Reds boss lauds all-round star Gill
Related coverage
Ewen McKenzie has long been a George Smith fan but talk of a fairytale Wallabies comeback against the British and Irish Lions just doesn’t wash with the Queensland Reds coaching boss.
When his own outstanding openside flanker, Liam Gill, is currently rated third in the pecking order for Australia’s No.7 jersey, McKenzie sees an embarrassment of riches that requires no further addition.
Gill’s stand-out performance in the Reds’ scrappy 18-12 Super Rugby win over the Hurricanes once again highlighted his superb 2013 form and a compelling case for Wallabies inclusion.
The 20-year-old did it all against the Wellington outfit, racking up Queensland’s most running metres, making 12 tackles, forcing steals and penalties at the breakdown and also chiming in at the lineout.
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett singled out Gill for his tireless and canny work in rucks which he believed was a crucial factor in the result at Suncorp Stadium.
Wallabies great Smith will make his return to Super Rugby with the Brumbies next week, prompting calls for him to add to his 110 Test caps against the Lions in June.
But with all the debate surrounding whether David Pocock and Michael Hooper can start in the same back-row, McKenzie finds it bemusing Gill is largely an ignored contender.
“He’s the forgotten amigo isn’t he?” he said. “There’s three of them and he’s the forgotten one.
“I think he is an outstanding player, he is in the game in so many different ways.”
It’s fair to say McKenzie wouldn’t swap Gill, who played eight Tests off the bench last year behind Hooper while Pocock was injured, for any of them.
Of all three, Gill is most like Smith as the consummate all-rounder, whereas Pocock’s an amazing ruck warrior and Hooper the speedy attacking threat.
He has lots of skills and makes contributions, including winning lineouts for us, attack, defence, getting on the ball, taking the ball forward,” McKenzie said.
“He is a very slippery player carrying the ball in close. It’s not wide channel running, it’s in close-in hard work and hard yards.
“He is doing exactly what we expect him to do so there’s no surprises in the Reds camp but hopefully it’s going to count for something down the track.”
Another fringe Wallabies forward to shine on Friday night was lock Rob Simmons who crossed for his first try in 51 games for Queensland, finally ending the banter he cops from teammates.
“As much as I’m happy for him there was a little bit inside me that was a bit disappointed,” smiled skipper James Slipper.
Halfback Ben Lucas is in doubt for the Reds’ trip to Melbourne to play the Rebels on Friday night due to a shoulder injury.
© AAP 2013
Have you seen the new Wallabies jersey? Want one of your own? We're giving away a brand new 2013 Wallabies jersey to one lucky Roarer, click here to go in the running to win.
- Explore:
- Liam Gill, Queensland Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
March 3rd 2013 @ 6:58am
Who Needs Melon said | March 3rd 2013 @ 6:58am | Report comment
It was a great game from Gill. And he showed what he’s got over Pocock and Hooper: a genuine lineout option.
Jeez it’s tough isn’t it? In many positions we have a dearth of talent at the moment but we have three very, VERY good 7s. ALL of them deserve to be in the Wallaby team. Because of Gills versatility, he’s almost guaranteeing himself a bench spot though. He could cover a variety of spots. Pocock and Hooper could MAYBE cover 6 but that’s about it.
March 3rd 2013 @ 8:53am
Kuruki said | March 3rd 2013 @ 8:53am | Report comment
“He could cover a variety of spots. Pocock and Hooper could MAYBE cover 6 but that’s about it.”
I would be interested to hear what these variety of spots were? Imo he has his work cut out getting a shot in his position let alone anything else.
March 3rd 2013 @ 10:29am
mikeylives said | March 3rd 2013 @ 10:29am | Report comment
With his lineout ability and increasing size 45678
March 3rd 2013 @ 2:18pm
jeznez said | March 3rd 2013 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
Ha ha, Mikey. Love the enthusiasm but he is only about 15cms too short and 10kg too light for 4 or 5. He doesn’t really have the size to cover six or eight either.
He is a very versatile number 7 with the most complete game out of all the Aussie 7s. That doesn’t mean he can cover other positions though.
March 3rd 2013 @ 2:35pm
Justin2 said | March 3rd 2013 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
Jez, would you say Kimlin is better in the air and a little looser, quirk plays tighter and is maybe tougher type?
March 3rd 2013 @ 3:05pm
jeznez said | March 3rd 2013 @ 3:05pm | Report comment
Kimlin is definitely a strong lineout option, I don’t know that Kimlin plays that loose but he isn’t as robust a ball carrier, tougher probably isn’t quite the right term but I agree with the sentiment.
If our 8 is a strong lineout option such as Samo or Higginbotham then if Quirk keeps improving he could be an option
If our 8 is heavier such as Palu or say Auelua then the stronger lineout options such as Higgs, Dennis, Mowen and Kimlin come in to play.
March 3rd 2013 @ 4:18pm
Jutsie said | March 3rd 2013 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
I dont think aeula will factor into wallaby selections unless deans is willing to take a gamble (not likely) as its looking less and less like he will get sufficient game time before the lions series. Jake seems to prefer mowen at 8 and kimlin at 6 (cant blame him with the way either is going atm) and i have a feeling if smith is to break into the 22 it will be at aeula’s expense. Furthermore aeula was playing for the 2nds team this week.
March 3rd 2013 @ 4:31pm
jeznez said | March 3rd 2013 @ 4:31pm | Report comment
Juts probably right, was throwing up all the potential 6/8 combos that I think are physically mature enough for June.
March 3rd 2013 @ 4:49pm
Jutsie said | March 3rd 2013 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
I was hoping that either vaea or aelua would make a push for wallaby selection this year as i dont think palu and samo will last till the next WC.
However as I said you cant blame white for sticking with kimlin, he hasnt done anything to warrant being dropped and sadly for vaea his season is over.
On another do you think guys like cotterrill and mcmeinemen will factor in deans thoughts or even jones from the rebels?
I hope McMeinemen’s body holds up and that he continues to dish out punishment like the accidental shoulder that floored van der merwe last nite
March 3rd 2013 @ 5:06pm
mikeylives said | March 3rd 2013 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
I rated gill as the best 7 in the super15 in late 11 and was on par with hoops in 12.
As a rule, l tend to find you are spot on jez for most things 1-8 related, but if he’s too short for the 2nd row, surely he could be cover for 6 or 8. People have been talking about pocock and hooper respectively for those positions.
March 3rd 2013 @ 5:23pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
This may sound strange but Pocock should convert to Hooker. He has the build and game of a very good no.2.
Gill could become an 8 and Hooper a 7 with Higgs or Quirk at 6.
March 3rd 2013 @ 5:26pm
jeznez said | March 3rd 2013 @ 5:26pm | Report comment
I think those people are wrong as well.
If you look at the 6 and 8s I mentioned above Auelua is the shortest and even he is five centimetres taller than Gill, Quirk is next shortest with seven centimetres. Quirk is the lighter of these two and has twelve kilo on Gill.
The other players I mentioned are over ten centimetres taller and carry similar weight advantage. Height is needed in the lineout and weight required in scrums and the collision zones. I’m not a believer that any of Gill, Pocock or Hooper can play another position in the pack.
March 3rd 2013 @ 6:05pm
Mike said | March 3rd 2013 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
I think Broussow, McCaw and Dusatoir have all played at 6 on occasion, even if they mainly play 7.
I can’t remember who took 6 when we played Smith and Waugh together.
Lock is a very specialist position, that plays very differently to 7 at the breakdown. I wouldn’t consider any of our opensides for lock.
The hard truth is that we have lots of options at 7 that probably can’t be used elsewhere. They just have to compete for the spot. I hope, with five Super sides, that we will soon see this sort of competition for every spot.
March 3rd 2013 @ 7:28pm
jeznez said | March 3rd 2013 @ 7:28pm | Report comment
No doubt if there aren’t genuine 6 candidates one ode these guys could shift. Although I think the blindside and 8 positions are screaming out for the depth we have at 7. I’d prefer a more traditional style player in those positions.
March 3rd 2013 @ 8:53am
PeterK said | March 3rd 2013 @ 8:53am | Report comment
The Wallabies are very weak at 6 picking journeymen like Dennis, or with a push for Mowen.
I would much rather start Gill at 6 and Pocock at 7.
Smith NO LONGER plays 7. He plays 6 and 8. The trouble is this takes away a lineout jumper.
If you pick him at 8 then you must pick Dennis at 6.
I would much rather have Gill at 6 and Palu at 8 than Dennis at 6 and Smith at 8 because Dennis is so ordinary.
Gill is a better lineout option than Smith as well.
March 3rd 2013 @ 2:25pm
jeznez said | March 3rd 2013 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
I actually like how Kimlin and Quirk are going as potential 6 options. Will be interesting to see how they continue over the course of the season.
For the 8 spot I think we are reliant on Cliffy and Radike to maintain form and fitness.
March 3rd 2013 @ 6:10pm
Mike said | March 3rd 2013 @ 6:10pm | Report comment
Hi Jez, this is partly a devil’s advocate question, but you wouldn’t consider Higginbotham at 8?
March 3rd 2013 @ 7:42pm
jeznez said | March 3rd 2013 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
He and McCalman will probably be looked at for there as well. McCalman needs to make the starting side at the Force again.
For Higgers I share the criticism that many do that he has a tendency to play too loose. I think with Jones and Delve and in the Rebels squad that he will come under selection pressure unless he tightens up his play. He needs to go back and look at the Reds v Chiefs match from last year. He was exemplary for 6 or 8 that day but unfortunately performances like that are too infrequent.
So far this season I think he has been particularly poor.
March 3rd 2013 @ 10:37pm
ScrumJunkie said | March 3rd 2013 @ 10:37pm | Report comment
What about Dick Brown for wallaby 8?
Just kidding.
March 4th 2013 @ 11:08am
WOLF said | March 4th 2013 @ 11:08am | Report comment
By the way Hugh Mcminemen played on the weekend, i wouldnt mind seeing him at 6.
March 4th 2013 @ 5:24pm
Jutsie said | March 4th 2013 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
I mentioned him above, he was playing at 5 but he was dishing out some bruising physical punishment to the bulls (not many people put flip van der merwe’s lights out)
Cully was impressed too:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/mcmenimans-efforts-will-make-deans-think-20130303-2fee2.html
March 3rd 2013 @ 10:08am
kingplaymaker said | March 3rd 2013 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Every one conveniently forgets Smith’s last season and indulges in crazy fantasies. In his last season his powers were gone, worn out, and that was years ago.
Forget the bizarre dreaming and face the reality. Smith is a great player from a bygone era.
March 3rd 2013 @ 10:46pm
ScrumJunkie said | March 3rd 2013 @ 10:46pm | Report comment
Lost his powers? Did you see that game against wales?
Having said that, I think calls for him to make the Lions squad are ridiculous considering we have Pocock, Hooper and Gill. What a slap in the face it would be to select GS over any of them. Unless of course he outplays them and earns selection, which I doubt.
Still think he will be a dominant player at super rugby level though. With a few injuries at no. 8, you never know, we may see him in a wallaby jersey.
March 3rd 2013 @ 11:42am
Jonny Boy Jnr said | March 3rd 2013 @ 11:42am | Report comment
Wallaby XV for Lions
1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. James Slipper
4. James Horwill
5. Sitaleki Timani
6. Eddie Quirk
7. Liam Gill
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Will Genia
10. James O’Connor
11. Drew Mitchell/Joe Tomane
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Israel Folau
14. Dom Shipperley
15. Luke Morahan / Ben Volavola
16. James Hanson
17. Benn Robinson
18. Hugh Pyle/Kane Douglas
19. David Pocock
20. Nic White
21. Digby Ioane
22. Christian Lealiifano
March 3rd 2013 @ 1:04pm
WOLF said | March 3rd 2013 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Nice try.
Deans will only take experienced players to play the lions.
You cant take untested and inexperienced players into a lions squad.
there will be no:
Liam Gill
Joe Tomane
Israel Falou
Dom Shiperley
Luke morahan
Ben volavola
March 3rd 2013 @ 5:35pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 5:35pm | Report comment
Johnny boy surely you dont think that has any chance of happening? Thats what you want but has 0% chance of even being close imo.
I think you have 13 from 15 wrong. Imo this will be closer.
1) Fat Cat.
2) TPN.
3) Alexander.
4) Horwill.
5) Douglas
6) Higgs
7) Pocock
8) Palu
9) Genia
10) Beale
11) Ioane
12) Lealiifano
13) AAC
14) Mitchell
15) JOC
16) Moore
17) Slipper
18) Kepu
19) Pyle
20) Hooper
21) Phipps
22) Tapuai
23) Barnes
March 3rd 2013 @ 6:19pm
Mike said | March 3rd 2013 @ 6:19pm | Report comment
Do you really think Deans will start CL at 12? Tapuai has started at 12 for the last three Wallabies tests.
March 3rd 2013 @ 7:10pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 7:10pm | Report comment
It could be Taps at 12 but it all depends on how the season goes.
Lealiifano is not a major risk imo and its clear he is in that class.
March 3rd 2013 @ 7:19pm
Mike said | March 3rd 2013 @ 7:19pm | Report comment
Sure, but I thought you were commenting on what Deans was likely to do, rather than what you or I might choose? I just can’t see him bringing in CL at 12 – bench, sure.
March 3rd 2013 @ 9:02pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 9:02pm | Report comment
Yes thats what I think he’ll do.
March 4th 2013 @ 1:00am
barbz said | March 4th 2013 @ 1:00am | Report comment
I hate that you are right.
Except on Pyle. Wouldn’t deans go with Simmons or Timani by your reasoning?
March 3rd 2013 @ 1:17pm
Jonny Boy Jnr said | March 3rd 2013 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
He will do that at his peril. The only reason South Africa held out the Lions on their last tour was due to rookie Heinrich Brussow’s efforts at the breakdown and Steyn’s long range conversions in the 3rd test. Our current batch of ‘experienced’ Wallabies certainly don’t have what’s required
March 3rd 2013 @ 7:06pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
Pocock is better than Brussow.
March 3rd 2013 @ 1:52pm
kingplaymaker said | March 3rd 2013 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
Not sure Shipperely instead of Ioane will change that.
March 3rd 2013 @ 1:53pm
Richie said | March 3rd 2013 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
I think gill is far from forgotten, how many other third ranked players get so much chat, who’s the 3rd in line for any other position and how much press do they get. A very good footballer but still way behind.
Pocock didn’t play this weekend but hooper was superb, won at least 5 turnovers, top tackler in terms of numbers but also very physical always driving players backwards, and capped it off with his 6th super rugby try. Mckenzie is only saying what any good coach would say, however if and when he becomes wallaby coach we will then see who he picks.
March 3rd 2013 @ 2:43pm
Jutsie said | March 3rd 2013 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
I get the feeling Link likes to feed on the QLD paranoia that the southern states dont respect them, he’s building a real “us against the rest” vibe in the team and amongst their supporters (not that the supporters need much help lol). As if gill has been forgotten compared to hooper and pocock. He was being talked up back in 2011 and gained as much press attention last year as hooper did.
March 3rd 2013 @ 8:25pm
Jiggles said | March 3rd 2013 @ 8:25pm | Report comment
Just because we’re paranoid doesn’t mean we’re not right
March 4th 2013 @ 12:05am
Jutsie said | March 4th 2013 @ 12:05am | Report comment
hehehe nice one
March 3rd 2013 @ 2:06pm
Billy said | March 3rd 2013 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
How is gill more versatile than hooper, he is 2 cm taller than hooper but weighs less, he is being used in the line out because the reds need him, the tahs don’t need hooper to jump. However hooper did win plenty of line outs for the wallabies. A far as other 6 or 8 roles such as ball running, footwork, speed, breaking tackles, offloading driving players back in the defence it’s all hooper. And add to that his skills that many suggest could have him in the centres.
March 3rd 2013 @ 11:39pm
Handles said | March 3rd 2013 @ 11:39pm | Report comment
Did you not see Gill totally outplay Hooper 2 weeks ago?
March 3rd 2013 @ 2:43pm
kombiutedriver said | March 3rd 2013 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
We all have opinions on who should face the Lions but in the end we have to put up with what Deans wants. It is just ironic that Deans picks a team that few Wallaby supporters want to see run onto the field, let alone think can win. Is this the series that will signal the end of the Deans era?
March 3rd 2013 @ 6:25pm
Mike said | March 3rd 2013 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
“Is this the series that will signal the end of the Deans era?”
Given that this is Deans’ 2nd last series, that’s a pretty safe statement (i.e. the bleeding obvious).
And re another statement of the obvious: few wallaby supporters ever want to see the Wallaby coach’s choice run onto the field, because each of us usually finds at least one of the choices that we disagree with. But that doesn’t mean that we agree among ourselves about which player should have been picked in his place.
This time there will be more players available than for the last Wallaby series in Europe (thank God) ergo there will be more disagreement.
March 3rd 2013 @ 9:36pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 9:36pm | Report comment
How is this Deans 2nd last series?
March 3rd 2013 @ 6:55pm
Mike said | March 3rd 2013 @ 6:55pm | Report comment
I may as well add my starting Xv to the list – why not? Its all speculative anyway at this stage – in particular we haven’t seen how Horwill will return from Injury and whether Clif Palu has finally beaten his injury woes. And many of these selections for me are balanced on a knife-edge: there are several players who are breathing right down the necks of these guys, and the next few S15 games could change things:
1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Horwill (c)
5. Douglas
6. Higginbotham
7. Pocock
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. JOC (vc)
11. Ioane
12. Tapuai
13. Two fathers
14. Mitchell
15. Mogg
16. TPN
17. Ryan
18. S. Timani
19. Hooper
20. Phipps
21. Lealiifano
22. Cummins
Players who are on my radar and could easily grab a spot over the next few weeks: Ged Robinson, Neville, Pyle, Simmons, McMeniman, Samo, Quirk, Gill, Cooper, White, Mafi.
Re No 15, normally my first choice would be Beale, and I think that is his best position. But some alarming weaknesses have shown in his play over last 12 months in defence and attack. I want to see that he has understood and dealt with the problems before selecting him. That leaves Mogg as the only starting member of this side with no test experience. Its a big risk, but I suspect that he will rise to it. And quite frankly, there aren’t many other candidates. An easy way out would be to put O’Connor there, but in my view he is probably Australia’s future 10 and if so, that is where he should play.
March 3rd 2013 @ 7:16pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 7:16pm | Report comment
Hold on a sec Mike. You had a prob with Lealiifano at 12 but have Mogg at 15 and JOC playing 10 for the first time since god knows when with a debutant as his only back up.
Also isnt it 23 man squads?
March 3rd 2013 @ 7:30pm
Mike said | March 3rd 2013 @ 7:30pm | Report comment
Fair comment Hightackle. Note that my comment above re CL was on the basis of what Deans is likely to do, whereas this list is just letting myself go on who I would pick if I get that phone call from Pulver: “Mike, Robbies not feeling too well, and the ARU board would like you to pick a test side… Sure Bill, no worries, expect my email in a couple of minutes”.
Re JOC, everyone has a different opinion on Wallaby 10. At present, mine is that JOC has the best prospects of being our Dan Carter or Steve Larkham. If that is the case, then that is where I should play him, because there won’t be any better or worse time – he’s either got it or he hasn’t. Rod Macqueen faced the same issue when he decided to throw the Wallaby 10 jersey to a fullback/winger called Larkham. Obviously many won’t agree with me, but if I think he is likely to be the man, then 10 is where I should put him.
For 15, I can see where you are coming from: ‘Mike, if you are not happy with Beale, then what about using JOC or AAC to filll that slot – experience, safe-hands etc”. And I agree you have a point – although its the same reasoning that has led to AAC playing every position in the Australian backline over the years. It seems to me that if I think JOC is the best option for 10, and AAC is our best option for 13 (which I do) then that is where they should play. We then look at the best option for fullback, and its hard call, I agree. I would be prepared to give Mogg a go – he seems to me to have that gritty realistic attitude required for a test 15. But if I had any misgivings, I would probably call up an old campaigner like Berrick Barnes.
March 3rd 2013 @ 9:34pm
Hightackle said | March 3rd 2013 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
Im not saying Mogg is the same but he reminds me of A.Taylor for the Canes. Everybody was on his bandwagon and expected him to be given a trial at test level. He didnt even come close to getting the nod and after a bit of distance and perspective is put between now and his 2012 super season, it was def the right call and Dagg, B.Smith and C.Jane are a class and a half above him despite his great season.
So in conclusion, it remaims to be seen if Mogg is what selectors value at 15.
I dont think Deans will completely shy away from debutants against the Lions. I think there will be one or 2 but you are prolly right and Lealiifano will play on the bench at first.
One thing that S.Lancaster and S.Hansen (to a lesser extent) have done is back debutants and Launchbury, Morgan, Farrell, Twelvetrees, Barritt, Goode, Vunipola, Burns, Smith, TKB, Savea, Coles, Rettalick, Romano, Faumuina and Barrett have not let anybody down. Its one thing to play experience, its another to play a lesser team as a result.
Calculated risk is the only way Aust will win this series and if that means starting Cooper at 10 (crazy imo) Lealiifano at 12 or Mogg at 15 so beit.
One thing he shouldnt do is be radical and forget about experience altogether. Some people think Deans is a bad coach for not playing Inman, Holmes, Mowan etc but thats just silly. He gave many players a go at test level in 2012 and most failed to take their opportunities despite their super form (Dennis, Vuna, Morahan, Tomane, Shipperly etc) so it would be irresponsible to just keep gambling at the teams expense.
March 3rd 2013 @ 11:04pm
ScrumJunkie said | March 3rd 2013 @ 11:04pm | Report comment
Agree with many of your points, however hardly think it’s rational not to select a player based on the fact that you tried someone else in that position, and they failed to take their opportunities.