Will Chambers

[Spook]

...has shown the most at 13 of any Aussie player IMO. I really like the way he can fix his opponent and get the flick pass away. He is my front runner for the W's with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 15/Wing. Hynes to 15/Wing and Ioane to the other wing. Shmoo to the bench.

 

[Langthorne]

Mitchell has had a quiet couple of weeks, but he has been outstanding this season.

If we are considering only the players regularly playing 13, then there are really only 4 to choose from (one for each Oz team). Chambers had a good game against the Bulls, but I don't think that it puts him ahead of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Horne, yet. In any case, I wouldn't be restricting the 13 jersey to those who have been playing it regularly (as long as the contenders are capable of playing it well).

For the Wallabies, I think the Genia, Cooper, Hynes, Ioane, Mitchell, O'Connor all look good for a starting spot based on form - with one other player coming in depending on where Deans deploys those 6. There is some youth and inexperience there but what have we got to lose? The Wallabies didn't win squat last season so why not mix it up and let the form players have a go?

How about 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Mitchell 12. Fainga/Barnes/Cross 13. Ioane 14. Hynes 15. O'Connor as a starting option?

 

[wobbly]

He's really only had a handful of starts but his improvement is out of sight, again due to the confidence levels at the Reds.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is our leading OC candidate and there are more options ofr FB now (JOC (James O'Connor), Hynes and Beale). Both Horne and Chambers, along with A Finger need some Australia A games and serious consideration for EOYT.

 

[Spook]

How about 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Mitchell 12. Fainga/Barnes/Cross 13. Ioane 14. Hynes 15. O'Connor as a starting option?

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is better than Mitchell so he should be in the 15. Mitchell is a bit of a flake against the big boys.

 

[disco]

He's getting better every game, that move he put on Olivier last night was brilliant and then topped it off with a draw & flick.

Give him some Aussie A game time & then send him on the spring tour.

 

[Spook]

I just think he uses the ball better than our other options at 13 (Horne could be another but hasn't shown enough yet due to injury).

 

[Pfitzy]

But this is the problem - how many guys have regularly been playing 13? Chambers has had ?four? games there now and done well, but a contributing factor has to be the best inside three in the S14 right now. Given Chambers' improvement, I don't consider his background to be a problem. He's clearly got a bit of nous and a willingness to learn.

Horne is another who could give Deans what he wants: fast, steppy, breaks the first tackle almost every time, and hits like a sledgehammer on defence. But will his body hold up? He's now had a few games starting 13 and has not disgraced himself in any way. But when it comes time to replace someone on-field, Hangers and Barnes aren't making room for Carter so Horne does.

Ryan Cross? Sorry, nope. He's done some good things but I've seen him do some very ordinary things this year. He can beat his man but his defensive alignment still isn't great overall. Maybe that is John Mitchell's problem though.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) I'd consider if he was playing there every week from here on in, but I think we'd all agree that picking blokes in their spot is the way forward.

 

[RugbyReg]

this discussion is excellent timing. Have another WAllaby watch on this ready to go. Will update after the weekend for stats (and proof read...) and hopefully the ARU will run it this week!

 

[Spook]

But this is the problem - how many guys have regularly been playing 13?

Agree enitrely. Chambers started at 13 against the Shorks and has been there ever since so he has more runs on the board than the other contenders. I was amazed with Link dropped Turinui (who wasn't playing too badly) and stuck Chambers in. Link was right yet again.

 

[Sully]

But this is the problem - how many guys have regularly been playing 13?

Agree enitrely. Chambers started at 13 against the Shorks and has been there ever since so he has more runs on the board than the other contenders. I was amazed with Link dropped Turinui (who wasn't playing too badly) and stuck Chambers in. Link was right yet again.

I thought Link had lost it Tirinui was the old head in that back line and was in decent form. He was very unlucky. But Chambers has shown he fits in there nicely and has stopped looking like an out-of-place League player. Out of all the players mentioned in this topic he is the only one with any size. I wouldn't be surprised if he made the Wallaby training squad. After that it's up to him.

 

[Scarfman]

I think Link has learnt a few things in France about attacking play. Future Wallaby coach, I hope.

 

[Spook]

But this is the problem - how many guys have regularly been playing 13?

Agree enitrely. Chambers started at 13 against the Shorks and has been there ever since so he has more runs on the board than the other contenders. I was amazed with Link dropped Turinui (who wasn't playing too badly) and stuck Chambers in. Link was right yet again.

I thought Link had lost it Tirinui was the old head in that back line and was in decent form. He was very unlucky. But Chambers has shown he fits in there nicely and has stopped looking like an out-of-place League player. Out of all the players mentioned in this topic he is the only one with any size. I wouldn't be surprised if he made the Wallaby training squad. After that it's up to him.

He's got 2kgs on AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Not much to right about really.

 

[Pfitzy]

He does look big in the Reds backline

 

[Newb]

just got to watch the game and man was i impressed!

the try scored by davies off the bulls lineout was really facilitated by chambers. his swerve and run combined with that superb out the back offload was what sprung the whole thing. really showed how much he has progressed. as mentioned, he should look outside/inside him for trailing men more often though.

the centre pairing with a Fainga'a has really helped the reds in the defensive category too. they have very few weak spots with these two covering the backline and broken play and the tight forwards handling much of front up stuff.

 

[Pfitzy]

the try scored by davies off the bulls lineout was really facilitated by chambers. his swerve and run combined with that superb out the back offload was what sprung the whole thing. really showed how much he has progressed.

I think running the ball, drawing a man, and flick passing is probably something he'd covered in his league education

 

[Sully]

But this is the problem - how many guys have regularly been playing 13?

Agree enitrely. Chambers started at 13 against the Shorks and has been there ever since so he has more runs on the board than the other contenders. I was amazed with Link dropped Turinui (who wasn't playing too badly) and stuck Chambers in. Link was right yet again.

I thought Link had lost it Tirinui was the old head in that back line and was in decent form. He was very unlucky. But Chambers has shown he fits in there nicely and has stopped looking like an out-of-place League player. Out of all the players mentioned in this topic he is the only one with any size. I wouldn't be surprised if he made the Wallaby training squad. After that it's up to him.

He's got 2kgs on AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Not much to right about really.

Apologies. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is 98 KGs eh. looks like a midget on TV.

 

[Newb]

the try scored by davies off the bulls lineout was really facilitated by chambers. his swerve and run combined with that superb out the back offload was what sprung the whole thing. really showed how much he has progressed.

I think running the ball, drawing a man, and flick passing is probably something he'd covered in his league education

touche. but i maintain that link taught him everything he knows! you will not tell me differently

 

[simonr]

So my backline at current form/fitnes:
9: genia (help me Obe Wan, you're my only halfback)
10: Cooper (picks himself)
12: gits (too much skill to leave out)
13: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (hard to stop, deserves his place)
11/14: Mitchell ioane (one of these would have to transfer to 14, but think either could do it)
15: hynes

JOC (James O'Connor) and barnes on the bench.

 

[James Buchanan]

The real problem for deans is that the two players who are starting to really command their 13 jumpers, Horne and Chambers, have only played a limited number of games so far.

That Chambers has 'forced' Ioane to the wing is a massive plus in his favour.

Both are still probably a while off starting Wallaby jersies, but both are on track for them.

Interestingly, I read a while ago on this forum that Horne is something of a talented ball player too. Would it be unreasonable to consider a Horne/Chambers 12/13 centre pairing? It would be somewhat unfair on Fainga'a, I admit.

 

[fatprop]

The real problem for deans is that the two players who are starting to really command their 13 jumpers, Horne and Chambers, have only played a limited number of games so far.

That Chambers has 'forced' Ioane to the wing is a massive plus in his favour.

Both are still probably a while off starting Wallaby jersies, but both are on track for them.

Interestingly, I read a while ago on this forum that Horne is something of a talented ball player too. Would it be unreasonable to consider a Horne/Chambers 12/13 centre pairing? It would be somewhat unfair on Fainga'a, I admit.

I think digby is a better and more dangerous blindside wing than 13.


AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Chambers & Horne are all interesting 13 options. Each is a good defenders, beats a man, runs good lines with Horne and Chambers more likely to set up an outside, but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has a better chase, leg drive and aerial skills.

Nice position to be in really.

edit

that said, neither Chambers & Horne are ready to start a tri-nations match