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.
Devon Head
Roar Rookie
Stick it Ballboy. You are nothing more than a lounge Commentator...
AngryAnt
Guest
Tank, if Henderson and Shep were a dominate force, why didn't we dominate at scrum time. We haven't. Both were at best middling to good (at times) S14 players. And following your logic "Thats what we are so used to here in Canberra with the likes of Shep and in the past Nick Henderson. If the Brumbies don’t make the 4 this year it’s time for Andy to leave .." Why did the Brumbies not make the finals in the recent years when the two of them were playing? If not playing them this year will cost the Brumbies a final, playing them in previous years must have resulted in the Brumbies making the finals. But it didn't. I am unhappy with the way they are playing and frustrated that they risk missing the finals again, especially given the talent they have, but I do not think dropping Shep (or letting Henderson go the the Force, where he has really struggled especially at scrum time), is the reason they are struggling. Feel free to make an arguement for Friend's sacking do, but I wouldn't lead with this as the reason why.
AngryAnt
Guest
Could not agree more. Sentiment plays a part but Friend has to play his best team and there is little doubt now that Shep in not the best number 3 in the squad.
Tank
Guest
And those blokes McEwan, Bell, Thomas and Parmeter
JK
Guest
I didn't Barry, at least some of your comments could be deemed constructive, but there's a couple of teenagers posting on dad's computer who aren't contributing much more than playground smut.
Barry
Guest
Ok someone doesnt have the same opinion as you, so the only thing you can do is have a whinge about it! typical loser behaviour! we are entitled to our opinions ballboy. If you consider them infantile, offensive and contribute little, well that is YOUR OWN opinion! I would say most people have enjoyed our good humoured banter, if you dont like it....go post in the womens weekly blog!!!
Hawko
Guest
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.
Gudfala
Roar Rookie
So Herman, how about enlightening us about the extra steps that you, as a real Brumbies supporter, take that separates you from the ones who buy memberships and clap when someone makes a tackle? Is is limited to posting bizarre offensive rants on the Internet?
ballboy
Guest
Barry, Herman, Devon Head. I've never seen you post before. Hope I never do again. Your contribution is infantile, offensive and contributes little to what is normally a decent blog. Now crawl back under your pathetic rocks and please don't post again.
mattamkII
Guest
Barry, Shep played 15 minutes or so against one of the saffer teams over the last two weeks....and he looked shaky at best. I thought it was last week but perhaps it was the week before? either way the last time he played super 14 he looked iffy.
mattamkII
Guest
exactly - dont need to see him play against the Tahs development squad. I saw him play the sharks and he didnt look good to me.
Barry
Guest
Same here!! even that guy Wilson would probably do better
jeznez
Guest
Barry, I didn't see the game but according to the teamsheet Palmer played loosehead (he is a tighthead specialist so must have been trialling there to improve his versatility). Is that who he scrumed well against? If so its not that impressive. If the Runners loosehead had gone well against Palmer at tighthead then I'd be impressed.
Brett McKay
Guest
so what's your point here Barry?? Isn't it good that Shepherdson is getting some game time somewhere?
Chris
Guest
Not me, Lealiifano deserves his spot at 12 on current form. Toomua is still too inconsistent at the top level. Whatever you say about Giteau recent inability to run he can control a game and gives great field position. If Toomua could sort of his penalty kicks for touch (a very small part of the game, but in terms of field position crucial) he would be a much better player. He seems to have a "skill" for not putting them out.
Chris
Guest
Well the Brumbies seemed to know something about that front row that the (B&I) Lions didn't last year.
Barry
Guest
Brett - you must be living on another planet! Shepherdson did not play a single minute last week - hence the argument he has been slapped in the face! Yes, thats what the papers wrote about but thats because that was a feel good story. (good on Huxley by the way). but others who were ACTUALLY at the game said shepherdson played very well.
Devon Head
Roar Rookie
Anyone want to see Giteau moved to 12 and Tomou moved to 10???
tarpo
Guest
Be funny if his boyfriend turned out to be Ian Roberts!
Brett McKay
Guest
Herman, are the personal insults really needed?? There's nothing wrong with different opinions, but let's keep things above the belt...