Rebels 2014

[Braveheart81]

You'd think this is the crucial contract decision for Woodward in terms of the bulk of his career.

He's just turned 24 and a decision to stay in Australia should mean that he's pushing for Wallaby selection in a year or two. If he returns to NZ, he'll have ended his chances of qualifying for the Wallabies and will instead be chasing All Black selection. You'd think that if he does go back to NZ, he won't ever play in Australia again.

So... does he want to spend most of his 20s living in Melbourne or Wellington? Unless he's incredibly homesick or something, you'd think the answer to that question is fairly easy.

 

[Tex]

The draw of an All Blacks jersey would be pretty strong, but as noted he's still behind a number of very classy players in that pecking order.

He reminds me of Chris Latham sometimes. Deceptively fast and able to pull off miraculous plays, but has a tendency to push the boundaries of what's possible to the point of frustration. A good example was last week where first he set up Kingston with that quicksilver offload, then later in the match crabbed across his support players before trying a hail mary chip kick.

 

[Braveheart81]

The draw of an All Blacks jersey would be pretty strong, but as noted he's still behind a number of very classy players in that pecking order.

Hopefully the draw of a Wallabies jersey will also be pretty strong. He'd also be behind a number of players here. That could easily be different come 2016 though as Woodward continues to develop.

This contract decision would seemingly have a fair bit to do with Woodward's identity. Can he see himself identifying as an Australian or does he still very much consider himself a Kiwi?

 

[oztimmay]

Hopefully the draw of a Wallabies jersey will also be pretty strong. He'd also be behind a number of players here. That could easily be different come 2016 though as Woodward continues to develop.

This contract decision would seemingly have a fair bit to do with Woodward's identity. Can he see himself identifying as an Australian or does he still very much consider himself a Kiwi?

Besides Izzy, I don't think he's that far behind the others. Perhaps Mogg, but he seems to have similar yips in his game. Harris, No. Haywood, well he still needs to qualify and I don' think he's behind him. Perhaps Beale, but Checkia insists on making him into a inside back (which I don't totally agree with).

Sure there is daylight between Izzy and other FB options, but the ARU have to be smart here. Repeated noises from Loig say they are after him (Parramatta is the latest). If the ARU are forward thinking they would be involved in the negotiation to secure him in OZ and give us Wallaby options.

(Forward thinking...I _almost_ said that with a straight face)

Andrew Taylor is leaving the 'canes, yes. but I understand there is still a queue there. Marty Banks, Cory Jane are few names that come to mind. A fringe OB might even look to convert to the role. Who knows. Woody would also have to ask himself why they didn't sign him up in the first place?

 

[Braveheart81]

Besides Izzy, I don't think he's that far behind the others. Perhaps Mogg, but he seems to have similar yips in his game. Harris, No. Haywood, well he still needs to qualify and I don' think he's behind him. Perhaps Beale, but Checkia insists on making him into a inside back (which I don't totally agree with).

Sure there is daylight between Izzy and other FB options, but the ARU have to be smart here. Repeated noises from Loig say they are after him (Parramatta is the latest). If the ARU are forward thinking they would be involved in the negotiation to secure him in OZ and give us Wallaby options.

I would say Beale and Mogg would both be picked before Woodward at 15 for the Wallabies right now.

That discussion is purely hypothetical though because Woodward can't play for the Wallabies until 2016 and a lot can happen between now and then.

 

[oztimmay]

I would say Beale and Mogg would both be picked before Woodward at 15 for the Wallabies right now.

That discussion is purely hypothetical though because Woodward can't play for the Wallabies until 2016 and a lot can happen between now and then.

Exactly, it is until he qualifies. Still, I would be deeply inspired if the ARU had the foresight to plan ahead for this one.

 

[Highlander35]

The argument for Woodward remains strong. He's a much bigger body than either Beale or Mogg. He's a regular kicker. And, to top it all off, he is a genuine winger as well, and would be a good complementary player to Folau and Speight in the back 3.

Its all hypothetical, given he won't be eligible to after the cup, but he's a lot closer to a Wallaby jersey than a All Black one.

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[Swandive]

Are you talking about their game against Korea? Some good tries were scored but that was mostly because Korea's defence wasn't fit for a u16's rep side, and it becomes even worse when you consider Korea is the third best Asian team. Makes you wonder how Japan are supposed to develop if this is the level of their regional opposition

Yes, agree. Japan flogged Sri Lanka by about 130 points to 3.

 

[elementfreak]

Pat Leafa re-signs.

 

[oztimmay]

Pat Leafa re-signs.

Until 2016. Thought he was already signed? Still, excellent signing.

 

[qwerty51]

Is he the player that is having an outstanding season? If so the Rebels just pulled a Highlanders

 

[Highlander35]

Well, they're not wrong, but the implication to me was that it was someone like Jones, Inman or Woodward.

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[Deputy Van Halen]

Solid player having a good season but yeah, not quite what was expected. Pretty sure Jones and Inman are both signed up until 2015 already so Woodward and Weeks are the big names. Very much hope both stick around but won't be terribly surprised if they both head home to the Canes and Reds respectively.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Weeks is a Sydney boy.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

With 20 odd caps for the Reds.

More meant that reds are probably in the market for props, Isn't Jono Owen moving on? Holmes isn't getting any younger either. Purely a hunch.

 

[daz]

Pretty sure Jones and Inman are both signed up until 2015 already .

Correct.

 

[daz]

Is he the player that is having an outstanding season? If so the Rebels just pulled a Highlanders

Yeah, I think Pat has a bit to offer but this year I have found his set play work closer to disappointing than outstanding.

 

[oztimmay]

Yeah, I think Pat has a bit to offer but this year I have found his set play work closer to disappointing than outstanding.

Probably my biggest disappointment has been the lineouts. Needs to work on the accuracy and perhaps timing. He manages to throw a few horrible ones in most matches which result in a opposition put in. I'm sure MattyC has been working with him on this.

Scrums I'm fine with, broken play has been good. He's a hard little nut and gives 80min ever game.

 

[elementfreak]

Probably my biggest disappointment has been the lineouts. Needs to work on the accuracy and perhaps timing. He manages to throw a few horrible ones in most matches which result in a opposition put in. I'm sure MattyC has been working with him on this.

Scrums I'm fine with, broken play has been good. He's a hard little nut and gives 80min ever game.

We put up with 3 years of Ged having 2-3 shocking throws per game. I think we can handle Pat's 1-2 off throws per game.

 

[oztimmay]

Solid player having a good season but yeah, not quite what was expected. Pretty sure Jones and Inman are both signed up until 2015 already so Woodward and Weeks are the big names. Very much hope both stick around but won't be terribly surprised if they both head home to the Canes and Reds respectively.

Weeks I'm nervous about, but then again PAE is a south side brissy boy and he may head home. With the way that Lorenzo is settling int o the Rebel life (ambassador, social media king, house purchase 6mths ago) I see him staying rather than going.

Eventually the weight of all these re-signings will hopefully push the undecided to make a _good_ decision and stick around.

Correct about Jono Owen, think he's heading to frogland for a year? Props don't get younger, they just get better. He's probabyl got a few more years. Slipper is fine. Albert Anae might step up. My fear is they will raid the stock and go for pine warmers. maybe Eddie might be thinking of leaving, he hasn't had much grass time this year.