalties cos he's too retarded to tie his shoe laces, or playing a 10 out of position helped too.

 

[BarneySF]

Tongan Thor at 12

 

[caymantim]

Man I get sick of suggestions that a back rower (typically a 7) can play in the centres... they are very different positions. That Cuthbert/Hooper example just one..... and agree with cyclopath.......

 

[Highlander35]

A backrower can play in the centers if they have spent significant time playing and training there, along with the prerequisite skill set.

See Richie Vernon at Glasgow. Spent half the season playing club rugby learning to play Outside Center as a 8/6.

When he started, he played 13. When he came off the bench, he played 13. If there was an injury to a lock or a backrower, and the other 2 reserves had already taken place, he then moved into the forwards for the remaining 5-15 minutes. He was a better option than blokes who'd played no forward, but he earned his spot soley based on his performances at center. You can't make decisions like that.

Sent from my LG-P713 using Tapatalk

 

[Scrubber2050]

JOC (James O'Connor) in RWC squad ????

Bloke can be great and his versility unrivalled.

BUT will McKenzie be prepared to bring him back into the fold ????

Personally I don't think so. - Rightly or wrongly.

I think there may be a perception held by Ewen (and the ARU) that when you fuck up badly and several times to boot that sort of conduct is unacceptable to an extent that if he is selected it may impact adversely (only by degree) on the rest of the playing group.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Think it would be a mistake tyo leave Benn Robinson out of the mix - his experience is invaluable. Slipper has started all last year and Sio looks to be favorite to be the reserve LHP but I am a bit concerned about Scott's relative inexperience at Test level to have him in lieu of Robbo.

Maybe Sio's experience will be increased with the Frogs and EOYT sufficently.

 

[Dumbledore]

OR Beale missing 2 easy penalties cos he's too retarded to tie his shoe laces, or playing a 10 out of position helped too.

Really?