Deans seeks help from Elsom and Barnes to grasp the nettle
Roar Guru By LeftArmSpinner, 9 Oct 2009 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru
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- robbie deans, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, wallabies
Robbie Deans has again failed to grasp the selection nettle despite lots of threats in the lead up to the Wallabies squad announcement. But it is not all bad.
Elsom and Barnes are good choices as Captain and Vice captain respectively. They must be encouraged to do it their way and create their dynasty and culture in the way that Border, Taylor and Steve Waugh did.
This includes standing up to the more selfish members of the squad (i.e. Giteau) until they get the message that rugby is a team game, and driving the lazy (i.e. Mitchell, Chisholm) and motivate the tired (i.e. Smith and Mortlock) until replacements rise up, and lead the team with passion, determination and brains.
However, behind the scenes, Deans has issued a stern message to Giteau, while dodging the toys flying out of the Giteau cot: “You are too big for your boots. You are not the captain or fly half you think you are.”
But unfortunately injuries on top of thin resources at lock have dictated that Chisholm gets an undeserved reprieve.
Dean has allowed Mitchell, Smith, Giteau, Mortlock and Chisholm to survive. While each player has a different set of circumstances, you get the sense that the Wallabies are desperate and have no alternative but to keep selecting them.
There were eight dropped players: Al Baxter, Ben McCalman, Damien Fitzpatrick, Josh Valentine, Nathan Sharpe, Nick Cummins, Phil Waugh, Stephen Hoiles.
Fitzy got bumped by Cowan being able to play Hooker, but I would have taken him as a 7, Fitzy that is. But he is young and we have coverage at two. Kingi looks very quick, and may end up as a Williamsesque winger.
I am most disappointed for Fitzy and Cummins. Hoiles is obviously not seen to be the answer at 8, but who is the answer and who can be relied upon to be consistent at 8? Not Palu I hope.
My starting team for Tokyo would be:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Horwill
5. Mumm (Cometh the time, cometh the man)
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu (if he is fired up)
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Turner
12. Giteau
13. AAC
14. Ioane
15. O’Connor
16. Moore
17. Dunning
18. Chisholm
19. Smith
20. Burgess
21. Cross
22. Beale/Cooper
Playing strategy required from all players FOR 80 MINUTES:
1. Water tight defence.
2. As a minimum: Achieve parity at the breakdown and set pieces.
3. Use every opportunity that is created.
4. Select attacking plays based on field position and defensive line position and personnel.
a. e.g. 22-50 metres: forwards live up to their names: Go forward with Palu, Elsom, TPN, Robinson, Horwill and Mumm (in that order of priority) then close inter-passing to other forwards on the burst.
b. 50+ backline runs direct, ball in hand, multi option runners and backrow support and clean out.
5. Attack through the backs with structured plays from set pieces.
6. Counter attack as first choice by backrow and other backs getting back to support.
7. Backs always run straight and hard, into gaps, and so as to isolate and force defender to make a choice!
8. Kick possession away only as the last resort.
9. Support play from all players all the time.
10. Be patient in attack and defence.
11. Use ALL bench players for at least 25 minutes.
How would you rate Deans’ squad?:
1. Got it right
2. Okay, but not as radical as I would like
3. Another missed opportunity
4. Disrespectful to the senior players
5. Disregards the benefits of youth
Recommend this story.
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- robbie deans, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, wallabies
October 9th 2009 @ 1:48pm
Jack Petro said | October 9th 2009 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
NPG – for my mind, Alexander needs to develop his body-shape in the scrum, so I’d throw Dunning straight into the bullring. For my mind, Elsom is a better Blindside Flanker than a Lock, and I’m a big fan of Mumm. I’d also go with ACC as a 13 and Ioane as a winger.
October 9th 2009 @ 1:51pm
Hoy said | October 9th 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
I am of the opinion that Barnes is too much of a “good bloke” to be that great as a captain.
He portrays this loveable blokey bloke, occer etc, but when the chips are down, can he lead? Being pained at losing is nothing if you can’t make tough decisions as a leader to avert losing. I am a little scared Barnes wants to be liked a bit too much to do anything hard like get stuck into people about their poor performances.
October 9th 2009 @ 1:57pm
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
he called it as he saw it, and he saw it accurately in Wellington. He’s an au natural sort of guy, but fearless, (his tackles) and tries the whole time. remember how he picked up the pieces when mortlock committed hari kari in SA in the first few minutes.
as always, you never know until you try……and there is really no one else. the average number of tests FOR THE SQUAD is just 21, av age 24. So the average player is in his second Wallabies season
October 9th 2009 @ 2:54pm
sheek said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Hoy,
With respect to the choice of Elsom & Barnes as captain & vice-captain, it comes under the category of, “if not him, then who else”?
Elsom isn’t a Farr-Jones or Eales, but he was the best choice of the current squad, so that makes his selection sensible. Ditto Barnes. Tactically, Barnes is the smartest Wallaby back.
October 9th 2009 @ 3:23pm
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
but the selections are made with the best available intentions and expertise, some work and some dont. I think Barnes and Elsom can and will work. I’m also in agreement with Jack Petro. a dark horse or two will emerge. barnes was that in 2007, Ioane was that this year at 13, Cooper did well against Italy last year. Genia is another dark horse, no puns intended. TPN was great in Brisbane in his first start.
and We are about to find out how tactically smart barnes really is. pedigree wise, Bennett is a good judge of a football player. the fact that he is still going flat out after enduring so many losses with reds and Wallabies is remarkable. at least Rocky won the Heineken Cup.
Jack, Dave Dennis is more a 6 than a lock. He is listed as 192 and 104 kg and as a flanker on the tahs site.
http://www.waratahs.com.au/HSBCWaratahs/PlayerProfiles/DaveDennis.aspx
Footy is a funny thing. He doesnt get anything in s14, plays out of position at Uni, wins a GF and goes on a Wallabies grandslam tour while Mowem played the house down, and at 195 and 106kg, and listed as a 6 and 8, does his knee and misses the lot, all in the space of 7 months.
Hodgson is obviously regarded by Deans. He selected him at 7 for the Baa baa’s. He also played the house down in grade for Easts.
Baxter is a case of “bigger the hat, the smaller the ranch!!”
October 9th 2009 @ 2:31pm
Jack Petro said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
Sheek … there’s a couple of “untried” players in the Wallabies and although they don’t seem to be of the Kearns mould, I think there may be a dark horse amongst them. For my mind, Dave Dennis has the potential to be the N0.5 we’re looking for as he has a bit more growing (filling out) to do – he’s definitely got the skill set – and I’d like to think that Matt Hodgson comes into the frame as well (he’s a 100% every time he takes the field).
The bloke I feel sorry for is Al Baxter, but with the amount of bad press he’s gotten over the last 6 months, it’s no wonder RD didn’t take a chance on him. At least he has plenty of time and 2 x S14 seasons to get himself back as the premier THP in Australia.
October 9th 2009 @ 2:49pm
sheek said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
Jack,
I hope you’re right. We won’t know if the “untried” will cut it until we try them!
The good thing about the generally poor Wallabies performance 2004-09, is that we can only improve….. (one day)!!!
October 9th 2009 @ 3:24pm
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
yep, nothing to loose Sheek……….not a damn thing. the only way is up!!
October 10th 2009 @ 1:10am
Ed said | October 10th 2009 @ 1:10am | Report comment
Don’t tempt fate.
We could lose 30-nil in every tri-nations game next year… or the brits could get their act together and it could happen sooner.
October 9th 2009 @ 2:36pm
The Phantom said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
I am very concerned about lock – to Mumm is OK but more of a flanker and Horwell is a big disappointment who has gone backwards at a rate of knots this season. The big problem is who are the potential replacements????
Can we please get Vickerman back ASAP!!!!
October 9th 2009 @ 2:48pm
Jack Petro said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Mr Walker … Dave Dennis! He will be our No.5 at the next RWC!!!!
October 9th 2009 @ 2:58pm
The Phantom said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
Jack, an oversight not to mention he or Chisholm. I don’t see Chisholm doing much more and can only hope that Dave Dennis steps up but have seen very little of him. Maybe Dennis & Vickerman for WC 2011 in NZ?
October 9th 2009 @ 8:59pm
Roy Kneebone said | October 9th 2009 @ 8:59pm | Report comment
Going to Europe you need specialists line out jumpers. Is Ben Hand or Van Humphries injured also? I heard Ben Hand was exceptional for the brumbies on their european tour and Van Humphries is like 6 foot 10.
October 9th 2009 @ 3:03pm
Armchair-critic said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
I for one think this is the best squad available.
Serious question marks at lock but there isnt really any other options..Maybe this will be the catalyst Horwill needs to lift his game?? Here’s hoping
I like the choice of Elsom and Barnes as leaders.
To me, they seem like the kind of guys who will not hesitate in telling one of there teammates that they are dicking around or being selfish (Giteau).
My team:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander (Dunning deserves a chance to stake his claim though)
4. Horwill
5. Chisholm
6. Elsom
7. Smith
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Hynes
12. Giteau
13. Iaone
14. Turner
15. AAC
Bench: Moore, Dunning, Mumm, Pocock, Burgess, Cooper, O’Connor.
If the locks don’t pull finger then they are both replaced after game 1. They need to seriously improve
Same goes for wingers – there isn’t a lot of difference amongst them so plenty to play for.
October 9th 2009 @ 3:35pm
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
AC, There are too many players on abyssmal last performances and who should know better: Chisholm, Smith, Palu. Iet’s make the message very clear with some splinters from the bench. Mumm has done more than his share of bench time and deserves his chance. at 196 and 109kg, he is getting closer to being big enough to fill in. AAC needs some stability. He is becoming the craig wing, utility player extraordinaire of aust rugby. leave him at 13 to develop. His hard physical style is a good contrast to Giteau’s stepper style. It also leaves Ioane with a chance to reaclimatise after his injury. he had a shoulder reco. But weakness at lock could bring the whole scrum and forward play to a grinding halt. oh dear. another Wellington, but will we be able to see the issue without criticising the whole performance.
October 9th 2009 @ 3:52pm
Armchair-critic said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
I agree to an extent however i think AAC provides the physical presence that has been lacking in the back 3.
He was outstanding under the high ball in the tests he played there this year and that is an area which has let us down recently..
I also think Ioane will provide the explosive ball running/line breaking ability that we have been missing. I would put him at 13 and have him running at holes off Barnes as he did in the Super 14. He is the kind of player that we want to be touching the ball as much as possible and he can ask questions of the defence with his power. Also i think he is a little suspect under the high ball and this could be found out on the wing.
Anyway just my opinion!!
Interesting to note no one has been suggesting Mortlock in their 22′s…
October 9th 2009 @ 3:06pm
Rah Rah Rasputin said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
Dave Dennis is a good player and excelled in the Shute Shield for Uni, but I think this was in large part bc of the continued use of ELV. If he is going to play in the second row at the elite level he is going to have to fill out significantly. Chabal is a prime example of a very short international second row. He’s only 191cm, but he weighs in a 115kg and is a monster of a man. I would presume that Chapman is ahead of Dennis in the pecking order for second row, given his bigger frame and super 14 experience. Rocky’s arrival at the Brumbies may mean a permanent move to the second row is more likely then not for chapman. Still, if it came to starting both chapman and mumm in a test match I would have enormous concern about the weight behind our props. On this basis, I think it would be worth considering throwing Palu in the second row, purely for the reason he weighs 120kg and should be able to give one almightly shove.
October 9th 2009 @ 3:21pm
Whaler said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
LAS …..if you were going down that path of trying kepu @ 8 …..surely TPN would be a better option ? He has played there for Parramatta and gets around the field better than Kepu !
October 9th 2009 @ 3:37pm
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:37pm | Report comment
peas out of the same pod but TPN is my first choice hooker and would be a better 7 than 8. he may get around better than kepu but kepu is no slouch. 7 tries, i think in grade this year.
October 9th 2009 @ 3:35pm
Hansie said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
Not selecting Baxter and Waugh are good moves. It’s time to move on. Robbie needs to have a long chat with Giteau. Someone close to the Giteau camp is playing the media game about the need for Giteau to play at fly half, or else the toys will leave the cot, which indicates a selfish attitude. Burgess should not have been selected.
October 9th 2009 @ 3:43pm
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2009 @ 3:43pm | Report comment
Burgess has the attitude that is missing in many of the recent wallabies. Sure he also has weaknesses, but his attitude is best shown by his fearless tackling or anything. taking three halves got him on the plane. He’s better than Valentine. But his time is running out. He may get a welcome benefit if Barnes plays 10 for the Tahs with Burgess at 9. I would be illadvised and silly to throw Kingi onto the wallabies bench after a few s14 games and a week or two in Wallaby camp. Give him time to develop.