We want to know who you'd pick for the Wallabies
- Thread starter Sully
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OK so here is effectively what you are saying MS:
1. Robinson can neither scrummage nor run the ball
2. He is a negative on-field player
3. Robinson will not gel well with his Wallaby FR counterparts, one of whom will (obviously) be Dan Palmer.
I love your complete insanity MS, I really do. I mean, who am I to talk hey? I rubbished you when you said the Brumbies could finish in the top 6. So you are currently 1-0 up on me. So who's to say you aren't right here as well?
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As a scrummaging LHP, Alexander isn't in the same class as Robinson. Robinson is the best we have by daylight. What Alexander does as "extras" is wonderful, but his real job is to make the THPs life a misery while providing stable ball.
The "extras" are a reason to consider him if Robinson is unavailable.
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
For mine I must say Tomane who is just 22 looks better than Dibgy did at 22 around when he got his first Wallabies Cap...
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
Barbs Nice you remember your preseason poor forecast for the Brumbies... Its not over yet... What I'm saying is Robinson can scrummage but its not enough at Test level... not if the Wallabies area going to beat teams like SA & ABs. Alexander’s scrummaging is good and he offers a complete game. Robinson doesn't... Robbo is too slow to get back to the defensive line and too slow to run the ball... too easily targetted by faster players and run around... Great guy but Wallabies need complete athletes in all positions not just specialists with 1 trick.
Grandmaster Flash
Johnnie Wallace (23)
We should be allowed to "Dislike" posts I reckon.
Alexander is not as good at scrum time as Robinson at LHP, and there is a stark difference between "has scrummed at THP in Tests" and is "good at scrumming at THP in Tests". He has had some terrible Tests, scrum-wise , at THP.
So yes, he can play both sides, but no, he is not good enough at both sides to exclude specialists in either position.
So yes, he can play both sides, but no, he is not good enough at both sides to exclude specialists in either position.
MS I just think you have an exaggerated idea of both players effectiveness (or lack thereof in the case of Robbo).
Upon looking at the stats they're roughly similar.
In the 2012 S15 Robbo has made 85 tackles at a 93% efficiency, Alexander has made 100 tackles at 88%. Alexander has played less minutes than Robbo though, so his slightly lower success rate is made up for by slightly more tackles made.
Alexander has 56 runs, Robinson 43. There are no other stark differences in numbers.
Both have played roughly the same amount of tests, both have scored two tries.
The evidence suggests they play a pretty similar style of game. I would go with Robbo though because he performs better at the set piece than Alexander, which I prioritise over ball-running (where there is only a slight difference).
Upon looking at the stats they're roughly similar.
In the 2012 S15 Robbo has made 85 tackles at a 93% efficiency, Alexander has made 100 tackles at 88%. Alexander has played less minutes than Robbo though, so his slightly lower success rate is made up for by slightly more tackles made.
Alexander has 56 runs, Robinson 43. There are no other stark differences in numbers.
Both have played roughly the same amount of tests, both have scored two tries.
The evidence suggests they play a pretty similar style of game. I would go with Robbo though because he performs better at the set piece than Alexander, which I prioritise over ball-running (where there is only a slight difference).
I think Slim sold his Brumby Blinkers to Mudskipper during the offseason.
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
Alexander is making arouond 25% more runs. in test when games are often lost on a few points thats enough of a difference for me... and 15% more tackles.... are you blind man?
those stats with Alexander playing less minutes make Fat Cat look lazy... Wallabies need to move on to be the best...MS vote: no Robinson, no Sharpe as Horwill is our senior lock now, no Turner or Davies, no Brown or Hodgson, no Cowan or Daley... no Mumm... No Phipps... just keen new dudes please Mr. Deans
Keen new dudes?
Wasn't that what we did against Samoa last year?
Wasn't that what we did against Samoa last year?
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
not the whole team Brave one...
Aside from Sharpe, the players you listed (Mumm, Brown, Hodgson, Davies, Turner, Cowan, Daley and Phipps) have barely played for the Wallabies in the last couple of years.
But I could also argue Alexander is missing double the amount of tackles Robinson is - 13 vs 6. You can swing it any way you want.
I am also judging this off test playing history. Robinson has had many cracking games in the gold jumper, where our scrum has stood up and he has had significant impact around the field. He came second in the G&GR Wallaby player of the Year in 2009, and had a good season in 2010 before doing his knee in 2011.
Can you name a great test Alexander has played? He is yet to poll a single 3-2-1 vote on G&GR in gold. Sure he has been solid, but is that enough? He makes a good impact with the ball in hand at Super level, but has that ever been transferred to the test arena? Has he ever demolished an opposition scrum as Robinson has?
Seriously, I would love you to answer these questions MS.
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mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
arrrrrrrrrr..... Robinson polls high at G&GR because he is a Tah... When the Wallabies scrum was poor Robinson stood out but now the scrum has improved with a few guys he isnt the standout anymore... He's last good season was years ago... sorry if you want the Wallabies to be No.1 you've got to move on... 25% less time in support runs/plays thats massive...
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
You could argue that but it would look stupid, now put it into percentages that’s a different... In the 2012 S15 Robbo has made 85 tackles at a 93% efficiency, Alexander has made 100 tackles at 88% thats 5% difference, I doubt the stats are even within 5% correct.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Mudskipper, Benn Robinson is a far, far far superior loosehead prop than Alexander...
Robinson is the best loosehead in the country. It's not even an opinion. It's just a fact.
If the Brumbies were to trade Alexander for Robinson, I would just be peachy.
Maybe if this were rugby league and scrummaging meant nothing... then maybe, just maybe I would pick Alexander over him.
Robinson is the best loosehead in the country. It's not even an opinion. It's just a fact.
If the Brumbies were to trade Alexander for Robinson, I would just be peachy.
Maybe if this were rugby league and scrummaging meant nothing... then maybe, just maybe I would pick Alexander over him.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
Test rugby is very different to Super rugby. Games are often harder fought and players across the park are superior in their positions, especially in the set piece. We're generally good in the lineout, but we've seen time and again what happens when the Wallabies don't have a dominant scrum. We gift too many easy points and lose too much good attacking position. Work around the park means dick in that those circumstances. We need to pick the best scrummaging props we can and worry about the rest later. Why is this still even a question?
No breeders from Georgia? Nor Argentina? Personally, I'd send a bus and a good supply of white wine (I'm yer man for that) to the Basque country of France.
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