It isn't the way is being played. Pocock is the variant from the norm, most 7s these days are all-rounders, they can all do it, they are now just expected to do much, much more and the fetching is more opportunistic across the whole side.
The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
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It isn't the way is being played. Pocock is the variant from the norm, most 7s these days are all-rounders, they can all do it, they are now just expected to do much, much more and the fetching is more opportunistic across the whole side.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I know that isn't the way he is being played. Thats exactly what my last post said. And I disagree with that strategy.
The wallabies in the last 5 years have looked the best with Pocock on the field. Sure he's the best in the world at what he does, but would Hooper be that much worse if his focus was switched to hitting rucks rather then whatever he is currently doing?
I don't think Hooper is that much worse then Pocock, his focus is just completely different. And I believe the wallabies would perform better if he switched.
And It's not just about successfully fetching (we can't expect that of him) , but it is about slowing down opposition ball. He doesn't need to win 3 turnovers a game like Poey, he just needs to slow the ball down to have a similar affect. He doesn't do this. No one does. And it's killing us.
Why on earth are we playing the way everyone else is playing? Shouldn't we be playing to our strengths? You know like fetching.
We probably have the best sevens in the world going round. Most other team simply don't have the fetchers we do (or did) - maybe that's why they play like they do. The All Blacks are the exception - their whole team is full of all rounders. So an all rounder 7 suits there pack. It doesn't suit ours.
We need to focus on what we are good at. Just my 2 cents.
It will depend on who else we pick in our pack and the sort of workrate they can produce.
I would like to see a backrow of McMahon, Timani and Hooper and with that combination we might see more dominant tackles and more likelihood of putting pressure on the breakdown.
If we want Hooper to have a good impact at defensive breakdowns we certainly need others with heavy involvements in terms of tackles and particularly dominant tackles.
Coleman really needs to be the guy leading our defensive linespeed.
I would like to see a backrow of McMahon, Timani and Hooper and with that combination we might see more dominant tackles and more likelihood of putting pressure on the breakdown.
If we want Hooper to have a good impact at defensive breakdowns we certainly need others with heavy involvements in terms of tackles and particularly dominant tackles.
Coleman really needs to be the guy leading our defensive linespeed.
A piece on this over at the Roar
http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/08/09/dispelling-the-myths-michael-hooper-and-leadership/
http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/08/09/dispelling-the-myths-michael-hooper-and-leadership/
dru
Tim Horan (67)
I was going to link this too, so well done. Nick Bishop is one of the better writers on rugby tactics and strategy (chews up Kafer in my view).
I don't however think he has this one right. A loose forward is not actually playing "tight" just because he is hitting it up or defending inside the 15m lines. "Tight" means where we expect our locks to be working hard in the forward traffic. It is not a place you often find Hooper.
Great piece by Nick though, and we all need to remember at the end of the day, Hooper is playing where/how the Coach wants him.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
That pack would work if Hooper plays on-the-ball more. Nicely balanced. But at the moment Hooper and McMahon and probably even Higgers are all playing the same all rounder, specialist of nothing game style.
Coleman is about the only player in the pack who's a master of the basics in his position and is now starting to exceed them by adding extra's to his game. Everyone else seems to be doing this backwards (extra's first and basic after).
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Haha
he's shown some shitty decision making in the past - don't know why it would change now
We'll see
Strewthcobber
Mark Ella (57)
Some stats on Hooper from this year's Super Rugby comp, and this is despite not playing any finals
#2 for turnovers won
#2 for dominant tackles
#3 for Ball carries
#4 for tackles made
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#2 for turnovers won
#2 for dominant tackles
#3 for Ball carries
#4 for tackles made
Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk
T
TOCC
Guest
RUPA’s Peoples Choice Team of the Year:
Dane Haylett-Petty (Western Force),
Henry Speight (Brumbies),
Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds),
Billy Meakes (Force),
Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Rebels),
Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs),
Michael Ruru (Force),
Amanaki Mafi (Force),
Michael Hooper (Waratahs),
Scott Fardy (Brumbies),
Adam Coleman (Force),
Rory Arnold (Brumbies),
Allan Ala'alatoa (Brumbies),
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Western Force),
Pek Cowan (Force)
Dane Haylett-Petty (Western Force),
Henry Speight (Brumbies),
Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds),
Billy Meakes (Force),
Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Rebels),
Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs),
Michael Ruru (Force),
Amanaki Mafi (Force),
Michael Hooper (Waratahs),
Scott Fardy (Brumbies),
Adam Coleman (Force),
Rory Arnold (Brumbies),
Allan Ala'alatoa (Brumbies),
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Western Force),
Pek Cowan (Force)
B
BLR
Guest
Mafi for the Force? Spoilers! 
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Seems to me an interesting group.
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
Folau in for Koroibete and i'd put money on that side beating the one we'll roll out in a fortnight.
GaffaCHinO
Peter Sullivan (51)
The team on the RUPA website has RHP at 6 not Fardy
http://www.rupa.com.au/rupa-news/story/volvo-peoples-choice-team-of-the-year-2017-announced
It will probably have 9 of the same starting players as the Wallabies team.
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dru
Tim Horan (67)
Your point being?
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
He wears 8. He doesn't play like one. Well, not a traditional 8.
When Read started out, he was often criticised because he didn't play a traditional bash & crash no 8 game. Now he would be considered a stereotypical wide running back rower.
I'd like us to put more pressure on the opposition breakdown, but for me the problem starts with our passive defence line. The current interpretation of the laws is really making it tough on pilferers. Even George Smith this year gave away a truck load of penalities.
That the majority of the punters' team of the year are likely to end up starting for the Wallabies.
Brumbieman made an assertion that it would be a stronger team than the Wallabies which is an impossible comparison given the substantial similarities.
It also suggests that largely the Wallabies will be based on form and a lot of our best players are also the form players.
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dru
Tim Horan (67)
So using your count, 6 players different (let's check when the team is out, doubt you are far wrong but I suspect you are wrong) over 1/3 of the starting team, and you think that is unimportant?
Sheesh.