One of the greatest things Robbie Deans did was to drop George Smith for David Pocock and allow some fresh youth to come through into the Wallabies.
When viewed as a part of a five year plan, it was clear that on that end of year tour youth and reinvigoration of our team was a major focal point.
For example it was great to see a young Quade Cooper jink and weave through the Italian defence to wrap the game up for the Wallabies.
Fast forward to the present day and the inevitable rumblings of ghosts past have begun their almost relentless championing of George Smith’s return to the Wallabies.
Paul Cully in the SMH discusses his statistical form, Jim Williams describes him as a must have, and many have gone to biblical lengths saying that heaven and earth must be moved in order to have the chosen one drafted back into the gold jersey.
I’m not so convinced.
George Smith was great, heck maybe even the greatest forward to don the Wallabies jersey, but he is not the right answer for this team.
Sure there are a stack of pros to having him in the team. For example, the Brian O’Driscoll effect – Smith’s experience and nous is a great thing to have around the training park, especially for players like Liam Gill.
Fotu Aulelua has already come out in the press this week and said how much of a strong influence Smith has had on his form to date.
But, and it is a big but, time moves on and there should be no room for sentimentality.
John Connolly and Eddie Jones (two of the worst coaches of the Wallabies in my life) showed too much sentimentality in allowing players like George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and yes even Smith to continue past their use by dates.
While I like Smith, his time has gone and it truly is time to continue our commitment to our youthful backrow superstars, Gill and Michael Hooper.
I have watched every game of Super Rugby this year, and Liam Gill is far and away the most impressive no. 7 in this country at the moment – and this is coming from someone who is not the biggest Reds fan at all (I took no end of pleasure when the Force dispatched them on the weekend).
He is everywhere, he is skilful and he is smart. Like all the great breakdown practitioners, he is composed at the breakdown and chooses his contest.
I sometimes have to pinch myself to realise that the guy is 20 and still growing into his body and role in the Reds. With David Pocock out, Gill must be the bolter for the 7 jersey.
Hooper dominated pretty much every opposition he came up against last year as he took his opportunity and went from strength to strength – his acceleration and linebreaking capacity was a surprise to most of us, given his relatively small stature.
Many Roarers have noted his lack of ground work as a negative – which is a fair point. There is no doubt in my mind his effectiveness has been dulled by the fact that he starred on the end of year tour and is targeted at breakdowns.
This is something that McCaw, Pocock and Smith have all had to live with, and Hooper is learning this lesson now.
I find it interesting that in some ways Hooper’s stature (and attitude) seem to parallel Phil Waugh’s – a gutsy, lionhearted player (albeit different) while Liam Gill has that ‘natural feel’ that permeated Smith’s play (that freakish ability – not sure if anyone saw Gill’s right foot clearance last week).
So where do we get to? Enough with the George Smith chat already and more focus on the future.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
So you're saying he made fewer turnovers and made less impact as a carrier? So you're not just being purposefully vague to avoid engaging with a very specific question?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Again given the scarcity of quality Number 6 & 8's in Australian rugby I don't know how you can't consider Smith even for just the Lions series. The romanticism will not subside if the Brumbies start losing more games. The guy is still World class period. OJ I see what your saying however you can't compare the 05 AB's and this years WB's, not even close. That was a special team, Carter in career form and an emotional send off for two all time greats in Marshall and Umaga. This is a Wallabies team again with so many question marks.
Justin2
Guest
The Wallabies wouldn't be a great side if they won both series anyway IMO. The Lions is a massive series, again, hard to understand for some I know. Once every 12 v once a year. I don't know how you can have revenge when not a single players is backing up in a series 12 years later...
Justin2
Guest
Suggest you read mya post again knackers...
Chivas
Guest
Not opinion police, just wondering if your suspicions had any substance at all or whether it was just plucked out of the air. GF was meant to be tongue in cheek. My other point was, to have a constructive discussion or add to one, doesn't your opinion to have some substance else it is just noise. So my question was to ask if there might be something behind what you said to respond. I guess it was more statement and not wanting of a response. I understand and you are right. Jake White will save Australian rugby along with George Smith, because Robbie has no people skills or man management or coaching or anything else. I have never made these bold statements and I don't come close to having the credentials to do so. Many here do though including I suspect yourself. No?
Paul Carroll
Guest
The only reason GS was pushed out of the Wallabies was Deans. He was still in his mid 20's but had played over a hundred games with virtually no injuries. Can you honestly say Pocock has the running game GS has ? Pocock was often pinned for his technique at the breakdown and only pressure from the ARU to the refs allowed him to go so well against the Welsh. Smith had just had enough at that stage. His reliability and consistent form was still there when he left or should I say decided for a well deserved sea change in Japan. Smith is in the same boat Sharpe was in when he wasn't wanted by Deans look how that worked out. We value our players in Oz more than other places because we haven't had that many. Kefu left to early for the money and left it to late Smith hasn't said he came back to play for the Wallabies the media has. Name another player that has gone overseas and come back with the same form they left with? The question should be what are the politics stopping Smith playing because it's not his skill set.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Sure, they were focused on winning the Lions series and then the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe, which no All Blacks fan would have been happy with losing regardless of how rare a Lions series is. But it was the same squad that won both. The Tri-Nations and Bledisloe victories were built off the Lions series and they were important as was the Grand Slam tour that year. Australia winning a Lions series would be meaningless without them kicking on. People can talk up the Lions all the like, but they're only a springboard this time round. It's a different series from 2001 which was revenge for '89 and the ultimate accomplishment on top of winning the World Cup, etc., and then the Wallabies kicked on and won the Tri-Nations like a great team should. Anyway, all this romanticism over George Smith and the Lions will probably come to a grinding hault as the Brumbies start losing games.
Chivas
Guest
Smart ass is firstly taking a question and reframing it to pretend it is the sane as the original wuestion being posed and secondly posing a question as a statement, to further establish the validity of a statement which I had not responded to. Since then I have elucidated on my thoughts. I don't need to loosen or tighten my grip on anything any more than you need to. My point at being sage wasn't to make fun of your Nic which I like, but at your last comment which to me in context of the discussion was less than I hoped for but probably not than I expected.
Chivas
Guest
What is ridiculous is the hysteria after beating 2 p55 weak Aussie sides and catching a SA side on the hop and based on that assuming it's down to one player and if they don't jettison him into the Lions side all will be lost. Also based on this all other contenders have been shown to be a far distant second to GS. Read the comments on here J2. On the one hand it's Deans fault when a player loses form and it's someone else's when they play well. We are now not differentiating between being able to play well at super 15 and what it takes at international level. Four years ago is irrelevant except to say we all thought he was on the slide and suddenly he's back and there is mass hysteria that god has returned and will save us from the big bad Lions. Brumbies dropped a game to stormers. Does that mean GS is crap? No, a season is longer than that and a player has to adapt to every game. To speak of Australia and entitlement, then looking at the argument for GS. How can the same people have a foot in both these camps. To me it is illogical. On a different note. I think a clear, competitive, consistent path to development is important. If Gitau comes back and plays a couple of games will it be demanded he is put back. I have noted people suggesting Gill, Hooper, Smith... I mean WTF. I want to see a blindside, a number 8 and an openside. Which means Palu is the first one I choose, then an open side, then a blind. Probably Higgers, Mowen looks like the choices. But it's really early. I want to see Wallaby rugby evolve, not get stuck in this hysterical, jostling ego-ridden environment which is prevalent at just about every level. It is in other countries too, but only in Aus would they bring back a player 3 years out, who turns up for a couple if games then is off. And honestly I don't think it will happen here either.
Sage
Guest
Did you have a bad day or something? Now you're the opinion police too. Of course it's unsubstantiated, that's why it's just an opinion. If it was substantiated it wouldn't be just an opinion anymore would it. And your girlfriend is the illogical one mmmmm. How's the view from up there chivas?
Kane
Roar Guru
Yeah I was taking the piss
Sage
Guest
Smart arse? Where did that come from and there was no answer reframing.I thought I was just clarifying what seemed a reasonable proposition in my mind. I accept you don't agree but I didn't demand anything. I'm suggesting on his current form IF it continues, he should be selected. And then a lecture on what Sage means...... Get a grip or maybe loosen the one you have and relax. Sage is just a cool colour I thought. It's not easy being green you know.
WoobliesFan
Guest
Don't waste you time buddy.....your logic is fair.....some posters on here serial trolls subtly disguised.
Justin2
Guest
Exactly, the Lions is the biggest series outside of the WC, end of story. Players only get one shot usually. BC and RC are every year. To suggest they are on a par is ludicrous.
Justin2
Guest
Youre kidding I assume.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
OJ, I don't think many Wallaby supporters myself included are thinking about the the Bledisloe and RC at this point. Which ever way you cut it the Lions series is special and that is or should be the focus first and foremost. Do you think the 2005 AB's were focusing on the Bled and Tri Nats before the Lions series, doubt it. I was at Christchurch for the first lions test and sat with AB's supporters, all they cared about at that point was winning the Lions series.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The All Blacks and the Springboks beat the Lions and went on to win the Tri-Nations in the past two tours. I don't think the Wallabies beating the Lions without winning the RC would mean much. It would be about as satisfying as the Wallabies winning last year's Wales series and losing the Bledisloe within a fortnight.
Justin2
Guest
Deans tried to not play his best team against Scotkand last year, didn't work too well. I would worry about the RC after the Lions is finished. Take your eye off the lions for a comp that is played 6 weeks later to the potential detriment of winning a once every 12 years opportunity?
Justin2
Guest
Now who is being ridiculous. We know what Smith has done. We know he has been taking it easy for a couple of years earning millions. At 32, just 32, with a less battered body, it's surely probable he can continue to perform to the level he has shown the last 3 weeks? And if he does would warrant serious consideration....
Farmer elvis
Guest
George Smith is a must pick. If Deans learnt anything from the RWC it must have been that you need the best no7 fit on the ground ready to go. That is Smith then currently daylight to Gil then Hooper. The reason the tahs lost to the cheetahs was Hoopers lack of pilfering, he is not playing good footy at the moment for a no7. Gil is playing better but when he went up against smith got a huge lesson and that was before smith had completely warmed back to the brumbies