Rebels 2013

[Dumbledore]

If he's talking Higgers at 8 then I think that means he wants Jones at 6. Jones - Delve - Higgers. Saffy on the bench.

 

[kronic]

Still leaves us without a genuine fetcher.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Still leaves us without a genuine fetcher.

Looking at the squad there really isn't a quality one in there unless they start Fuglistaller over someone else. I'd prefer three quality loose forwards over making a sacrifice just to have a dedicated fetcher. When they're all fit a combo of jones/saffy/higgers/delve (one on the bench obviously) would be pretty powerful.

 

[Dumbledore]

Still leaves us without a genuine fetcher.

A fetcher isn't the be all and end all at the breakdown. I'd argue the role of a specialist fetching openside is being reduced by the year - look at how McCaw and Hooper, the two standouts of TRC, played it through the tournament. I'd rather have Pyle, Neville, Jones, Delve and Higgers on the field than bench one to try and play a fetcher. That would be a huge pack, let's just smash people counter-rucking rather than go for one out steals.

 

[en_force_er]

You're right the need for an out and out fetcher isn't a requirement in the modern game but as a unit a back row of Delve, Higgers, and Saffy is a little underwhelming at the breakdown.

Delve is the only noted breakdown forward of the 3 (but nobody would claim it to be his no 1 asset), Higgers is pencilled in for minimal impact on the closer channels, and Saffy perhaps still has question marks about his breakdown effectiveness seeing as he's really still making the huge transition from league "tight" forward to rugby "loose" forward (question marks, not crosses).

 

[James Buchanan]

Definitive quote from Hill was in relation to the back row and Higginbotham, he stated the best thing for the team was to have Scotty at 8.

Where does this put Delve? Important considering the captaincy also.

Does anyone have a transcript of the chat? Couldn't get to it as was busy in the office.

Its also entirely possible that they've intended to go with a succession plan that will see Pyle as captain this year; especially if they didn't expect Delve to stay for the extra year.

 

[TOCC]

Still leaves us without a genuine fetcher.

Chiefs and Sharks don't have all out fetchers..

 

[qwerty51]

Chiefs and Sharks don't have all out fetchers..

Coetzee, Cane, Latimer..

 

[en_force_er]

Delve would be perfectly fine at 6. He's a good defender, can jump at the lineout, and can attack the breakdown.

By standard definition he's more suited to 6 than Higgers.

Chiefs and Sharks don't have all out fetchers..

The Chiefs chose to start a fetcher (Latimer) over Cane despite Cane clearly being the more promising and talented in 'general' play.

 

[TOCC]

Coetzee, Cane, Latimer..

All 3 of those players play a linkman style of open side game when compared to the likes of Pocock and Gill..

Yes they are open sides so they compete regularly at the breakdown, but I wouldn't say turnover at rucks is their predominant skill.. Lane especially is a linkman and ballcarrier, similar to Coetzee..

 

[kronic]

A fetcher isn't the be all and end all at the breakdown. I'd argue the role of a specialist fetching openside is being reduced by the year - look at how McCaw and Hooper, the two standouts of TRC, played it through the tournament

McCaw is in his twilight days though. Hooper although is much better ball runner than Pocock, he has still been very effective at the breakdown with crucial turnovers, most notably on the weekend.

What a backrow consisting of Delve & Jones does off is a defensive brick wall. Both featured high in the overall tackle count for the comp (Delve in both seasons).

 

[KevinO]

McCaw is in his twilight days though. Hooper although is much better ball runner than Pocock, he has still been very effective at the breakdown with crucial turnovers, most notably on the weekend.

What a backrow consisting of Delve & Jones does off is a defensive brick wall. Both featured high in the overall tackle count for the comp (Delve in both seasons).

Saffy did have a massive tackle count in 2011, I find it hard to play Delve any where but 8. Higgers is a solid 6 where I don't like the idea of moving Delve to Flanker.

Will be interesting to see the formations down in Geelong and what's tested out.

 

[Dumbledore]

Jones has the potential to be the best of that backrow by a distance. He'll be in the first XV.

 

[kronic]

It's nice to have selection dilemmas with our squad, for the most part.

 

[Dumbledore]

It's nice to have selection dilemmas with our squad, for the most part.

Yep, what we're seeing is actual depth. Five franchises paying off.

 

[Braveheart81]

Yep, what we're seeing is actual depth. Five franchises paying off.

Absolutely. This is why I don't understand when I say that adding franchises weakens Australian rugby. It might make the top teams a bit weaker for a couple of seasons but the extra opportunities presented are invaluable.

How much opportunity would Pyle, Jones, Neville, Phipps etc. have had if it wasn't for the Rebels?

A few years ago the same could have been said about Pocock, Brown, Hodgson, McCalman etc. at the Force.

 

[kronic]

I think it's the clubs at a grassroots level that have been affected by the expansion, eg. not be able to replace them. Combined with a lack of support by their local union. That's the only conclusion that I can draw from it. This is a completely different discussion. The proof is that talent is getting a professional opportunity.

 

[KevinO]

If I had to pick a 22 on paper it would look like this, although there will be injuries through the season.

1: Alo-Emile
2: Robinson
3: Weeks
4: Neville
5: Pyle
6: Higgers
7: Saffy
8: Delve (C)
9: Phipps
10: Beale
11: Vuna
12: Mitchell
13: Inman
14: Woodward
15: O'Connor

Replacements:

Henderson, Cover for the props
Tyrrell, Cover for Hooker
King, Locks cover
Jones, Locks and Back row
Stirzaker, cover for scrum half
Situati, Backs cover
Rokobaro, Backs cover

With O'Connor and Woodward both having experience playing 15 I would leave Beale at 10 where he is most dangerous.

I like how much competition there is going to be in the outside backs, hope Vuna finds form early in the season or he mind find it hard to keep his spot. (And Speed)

Can't find space for Kingi in the 22 with the way Stirzaker played at the end of the season. Fuglistaller won't be far off keeping Saffy or Jones out of the side as well.

 

[kronic]

Seems like Luke Holmes will be at the Tahs next season.

 

[kronic]

Another thing to come out of that live chat, is that Saffy is still up in the air. Has another scan soon.