Wallabies Squad - the Link Era

[cyclopath]

Hit him front on with good technique and took him to ground. Then went low and with Shatz? brought him to ground with contact to complete the tackle. I think in any definition that is a tackle. This isn't a one off this year, especially in the last few week. Most importantly for me is that in each of the examples I have seen he has displayed good technique.

LOL all you want, though maybe you just prefer to boo as well?

Of extra note in the attached clip, after completing said tackle on Ranger he works extremely hard to get back into position to receive the attacking kick from the Blues and counter. That shows attitude and commitment. Again I have to say, what more can one ask?

youtube.com/watch?v=lZfHOEzMh9c

(Embedding the video is disabled so you have to go to Youtube to watch. Sorry)

Compared to how most players end up after trying to tackle Ranger front on, it was a good effort. Credit where it's due, I agree. As you say, technique good, execution, pretty good.

 

[I like to watch]

Did he really play quite well though?

The Reds were thoroughly outclassed and their backline wasn't a threat whatsoever.

I completely accept that you're almost never going to win a game when your forwards have been belted like the Reds forwards were but I'd hope for a little more attacking spark from the playmaker who wants to and is likely to play 10 for the Wallabies in a few weeks time.

There was almost nothing on counterattack and nothing off set piece. The Crusaders defended brilliantly but it's not like the Reds were without the ball.

The game plan was to "play away" from QC (Quade Cooper).Had they been wearing Gold jumpers, the criticism of the game plan would have huge.
Dumb pick and go's all day,only to be varied by Genia picking up static forwards a little wider.
The saders knew when and where they were coming,and they flogged them.
It's a bit hard to criticise any of the backs, when you tactically keep them out of the game.
The funny thing was that this is similiar to how they have played all year, yet Links' biggest supporters were highly critical of Deans for playing unenterprising Rugby.
What happens at the end of the year,and the wobs are averaging one try per Test,with a win rate of about 60%

 

[Bullrush]

I will 'lol' because that's about as lucky as you'll get for tackling. Normally when you tackle someone with 'good technique' you don't end up flying backwards.

And he doesn't go low the second time at all. He's lucky Shatz was there because Ranger shrugs him off and Quade is left grasping for his foot. He actually tries to put in a hit the 2nd time....and fails.

 

[Gnostic]

I will 'lol' because that's about as lucky as you'll get for tackling. Normally when you tackle someone with 'good technique' you don't end up flying backwards.

And he doesn't go low the second time at all. He's lucky Shatz was there because Ranger shrugs him off and Quade is left grasping for his foot. He actually tries to put in a hit the 2nd time..and fails.

Right. You obviously know good technique when you see it, and so many players including some very big forwards and known good tacklers find it so easy to tackle Ranger when he is at pace.

Your arguments sound like "Boooo" to me.

 

[lewisr]

The game plan was to "play away" from QC (Quade Cooper).Had they been wearing Gold jumpers, the criticism of the game plan would have huge.
Dumb pick and go's all day,only to be varied by Genia picking up static forwards a little wider.
The saders knew when and where they were coming,and they flogged them.
It's a bit hard to criticise any of the backs, when you tactically keep them out of the game.
The funny thing was that this is similiar to how they have played all year, yet Links' biggest supporters were highly critical of Deans for playing unenterprising Rugby.
What happens at the end of the year,and the wobs are averaging one try per Test,with a win rate of about 60%

Completely agree with this. I said it in the games thread. It was like theyd adopted the wallabies game plan. Really disappointing stuff. I do wonder, however, how much input RG has now when it comes to gameplans.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Couldn't agree more.

I have heard so many times people saying things like

"I wouldn't start his first Test in a Bledisloe match in NZ"

or

"Wouldn't have his first Tests against the Lions" etc etc.

If a player is good enough, he's good enough. I'm sure if you went to the players themselves and asked if they were up to it they'd have found their mouthguards and be puting their 2nd boot on before you'd finished your sentence.

I know that it's not always the best way to start a new Test player but sometimes it is. I think if a guy has played his guts out and is considered to be good enough to play, play him. Who cares who the opposition is or what the occasion - that guy may end up being your match winner...you just never know.

The Bledisloe is still a massive occasion and no matter what a player has done prior to that, starting their test/international career on such an occasion is IMO a huge ask. The pressure goes up a notch

If All Black selections are anything to go by in the 15 years we've only had 4 players start against Oz on debut - Donnelly (09), Hosea Gear (08), Xavier Rush and K Meuws (both 98). Only 5 other players during the same time period have debuted vs OZ off the bench, most of which was time in the last 10 minutes.

And the numbers are far less for debuts vs the Boks. Only 1 starter and 3 off the bench.

All in all its pretty rare for the ABs to be throwing a fresh face out against our biggest rivals.

 

[Joe Blow]

With both Higgers and Palu not available it would be fine to draft Kimlin in for this series. He may even be able to convince him to stay around?
Also Luke Jones may get a call up? We are going to need a big ball carrying 6 if Mowen starts at 8.
I would have Mogg at 15 and Folau on the wing where Quade can find him at will. Moggs boot is a great asset for playing a field position game and his counter attack work is top notch. We really have not had a decent kicking fullback since Latham.

 

[Athilnaur]

Some really good thoughts and discussion coming through.

Re Rene Ranger I can only conclude Hansen has completely lost the plot letting him leave when they have already lost SBW. Quite probably the most devastating runner in world rugby since Kaino went yen hunting and the kiwis have cut him loose. Boggling.

I have pretty similar views to most so I will just list players I think should be preferred for the contentious slots:

Pyle, Jones(res), Kimlin, Auelua(res), Cooper + To'omua(res), JOC (James O'Connor)@12, Kuridrani(res), Folau wing, Mogg FB. Beale other wing. Add White, Cummins, Davies. Yes, Davies, love what I am seeing from him.

 

[Scotty]

Whether he acknowledges it or not, Cooper probably cares. I doubt anyone enjoys being singled out and booed everytime they touch the ball in a sporting match.

Win, lose or draw, I think we need to see Cooper put on a polished performance against the All Blacks in NZ before it can be discounted. So far he hasn't done this (although he has only had one chance at this since the 2011 RWC).

Yep, and that one chance came the week after he was deemed not fit enough to play in Sydney. Robbie threw him to the dogs!

One thing we can bet on is that Link will have much better man management than Dingo.

 

[emuarse]

Is there time for a Australian Barbarians vs Australian Swagmen exhibition trial game to be held in somewhere like Newcastle, Bathurst, Toowomba, Cairns, Darwin or Perth for Link to experiment with combinations before TRC starts?

Be good for whichever town is chosen to host, and a sign from Link and the Pulveriser that they are serious about taking the game to the people.

I like this idea of a probables plays possibles, especially if the Brumbies lose out to the Bulls next weekend.
Even if its a mid-week game say around the 7th-8th August.
There are benefits including:
A) retaining match fitness
B) testing combinations
C) an opportunity for players like Cooper/To'omua, Hooper/Gill, Douglas/Simmons etc to determine who is the form player for those positions.
You then have time to work on your test 15, remembering that all the players would have been in the training squad prior to this game.
A negative might be the possibility of injury, but that's always part of the baggage.
You could even have the Possibles play the same style as the AB's; by instructing the ref to allow them stacks of off-side (especially No 7), taking out the man without the ball around the rucks/mauls, flopping, etc

 

[Langthorne]

That style only works for the Kiwis I'm afraid....

 

[No4918]

McKenzie has started the mind games early saying players carrying injuries may be rested including Horwill and Genia.

 

[RoffsChoice]

With both Higgers and Palu not available it would be fine to draft Kimlin in for this series. He may even be able to convince him to stay around?

Apparently he's trying to convince France that they don't need him so he can stay.

McKenzie has started the mind games early saying players carrying injuries may be rested including Horwill and Genia.

No Horwill or Genia = Big selection headache for captain, lock and scrum half.

You'd have to think it would be Moore or Mowen for captain, maybe Nic White or Cooper as a dark horse.
Starting locks will probably be Simmons and Douglas, but who will be on the bench? Fardy, Pyle?
I'm leaning towards Phipps as starting scrum half, but White would be good too.

 

[Braveheart81]

Given that the first test is still three and a half weeks away, I'm betting that far fewer players will be rested than Link is indicating right now.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Just a bit bored at work, so I picked a Wallaby team for the first test:

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Horwill
5. Pyle
6. Mowen
7. Gill
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Cummins
12. Horne
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Folau

Subs: TPN, Sio, Slipper, MMM, Hooper, White, Lealiifano, Mogg/Beale

Forward pack straightforward enough (not as big a fan of MMM as others, would give him a go off the bench as I'm not convinced his form is test quality since returning from injury).

As for the backs, Cooper edges To'omua (for now anyway). I don't think having Lilo at 12 worked, it doesn't suit our style and I think we would get more out of having Horne there. The decision there wasn't so much about either player, just what suits us best in terms of style.

I still think JOC (James O'Connor) is very talented and should be kept. Folau moves to fullback. Can't choose between Mogg and Beale for the last bench spot, both would be unlucky to miss out.
.

Based on today's news, Horwill, Palu and Genia might be in doubt for the first test.

Can't agree with either JOC (James O'Connor) or Beale being in the squad until they both prove their worth consistently in the 2014 S15.

 

[I like to watch]

Yep, and that one chance came the week after he was deemed not fit enough to play in Sydney. Robbie threw him to the dogs!

One thing we can bet on is that Link will have much better man management than Dingo.

How is picking someone in a Test team throwing them to the dogs?
Or is it your rule of thumb,that anyone not fit this week should NEVER be picked the following week.

 

[Brumby Runner]

We go into the TRC with huge vulnerabilities at #10.

Of the two on display over the weekend, in a Bradburyesque move IMHO QC (Quade Cooper) again won over To'omua but the Gold #10 position is becoming a bit of a Dance of the desperates.

With the GOAT looking a little porky, and not all that match fit (a lot can change in a month though), I'd like to go for all out attack in the back row, and keep some flexibility on the bench.

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Horwill (c)
5. Pyle
6. Gill
7. Hooper
8. Mowen (vc)

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Cummins
12. Lealiifano
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Mogg
15. Folau

Subs: TPN, Sio, Slipper, MMM, Smith, White, Horne, JOC (James O'Connor)

Probably a good thing I am not the Wobs Head Selector.

Don't know. Think you've done a better job than any over the past 5-6 years. I like that backline, but don't agree with JOC (James O'Connor) on the bench. Should be out until he proves his worth consistently at S15 level, ie next year.

I prefer Slipper to Kepu to start, and I am not a fan of starting two No7s. What about Jones at 6 if MMM is not fit and Kimlin not considered?

 

[Brumby Runner]

I wonder what the chances are of To'omua playing 10 and Cooper playing 15.

Link has said that he could put 15 on coopers back and he would play exactly the same way, so you never know.

Another left field idea is Lilo at 15. He's clearly the best kicker in the country behind harris, and kicks are crucial in test rugby.

Christian played some 15 in the ITM a year or two back, but I sincerely hope the era of playing players out of position is over. Neither QC (Quade Cooper) nor Christian should be considered for 15. Folau and Mogg give us good cover there.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I really don't want to work today, so ... .. . how about a team with some form, attacking threat and athletic forwards.

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Horwill
5. Pyle
6. MMM
7. Hooper
8. Mowen
9. Genia
10. To'omua
11. Cummins
12. Goodwin
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Mogg
15. Folau

16 TPN
17 Kepu
18 Sio
19 Neville
20 Gill
21 White
22 Kuridrani
23 Beale

Who's the goal kicker in this starting lineup? Godwin hasn't proved himself, and Moggy kicks long but not consistently straight. Looking forward to seeing Godwin off the bench sometime soon, but for now keep Christian at 12, not only for his kicking as he didn't really do anything wrong against the Lions.

 

[boyo]

That style only works for the Kiwis I'm afraid..

And an invisibility cloak is required.