Wallabies 2020

[Slim 293]

Yes but he's behind Slipper now. Being number 1 last year gives some kudos, but doesn't make you an automatic selection the next.

But not just last year........... the four years prior as well.

 

[Viking]

Fair comments.

On point 1. Yep, he shanked that kick and it lead directly to a try.

On 2. That was a captaincy decision (a poor one, IMHO) and not an issue with him as a full back. He probably won't be Wallaby captain though so, not such a big deal for the Wobbs.

He was probably Rebels MOTM in two of the five games so far. He was a bit quiet against the Clan but has been in top form otherwise. Clearly the best of the Aus full backs so far.

Clearly better then Banks? That's a stretch.

As mentioned already by a few posters, whilst DHP has some good stats he's also been making some mistakes. Poor kicking, poor hands, poor decision making. The kind of mistakes you think a senior test player shouldn't be making.

He's had some pretty poor games in gold too.

I would feel safer with Banks at the back. But I would say DHP probably adds a tad more on attack with his footwork. Both equally good under the high ball. Test rugby for me tho, fullback is a key position where I would prefer the guy who makes less mistakes. Put your X-factor type players on the wing (not that DHP really falls in that category but yuo know what i mean).

But then again, maybe it's my Brumbies bias.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Fairly reasonable chance that someone from SANZAAR has leaked this to Paul so he writes about it and they can gauge the response.

I just google searched "rugby championship 2021" & in the news tab there's four results: GP's article & three that quote extensively from it with no other source material cited.

In a "run it up the flagpole & see who salutes" scenario I'd have though GRob, Paul Cully or the Sethfricken bloke who writes for multiple sites would've been a better bet as to read GP's stuff you have to be a Hurld subscriber.

 

[Joe Blow]

Aren't we over all these units that can't do the basics but are great at the secondaries? Latu was a beast and could pilfer like a 7 but he could barely get selected for the Tahs until he learnt to throw and scrummage.

It was his first throw in Super rugby after his return and he is the best scrummaging Oz hooker by some margin. His lineout work is generally good. Keep your eye on him if he manages to stay fit boys. There was good reason to select him ahead of FF (Folau Fainga'a) at the RWC.

 

[KOB1987]

Clearly better then Banks? That's a stretch.

As mentioned already by a few posters, whilst DHP has some good stats he's also been making some mistakes. Poor kicking, poor hands, poor decision making. The kind of mistakes you think a senior test player shouldn't be making.

He's had some pretty poor games in gold too.

I would feel safer with Banks at the back. But I would say DHP probably adds a tad more on attack with his footwork. Both equally good under the high ball. Test rugby for me tho, fullback is a key position where I would prefer the guy who makes less mistakes. Put your X-factor type players on the wing (not that DHP really falls in that category but yuo know what i mean).

But then again, maybe it's my Brumbies bias.

DHPs poorer games in gold have been when he’s been playing out of position on the wing. He’s been pretty strong whenever he has been picked at fullback.

Banks is certainly putting his hand up for selection but I still have my reservations about his ability at the next level up. He has been given a few auditions and not capitalised on them, and then not been reselected. A lot of people put this down to poor selection by Cheika, but he correctly made this observation about a number of players during his tenure.

I currently have him in my squad, if not my starting team, but like I say I carry a few reservations and need to see him prove himself in gold, conceding that the last couple of years may have just been a touch too soon for him.

 

[Slim 293]

It was his first throw in Super rugby after his return and he is the best scrummaging Oz hooker by some margin. His lineout work is generally good. Keep your eye on him if he manages to stay fit boys. There was good reason to select him ahead of FF (Folau Fainga'a) at the RWC.

He isn't, and there wasn't.........

 

[Joe Blow]

He isn't, and there wasn't...

Hahaha........according to your overwhelming bias.

Lets see how it pans out.

 

[Slim 293]

Hahaha....according to your overwhelming bias.

Lets see how it pans out.

Maybe this isn't the topic to be throwing around accusations of bias towards other people?

I look forward to him proving me wrong, but in the meantime there's no evidence to support your first claim, and it's fair to say his performances in the RWC did nothing to justify being selected above one of our two form hookers.........

He was a prospective talent who can't get on the field, and until he does and can string together some decent games he's still cashing in on a short cameo against the Boks in 2017.

First step would be to get a start at the Rebels, and if Rangi continues to play like he did on the weekend he has no chance.........

 

[Froggy]

I'm trying to recall any evidence that Uelese is the best scrummaging hooker in Aus? Up until 12 months ago that was clearly Taf, but now I think all of Mafi, Faainga and BPA are probably contenders for that gig, without a standout.

 

[Joe Blow]

Let’s just see if he can stay fit for the season first. If he can then I’m pegging Rennie to pick him and for him to challenge for the starting 15.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Clearly better then Banks? That's a stretch.

As mentioned already by a few posters, whilst DHP has some good stats he's also been making some mistakes. Poor kicking, poor hands, poor decision making. The kind of mistakes you think a senior test player shouldn't be making.

He's had some pretty poor games in gold too.

I would feel safer with Banks at the back. But I would say DHP probably adds a tad more on attack with his footwork. Both equally good under the high ball. Test rugby for me tho, fullback is a key position where I would prefer the guy who makes less mistakes. Put your X-factor type players on the wing (not that DHP really falls in that category but yuo know what i mean).

But then again, maybe it's my Brumbies bias.

DH-P, in 5 games: 2 handling errors, 2 turnovers conceded, 2 penalties, 10 tackles + 4 missed tackles

TB, in 4 games: 2 handling errors, 2 turnovers conceded, 2 penalties, 3 tackles + 1 missed tackles

 

[Slim 293]

You wouldn't have taken DHP to the RWC last year if form was the only factor.......... he had been playing pretty lousy since joining the Rebels, and had an absolute shocker against England at the end of 2018.

He seems to have turned it around since making the RWC squad, and both he and Banks are playing well right now..........

Banks' speed and kicking makes him a much more desirable option, but as has been mentioned still needs to step up to test level......... hopefully if Rennie picks him to be his starting fullback he allows him to play consecutive tests.

 

[Derpus]

I'm trying to recall any evidence that Uelese is the best scrummaging hooker in Aus? Up until 12 months ago that was clearly Taf, but now I think all of Mafi, Faainga and BPA are probably contenders for that gig, without a standout.

It was without a doubt Latu last year - up until he goaded Kyle Sinkler into playing the best game of his career against us.

 

[fatprop]

Luke Jones is injured and heading back overseas at the end of the season. Seems very unlikely he will get picked.

Which position will Samu play? He's playing number 8 for the Brumbies but Naisarani is the incumbent and also in good form. Hooper is clearly in excellent form too. Will Samu play 6 with Hooper and Naisarani?

There is a question over whether Ryan Louwrens is eligible for the Wallabies. Even then, will he get selected ahead of Powell and Gordon? I'd doubt it.

I wouldn't be selecting Gordon

 

[RoffsChoice]

There are always players who are mediocre at Super level and really perform at test level. Could be pride in the jersey, could be playing to the level of your opponents, who knows. In the last two years, DHP has definitely been one of those players who shows up in a gold jersey, regardless of Super form.

 

[Braveheart81]

I wouldn't be selecting Gordon

If I was selecting three halfbacks for the Wallabies right now then I wouldn't either. It's a narrow field though and he's played a test before and been part of Wallaby squads.

I wouldn't be selecting Louwrens either. It would be White, McDermott and Powell.

 

[fatprop]

There are always players who are mediocre at Super level and really perform at test level. Could be pride in the jersey, could be playing to the level of your opponents, who knows. In the last two years, DHP has definitely been one of those players who shows up in a gold jersey, regardless of Super form.

DHP is the only 15 we have now that constantly gets through the first tackle on kick return, it is a real strength that allows the backrow & supporting backs time to get in position to keep the ball.

 

[Dctarget]

Can someone explain to me, a simple forward, why Petaia's body & skills so suit him to 13 and not say fullback?

 

[Derpus]

Can someone explain to me, a simple forward, why Petaia's body & skills so suit him to 13 and not say fullback?

Not sure if he has a kicking game but he otherwise would probably go well at fullback - his innate positional awareness is more useful at 13 though. Only other Aussie player with it is TK.

 

[fatprop]

If I was selecting three halfbacks for the Wallabies right now then I wouldn't either. It's a narrow field though and he's played a test before and been part of Wallaby squads.

I wouldn't be selecting Louwrens either. It would be White, McDermott and Powell.

My concern with him is that he is too indecisive (and sometimes too slow to the breakdown)