Wallabies Squad - the Link Era

[Lindommer]

Dunno about that. Possibly it's the beginning of some squad turnover on the arrival of a new coach.

 

[cyclopath]

It's easier than admitting that McKenzie might just have parachuted a personal favourite in.

I was genuinely curious. The post read like it was based on some background knowledge, and I have not heard much previously about Robinson having an attitude problem. So I wondered if there was some inside knowledge.
I'm not ready to jump on McKenzie for playing favourites - a bit too early for that!

 

[Dumbledore]

Of course he's playing favourites, all coaches do it. McKenzie clearly sees Sio as the first choice loosehead and is looking to bring in a project player as his replacement. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, he clearly sees something in Anae so he's giving him a crack. I just don't think the issue needs to be any more complicated than that.

 

[topo]

There is nothing wrong with Benn's attitude and he works really well in a team environment. He is a valued mentor of the younger props. He is a model citizen at the Tahs. Even when he was benched for the first game this year it was more about easing him back in after a long year and a short break and short preseason after the EOYT. It had nothing to with attitude. This can only be about Link's perception of what he offers on the field and building for the RWC.

 

[It is what it is]

Of course he's playing favourites, all coaches do it. McKenzie clearly sees Sio as the first choice loosehead and is looking to bring in a project player as his replacement. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, he clearly sees something in Anae so he's giving him a crack. I just don't think the issue needs to be any more complicated than that.

McKenzie might select the most competent Aust Super rugby front (Brumbies) as his Wallaby front row. So would Sio be a 'McKenzie favourite' then, or is he selected on merit as part of his combination with the Brumbies front row?
What if he selects Slipper as LHP, will you call him a 'McKenzie favourite' too?
Unless I've missed something, there's nothing been said or done by McKenzie to indicate that Sio is his 1st choice loosehead.

 

[Ruggo]

It certainly wouldn't surprise me if he had an attitude problem. People pointed to the Brumbies for many years saying that the players had too much power, and I would hazard a guess that there was similar issues at the Waratahs until Cheika took over. I can't see McKenzie putting up with crap attitudes from players, not when you have kids like Sio waiting for their opportunity to have a crack at a starting position; someone that will follow what an experienced coach has to teach them. Just my thoughts.

We just don't know.

Interesting to remember that it was Link that put Matt Burke out to pasture.

Chieka also sidelined Robinson at the beginning of the Tahs season.

 

[emuarse]

I might well be wrong here, but did'nt McKenzie pack down as a front row with Phil Kearns, and Daly for Randwick, and the three went on to be the wallabies front row.
All I'm saying is that Links might indeed want to keep the Brumbies front row as a unit, which is Alexander, Moore, and Sio, with Slipper as a possible replacement for TH or LH, and Anae as a replacement for prop/hooker.

 

[Merrow]

We just don't know.

Interesting to remember that it was Link that put Matt Burke out to pasture.

Chieka also sidelined Robinson at the beginning of the Tahs season.

And we're not likely to find out either. I'd like to think it wasn't the case. Mind you I'd be happy to see someone like Sio given a chance...I'm going to the second test in Wellington, and would love to see some of the Brumbies boys getting a run.

 

[Train Without a Station]

All I'm saying is that Links might indeed want to keep the Brumbies front row as a unit, which is Alexander, Moore, and Sio, with Slipper as a possible replacement for TH or LH, and Anae as a replacement for prop/hooker.

Provincial bias!!! Link is clearing favouring Brumbies players due to his 1 season there as a player and time as an assistant coach in the 90s.

 

[Braveheart81]

Provincial bias!!! Link is clearing favouring Brumbies players due to his 1 season there as a player and time as an assistant coach in the 90s.

I heard there's even under-the-table deals involving an annual pass to Questacon and tickets for Floriade!

 

[Merrow]

I heard there's even under-the-table deals involving an annual pass to Questacon and tickets for Floriade!

Don't forget the Sky Whale

 

[Slim 293]

The Qantas Sky Whales works for me.........

 

[Scotty]

It's easier than admitting that McKenzie might just have parachuted a personal favourite in.

Sio is the one that replaced Robinson. Are you somehow suggesting that Sio has a link to MacKenzie and is a personal favourite of his?

 

[Scotty]

Is there a loophole that Link might be looking to exploit regarding the front row replacements?

Is it possible that he could have a bench of say Anae plus Slipper or Alexander then have his 'hooker' replacement as a loose forward, knowing that he is likely to play Moore for 80? Do we have a loose forward capable of packing at 2, and would it be allowed?

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Is there a loophole that Link might be looking to exploit regarding the front row replacements?

Is it possible that he could have a bench of say Anae plus Slipper or Alexander then have his 'hooker' replacement as a loose forward, knowing that he is likely to play Moore for 80? Do we have a loose forward capable of packing at 2, and would it be allowed?

You must have 6 players who can play in the front row (4 props 2 hookers) in your match day 23 so you wouldnt get away with 1 prop and a prop/hooker unless you have a other foward whonhas played prop/ hooker and o dont think someone who played prop at 17 but became and 8 would count.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

 

[Scotty]

There must be some rules regarding this?!

 

[Slim 293]

There is........

In a 23 man squad you must have 6 players who can play in the front row........

Number of Players Number of Suitably Trained and
Experienced Players

15 or less 3 players who can play in the front row
16, 17 or 18 4 players who can play in the front row
19, 20, 21 or 22 5 players who can play in the front row
Union Specific Variations Law 3.14 22 6 players who can play in the front row
Union Specific Variations Law 3.14 23 6 players who can play in the front row

 

[mark_s]

Chieka also sidelined Robinson at the beginning of the Tahs season.

This has come up a lot this thread and is irrelevant. It's clutching at straws to justify a decision now by link. The post the front page shows the game stats between the props are line ball at best and Robinsons experience should count.

As for links choices, on one hand I want different results to the last few years so good on link for taking some different decisions.

On the other hand it does look like he has preferred to players he knows or players that have shown recent form. Macqueen did the same when he came in and then adjusted over the next nine months.

Anyway, I have faith in link. I think we will struggle in the trc as new combinations and tactics are bedded down but hopefully we see signs of a new base to build on for the EOYT.

 

[Ruggo]

This has come up a lot this thread and is irrelevant. It's clutching at straws to justify a decision now by link. The post the front page shows the game stats between the props are line ball at best and Robinsons experience should count.

As for links choices, on one hand I want different results to the last few years so good on link for taking some different decisions.

On the other hand it does look like he has preferred to players he knows or players that have shown recent form. Macqueen did the same when he came in and then adjusted over the next nine months.

Anyway, I have faith in link. I think we will struggle in the trc as new combinations and tactics are bedded down but hopefully we see signs of a new base to build on for the EOYT.

The point is though it don't need to be justified. It don't need to be explained either.

 

[Bowside]

I certainly think we have worse props than benn robinson, but I assume there might be some other factors at play.

Remember Drew Mitchell pulled out the best rugby of his career after being dropped by Deans at the start of the wallaby season. Maybe Link wants Robinson to get fitter/stronger/sort out injuries before he brings him back into the team.

I know looks are deceiving, especially when it comes to props, but robinson has never looked as fit as blokes like Sio, Mas, Domingo, Corbisiero, Du Plessis. The bloke probably hasnt had a proper pre season in years due to wallaby tours and injury. Maybe 3 months of reconditioning is just what he needs.