Western Force 2013

[Moono75]

in a perfect world this is the backline i would want. The onyl reason i didn't suggest this is that i question the defensive integrity of such a centre partnership...I don't doubt their individual technioque but such a light weight combination would struggle to contain larger centre partnerships

I could see Ma'a Nonu steamrolling through that combo.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

If JOC (James O'Connor) ends up back in perth I think he'd be an outside back. We are finally starting to develop depth and competition in these inside back positions, the last thing we need is another Wallaby superstar to come in and scare everyone off. I don't need to remind Force fans of our first 6 years and #10 issues.

 

[Aussie D]

i would welcome him back with out a second thought.

This would be my backline next year if all targets sign.

9 Mathewson
10 Zack Holmes
11 Mafi
12 Godwin
13 Cummins
14 JOC (James O'Connor)
15 Morahan

I'd swap JO'C and Morahan around. Rabbit would warrant to much money to be played on the wing at super level (he has played rugby and is not a league convert - who normally play on the wing for huge amounts of money).

 

[Braveheart81]

I still don't get the rationale that wing isn't a position where you can play your best player (or one of your best).

Prior to his terrible injury, Drew Mitchell would have been about the Waratahs best and he was on the wing. Julian Savea would be the Hurricanes best player this season and he plays on the wing.

Bryan Habana has routinely been one of the best players in any side he plays for on the wing.

They're probably the player most likely to be in the position where they only have one player to beat to score a try. Having a player that does that most often is surely a huge asset.

The modern winger can roam a lot too and come infield to get plenty of runs at the opposition too. The days of a winger standing on the sideline waiting for something to happen seem long gone.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

He'd do a good job on the wing. But he's too good at playmaking and decision making to have away from the ball in any super rugby team. On the weekend he played 15 but came into second receiver on may occasions to set something up for the backline. That's where all the tries were coming from. He could do that from the wing as well, but then you have got an outside centre virtually playing wing. Whereas the #15/#10 rotation in attack and defence is a pretty natural one.

 

[Braveheart81]

He'd do a good job on the wing. But he's too good at playmaking and decision making to have away from the ball in any super rugby team. On the weekend he played 15 but came into second receiver on may occasions to set something up for the backline. That's where all the tries were coming from. He could do that from the wing as well, but then you have got an outside centre virtually playing wing. Whereas the #15/#10 rotation in attack and defence is a pretty natural one.

I do agree that JOC (James O'Connor) is good in that 15/10 role in Super Rugby.

I actually think he's better in that role than just being the 10. Being able to pick his moments to come in to first receiver rather than being there all game seems to suit him.

When he's playing 10 all game for the Rebels he does a lot more ball running in heavy traffic and I think ends up not being fresh enough to really capitalise when the chance is there.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

A flyhalf is primary function is to pass the ball on and kick (at its most basic). Being astute at spotting the hole, passing or doing a quick dart are expected and the norm. While JOC (James O'Connor) is quite aptat 10, i feel it blunts his attack as a primary function of his job at flyhalf is to get the ball wide and not to keep it in hand.

This is why JOC (James O'Connor)'s play is so much better and dangerous in the roll of 12/15 and hopefully one day 13, as the onus to get ball away to strike weapon doesn't fall to him....as he is the strike weapon.

At the same time however with JOC (James O'Connor)'s vision he knows when to pass it on, put his outside man through the hole or Kick it through, which makes him double edged sword for the defence. If they dont shut him down he has the ability to shred them but if they dont watch his outside or inside man he has the ability to put someone away.

This ability to leave the defence in two minds is why i felt he was so succesfull at the force when playing at 12. If the teams cored 4 tries he would have had a hand in three and scored 1 himself. JOC (James O'Connor) needs to be either 12 or 15 for his and his teams sake

 

[boyo]

SKN wore headgear when he was the Tahs and at the Cardiff Blues, yet this year he isn't. Why?

 

[en_force_er]

SKN wore headgear when he was the Tahs and at the Cardiff Blues, yet this year he isn't. Why?

Headgear is completely personal preference, so I'd go with that.

 

[Boomer]

Selection posers post-Crusaders.

Heavies - Wykes was MIA for chunks of the game and Walton was on fire - his lineout and defence was immense. Thoughts on how he looked trucking it up?

Faulkner needs more minutes.

Walton post-game - next folk hero a la AJ Whalley, Dunning -

Out back, defence was great but largely untested with the ball in hand. Cummins apparently ready for a comeback would improve attack.

Two Dads looked good (a phrase seldom attached to a mercurial player).

Hayward's kicking was much improved.

Gossip leading into the game that Stubbs felt slighted by not being selected earlier in the season. Played with heart. Does he get himself a start next week?

Junior was out of position in defence on the Romano TMO decision.

Dellit was quiet. But playing out of position. Benched for Cummins.

Highlights:

 

[Slim 293]

I've been saying all year that Stubbs deserved to be in the mix.........

I don't know how some of these other journeymen have been getting game time ahead of him so far.........

 

[boyo]

Headgear is completely personal preference, so I'd go with that.

I know it's personal preference, but my question still stands.

 

[en_force_er]

Walton looks the goods.

Hopefully as he gets more gametime and plays without all the adrenaline that comes with a 1st game he stays in good stead.

 

[Nipper]

Two Dads looked good (a phrase seldom attached to a mercurial player).

Hayward's kicking was much improved.

Gossip leading into the game that Stubbs felt slighted by not being selected earlier in the season. Played with heart. Does he get himself a start next week?

Junior was out of position in defence on the Romano TMO decision.

Dellit was quiet. But playing out of position. Benched for Cummins.

Agree with you - SNK looked decent, but didn't set the world alight - couple or ordinary kicks, but he's not in there for his kicking.

Stubbs brought a lot of energy and a bit of sting in defense.

I thought Junior was just what the backline needed - got over the gainline with almost every touch. Also poached a ball after a great tackle on a kick/chase (imagine that? backs CHASING a kick!!??), and caused a penalty by attacking the breakdown when the Crusaders were hot on the attack. Not perfect, but I'd give him an "8" for the all-around performance.

Boomer, I think you might be mistaken about Junior being out of position on the Romano try - he was defending on the far side of the field when the break was made.

 

[hammertimethere]

This Walton fellow looks the goods, the raw boned, give-it-everything sort who can be moulded into at the least a good Super player with some coaching and time. I would hang onto him if I were you.

 

[en_force_er]

This Walton fellow looks the goods, the raw boned, give-it-everything sort who can be moulded into at the least a good Super player with some coaching and time. I would hang onto him if I were you.

Whilst I agree and he had a great hypoactive play style similar to a young James Horwill we have to remember, he won't be quite that pumped up every week.

Some people get gee'd up for rugby but there's few milestones like a first Super rugby game.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Whilst I agree and he had a great hypoactive play style similar to a young James Horwill we have to remember, he won't be quite that pumped up every week.

Some people get gee'd up for rugby but there's few milestones like a first Super rugby game.

Walton's a pretty heart on sleeve kind of player. He was always up for it playing for Norths so I really cannot see him being any different for the Force. He plays the game hard, so hopefully he'll keep all that.

 

[hammertimethere]

Horwill still radiates enthusiasm and love of the game like the sun, as did waugh till his last minute on the pitch. Some people just have it, no matter how many games they play they still play like its their first and last game all rolled into one, and the more blood they have one them the more they love it (something James has been quoted as saying is his personal philosophy about rugby). Maybe Rory has it too.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Could Any sydney siders shine a light on walton was this a one of or had he shown the same in other teams?

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

 

[qwerty51]

He's been really good for Norths the last couple of years. I wish the Tahs had him over Peterson. I'm surprised he only got his shot now, he's better than Battye.