• Welcome to the Green and Gold Rugby forums. As you can see we've upgraded the forums to new software. Your old logon details should work, just click the 'Login' button in the top right.

Wallaby Watch 2014

Status
Not open for further replies.

Pete King

Phil Hardcastle (33)
Havent visited the Wallaby watch forum for a while but thought id drop in to give my two cents, I think Tevita is a solid performer but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has to be given the nod at 13. Id like to see tomane and horne as the wingers.I am tipping Horne to have a massive year next year, I believe he has found his spot on the wing and injury free will see him forfill his enormous potential

I thought Skelton showed enough in the finals plus test v French that he is worth a go off the bench.

performances of 1-5 will dictate how we go in the RC. Inexperience at the rake hurts. Slipper and Kepu need to play out of their skin and Id start simmons and carter
 
T

Train Without a Station

Guest
Long pissy lunch? What do you think you are? A stockbroker or something?
 

Viking

Mark Ella (57)
I am tipping Horne to have a massive year next year, I believe he has found his spot on the wing and injury free will see him forfill his enormous potential


I still think Horne's best position is 13. It would be great if we had Horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and Kuridrani all playing consistently at 13 in the future. That would create some great depth at 13. Too bad both play for the Tahs
 

GaffaCHinO

Peter Sullivan (51)
I still think Horne's best position is 13. It would be great if we had Horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and Kuridrani all playing consistently at 13 in the future. That would create some great depth at 13. Too bad both play for the Tahs
The force have been trying to get Horne to move and play 13 for them for 2 years.
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
Why would McCabe be disturbing, he has been very good this season. (He should have started more for the ponies) He has the defensive qualities of Horne, with better attacking skills and he is great under the high ball?


I just don't see him as a test standard winger. There is no doubting his enthusiasm and toughness but we really need to have at least one wing with outright finishing ability and pace.
I would view McCabe more as a midfield possibility, where he has gone well before at test level. I would opt for Horne or Tomane until Speight is eligible.
I know that Horne and McCabe have similar skill sets but I just have a preference for Horne if it has to be one of them.
 

Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
Skelton or Carter to start? I could see Link going either way.
Skelton to help establish physical presence and to back up Palu's running game without TPN for this test.
Carter as he is a workhorse who will tackle, clear out and carry all night as well as being a reasonable line out target. With Charles starting our line out could be a real strength.
If Skelton is in the 23 I wonder if Link will take a punt on Higgers on the bench?
 

BarneySF

Bob Loudon (25)
Skelton or Carter Tyro to start? I could see Link going either way.
Skelton to help establish physical presence and to back up Palu's running game without TPN for this test.
Carter Tyro as he is a workhorse superdonkey who will tackle, clear out and carry all night as well as being a reasonable line out target. With Charles starting our line out could be a real strength.
If Skelton is in the 23 I wonder if Link will take a punt on Higgers on the bench?

Fixed. Come on JB, get with the program!!!!
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
I just don't see him as a test standard winger. There is no doubting his enthusiasm and toughness but we really need to have at least one wing with outright finishing ability and pace.
I would view McCabe more as a midfield possibility, where he has gone well before at test level. I would opt for Horne or Tomane until Speight is eligible.
I know that Horne and McCabe have similar skill sets but I just have a preference for Horne if it has to be one of them.

McCabe's issue is his ability to play many positions, like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), he is a very very solid rugby player who can play anywhere in backline from 12 out and not let us down.

I can see why Link has him pencilled in, McCabe has that little bit extra, he is a damn good fullback as well and I like having wings who are safe under the high ball, especially against the ABs who will box kick us to death.

I see him as an upgrade on Horne who played 12 defensively all season to protect Beale and while really solid, is a crash baller, and I don't see him as a test winger either.

I think Tomane would have been the simple selection choice if he had played more for the ponies after coming back from injury, but they made a few stupid and baffling backline decisions. Tomane is a poacher but also can be lost defensively because of that penchant to try to poach.
 

Scrubber2050

Mark Ella (57)
Skelton or Carter to start? I could see Link going either way.
Skelton to help establish physical presence and to back up Palu's running game without TPN for this test.
Carter as he is a workhorse who will tackle, clear out and carry all night as well as being a reasonable line out target. With Charles starting our line out could be a real strength.
If Skelton is in the 23 I wonder if Link will take a punt on Higgers on the bench?
.

For me, I have always favoured Carter (over big Will ) to partner Simmo because of his workload around the paddock. Skelton to be on the pine to offer that impact later in the game. Carter and maybe Skelton are the future forward.

Link MAY pick James H if he elects to go for experience and all that comes with it. I would not be disappointed at all if Link went for that safety option as well.

Suppose we all have to wait until Tuesday (I think) until the team is announced.
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
I wouldn't pick Skelton for the first Bled, he isn't ready IMHO

Carter & Simmons to start, Horwill on the bench.

My reasoning is fear of a scenario.

Simmons goes down in the first 5 minutes, a Carter & Skelton locking set for 75 minutes?

Whilst i like what Skelton can do, I want him to learn more before setting him at the ABs for long minutes.

But that does depend on the bench set up, if we load forwards and are prepared to throw Fardy in at lock in a pinch?

So many options ...............
 
T

Train Without a Station

Guest
The concern is more so that we really lack a dominant line out forward in that scenario. I wouldn't exactly be concerned about Skelton coming on and Carter will be fine but that would only leave us with Carter and Fardy as serious line out options and they are about 2 and 3rd choice at their province. Simmons and Horwill both offer the line out stealing defensive option.

I'd love to see Horwill and Skelton on the pine with Skelton coming on at 8, but that's not really a viable option for the Bledisloe Cup considering Skelton hasn't had the opportunity to play there at all yet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top