Following yesterday’s article setting out my backline for the upcoming Welsh series, here is my forward pack and bench. It follows the same principles as those for the backs but has been a much easier task.
The pack has to be greater than the sum of its parts from the first moment of the first game. The quickest way to achieve this is by selecting existing combinations. It also keeps things simple, something that Robbie Deans appears to have struggled with.
I have predominantly selected the Waratahs pack because it has outperformed all comers in Super Rugby for several seasons. I would also borrow Michael Foley as forwards advisor if I was Robbie Deans.
Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas and to a less extent, Tatafu Polota-Nau have been the core of the Tahs pack. The out of favour Mumm must also be given credit for his undercover contribution.
Achieving set piece dominance for the first 55-60 minutes provides the platform for the backs to score tries and effectively put the game away in the third quarter.
Moore has been outstanding around the park for the Brumbies this year is clearly in better form and more durable than Tatafu Polota-Nau. Moore can expect 35 minutes off the bench and as the international season progresses, I expect him to start games with no loss of pack cohesion and dominance.
The other crucial area is the breakdown. Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau/Moore, Dennis, Higginbotham and Hooper (in the last 15 minutes) will pilfer enough Taffy ball to further tilt the game to Australia.
With the logic clear, the players select themselves. Those who aren’t members of the ‘Tahs pack are in outstanding individual form. They are:
Loose Head: Robinson
Hooker: Polota Nau
Tighthead: Kepu
Locks: Simmons and Douglas
Blind Side flanker: Dennis
Open side flanker: Pocock
Number 8: Higginbotham
16: Moore
17: Alexander
18: Pyle
19: Gill/Hooper
The expectation of the bench is that Moore and Alexander, imbued with Jake White’s “secret formula for rugby success” will add further drive and mobility around the field in the second half to an already mobile front row.
Sharpe is in better form and more productive than Pyle. However, “lock stocks” are thin. The 39 man squad has Douglas, Neville, Pyle, Simmons, Sharpe and Timani. Horwill will be missed.
Off the bench, Pyle is an investment in the future in an area that does not have enough depth.
Zulu
Guest
Wonder what you think of your pack now after last nights inept display? Palu and Dennis can hold their heads up but the rest of your Tahs should be in Shute Shield.
RealityCheck
Guest
TPN has always beeen dissapointing at international level except for one half of football against the Springboks. His performance against Ireland last year at the world cup was embarrassing. Moore is far the better player. This talking up of the Tahs pack is a joke. They can't secure quick ball ever and they fall off in games. Their defense lacks intensity as well and they have discipline issues.
jeznez
Guest
FOS, Spencer appears to be up in arms defending the Reds - he may be one of yours. I guess we could ask Murph to use single syllable words to help explain it to him :)
jeznez
Roar Guru
correct ABF - am pretty sure that PeterK and Ben S both know that as well. Ben S - great forearm strength doesn't necessarily mean you are a great scrummager but it is a component that helps - white knuckle grips are one of the keys
allblackfan
Guest
If the locks are binding only each other as u say then you have a weak scrum! the way it should work is that props bind to the hooker who also binds to them, the locks bind to the prop and hooker, the flankers attach themselves to the props and lock and the No 8 attaches himself at the back to the lock
Ben S
Roar Guru
The props bind onto the hooker too, and he doesn't bind the locks - the locks bind each other. Also, having good forearm strength doesn't make you a good scrummager. In any case, nobody is saying TPN is a poor scrummager, they're merely questioning your rationale which doesn't take many variables into account.
Ben W
Guest
Bring back Rocky. We need his size, 80 mins of physical work and experience. Also a solid line out jumper.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hoodoo, if that is the case I hope he has a blinder.
bluerose
Guest
exactly my point jeznez but thanks for clearing it out further..........im enjoying your opinions and explanations on various topics especially the scrums......keep it up
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
I have a sneaking feeling that Palmer will be playing against Scotland on Tuesday. When the Brumbies team was announced for the Rebels game, he had been rotated out of the squad completely...
jeznez
Guest
Palmer vs Daley must have been in the Suncorp game, they didn't face each other this time around. I recall the punch up between the two but not how the scrums went. (watched at the pub rather than home so couldn't pause and rewind for the scrums) Mumm hasn't spent much time behind Kepu this year, the other two have been there for the majority. I assume you are talking early on before Timani got back?
Justin2
Guest
SO we could read that any number of ways james - in the past the reserve hookers have been Fitz and Frier who are midgets so its no wonder the scrum was less effective with TPN off. How does that show exactly that he is superior to Moore? You ask why two guys cant take credit for it then go onto say that having two big locks are a key reason why the Tahs pack is scrumming so well this year. Im confused by your rational...
Justin2
Guest
Ben I agree with most of that, I think the locks are an integral part of a strong scrum.
PeterK
Guest
Justin2 - read below , the hooker doesnt strike for the ball anymore at this level. He controls the timing and the drive over the ball as it is fed a bit less than straight.
PeterK
Guest
jeznez - I agree Palmer should be on the bench. I have seen Palmer hold his technique better than Kepu as well. The exception was against the reds and of all people Daley, he had a real bad day. Kepu under pressure has bent or collapsed too much. That said Kepu seems to add more power / drive in the scrum than Palmer AND this has been with Mumm behind sometimes as well when neither Dougla or Timani are on.
PeterK
Guest
the hooker manages the scrum for a pack. He controls engagement timing and binding. He holds the props and locks together (figuratively), there is NO WAY the tahs scrum could be as good as it is if the hooker was a poor scrumager. The hooker is the middle and holds it together. If anything the tahs scrum has improved this year whilst the Brumby scrum is about the same level as last year. Note to people Hookers rarely strike for the ball nowadays, they cant afford to lose the hooker binding and pushing. The ball is fed a bit less than straight and the pack drives over it.
Ben S
Roar Guru
It's not a case of saying that TPN and Kepu can't take credit, it's a case of recognising that the scrum is greater than 2 players. It is an 8 man effort. The Leicester Tigers scrum is one of the better scrums in Europe, but Ayerza (who regularly starts for them at loosehead) is no great scrum technician according to Ben Kay, so it would be wrong to make generalisations on players like you're doing unless you are or have been a front rower or lock. 20%? Really? How did you measure this?
Ben S
Roar Guru
Good answer. Cheers.
jameswm
Guest
TPN's scrum has been a lot better than any other Aussie team's in the scrums. A lot better. If TPN and Kepu can't take any credit for that, who exactly can? In previous seasons when TPN went off the scrum dropped 20%. This season Ulugia has done very well when he's come on, though the scrum is demonstrably stronger when Douglas and Timani are the locks.
Ben S
Roar Guru
What about the scrum of 2010?