Wallaby Winger of the Decade

[Scarfman]

Can't believe how much you rate Rattlebones. One of the oddest opinions (!) I've read on this site.

He was pretty good for a few games then nothing. Even discounting the nothing, he wasn't as good as Tuqiri, Tune, Mortlock, Roff, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). He was Hynesesque.

 

[Biffo]

Can't believe how much you rate Rattlebones. One of the oddest opinions (!) I've read on this site.

He was pretty good for a few games then nothing. Even discounting the nothing, he wasn't as good as Tuqiri, Tune, Mortlock, Roff, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). He was Hynesesque.

A matter of definition only. "Wallaby (insert position) of the decade". I have taken that to mean the best at his best - whether for one game or 50 games. I have taken no account of "contribution to the Wallabies" or any other interpretation.

Rattlebones scored three tries against England when Wendy hurt himself in the warm-up. One was a chip and chase. One was sheer speed. One was sheer strength. Wendy and Costa could not have scored the first two. Mortlock and Roff could not have scored the sheer speed try and would be doubtful, at best, in the chip and chase. Tune was gone by the time 2000 came around. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) could not have scored the chip and chase.

Rattlebones = Hynes. Now that defines an "odd" opinion, IMHO.

 

[Reddy!]

Can't believe how much you rate Rattlebones. One of the oddest opinions (!) I've read on this site.

He was pretty good for a few games then nothing. Even discounting the nothing, he wasn't as good as Tuqiri, Tune, Mortlock, Roff, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). He was Hynesesque.

A matter of definition only. "Wallaby (insert position) of the decade". I have taken that to mean the best at his best - whether for one game or 50 games. I have taken no account of "contribution to the Wallabies" or any other interpretation.

Rattlebones scored three tries against England when Wendy hurt himself in the warm-up. One was a chip and chase. One was sheer speed. One was sheer strength. Wendy and Costa could not have scored the first two. Mortlock and Roff could not have scored the sheer speed try and would be doubtful, at best, in the chip and chase. Tune was gone by the time 2000 came around. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) could not have scored the chip and chase.

Rattlebones = Hynes. Now that defines an "odd" opinion, IMHO.

Don't forget Rathbones game winning try at Subiaco against the Boks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfYZd1q6y-I

 

[louie]

roff for mine. 100%

 

[Biffo]

Can't believe how much you rate Rattlebones. One of the oddest opinions (!) I've read on this site.

He was pretty good for a few games then nothing. Even discounting the nothing, he wasn't as good as Tuqiri, Tune, Mortlock, Roff, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). He was Hynesesque.

A matter of definition only. "Wallaby (insert position) of the decade". I have taken that to mean the best at his best - whether for one game or 50 games. I have taken no account of "contribution to the Wallabies" or any other interpretation.

Rattlebones scored three tries against England when Wendy hurt himself in the warm-up. One was a chip and chase. One was sheer speed. One was sheer strength. Wendy and Costa could not have scored the first two. Mortlock and Roff could not have scored the sheer speed try and would be doubtful, at best, in the chip and chase. Tune was gone by the time 2000 came around. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) could not have scored the chip and chase.

Rattlebones = Hynes. Now that defines an "odd" opinion, IMHO.

Don't forget Rathbones game winning try at Subiaco against the Boks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfYZd1q6y-I

Thanks for that. Only two Australian wingers in my life time could have been even at the races for the lead up and that try - Rattlebones and Tune. Wendy, Costa and Roff (that's Roff 2000-03) could never, never have scored that try.

 

[Scarfman]

I don't think Rattlebones was ever lightning fast. And I don't think you've got the idea of the poll right. It's for the greatest contribution to Australian winghood in the period 2000-2009. It's not for their best game. Rattlebones is a non-starter in this event.

 

[Reddy!]

I don't think Rattlebones was ever lightning fast. And I don't think you've got the idea of the poll right. It's for the greatest contribution to Australian winghood in the period 2000-2009. It's not for their best game. Rattlebones is a non-starter in this event.

Disagree, during 2004 he was bloody quick. It was after that year that he started to put on far too much weight and slow down and incur injuries. He may not have been the absolute standout winger from 2000-2009 as you suggest, but I don't think he should totally be discounted and forgotten. He did make a noticable impact to the Wallaby team during 2004 at least.

 

[Biffo]

Reports from tests in training suggest that Rattlebones was the quickest Wallaby winger of the decade. IIRC, he was credited, circa 2004, with being the fastest Brumby at 10, 40 and 80 metres. Whatever, he was very bloody quick compared to Wendy, Lotsa and Roff 2000-03. That they were very slow would be a poor defence .

 

[Spook]

Rattlebones, when injury-free in 2004, was possibly the fastest Wallaby over 40 metres in this decade. Biff makes some good points. He was an excellent finisher. Injury-riddled though.

 

[Scarfman]

Well, you guys have got the info, so I guess he was fast - briefly. His legs always moved in a blur but I would back a longer-legged sprinter any day.

I reckon Wendy would have beaten everybody over 100m, not that that counts for much.

 

[Biffo]

Well, you guys have got the info, so I guess he was fast - briefly. His legs always moved in a blur but I would back a longer-legged sprinter any day.

I reckon Wendy would have beaten everybody over 100m, not that that counts for much.

That's an excellent question. Just how fast was Wendy at his peak? Does anyone have a measure, even from his early league days?

 

[Reddy!]

Well, you guys have got the info, so I guess he was fast - briefly. His legs always moved in a blur but I would back a longer-legged sprinter any day.

I reckon Wendy would have beaten everybody over 100m, not that that counts for much.

Doubt it. If anything Wendy would have beaten everybody over 5-10km run. He was/is a very fit guy, especially for a big man.

I think the fastest over 100m this decade would be Lakkie Turner. With Rathbone coming in 2nd, and Drew Mitchell 3rd or 4th, depending on which Lote turned up.

 

[Viking]

Australia has always had quality wingers in the past with Ben Tune, Roff, Tuqiri, Rathbone, Gerrard, Sailor had some great moments, and andrew walker did too. Our wingers now IMO are very average. Lots off ppl rate hynes for his work rate but none of the current wallaby wingers are as good as any mentioned above. They all had something special about them eg great at the high ball (gerrard, tuqiri), Powerful runners (sailor, Tuqiri), Great steppers (gerrard, walker, sailor). We need new wingers with at least one decent attacking attribute thats above average.

 

[cyclopath]

Australia has always had quality wingers in the past with Ben Tune, Roff, Tuqiri, Rathbone, Gerrard, Sailor had some great moments, and andrew walker did too. Our wingers now IMO are very average. Lots off ppl rate hynes for his work rate but none of the current wallaby wingers are as good as any mentioned above. They all had something special about them eg great at the high ball (gerrard, tuqiri), Powerful runners (sailor, Tuqiri), Great steppers (gerrard, walker, sailor). We need new wingers with at least one decent attacking attribute thats above average.

Totally agree - someone with real pace like Shane Williams or Habana, or the X-factor like Sivivatu or Heymans. None of ours are that fast, or that creative, or that unpredictable, or anything. Hynes is industrious, and does well enough, but will worry no defence.
Players like Ioane or Fainifo are promising because they have potential to be dangerous.

 

[spectator]

Isn't Turner a sub 11sec 100 m runner and didn't he do 4.8 or something for the 40m (breaking Tuqiri's record)? That's pretty damn quick. It's not just pace, otherwise Rod Davies would be in the green and gold tomorrow.

Ioane has the potential to be a great winger but the push for him to be a 13 might stop all that. Fainifo too has some x factor, I agree. What has happened to Alfi Mafi. Very impressive as a schoolboy. Morahan reminds me of Brendan Moon, so maybe there is the next best thing?

I'll go with Tuqiri for the best winger of the decade.

 

[Epi]

Tuqiri was the best winger of the decade IMHO. Can't imagine Mitchell, Turner or Hynes would get a look in for an ABs jumper if they were born in NZ - they are pretty average.

Was very dissapointed Fainifo wasn't taken on tour. He was the most dangerous looking winger in all the Aus super 14 sides. The only one with devastating pace!

Hope he gets a shot soon... The game in this country needs wingers with X-Factor.

 

[Scarfman]

Dell was faster than Tuqiri, acknowledged by both.

 

[Calexico]

It's a pity Walker wasn't a bit more consistent. I reckon his try against the Maori (can't remember the year) is as good as any I've seen an Australian winger score. I also reckon he had by far the best kicking game of the the nominated wingers. But alas we didn't really see the best of him when he played for the Wallabies.

 

[cyclopath]

Dell was faster than Tuqiri, acknowledged by both.

Top speed maybe, but off the mark would be interesting. Turner is very fast at top speed being a sub-11 sec 100m runner, but I suspect not as explosive in the first 20-30 as others. Dell struck me a bit the same, but at least his bulk could get forward if he didn't have the space to wind up. Tuqiri was a bit of a mix of the 2 scenarios.

 

[waratahjesus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsT_rUDhpYE