I'm sure they both have great potential and with only 8 months age difference between them are at the start of their careers. The only point I was trying you make regarding Hooper and Gill is that Hooper has been rated by independant writers and commentations (not locals) as not only acheiving at super rugby level but excelling and judged the pick of the Aus 7's in a round. Gill has yet to do this and is not currently in the reds 22, when he gets the chance to step up and compete we will all have a clearer view. For this reason Hooper would be my pick for 7.
IRB U/20 Tournament and Oz Squad
- Thread starter RugbyReg
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bloodred
Fred Wood (13)
I thought I would put my thoughts down on the local boys who I have seen running around the paddock:
Paul Alo-Emile- A real special in the team. Very strong at scrum time and as he learns his trade will be on the international scene before too long. Has a real future in rugby
Blake Enever- Haven't seen too much of him as he didn't get too much exposure in the early season games. Very likely looking type but in my opinion will need to impose himself more to go further. Uncertain as to his skill level but has the physical attributes
Jarrad Butler- Quality backrower that displays a good understanding of the game. Strong with ball skills, I think he can come back from the tournament with an enhanced reputation
Liam Gill- I've watched Gill a few times now and like speccie and tranq, I believe he has the goods. The first couple of times I saw him he didn't respect the ref enough, but he is maturing well and I tip him to continue on his successful way.
Eddie Quirk- As some have mentioned, the fiery ranga, a must for the team. Been playing a fair bit of premier rugby and is up to the mark. Will go well in Italy
Eddie Bredenhann- Haven't seen him for a couple of years so perhaps others will have a better idea.
Matt Lucas- Lee mentioned that he was fairly small and he probably is. In his second year of prems rugby he is tough and has a very good skill set and I would be surprised if Eddie starts over him. He played us in a trial and has bulked up a lot
Joel Faulkner- Needs to have a strong tournament to reinstate his reputation. Has also been playing a bit of prems and can be very hard to control when his game is on song
Tevita Kuridrani- Haven't seen much but on the occassion that I watched him he was very good. I am expecting a fair bit from him
Simon Morahan- I think people have to stop comparing Simon to his brother. He is a local Coast lad with potential. He needs a strong tournament also to keep his name in lights
Dom Shipperley- Could be one of the stars of the tournament. A big lad, strong and fast, has developed well since school. I don't think he will let anyone down.
Kimami Sitauti- I am probably hoping for a bit of a revival here for Kimami. Probably got too many wraps too early and has had trouble living up to the hype. Now is his time to shine in his own class and I for one hope he does
All in all, the factor I fear is that the boys are not used to the heavy physical games that say the JAB's or the English will play. We will have the talent but as Lee has said, I hope we can handle the wolves
Paul Alo-Emile- A real special in the team. Very strong at scrum time and as he learns his trade will be on the international scene before too long. Has a real future in rugby
Blake Enever- Haven't seen too much of him as he didn't get too much exposure in the early season games. Very likely looking type but in my opinion will need to impose himself more to go further. Uncertain as to his skill level but has the physical attributes
Jarrad Butler- Quality backrower that displays a good understanding of the game. Strong with ball skills, I think he can come back from the tournament with an enhanced reputation
Liam Gill- I've watched Gill a few times now and like speccie and tranq, I believe he has the goods. The first couple of times I saw him he didn't respect the ref enough, but he is maturing well and I tip him to continue on his successful way.
Eddie Quirk- As some have mentioned, the fiery ranga, a must for the team. Been playing a fair bit of premier rugby and is up to the mark. Will go well in Italy
Eddie Bredenhann- Haven't seen him for a couple of years so perhaps others will have a better idea.
Matt Lucas- Lee mentioned that he was fairly small and he probably is. In his second year of prems rugby he is tough and has a very good skill set and I would be surprised if Eddie starts over him. He played us in a trial and has bulked up a lot
Joel Faulkner- Needs to have a strong tournament to reinstate his reputation. Has also been playing a bit of prems and can be very hard to control when his game is on song
Tevita Kuridrani- Haven't seen much but on the occassion that I watched him he was very good. I am expecting a fair bit from him
Simon Morahan- I think people have to stop comparing Simon to his brother. He is a local Coast lad with potential. He needs a strong tournament also to keep his name in lights
Dom Shipperley- Could be one of the stars of the tournament. A big lad, strong and fast, has developed well since school. I don't think he will let anyone down.
Kimami Sitauti- I am probably hoping for a bit of a revival here for Kimami. Probably got too many wraps too early and has had trouble living up to the hype. Now is his time to shine in his own class and I for one hope he does
All in all, the factor I fear is that the boys are not used to the heavy physical games that say the JAB's or the English will play. We will have the talent but as Lee has said, I hope we can handle the wolves
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I agree...
Hooper has made the step up to Super rugby and has been excellent... I honestly don't know why he's been demoted behind Fainga'a for the past couple of matches?
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
He is small, but he is a very strong defender, very similar to how his brother plays
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
At the moment I think Hooper just lacks the physical presence which Fainga'a brings. Hooper is a great pilferer and a good link man/support player which probably makes him more noticeable around the game, but Fainga'a has a more rounded game. Hard on Hooper to say he was demoted also as he had played very well I thought, though he was mainly starting in the 7 position while Colby was filling other holes in the backrow. Both are future players who just need a few years under the belt, not everyone is going to develop as quick as Pocock.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I don't think Hooper lacks anymore physical presence than Fainga'a...
Hooper put on some awesome tackles when he played, and made some good solid runs...
I just don't think Rea really knows what he's doing with selections as evidence by the constant chopping and changing and not playing players in their best position...
Hooper put on some awesome tackles when he played, and made some good solid runs...
I just don't think Rea really knows what he's doing with selections as evidence by the constant chopping and changing and not playing players in their best position...
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Don't think it's fair to point fingers at Rea for having Fainga'a over Hooper either, as it was the same case under Friend both this year an last season.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Well, Fainga'a played his way ahead of Hooper last year... but Hooper has clearly made more impact this year and his demotion to the bench was not really based on any kind of form as he was one of the Brumbies' better players leading into the past couple of weeks...
Rea's selections have generally not made a lot of sense and has now allowed combinations to form...
twenty seven
Tom Lawton (22)
From what I've heard Enever is a year older. He is 20 this year where Stolberg is a year younger and has only been in the 2nd row a few years.
From what I have read of Nuc's comments, he wants to stick a fair bit to the appropriate age and those with experience, which is understandable.
The way Quirk has to be playing, you would be mad not to go with him.
twenty seven
Tom Lawton (22)
All I've heard is that they get together on the 27th, in Sydney I think.
Nucifora will announce his captain when the squad assembles at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen on 27 May.
The team departs for Italy on 29 May and the Junior Wallabies will set up camp at the AIS in Varese before basing themselves in Padova on 6 June.
Australia has been drawn alongside Fiji, France and Tonga in Pool B for the June 10-26 tournament.
The team departs for Italy on 29 May and the Junior Wallabies will set up camp at the AIS in Varese before basing themselves in Padova on 6 June.
Australia has been drawn alongside Fiji, France and Tonga in Pool B for the June 10-26 tournament.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Have Shipperly and Gill been cleared to go? I haven't heard anything on that for a few weeks.
T
tranquility
Guest
It would be a travesty if they are held back. Shipperley can be covered by Aidan Toua. Gill is harder to replace as the only other specialist scavenger, but players like Ben Coridas, Jake Shatz and to a less extent Lei Tomiki deserve a chance to step up. Alternatively we could play a massive backrow with Higgers at 7, but that never seems to work.
T
TheTruth
Guest
Is Shatzie eligible from age perspective - has Gill been "released" by the Reds to play ?????
T
tranquility
Guest
Shatz is too old, and Gill be go on tour. I don't think he has played enough games to meet the criteria to stay behind.
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