Rugby Championship 2012: Our forwards!

Clearly we've been resting a lot of players through the June tests to make sure they are fresh for the Rugby Championship.

By then I expect we'll see:

1. Pek Cowan
2. Saia Fainga'a
3. Salesi Ma'afu
4. Dean Mumm
5. Caderyn Nevill
6. Ben McCalman
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Richard Brown

^^^^ hahaha

Seriously, I don't really care that much so long as it is the tahs front three running on.

The locks can mix and match ( BUT: Timani should only be included in the training squad if he miraculously learns how to catch a ball and somehow levels up enough to earn the "Startling Boots of Extreme Enlightenment" with extra shiny points or something), and Pockock is a given.

A lot of the forwards aren't fit enough to play the style of game we need to play in order to beat both the Boks and the Kiwis.

That's interesting.. what type of forwards do we need against the Boks? I take it you've watched them against England?

The Boks haven't really changed much form last year in terms of their style of play, I don't think. If you can get off the line fast and catch them behind the gainline you should stop their attack. Their forward runners are still pretty tight and direct, and the backs play the ball a good metre or two before the gain line.

If you can move their forward pack around playing an up tempo game the gaps should open up. I just don't think our pack is fit enough to do both these things right now. Maybe it will change with the extra Super Rugby games, but I doubt it.

I'd argue that whatever we've been doing against the Boks has been working. Our record over the last couple of years is pretty good.

The AB's are another matter entirely.

Anyone else been impressed with TPN's form in the last two games? I thought Squeak was a no-brainer for run-on hooker for these tests but I think Robbie may have proved me wrong.

Still wouldn't mind seeing them swap just to see how it goes.

I still think Moore is by far our best hooker, but TPN has to be rewarded for his matches against the Welsh.

I would return Moore to the starting position for the RC.

TPN's last match was the best I have seen him play at any level for a number of years, but for consistant work rate he just doesn't compare to Moore.

I'd be happy with any of these blokes.
Props & Hookers: TPN, Moore, Robinson, Kepu, Palmer, Slipper & Holmes
Locks: Sharpe, Simmons, Horwill & Pyle.
Number 8 & Blindside: Palu, Dennis, Higginbotham & Elsom
Openside: Pocoock, Gill & Hooper

It will take us a few games to work out who our best locks are.

Wouldn't mind seeing a Douglas and Pyle combo at some point. Maybe the gold coast test v the argies would be the time to blood them?

I'd take into wallaby camp Sharpe, Simmons, Douglas, Pyle, and then toss up between AWH, fardy, carter and Neville. If Timani puts in a good performance on the weekend and carries on with the tahs then you would have to look at picking him as well but I dont think he warrants selection at the moment.

The rest of the pack picks itself - Slipper and Palmer would be my back up props, and I would bring mowen, gill and maybe aulea into the squad as well. Luke jones is a smokey but I dont think he is ready for tests yet.

Yeah Fardy is good I forgot about him.

Out of that group. Definitely Carter.

Should've been in the original training squad.

Good to see we've actually got a fully fit forward pack this year (minus Horwill and Vickerman). Makes for a nice change from last year when Robinson, TPN, Palu and Pocock were all out for considerable lengths of time. The biggest difference from last year is obviously the depth we have. The fitness of the above players obviously adds to that, but the emergence of Hooper and Gill is really great to see, along with players like Pyle, Jones, Dennis, Palmer and Higgers really taking their games to the next level. We've got more than serviceable cover in every position on the field, something we haven't had since Deans began back in 2008. Our selection dilemmas are now almost always along the lines of "who misses out?" rather than "who do we have left?", a very positive sign for Australian Rugby.

My ideal forward pack for The Rugby Championship is as follows:
1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Hugh Pyle
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Dave Dennis
7. David Pocock
8. Wycliff Palu
-----------------------
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Dan Palmer
18. Sitaleki Timani
19. Scott Higginbotham/Liam Gill

I think the starting forward pack pretty much picks itself. Obviously the Moore vs. TPN battle is one that will never reach a unanimous verdict, mainly coming down to personal preference. Our locks are left a bit light on with Horwill and Vickers injured, however I think Pyle and Sharpe would be a fantastic pair. Obviously Deans prefers Timani and Simmons, and I think he'll stick with them through the championship, but Pyle is my #1 choice to replace Horwill.

Can't say I've noticed Pyle a lot in the rebels games I've watched but I've heard Horon and Kearns say he runs with way to much body height and needs to change his style, anyone got any thoughts on that?

I honestly cant see any major changes, maybe one or two players coming into the current squad, most likely locks.

A change I would like to see happen is with the Bench. Alexander has proven to be massive weakness come scrum time. With Kepu able to play both sides Id put in Palmer or Slipper on the bench.

Being a Brumbie supporter Id love to see Mowen in the action but having said that, Dennis and Higgers are pretty good also.

I also haven't. But many in these forums love him. If i wasnt a green and gold forum member I would have no idea who he is. (this is probably cos im an ex-fullback and don't really notice the locks anyway)

Deans' comment regarding a misfiring set piece must be seen as criticism of Ben Alexander. He can't be seriously seen as an option at TH Prop.

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The set piece was misfiring a long time before Alexander came on the field. TPN's poor throwing and Robinson's hinging seemed to be a couple of big issues, along with Timani as a target instead of Simmons.

I know everyone thinks that Palu had a good game vs Wales, but overall I just didn't see it. Made some good runs and some good hits, but lost 4 balls and was lazy at times. I reckon his contribution was close to -14 points (lost balls when we were on attack plus the primary reason for Wales' try). I would be happy to see Dennis get picked over him, particularly vs the ABs, if McCaw stays at 8.