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The impending Hooper vs Pocock Dilemma

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Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Talking of Poey, as we were, did anyone else notice and can they explain why, in a couple of late scrums Pocock defended in the backline while Henry Speight played on the side of the scrum. Was it perhaps to bolster the backline defence which had been leaking all night?
 
Dave Beat

Dave Beat

Paul McLean (56)
Bullrush said:
Hooper is nowhere near the game changer that Pocock was at the highest level.
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Interesting they lost quite a few with him playing, are you suggesting they would have one if he wasn't there?

He is a good player, but my memory bank doesn't go back that far unfortunately.

I'm hoping form picks the 7 not history, and who ever gets it I'll be cheering them on.
 
Wilson

Wilson

David Codey (61)
Brumby Runner said:
Talking of Poey, as we were, did anyone else notice and can they explain why, in a couple of late scrums Pocock defended in the backline while Henry Speight played on the side of the scrum. Was it perhaps to bolster the backline defence which had been leaking all night?
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I don't think it's the first time the Brumbies have done this, I'd imagine it's both for defence and to increase the chance of getting a turn over off of that first phase, before the rest of the packs can arrive.
 
Dumbledore

Dumbledore

Dick Tooth (41)
Bullrush said:
How many loosies were beasts at the last RWC and aren't today due to the law changes?

Hooper is nowhere near the game changer that Pocock was at the highest level. And I reckon the Wallaby forward pack is more in need of a hard man than a line-breaker. I reckon that Pocock is more than adequate at grinding the hard yards getting across the advantage line.

I'm sure I wouldn't be the only non-Wallaby fan who would prefer to see Hooper/Higgers in a starting line-up rather than Pocock/whoever's-next-in-line in the back-row.
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'Was' being the operative word. Opensides have largely moved on from what Pocock was doing in 2011. It's still valuable, but it creates big holes elsewhere that need to be covered up since he can't do a lot of the things Hooper can.

The Wallabies pack was fine last year, it really was. The scrum was shit, but that's a different issue.

Anyway, my main point was that it's not as simple as Hooper or Pocock. It's about which combination of players you prefer.
 
Westie

Westie

Sydney Middleton (9)
Dumbledore said:
'Was' being the operative word. Opensides have largely moved on from what Pocock was doing in 2011. It's still valuable, but it creates big holes elsewhere that need to be covered up since he can't do a lot of the things Hooper can.

The Wallabies pack was fine last year, it really was. The scrum was shit, but that's a different issue.

Anyway, my main point was that it's not as simple as Hooper or Pocock. It's about which combination of players you prefer.
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If you're losing more than you're winning, your pack is not fine.
 
M

motodysseus

Frank Row (1)
It seems like a repeat of the whole Waugh vs Smith debate from a decade or so ago.

The Wallaby selectors seem to really like Fardy at 6, and so that rules out a Pocock at 6, Hooper at 7 compromise. On current form, you would have to say Hooper to play ahead of Pocock; he is more dynamic going forward, very good on the floor and, let's not forget, he is the incumbent captain. So Pocock is either going to have to play out of his skin to dislodge him, or Hooper will have to be injured for Pocock to take his jersey.
 
Dctarget

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
Just to spice things up, Liam Gill put in a very honourable MOTM performance in a losing outfit tonight.

If Poey doesn't regain his fitness, we could well see Gill swimming around the 23.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Gnostic said:
I'd actually have Gill in front of Pocock ATM.

As another thread McMahon is really pushing for the backrow reserve spot and maybe even a starting spot in front of Fardy. His defensive work and carrying ability is outstanding.
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Ha ha! I like your humour Gnostic on both counts.
 
Gnostic

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
Brumby Runner said:
Ha ha! I like your humour Gnostic on both counts.
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I actually try to look past my provincialism when discussing Wallaby stuff. Hence I don't even suggest Denis for the bench even though he has been in top form. Actual form as individuals puts McMahon and Gill in front of Pocock, and I'd suggest Fardy should be under pressure. Certainly arguments can be made for the latter. Pocock is only being considered because of historical ability, nothing more at this stage.

No humour here. :cool:
 
qwerty51

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Assuming you meant Pocock, Gill has proved the better breakdown player for the last 2 years. When's the last time Pocock played a game like Gill has tonight? Why do people still think he's the best fetcher in the world?? o_O:confused:

Rename the thread to Hooper vs Gill. Pocock is not in the picture.
 
Bullrush

Bullrush

John Hipwell (52)
qwerty51 said:
Assuming you meant Pocock, Gill has proved the better breakdown player for the last 2 years. When's the last time Pocock played a game like Gill has tonight? Why do people still think he's the best fetcher in the world?? o_O:confused:

Rename the thread to Hooper vs Gill. Pocock is not in the picture.
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Because there was a time when Pocock's name was being mention in the same breath as McCaw's - a position Gill has never been in.

Yes, it was 2yrs ago but the guy was MoM in his first game back this year and has every chane, if not likelihood of soing again.

I'd put money on that horse over someone who has done nothing Wallany jersey, for whatever reason everyday of the week
 
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