I think the McMahon situation is two fold. He's getting offered a massive amount of money to play in Japan and then will come back and play for the Reds which will be easier for him from a PR view than going straight from the Rebels to the Reds.
The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
Is it true that he was not offered a top up from the ARU?
Apparently, being behind Pocock and Hooper and being perennially injured means he is a bench option usually
And bench options don't generally get top ups
Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
I want to see him too along with Fardy to show him the way. Higgers needs to be there as an 8 I would think. He was a bit meh as well but has a more rounded game than Hanigan. If we have a big tight 6 then Higgers will compliment Hooper well.
You could likewise say that Hanigan's ball playing, lineout work and running game works well if we have a bruiser at number 8.
Higgers may make the squad and I named him in the squad I selected yesterday in this thread but if one of them misses out I would guess it will be Higginbotham before Hanigan. Hanigan is a young player on the up and Higginbotham is a veteran who was given another crack and failed to shine.
If Higginbotham was to play for the Wallabies again this year I would like to see him get a crack at 6. I think that is the position that suits his game most at test level.
I would prefer Hanigan be tutored by someone more focused on cleanouts, getting over the gain line and a high workrate; too often we reward the show boat stuff and ignore the dog work
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
McMahon would be lower on the list of possibles because of his long absence to injury. He made it back last week but was quite ineffective. He didn't have the dominance in collisions that we are used to, often being forced back in attack and he did miss a tackle or two as I remember. Combined with him leaving for Japan, I think we won't necessarily see him come RC time.
RHP is about the best looking prospect atm. Certainly Naisarani should be in the mix as soon as he gains eligibility. I am still hopeful that Holloway will measure up to test standard as well. For the moment, Timani is the right option for No8. He has shown he is up for it at test level in that spot, and while the Rebels insist on playing him out of position, he didn't have a bad game at lock last weekend; good workload, some hard tackling. He just isn't as dominating ball in hand when he plays in the second row.
RHP is about the best looking prospect atm. Certainly Naisarani should be in the mix as soon as he gains eligibility. I am still hopeful that Holloway will measure up to test standard as well. For the moment, Timani is the right option for No8. He has shown he is up for it at test level in that spot, and while the Rebels insist on playing him out of position, he didn't have a bad game at lock last weekend; good workload, some hard tackling. He just isn't as dominating ball in hand when he plays in the second row.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
I'd like us to abandon playing two short back rowers. One thing I'd like to see is for us to return to having a best-in-the-world set piece. I don't think that's achievable in the scrum at present, but it potentially is in the lineout. I'd also like bigger bodies that can start making an impact at the gain line. I know many consider that to be a strength of McMahon, but I think that's debatable at test level.
I thought Higgers was actually ok. Definitely better than Hanigan - although it seems that Cheika disagreed. Hopefully Timani can get up to fitness.
I thought Higgers was actually ok. Definitely better than Hanigan - although it seems that Cheika disagreed. Hopefully Timani can get up to fitness.
Strewthcobber
Andrew Slack (58)
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
I agree TSR, I want a more balanced back row than we had with Pocock and Hooper (plus McMahon). It worked for a while, not really against England and definitely not against the All Blacks. A big ball runner who can jump in the lineout, a rock shifting enforcer and a fetcher IMHO is what's required and that's not really what we've been running since 2015.
I think Cheika needs to stop trying to get two excellent players in the same position on the park at the same time and accept that whilst they balance each other to a degree, they're not the answer and leave us undersized.
I think Cheika needs to stop trying to get two excellent players in the same position on the park at the same time and accept that whilst they balance each other to a degree, they're not the answer and leave us undersized.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Arnold, Coleman, Higgers & Timani. RHP in the bench (although I admit I have been impressed with him around the field but not haven't really taken note his strong he is in the lineout). Probably Carter reserve lock at present.
Not saying that would be world best right now - but has potential to be. Coleman & Higgers are both very good.
The biggest issue would actually be hooker at present.
Not saying that would be world best right now - but has potential to be. Coleman & Higgers are both very good.
The biggest issue would actually be hooker at present.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Haha - well, it was long ago. But I have a feel your my vintage or so. When the likes of Eales/McCall/Harrison/Cockbain et al were features in our side we won numerous games off the strength of our line our. Ask Austin Healy.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
I agree Coleman is a future Wallaby captain and it might be the near future too. Hooper, for all his great qualities, is not it IMHO.