Wallabies v England in Melbourne, 18 June
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Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
From the clips I've seen of Houston at Bath, he is quite mobile. He is more the out and out No 8 than either of Pocock or McMahon, and has shown every indication of being a more aggressive, impactful No 8 than McCalman. The only qualification I'd offer is the usual one that we really don't know how strong NH form is. However, Cheika apparently urged him to return, and then included him in the initial test training squad, so I'd say he sees something he likes in the way he plays. If we lose this test, I'd expect to see Houston as one of the changes in the third test lineup.
Houston wouldn't be in the top 5 or 6 8s running around the UK.
NH form is nice but without some previous Aus evidence I think they need do stuff in super rugby first before real Wob call up.
We also have McCaffrey & Grey starting at 8 in the NH, neither could get a start in Super rugby
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
I’d have Dave Denton, Toby Faletau (Both Bath), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Louis Picamoles (Northampton), Billy V (Sarries), Nathan Hughes (Wasps) all ahead of him in the Premiership alone.
That’s before you even consider Josh Strauss (Glasgow), Nasi Manu (Edinburgh) and Nick Williams (Cardiff) in the UK, while if we extend it to British Isles, we’ve also got Jamie Heaslip (Leinster) and CJ O’Stander (Munster).
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Joe Blow
Peter Sullivan (51)
Sio will need to have a think about his performance last week and his inability to adjust to counter what Cole was doing. Mind you I was surprised that there was hardly any talk amongst the front row to help him.
I guess if you are a test prop then you are expected to know what to do in that situation.
He is a good player and he will be better for this. We will see him later in this series or in the RC for sure.
I guess if you are a test prop then you are expected to know what to do in that situation.
He is a good player and he will be better for this. We will see him later in this series or in the RC for sure.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
I reckon the front rowers are pretty tight unit and very supportive of each other.
Reminds me of lifesaving surf boat rowers
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Front row is a special club, and you support each other through thick and thin. You're like brothers who have moved past the angsty conflict and bickering, and into adulthood.
Locks you have to treat like an adopted brother. If they give you the right power, its a good relationship. If they're shit, you ditch them.
Locks you have to treat like an adopted brother. If they give you the right power, its a good relationship. If they're shit, you ditch them.
McMahon doesn't look like a bad choice to me, won't carry the ball like he does in Super Rugby and, obviously, he cant offer the same traits as Pocock, but he's gonna be solid in defense and i think he is the kind of player that reaches every ruck on time. On attack he won't harm the england pack, but i think he can win the collision against Robshaw, Hartley and Mako and be breakeven against the rest, however, if at one point the english backs have to cover him, he has the capacity to either smash them or outrun them. Actually, he made a side step on JJ and gained 10 meters or so.
Just wanna point out that Sio put Kruise on his arse and Arnold did the same to Billy V, Kepu can do the same, i know its not enough, but the lack of strong ball carriers is balanced by the fast ball carriers.
Anyways, the main problem are the isolated ball carriers, most of the turnovers were a gift to England, they were made without a contest, so Aus only needs someone who reaches the rucks, Sean could take care of that issue.
Just wanna point out that Sio put Kruise on his arse and Arnold did the same to Billy V, Kepu can do the same, i know its not enough, but the lack of strong ball carriers is balanced by the fast ball carriers.
Anyways, the main problem are the isolated ball carriers, most of the turnovers were a gift to England, they were made without a contest, so Aus only needs someone who reaches the rucks, Sean could take care of that issue.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I doubt we will see Houston. His NH form earned him a shot in the training squad but he didn't even make it passed the first cull.
Despite offing a totally different skill-set to the other 8's, like you mentioned, and this gave him a significant point of difference, BUT he still didn't make it passed the first cull.
He obviously didn't show enough at training and doesn't deserve a shot. I have faith Cheika wouldn't have dropped a player of his skill-set without good reason.
He will have to prove himself in super rugby now. Unless he forces his way in through injuries.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Kepu is close to the most block-busting forward ball runner in the country.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
McMahon's ball running is far far superior to that of Pocock. Turnovers may not be so great (but neither was Pocock last game)
Anyway the turnovers are supposed to be a big part of a seven
Anyway the turnovers are supposed to be a big part of a seven
Mr Doug
Dick Tooth (41)
Thanks Tex, I appreciate that.
Coincidentally, Saturday sees the 60th anniversary celebrations for the Quirindi Rugby Club, as the "Lions" host the Moree "Bulls", [former club of current Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce]!
(Sadly, Mrs Doug and I wont be there celebrating with our many QRUFC friends). I would expect that from 7:30 pm there will be a 'quieter than normal' mob in "The Lions Den", watching 'the local lad' and his team-mates stick it up the Brits!!
The Carter family will be stretched from Quirindi to Melbourne!
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
ACT Crusader
Jim Lenehan (48)
Why was he defending out on the wing then?
The torpedo
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Probably the defence structure that Cheika employed
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Suppose we will see his metres this week as opposed to Pocock's metres last week (with the same game time)
Then we can continue to discuss - one of us will remind remind the other to eat some humble pie
Are you up for it ????
gel
Ken Catchpole (46)
Really? I think his running has generally been quite strong in most of his appearances.
For a smaller (heh*) guy, he's got an amazing amount of directed power.
*very few of these guys are small really - just he appears a bit smaller than others.
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