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Bledisloe 2 2023 @ Dunedin 12:35PM Sat 5 Aug

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Namerican

Bill Watson (15)
Skelton has been great thus far. Easily the best Australian lock and one of their better forwards in general. Is he the best lock in the world? I don't think so. But beyond the absolute best (Itoje, Etzebeth, S.Barrett last game) I don't think he's that far off the mark. He's at least, at bare minimum, in the top 15. I'd have him top 10.

You do have to tailor your gameplan around him a bit though, that's a legitimate criticism.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
cyclopath said:
As opposed to how I saw him used by La Rochelle (esp in the final against Leinster) Skelton was not being used to build the maul around so much, which was curious as it seemed to be very effective in that match. It did not look to me that they were constructing the maul as well as they could, hence the ABs being able to disrupt it so well. Not sure why.
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I haven't seen the La Rochelle game so can't comment on his form over there. Fact is that Eddie has ignored the best maul operator in the country in Cadeyrn Neville. Don't know why, when his form otherwise has had him in the top two or three locks throughout the Super season.
 
dru

dru

Tim Horan (67)
Namerican said:
Skelton has been great thus far. Easily the best Australian lock and one of their better forwards in general. Is he the best lock in the world? I don't think so. But beyond the absolute best (Itoje, Etzebeth, S.Barrett last game) I don't think he's that far off the mark. He's at least, at bare minimum, in the top 15. I'd have him top 10.

You do have to tailor your gameplan around him a bit though, that's a legitimate criticism.
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The suggestion that the All Blacks would not be doing that seems a stretch.
 
Dan54

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
dru said:
The suggestion that the All Blacks would not be doing that seems a stretch.
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I would suggest if I was coaching a team against one with Skelton in it, I would speed it up, I get the impression he is like a draught horse, pretty owerful, but doesn't look quick.
 
Mr Pilfer

Mr Pilfer

Bob Loudon (25)
I completely agree with comments above, if we are going to consider switching Slipper to tighthead then we should be bringing Sio into the World Cup Squad and game vs France. He is well above the other options we have left.

I just want to see Gleeson start this week. I would have Leota 6, Gleeson 7, Valetini 8.
 
griffins

griffins

Alfred Walker (16)
Brumby Runner said:
I've noticed that Dave Porecki is extremely reluctant to give the ball to the halfback when a maul is brought to a standstill. Mostly ends in a scrum to the opposition.
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Some of your work this week has been wilder than usual but agree Porecki's decision making at the back has been poor across 3 tests. Many times he has had a window where the maul is clearly done to get a pop to the 9 before getting swamped but missed it. Throwing has been superb though.
 
The Ghost of Raelene

The Ghost of Raelene

Andrew Slack (58)
griffins said:
Some of your work this week has been wilder than usual but agree Porecki's decision making at the back has been poor across 3 tests. Many times he has had a window where the maul is clearly done to get a pop to the 9 before getting swamped but missed it. Throwing has been superb though.
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This has him safe. There is nobody else pushing for that job either which is a shame.

Mr Pilfer said:
I completely agree with comments above, if we are going to consider switching Slipper to tighthead then we should be bringing Sio into the World Cup Squad and game vs France. He is well above the other options we have left.

I just want to see Gleeson start this week. I would have Leota 6, Gleeson 7, Valetini 8.
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I forgot about Sio but it makes a lot of sense. The next guys up in all due respect are barely genuine starters in Super Rugby right now.

Has Gleeson been injured? Either Eddie thinks he's already great or his vibes are unreal. Need to get him playing.
 
eastman

eastman

Arch Winning (36)
LeCheese said:
Even when we the pack had us going forward, the backline just didn't look threatening imo. That isn't solely on Kerevi, but I do feel he can limit our attacking options at times - particularly when he isn't breaking the defensive line like we know he can.
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If Kerevi isn‘t breaking tackles it’s a bit of a problem because he’s not doing much else. His kicking has improved but he’s not setting up his outside men.
 
The Ghost of Raelene

The Ghost of Raelene

Andrew Slack (58)
He was better than the week before which is a positive. He gets over the advantage line but isn't at the speed we or he would want to be yet...

I like Foketi but I don't think he would offer anything more than what Samu is right now with Samu having the higher potential.

He needs to play 80 this week and 80 in the warm up v France.
 
fatprop

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Mr Pilfer said:
I completely agree with comments above, if we are going to consider switching Slipper to tighthead then we should be bringing Sio into the World Cup Squad and game vs France. He is well above the other options we have left.

I just want to see Gleeson start this week. I would have Leota 6, Gleeson 7, Valetini 8.
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Hooper has done enough to keep his spot
 
Braveheart81

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
There's every chance we don't see Kerevi back with the same power and tackle breaking ability this year. While he has clearly been able to return from the ACL injury it's often not until the following season that a player really gets their explosiveness back.

I think it's reasonable to question whether we're best served with Kerevi at 12 who excels as the focal point of the attack when he's on song but maybe isn't the best player for the role if he's not doing that but we do have significant talent outside him.
 
The Phoenix

The Phoenix

Sydney Middleton (9)
griffins said:
Some of your work this week has been wilder than usual but agree Porecki's decision making at the back has been poor across 3 tests. Many times he has had a window where the maul is clearly done to get a pop to the 9 before getting swamped but missed it. Throwing has been superb though.
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Surely it's time to give Faessler a run to see how he goes. He is a great thrower and was very good at the back of the maul for the Reds. If he's not the third hooker, then why has he been in the squad for the past month. If he is the third best, do we really want him going to the World Cup not having played a test?
 
Maulalltheway

Maulalltheway

Ted Thorn (20)
Froggy said:
I think we need to start the front row as we finished last night, with Slipper going to THP and Bell at LHP. Pone and Schoup on the bench. No problem with Tom Hooper as a player, but he's a 6, we need the speed and energy of Hooper or McReight at 7. If we are going to start Gordon at 10 again (I would, despite his awful night with the boot) I would start Lonergan at 9. His passing will be more accurate than Tate, and he can kick goals. I would go with the same for the rest of the backs, although someone needs to have a chat to MK about his positioning in defence. Faessler to replace Uelese on the bench, and Tate to cover 9. Phillip to replace Arnold, I don't think the big bloke is offering anything.
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they've both been terrible this year in their gold jersey opportunities. best 7 last season in gold was Samu. bring him back ASAP
 
Marce

Marce

John Thornett (49)
Namerican said:
But beyond the absolute best (Itoje, Etzebeth, S.Barrett last game) I don't think he's that far off the mark. He's at least, at bare minimum, in the top 15. I'd have him top 10.
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Maybe Itoje 4 years ago. He has been poor in the last seasons, quite similar to Michael Hooper's situation. One of the best in his position few years ago, now os far away from his prime
 
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