Wallabies 2020
- Thread starter A mutterer
- Start date
Hooper has never played shit though, he always puts in and is always one of the top performers
At this stage it's entirely hypothetical. There's no evidence to suggest that Cheika wouldn't have dropped Hooper even if he'd had a run of poor form just as there's no evidence to suggest that Rennie would drop Hooper if he had a few poor games despite being captain.
It's probably the main reason he's been consistently picked by the last four coaches almost without fail since his debut and a significant reason why the last three coaches have made him captain.
It's probably the main reason he's been consistently picked by the last four coaches almost without fail since his debut and a significant reason why the last three coaches have made him captain.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
JOC (James O'Connor) out with a foot injury. Hodge apparently is set to retain the 10 spot.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Rennie said at the start of his tenure that Hooper must earn his spot like the rest of the players. The fact he has dropped so many player for average performances is suggesting he wouldn't hesitate to drop the captain either.
Many people believed Cheika had his favourites which he picked on 'gut feel' rather then logic.
So I disagree. There is already evidence to suggest Rennie chooses his players very differently.
But anyway, it's a complete moot point because for the 10th time, Hooper will not be dropped on form.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Makes the decision easy for Rennie then. Would have been very curious to see which way he would have gone if both were fit and healthy.
rodha
Dave Cowper (27)
think Rennie would've opted for experience, with Hodge & DHP at 12 & 15.
O'Connor 10, Wright 11, Hodge 12, Petaia 13, Koroibete 14, Haylett-Petty 15.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Don’t remember the exact quote but Rennie said JOC (James O'Connor) was the 10 if fit.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Could have been a smokescreen, of course. Confuse-a-cat.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I don’t think Hodge at 5/8 will work against the Pumas, I don’t think the Wallabies forwards will have the same ascendency as they did against the All Blacks, and the backline will need greater ball distribution from the 5/8, which isn’t Hodges strong point. There’s a real risk with the pumas rush defence and physicality in the forwards that will put more pressure on the halves.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
A major strength with Hodge-10 was defending in the channel and that will be at least as effective against the Pumas as the ABs.
In attack he is solid if not innovative. If he harnesses the the short kicking to position in attack could really help here. It would be useful having a second play maker at 12/15 - a second option at least if he gets pushed deep.
I see little reason for massive changes, plenty of reason to double down and focus. Equally it has become a game that will not work for deep experimentation and extended time to the next gen.
Double down.
hifflepiff
Charlie Fox (21)
I worry DHP or Banks at 15 may not have the long kicking game to counter Carreras (or Boffelli if he is selected). We don't want to be stuck in our half trying to defend our own ruck from Matera and Kremer or trying to break through the Puma's strong defensive line.
The alternative is to have Hodge switch back to 15 for clearances, but as we've seen that can negatively affect our defensive positioning and lead to confusion.
It might be worth bringing Maddocks into 15 as he's looked quite good in the Australia XV games and has quite a big kick on him which may allow us to counter the Puma's main strength. That said it would be a big call from Rennie to bring him straight into the starting side.
The alternative is to have Hodge switch back to 15 for clearances, but as we've seen that can negatively affect our defensive positioning and lead to confusion.
It might be worth bringing Maddocks into 15 as he's looked quite good in the Australia XV games and has quite a big kick on him which may allow us to counter the Puma's main strength. That said it would be a big call from Rennie to bring him straight into the starting side.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
He passed very little and White did most of the in-play kicking, agree he tackled well
Tirinui's podcast described closer to Butch James than Larkham
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Personally, I'd like to see Hodge get another run at 10, but one thing Rennie hasn't done is double down on his last game selections. Won't be at all surprised if there are 3 or 4 personnel changes coming into this test.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Butch James played behind a consistently, physically dominant forward pack, so far, ive only seen an occasionally dominant Wallabies forward pack. We need plan B, i.e. the ability to use the backline in case that fails.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Hodge with 7 passes at FH according to stats guru. Wowsers.