Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Started by an expat chickenrunner South African with one of he world's best locks ever as his avatar
Kane Douglas
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Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Douglas / Horwill looks the business to me. James has played the 4 role because of limited options. More than athletic enough to play a bit looser and jump at 5. And can bring the mongrel when it needs to get tighter.
Hopefully the genuine emergence of Timani and Douglas will push Simmons to work harder.
We could use a loose head lock who excels in the lineout when Sharpe goes (in two tests time).
2013 needs to be a big year for Simmons. If it isn't, he could easily find himself way down the pecking order if Pyle, Neville, Fardy and Carter all progress.
We could use a loose head lock who excels in the lineout when Sharpe goes (in two tests time).
2013 needs to be a big year for Simmons. If it isn't, he could easily find himself way down the pecking order if Pyle, Neville, Fardy and Carter all progress.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Agree, I like that look as well, assuming our lineout still functions. Timani is turning me around, but I will always tend to lean towards the more all-round guys like Horwill and Douglas. The current benefit to Timani is that Deans is utilising him quite well, but you can only do it if you have 3 other good lineout guys to call on on the field at the same time. Timani can hopefully learn to jump, I don't know why /what is holding him back from being used as an option.
I think it is less a case of the jumping and more a case of the catching.
The guy has hands the size of shovels but unfortunately they are made of concrete.
The guy has hands the size of shovels but unfortunately they are made of concrete.
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
I've noticed this mentioned a lot in recent times, is it a newish concept & what are the differences? Surely, whatever the differences are they can be taught & picked up with relative ease, most locks seem an intelligent bunch.
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
Started by an expat chickenrunner South African with one of he world's best locks ever as his avatar
High praise indeed & I concur, that was a fantastic debut.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Interesting that on the weekend there was an article quoting Simmons as saying he actually preferred playing right side and was looking forward to an opportunity to prove himself there. I don't think that it is beyond him, but I do wonder if it is in his own best interests. As THL he must be a long way down the pecking order now, whereas you would think he is at least still in the picture as LH.
The only way that would be likely to happen is if Horwill decides he should be playing on the LH side for the benefit of the Wallabies.
I doubt the Reds will want to play them back to front though.
I doubt the Reds will want to play them back to front though.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
In the last test again SA Timani didn't even stand in most of the attacking lineouts - he was rather used as a battering ram midfield. I'm sure I can recall him lifting on the odd occasion too.
I think it's an effective use of Timani, but only whilst the other lock is a lineout specialist, and 6 and 8 are very good jumpers (which Dennis, Samo and Higgers tend to be).
I think it's an effective use of Timani, but only whilst the other lock is a lineout specialist, and 6 and 8 are very good jumpers (which Dennis, Samo and Higgers tend to be).
hammertimethere
Trevor Allan (34)
It comes back to balance of course. I thought the use of Timani as a midfield battering ram was astute one given who else was in the side i.e Sharpe the master lineout tactician, Dennis and Higgers having good skills in this area also. Kane jumps, and jumps well I think, I can't remember him performing poorly at all in the lineout in Super rugby. Horwill jumps well also. Timani will be required to hone that aspect of his game (cause most of the rest seems to be coming along nicely). Add to that Pyle and Neville (who both remind me so much of sharpe in his play but with twice the natural athleticism) and Simmons who is serviceable at Test level we'll be good here for now and a while to come.
So as it stands we will use Sharpe paired with Douglas, Timani and Simmons for now, with the future options shaping up to be Horwill, Timani, Douglas, Pyle, Neville and Simmons. With such a wealth of talented options we will be in a good spot, so I think the determining factor will be how the back row looks. For example, a returning Cliff Palu would probably assume the role of midfield battering ram, possibly taking away some of timani's appeal (unless he begins to compete with horwill and douglas in terms of lineout nous and tackling/breakdown work rate) and making douglas an appealing option. If Dennis remains in a lineout role this changes things again etc.
This is fun to muse upon
So as it stands we will use Sharpe paired with Douglas, Timani and Simmons for now, with the future options shaping up to be Horwill, Timani, Douglas, Pyle, Neville and Simmons. With such a wealth of talented options we will be in a good spot, so I think the determining factor will be how the back row looks. For example, a returning Cliff Palu would probably assume the role of midfield battering ram, possibly taking away some of timani's appeal (unless he begins to compete with horwill and douglas in terms of lineout nous and tackling/breakdown work rate) and making douglas an appealing option. If Dennis remains in a lineout role this changes things again etc.
This is fun to muse upon
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Want an outrageous thought? Dennis could be a long term loose lock.
I know it sounds shocking at first, but plenty of good test nations play locks of his height. He has played there before, he can call lineouts, and he gets around the loose which juxtaposes nicely with say Horwill or Douglas. Australia has a massive obsession with tall locks but Brad Thorn wasn't tall either.
It's just a thought, I think Pyle and Neville have plenty of potential to play there long term.
I know it sounds shocking at first, but plenty of good test nations play locks of his height. He has played there before, he can call lineouts, and he gets around the loose which juxtaposes nicely with say Horwill or Douglas. Australia has a massive obsession with tall locks but Brad Thorn wasn't tall either.
It's just a thought, I think Pyle and Neville have plenty of potential to play there long term.
You might've started this thread, Blue (well done on that point) but I must claim precedence in the Douglas barrow-pushing stakes. I've proclaimed long and loud Kane's one of the best, if not THE best, TH second-rowers in Super Rugby this year. TBH his performance on Saturday didn't surprise me, that's what he's been doing all year for the Tahs. Kane had a mild dose of the second year blues in 2011 but he got himself back up to speed this year.
Kane, for gawd's sake don't let me down in the south Atlantic.
Kane, for gawd's sake don't let me down in the south Atlantic.
That's a good point about the lineout calling and it will be the same at the Tahs for whom Mumm had the role. When Mumm didn't start for the Tahs Dennis did the calling and may do so next year, but he is not guaranteed a spot in the Wallabies.
The same goes for Simmons who calls for the Reds and Pyle ditto for the Rebels.
Maybe there will be a hint from the ARU that Horwill and Douglas get the role at the Reds and the Tahs for the national good; not that Douglas is guaranteed anything either. You need choices in any XV that runs on and it doesn't have to be the LH lock..
I'd get Sharpie or Vickeman to coach them too.
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You'd have to assume that Douglas and Timani will spend a fair bit of time on the field together for the Tahs next year. That would mean Douglas is playing LH lock.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Horwill to step up and call the line outs. I think the Reds share the load and that is why he doesn't do it there.
Tamani has impressed in the last few tests but Douglas has shown to be a more complete player.
A Horwill , Douglas locking combo would be fantastic and we can sort the other stuff out.
When is Kev due back?
Tamani has impressed in the last few tests but Douglas has shown to be a more complete player.
A Horwill , Douglas locking combo would be fantastic and we can sort the other stuff out.
When is Kev due back?
Maybe EOYT, but to be honest, after his injury, I would favour him having the rest of the year off, a great pre-season and coming back fit and firing in 2013. Lock seems to be reasonably covered, let him get himself 100% right.
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