As I said it is what game you want to play. Have a look at Hooper's running metres and where and when they are gained as opposed to Holloway for instance. I am not arguing for either, it all comes back to the balance and game plan Chieka will be looking to play this year. It is also all tied up with who is playing in the second row, if Simmons and Skelton/Arnold/Coleman is selected then Holloway's tight running game is less important and the tackling and speed aspect becomes more important.
The arguments about individuals fail on far too many occasions to take into account the construction of a whole balanced 15 in terms of total skill attributes.
Take for example the continued discussion about the backline, picking form individuals as Scrubber has done may well leave the backline with only Foley who can kick the ball. As happened in Super Rugby last year with the Tahs such selections would leave the Wallabies dangerously exposed to a well executed tactical kicking game with a good defensive chase, they would never get out of their own half and would be bashing away continuously and eventually get turned over. Individuals not matter how gifted or how in-form do not make a complete side.
Nice post Gnostic. I agree with most.
However I would just like to make an important point. You asked me to compare the running metre's of Holloway and Hooper.
Unfortunately their is only super xv stats available because Holloway has never played an international game. The point is, we cannot and should not assume his running game will be anywhere near as effective as it is in super rugby.
You know who else has an amazing running game who has been dominating the stats the last couple of years - McMahon. He absolutely carved up the super xv season, the Barbarians and the USA - but then look what happened to his running game on the EOYT Or during last years RWC? Not bad games but hardly even close to the same impact or run metres.
Balance is all good. But we aren't talking about dropping Hooper for Keiran Read we are talking about Holloway. With Holloway your working with an unknown. I would love to see him integrated slowly into the team. Test him off the bench.
To drop not only one of the best wallabies, but one of the best players in the world for a rookie with only one good super xv season is laughable.
It's not like Holloway is putting in MOTM performances each week, or even pulling off key plays in key moments of the game. He is simply doing his job. To give him credit he is doing his job damn well and dominating the stats.
Hooper's role at the Tahs is also some-what different to the wallabies. At the Tahs he is certainly required to have more of a breakdown presence. Given Holloway is in the team Hooper does not need to focus on running as much. It is the opposite in the wallabies. Pocock and Fardy dominate the breakdown allowing Hooper to focus on tackling and running. This all effects his stats this year. The great thing about Hooper is he can do both.
