The incumbent(s):
Hugh McMeniman (QLD): The debate continues to rage. Is MMM better suited to playing lock or blindside? Some say he plays a tighter, more aggressive game when at lock, whilst others will suggest he hasn’t the physicality or strength for lock. I could imagine it would be tough to find your groove being shunted around week to week. Its fair to suggest, however, that his mobility, pace and skills aren’t in question. Just his impact.
The likely candidates:
Dean Mumm (NSW): Similar questions to those asked of MMM, except that Mumm has probably shown more consistency in his ability to play either position. In his favour has been the fact that he has been able to focus on the one position (namely lock) most of the season. However, like MMM, he has the mobility and indeed speed to play on the flank. Has become a real lineout general as well, which is a valuable string to his bow.
Richard Brown (WA): And why not? He’s one of the top performing backrowers in the country. Who says that the blindside flanker HAS to be a long loping wannabe lock. If Deans wants Palu’s power from the back, then Brown can provide his work rate from the side. He’s good enough, it just depends on the balance of the rest of the pack.
The Roughies:
Rocky Elsom (AWOL): I’m calling him a roughie, but that’s just my little protest. I don’t think he should be able to walk straight back into the Wallaby team. Whilst the Wallabies are playing Italy and France, he should be playing club and earning his spot in Australia. When he does he should be the first picked forward however.
Scott Higginbottham (QLD): Getting Rougher by the week. Started the season all guns a blazing. The talk out of Ballymore was that his off-season was superb. And it showed on the field as he demonstrated his defensive and attacking capabilities. A technical hitch, I’m suggesting poor footwork, which has seen him miss too many tackles, has him now relegated to the bench, which won’t do his selection chances much good.
Mitchell Chapman (ACT): Wallaby selection for Mitch was first mooted a couple of years ago, when he was a Red. His move to the Brumbies was meant to hasten his selection. A quiet year last year seemed to continue as the 2009 season kicked off. Injuries, however, have given him a chance and he is relishing them. Mitch has shown real maturity for the Brums and, whilst being a dangerous runner and lineout linchpin, has shown he’s not afraid to do the hard work when required.
Ben Mowen (NSW): Now this was a proposition most unlikely early this year. And, in reality, its still pretty damn unlikely. But he’s surprised a few, has Ben, filling in for Rocky Elsom. He’s definitely busy around the park, and is a decent link man. Probably soesn’t have the physicality of a test forward just yet.
Matt Hodgson (WA): Another option many would have thought unthinkable at the start of the year. Hodgson was raved about as the next Aussie openside some years ago. After dominating club football, representing Australia at 7s and never really getting a clean shot at the Tahs, Hodgson moved West. Having played all three backrow positions, he has settled in the number 6 jersey in what has become, fairly easily arguable, the best Aussie backrow combination in the comp, and he has more than held his own. Who is to say he couldn’t do it on the global stage ala Richard Brown last year?
George Smith (ACT): A very left field option, but if for some reason Deans believes that Pocock must get game time now, or that Waugh has forced his way back into contention, then Smith’s versatility definitely enables him to play in the 6 jersey. And before you can cry “NOT DUAL FLYERS AGAIN”, the game has evolved, and perhaps a more mobile backrow is what is needed currently?
What is Deans looking for?
Rocky. He’s looking for Rocky Elsom. It’s an easy answer really. Deans wants Rocky. Leinster wants Rocky. The Reds want Rocky. The Tahs want Rocky. Rocky Rocky Rocky. It’s understandable really, as the only Wallaby who is a definite World XV starter, the Wallabies need him
Who is the answer?
Ahhh, who am I kidding? It’s Rocky. As much as I think he shouldn’t be able to collect his Wallaby jersey in the Arrival Lounge, we need him come Tri-Nations time. I’ve considered the other options – namely Mumm or McMeniman, and it’s just not as classy. I’d probably lean more towards a player like Brown or even Smith (with Pocock at 7) if Rocky wasn’t to come back.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2656 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=2656">27 Comments
I like the idea of Dick Brown at no. 6 with Cliffy and Smith making up the other backrow spots
Madness has played his best games this year at Lock and I think this is now where he is best suited.
Higgers will be in the squad for sure as he is a genuine line-out option and has plenty of speed and skill.
Sure Higgers may be a bit fragile on defence but he offers the next best option to Rocky in terms of attacking ability.
I guess this speculation is redundant should The Rock grace the ARU with his presence
:D great post Noddy.
Rocky’s had something like 9 straight MoM awards at Leinster? Doesn’t sound like he’s gone off the boil.
I like the idea of an impact player at 6 like Brown, rather than just another jumper. Could have one of those on the bench behind Sharp & Horwill, or instead of Sharp if he doesn’t front up.
The NH boys must be relishing the idea of playing against him at the national level! Another advantage of the sabbatical system – familiarity breeds fear :)
Personally I like Higginbotham if he can pull it together, I was impressed with what I saw from him, otherwise Brown. Maybe if Mumm did a season away from that shitful club he’s at at the moment… if not for Palu and few props I would happily dispense with NSW representation in the Wallabies (yes we can do without Burgo, he’s not that much better than Genia or say Valentine if Valentine could just speed up his pass a bit).
Certainly Rocky has the spot if he wants it, but if he doesn’t (or the ARU doesn’t let him have it) we certainly have enough good options to tailor our selection to the type of game we want to play.
In tight, physical encounters you would opt for Mumm IMO. If we wanted more of a ball-runner you would take Brown. 3M has a foot in both camps, but I am still skeptical of his abilities in tight.
Those 4 are the only real options, with each having the versatility to play at least one other position. Will be an interesting selection.
Yup I am with you. I like Brownie at number 6. Smith at number 7 and Cliffy at 8. I still think Pocock needs a bit more time,do a few more end of season tours or on the bench. If you watch Mcaw his off the ball work rate is incredible he backs up all the time and is there at ny breakdown. Pocock is not there yet. I don’t feel Waugh has it any more. He is like a bowling ball… though I do admit he gives it his all.
Hey Guys I dont know if I can say this here. But can you remember some years ago there was a big story, about how the Saffas (Boks) had a bet for US$ 100 for the forward that would end a game against the Wallabies with one of George Smiths dreadlocks….. Please say yes.
Well to improve the game I am willing to offer any Wallaby Aus$5000
who plays against the All Blacks and comes away with one of Nonu or Soialo’s dreads.
What do you think.
A little bit of a bribe to help fire the boys up this Bledisloe Season.
Go Wallabies.
Nonu doesn’t have dreads, I think they’re more like what predator has.
Pedro’s last blog post..Australia Prevail 2-0, One Foot In South Africa
It’s good to have some real depth in a position that we’ve struggled with (albeit a good season or two with Rocky) to fill since Melon’s retirement.
MMM has had a mixed bag season, probably playing better at lock, but at least is playing. He and Mumm are probably better bench options.
I think Higgers and Chapman would both cut it at the next level, and would like to see them capped on the EOYT.
Too right.
Do you really think he is a definite World XV starter, Noddy? Big call.
Rocky Elsom is the litmus test for whether someone knows their rugby or not. Elsom is a lightweight. A pathetic snivelling excuse for a forward. When he’s not falling off tackles, or getting driven backwards, he’s lurking on the wing out-seagulling Nathan Sharpe.
Dean Mumm is what the Wallaby pack needs.
Amazing how many people that don’t know their rugby are running the world’s best NH and SH rugby teams and seem all very keen to pay some dumb seagulling lightweight an awful lot of money…
….when was the last time you watched rugby, btw, 3 years ago?
Its not amazing. Its a disgrace. Most of these coaches/managers are the rugby equivalent of investment bankers.
I really think that you need video evidence here, naz. Maybe pick one Wallaby match, and give us some min:sec to judge what you are seeing that we are missing.
Great…a homework assignment..
no, think of it as proving your ridiculous statements. Everyone else on this blog and in fact everyone else I have ever spoken to about him reckons that Rocky is the f**ken bee’s knees, well if you want to consider the entire rugby world idiots then the least you can do is proffer some evidence.
Even Lyndon LaRouche has evidence, even if he does make it up!
Naza, watch a Heineken Cup game and see if you still feel the same way.
I’m a big fan of 6 brown 7 smith 8 cliff. i like the mobile factor
I agree with Rocky not coming straight back into the Wallaby lineup. It would set a precedent where players will be applying for grace from teh ARU to go overseas and come back just in time for test season and expect to be picked. However, what else would the ARU do…what else would the selectors do..this guy is touted as the form 6 of last year, and can the ARU afford to play hard line tactics when its improtant for Australia to continue to develop well tested combinations and strategies for the comginseasons and inevitably the WC
for mine i like MMM as the Replacement option. He an cover both positions, even 8 at a pinch, but probably at Test level does lack the ablity to play Lock consistently. Which is a tragedy given hs aggression and skills.
I do like Brown at 6. Elsom isnt considered a Lock wannabe. so the thought that the 6 has to be man who can pla btoh is a bit misguided (not saying you were really suggesting it though Noddy)
Borwn is almost prototype 6. A solid lineout option with the work rate and agression in attack and defence to be a constant menace to the opposition.
Complimented with a 7 like Smith or pocock its a good one two pucnh at flank.
I think teh Elsom, Brown, MM nad Mumm combo gives deans enough of a selection of players to play at 6. It would depend on how he wants his backrow complimenting each other of course.
and the important thing to remeber is, that gives brown the 6-8 option, MMM and Mumm the 6-4,5 option…so many poisitons are covered. But with teh Lock stocks seeming fiarly conpetitive and good to go this year…WILL MMM adn Mumm be considered at 4-5 with speaiclist locks running about.
This could be a case where versaitliy is not a blessing.
Actually that is a good point, I agree that it is a testament to our increased depth that it is no longer imperative for a 6 to be able to double as a lock.
Apart from Naza, all the above comments have merit. For me, its Rocky at No.8, Smith at 7 and MMM at 6. Cliffy and Bam Bam on the bench. You’ve got plenty of interchangeable options in the event of injury, lineouts are covered and Cliffy is a great weapon to bring on later in the game. The balance is good with defence (MMM), attack (the Rock) and scavenge (Smith). Brown is hard to leave out but he’s a pretty effective substitute if MMM etc falls over. I think its way too early for Higgo or Mitch, but their day will potentially come. Personally, I prefer MMM as a loosie – both him and Rocky are hard bastards and that’s a multiplier for me because I don’t think you can leave Big Kev out as he comes into a bit of form.
It’s a tough one, but I think you need to pick the loose forwards as a 3 man unit.
For this reason I have always thought Mumm, MMM and Horwill(?) will be forced to the bench because of their versatility. I think it will be Smith, Palu and Rocky, with possibly 2 Lock/Loose forwards on the bench. With no Rock I would put Brown in, but with him it might be hard for Brown to make the squad.
I’d pick Elsom though the point about him waltzing back into the team may have some merit. But if the reports from NH are anything to go by he seems to have form and he has reputation and he’s got class; get him in the team.
Isn’t he playing for the baa-baas at the SFS in June? Would be good to see how he stacked up against Mumm/Brown/MMM.
Surely Sir, you jest:
“Rocky Rocky Rocky. It’s understandable really, as the only Wallaby who is a definite World XV starter, the Wallabies need him”
Need him they do. Great player. Best 6 in the world? No.
Another immense game from Rocky last night for Leinster. Yes, Blue, a genuine World XV starter.
More MOM than any blindside in the world, does that help? :)
probably a world record in fact!!
Pingback: Gold - THE Aussie Rugby Blog for fans of Australia and the Wallabies