Wallabies 2021

[Up the Guts]

How can you make a big deal of it being impossible to judge Hooper as he’s playing overseas then just throw out Wright, who’s not played at all, as your preferred candidate for 6?

Wright was poor for the Wallabies last year as well. Miss me with the 6.5s, give me a guy with size at 6 with tackle busting ability. In fact, I don’t really care who plays 6,7, or 8 as long as they fit that position physically.

 

[Derpus]

Regarding the Hooper / McReight discussion -- nether of them can play 6, (Liam) Wright is probably the only 7 in that Test space currently who can genuinely play 6, the rest are too short and/or not abrasive enough. I think most would be aware I'm a big proponent of the 'Hooper era' being over, obviously we can't judge his form right now as he's playing in Japan so even those who do watch him can't compare. I also think Hooper's captaincy has always been poor, I'm sure the players love him (not that anyone would say if they didn't), but it's pretty clear the refs don't, and that he seams to make poor decisions with the captaincy. I actually think it's unfortunate for a player like McReight that Hooper isn't playing in SRAU this year because McReight can't dethrone him, no matter how well he plays the selectors will likely assume that 'oh well Hooper is better'.
But I'll leave the Hooper stuff for another time. My point being nether of them are proper 6's.

I think Swinton clearly has been quite poor this year, you'd expect 'your Wallabies 6' to be the best player on his team every other week yet the only Waratah to show they are anywhere close to Test level is probably Tizzano, unless Swinton puts in some big shifts between now and the test. IMO we've got two directions we can go -- a 6/7 a la Wright or Samu (perhaps ASY (Angus Scott-Young) but probably not), or a bruising 6 like an Valetini or Uru (perhaps LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)). Obviously Wright is unknown because he's not been playing, but I think he's a good candidate if he can show some good form; I think Wright is low key the best prospect for an answer to the 6 question.

Wright was pretty terrible for the Wallabies last year and hasn't even taken to the field this year. I fucken hope he isnt our best prospect.

 

[hammertimethere]

As always it won't be a decision made in isolation. The combined skillset is what counts,

6, Options include;
- Swinton (might be the frontrunner, but for mine has done no more prove it should be him than Dempsey. Only difference is Dempsey has had a longer period of injuries and poor form since his debut to ruin the reputation he earned).
- LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (which is not a terrible option when you consider they'll probably have Phillip and Rodda available, plus Neville is in imperious form and Hosea goes ok. If you want Mcreight in the 23 height at 6 helps).
- Uru
- Kemeny (smokey, may be more a prospect for the future)
- Samu
- Valentini
- Wright

7
Will be Hooper regardless of anyone's feelings. He's still near the top of his game (watch his stuff from Japan), will be less worn down than usual in June. Plus it seems his pockets will be full of yen, so he'll be back until 2023 at which time I think he's a > 50% chance of still being top dog. He also usually plays 80
- McReight (more likely to be superb cover for Hooper and ready to step up when he leaves post WC).

8 - Options include;
- Wilson (likely front runner)
- Naisarani (unlikely unless something changes fast)
- Uru (smokey, possible squaddie or back up)
- Samu (had a difficult time proving himself in that position at test level)



when you think about it I think there is only a couple of really complimentary combos
4 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) 5 Phillip 6 Swinton 7 Hooper 8 Wilson 19 Neville 20 Uru
4 Neville 5 Phillip 6 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) 7 Hooper 8 Wilson 19 Rodda 20 Mcreight

 

[Braveheart81]

If Hanigan signs another contract in Australia you'd think he is a good chance of being in the mix again at 6. Rennie showed he was a fan last year.

 

[TSR]

I could also see Valetini in the mix at 8, with a high work rate, lineout jumping 6 - someone like Uru or Anstee.

 

[Dctarget]

Hanigan's not a bad shout if he's available for the French, we'll need some height. The French run a very tall backrow, regardless if they send their A team or not. Wouldn't be surprised to see a 6. Uru 7. Hooper 8. Wilson for our first game.

 

[Adam84]

If Hanigan signs another contract in Australia you'd think he is a good chance of being in the mix again at 6. Rennie showed he was a fan last year.

Absolutely, Rennie likes his high work rate forwards.
Guys like Hanigan, Simmons, Hooper & Wright cop their fair share of criticism over workrate vs impact, yet all featured consistently through 2020 series. Phillips is another who had a massive work-rate last year.

 

[Derpus]

Philip had impact as well. I thought he was outstanding and our best forward.

 

[liquor box]

7
Will be Hooper regardless of anyone's feelings. He's still near the top of his game (watch his stuff from Japan), will be less worn down than usual in June. Plus it seems his pockets will be full of yen, so he'll be back until 2023 at which time I think he's a > 50% chance of still being top dog. He also usually plays 80
- McReight (more likely to be superb cover for Hooper and ready to step up when he leaves post WC).

I hope Hooper loses the captaincy and starts from the bench to reward loyalty of young players by picking McReight as starter and for him to be forced to earn his way back in.

If it was up to me, he would not be selected, I would have McReight and Hardwick in the game day squad and Hooper in the wider squad. This is more due to my personal bias to wanting loyalty and not allowing overseas based players (and sabatical players) to be Wallabies rather than who is the best player.

 

[Up the Guts]

I hope Hooper loses the captaincy and starts from the bench to reward loyalty of young players by picking McReight as starter and for him to be forced to earn his way back in.

If it was up to me, he would not be selected, I would have McReight and Hardwick in the game day squad and Hooper in the wider squad. This is more due to my personal bias to wanting loyalty and not allowing overseas based players (and sabatical players) to be Wallabies rather than who is the best player.

Spare me, no one else has laid out their guts for Australian Rugby like Hooper has over the past decade.

 

[Dctarget]

I hope Hooper loses the captaincy and starts from the bench to reward loyalty of young players by picking McReight as starter and for him to be forced to earn his way back in.

If it was up to me, he would not be selected, I would have McReight and Hardwick in the game day squad and Hooper in the wider squad. This is more due to my personal bias to wanting loyalty and not allowing overseas based players (and sabatical players) to be Wallabies rather than who is the best player.

Arm band goes to who then?

 

[Derpus]

I hope Hooper loses the captaincy and starts from the bench to reward loyalty of young players by picking McReight as starter and for him to be forced to earn his way back in.

If it was up to me, he would not be selected, I would have McReight and Hardwick in the game day squad and Hooper in the wider squad. This is more due to my personal bias to wanting loyalty and not allowing overseas based players (and sabatical players) to be Wallabies rather than who is the best player.

That's nonsense. Just fucking own your provincial bias for god sake. There is nothing wrong with hating Hooper because he's from NSW. It's worse when you blokes cook up a crock of shit to try and hide the fact.

 

[TSR]

If I understand correctly Hooper and a number of the other senior players voluntarily took a larger pay cut to free up money to go to the more junior contracted players across the Super Rugby squads (some of the others being To'omua & DHP). Part of the trade off was allowing them to take a sabbatical to top up their earnings.

I want to see players rewarded for staying in Australia - but I believe in this case some context is required.

I’ve already said I think there is at least a possibility that we’ll see a changing of the gaurd this year or next - but that is based purely by me on how impressive I think McReight has been as a player. I can actually see the argument for retaining Hooper.

Either way though I think Hooper is entitled for that decision to be made on form.

 

[Zero_Cool]

I didn't say Wright is the best option, nor that he would be selected, I did predicate my statement him showing good form. But regardless I wasn't saying he should or will be selected, I was saying he is the best prospect -- the best solution going forwards to answer all the questions we want to ask of a 6. So that he's not playing right now is because he could be the most elegant solution.

 

[Dctarget]

There is a genuine argument that Hooper carving up semi-professionals for fun isn't the best preparation for Test Rugby and might be a bit underdone*.

*see Saracens players in England's dire Six Nations.

 

[TSR]

That's nonsense. Just fucking own your provincial bias for god sake. There is nothing wrong with hating Hooper because he's from NSW. It's worse when you blokes cook up a crock of shit to try and hide the fact.

There is plenty of bias on these threads, but it is quite possible to put it aside and form an objective opinion.

I don’t agree with Liquor Box in this case, but there is a logic to his rationale.

 

[TSR]

There is a genuine argument that Hooper carving up semi-professionals for fun isn't the best preparation for Test Rugby and might be a bit underdone*.

*see Saracens players in England's dire Six Nations.

Quite possible - although I remember similiar being said about Pocock when he came back from his sabbatical and he was fantastic he first came back.

No one has played more rugby in Australia than Hooper over the last 8-9 yrs. I’m hoping it gives him a chance to refresh.

 

[Dctarget]

Quite possible - although I remember similiar being said about Pocock when he came back from his sabbatical and he was fantastic he first came back.

No one has played more rugby in Australia than Hooper over the last 8-9 yrs. I’m hoping it gives him a chance to refresh.

And Hooper's never been one to start slow either. Doesn't need much of a warm up.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Regarding Hooper -- I don't get how people don't think his captaincy at minimum should be stripped -- he's just not good enough as a captain, he's probably the worst in World Rugby in terms of Ref Management and regardless he was the one at the head during what is probably the worst period of Australian Rugby in terms of wins, and his performance as captain showed zero improvement under Rennie. It's especially concerning when you look at how O'Connor is steering the Reds around at the moment, he's probably not being as vocal with the Referees as you'd like, but at least he's not a net negative with the Refs as Hooper has been.

As for inclusion in the squad, I think he's obviously done enough to be basically automatically in the wider squad, and obviously then Rennie & the team will make whatever assessments they do. But like I have said he'll probably be an automatic selection at 7 on reputation regardless of how well McReight or anyone else plays because largely (squad training aside and that's quite limited) you can't make a fair assessment of his form. Hopefully any issues of being undercooked are quickly worked out in camp.

 

[hammertimethere]

Carving up semi professionals is also not quite an accurate portrayal of the Top League. It's stacked full of international stars, of which only the minority percentage are truly long in the tooth these days. E.g two weeks ago he had a run in with Suntory (McMahon, Beauden Barrett, Kerevi, Tevita Li). They have either just played or are about to play Panasonic.

Sure, it's not like the old Super Rugby where you are consistently getting battle hardened most weeks against top teams. However, it's not like Super Rugby AU gives the players that either (each team gets to play the Force and the Tahs regularly who would get smoked by a few Top League teams)