Test Rugby Wallabies Rugby World Cup discussion
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- #27
By weight I pretty much mean strength. Brad Thorn wasn't the size of Brodie Retallick but man was he as strong as an ox, that old man strength developed by being an unmatched trainer. Jones needs another season or two to become the colossus the we need in the second row. I have a lot of faith on him to be able to get there but I'd probably pick Carter right now as the better option, while having far more faith in Jones long term.
We're so light on for locks right now, it's depressing to watch the studs around the world. O'Connell, Etzebeth, Retallick, Whitelock, Charteris, Wynn-Jones, Lawes.
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Maester
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Have a read of this: http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/...up-spots-heat-up/story-fndpt9s1-1227290632842
I wish it provided more detail but there are some interesting stats.
I think Cheika will want at least one lock starting the game that is dynamic with ball in hand. Luke Jones is making 51 running metres per game compared to 20 for Carter. And he's 24, only a year and a half younger than Carter and basically the same age as Retallick for example. He'll only mature as a test player by playing test matches. Same with guys like Coleman and Rory Arnold. I think it's worth taking a bit of a gamble on one or two of these guys as I don't think a Carter and Simmons combination will do the job.
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LukeParkerno1
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I actually agree. We need to take a few risks with locks and the centres. We won't win WC's being average in those positions. It is why I'm against having AAK in the starting side. The guy is a gun utility but he is a bit of this, a bit of that. Not elite in any position. We need to use the tests to find a lock or two. Fardy is another one of these average toilers we seem to love. 1 or 2 are fine, but not your whole pack aside from Pocock. Higginbotham is a must, actual ball runner.
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- #30
It is a confirmation of what I think, that he is a really good Super Rugby player and has a grand future in the Wallabies. I'm just not sure that he has the pure physicality at this point to translate that to the Test arena.
There's logic in putting him in now to get used to it on the fly though. That's fair. It's his shorter stature and relatively slender build for a top line lock that worry me a little. Only find out by playing him though, so it is what it is.
LukeParkerno1
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Can't be any worse than half the locks we have tried. Do I believe he is great not really, but considering our best option left last year not sure what we can do.
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- #32
I note the ARU has changed their selection policy. Overseas based players with 60 caps to their name can be called up to the Wallabies. So Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and George Smith are available for selection again
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- #33
A good move to limit it as much as possible to incentivise staying in Australia to increase your test numbers before you venture overseas to get your lucrative overseas money.
They each have strong competition to contend with to make the squad. Mitchell has Speight, Cummins, AAC, O'Connor, Tomane as well-credentialled Test/Super players, Giteau has Cooper, Foley, Toomua, Lealiifano & Smith has Pocock, Hooper, Gill, Hodgson. Not going to be easy for them. In the immediate term, we'd have really won out if we could call on Kane Douglas or Hugh Pyle but we're pretty well stocked with centres, wings and flankers.
LukeParkerno1
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Waste of time, none of them are worth it now. Smith was past it 3 years ago, and Giteau isn't that good. I'd actually consider Mitchell but only because our wingers are awful.
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- #35
Good idea to have a limit because you can't encourage uncapped players to go chase the money on offer in Europe with the knowledge of an open selection policy could still see them pick up a cap. Would hurt the comps here more than anything. But by setting the bar at 60 caps your giving the "loyal" servants of the Test team the chance go and chase the money in Europe.
I agree with Bob Dwyer that the limit should of been 40 cap and 5 years. Also rule will expose a few of the front row to the Northern scrums and that can only help improve that area for the Wallabies.
Agree not players that will change the Wallabies chances just adds depth to areas that are already strong.
Still very inexperienced and has much to work on but I think Samu Kerevi needs to be in the squad. Can play 12/13 (although you'd probably wouldn't want to start him at 12 unless we were very low on troops) But if Kuridrani went down at the WC we'd still be very dangerous with Kerevi in his place. Plus it would save us from playing duds like Horne & AAC there.
LukeParkerno1
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If we are going for a younger option Kyle Godwin is that far ahead it isn't funny. Hiw many 12's do you want though? Toomua, Beale, etc
Yea I genuinely think you don't know who Samu Kerevi.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
Actually I do, and he isn't close yet. This is a WC year, we won't take someone who has no experience even on a tour. Godwin at least has toured before.
Maester
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Probably agree, though it depends what game plan you have and the make up of the rest of the back row. I think they'll both get their chances for the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship so it'll come down to who plays better in those tests. Either way, I expect we might regularly see both on the field at the same time for the final 20-25 minutes of a lot of test matches.
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- #42
I'd honestly pick Pocock at full fitness over Hooper at full fitness regardless of the conditions. I really just think he's the better player. Hooper's pace, ball running and ball skills are mighty handy but his relative inefficiency at the breakdown is a big draw back for me. I want Pocock to dominate that area and he can.
I definitely think they'll both be on the field at the same time often though. It could prove to be a real nightmare for opposing packs to retain ball with a fresh Hooper flying around and defending like a madman.
LukeParkerno1
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Hooper is laughable as a test number 7. I'm sorry to be blunt. Has Hooper won a turnover this season? If he has I must have missed it. Useless in the ruck and as a number 7 that is your primary job. He has good points no doubt but as a pilferer he is pretty pedestrian.
Maester
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The thing is Hooper's probably been the best player for the Wallabies the last 2 years. He's such a good ball runner and support player and Fardy is quite good over the ball at 6 already. You can probably bank on a couple of turnovers a game with Pocock on the field, but he also gives away his fair share of penalties. But if you had a guy like Luke Jones at then 6 Pocock would be the obvious choice.
One guy who should be starting on current form is Will Skelton. He's been sensational the last couple of weeks. Huge and very effective work rate, and even doing okay as a 3rd jumper in the lineout.
One guy who should be starting on current form is Will Skelton. He's been sensational the last couple of weeks. Huge and very effective work rate, and even doing okay as a 3rd jumper in the lineout.
Maester
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Depends how you play. South Africa don't place much importance on pilfering at 6 (their open-sides wear the 6 jersey), which can be seen by the fact Brüssow hasn't been picked for a few years despite being by far their best at it (and one of the few guys in the world in Pocock's league).
Even Richie McCaw's role has changed quite a lot the last couple of years. He's not a huge pilferer these days. More of a tackling machine and link man in attack. And often he'll look to counter ruck rather than pilfer.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
South Africa have won squat all since that change. Needless to say I'm picking a pilferer especially in Europe. McCaw may do less but they have others that do it anyway. He still doesn't stand in the centres collecting Mars Bars like Hooper does. Every single bloke seems to overrate Hooper, he shouldn't be in the centres, get in the ruck. The games NSW have got flogged...guess what they have been belted in the ruck, funny that.
Maester
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The Waratahs have played the Brumbies twice this season. In the first they were absolutely dominant at the ruck, and in the second it was pretty even. Hooper would be wasted in tight. He has different strengths to Pocock. You are basically comparing two guys who have a completely different role in their teams.
And South Africa are the 2nd best team in the world. Most teams in world rugby actually don't play with a specialist pilferer anymore. The number 7 role has evolved since greater emphasis was placed on tacklers releasing the ball carrier.
And South Africa are the 2nd best team in the world. Most teams in world rugby actually don't play with a specialist pilferer anymore. The number 7 role has evolved since greater emphasis was placed on tacklers releasing the ball carrier.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
The World Cup is in the Northern Hemisphere...there is less points...if you think you can get away with having a number 7 that has a snooze in teh centres go for it. Bet you Cheika is playing Pocock and he is captaining the side.
Maester
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I guess we'll see. The weather in the UK can be pretty decent in September and October.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Pocock at 7 by the way - and he's not just a one trick pony (like say Hodgson is), but to call Hooper anything less than a great player is ridiculous. He's been the best Wallabies player for the past couple of years.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Pocock at 7 by the way - and he's not just a one trick pony (like say Hodgson is), but to call Hooper anything less than a great player is ridiculous. He's been the best Wallabies player for the past couple of years.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
Very easy to stand out in a poor side. He would be nowhere near a World XV, Pocock at his best would. I know which one I'm picking and twice on Sundays and it isn't Hooper. I love Hooper at Super 15 level but I am far from convinced he can play that way at test level and win big games. I don't care whether he can beat Wales doing it. I care about NZ, England and SA. To win the WC we are going to have to beat those 3 (or a combination of both). The best 7 to have a chance at doing that is Pocock, and it isn't close. Hooper is good cover off the bench.
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