Wallabies 2020

[Forcefield]

I say this as a non-Simmons fan:

If David Pocock won 3 turnovers in a game we'd say he played well. Not to mention breakdown pressure, clean-outs, tackling and the occasional ball run. What is Rob Simmons worth to the team? Does the value he add to scrums increase the chances of a penalty? Or scrappy opposition ball? Does he either pressure opposition line-out ball, win opposition ball or secure own ball? I'd say yes to all of these, but they aren't always the big plays Pocock makes. If Simmons gets enough of the other stuff done without too many brain snaps, he deserves a crack.

 

[Derpus]

I say this as a non-Simmons fan:

If David Pocock won 3 turnovers in a game we'd say he played well. Not to mention breakdown pressure, clean-outs, tackling and the occasional ball run. What is Rob Simmons worth to the team? Does the value he add to scrums increase the chances of a penalty? Or scrappy opposition ball? Does he either pressure opposition line-out ball, win opposition ball or secure own ball? I'd say yes to all of these, but they aren't always the big plays Pocock makes. If Simmons gets enough of the other stuff done without too many brain snaps, he deserves a crack.

Simmons is a solid option but Philip is the form player. I think Simmo makes sense on the bench.

The AB lineout is a potential weakness we should be targetting with as competent a lineout setup we can manage, which means no rookie off the bench and Wright involved in some capacity.

 

[Forcefield]

See I reckon if you play him, you start him. Either with LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at 6 (along with Samu and Hooper) or LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) on bench.

 

[Derpus]

I don't think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) merits selection at 6 given our depth in the backrow.

 

[Braveheart81]

I get that people are worried about Daugunu under the high ball because of a bad final, but what we just ignore the rest of the season because he wasn't excellent for one game?

Finals do get looked on with more importance both because it was a high pressure situation and it's the most recent game you have.

For the same reason Lolesio has greatly increased his chance of selection because of how well he played in the final. If he'd only been ok in the final I would have said Harrison was ahead of him but now I definitely think Lolesio will get first crack in a gold jersey.

 

[rodha]

I'm curious as to who Wallabies fans think should be the long-term fullback under Rennie.

It's weird because you have a few capable fullbacks but nothing particularly outstanding. DHP is probably getting on a bit at 31, so probably better to invest in the younger ones.

Tom Banks and Reece Hodge are both 26, while (from what I've seen) Jack Maddocks looks to have the highest ceiling of them all. He's also the youngest 23 years old.

I think Maddocks is the future for the Wallabies at fullback. If not him then, hear me out.. convert Wright into a fullback.

 

[wamberal]

I would have Maddocks now, ahead of Banks. But I reckon DHP will start there. This is one position where there will be an awful lot of pressure.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Fullback is a difficult one indeed. Other than DHP, who at least has a decent track record, nobody else has really stuck their hands up to command the jersey this season. I'd like to think that Maddocks or Banks could develop into excellent FB's, but neither have particularly impressed me in 2020.

 

[rugboy]

I'm curious as to who Wallabies fans think should be the long-term fullback under Rennie.

It's weird because you have a few capable fullbacks but nothing particularly outstanding. DHP is probably getting on a bit at 31, so probably better to invest in the younger ones.

Tom Banks and Reece Hodge are both 26, while (from what I've seen) Jack Maddocks looks to have the highest ceiling of them all. He's also the youngest 23 years old.

I think Maddocks is the future for the Wallabies at fullback. If not him then, hear me out.. convert Wright into a fullback.

Maddocks definitely has the highest ceiling with his skillset. DHP for me should be a walk up start short term. Maddocks needs to develop the consistency DHP shows.

Wright could be a long term option. He played significant time there as a schoolboy and also some time there in League (despite the obvious difference in requirements), although he would need a couple of seasons at Super level to get up to speed.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I reckon we'll just have to wait to see how both of Banks and Maddocks pan out over the rest of the year and into next. I will be happy to go with whoever develops the best.

On Tom Wright, I think it is more likely we'll see him closer to the action than at fullback in time. No 12 could be his spot later on.

 

[qwerty51]

I'm curious as to who Wallabies fans think should be the long-term fullback under Rennie.

Joseph Sua'ali'i

 

[Zero_Cool]

I don't think anyone has stood up and proven themselves as the Test 15 yet. But obviously Maddocks and Banks are the front runners.

Interesting question, who do you think will be the XV for the second game against Argentina?

 

[Tomikin]

Fullback is a difficult one indeed. Other than DHP, who at least has a decent track record, nobody else has really stuck their hands up to command the jersey this season. I'd like to think that Maddocks or Banks could develop into excellent FB's, but neither have particularly impressed me in 2020.

We all forget there was six rounds of super before covid, were Banks was easily the form fullback, We also had Noah playing then, people saying you cant pick him of one game forget that 2020 started in feb and if Banks can get back close to that form he will be Fullback going forward. He started getting better towards the final. Plus his kicking for touch is amazing.

 

[Brumbieman]

Yeah, his foot injury during the layoff certainly impacted his early form.

 

[Uh huh]

On Tom Wright, I think it is more likely we'll see him closer to the action than at fullback in time. No 12 could be his spot later on.

If Simone sticks around and Wright continues to improve his defensive positioning, 13 seems like somewhere he could make himself at home. As a centre pairing, they'd fit neatly into the Nonu/Smith mould.

 

[Up the Guts]

Wright could just about play anywhere in the backline. I think he could be quite a good fullback, his ability to distribute/put a man away would allow him to be used as another playmaking option.

 

[Tex]

Maddocks is a genuine jet. I'm hoping he continues to develop and mature and can lock down the 15 jersey.

 

[Derpus]

Maddocks was done a disservice being stuck on the wing for the start of his career. He has the physical attributes and skills to be a test 15. All he needs to do is master the mental element of his game. His shoulders drop far too often for a professional.

 

[Silverado]

Wright could just about play anywhere in the backline. I think he could be quite a good fullback, his ability to distribute/put a man away would allow him to be used as another playmaking option.

I first saw him playing 15 for NSW Schoolboys before he left for NRL. He was pretty good

 

[Zero_Cool]

@Tomikin I don't think that anyone has forgotten about the first halfd-ozen games of Super Rugby but rather consider latest form is best/most important. Form from last year counts for nothing next to form from this year.