We'll always have Paris... Dean's selection 'loyalty' - shortsighted?

[Sluggy]

In Paris in November 2010 when Deans dropped Giteau, the backline was

Genia
Cooper
Mitchell
Barnes
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
JOC (James O'Connor)
Beale

Digby was injured.

They absolutely clicked from 13 all at half time, kept the ball in hand, and ran up 59 points. The first try was classical stuff:

A worked moved off the back of a lineout, with the defence focusing on Quade; Berrick was at first receiver and threw the inside pass to O’Connor. He jinked through then got the pass off to Ashley-Cooper who was in under the posts. Bieber easily kicked the conversion from in front.

There was another classic in the second half:

Sookface* [held up a pass] and draw a defender, the ball going through Beale’s hand to Mitchell who went in for Australia’s fourth. J’OC again converted.

(I gather Steve Timms was referring to BB there.)

It probably still is our best backline atm, if they were fit. Unfortunately Barnes was injured, as was Beale, in June 2011. Mitchell was also injured. In came McCabe at 12 (a former wing/fullback) and AFinger, the form 13 from the Reds. Crash-balling tackling machines instead of silky runners. Deans kept selecting them all the way to the RWC through the Ireland loss, only bringing Barnes back when McCabe crocked his shoulder.

Had Barnes remained fit he would have remained the incumbent #12, given Deans selection method. The whole group should be fit for TRC, Query Digby comes in for Mitchell who may still be out.

The only place McCabe fits in the picture, possibly, is at 13. Or on the bench. Likwise Antfinger or Horne.

Fortunately the injured back with the worst prognosis is Drew Mitchell, and Digby can cover that slot well (and might have been ahead of Drew anyway).

Will Deans wake up and realise that Australians don't play like the 'saders, the game plan (such as it is) doesn't suit our strengths, and its time to remember Paris?

 

[Slim 293]

I wouldn't read too much into a match where the French put up the white flag at halftime.......

 

[tigerland12]

I've been pondering what our best fully fit backline is and what one Deams will pick for the 4N. Personally I think....

9-Genia
10- Cooper
11-Ioane
12- O'Connor
13- McCabe/Fainga'a/Horne
14- Mitchell
15- Beale

But reality is we are likely to see JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing and McCabe at 12.

 

[Slim 293]

I don't think O'Connor has been particularly good at 12 this year for the Rebels, and his form there for the Force last year wasn't particularly great either (compared to when he played fullback/flyhalf for them).......

I still think Cooper will have to play his way back into the test team.

With Lilo injured and Beale required at fullback it's Barnes' spot to lose right now.

 

[Sluggy]

I've been pondering what our best fully fit backline is and what one Deams will pick for the 4N. Personally I think..

9-Genia
10- Cooper
11-Ioane
12- O'Connor
13- McCabe/Fainga'a/Horne
14- Mitchell
15- Beale

With AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 its getting close, at least.

 

[Cutter]

Watching the test, I thought: We're playing good rugby, we just don't have linebreaking ability. When we get QC (Quade Cooper) and KB (Kurtley Beale) back, we'll solve that problem.

I still think the same thing. Good structure plus linebreaking ability will lead to points.

I think Deans and his cohorts know that too. I actually have a fair bit of faith in their ability to get the mix right.

 

[light]

Genia
Cooper
Ioane
Tapuai
McCabe/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Mitchell
Beale

McCabe/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
JOC (James O'Connor)

 

[tigerland12]

JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench? Really? He is the most all-round most talented backline player we have (maybe not infront of Genia).

 

[the sabanator]

There's no way I'd have O'Connor on the bench. He's too good not to have in their for 80 minutes, for most of the RWC he was our best player IMO.

In an ideal world, I'd like to see:

Genia
Cooper
Ioane
Tapuai
Ashley-Cooper
O'Connor
Beale

With half those guys injured, I think the best backline we can get now is what we have. Maybe bring Fainga'a in for Horne. Apart from a few of the forwards and Horne, Deans has actually got the best available team on the park at the moment.

 

[waratahjesus]

Am I the only one that sees no value in JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 nationally.
I think deans has done well to make him an international winger and keep him out of coopers way.

I have an issue with Cooper/Beale/JOC (James O'Connor) I have never truly seen them play well together, I think all 3 men play better when there running the show not a part of it. Cooper plays 10 and 15 in a game, when Beale is around he seems to have far less space, JOC (James O'Connor) survives cos he is on the wing, bring him into 12 and I think the combo would result in a lot of over handed play.

Hate to say it, but I actually think one of them should become a super sub. Strong runners early, McCabe, Horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), twinkle toes JOC (James O'Connor) for the second half.

 

[Happy]

People complain about McCabe and Horne's passing game. JOC (James O'Connor) passes less than either of them. He first tries to step the defender before he thinks about passing, which means he doesn't make the gain line.

Put into a gap, or with room to move, he is great, but I don't think he is a good 12.

 

[the sabanator]

It'd be interesting to see Cooper named at 10, Beale at 15 and O'Connor at 12, only for each of them to constantly switch between positions during the game to absolutely mess with the oppositions heads. Imagine Morne Steyn having to deal with so many people who, heaven forbid, run the ball.

 

[waratahjesus]

It'd be interesting to see Cooper named at 10, Beale at 15 and O'Connor at 12, only for each of them to constantly switch between positions during the game to absolutely mess with the oppositions heads. Imagine Morne Steyn having to deal with so many people who, heaven forbid, run the ball.

Unfortunately the wallabies don't have the skill level to do this without confusing themselves more than the opposition.

 

[Lindommer]

You blokes who picked Mitchell had better start lighting candles, I realise it's a wishlist if all players are fit but Drew's not going to be fit for quite some time. If ever.

 

[waratahjesus]

You blokes who picked Mitchell had better start lighting candles, I realise it's a wishlist if all players are fit but Drew's not going to be fit for quite some time. If ever.

His doc is Sharon, never say never.

 

[Bruce Ross]

I wouldn't read too much into a match where the French put up the white flag at halftime...

That is incredibly mean spirited Slim. You should be ashamed of yourself. That 37 minutes of scintillating back play - I think the French scored just after half time - will for ever be remembered as the golden moment of Robbie Rugby. I'm sure it is what is imprinted in the minds of those who still proclaim our backs as the most brilliant and creative in world rugby.

Who cares if it was basically a run through the moves against opponents languidly holding hit shields? The best way I can describe that occasion is to compare it to a giant sky rocket soaring into the sky above the Sydney Harbour Bridge, then exploding into a myriad of little spermatozoa which wiggle and glow for a brief instant before forever disappearing.

We were all young that night. Please don't take our one instance of rugby glory from us, Slim. However many years Robbie has left to guide us - and he's certainly good for another couple of World Cups - I don't expect us to scale those heights again.
.

 

[Athilnaur]

oh, i don't know BR, winning a bled would raise a few smiles.

 

[Groucho]

Oops!

 

[ChargerWA]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...-clash-with-reds/story-e6frf4qu-1226397217524

"I've got a scan on Tuesday so, if all goes to plan, it will determine my immediate plan but, hopefully, I'll be playing against the Reds and pulling on the gold jumper for the Rugby Championship."

The 21-year-old said he was determined to slot straight back into a play-making role with the Australian team.
"I haven't made any secret about that. I want to come back in and be a ball player and, hopefully, I'll get a few games under my belt so, hopefully, I can slot into that area."

You can't knock Britneys self confidence, he has it in spades. But I would prefer at international level he stays at 14 until he can bring his team mates into the game more.

 

[Slim 293]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...-clash-with-reds/story-e6frf4qu-1226397217524



You can't knock Britneys self confidence, he has it in spades. But I would prefer at international level he stays at 14 until he can bring his team mates into the game more.

Agreed, and despite thinking in the past that his future in gold would lie in the 12 jersey I think he's completely played himself out of that position.......