Beefcake
Bill Watson (15)
If so, and Pocock gets the nod, he's feasting - although Hoops with size and guile would be equally effective. I didnt really take notice vs Hig. Mayb just an off nite
Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC
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If so, and Pocock gets the nod, he's feasting - although Hoops with size and guile would be equally effective. I didnt really take notice vs Hig. Mayb just an off nite
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
Wouldn't mind that link being shared so we can play around with it.
I look at stats yes, but prefer to watch the game and make judgement based on what see as game plans effect stats -
A Jake White coached team would have completely different stats to a Ewen
Mckenzie coached team.
Also stats show individual in a team sport.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
I'm not deliberately trying to pump up the tyres of Reds players here. I'm just pointing out how ludicrous saying players who dominate the set piece are not in form is.
A team that dominates set piece can win with a good tactical kicker and a quality backline to finish.
How many teams are successful in test rugby with a poor set piece?
A team that dominates set piece can win with a good tactical kicker and a quality backline to finish.
How many teams are successful in test rugby with a poor set piece?
T
TOCC
Guest
Giteau and Mitchell have flown into Australia... Wallaby recall?
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
Jones stats to Simmons in the set piece are incredibly similar, while his defensive work, minutes per game and carries per game are exceptional. It's hard to argue that he hasn't been the form lock of the Australian Conference. I'm not saying he should Usurp Simmons, rather that it is time to try a combination that might not get bullied by every other pack...
T
TOCC
Guest
How many times have Simmons and Skelton started together?
I think there's merit to Jones starting, but it's not a case which should be argued on past combinations since those 3 haven't really played much rugby together.
I think the forward balance should be about having 3 decent lineout options in the back 5 and two ball carriers on the field at any one time.
So Skelton means two decent lineout back rowers will be needed, no Skelton means one lineout back rower.
The 7 choice between Hooper & Pocock then becomes a decision partly about where we plan to focus attack.
Up the guts, Pocock, a wider game Hooper. And whoever is picked takes one of the ball carrier spots.
So assuming Skelton starts, Palu becomes a bench option with Higgers Starting
My guess is Palu starting at 8 with the double change planned of Palu for Higgers and Jones (or another) for Skelton at about 50 minutes
So Skelton means two decent lineout back rowers will be needed, no Skelton means one lineout back rower.
The 7 choice between Hooper & Pocock then becomes a decision partly about where we plan to focus attack.
Up the guts, Pocock, a wider game Hooper. And whoever is picked takes one of the ball carrier spots.
So assuming Skelton starts, Palu becomes a bench option with Higgers Starting
My guess is Palu starting at 8 with the double change planned of Palu for Higgers and Jones (or another) for Skelton at about 50 minutes
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
They are if you look at some per game stats and then some per season stats together and ignore Simmons played 7 less games. In 9 games Simmons had 5 line out steals. Jones had 3 in 16.
In the best metric for measuring defensive line outs, they are not at all incredibly similar.
As for takes. Simmons only takes 0.5 of his own throws per game. But who is in his line out? Thomson, Schatz and Horwill who are top line options on their own ball and defensively.
Compare that to Jones. Who's in his pack? Higgers, then Timani with 3 takes all year and McMahon who is not a tall target. Of course he takes a lot. Him and Higgers are the prime targets with no strong alternatives.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
It is going to be a good balancing act as Skelton is sure to start.
I think the front abd second row are certain with Slips, Squeak and Keps and Skelton and Simmo. It is the 6, 7 and 8 positions will need the tweaking.
I'd still pick Fardy at 6, probably Pocock at 7 and fuck knows at 8. (cannot decide)
I think the front abd second row are certain with Slips, Squeak and Keps and Skelton and Simmo. It is the 6, 7 and 8 positions will need the tweaking.
I'd still pick Fardy at 6, probably Pocock at 7 and fuck knows at 8. (cannot decide)
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Skelton's inclusion makes the set piece credentials of the player beside him even more critical.
With a player who is not a strong competing target you can't in other players say "oh he's almost as good at the set piece" and think you'll be fine. You need 3 excellent targets.
Test line outs are more difficult because you are competing against better jumpers. You need strong competing options. The best indication we have of competing ability is wins against the throw.
With a player who is not a strong competing target you can't in other players say "oh he's almost as good at the set piece" and think you'll be fine. You need 3 excellent targets.
Test line outs are more difficult because you are competing against better jumpers. You need strong competing options. The best indication we have of competing ability is wins against the throw.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Skelton brings good things away from the set piece.
His scrummaging is poor to average and lineout ability poor to shithouse.
Chek will have to compensate bigtime
His scrummaging is poor to average and lineout ability poor to shithouse.
Chek will have to compensate bigtime
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
If he offers more of his strengths than a poor jumping number 8 does compared to Higginbotham then selecting him is no net loss.
Higginbotham is top line jumper so he does the lock's line out work. So it comes down to who is better value around the park. Skelton or Palu/Vaea?
Higginbotham is top line jumper so he does the lock's line out work. So it comes down to who is better value around the park. Skelton or Palu/Vaea?
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
I cannot imagine us winning an opposition throw against any of the top teams except by accident. Whether or not Skelton starts, frankly.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Well if that's the case you shouldn't expect any line outs won against the throw by SH teams. The top line out locks Matfield and Whitelock have only stolen 4 and 3 all year. Less than many Australian options. Matfield has played 100 extra minutes and Whitelock 200 to Simmons who stole 5 in 9 games.
Strewthcobber
Mark Ella (57)
I had a quick look at the stats in the TRC last year.
Fardy pinched one in the first Bled match and that's it against NZ+SA
Carter got one against Argentina, and so did Hooper, TPN, and Rob Horne(!) which can only be assumed were those accidents you were talking about.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
fair enough fatprop
but where does the Tahs scrum falter.
damm good front row, Dennis, Hooper, Palu not too bad (although Hooper seagulls a bit)
Skelton is a bllody monster of a bloke - I just don't understand
please enlighten me
It has been pretty good overall for most of the year as far as I care.
They scrum square, push straight and compete.
They get done sometimes and do others as well
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