Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
He's played 6, and 8 before.
Wallabies Watch
- Thread starter qwerty51
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Scotty
David Codey (61)
I know, but noting that Dennis is clearly better in the lineout. Happy to have smith at 6 or 8 but we need him to be teamed with a jumping back rower, not Palu.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
Mighty fine Manly back row there
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
Scotty, like that combo and it is more balanced I know that.
Gill has missed a game as well so not 2 less games only one. Hooper and Gill both have good all round games. And Gill can kick off both feet!
.The Question is Is Smith so much better than Hooper and Gill that we need to bend rules to get him in the team?
I, for one, wouldn't be breaking rules for him. The guys we have a top quality.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
I'm not sure Smith's case is so clear cut in terms of breaking the rules - he is currently playing for an Australian Super Rugby team. I would have thought that should be the major criteria. I always believed the rules were made to preclude people playing in overseas competitions.
I don't really have an opinion on Smith vs Gill - I haven't seen enough Brumby games to compare Smith's form. But I think the ARU should DEFINITELY make sure everything was done for Smith to be eligible. Even if he was considered 3rd in the pecking order that means he is potentially only 1 injury away from being in the match day squad.
I don't really have an opinion on Smith vs Gill - I haven't seen enough Brumby games to compare Smith's form. But I think the ARU should DEFINITELY make sure everything was done for Smith to be eligible. Even if he was considered 3rd in the pecking order that means he is potentially only 1 injury away from being in the match day squad.
USARugger
John Thornett (49)
That had a lot to do with playing nonstop professional rugby for what was it, nearly 2 years? He produced some of the best rugby of his career both for Australia and Leinster during that period but his body simply fell apart and he's still feeling the impact of that today.
Gill has missed a game as well so not 2 less games only one. Hooper and Gill both have good all round games. And Gill can kick off both feet!
The Question is Is Smith so much better than Hooper and Gill that we need to bend rules to get him in the team?
I, for one, wouldn't be breaking rules for him. The guys we have a top quality.
Gill is still a bit wet behind the ears at test level. He's just really cementing himself as a future star in Super Rugby this season and he hasn't really done much but come off the bench and see games out at the test level so far. I rate him very highly but he needs to start some more tests before anyone can really make a sound judgement on his value in the international arena.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
I reckon the best balanced back row we can roll out at this stage would be McMeniman, Smith, Palu.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
He'd still need an ARU contract before the ARU changes their stance.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
If you want to challenge the sense of entitlement across Australian rugby pick mowen and smith.
Not sure the lions is the place to be sending messages for the run in to RWC2015.
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Scotty
David Codey (61)
I like it. Would like to see MMM at 6 in super xv though.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
MMM on the bench, and Mowen at 6 for me..........
Is Palu actually due back anytime soon?
Yeah I would also like to see evidence of his mobility
On the back row, it depends on the balance and who compliments who
So........
Robinson, Moore, Palmer
Horwich, Douglas
Mowen, Smith, Palu
Bench
Hanson
Alexander
Ryan
MMM (if he can demonstrate the mobility) to cover 5/6, other options Kimlin or Dennis as workrate options
Fotu for Palu (power for power)
I would budget for Smith to play 80
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I think we would be mad to not at least have Smith potentially available. How daft would we look if Hooper and Gill get crocked, and Smith is unable to be selected on a technicality. It isn't that far-fetched, I mean we all thought Pocock was made of Unobtainium, and these guys are constantly in a spot where they are subject to being smashed every which way.
This Sunday hopefully.
I wouldn't be discounting anyone who played for the Wallabies last season at this stage.
There are still 10 rounds (of which most teams will play 9 games) before the initial 25 man squad is chosen. There will then be one final game where the fringe players get a chance to grab the last few spots in the squad.
Players who are currently considered on the outer due to injury or form have plenty of time to turn things around. For players that Deans will want to pick because they've been important members of his team in the last year or two, finding strong form in the month before the squad is announced is probably going to be enough.
I still see players like: Beale, Barnes, Polota-Nau, Cooper, Simmons, Cummins, Tomane, Phipps, Dennis, Slipper, A. Fainga'a, S. Fainga'a having plenty of chance to make the squad/team.
For the fringe players trying to break into the Wallabies, their form in the month or so leading up to the squad being announced is going to count for far more than their form at the start of the season. Players like Mogg, Lealiifano, Mowen, MMM, Gill, White, Auelua, Carter, Pyle, Fardy, Ryan etc. still have it all to do. They've all started the season brilliantly but that will count for nothing if they don't continue their strong form and look better than the experienced Wallabies they're trying to force out of a spot in the weeks leading up to the squad being picked.
There are still 10 rounds (of which most teams will play 9 games) before the initial 25 man squad is chosen. There will then be one final game where the fringe players get a chance to grab the last few spots in the squad.
Players who are currently considered on the outer due to injury or form have plenty of time to turn things around. For players that Deans will want to pick because they've been important members of his team in the last year or two, finding strong form in the month before the squad is announced is probably going to be enough.
I still see players like: Beale, Barnes, Polota-Nau, Cooper, Simmons, Cummins, Tomane, Phipps, Dennis, Slipper, A. Fainga'a, S. Fainga'a having plenty of chance to make the squad/team.
For the fringe players trying to break into the Wallabies, their form in the month or so leading up to the squad being announced is going to count for far more than their form at the start of the season. Players like Mogg, Lealiifano, Mowen, MMM, Gill, White, Auelua, Carter, Pyle, Fardy, Ryan etc. still have it all to do. They've all started the season brilliantly but that will count for nothing if they don't continue their strong form and look better than the experienced Wallabies they're trying to force out of a spot in the weeks leading up to the squad being picked.
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