Burgess can’t pass and shouldn’t be in the team
Roar Pro By Wally James, 6 Jun 2010 Wally James is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Fiji, Luke Burgess, Rugby Union, wallabies
Luke Burgess seems like a particularly nice bloke. He is a reasonable defender. He seems to be able to kick okay. But his pass is not up to halfback standard.
How many times in the Fiji Test did it land at Cooper’s feet or above his head or behind him? Way too many is the answer.
The next question is how many passes were shaped like the Harbour Bridge? The answer to that is all of them.
The person who throws the most passes in a game is the halfback – 40% or more. It beggars belief that Luke is still in the Wallabies team. He is not an international quality halfback.
It’s not very nice bagging someone who is clearly giving his all. I don’t blame him. I blame the selectors.
My next question is can anyone tell me why he is in the team? We have better passers than him. Discuss.
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- Explore:
- Fiji, Luke Burgess, Rugby Union, wallabies
June 6th 2010 @ 4:03am
Sean Lazarus said | June 6th 2010 @ 4:03am | Report comment
The problem is that apart from Genia, Australian rugby has no options. Sheehan and Valentine have the same accuracy issues, and they all seem to suffer from “Greganitis,” that is, take two or three steps laterally then heave the ball somewhere in the direction of their flyhalf, just as George did after he became wallaby captain and realised he didn’t have to compete for his jersey
June 6th 2010 @ 6:34am
JK said | June 6th 2010 @ 6:34am | Report comment
He was fine, Genia will be back, find a new record.
June 6th 2010 @ 6:57am
Matt said | June 6th 2010 @ 6:57am | Report comment
Get real, he was crap JK. Must make a first 5 very nervous exposing his ribs all the time as he reaches skyward to pull in another high ball.
Last night he was there just for his defence.
June 6th 2010 @ 7:10am
flightlessbird said | June 6th 2010 @ 7:10am | Report comment
I didn’t think Burgess was that bad Matt. I made an effort during the game to concentrate on his play/combination with cooper. Personally I thought he went alright. There were some bad passes, but they were in the minority and some of his service was very slick indeed.
June 6th 2010 @ 1:33pm
James D said | June 6th 2010 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
I totally agree – most of the poor passing came from blokes who went into nine whenever Burgess was tackled. His service was good and his defence was outstanding – The naysayers obviously did not watch the game
June 6th 2010 @ 7:32am
Rabbitz said | June 6th 2010 @ 7:32am | Report comment
Was it me or did it look like there was a bit of tension around the half back position? I first noticed in the 15 minutes before half-time. It seemed that a number of people, Elsom and Horne in particular were stepping in regularly to distribute from the base of the ruck.
I am sure I saw this happen while Burgess was standing right there, dithering.
Also why on earth did Burgess take so long the move into position after we had won line-out possession (even on our throw)?
June 6th 2010 @ 8:05am
John said | June 6th 2010 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Valentine shouldn’t be let anywhere near the 9 position. He is probably a better player than Burgess – but the amount of needless penalties he gives away (watch the Brumbies/Crusaders game) beggars belief.
Berrick Barnes can pass… It’s scraping the bottom of the barrel but the Wallabies could do worse than put him at 9. Or give Matt Henjak an SOS.
June 7th 2010 @ 8:17am
Justin said | June 7th 2010 @ 8:17am | Report comment
BB CANT pass, why do you think he isnt in the 22? He kicks but he cant pass.
June 6th 2010 @ 9:58am
John H said | June 6th 2010 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Agree Burgess has a dreadful pass,witness how many times last night Cooper took it above his head or after a long slow loop. Sure Burgess can defend but why have the Waratahs struggled from set play and the Reds succeeded? Because they lack quick ball out in front of the halves.
Genia is certainly streets ahead then its daylight with Valentine a possible if he can control his temper.
June 6th 2010 @ 10:15am
Rockin Rod said | June 6th 2010 @ 10:15am | Report comment
Matt Giteau is our second best option behind genia with out a doubt, but is he wasted here???
Robbie Deans has been fantastic with selections and blooding young blokes but he has to just admit to himself he got this one wrong. Burgess must go. I heard he is very keen on young Justin Turner who is our Aussie 20s halfback in RWC in Argie. Maybe he will be rushed into the squad when they finish up in South America.
June 6th 2010 @ 10:40am
Tom said | June 6th 2010 @ 10:40am | Report comment
I was thinking the same thing myself. Perhaps the only problem is that Deans wants to keep him at inside and develop the combo with Cooper. Whether it would be a problem to stick Barnes there for a couple of games is another issue.
June 6th 2010 @ 10:21am
mw said | June 6th 2010 @ 10:21am | Report comment
Get over it, Burgess is the next best option to Genia. How many complaints about the front row being second best? None. I expect this bunch of forwards to be caught out next week by the England side. Even Genia will struggle with a pack going backwards.
June 7th 2010 @ 8:51am
formeropenside said | June 7th 2010 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Well, I watched the scrum get shown up by Fiji, and was not happy about that. Some rubbish selections by Deans in the squad and on the night, and the BaaBaa’s team does not look a lot better either.
June 6th 2010 @ 10:55am
Arky said | June 6th 2010 @ 10:55am | Report comment
While Burgess may be the next best option – what a spread it is. The passing game for a half is ‘stock in trade’ and how woeful it is for Burgess. It’s a shame we have to put up with players in positions who lack core skills – imagine what Cooper could have done with better service?