Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
And then there were the Bledisloe games.
End of Year Tour 2012
- Thread starter Aussie D
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And then there were the Bledisloe games.
RoffsChoice
Jim Lenehan (48)
I like the idea of Harris at 10 anyway.
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
JJJ
Vay Wilson (31)
Yeah I'm warming up to the idea of someone who kicks so well. It was nice to watch a game where you're not thinking "50-50" when there's a bit of angle to the kick.
SuperGrover
Darby Loudon (17)
and picked up by the Rebels.
Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
Ill bite.
He'd be rushed into the starting XV after Digby, Shmoo, Shipperly, Cummins, Tomane, Morahan and probably also Turner.
....I'd pick him over Vuna but
Usually we have an annual EOYT Bolters thread but we used so many players this year that it is unlikely that there will be too many new players.
On the other hand, because we used so many, some 2012 test players would fit the description of bolters.
And it depends on the match programme. In 2010 we took 36 on tour - 20 forwards and 16 backs, but how many games are we playing altogether in 2013? I'll assume that we are playing the same number of matches.
In the 2010 forwards there were 5 props. I would take Paddy Ryan as the 5th and am not sure about Palmer's injury status anyway. That's one bolter.
They took 3 hookers in 2010. Assuming Moore is fit I would take Hanson even if Fainga'a is fit to play. He'd be a kind of bolter.
There were 4 specialist locks plus Mumm, a lock/6. If Sitaleki is fit he will tour with Sharpe and Douglas and a decision would have to be made on Simmons. He's had a good run and I would leave him at home and take a punt on bolter Pyle.
For the Mumm role I would take Neville ahead of another bolter Luke Jones which may make some folks scratch their heads, but I thought he was superb in the 6 role for Manly at the end of the season - a different level of rugby I know. I would not have him at lock instead of Pyle though.
I would leave Samo at home, unless Higginbotham is suspended, and as a general 8/6 guy I would take another bolter, Lopeti Timani. Jake Schatz was called into the 4N squad and probably has a leg up, but it's my post.
Looking at the 2010 forwards and crossing out the ones to be replaced I come up with:
Slipper
Alexander
Robinson
Ma'afu Kepu
Daley Ryan
Moore
Fainga'a TPN*
Edmonds Hanson
Sharpe
Simmons S. Timani
Chisholm Douglas
Humphries Pyle
Mumm Neville
Higginbotham (Samo?)
Elsom Dennis
Pocock
Hodgson Hooper
McCutcheon Gill
McCalman Palu
Brown L.Timani
* Note: In 2010 TPN joined the tour after the NZ(Hong Kong), Wales and England tests.
No, I don't think it matters so much about the backs if the above guys do the job.
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On the other hand, because we used so many, some 2012 test players would fit the description of bolters.
And it depends on the match programme. In 2010 we took 36 on tour - 20 forwards and 16 backs, but how many games are we playing altogether in 2013? I'll assume that we are playing the same number of matches.
In the 2010 forwards there were 5 props. I would take Paddy Ryan as the 5th and am not sure about Palmer's injury status anyway. That's one bolter.
They took 3 hookers in 2010. Assuming Moore is fit I would take Hanson even if Fainga'a is fit to play. He'd be a kind of bolter.
There were 4 specialist locks plus Mumm, a lock/6. If Sitaleki is fit he will tour with Sharpe and Douglas and a decision would have to be made on Simmons. He's had a good run and I would leave him at home and take a punt on bolter Pyle.
For the Mumm role I would take Neville ahead of another bolter Luke Jones which may make some folks scratch their heads, but I thought he was superb in the 6 role for Manly at the end of the season - a different level of rugby I know. I would not have him at lock instead of Pyle though.
I would leave Samo at home, unless Higginbotham is suspended, and as a general 8/6 guy I would take another bolter, Lopeti Timani. Jake Schatz was called into the 4N squad and probably has a leg up, but it's my post.
Looking at the 2010 forwards and crossing out the ones to be replaced I come up with:
Slipper
Alexander
Robinson
Moore
Sharpe
Higginbotham (Samo?)
Pocock
* Note: In 2010 TPN joined the tour after the NZ(Hong Kong), Wales and England tests.
No, I don't think it matters so much about the backs if the above guys do the job.
.
topo
Cyril Towers (30)
I'd go Kepu. Benny A is going ok at TH struggles at LH.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Speight was the form Australian winger this year in Super Rugby.
Obviously Digby has one wing but I'd give him the other spot Ina heartbeat over all those other guys.
It's not like these guys have done anything wrong, but Speight was just electric. Top try scorer. Excellent defence. Secure under the high ball. Has the x factor we're lacking.
And Schmoo is coming back from injury with no form to show, and Tomane is injured.
Anyway, thats only If eligible.
According to the Canberra Times, Speight completed his 3 year residency in August 2012.
Agree with your comments about him; I'd put him on the plane.
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Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
I'm still not sold on Kepu. He is first choice because he scrummages better than Alexander and Slipper, but I reckon both of them offer significantly more around the park than him. Will be interesting to see what palmer bring to the table once he gets back to fitness.
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
Agree Henry Speight put him on the plane, best overall OZ Super Rugby winger this season... fast with blistering acceleration, good step, good hands, big and strong, very hard to stop in last 10m... Speight is a real weapon out wide...
BDA
Peter Johnson (47)
Agree. But when I think NH teams I think less mobile forward packs. Teams like France and England always try to target the scrum against the Wallabies so when we can match them in that department it gives us a pyschological edge. I think Kepu is probably going to offer just as much around the field as most NH test props, perhaps more. In my view guys like Slipper/Alexander are more important when playing teams like the All Blacks, where you need a tight five that has a very high work rate and offer more than just set piece rugby. At the same time, there is an argument to say we should go with guys like Alexander/Slipper against the NH teams as it will give us a clear advantage in open play.
On a side note, I think it will be interesting to see what kind of front row the Lions choose next year. They'll no doubt go for scrummaging power, which may actually play into our hands. They should be looking for mobile props with high work rates.
He can't pass from left to right with the power and accuracy required at this level. He's a 12 who has done ok in 2 games at 15 without a huge amount of pressure put on him. I wouldn't want him to play 10 for the Wallabies.
Manuel
Herbert Moran (7)
With the 23-player matchday sheets, most teams will be seleting 6 props (both France and Wales have, at least), I think, three specialists on each side. Five could do, but you'd need two specialists on each side and one who can play both.
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