Wallabies 2020

[Bobby Sands]

I like Maddocks the concept, but not Maddocks the product/output.

 

[rugboy]

It’s looking like Maddocks will do a Bradbury. DHP was looking the goods until injury. Banks .... I have no idea where the pre COVID Banks has gone. Maddocks has had some great games and gone missing in others although that is an issue with the Tahs team in general. He is young and as others have mentioned, has an impressive skill set.

 

[Joe Blow]

I like Maddocks the concept, but not Maddocks the product/output.

Patience.
Hes shaping up but needs to get more involved. Last night he was good under the high ball and kicked a few good clearances.
The concept is where he can be soon.

 

[dru]

Patience.
Hes shaping up but needs to get more involved. Last night he was good under the high ball and kicked a few good clearances.
The concept is where he can be soon.

In the mean time Hodge may be given the chance to settle into 15. If Maddocks wants it, and he is capable of taking it, he needs nose to the grind stone and arse in the air.

And Campbell is building quietly in the background.

I suspect DHP is yesterday's man.

 

[TSR]

I like Maddocks the concept, but not Maddocks the product/output.

Agree.

Maddocks could be a fantastic fullback for Australia. But he seems to have trouble stringing games of constant quality together. And when he is off he can be horrid.

 

[hifflepiff]

In the mean time Hodge may be given the chance to settle into 15. If Maddocks wants it, and he is capable of taking it, he needs nose to the grind stone and arse in the air.

And Campbell is building quietly in the background.

I suspect DHP is yesterday's man.

I've been off Hodge for a while, but he looks a lot more comfortable at 15, and the position seems to suit his skillset.

Makes you think the periods spent at 11, 13 and 10 (wtf) were a serious waste of time.

 

[dru]

I've been off Hodge for a while, but he looks a lot more comfortable at 15, and the position seems to suit his skillset.

Makes you think the periods spent at 11, 13 and 10 (wtf) were a serious waste of time.

HE got caught in a situation where the best positions for a team's overall strength were when he was out of position. It was sheeted home when he offered utility for the WBs. If he can settle at 15, and given his utility he is a lock for WBs at either 15 or 23.

I dont think it was wasted time in those positions though it has ultimately held him back. He is definitely "watch this space" at the moment.

 

[Drew]

Maddocks could be great. A more traditional fullback in he runs good lines and links with his teammates from the back. He’s also got a big boot. His drawing of two defenders in the lead up to Dempseys try yesterday was nice. He just needs to get his confidence and consistency in order.

 

[eastman]

HE got caught in a situation where the best positions for a team's overall strength were when he was out of position. It was sheeted home when he offered utility for the WBs. If he can settle at 15, and given his utility he is a lock for WBs at either 15 or 23..

He's played one game at fullback this year and sporadically over the past and you think he will be a lock at 15? You know what you will get with Hodge no matter what number he has on his back; a strong defender, big boot and mostly a hard straight runner (last couple of games he has seemed to become aware of how big he actually is). Despite these qualities, there are better players in pretty much every position. Hodge should be 23 on the team sheet- never in the 15.

 

[TSR]

I thought I would move the McDermott v White debate over here where it seems more relevant that the Brumbies v Tahs match thread.

I get the calls to introduce McDermott to test rugby off the bench.

What I don’t really get is the calls to use McDermott as a weapon against tired defence. I understand his running game will be very useful then, but unless people see it as a 50/50 call then surely you pick your best guy to start.

With regards to Nic White - no doubt he is a good solid half with the benefit of experience. He was arguably hard done by at the selection table in the past. But he isn’t, and never has been, a world beater at test level. I don’t see why he has an inside running to the Wallabies 9 job unless he is clearly first pick on current form. I don’t mind if that comes from a relatively small sample size, but he has to earn it on current form and, IMO, McDermott is clearly in front at this time.

The other interesting thing is whether White’s return kills off any remaining chance Powell had. Or, does Powell get give back the starting jersey next game. He has been doing a pretty good job.

 

[dru]

He's played one game at fullback this year

Where did he play in R4? He was R2 23; R5: 15; R6: 15; R7 15. In each case he only gets the chance with DHP out because DHP: 15; Hodge: 13 is stronger than 13: ? 15: Hodge. It doesnt mean that Hodge is not the superior 15.

and you think he will be a lock at 15?

What I said was:

If he can settle at 15, and given his utility he is a lock for WBs at either 15 or 23.

I'm sure you can make your point without the need to inveigh.

My general argument however, is that while Maddocks is being put forward as the possible WB 15, with DHP currently not gaining attention, is that Maddocks has others that he also needs to displace. Surely you can see that an up and coming 15 needs to displace a player looking good for 15/23?

 

[dru]

Thinking it through a bit more. We have a pretty settled 1-3 and 16-18. Our locks are not clear, with plenty in the mix, some not doing well across both halves. And we have a plethora of backrowers all looking very solid but hard to to pull together 6-8 and 20 that are convincingly the best selection.

If we had the flexibility and robustness in the backs, now would be a good time to be thinking a 6/2 split on the bench. If we chose Hodge at 15, he can slot in anywhere if there is an injury and allow the 2 on the bench to be specialists to a particular role or simply a finisher. IE you don't need a utility on the bench.

I'd be tempted to select locks at 19 and 20 and a loosie at 21. With Hodge at 15. Then 22 reserve half, 23 a finisher, maybe one our young wingers.

 

[Adam84]

I get the calls to introduce McDermott to test rugby off the bench.

What I don’t really get is the calls to use McDermott as a weapon against tired defence. I understand his running game will be very useful then, but unless people see it as a 50/50 call then surely you pick your best guy to start.
P.

well, that was me who made that “call”, and I said that before the brumbies game ‘pending whites form’.

if its 50/50 At the end of the season then I believe the above is what should occur, for the simple case that I think White through his experience has better game control and it allows Tate to build experience off the bench.However, if Tate is the best half at the season end, then he starts.

 

[Adam84]

The other interesting thing is whether White’s return kills off any remaining chance Powell had. Or, does Powell get give back the starting jersey next game. He has been doing a pretty good job.

man, I think I had this argument with a brumby supporter at the start of the season, I think it went along the lines of him calling Powell the best 9 in the country and me arguing he won’t even make the wallabies match day squad

 

[TSR]

well, that was me who made that “call”, and I said that before the brumbies game ‘pending whites form’.

if its 50/50 At the end of the season then I believe the above is what should occur, for the simple case that I think White through his experience has better game control and it allows Tate to build experience off the bench.However, if Tate is the best half at the season end, then he starts.

My post wasn’t specifically aimed at you or any other individual Adam. More at the thought process that is, IMO, overstating White’s performance as a test level half. Rightly or wrongly he has rarely been the first choice test half and has never been more than a solid test option.

 

[dru]

My post wasn’t specifically aimed at you or any other individual Adam. More at the thought process that is, IMO, overstating White’s performance as a test level half. Rightly or wrongly he has rarely been the first choice test half and has never been more than a solid test option.

The story is that he has improved while in the UK to possibly now be considered international class. My response is maybe, let's see it. His first 30 was good, but for now it's Tate for me.

 

[TSR]

Agree. And if he shows it then you’ll get no complaints from me.

 

[eastman]

I'd be tempted to select locks at 19 and 20 and a loosie at 21. With Hodge at 15. Then 22 reserve half, 23 a finisher, maybe one our young wingers.

This doesn't make any sense- you want to pick the player who isn't even the best fullback in his provincial team to start there for the Wallabies, all to allow a 6/2 bench despite the fact the team will feature players who are already versatile and have earnt the position on merit(e.g. O'Connor, To'omua, Petaia).

And I don't think you will get much support that Hodge is a superior fullback to DHP, and just doesn't get selected there for 'team balance'.

Hodge can be the 23 or not in the match day squad, he doesn't deserve to make the 15 currently.

 

[dru]

This doesn't make any sense- you want to pick the player who isn't even the best fullback in his provincial team to start there for the Wallabies, all to allow a 6/2 bench despite the fact the team will feature players who are already versatile and have earnt the position on merit(e.g. O'Connor, To'omua, Petaia).

And I don't think you will get much support that Hodge is a superior fullback to DHP, and just doesn't get selected there for 'team balance'.

Hodge can be the 23 or not in the match day squad, he doesn't deserve to make the 15 currently.

Well at least you've dropped the sarcasm and emotion. It's a start.

AT any rate I'm hoping DHP doesnt make the 15 cut, I just don't think he's good enough for international standard. Maddocks would be my desire, but he has a lot of work to do. Including getting better than Hodge.

 

[Slim 293]

I thought I would move the McDermott v White debate over here where it seems more relevant that the Brumbies v Tahs match thread.

I get the calls to introduce McDermott to test rugby off the bench.

What I don’t really get is the calls to use McDermott as a weapon against tired defence. I understand his running game will be very useful then, but unless people see it as a 50/50 call then surely you pick your best guy to start.

With regards to Nic White - no doubt he is a good solid half with the benefit of experience. He was arguably hard done by at the selection table in the past. But he isn’t, and never has been, a world beater at test level. I don’t see why he has an inside running to the Wallabies 9 job unless he is clearly first pick on current form. I don’t mind if that comes from a relatively small sample size, but he has to earn it on current form and, IMO, McDermott is clearly in front at this time.

The other interesting thing is whether White’s return kills off any remaining chance Powell had. Or, does Powell get give back the starting jersey next game. He has been doing a pretty good job.

I actually didn’t see anything from Lonergan or White last night that should threaten Powell’s starting spot in the team.........

It was White’s first game back though so I wasn’t expecting too much from him, but once again Powell’s good form again this year won’t likely see him rewarded with any potential test caps with White back and the two of them being very similar halfbacks.