Brumbies v Highlanders
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rugbywhisperer
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That is still a freekin good side and a great bench
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formeropenside
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rugbywhisperer said:
Bench looks better than the run on side.
Interesting team. It's early days; I see it as playing the most experienced guys first up.
The Tahs scrum had the edge on the Brumbies scrum in the trial whomever from both sides were in the tight 5; so you can't say that not starting Alexander is a mistake. Bring him on when some of the big Highlanders boofheads are tired.
I'm pleased that Salvi is at 6. This bloke plays his heart out and doesn't leave any petrol in the tank. Eventually Kimlin and Timani may supersede him, but with Hoiles having to start as captain and Smith the best player in the country, they are all going for the same spot - 6.
There would be a case for Kimlin to start ahead of the gentle Hand but Kimlin has a niggle according to Friend on the radio yesterday.
Phibbs deserves his starting spot if his trial effort against the Tahs is any form guide and by playing Rathbone, the other backline positions fall into place. As for Holmes: don't be surprised if he comes on if a winger is hurt and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) stays at 13.
I think the Brumbies will win this one if their scrummaging improves and Cowan doesn't have a blinder.
Their bench could win it for them.
The Tahs scrum had the edge on the Brumbies scrum in the trial whomever from both sides were in the tight 5; so you can't say that not starting Alexander is a mistake. Bring him on when some of the big Highlanders boofheads are tired.
I'm pleased that Salvi is at 6. This bloke plays his heart out and doesn't leave any petrol in the tank. Eventually Kimlin and Timani may supersede him, but with Hoiles having to start as captain and Smith the best player in the country, they are all going for the same spot - 6.
There would be a case for Kimlin to start ahead of the gentle Hand but Kimlin has a niggle according to Friend on the radio yesterday.
Phibbs deserves his starting spot if his trial effort against the Tahs is any form guide and by playing Rathbone, the other backline positions fall into place. As for Holmes: don't be surprised if he comes on if a winger is hurt and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) stays at 13.
I think the Brumbies will win this one if their scrummaging improves and Cowan doesn't have a blinder.
Their bench could win it for them.
ACT Crusader
Jim Lenehan (48)
Brumbies-I would have started 17-21. Ty Smith really adds something at 2nd 5 which could really trouble the landers. Not sure why there has been so much hype around Salvi other than some handy performances at club level.
Landers - pack looks good. Don't underestimate Soakai who I rate quite highly. Both him and Thompson are very mobile and have big motors, so the Ponies loosies won't have it all their way despite having 2 wallabies. Shoemark and Dagg form a very good combo, but there are huge question marks around 10 and 12 at this level. Hoiles and others would do well to attack that corridor all night long.
Landers - pack looks good. Don't underestimate Soakai who I rate quite highly. Both him and Thompson are very mobile and have big motors, so the Ponies loosies won't have it all their way despite having 2 wallabies. Shoemark and Dagg form a very good combo, but there are huge question marks around 10 and 12 at this level. Hoiles and others would do well to attack that corridor all night long.
ACT Crusader said:
Hype is perhaps the wrong word but it's the one we use when others praise the abilities of a player and we can't see them.
Salvi is praised by a few, not for being an elite backrower, but for playing to the utmost of his ability for as long as he is on the park. It's an attribute that I find priceless.
I remember his coming off the bench in the game against the Tahs last year and making a difference, and at other times looking more effective than Hoiles if they were both on the park at the same time or if he had replaced him.
The players that irk me are those that have great skills and wonderful attributes for our game but they won't have a dig, or don't have a dig for long enough in a game. They switch off, or are slow to get off the ground, or watch what is happening rather than making a difference; they wait for their chance rather than doing things that may, or more often not, give chances for others. Yarda, yarda.
We need not worry about Salvi in regard to these matters, nor Phil Waugh, who is a similar situation on the national level.
As I said: most likely Kimlin and/or Timani will replace Salvi as they have better skills and more impressive physical dimensions, which in combination with the matters mentioned above, will make them more valuable players than Salvi is.
Meantime Salvi is starting against the Clan.
S
Spook
Guest
Ahh Lee, don't tell me Hand is another Campbell. ???
Alexander and Kimlin were under injury clouds and were doubtful to play. At least I hope that's why they aren't selected in the run on. I have a fear that Salvi is playing to cover for Holies. :-[
In fairness to Phibbs, his form warrants selection and he will be a good match for Cowan.
I'm not sure if the combo of Alexander, Moore and Sheperdson or Henderson, Moore, and Sheperdson have been trialled yet. I'm pretty sure it hasn't. Henderson was tight head against the Tahs and Jerry Y, Ulugia and Shep were the other props.
It's an interesting situation - other than Ulugia, all of the bench could arguably be in the starting side with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to the wing, Morty to 13. Lealiifano has played well though in the trials. Made a few busts against both the Tahs and Canes.
Alexander and Kimlin were under injury clouds and were doubtful to play. At least I hope that's why they aren't selected in the run on. I have a fear that Salvi is playing to cover for Holies. :-[
In fairness to Phibbs, his form warrants selection and he will be a good match for Cowan.
I'm not sure if the combo of Alexander, Moore and Sheperdson or Henderson, Moore, and Sheperdson have been trialled yet. I'm pretty sure it hasn't. Henderson was tight head against the Tahs and Jerry Y, Ulugia and Shep were the other props.
It's an interesting situation - other than Ulugia, all of the bench could arguably be in the starting side with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to the wing, Morty to 13. Lealiifano has played well though in the trials. Made a few busts against both the Tahs and Canes.
S
Spook
Guest
naza said:
All I can hope is Timani goes nuts off the bench :'(
Friend says "'The decision to leave Benny Alexander and Pete Kimlin on the bench had a lot to do with the fact they both only returned to training after Christmas due to their Wallabies duties whereas the other guys fighting for those positions had been here for eight weeks prior, had impressed and proved to me they deserved their chance.''
interesting stuff - maybe they came in with egos.
F
formeropenside
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This should be an interesting game - the team without a forward pack against the team without a backline. Thats an overstatement of course, but it has a kernel of truth.
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