Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[TOCC]

Pocock's injury was limited to his ACL, in terms of knee injuries it's not as bad as it could have been. He was operated on by the same surgeon as Tim Horan had when he injured his knee, which was a horrific injury.

Confidence will be the biggest issue for Pocock..

 

[Braveheart81]

It's been done, Dave Dennis and Ben Mowen, Lewis Moody are blokes who have come back from a few knee recons

Hodgo had 2 knee recons in his early days hasn't affected his longevity

Players certainly return to their best or close to eventually. It's the season of their return where I'd really question whether anyone has really bounced back to close to their best.

All the ones I can think of, it's taken at least a year before they really hit their strides.

Moore and Pocock have a massive task ahead of them to really put themselves back in the frame next year. Pocock moreso than Moore given the lack of depth at hooker plays in Moore's favour.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Is that a mental thing - if the body's OK then it must be.

What is the answer?

Maybe a sports psychologist ????????

 

[Braveheart81]

Is that a mental thing - if the body's OK then it must be.

What is the answer?

Maybe a sports psychologist ????????

One of the things you lose after an ACL reconstruction is proprioception. It takes a long time to get that back regardless of what rehab you do. I think that is the biggest thing that holds back someone regaining their confidence.

The only thing to fix that is time in my opinion.

 

[hammertimethere]

Not so much time itself but training and playing time. Those that work harder at rehab return to normal faster than those that don't.

 

[qwerty51]

It's been done, Dave Dennis and Ben Mowen, Lewis Moody are blokes who have come back from a few knee recons

Moody was never the same. Pocock's 2nd biggest attribute is his speed, that's going to suffer. Speed's not much an issue for Mowen and Dennis.

 

[hammertimethere]

Rod Davies didn't lose much speed.

I suppose it's too individual and depends on too many variables for us to achieve anything by speculating. The only thing that is almost certainly true is that if David Pocock can possibly make a full recovery and play at a high level again...he will.

 

[Braveheart81]

Rod Davies didn't lose much speed.

I suppose it's too individual and depends on too many variables for us to achieve anything by speculating. The only thing that is almost certainly true is that if David Pocock can possibly make a full recovery and play at a high level again.he will.

I think he will return to very close to his best. I just doubt it will be next year.

From my not so scientific recollections of players returning from knee reconstructions it seems like the second year of the comeback is where they return towards their peak.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think he will return to very close to his best. I just doubt it will be next year.

From my not so scientific recollections of players returning from knee reconstructions it seems like the second year of the comeback is where they return towards their peak.

It will be a loss for Aus Rugby and the RWC if you prove to be right BH.

 

[qwerty51]

He hasn't played for the last 2 and a half years! It would no different to the usual.

 

[Tomikin]

He hasn't played for the last 2 and a half years! It would no different to the usual.

He played the start of this year. I'm not saying he be a world beater but fuck your negative. It's Poey his not done yet his not even in his prime.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I think he will return to very close to his best. I just doubt it will be next year.

From my not so scientific recollections of players returning from knee reconstructions it seems like the second year of the comeback is where they return towards their peak.

aH - A PREDICTION !!!!!!

 

[Lorenzo]

Folau's a disaster waiting to happen playing at fullback. He can't kick, his positional defence is shit and he's a deer in the headlights on counter attack. And for all of his supposed premium as a bomb catcher, we still lose to teams that rely on the bomb.

Stick him on the wing and put whoever is fittest of JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at fullback.

This world cup is going to be about defence and goalkicking (like the rest of them), so we need a better much exit strategy and the fullback is a pivotal role in that.

 

[Viking]

Folau's a disaster waiting to happen playing at fullback. He can't kick, his positional defence is shit and he's a deer in the headlights on counter attack. And for all of his supposed premium as a bomb catcher, we still lose to teams that rely on the bomb.

Stick him on the wing and put whoever is fittest of JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at fullback.

This world cup is going to be about defence and goalkicking (like the rest of them), so we need a better much exit strategy and the fullback is a pivotal role in that.

Maybe so, but I don't see JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as realistic options. They aren't going to make a big difference. Here why:

JOC (James O'Connor): Not a lot of game time at fullback, and at Test level failed miserably in the position, so I'm not sure why you assume his positioning will be much better then Falou. His height makes him a liability for high balls. The only attribute he has over Falou is his kicking and playmaking but that can be utilised better on the wing.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper): Not sure why people want him at fullback, he spent a lot of time their under Dean's but really didn't cement himself as a natural fullback. His kicking is average at best. Is it better then Falou? Only slightly, Falou looks hesitant to kick but when he does he clears it with decent distance. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would probably have better positioning but this can be worked on with Falou.

The best option if want a safe kicker and catcher would be to teach Mogg how to tackle and take the ball into contact. He has the best boot in Aus and is a natural fullback. He potentially could be the most complete fullback Aus - if he wasn't a girl in contact.

So essentially Falou is the best we got and we should persist with him at least until RWC15.

 

[RugbyReg]

Folau's a disaster waiting to happen playing at fullback. He can't kick, his positional defence is shit and he's a deer in the headlights on counter attack. And for all of his supposed premium as a bomb catcher, we still lose to teams that rely on the bomb.

Stick him on the wing and put whoever is fittest of JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at fullback.

This world cup is going to be about defence and goalkicking (like the rest of them), so we need a better much exit strategy and the fullback is a pivotal role in that.

I'm am not as down on his work, but one thing I'd love to see him do more is use his size and power ball in hand, and worry less about big steps.

I was watching an old test match, Wallabies v Scotland from 2006 I think. Lots of interesting aspects, but a big one was just how bloody good Latho was. And one thing Latho did outstandingly was take on the line using his immense strength and power - a head down and charge at the line. Would love to see Izzy adopt a similar approach more often.

Oh, and would love him to develop Latho's boot as well. Wowza it was brilliant.

 

[qwerty51]

Folau has a huge boot, problem is he hasn't quite got the angles pat down yet.

 

[Lorenzo]

Folau has a huge boot, problem is he hasn't quite got the angles pat down yet.

lol what a load of shit. you're right about the angles though

 

[Scrubber2050]

Have said so for a while but the bloke has been worked out by opposition teams. The Reds started the rot at the end of last year. It has been a blueprint for the rest.

His once secure high ball catching is at best now suspect, Teams have lessened his impact by taking time and space away from him.

Add to that his contact running is not direct (often enough). He seems to nearly always want to go on the outside of opposition players.

I think Folau staying at the dIZZY heights of being Australia's top rugby player will be quite shortlived.

 

[Braveheart81]

He had a below average EOYT at the end of a very long season but realistically, how can you say that his test career has been anything short of excellent so far?

There are things he needs to work on like any player but Folau is clearly our best fullback. He also just won the John Eales Medal.

He routinely makes lot of metres after contact and is good at getting us over the advantage line and onto the front foot.

It seems some people are using a couple of average tests as an indication he should be replaced. I certainly don't see it happening.

 

[qwerty51]

lol what a load of shit. you're right about the angles though

He can kick from 22 to 22, is that not good enough?