Wallabies 2020
- Thread starter A mutterer
- Start date
I don't know whether I made it clear enough, Hornet, that I wouldn't just be surprised, I'd be blown away.
But I can see how that might have been lost in the substance of the post.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
What's he missing?
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
He’s essentially a tall open side flanker, and doesn’t provide any balance to the backrow playing at 6.
I think we need a bit more grunt in that position.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
I would not be surprised to see Hooper starting, but across SuperAu I think every single team has remarkable back rows. I see 6, 7, and 8 as highly contested. Hooper is not at all guaranteed in my mind.
It is great to have this level of competition across all positions. Let's hope it leads to international quality Wallabies.
It is great to have this level of competition across all positions. Let's hope it leads to international quality Wallabies.
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
Rugby Head
Watty Friend (18)
Love everyone's confidence in Wilson. I think he needs another year before he's starting for the Wallabies.
Maybe a gig on the bench?
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Who do you have on your shortlist for captain aside from Hooper?
Froggy
John Solomon (38)
Captaincy is interesting. Unlikely to be a front rower (although not impossible), neither Wright nor DHP guaranteed a spot, Prior probably 4th ranked 9 at the moment (behind White, Powell & McDermott) and it's hard to see why you would replace a 28 year old Hooper with a 30 year old Simmons (unless Hooper doesn't want it, as was the case with the Tahs).
On that basis my bet is Hooper retains the (c), with AAA the smokey.
On that basis my bet is Hooper retains the (c), with AAA the smokey.
Hooper is the obvious choice as captain because he's in form and he's the incumbent captain. Every other potential option is less assured of their spot so making that big decision to name them captain carries the risk that you might not want to select them after you've seen the team in action for a while.
If you name Hooper to continue as captain it's easier to move on from that if you decide there's a better option.
If you name Hooper to continue as captain it's easier to move on from that if you decide there's a better option.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Nah, again the balance isn’t right playing both Naisarani and Wilson.
One or the other.........
And I maintain Valetini’s form all year should make him a certain starter - none of the other options provide the same level of physicality.
Despite what Rod Kafer thinks - all that work off the ball is important.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
I'd imagine it'll be someone out of the following;
Hooper, Wright, AAA, DHP, To'omua.
It also depends on how Rennie wants to approach it. He may very well go for a stop gap solution until he gets to know the players/he finds his captain. So that'd more lean towards a Hooper. Whereas' if he wants to pick a guy he see's playing in his squad for the next 4 years, I'd imagine it'd be Wright or AAA.
Simply because I haven't seen or heard much of AAA, I've got no idea how he is as a leader. I'm sure that because he was picked by the Brumbies to don the Captaincy means there's a lot of merit to him.
What I will say is, I can only remember AAA speaking publicly lately where he gave his support to Folau during that shit show. Whether that plays against him I'm not sure.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
Im happy to back Valetini as the 6. Swinton has impressed me, his physicality is brutal as well (so it isn't just Valetini). Who plays there could be determined by who plays lock. If there isn't any ball carrying ability at lock I think it brings the Wilson/Naisarani option on the table as teams cant rely on one ball carrier these days, its just easy pickings for opposition teams. But if Philip of LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) are one of the two locking down, then I think they will lean towards Valetini or Swinton.
Suddenly there is solid options at 6. We just need to solve the hooker and locking issues and we are set.
Suddenly there is solid options at 6. We just need to solve the hooker and locking issues and we are set.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
My understanding is that hes carrying a niggle that he just cant shake. Was expected to be back after round 1 but seems to be taking longer than expected. Fingers crossed hes back just in time for the Tahs this week.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Would be a very big call to make Wright captain when he’s got one test cap. If he’d done something like lead the Reds to a Super Rugby Championship then it might be less of a leap but he’s not going to have the opportunity to do that.
AAA is much more viable but I think his starting position is under pressure from Tupou.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
Yeah, I agree that it's a big call. Making Hooper captain is a similar call to Penney and the Tahs with Simmons. Rennie has come in with no preparation, barely meeting the players and getting to know them. I can see Rennie picking a 'senior' player until he gets to know the players.
Why is that? I think the balance could work. Let's assume we want one big ball carrier and one 'workhorse' who is mobile and can carry when required.
I think Wilson could play the former role and Isi could play the latter.
I wouldn't be crying if Valentini got picked, but I don't think balance is the reason why Wilson/Isi/Hooper won't work.