Big Shep sinking without a trace
By Jim Morton, 18 Mar 2010 Jim Morton is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, Guy Shepherdson, wallabies, world cup rugby
Wallabies 2007 World Cup scrum anchor Guy Shepherdson’s chances of making the 2011 tournament have sunk dramatically after being dropped from the Brumbies squad.
Shepherdson will stay in Canberra and play for the Brumby Runners against West Harbour instead of packing down against the Blues in Auckland after being completely usurped at tight-head by Salesi Ma’afu.
The Brumbies’ signing of rookie Waratahs front-rower Dan Palmer for the 2011 Super 15 has put added heat on the 28-year-old prop.
Shepherdson is contracted until next year but has an option in his favour which the ACT franchise is aware he may act upon.
One most obvious Australian option, which would allow a tilt at the 2011 World Cup, is expansion club Melbourne Rebels but chief executive Brian Waldron on Wednesday said he wasn’t on their radar.
Shepherdson started the Super 14 season with the No.3 jersey against the Western Force but was dropped for round two and Ma’afu has locked down the tight-head position.
Coach Andy Friend said Wednesday’s decision to put Fiji-born Jerry Yanuyanutawa on the bench ahead of Shepherdson was designed to give him much-needed game time.
“Shep hasn’t played a great deal of rugby in the last couple of weeks just given the way I’ve used the bench so this week there’s an opportunity to play 80 minutes for the Runners,” Friend said.
“For his game I felt it was the best thing to get back in there.
“He was our starting tight-head prop last year and I thought he was the best tight-head in the country. He needs to try to find that form again.”
Since the last World Cup, where Australia was outscrummed by England in their quarter-final upset, Shepherdson has fallen well down the pecking order behind Brumbies teammates Ben Alexander and Ma’afu, Waratahs duo Al Baxter and Sekope Kepu, Queensland’s Laurie Weeks and also Matt Dunning at the Western Force.
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- Explore:
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Seiran said | March 18th 2010 @ 5:13am | Report comment
Fallen down the pecking order behind Al Baxter and Matt Dunning?…Now that’s stretching it a bit far isn’t it?
Bill said | March 18th 2010 @ 9:44am | Report comment
Unbelievable that someone can be rated so highly by a coach one minute and completely shunted the next. I think Andy Friend might have a lot to answer for at the end of this season if the brumbies continue to play the way they are.
Remember Andy, anything outside of the top 4 will be considered a disastrous season! no pressure coach.
Completely agree with Sieran. How is it possible that baxter and dunning are stil held in such high regard? Deans rambles on about how he wants ball running props. at the end of the day if they cant scrum, its gonna cause serious problems. I havent seen baxter or dunning run well or scrum well ever! lucky we have robinson and alexander to satify deans because that sort of talent doesnt come around every day!
Hawko said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:05pm | Report comment
Have a look at Baxter’s form this year. Its been awesome. Friend was just blowing smoke about Shepherdson’s form last year compared to this year to explain why he’s sending him to Coventry and why they went after Dan Palmer. Nice smoke screen but it doesn’t wash. If Baxter’s fit for the Tahs/Brumbies game you’ll see who can scrum at THP and who can’t.
weinrage said | March 18th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
BEHIND DUNNING!!!!!! what a joke.
Shepardson was the best tighthead last season, Friends words. How can you not give the bloke game time? Give him a run, give him some confidence and he will be away.
This Jerry bloke they have replace him with is a joke. I heard he was spotted sipping vodka oranges at cube the other night and its safe to say his little finger was not touching his glass!!
Republican said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:02am | Report comment
And Shep has added value in that he is a local product from the Canberra Grammar nursery. The tribal factor remains relevant to alot of punters however that’s where it finishes given the corporate culture of sport these days.
In the early Brumby days it was that tribalism that gave this team the x factor, without a doubt.
Tank said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
What an absolute joke. How can the Brumbies starting prop in round 1 of the season get dropped after one game and not get another opportunity to prove his ability to be Australias premier prop, which he has been for the last 3 years. There seems to be a hidden agenda for the dropping of Shepherdson, and I think its time for Friend to have a long hard look in the mirror. Is Friend coaching this team or is he just following the line of Australias current failing coach. Not happy Jan.
Brett McKay said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:29am | Report comment
isn’t it entirely feasible guys, that the Brumbies are just wanting to give him more game time?? Isn’t there some value in giving him 80 minutes for the Runners rather than maybe 20 off the bench??
Herman said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:34am | Report comment
I agree, i don’t understand how the starting prop for the season can be dropped and not given another look in after one game. How does this contribute towards a positive attitude in the team or reward those players who have given their all to the team? Its poor coaching if you ask me – its a team sport at the end of the day and you need to create a positive environment where players aren’t scared if they have an off day – scared coach creates an unproductive environment for the team. Mafu has been playing well but he is not built to play 80minutes….to drop an ex-wallaby who is in the peak of his career in terms of age (and after being the best prop in 2009) from the bench is a pathetic move. Shepherdson would be an asset to any team anywhere in the world.
Slats said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:35am | Report comment
If Andy Friend didnt play top class rugby, how can he possibly coach a top class team? The teams attitude is wrong and they arent gelling together…THIS all comes back to the coach! If they cant score bonus points, they can forget about a finals appearance. THIS IS NOT OUTWARD BOUND FRIEND! YOUR AMATEUR TECHNIQUES WILL NOT CUT IT IN THE SUPER 14!
Devon Head said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:36am | Report comment
The most important factor to consider it the pathetic form of the Brumbies to date…
Teams that have won less games than the Brumbies are ahead of them on the Ladder (Queensland) due to the bonous point. Bonous points are achieved for 2 reasons: Either you play a shit team and rack up a cricket score or more importantly you play exciting expansive rugby and score 4 or more tries… Queensland have been a perfect example of this and to date have been the best Aussie team by far to watch…
The Brumbies back line has failed to fire and it is high profile players such as Giteau and Mortlock that should be responsible. With great depth in the backline it is here that changes should be made not with Great Clubmen like Shepo!!!
formeropenside said | March 18th 2010 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Actually, Brumbies are 5th on the ladder, Qld 6th, but the Reds do have 3 bonus points while the Brumbies have none.
I dont know that Shep was the best THP in the country last year, either.
Devon Head said | March 18th 2010 @ 11:33am | Report comment
I would have to agree with you there Openside….
Best tight head prop in the country would be pushing it but certainly in the top 3!
weinrage said | March 18th 2010 @ 10:40am | Report comment
Nice one Bill!!
Anything less than top 4 will be a failure!!
Great coaching Friendy, lets leave out our MOST EXPERIENCED prop. Even though the team is NOT playing well. Why not bring in a young joker and see if he can bring some nerves, poor scrumaging and weak clean out skills to the game!
Brumbies to loose by 15 in NZ.
Herman said | March 18th 2010 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
I think Brumbies may pull off a win this weekend – but that is due to Morlock not playing and giving Smith a run. The back line is where the problems lie, along with the coach, not with Shep.