2010 Wallabies End of Year Tour (EOYT)

[Gnostic]

who are the more specialist players than Ma'afu, Daley and Edmonds?

Poorly phrased on my part, better specialist players would have explained my point better.

For example Charles fulfills the key roles of Hooker better than Edmonds but does not have the loose running game that Edmonds does.

 

[DPK]

Poorly phrased on my part, better specialist players would have explained my point better.

For example Charles fulfills the key roles of Hooker better than Edmonds but does not have the loose running game that Edmonds does.

They're both specialists, they just have different sort of games.

 

[ChargerWA]

The surprising thing to have come out of this thread for mine is it appears the majority of people are ready to see Barnes at 12 before Gits. Weather this is due to Gits form in the last game and Sookfaces good efforts for Uni or maybe Gits indifferent form for the last couple of years coupled with advantage of having Berrick defend next to QC (Quade Cooper), probably a bit of all four.

 

[WB3]

The surprising thing to have come out of this thread for mine is it appears the majority of people are ready to see Barnes at 12 before Gits. Weather this is due to Gits form in the last game and Sookfaces good efforts for Uni or maybe Gits indifferent form for the last couple of years coupled with advantage of having Berrick defend next to QC (Quade Cooper), probably a bit of all four.

Add to that Sookface's usually stellar contribution in the games he played for the Wallabies (aside from that shocker of a kick that was charged down by Dan Carter, he's been pretty solid). His combination with Quade seems to be better than Giteau's in my opinion.

What Ruggo said sums it up:

His performance with Cooper in the first England test was the best 10 - 12 combo we have had all year.

 

[Ruggo]

I was happy for Fainga'a. 1/2 was Reds bias and the other 1/2 that is was proven combination with Cooper. I would be happy for Barnes to replace the crab. His performance with Cooper in the first England test was the best 10 - 12 combo we have had all year.

 

[Muttonbird]

Weepu injury overshadows Wellington romp
NZPA - October 16, 2010, 9:38 pm

A broken leg to first five-eighth Piri Weepu marred Wellington's 49-15 bonus-point victory over Taranaki in a crucial national provincial championship rugby match at Wellington tonight.

Weepu had his right ankle twisted as he was tackled after attempting a chip through in the 44th minute and was stretchered off.

SkySport reported during the match that Weepu had been rushed to hospital where it was confirmed he had a broken leg.

His injury will almost certainly affect the makeup of the All Blacks squad for the end of year tour for matches in Hong Kong and Europe to be named tomorrow with Wellington halfback Alby Matthewson a prime candidate to take his place.

 

[cyclopath]

That's a big loss for the ABs - Weepu was a consistent threat whether it be off the bench or starting.
How do you think Mathewson stacks up, Muttonbird?

 

[ChargerWA]

Andy Ellis would have to get some consideration too you would think. He is consistently quick to the breakdown and gives good service.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The surprising thing to have come out of this thread for mine is it appears the majority of people are ready to see Barnes at 12 before Gits. Weather this is due to Gits form in the last game and Sookfaces good efforts for Uni or maybe Gits indifferent form for the last couple of years coupled with advantage of having Berrick defend next to QC (Quade Cooper), probably a bit of all four.

All four. Berrick has been playing terrific footy in the last month and I think deserves a chance at 12. Giteau has been a shadow of his former self in the last 12 months.

 

[vidiot]

Giteau can't shuffle off for Barnes just yet.

The side would miss Giteau's ineffable contribution to team harmony in those rousing discussions he has with Rocky at key moments (ie when everything is going off the rails).

Let alone the 'giteau_rugby' twitter updates on The Quade Trains' progress pushing iron.

Deans can't replace that with Barnes, the poetry would go out of my life.

 

[DPK]

That's a big loss for the ABs - Weepu was a consistent threat whether it be off the bench or starting.
How do you think Mathewson stacks up, Muttonbird?

I'd be worried if I was playing against the AB's with Matthewson. He looked very sharp in the Super 14.

Sent from my laptop using fingers

 

[Langthorne]

NEWSFLASH: Giteau is not getting dropped - list any failings you like, but it still won't happen.

 

[Scarfman]

You know, I would like one of the 10 or 12 to be able to kick to the corners. That is the main reason to pick Barnes. But franky, I don't believe in his progress towards this skill. Out of Cooper, Gits and Sook, it's Qwade that has improved the most at this. I'd be bloody tempted to start Ant Fanger.

 

[Thomond78]

Thormond78. I guess your name relates the Munster victory over the Darkness in 1978 12-0 at Thormond Park. I also note that Munster managed to scrape home twice against a very understrength and tired Men in Gold in atrocious conditions at Musgrove Park Cork 11-8 in 1967, and 22-19 in 1992.

Legend has it that the scoreboard at Thormond park still reads 12-0 (unless there is a game on). Is this still true?

Given your earlier posts regarding your deluded desire for a Munster victory over the Men in Gold, would this victory be considered more important than the 78 version, and will your name be changing to Thormond10?

We will graciously subject ourselves to a Thormond inspired "living hell" if the unimaginable happens on November 17, provided there is a forfeit on your behalf when the inevitable Golden victory occurs. What are you proposing for when we win?

The scoreboard reads 0-0.

And I might add, it was a lovely crisp day in 1992, and you even lost the fight, too.

 

[TOCC]

I don't see how the Cooper-Barnes combination could work at test level when it used to cough and stutter at super rugby level, to me these two player don't play well together, there playing styles almost contradict each other.

I think Giteau-Barnes or Cooper-Giteau works, but not Cooper-Barnes, if Giteau isnt starting at 12 for whatever reason, then I would replace him With Fainga'a

 

[fatprop]

I don't see how the Cooper-Barnes combination could work at test level when it used to cough and stutter at super rugby level, to me these two player don't play well together, there playing styles almost contradict each other.

I think Giteau-Barnes or Cooper-Giteau works, but not Cooper-Barnes, if Giteau isnt starting at 12 for whatever reason, then I would replace him With Fainga'a

I was happy for Fainga'a. 1/2 was Reds bias and the other 1/2 that is was proven combination with Cooper. I would be happy for Barnes to replace the crab. His performance with Cooper in the first England test was the best 10 - 12 combo we have had all year.

Disagree TOCC, what ruggo said,

 

[Reddy!]

Giteau is our first choice place kicker - which equals automatic selection.

 

[TOCC]

Fair enough, I have been impressed by Barnes form at club level, and he does have a certain level of composure that giteau doesn't

 

[DPK]

Giteau is our first choice place kicker - which equals automatic selection.

Is, but I think it's pretty clear he shouldn't be.

 

[en_force_er]

Is, but I think it's pretty clear he shouldn't be.

I think it's fair to say Giteau has been majestic with the kicking tee at times (usually after having a shit one the week before).

I agree that he is inconsistent but he is the best kicker in the team unless maybe Mortlock has a surprise resurrection of form.