Wallaby Watch 2014

[Scrubber2050]

I think most of us have been critical of the lack of physicality which often seems to lacking in our forwards. However there was plenty of that against the ABs

Think Chek will concentrate on that a lot.

Its just up to the boys to do it, week in week out

 

[topgun]

It will be interesting to see what Chek does with Simmons, carter and Horwill. He seems to like his locks belting it up with pace to get over the advantage line. Are we going to see these guys concentrate a bit more on attacking the line.

I'd put a tenner on Skelton starting with Cheiks picking. certainly don't think he'll miss the 23

 

[something]

i have a feeling Horwill could be missing out if he doesn't life his physicality

 

[Scrubber2050]

I'd put a tenner on Skelton starting with Cheiks picking. certainly don't think he'll miss the 23

For this match I agree

 

[Train Without a Station]

I'd put a tenner on Skelton starting with Cheiks picking. certainly don't think he'll miss the 23

As I have said previously, considering that Cheika chose not to start Skelton, even when Dennis was injured and Potgeiter being more suited to 6, I would be massively surprised if he started Skelton for anything other than a one off.

 

[Biffo]

i have a feeling Horwill could be missing out if he doesn't life his physicality

in that case, TGC had best change his approach.
Horwill is indispensable

 

[Ash]

Of all the locks on tour, Horwill's style would most suit what Cheika wants. Horwill's issue is still that his impact is not what is once was before his horrible hamstring injury.

 

[Biffo]

yes indeed.
let's not beat around the maul.
Horwill is Australia's only mature lock with test-competence provenance and the characteristics needed for real "Australian" rugby.
TGC should invest a huge amount in him in the next year to try to get him back up to his best.
i see little chance of any of the other locks becoming a test "hardnut" within 11 months and 8 tests.

 

[It is what it is]

Of all the locks on tour, Horwill's style would most suit what Cheika wants. Horwill's issue is still that his impact is not what is once was before his horrible hamstring injury.

Agree on his lack of impact at the moment, .
He will always die trying for his team however.
That's why it would be good if he could consult with a strength and conditioning expert who specialises in helping athletes come back from chronic injuries.
These experts are out there and treat all aspects of the recovery process.
One helped Andrew Johns recover from a serious knee injury, and got him back in terrific shape both physically and mentally, ready to play back at his best.
He has a lot of supporters out there but Cheika won't pick him on his scrapbook alone.

 

[Brumby Runner]

IMO the lock who has consistently shown most impact carrying the ball has been Caderyn Neville. Pity he wasn't included in the squad. On song, Skelton is very hard to stop but it seems to me that he doesn't yet have the involvements we want from a starting lock. Luke Jones is up there for the number of involvements but I think he should be regarded as a 6/8 rather than at lock.

 

[Tomikin]

Carter and Simmionj s bumped off tackles all game v the all blacks. Really there work rates been ten times the others

 

[Forcefield]

IMO the lock who has consistently shown most impact carrying the ball has been Caderyn Neville. Pity he wasn't included in the squad. On song, Skelton is very hard to stop but it seems to me that he doesn't yet have the involvements we want from a starting lock. Luke Jones is up there for the number of involvements but I think he should be regarded as a 6/8 rather than at lock.

He's a bloody good scrummager too.

 

[fatprop]

IMO the lock who has consistently shown most impact carrying the ball has been Caderyn Neville. Pity he wasn't included in the squad. On song, Skelton is very hard to stop but it seems to me that he doesn't yet have the involvements we want from a starting lock. Luke Jones is up there for the number of involvements but I think he should be regarded as a 6/8 rather than at lock.

Neville has looked better in the lesser, looser standard of the NRC in the best pack in the comp, lets see how he turns out in Super Rugby, that said, when his form got Deans to select him, he was playing bloody well

I expect Skelton to go the same way, a little time for the Wobs before returning to Super Rugby to actually learn his trade.

 

[fatprop]

Of all the locks on tour, Horwill's style would most suit what Cheika wants. Horwill's issue is still that his impact is not what is once was before his horrible hamstring injury.

With Cheika & Grey coaching I expect a greater focus on physicality and effort.

Less chopping tackles and long reach scavenging and more focus on dominant tackles, body height, leg drive and cleanout

 

[Ruggo]

Of all the locks on tour, Horwill's style would most suit what Cheika wants. Horwill's issue is still that his impact is not what is once was before his horrible hamstring injury.

He is a bit unique Big Kev in that is amaizingly agile for a unit his size. He is also the most rounded in Australia when it come to all aspects of lock play. Against the Argies I thought he looked like he was starting to get his mojo back.

I think he can fit the brief you describe above Fatprop.

 

[Scrubber2050]

He is a bit unique Big Kev in that is amaizingly agile for a unit his size. He is also the most rounded in Australia when it come to all aspects of lock play. Against the Argies I thought he looked like he was starting to get his mojo back.

I think he can fit the brief you describe above Fatprop.

Jeez its taken a long time yo start getting his mojo back. Mckenzie had essentially dumped James from being a first choice lock. He is fucking off to France. Does Chek continue the growth of others (Carter Simmons Skelton etc) ? If Horwill was playing to his best then that is different and he would be first choice.

The locks will be the most contentious picks, methinks

 

[fatprop]

He is a bit unique Big Kev in that is amaizingly agile for a unit his size. He is also the most rounded in Australia when it come to all aspects of lock play. Against the Argies I thought he looked like he was starting to get his mojo back.

I think he can fit the brief you describe above Fatprop.

I hope they are a lot less passive and a lot more aggressive (you may have guessed I am not a fan of the "chopping tackles and long reach scavenging" approach to forward play - it ignores the physical domination bit of forward play)

 

[Ruggo]

Yeah I get that. I don't mind the chopping tackle but would rather see a strong counter ruck follow it.

 

[Ruggo]

Jeez its taken a long time yo start getting his mojo back. Mckenzie had essentially dumped James from being a first choice lock. He is fucking off to France. Does Chek continue the growth of others (Carter Simmons Skelton etc) ? If Horwill was playing to his best then that is different and he would be first choice.

The locks will be the most contentious picks, methinks

News to me that he is off to France. Latest I knew about was the English offer in 2016.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Ruggo - my mistake -
but the point of him heading OS is still valid.

Realise the bloke is getting OK money but I honestly thought a lock, captain etc would have got a bigger payday. Am pretty sure it would be a "lifestyle" decision anyway.