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Home»Rugby»Wallaby Watch – Fly Half
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Wallaby Watch – Fly Half

Reg RobertsBy Reg RobertsApril 14, 200936 Comments0 Views
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The incumbent(s):

GitsMatt Giteau (WA): As I said above many, me included, thought he was shunted into the Wallaby 10 jersey last year as a kind of ‘last man standing’. “There’s no one else available so let’s take our best 12 and move him in a smidge”. But now! Now he is the best ten in Australia, if not the competition, possibly even the world! Mwah hahahahaha MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Ahem…sorry.


The likely candidates:

BBBerrick Barnes (QLD): It seems so long ago now, but following the RWC07 and his calm yet unexpected showing there, it seemed he was destined for the role, at least until Kurtley Beale fulfilled his destiny. Most of his time since, for both the Reds and Wallabies, has been spent at 12 (or out injured). Still, his rock solid defence, superior kicking and passing game see him as a legitimate option for this key spot.

QuadeQuade Cooper (QLD): A ludicrous proposition 12 months ago has become one not entirely unrealistic. Cooper has continued his surprisingly assured form from the Wallaby tour of the UK and Europe with a steadier, more mature, series of performances for the Reds. A slight form slump mid-season, where both he and his team reverted to type, has caused a minor blip, but he’s a step up from many other candidates.

The Roughies:

KurtsKurtley Beale (NSW): Gazumped by Quade Cooper, seemingly, into a Wallaby jersey last year, Beale has struggled to show any consistent on-field dominance this year. He’s on the bench at the moment, but there is no guarantee that this will remain the case. If he can get back in to the starting team and the Tahs make the finals, he’s a good chance of taking the next step.


JOCJames O’Connor (WA): Well he’s not playing there for the Force, obviously, playing outside the man most likely Matt Giteau. It’s obvious that Deans is a fan, and who can blame him? He’s like a mini-Giteau, which may be a concern – his size.

 

 

 

What is Deans looking for?

World class. To win a World Cup, and other key trophies, a team needs a world class flyhalf. Well, with a “Butch James Proviso” but I don’t think any of us can really explain that. One key criteria, and something we’ve lacked since Larkham peak days – the ability to close out a game.

Who is the answer?

Ok, this is cheating, but the obvious answer is Matt Giteau. As said above he’s clearly the best option in Australia and a legitimate option for a “World XV” spot. Of course the obvious question is once the selectors make the decision as to where they want Gits, who plays the alternative position?

 

Gits
"Two positions? Yeah, sure, I'll give it a crack! .... Do I get two pay checks?"


australia A berrick barnes kurtley beale matt giteau QRU quade cooper
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<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2404 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=2404">36 Comments

  1. CanadianRugby on April 14, 2009 4:10 am

    I really don’t understand why people think Gits should play 12. He is easily the most dangerous person in the world with the ball in his hands. If there is any chance that someone else might at any point decide NOT to throw him the ball (like a different fly-half), that person should be removed. He completely takes over games, something much harder to do from 12. He is much more dangerous when he has people running off him, changing angles. All this happens at 10, not 12.

    er, end of rant now.

    Report
    • Gagger on April 14, 2009 6:15 am

      Well said my Maple syrup loving friend.

      I’ll confess that I’ve dabbled with the Gits at 12 idea as well, but he seems to be clearly owning the 10 slot this year.

      Development of an all round kicking game from hand and tee is welcome indeed. If he can take this to the international stage, then we’ll have a part to the Wallabies game that we’ve missed for years.

      PS – the answer to the caption above is “yes”

      Report
    • Pedro on April 14, 2009 8:18 am

      What about at 9? No one’s nailed that position down yet. He would always have the ball in his hands and I can’t think of a player who has outperformed in that position since gregan.

      Pedro’s last blog post..Australia Prevail 2-0, One Foot In South Africa

      Report
  2. Thescarfman on April 14, 2009 6:31 am

    Well, I’ll wade into this one swinging the elbows. I think he is a terrible fly-half, but would be a terrific 12.

    Everything he does at 10 should be done at 12 instead. Loves to get outside his man, which means he cramps his backs for space. Horan could play 10 too, but why would you want to do that?

    And if he is so good, why are the Force so crap? It’s not all the front row’s fault.

    Report
    • Gagger on April 14, 2009 6:44 am

      You’re thinking so last year Scarfie

      Report
      • thescarfman on April 14, 2009 7:58 am

        Ouch.

        I admit that his kicking game is now fly-half quality. How’s that for reasonable?

        Report
      • Gagger on April 14, 2009 8:01 am

        It’s a start!

        Report
  3. Bobas on April 14, 2009 7:39 am

    With all this wallaby position speculation, I just hope they experiment with the backline until we have the right players in place.

    The wallabies only seem to experiment when people get injured and even then they shuffle all the positions for one injury…

    Report
  4. Gagger on April 14, 2009 9:07 am

    Looks like Deans has made his mind up http://bit.ly/si1Xh :

    But one position Deans is not concerned about is five-eighth.

    The former mentor of All Blacks superstar Dan Carter believes Matt Giteau has now mastered the role of No.10.

    “You look back 12 months and he’s a genuine 10 now where he was learning the trade very much a year ago,” Deans said.

    “He looks totally comfortable in his own skin now.”

    Report
  5. James on April 14, 2009 9:24 am

    i’m going to get killed for saying this..

    Christian Lealiifano?

    showed alot on the SA tour. i think he’s got the goods. sometime under deans and god knows what could happen

    Report
    • Pedro on April 14, 2009 9:32 am

      I agree, he’s probably as much of a roughie as Beale at the moment. His general play kicking is pretty good too (maybe inconsistent but he’s young).

      If the brumbies make the finals and the tah’s don’t he will overtake Beale for sure. But if the reverse takes place then he should practice playing fullback. With Giteau coming to the brumbies next season, Lealiifano’s only hope for a start would be if Gerrard is left out of the wallabies squad and he plucks off to Japan.

      Pedro’s last blog post..Australia Prevail 2-0, One Foot In South Africa

      Report
    • Juan Cote on April 14, 2009 9:36 am

      James, surely you jest?

      Leal has played well in the last couple of weeks but I think to cast him as a potential number 10 is a bit over the odds.

      Give the lad a couple of years learning his trade under Gits, (after the 2011 WC he will still only be 23ish)and then i think he’ll be pretty good.

      Admittedly, Quade was pretty shit but a couple of months with maestro Deans did him the world of good so maybe Leal might get a run in a training squad or something.

      What would be great is if there was a national comp that blokes like him could develop their game at an appropriate level…sigh, I miss the Ballymore Tornadoes

      Report
      • James on April 14, 2009 9:49 am

        not at all.
        He’s shown a lot of maturity and improvement this year. a lot more then Kurtley Beale. i’m not saying he should be the wallaby ten but he should be talked about and be part of the plan. It’s stupid not too.

        Report
        • Juan Cote on April 14, 2009 9:53 am

          There is an interesting post over on the forum page from Gaggs (link to it is a couple of posts above) where Deans says in an article from Foxsports that he is after young talent and no. 10 is one area that he is concerned about…you might be onto something.

          Report
        • James on April 14, 2009 10:51 am

          beale has played over 30 games. he’s been given every chance to develop his game and we’ve seen nothing. i mean how old was he when he trained with the wallabies?
          he played well in the arc bu what happen since then?

          Report
      • old chestnut on April 15, 2009 5:44 am

        Agree. I think Lilo was unintentionally thrown into the deep end at the Brumbies when Huxley had to quit – ideally they would have liked to give him more time to learn. He has had some very good games but has also made a lot of mistakes – which is pretty much what you’d expect. He’s obviously nowhere near Wallabies selection at present, but as you say I would expect him to develop well under Gits.

        The problem with Beale was that he came to the Tahs with a huge reputation and was expected to perform from day one. Unless he can be relieved of that weight of expectation and given time to develop more slowly I think he may be lost to the game.

        Report
  6. James on April 14, 2009 9:50 am

    also Kurtley Beale is a pile of shit who hasn’t improved one bit in the last year. he’s an arrogant and stupid footballer.

    Report
    • El Dommo on April 15, 2009 1:19 am

      stupid…yes

      Arrogant…yes

      Plays for teh tahs…yes

      suprise….no

      Report
  7. Epi on April 14, 2009 10:11 am

    I don’t agree with that. He has the talent but he hasn’t been mentored this year. He has been rushed from school into Super 14 which is a tough ask at the best of times. Can anyone honestly tell me that if Robbie Deans was the coach of the Waratahs we wouldn’t be talking about a very different KB?

    He isn’t the only one in that back-line who has gone backwards this year…

    Report
    • Gagger on April 14, 2009 10:23 am

      Too true Epi on the rest of the backline looking distinctly average this year as well.

      Also the team hasn’t looked a whole lot better with him riding the bench….

      Report
    • El Dommo on April 15, 2009 1:22 am

      I think Beale IS the reason the backline looks average to a certain extent…i also think Burgess is the other reason…

      distribution to the backs follows the 9-10 channel…or well 9-12 or 9-15… but a majority of the time 9-10.

      The constant in there is 9…

      the other high percentage factor in there is 10.

      and now…Beale is out…and Hangers who has won 4 GF’s and won 3 man of the match awards for the GF has to rememdy the problem, and the constant is….9.

      Sheehan provides some clearer direction and go forward for them…i think Sheehan Hangers combo would be good to see…they might as well try…

      Report
  8. James on April 14, 2009 10:52 am

    beale has played over 30 games. he’s been given every chance to develop his game and we’ve seen nothing. i mean how old was he when he trained with the wallabies?
    he played well in the arc bu what happen since then?
    Current score: 0 Thumbs up!
    Click to Edit (29 minutes and 41 seconds)

    Report
  9. James on April 14, 2009 11:01 am

    back to Christian Lealiifano. It can be very difficult to see on TV just how the brumbies feed of him and how much of a good organizer he can be. While their yet to be running over teams, it’s close. and looks good.
    it’s also important to point out he’s scored three tries this year (maybe more, can’t remember). two of which very individual.

    “Look at his kicking game during the Otago [Highlanders] match [two weeks ago], he’s definitely got it,” Larkham told The Canberra Times .
    “His running game is on song and when he puts everything together he’ll be very dangerous because he’s a very talented player.

    he was under a lot of pressure (like beale) this year and has come out looking better for it.

    Report
    • Gagger on April 14, 2009 11:48 am

      James, I hope you’re right, would be great to see such talent come together. Those couple of stepping tries have been classics

      So far though his tactical kicking and distribution been pretty hit and miss. At the moment he seems very much to feed off the team (plays well when they do) rather than directing it. Fair enough for his age I guess….

      Gagger’s last blog post..Bakkies Botha gets 3 Weeks

      Report
      • Patrick on April 14, 2009 2:15 pm

        I agree that I see more potential at the moment in Lealifano. The comparison with Beale is pretty striking, although Lealifano does seem to have a better support cast to help him out. But I think it is Beale who should be giving FB a shot (and NSW who should be trying to recruit Lealifano!!).

        Otherwise, Giteau at 9 is crazy talk, since at 9 his range of options off every ball would pin three players down whilst at 10 his range of options pins essentially the whole opposition down.

        And whilst I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a run at 12, he really is the best back going and that should be your 10.

        Report
  10. El Dommo on April 15, 2009 1:19 am

    Good call, all pretty academic when it comes to 10 isnt it…

    Gits is first choice…Barnes is second and Quade is third…or would they keep Barnes at 12 and put quade at 10…

    However i do have a lsight beef with the Butch james comment.

    The last 2 world cups have been one by teams with similar players at 10

    Butch James 2007 – Good running, attracts defence, can offload close to the line (the benefits of being able to take a hit), and can distribute to his fast, pwoerful centres (probably with a skilled 12 ie Frans Steyn, Jean De Villiers etc). Defensively Strong, doenst need a boncer to take care of him…and kicking game is very strong (but in this case, well supported by the 12, 15 and even the 13)

    Jonny Wilkinson 2003 – Good runnin, probbaly more agile than James, and can break the line or half break due to that agility, and offload. Great pass on him, useful with 2 big centres (ie Greenwood and Tindall…or a skilled 12 in Catt who lets face it, has some skills, he just cant tackle Lomu, but then again, who can)…Defensively the hitting power of a flanker and the tehcnical prowess of one too…and Kicking, well a finely honed boot…

    and lets not forget, Wilks played in the 2007 final as well…his running ability was dented due to leg problems for the last 4 years, but defence, kicking, passing, was all there.

    Maybe this is what the game is getting to.

    Maybe a world cup 10 IS THIS sort of 10. I know im a fan of 10’s like this…not saying i dont like seeing Bernie weave through an AB midfield, not saying i dont like seeing Michalak tear apart an Irish midfield….but in order to win, in order to grind out a World Cup…or a 6 nats or a tri nats…maybe this is the 10 you need….

    Report
    • Bobas on April 15, 2009 12:13 pm

      It was just a lucky break for the rest of the other nations that Larkham got injured from a bad French surgeon. what’s with Brumbies and infections…

      If Larkham was there we would have won that QF. And when he wasn’t only someone with the stupidity of Connelly would think overlook giteau as his replacement.

      England won on the back of a great goal kicker and a great forward pack.

      South Africa won because they were the team that improved the most and peaked at the right time.

      The type of number 10’s didn’t win them the world cups. To win a world cup, you need a team of classy players, a great game plan and some luck.

      Report
      • El Dommo on April 16, 2009 11:58 pm

        agreed, however there is an undeniable trend there in looking at the 10s and the way to team is chosen to compliment each other. Line up the 2003 nd 2007 England and St Africa teams repsoectively…there are tremendous similarities in players there, with the key difference probably, hmm, fullback, Robinson vs Percival… but the safas had wingers who were electric with Perc a distributer.

        You speka of England winning because of a great GK and forward pack. How did sth Africa win? Phenomenal Forward Pack, great territorial kickers and yes a man who slots them in Percival.

        and i hope your reference to England winning that way IS NOT a reference to the 2003 WC final…where the score sheet read exactly the same for both teams bar the single FG the JW kicked.

        Hmm, can be argued many times over, if Aus had this perosn or that person, they would have one. Fact is, its tournament football, and shit happens.

        Agree with Connelly. Without a clear 10 replacement, move the 12 in and find a replacement for him. ridiculous.

        Report
  11. Ishmael on April 15, 2009 4:30 am

    All this Beale hate is rubbish. For the first few rounds he had a hand in almost every one of the Tah’s tries. He’s had to run a backline full of rookies and with only SNK helping out as playmaker from fullback. He still managed to guide the Tahs to the final last year and if he hadn’t gone off injured we might have won it. He had a fantastic combination going with Elsom last year and if Rocky had stayed around running those great lines the Tahs would be playing much better rugby.

    Also, whoever said the problems lie with Burgess is clinically insane. He has been the Tahs best back for the last few weeks. In all honesty I think the Tahs problems are at 12. Neither Carter nor Tahu can pass.

    In regards to the topic, Gits will be the Wallaby 10 this year without a doubt. I also used to think his best position was 12 but over the past 2 seasons he has really mastered flyhalf and it’d be a huge shock if he didn’t take us through to the World Cup as chief playmaker. The only real question is who will partner him at 12.

    Of the other candidates for 10, Barnes is the best choice right now while both Beale and Cooper are close behind. Next would come JOC and then Lilo. To be honest I wouldn’t be that nervous with any of those 5 filling in for Gits. I think they could all do the job.

    Report
    • Gagger on April 15, 2009 7:22 am

      Wot he said.

      Luckily for Australia Burgo is coming into form – passing has improved as well.

      Report
      • Epi on April 15, 2009 9:53 am

        Hope your kidding Gagger.. He was shocking on Saturday night. Just heard he’s been dropped to the bench for this weekend and I think that’s not a bad call.

        Report
        • Juan Cote on April 15, 2009 9:59 am

          I’m with you Epi….

          Report
        • Gagger on April 15, 2009 11:27 am

          Seriously, I thought the Burgwan had a good first half (although I have assigned much of that match to the mental trash can) and outside of Lakky has been one the better backs for NSW the last few weeks (not hard, you might say…)

          Report
        • James on April 15, 2009 12:07 pm

          not a fan

          Report
        • El Dommo on April 17, 2009 12:00 am

          i will reiterate my 9-10 spiel from before where Burg and Portley combo was just, meh…hangers played, couple of wins…but the constant was Burg. Sheehan is a much better 9 for the way they play…

          Report
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