DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Someone tell that to Simon Shaw.
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Someone tell that to Simon Shaw.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
The problem with Waugh is after the last S14 he probably slipped down to 4th in the openside pecking order... 3rd now that Smith has retired...
Hodgson will only play at openside if Pocock gets injured but if he has another blinder regardless of what position he plays Waugh will not be required...
Hodgson will only play at openside if Pocock gets injured but if he has another blinder regardless of what position he plays Waugh will not be required...
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Only a Tahs fan would think that Turner was more of a definite than Ioane if available...
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Not to the point of 2012 but after Ioane was injured in 2010 the Wallaby back 3 and backup Turner (in Sydney) couldn't have played a lot better.
If we are talking about 2011 (and I know we're not) Diggers and Davies will have to hijack their spots. Diggers has something that Turner doesn't have, at least to the same degree: the ability to break tackles and to avoid them in the first place, and despite Turner's holding an official title of fastest footballer in Oz, Davies mostly likely has a couple of steps on him in the speed on the park title.
Since there are no inbound tours next year they will have to justify that 2011 hijacking in the Super15. The extent they can do this, or not, will carry through to 2012 also.
It is likely that Diggers will do it even though I think Turner in a 22 has a better idea of covering AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 than he does, as he is a better all round footie player, and did a fine job there for Eastwood in some big club matches. Diggers at 13 reading defences worried me when I saw him play there and I have pegged him as a specialist wing only.
The rebuttal to that would be to move JOC (James O'Connor) in one, but let's see him play in the midfield before we fly that kite of making two changes.
But how much water will go under the bridge before the 2012 test matches? Heaps. If we want to be amused in 2012 and have just seen the 22 for the 1st 3N game, we should look back at this thread. There should be a few laughs.
If we are talking about 2011 (and I know we're not) Diggers and Davies will have to hijack their spots. Diggers has something that Turner doesn't have, at least to the same degree: the ability to break tackles and to avoid them in the first place, and despite Turner's holding an official title of fastest footballer in Oz, Davies mostly likely has a couple of steps on him in the speed on the park title.
Since there are no inbound tours next year they will have to justify that 2011 hijacking in the Super15. The extent they can do this, or not, will carry through to 2012 also.
It is likely that Diggers will do it even though I think Turner in a 22 has a better idea of covering AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 than he does, as he is a better all round footie player, and did a fine job there for Eastwood in some big club matches. Diggers at 13 reading defences worried me when I saw him play there and I have pegged him as a specialist wing only.
The rebuttal to that would be to move JOC (James O'Connor) in one, but let's see him play in the midfield before we fly that kite of making two changes.
But how much water will go under the bridge before the 2012 test matches? Heaps. If we want to be amused in 2012 and have just seen the 22 for the 1st 3N game, we should look back at this thread. There should be a few laughs.
Gooch
Fred Wood (13)
I think some of the players might suprise a few supporters by sticking around after RWC 11. The new S15 may entice them to hang around a bit longer. For me, I reckon T Smith, Dick Brown, and Berrick will leave, and also I'm sure we will see M Giteau gallivanting around France by 2012.
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
And given Brown's versatility, he would be considered for a bench spot before Waugh too - he can play 6, 7 and 8. Hodgson can as well.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
With the Lions tour in 2013 I'm hoping that will entice some of our Wallabies to hang around for an extra couple of years before they head off...
Players such as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Moore still have plenty more years of test rugby in them and I don't think they'll miss out on the $$$ up north with an extra couple of years down here...
Players such as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Moore still have plenty more years of test rugby in them and I don't think they'll miss out on the $$$ up north with an extra couple of years down here...
Given Digby's record, only a supreme optimist will think him likely to be fit for any long period of time. I hope he is. His "autopick" status has lapsed for mine, and I would review it after the S15.
T
Thomas
Guest
To tell you the truth I don't think Giteau will leave, I can't give a reason just my gut feeling but my brain is leaning towards him going overseas.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Brown's versatility is only that he gets picked there. He is NOT international quality in any of the three positions and if the Force selectors don't choose him on the bench behind McCalman, Hodgson and Pocock they are mad. I would pick Waugh over Brown at 6, 7 or 8. Waugh now plays a game where he has elements of 6 and 7 as he is no longer as quick to the breakdown but has developed other skills to compensate.
If anyone suggested that Brown could tackle Saint Richie over the goal line and simultaneously rip the ball out of his hands preventing a try being scored they would be a prime candidate for the funny farm. Waugh got that entered in his resume last year. Brown gets selected over Waugh only because of Deans preoccupation with younger players, not because he's better.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
I think all positions should be up for review. If Digby comes back in it will be most likely at the expense of Mitchell. They both offer the same thing though. I can't see O'Connor being dropped.
Tahs and Reds are both set to have awsome back three's in 2011 so let's see how it pans out.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Waugh vs. Brown is a good example of mongrel vs. dickheadedness. Waugh has mongrel; Brown comes in from the side of the ruck.
I think Waugh may be more "coach-able"
By that do you mean "able to do the coaches job for him?" 
I agree there will be fewer moves than we anticipate; it's a bloody big thing to do and unless you're going to a primo deal (top 4/5 players) or hit a career dead end the money doesn't get you over that.
The younger guys also still have a lot of brand building to do and need the Wallabies for that.
The NRL is a complete red herring now, can't believe it even gets discussed
Great point Lee about the Paris performance - perhaps we found what that extra motivation was!
Gits is gawn, deal is done. Heard it from more than one source. Don't trust your gut Thomas, would seem to be gas
I agree there will be fewer moves than we anticipate; it's a bloody big thing to do and unless you're going to a primo deal (top 4/5 players) or hit a career dead end the money doesn't get you over that.
The younger guys also still have a lot of brand building to do and need the Wallabies for that.
The NRL is a complete red herring now, can't believe it even gets discussed
Great point Lee about the Paris performance - perhaps we found what that extra motivation was!
Gits is gawn, deal is done. Heard it from more than one source. Don't trust your gut Thomas, would seem to be gas
I was talking to my mate, Ivan. He reckons Giteau should stay as he is going to surprise us all and rediscover vintage form in 2011, ous Cooper from the Wallabies, and make us all eat our weasel-words of crabbing, selfishness and general crapulence. I said "You've got some gall, Ivan, that's for sure". He agreed, Giteau would go, and was just winding me up.
(apologies for my sad and desperate use of word of the week!!)
(apologies for my sad and desperate use of word of the week!!)
Set piece magic
John Solomon (38)
trump card: Lions tour: happens once every 12 years and is well, awesome. The last time they where here the series came down to the last ten seconds of the last test. Everybody wants to play in a lions tour....
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