The Roar
The Roar

Armchair-critic

Roar Pro

Joined May 2009

10.7k

Views

10

Published

84

Comments

Published

Comments

We will have to agree to disagree.

It’s not about whether people in NZ cared or not, the fact is those players were given an opportunity and the fact that they are now the nucleus of the ABs suggests to me that it was a good decision.

And how could you say Nonu wouldn’t be picked when he was first selected in 03? Correct me if I’m wrong but it was Henry who left him out in 07 in favour of McAlister and Mauger – 2 very similar players – and we all know how much of a success that was.

Semi defeat best thing for Wallabies

They weren’t tearing up Super Rugby at all.

Genia was behind Valentine at the Reds when he was picked in 09, Cooper and O’Connor only started playing well on the 09 spring tour and took that confidence back to their franchises. Beale was being made to look average playing flyhalf at the tahs until he was shifted to fullback on that same 09 tour. A lot of people questioned the decision to promote Pocock above George Smith as well but that has proven to be the right decision.

So while I do agree that they have talent to burn and would eventually have become star wallabies I think it needs to be recognised that at the time these were quite ballsy decisions.

Semi defeat best thing for Wallabies

The “mess” you talk about has formed the nucleus of the ABs side that will win on Sunday. Think Mealamu, Thorn, Williams, McCaw, Carter, Nonu, Muliaina.

That’s essentially the leadership group right there.

They were ALL introduced by Mitchell and Deans in 03 in much the same manner that the young wallabies have been brought in under Deans this time around.

I am of the belief that the likes of Horwill, Pocock, Genia, Cooper, O’Connor, Beale will go on to be dominant over the next 5 years in the same way the listed ABs players have.

Despite your clear prejudice OJ, you cannot hide from these facts.

Semi defeat best thing for Wallabies

Kurt is the least of the Blues concerns.

Kurt Gidley shouldn't be playing Origin

I’m pretty sure McCaw, Carter, Mealamu, Muliaina, Thorn, Nonu, Rococoko, Flynn, So’oialo, Braid, Ali Williams to name a few, all debuted in 2002/03 to a fair amount of criticism. (for replacing experienced, ‘over the hill’ players)

A lot of these players have gone on to become one of the greatest in their positions in ABs history.

So if this is indeed a similar trend to what is currently happening in Australia then i see that as a GOOD thing.

Deans desperate to end All Blacks winning streak

How about True Blue by John Williamson?

This song has a bit more vigour to it than waltzing matilda IMO

Wallabies look to disempower the all black haka

15. Kurtley Beale
14. Digby Ioane
13. Rob Horne
12. Matt Giteau
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
10. Quade Cooper
9. Luke Burgess
8. Richard Brown
7. David Pocock
6. Rocky Elsom
5. Nathan Sharpe
4. Dean Mumm
3. Salesi Ma’afu
2. Huia Edmonds
1. Ben Alexander

That’s the appetiser done, now for the main course

From watching the highlights i think it was Beale who did the cross kick from the penalty not Cooper.

Not sure why everyone has been saying it was Quade.

Wallabies win comfortably over weakened Gloucester

LAS you need to take a look at the match highlights from the Gloucester game at rugby.com.au

Unless the ARU has employed some sort of technical guru to alter the tapes i am certain i saw the Wallabies prodcue some backline moves!!

And they resulted in tries from set piece…. ahh beautiful

Where have all the backline plays gone?

Thanks for the link Andy.

Did my eyes deceive me or were tere a couple of back plays amongst those highlights?!

Wallabies win comfortably over weakened Gloucester

Considering the inexperience I’d say they would be reasonably happy with the win.

Should give some of the youngsters a bit of confidence to push hte older heads along at training.

Sounds as if the lineout is a real concern though. We are seriously lacking in genuine tall players. It’s not something you can create either – you have it or you dont.

Wallabies win comfortably over weakened Gloucester

36 – 5 fulltime.

Sounds like Quade may have done enough to push for a starting spot.

http://rugby.com.au/news/wallabies_2009/qantas_wallabies_vs_gloucester,134816.html/section/21893

Mumm inspired to lead Wallabies in mid-week fixture

24 – 5 after 65 minutes

Mumm inspired to lead Wallabies in mid-week fixture

Yes i didn’t word my post very well he would be the first picked

Put it this way, I’d say he’d be the first to be given a jersey but they wouldn’t stick a number on the back of it until everyone else has theirs.

What to do with Adam Ashley-Cooper?

No i enjoy it, its all related to the dilemma of where AAC should be.

From reading discussions I get the impression that he is so good at a number of positions that where he plays is dependent on those around him.

i.e. pick the best available players we have, in their best positons, and then use AAC to fill whatever gap is left.

What to do with Adam Ashley-Cooper?

Very interesting Brett i had never thought of Mortlock moving to fullback. I had considered a move to the wing like what happened at the Brumbies this year but didnt even think of fullback!

The idea does have merit and it would certainly sure up the last line of defence.

My only question mark would be does he still have the pace and also could he handle the positional play. But he seems the kind of guy that knows rugby well enough to handle that.

All of these discussions have made me realise how many injuries there have been. What with Barnes, Mortlock, Shephard, Horne and Ioane just returning.

For what its worth here would be my starting backline if everyone were fit:

If Shephard rediscovers his best form:

9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Ioane
12. Giteau
13. AAC
14. Mortlock/Hynes
15. Shephard

Otherwise:

9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Hynes
12. Giteau
13. Ioane
14. Mortlock
15. AAC

Both of this are big powerful backlines with agile and fast players like O’Connor to come on in the last 20 and combine with Barnes, Giteau against tiring sides.

What to do with Adam Ashley-Cooper?

Yeh they could very well go for that.

I’d be happy enough for this game.

But if Tyrone Smith plays well i would like to see him kept in the midfield with Mortlock when he returns and AAC revert to fullnack with JOC to the bench. Would be a big ask of him to start every game on tour (Although i do agree he has shown good character to keep bouncing back and improving – i cant imagine how daunting it would be for an 18 yr old to be coming up against the ABs as the last line of defence)

What to do with Adam Ashley-Cooper?

I agree with you on that which is why i want to see AAC put at fullback and left there. Beale, Turner, Mitchell, JOC are not fullbacks.

However we do have replacement 13s which are actually 13s.

I dont know the stats but from what ive seen AAC has played more first class rugby at 15 than centre

What to do with Adam Ashley-Cooper?

Having Beale, Turner or Mitchell at fullback is definitely NOT going to provide stability. Those 3 and JOC are not safe enough in defence or under the high ball.

I would much rather shift Ioane to centre (where he successfully played all year for the Reds) and have one of the softies on the wing with AAC at 15.

Or put Tyrone Smith in at 13… Against Jonny Wilkinson we cannot afford to have a weak link at fullback which is why i would go with AAC

What to do with Adam Ashley-Cooper?

I was a bit rushed in preparing this so failed to get my message across.

I think the Wallabies need AAC at 15 more than any other position at the moment.

In Mortlock and Ioane we have 2 centres who are of similar ability to him but the same can’t be said for fullback. He is our best option there.

Perhaps when Shephard returns next year the situation can be reconsidered and AAC could make a push to replace Mortlock, but at the moment his position should be 15.

What to do with Adam Ashley-Cooper?

Dean Mumm to captain the midweek side..

Big chance for Tyrone Smith and Quade Cooper to push for selection in the midfield.

Pretty predictable side really though given the injuries

http://aru.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies_2009/mumm_to_lead_qantas_wallabies_against_gloucester,134785.html/section/21893

Wallabies All Black-ed in a tough Test in Tokyo

No where near as often.

And i’m not one who believes in “the wallabies should’ve adapted to the referee being lenient” sort of talk.

The ref is there to do his job and he should do so properly. There is no use getting it right some of the time. They need to consistently be getting it right. The rule exists for a reason.

Wallabies All Black-ed in a tough Test in Tokyo

It doesn’t change the fact that it is illegal

I would’ve thought if it was a concerted team effort then that is worse…

I’m not suggesting it’s only the AB’s that do this, it is an aspect of the game which a lot of teams are guilty of and it slows down attacking play which ultimately ruins the spectacle

However i did notice the ABs in Tokyo being particularly determined to slow the ball down by lying in offside positions

Wallabies All Black-ed in a tough Test in Tokyo

“They will then stay there long enough to ensure that the tackled player can not turn”

Which is illegal. Once you have made a tackle you must roll away

Wallabies All Black-ed in a tough Test in Tokyo

OJ it’s more than their replacements could manage and funnily enough, they too put a fullback at 13

Why Stirling Mortlock lost the Wallaby captaincy

close