Is one generation blocking the next?

My new years resolution has been not to mention Hooper in a negative light. I have been tilting at that windmill for the last 2-3 years. Instead I will focus on the objective, select our best player in each position. I expect a full service player, and for me that includes the ability to clean out and not to be cleaned out. Dual 7's compromises the scrum and line out too much and creates the need for a Locking 6. Part of the Dual 7's role is to defend the 10/12 channel. The answer his is to get a better 10 and a 12 that can defend. Hunt's performances for the Wallabies and more recently Tah's is an example of how it should be done. This frees up the #8 jersey for a proper hard-man. The inconvenient truth is that Beale won't get a start, and Hoops doesn't get a run while Poey is fit. I rate Alcock higher than Hoops, Gill and MacMahon even higher.

Great Article, But not the first to assume that Foley, Beale and Folau are automatic selections. With a different Coach and a modern game plan, I don't think any of them would get any game time. Add Hoops to this list while you are at it. There is (rightfully) a lot of talk around the 10 spot. But there is more to it. PS you forgot Andrew Deegan. Where are out back rowers? Most of our best are sitting fat and happy overseas. Quirke, Smiler, Gill, Fardy, Butler There is also a lot of gains from playing low stakes second tier nations and Australia vs Australia "A" for example. Focus on young prospects a run, not just the established #1 and 2 Picks.

Agree with that Bobby. My point was that Stewart has proven himself at NRC level - whereas some of the other names on the list are yet to do that. Stewart has development potential as a flyhalf either from fullback or the bench. Given the Reds current roster, from fullback is my preference. Hegarty as bench cover assuming Lucas and the injured kiwi are our preferred 10s.

I th uibk Hamish is a better 15 than 10 (Where he is poor). Played well against Sunwolves. Lucas in his 10 debut was average obly

Bobby, We have done too much of this in our past and Cheika is just following in Jones footprints and under Jones, we lost a generation of young players as he played McQueen's team into the ground. We need someone who can ID talent that they suppose can stand up and that is not the current crop of coaches. Maddox on the wing (best 15 and a good 10 in under 20's), Lucas the best 9 in Qld and gets no starts, Sautia on the wing but I could possibly out sprint him. If you are old enough you are good enough but if you spend your time sitting on the bench who the hell will know if you can do it or not. Older players can have a short revival but being on top of the game takes a 22-26 year old with talent and speed.

IMO, there are a couple of topics being discussed here, 1) determining the right time to blood youngsters and 2a) willingness to carry a playmaker on the bench and 2b) use of the bench. On point one, I think as a rugby community, we are generally too quick to push the case for our young talent, but this is probably a symptom of incumbents performing below expectations. NRC and club rugby should be the place for our young talent to hone their craft. For those players that dominate at this level, an introduction to super rugby via the bench should be the reward. Hamish Stewart is one has shown he is ready for the step up from NRC in the flyhalf position. Would love to know who else from the above list fits this bill (genuine question, I tend to only watch Brisbane City and Queensland Country games). Morgan Turinui made a great point on the rugby ruckus podcast recently that many of the youngsters who are fast tracked to super rugby don't get the chance to learn from less naturally talented, but more experienced and hardened veterans. On point two, in recent history, Aussie coaches are very reluctant to carry a ten on the bench, both at Super and Wallaby level. Often centres and outside backs occupy the last two bench spots. Notable exception is Hawera at the Brumbies, who is not on a Wallaby pathway. On the occasion that a 2nd ten is in the squad, often the coach will show no faith, other than giving them token garbage time cameos. How many minutes has Mack Mason played this year despite being named every week. I may be generalising a bit with the above, but in summary, I agree we need to be thoughtful with developing more playmaker depth, both young and old. One last comment on Stewart, I think he has copped too much blame for Hegarty's poor performances to start the year.

Really top article. An interesting side take is the inclusion of Schalk Brits at the tender age of 39 years for The Bulls and he has been a revelation. Brings so much to the table both on and off the field.

Yes, I believe the young guns are being held back at the expense of the older players, look no further than hooker in Australia, how many potential good rakes have we got, almost too many to count, To bring back TPN is unbelievable. He's had his day, if they want him in NH good on him, fill your coffers while you can, but get the young hookers in Australia game time- otherwise they will go. In the animal world when the old lion (real one) can't repel the challenge of the new king of the jungle, that's it, out he goes. Too harsh to apply to TPN, but coaches and administrators need to be mindful of the need to get the young guys into the jungle.

Of course they are blocking their path, because they are also blocking their development. It is inherent in the structure of Australian rugby - new players are developed in SR alongside the previous generation, and therefore get denied probably the most important element in game time. In NZ most of their professional development happens at the levels below where they play every game, so when they move to SR they are only putting on final polish before contesting for the spot.

Next call people sick of spending their hard earned on supporting this madness fairweather and you've nailed the toxic Thorn half grunting hyperbole to a tee.

He went to the Spirit in 2015, while Thorn was still a player at Leicester, and the Brumbies in 2016 when Thorn started as an assistant at the QRU. He didn’t even get a game with the Brumbies, so perhaps he just hasn’t been good enough to warrant consideration.

I don’t think, say for example, Tom Robertson was the best prop that Australia could afford when he was selected.

That is where “having the balls” comes into it. Thorn has been prepared to take a risk, while lesser folk snipe from the sidelines. Win or lose I know who I respect.

It's not exactly working for Thorn is it? Sunwolves are the favourites today.

Excellent article.

I think the take home from the article is that Lucas and Stewart are the only young players who are even being given a shot at showing themselves to be contenders. No coach bar Thorn has had the balls to displace an incumbent from the 10 jersey and given the mass hysteria around his decision to do so, that is hardly surprising.

Certainly wouldn't surprise me either