Lions Tour 2013

[Slim 293]

We don't want to win lineouts?

 

[disco]

Who was calling last year for the Tahs? Surely it will be Douglas this year or would they go with Dennis as I can't see Timani getting the Gig.
Surely it's not Impossible for Horwill or another to take on the job is it?

 

[Slim 293]

Someone will certainly need to take responsibililty for it........

Australia has generally had a good run of lineout managers with the likes of Eales, Sharpe, Harrison, Vickerman.........

The last time the Wallabies played with no specialist was in 2009 when Chisholm took up the role and our lineout was just utter crap......... our scrum was good but our lineout was just a mess.........

 

[qwerty51]

We don't want to win lineouts?

Should've specified, obviously you need a caller but the skill is overrated. Anyone can do it competently once they learn what to do.

It will be Douglas at the Tahs

 

[Scott Allen]

Anyone can do it competently once they learn what to do.

Anyone can call a lineout but it is a real art to call well - not just a matter of learning what to do.

For every lineout the caller needs to consider where the ball is required for the 1st phase play that's called, how the opposition is defending and where the space is in the particular lineout. Then come up with the right call that best fits all three criteria, and then be ready to change the call to a backup option if the opposition change their defensive setup to counter how you setup for the preferred option.

All of that has to be done in a short space of time in a pressure environment when also under fatigue. Not a role most players can handle without taking away from their own game.

 

[en_force_er]

Izzy Folau to become a lineout calling, seagulling 2nd row to partner Horwill for the Lion's test.

Wow, did I just solve all of Australia's rugby problems at once?

 

[KevinO]

Hugh Pyle to replace Sharpie and it solve's the problems, he has been good enough to earn his shot. He calls the line outs for the Rebels and has been called into Wallabies camps the last 2 seasons.

 

[qwerty51]

Anyone can call a lineout but it is a real art to call well - not just a matter of learning what to do.

For every lineout the caller needs to consider where the ball is required for the 1st phase play that's called, how the opposition is defending and where the space is in the particular lineout. Then come up with the right call that best fits all three criteria, and then be ready to change the call to a backup option if the opposition change their defensive setup to counter how you setup for the preferred option.

All of that has to be done in a short space of time in a pressure environment when also under fatigue. Not a role most players can handle without taking away from their own game.

These guys are rugby players, not league ones. They're constantly thinking throughout the game. I'm sure most jumpers are passively learning as they go or at least should be.

 

[disco]

Hugh Pyle to replace Sharpie and it solve's the problems, he has been good enough to earn his shot. He calls the line outs for the Rebels and has been called into Wallabies camps the last 2 seasons.

I'm a Hugh Pyle fan also KevinO & I must say I'm surprised he never got a run with the Wallabies this year.

 

[MrTimms]

Interesting call from Link:

Let Queensland Reds rip into the British and Lions, says Ewen McKenzie

QUEENSLAND coach Ewen McKenzie wants Australia to call the bluff of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland and allow the Reds to go in at full strength against the visitors at Suncorp Stadium on June 8.

McKenzie is convinced Gatland was indulging in some cute reverse psychology with his public call to Wallabies coach Robbie Deans earlier this week to release his Test players back to their Super Rugby teams to combat the Lions in the build-up to the first of three Tests on tour, also in Brisbane on June 22.

"It's all about preparing for the Test matches so the harder the games are, the better prepared we're going to be," said Gatland. "If Robbie will let as many of the Wallabies play in those warm-up games, that will help us prepare."

It makes sense that he would want as strong a team as possible, you really can't blame him for arguing it.

There has been no line from the ARU yet, but:

Although the policy has not been fully locked into place, the ARU looks to be headed down the path of quarantining selected Wallabies from playing in any of the Lions' lead-up matches, primarily so that they can go into camp in preparation for the Test series but also to minimise the risk of them being injured.​

Where he really has a point though, is at the end of the article, it's pointed out that:

The Reds have surrendered their Super Rugby bye to play the Lions. But on the same weekend they play the tourists, the Brumbies host the Rebels and the Force hosts the Waratahs. If the logic is that none of the likely starting Test players should meet the Lions a fortnight out from the first Test, then that same logic should see the top Australian players in the other provinces stood down from the two derbies.​

So really, they should be allowed to play, it's not like there will be a camp anyway for them to attend as only the Reds aren't playing. Also, are you really any MORE likely to be injured playing the Lions than a Super derby?

Thoughts?

Full article (paywall): http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...ys-ewen-mckenzie/story-e6frg7o6-1226549142495

 

[matty_k]

Makes sense.

 

[TSR]

Lucky the cricket selectors aren't in charge - they'd go with the option of standing everyone down.

 

[qwerty51]

- Force play the Lions 5th June then host the Waratahs 9th June.
- Reds host the Rebels 1st June then play the Lions 8th June.
- Waratahs play the Force 9th June then the Lions 15th June. One week from the 1st Test.
- Brumbies play the the Lions 4 days before the 1st Test.
- Rebels play the Lions in between the 1st and 2nd Tests.

Looks to me like only the Reds' Wallabies should face the Lions.

The make-up of the Force side to play the Lions will be interesting, only 4 days later they face the Tahs who they'd want a full strength side for. Might have to look outside the squad for that one. Same with the Tahs who won't have any Wallabies available.

 

[TOCC]

The Reds also have vested interest in having their Wallabies play as the game stands to be a financial windfall for the QRU.. With Genia, Quade, Ioane and Horwill playing they could draw in excess of 40'000, if they don't play the crowd will be significantly smaller.

I'm sure all clubs at in a similar boat but as qwerty pointed out the Reds are realistically the only team which will be able to capitalize on this due to the schedule of tests and Super Rugby matches.

 

[Braveheart81]

Surely most if not all of these games will be sell outs of very close to.

The touring British Lions supporters will all go and plenty of rugby fans will be there as it is a chance to see the Lions at a massively cheaper price than the test matches.

I agree that it makes sense that the Reds should be allowed to play their Wallabies against the Lions. Whatever rule is decided it should be a blanket rule. Wallabies players should be able to play for their team on the weekend of the 8th and 9th of June and then the Wallabies can assemble after that.

The Force should also be allowed to play their Wallabies against the Lions on the 5th of June as it is before this period. They should then be allowed to play again against the Tahs if wanted. Realistically this may only be Nick Cummins plus a couple of fringe squad members.

 

[KevinO]

Agree with Braveheart, with Deans knowing who is his match day squad the Rebels game on the Tuesday in between tests he should be able to allow any fringe players who are not in the Wallabies 22/23 to play.

 

[antimony]

For the Reds I'd be happy to see Genia and Horwill told to sit out but the rest are only fringe wallabies at best.

 

[TOCC]

For the Reds I'd be happy to see Genia and Horwill told to sit out but the rest are only fringe wallabies at best.

Good joke

 

[antimony]

Good joke

Glad you liked it. Was a tiny bit worried somebody would take offence after i posted.

Seriously though Digby's a winger and QC (Quade Cooper) is anybodies guess. That leaves Taps, Harris, Fainga'a x 2, Slipper, Simmons, Gill and Samo and if everybody is fit depending on who you ask they'd be lucky to make the 22. So It would be a bit of the rough end of the pineapple for them to have to sit out this chance at playing the Lions only to be wearing a suit come test match time.

I'd be happy if for instance Palmer and Kepu or Alexander were already injured for Slipper to sitout etc.

I guess what I'm saying is I hope they draw up a likely 22 and only ask those players to sit out not a squad of 30 or so because the Reds do have a lot of genuinly good players just on the perifery.

I also think if QC (Quade Cooper) can develop a good partnership with whoever starts for genia while he's injured we'll give the lions a dam good shake.

 

[Forcefield]

The make-up of the Force side to play the Lions will be interesting, only 4 days later they face the Tahs who they'd want a full strength side for. Might have to look outside the squad for that one. Same with the Tahs who won't have any Wallabies available.

That Tahs game will be the second last game of the season. The Force will be well out of finals contention by this point. The Force must play their best team against the Lions. It would be great to start of the Lions tour with an exciting close-fought match. We are highly unlikely to contribute any Wallabies match day 22 players so the depth of our squad shouldn't be tested too far.