Deans makes four changes for Cardiff
By Russell Jackson, 30 Nov 2012 Russell Jackson is a Roar Guru
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Wales' Alun-Wyn Jones is tackled by David Pocock of Australia (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
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Robbie Deans has made four changes to his starting lineup for the Wallabies’ finale against Wales with David Pocock making his long-awaited return in the run-on side.
Australia play at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) in what will be captain Nathan Sharpe’s 116th and final Test.
Second-rower Kane Douglas makes his comeback from a knee injury for the suspended Sitaleki Timani while hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau replaces Stephen Moore after sitting last weekend’s 22-19 win over Italy in Florence.
Halfback Nick Phipps returns to the starting team after going on as a replacement for No.9 Brett Sheehan who suffered a tour-ending ankle injury against Italy.
World class No.7 Pocock hasn’t played since he injured his knee against New Zealand in August.
He then strained a calf muscle at training in Paris in the first week of the tour.
Deans is thrilled to welcome back Pocock for such a big game for Australia as they look to send Sharpe out in style.
“David is one of the best in the world as a player, and is growing every day as a leader, so naturally we are delighted to have him back,” Deans said.
“While he has continued to contribute off the field, this tour has been one of frustration for him, but we were not prepared to take any risks and potentially compromise either the player or the team, in terms of his fitness.”
“The upside to the wait is that his return comes at a time where we need fresh energy, as was evident at times during our Test in Italy last weekend.”
Pocock’s deputy Michael Hooper, who has been outstanding on the tour, is expected to play a significant part in the game.
Hooper will start on the bench but Deans may look to play him and Pocock together as he did in the 3-0 series win over Wales in Australia in June.
“Michael (Hooper) has had a massive year and it was evident that for him, as well as some others, it was starting to take its toll last weekend,” Deans said.
“He’s earned the right to finish the year on the park. Having the option of working him alongside David at some point during the contest is a win-win for us.”
Douglas didn’t accompany the Wallabies to Italy.
He remained in London with his mother who is in hospital recovering from a stroke suffered on a flight to Europe to watch her son play.
“Kane is ready to go,” Deans said.
“It’s obviously been a trying time for his whole family recently, but his dedication both to his family and his career is clear, and a testament to the character of the man.”
Waratahs No.9 Brendan McKibbin, who only arrived in Cardiff on Tuesday to replace Sheehan, is on the bench and in line for a first Test cap.
© AAP 2013Wallabies team (15-1): Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Drew Mitchell, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Kane Douglas, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Brendan McKibbin, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane.
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November 30th 2012 @ 4:05am
Shop said | November 30th 2012 @ 4:05am | Report comment
I backed Italy with a 3.5 points start last weekend so I welcomes the 2nd half capitulation against Italy.
Really tough one to pick this weekend though. Australia should be able to finish the season on high, but they have become more unpredictable than the French. Think I’ll keep my money in my pocket this weekend.
November 30th 2012 @ 4:12am
krisl said | November 30th 2012 @ 4:12am | Report comment
Wales 33 Australia 9
November 30th 2012 @ 4:37am
David Lord said | November 30th 2012 @ 4:37am | Report comment
Well done Robbie Deans, Michael Hooper is no David Pocock yet, if ever.
November 30th 2012 @ 5:06am
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 5:06am | Report comment
Hi David, I think the problem with Hooper is the lack of turnovers and to some extent muscularity in defence: the first area is probably what Cheika should spend the entire year working on.
One curiosity to my eyes was that each seemed more effective against different teams. Hooper’s fast and straight running clearly troubled the All Blacks more than Pocock, who they seem good at nullifying. On the other hand against a big-bully pack like France (in contrast to refined All Black unit), Hooper was nullifyed and Pocock could well have undermined the French ability to rule the breakdown by turning them over (as well as making strong tackles).
Perhaps all I’m saying is that against lighter, more skilled packs one type of player is better, while against smash and bash power units another is. More people prefer to think that there is always a ‘best’ player against whatever team is played, but I’m not so sure. I remember Brian Ashton calling up the monster Joe Worthesly once or twice just to make big tackles against physical opposition, and then dropping him for other teams.
Of course this is all very speculative and I could be completely wrong
November 30th 2012 @ 5:30am
AndyMack said | November 30th 2012 @ 5:30am | Report comment
Hooper was amazing against the Poms. Watched the game with a saffa friend who didnt know much about the Aussies and was amazed by Hooper. His defence was amazing, one try saving tackle in particular pretty much got us over the line.
November 30th 2012 @ 5:54am
Bazza Allblack Supporter said | November 30th 2012 @ 5:54am | Report comment
Totally agree
November 30th 2012 @ 7:31am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:31am | Report comment
KPM – Interesting & thought provoking comments about Hoops & Poey. I’ll be thinking about that when I watch the Wales test.
Speaking of which, …….Wales……. God almighty after Florence I thought I was over the Wallabies for ever. But here we are in the build-up a week later and I’m already presuming I’ll watch them. Why do we do it to ourselves?
November 30th 2012 @ 8:03am
John Philipson said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:03am | Report comment
We are gluttons for the pain. Also KPM I will make this point, I wonder if the turnovers achieved by 7′s outweigh the number of penalties (and often points)?
I just don’t think contesting the breakdown is really worth it from a statistical perspective, or at the least, any team needs to be highly selective of which breakdowns it attacks.
The Wallabies are ATTROCIOUS at giving silly penalties away at the breakdown.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:23am
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:23am | Report comment
Blinky Bill and John I think without a breakdown specialist a big pack can get on a roll with impunity as there’s no danger of getting turned over, and the team can also run the ball from around the field as again there’s no danger, or rather less. Playing Hooper for all his virtues means the French or Italian pack can plough on safetly or all over the field. Of course though some packs, such as the All Blacks, are better at dealing with Pocock and not so good when there’s a fast back row forward running at them.
November 30th 2012 @ 4:26pm
Go_the_Wannabe's said | November 30th 2012 @ 4:26pm | Report comment
Someone out there must be able to do a simple analysis of turnovers versus penalties given away for both Hooper and Pocock????
November 30th 2012 @ 8:36am
Ben.S said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
‘I remember Brian Ashton calling up the monster Joe Worthesly once or twice just to make big tackles against physical opposition, and then dropping him for other teams.’
Nope. Brian Ashton didn’t call up Worsley for his defensive qualities, the opposite. Ashton called up Worsley because he believed he could be a big ball carrying 7. Martin Johnson selected Worsley at 7 to cut down Jamie Roberts from the openside. That is the difference.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:40am
B-Rock said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:40am | Report comment
Very good points KPM
As an idea, why not drop Higgers and play both? A Hooper/Pocock/Palu back row would be very effective everywhere but the lineout.
I cant see what Higgers offers around the park that Hoops doesnt, Hooper plays much tighter than Higgers and is quicker in the loose when the opportunities come.
Hooper has been one of the top 3 players for the Wallabies in virtually every test hes played. To put him on the bench and bring back Higgers who is out of form seems like a downgrade to me. Pocock is the Wallabies best player by some distance so I cant fathom anyone saying Hooper should start over Pocock
November 30th 2012 @ 10:54am
rl said | November 30th 2012 @ 10:54am | Report comment
B-Rock, weakening the lineout seems to be the major concern by leaving either Higgers or Dennis out, but otherwise, I’m all for it!
November 30th 2012 @ 10:56am
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 10:56am | Report comment
its a bit of a quandary but my feeling is poey and hooper are so far ahead of those two that we should stuff the line out and play to our strengths, besides there are so many more breakdowns in a game than lineouts anyway.
November 30th 2012 @ 11:11am
Bakkies said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Pick an 8 that can jump in the lineout that’s what the French do when they pick two short flankers.
November 30th 2012 @ 1:45pm
B-Rock said | November 30th 2012 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
Is Samo fit? He is very effective at lineout time
How about a starting back row of Hooper/Pocock/Samo, then bring Palu off the bench at the 50min mark
I’d prefer Higgers out of the squad but he could come off the bench in stead of Palu to sure up the line out in the 2nd half.
November 30th 2012 @ 11:36am
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:36am | Report comment
B-Rock although Higginbotham provides pace and size, Hooper and Pocock also provide both those qualities between them (Hooper the pace, Pocock the size) so the argument that they would be effective together is strong. Both have a tremendous effect at international level too, which is something Higginbotham has yet to achieve.
What’s more with TPN, Palu and Timani/Douglas playing, there is so much power in elsewhere in the pack that you can lose some at 7/6. So I think it’s defintely worth a shot.
November 30th 2012 @ 1:17pm
rl said | November 30th 2012 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
KPM, I agree with your thinking, but Timani & Palu better start working on lineouts, because we need 3 credible targets.
November 30th 2012 @ 2:39pm
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Could be a long wait before they improve in that area rl….
November 30th 2012 @ 5:52am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 5:52am | Report comment
Yes great to see a player back in the starting 15 who hasn’t played in 3 months.
The bench would have been more appropriate, though he would have been forgotten there
November 30th 2012 @ 6:00am
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:00am | Report comment
Justin see my answer below of Pocock.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:06am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:06am | Report comment
KPM – i must have missed something. Does Pocock need the experience prior to the Lions tour which is 6 months away…..
November 30th 2012 @ 7:13am
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:13am | Report comment
Probably not experience but an opportunity to play again so that test rugby is a less distant memory.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:16am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:16am | Report comment
Your reaching big time…
November 30th 2012 @ 10:57am
rl said | November 30th 2012 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Sure he needs the experience – I mean, how often is he going to be able to play Wales umpteen times in the space of 12 months? Put THAT in your CV.
Anyway, lets just do what we do with Drew Mitchell and give him the opportunity to re-injure himself properly.
November 30th 2012 @ 6:37am
sph45 said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:37am | Report comment
You really have an eye for subtlety don’t you David… Your comments are like your posts – full of errors, misrepresentations, and largely trolling. And in this instance your comments are quite disrespectful to Hooper who has had a cracking tour.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:17am
David Lord said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:17am | Report comment
sph45, you are like so many Roarers when it comes to talent, out of sight is out of mind. Have you forgotten all the magificent games David Pocock has played to be spoken of in the same breath as the best – Richie McCaw. Michael Hooper isn’t in that class yet, he has played many wonderful games, but he has been in sight, and not out of mind like the injured Pocock.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:28am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:28am | Report comment
No one doubts Pococks ability but after 3 months of no football the wise move would and should be to bring him off the bench.
Personally, and I said at the time, he shouldn’t have toured anyway. Get right for 2013, it’s a big year.
November 30th 2012 @ 8:39am
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:39am | Report comment
Gill should probably have started if anything as hooper really needs a rest, a young body like that playing so many games in his first year is bound to breakdown sooner or later. The problem is its a double edged sword for deans, he knows he should be looking after player welfare but he also knows he is under the pump and neeeds the result. Big conflict of interests between short term and long term planning.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:08am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:08am | Report comment
Juts I agree. Deans is doing exactly that, putting himself before the bigger picture.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:08am
John Philipson said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:08am | Report comment
Justin2 this is quite honestly the equivalent of saying when McCaw comes back from an injury allowing Sam Cane to play over him. Pocock is talismanic, recognised as one of the best players in the world over a prolonged term and coming close to uor equivalent to McCaw, and you would rather have Hooper?
November 30th 2012 @ 9:16am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:16am | Report comment
No John you have missed the point. I want Pocock back, I believe he is a better player, However the fact is he is not match fit. His last game was in August.
He should come off the bench but frankly shouldn’t have toured. He would have one of the highest workloads in the country, when does he get a break?
November 30th 2012 @ 9:20am
eagleJack said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Not to mention JP that Pocock would have made the call 100%. He’d be itching to get back out there and do what he does best – play rugby. Geez some people’s hatred of Deans is clouding their otherwise sound knowledge of the game.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:22am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:22am | Report comment
I dont think its unreasonable he come off the bench after 3 or more months out, is that so difficult to comprehend?
November 30th 2012 @ 9:28am
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:28am | Report comment
Yeah justin to extent i agree he is putting his short term future ahead of the big picture but I cant really judge him. Im not in his position so wouldnt know what the pressure is like to get results. Regardless of what your intentions are your subconscious would be telling you to play guys like poey ahead of guys like gill to ensure u get the result and keep ur job/pay packet safe.
November 30th 2012 @ 11:03am
rl said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Jutsie, Deans’ job security is something I hadn’t thought of! That’s not some attack by me on Deans BTW – but I can completely understand that he would want his best players on the park for this one. Unlike some other mis-guided commentators on here, I’m not daring to suggest that Hooper is a better player than Poey, I’m just worried that its going to be yet another case of a player going in half-baked.
November 30th 2012 @ 12:57pm
Who Needs Melon said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Guys, guys, guys. Lets stop arguing…
It’s not like we have a recent track record of bringing players back from injury before they are ready and match fit, is it? Oh, that’s right – err….
Well we know Deans is very astute with his use of the bench and won’t leave players on the field for too long. Oh, err…
Let’s just agree to cross our fingers for Poey.
November 30th 2012 @ 1:56pm
rl said | November 30th 2012 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
crossing all toes too… lets hope he eases my worries and has a blinder.
November 30th 2012 @ 6:21pm
Dan said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:21pm | Report comment
He is a self fulfilling prophecy ; )
November 30th 2012 @ 4:37am
Jiggles said | November 30th 2012 @ 4:37am | Report comment
What is TPN doing there? Dumb move picking Pocock, rushing him back from injury for the last game of the year.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:09am
John Philipson said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:09am | Report comment
He is hardly been rushed – inside word from the camp is that he could have played in the first game, but got a minor calf strain and he could have played in the Italy and England game. He has been, frustratingly, nursed back.
November 30th 2012 @ 10:59am
rl said | November 30th 2012 @ 10:59am | Report comment
sure, that non-frustrating rushing Mitchell and Beale back in worked a treat didn’t it?
November 30th 2012 @ 12:00pm
John Philipson said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Agree I quite enjoyed the stellar shape that Beale was in when coming from the Rebels. *heavy sarcasm*
November 30th 2012 @ 4:53am
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 4:53am | Report comment
TPN is there because of his superior physical impact to Moore, as shown by Moore’s limited effect against the muscular Italian pack last week.
Pocock’s there because it’s the last chance for him to play a test match before the Lions series.
November 30th 2012 @ 12:25pm
Sage said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Agree TPN is more “headfirst kamikaze oh dear I’ve concussed myself again” than Moore but throwing the ball straight and smarter ball carrying is pretty important too. Especially against Wales
November 30th 2012 @ 5:58am
TheGreyGhost said | November 30th 2012 @ 5:58am | Report comment
Looks like typical one-up-manship from Deans.
NZ make 3 changes.
Deans makes 4.
November 30th 2012 @ 6:04am
AndyMack said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:04am | Report comment
we win by 1. happy…..
November 30th 2012 @ 7:08am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:08am | Report comment
GG – I’d love it is Deans could make 4 non injury changes during the match. After all it’s almost Xmas, we can wish for one miracle this year can’t we?
November 30th 2012 @ 1:48pm
Funk said | November 30th 2012 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
I can just hear Robbie’s reply…..Bah-Humbug!
November 30th 2012 @ 5:42pm
peterlala said | November 30th 2012 @ 5:42pm | Report comment
Gold
November 30th 2012 @ 6:59am
Dave said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:59am | Report comment
Hooper is the best find in Australian rugby over the last few years. Already a strong ball runner and an abrasive defender. More turnovers will come!!
November 30th 2012 @ 9:29am
formeropenside said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:29am | Report comment
dont forget the hands like feet though
November 30th 2012 @ 2:18pm
Short-Blind said | November 30th 2012 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
FOS you are constantly stating this but ‘ show me the money’. Other than that one pill he dropped in his first test his hands have been fine. He is an ex 12 and has very adequate hands for 7. Pocock is a very good test player who should be in the mix week to week depending on opposition & tactics (RD?) However Hooper has shown more in his first 7 or 8 tests than Poey ever did. He is only 21and with more development will overtake Pocock (in total ability and effectiveness) IMO. Sure he needs a rest now after carrying the Wallaby pack around on his young shoulders for a few months
but to leave him out from the run on side when both are fully fit would be almost criminal. Now watch the talentless selector RD do just that…..
November 30th 2012 @ 10:43am
Markus said | November 30th 2012 @ 10:43am | Report comment
The turnovers won’t come until the Wallabies pack start hunting as a team week in week out.
Hooper is a strong pilferer, as demonstrated this Super season (2nd in the competition, behind Gill interestingly), but Pocock is in a different league in that aspect of his game.
fos, has Hooper dropped a single catch since his debut?
November 30th 2012 @ 10:47am
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Ive said it before, the way the pack is playing atm pocock is THE most important wallaby but if the rest of the pack did their job at the breakdown then you would say its really a toss up between hooper and pocock as to who starts.
November 30th 2012 @ 11:02am
formeropenside said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:02am | Report comment
more than I can count, but watch the 10 mins he was on in Match 2 v Wales when he nearly lost the Test for the Wallabies singlehanded (well, doublehanded actually, but you get what I mean).
November 30th 2012 @ 11:05am
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:05am | Report comment
I think markus was referring to that game when he said “since his debut” we all know that its that game you are referring too but that was almost 6 months and umpteen tests ago, put forth some examples in recent games please or stop harping on about one moment in a bloke’s 2nd test.
November 30th 2012 @ 11:56am
Markus said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Yep it was match 2 I was thinking of not match 1.
One genuine blunder, with the next a shortrange bullet pass to the face I don’t think anyone in the team would have taken.
Hardly something you could call a trend.
November 30th 2012 @ 12:09pm
jeznez said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
Markus, he dropped two late in one of the June tests against Wales. FOS likes to focus on that. I haven’t noticed him drop one since.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:05am
mark said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:05am | Report comment
hoopers 6 missed tackles against italy is an area he needs to improve. he’s not big enough i fear.
Scott higginbotham should count himself lucky to still be there after yet another innocuous performance.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:11am
John Philipson said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Couldn’t agree more – Higginbotham is like a third winger sometimes, and his breakdown work is ineffectual (and illustrative of his late turn to Rugby) I cant believe I am saying this but I prefer the technically solid Dennis
November 30th 2012 @ 9:17am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:17am | Report comment
Higgers was a like a 4th winger v Italy, we had Timani plodding away out wide turning it over nearly every time he touched it.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:35am
Funk said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:35am | Report comment
The entire team were lack lustre no just higgers or timani. How did Benn Robbinson go? How about Palu, Phipps, Beale, Alexander? As mark nmentioned even the best on the field for the Wallabies missed 6…count them SIX tackles, it’s no use singling out any one in particular they all need to shape up.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:48am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Im not disagreeing but the talk was around seagulling on the wing hence I brought up Timani who did it alot on the weekend.
November 30th 2012 @ 12:16pm
jeznez said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:16pm | Report comment
Timani should have been subbed as he ran out of steam – the failure to pick Neville or Samo on the bench meant that the lightweight Dennis could not be used as a second row option with the pressure the scrum was under.
I think a mistake has been made on the bench again this week and would have liked to see Neville playing off the bench.
November 30th 2012 @ 12:46pm
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
Agree Jez, either Neville or Samo would be superior bench options.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:50am
Neuen said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Dunno but the guy who missed the most tackles was Hooper with 5. But they had to make over 150 tackles which is expected if you end with 38 percent ball possession and 36 percent territory,
November 30th 2012 @ 11:03am
formeropenside said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:03am | Report comment
if you miss six tackles you are not best on field
November 30th 2012 @ 11:11am
Neuen said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
And the 12 you made protecting your 10 which is known for his not so good tackling. Who indecently had to make 16 where he missed 4? One can see the Italians was eying the flyhalf channel and they had lots of traffic to deal with for 80 minutes
November 30th 2012 @ 11:26am
Funk said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:26am | Report comment
All I was trying to say is that it wasn’t any one inparticlar that played badly it was all of them, including the coach who left 3 players on the becnh who didn’t play, when clearly they needed some fresh legs in that last 50mins!
November 30th 2012 @ 7:27am
Darwin Stubbie said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:27am | Report comment
Should Pocock have even gone on this tour … Everyone knows what he can do – surely it would be better to give him a full re-hab and reintroduce him via the proper pathways …. Club, SR etc … He can’t be match fit for a start and given he’s not featured so far you’d have to guess that there has been complications on tour
Throwing him into a test first up seems one of Deans dumbest decisions yet (and that’s saying something)
November 30th 2012 @ 7:29am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:29am | Report comment
And a missed opportunity to give Gill more game time too. That kid is agin and this tour should have seen him play many more minutes then he has.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:35am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Yep and I’ll bet Jake White is scratching his head too.
Poey should have been left alone to stay at home for rehab & prepare his body for next year.
For some reason or other we seem to keep missing the boat with player management.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:37am
mark said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:37am | Report comment
i think pocock himself would have made the call. he is the captain and he wants to play rugby!
November 30th 2012 @ 9:08am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:08am | Report comment
Its not his call to make… as you say he want to play but that doesnt it mean he makes the call or that his decision is the best one. Thats why we have selectors…
November 30th 2012 @ 9:13am
John Philipson said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:13am | Report comment
I cannot wait for Pocock to rip it up – and read the comments on this thread (alternatively I have just set myself up for a massive fall when he reinjures his knee and is out for the whole of next year
)
November 30th 2012 @ 9:19am
Justin2 said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:19am | Report comment
I hope he does to John dont get me wrong but I dont like payers, regardless of who they are, coming straight in to a national team with no match fitness off a massive break.
November 30th 2012 @ 10:58am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | November 30th 2012 @ 10:58am | Report comment
I still reckon Jake White will be the best thing to happen to Dave Pocock in a while.
With luck we’ll see him playing a bit differently & really helping the Ponies develop a great style of footy.
I hope not too great though, as I want the Tahs to find their way out of the wilderness and start something really good for Tah fans to get behind. Hopefully Cheika is the compass they’ve been needing.
November 30th 2012 @ 11:11am
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Good call blinky bill, not just white but laurie fischer too. It looks like the brumbies are putting more focus on speed/agility and alround strength rather than size. They have already said they are working on pocock’s running game and I heard they got rathbone to shed kgs as he rocked up looking like body builder lol.
November 30th 2012 @ 12:19pm
jeznez said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
The Brumbies are working on Pocock’s running game already? That is some impressive new age coaching – the guy is on the other side of the globe and been missing rugby with a knee and calf injury but the Brumbies are already making him better.
Jake White is a master coach!!!!!
November 30th 2012 @ 12:25pm
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
jeznez don’t forgot that White is such a wonderful coach the Brumbies stormed through the playoffs and won Super rugby last year….
November 30th 2012 @ 1:07pm
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
Lol Jez I hint a note of sarcasm, well maybe “working on” is the wrong choice of words, “focussing on” is probably more apt. Fishcer was quoted a while back saying he and pocock would be focussing on his running/linking game to ad another string to his bow.
November 30th 2012 @ 1:17pm
Jutsie said | November 30th 2012 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
KPM I just read an article in the OZ about a new recruit for the brumbies that you might get excited about. Looks like Joe tomane’s younger brother is training with the brumbies too. MORE POWER
November 30th 2012 @ 2:32pm
Short-Blind said | November 30th 2012 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
I had the fortune to have a quick chat to Joe Roff 2 weeks ago (who stillmlooks fit enough to run on in Cardiff this weekend). I asked him about Rath and he told me he trimmed down and was the fastest in the entire squad over 20&40 m…not bad for an old bloke. There is genuine excitement about what the brumbies can achieve this year.
November 30th 2012 @ 2:41pm
kingplaymaker said | November 30th 2012 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Jutsie I saw that, but I fear that younger brother sportsmen are rarely as good as their elders (though with big exceptions, Manu Tuilagi an example in England now).
December 1st 2012 @ 6:47am
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | December 1st 2012 @ 6:47am | Report comment
Jeznez….reports from inside Brumbies training indicate that Pocock has already matched Hoopers sprint times at pre-season training. At 24 he is still a work in progress…..how good he will become is still an open question.
November 30th 2012 @ 6:14pm
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
its Test rugby with a capital T. The best of one country vs the best of another.Its not about giving a guy a go. Pocock, has signalled he’s fit and ready. Hey Gll, sorry boy, keep up the good work, your time will come – welcome to coaching Just
November 30th 2012 @ 7:58am
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:58am | Report comment
Nah mate, Pocock is ready. He’s been on tour mentoring Hooper. His leadership, professionalism and guidance off the track would have been valuable for the new wannabes coming on, than it would have been sitting at home, and Sharpie would be stoked to have him around.
He would have been carrying hit pads and drinks at practices and showing the younger fellows that even the No2 flanker in the world has to muck in and do laundry duty too.
In the meantime the medics have been working with him and he’s been doing a good deal of physical slog and being roughed up in practice drills.
Nah mate, he’s ready. May not be 80, but he’s ready.
November 30th 2012 @ 8:21am
Darwin Stubbie said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:21am | Report comment
Well given Deans stated prior to this tour that all members of the squad had to be available for all tour games I doubt he was slated for this guiding light role that Hooper has probably passed already and doesn’t require … Given he’s occupied a squad spot a fully fit player could have filled it is probably fortunate that Deans selection policy is centred on running the core members into the ground and the fringe not really getting a look in
I just hope he is 100% and this isn’t a move to merely dampen down the obvious questions that should have arisen if he wasn’t selected at all on this tour
November 30th 2012 @ 12:21pm
jeznez said | November 30th 2012 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
DS, stop raising the cynical thoughts I’m trying to suppress in my own mind!
November 30th 2012 @ 1:37pm
Jiggles said | November 30th 2012 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
“Well given Deans stated prior to this tour that all members of the squad had to be available for all tour games”
If I had a dollar for every time Deans lied through his teeth to the media…
November 30th 2012 @ 4:33pm
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
A 90 per cent fit Pocock on tour with the potential to “get up” is more value on tour than a 100% fit dodo bird for Ozzie super rugby. Deans has to run whatever core players he has at his disposal into the ground because, as we all know, the bulk are on the injured list and his best fringe players are on the job now.
I’m not convinced that Hooper does have his full No7 ticket, and i think he would be the first to admit that he is still learning his trade and has much to learn.
Even after scoring umpteen double centuries, and taking over captaincy of the cricket team Clarke still found room for advice from Ponting.
McCaw wasn’t 100 for RWC but Kiwis didn’t scream to have him taken off the roster, and he only really came back for the finals, and like a true rugby league player, drugged up with pain killers to get him through the games and boy did we need him – likewise Pocock.
November 30th 2012 @ 5:36pm
jeznez said | November 30th 2012 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
Ra – Gill had a very good Super Season but hasn’t had a look in this tour – I’d have had no issue with him getting some minutes to see how he competes. Is more of a fetcher than Hooper as well so he brings something different.
November 30th 2012 @ 6:29pm
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:29pm | Report comment
Yep jez and a you know you old cronie, when all things are equal, the one who puts his hand up first is the one picked. Hooper got seen first at Test level, and has done a great job, pushing Gill to the bench and keeping him there.
Now the king is back.
Question time – give the kid a go, or play the MAN.
No fence sitting jez, this is no holds barred, Sharpies send off match against the old foe from the hills Test matcvh rugby, last game of a long long season – you are the coach – you choose !!!
November 30th 2012 @ 7:52pm
jeznez said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:52pm | Report comment
I’d have started Hooper and had Neville and Samo on the bench instead of Dennis and Gill.
Would leave all else the same.
November 30th 2012 @ 7:43am
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:43am | Report comment
Teams will work out Hooper and nullify him in time to come just as the Roarer couch team are already doing. I think the little fellow has had a dream season, and good on him. The All Blacks had a little terror like him back in ’63-’64 ish called Red Conway, I think. I saw old footage of him, way back in the day, what a little ferret. My dad liked him so he must have been good. I like this boy, fresh and raw, new kid on the block, but he needs a powerful 6 to take the ball into contact for him, to leave him free to ferret.
Someone tell him to study The Taranaki farmer Graham Mourie. The Mourie/Fraser combination for Taranaki was classic, probably better than his All Black combinations with Dr Lawrie Knight, Cowboy Shaw, and others, and also did the 7/7 combo with Kirkpatrick and Steward, or was it Rutleigh.
I don’t think Higginbotham is it, unless he tightens up his game, but a fit again Pocock could be the foil. It’s been done before, but that combo should be much more effective now Hooper has had more game time against the worlds best.
What does the couch think?
November 30th 2012 @ 8:23am
jameswm said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:23am | Report comment
I think there’s something in that. They’re both 7s really, but they have different games. It’s certainly worth a go..
November 30th 2012 @ 8:30am
Albo said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:30am | Report comment
I love the detail and I certainly think there some instances where looking back at the handling of similar individuals can help move forward. The modern game is not too different yet when it comes to the back row (save for the increased rate of pilfering).
What do you think about Hooper and Pocock as left and right flankers? Might be a bit old fashioned but for players like them I think that it could work.
November 30th 2012 @ 8:56pm
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
Its worked for the All Blacks. Mouri and Rutledge are one example. Who are some Aussie combo’s? Simon Poidevon/David Wilson? or are they different eras?
November 30th 2012 @ 11:20am
rl said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:20am | Report comment
This couch wonders why on earth are you airing your views on a blog if you have such obvious disdain for those who would be reading them?
November 30th 2012 @ 7:24pm
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 7:24pm | Report comment
the couch doesn’t wonder at all rl, the couch knows because couch potatoes speak the same language mostly from experience of having played, coached and being involved in the game at some level over a lot of years, and who see the game from a wider view, rich mature variety of sweet potatoes who try to add value to dinner table
Then there are the wannabees variety of potato,lying low between the rows, out of the nice soft embanked beds, narrow view, eyes still maturing,still a bit green, still a bit raw, sour to taste, and typically, hard skinned, but still react badly to a little bit of frost bite.
Need to lay fallow for a while – which variety are you rl?
November 30th 2012 @ 11:24am
Chris said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:24am | Report comment
just did a little research as was intrigued by your description of Red Conway Ra.
Hows this – he broke his finger playing softball for Rotorua and was going to miss the 1960 springbok tour – so he had it AMPUTATED!
found this steinlager ad about it eventually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skGJyknTH6U
November 30th 2012 @ 11:33am
Neuen said | November 30th 2012 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Yeah I mentioned that incident about a week ago in the Best All Blacks article. Think it was the 100-80 one.
November 30th 2012 @ 6:43pm
Ra said | November 30th 2012 @ 6:43pm | Report comment
Yeah he was a tough little bugger. My old man told that story a few times about him chopping off his finger to go on that tour of South Africa. A tough little bugger who had Colin Meads on the other side of the scrum. Not a bad back up eh. i think Hooper has shown the same sort of ferreting guts.
November 30th 2012 @ 8:13am
formeropenside said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:13am | Report comment
No chance I will getting up in the middle of the night to watch the Wallabies serve up rubbish again.
November 30th 2012 @ 8:24am
jameswm said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:24am | Report comment
fos what if they start Slipper, Simmons, Hanson, Gill, Ioane and Morahan? Would you get up then? OK, Simmons is injured I guess, but they cold have taken Wallace-Harrison, couldn’t they?
November 30th 2012 @ 8:26am
Albo said | November 30th 2012 @ 8:26am | Report comment
Sorry FOS, I just don’t get that mentality. I completely understand that this has been a frustrating series to watch from a supporters perspective but seeing as this is the last international game for a long while, surely blind faith is better than no faith at all?
Whilst my expectations are low there are a few key battles that I’m looking forward to watching as a preview of the Lions series.
November 30th 2012 @ 9:32am
formeropenside said | November 30th 2012 @ 9:32am | Report comment
Albo, I have no faith in Robbie Deans as a selector or coach, and no faith in the ARU to sack him.
I think thats better than the blind faith we were all asked to have that Mad Robbie would win us the 2011 RWC.
December 1st 2012 @ 11:29pm
Ra said | December 1st 2012 @ 11:29pm | Report comment
thats pretty unAustralian of you nevawasaopenside, the old ozzie batter attitude, win lose or draw, give it a go, never say never, hat kind of a spud are ya??????