Australia v England: Match III, SCG, Sat 16th July 7.55pm AEST

[stillmissit]

And yet he's played the vast majority of his test career at 8, and looking ahead I expect him to be playing there a lot more with the Brumbies...

I don't think V is a strong 8 but he sure is a strong 6. He plays 8 for brumbies by desire or design, either way, he plays 6 from 8 and I expect Wilson to play 8 from 6 ie covering, supporting and setting up moves, whilst V will be driving over the gain line and hammering tackles. This experiment doesn't gel with me but as someone else said - Rennie gets paid the big bucks to make these calls.
I am just hoping our breakdown work is seriously better than the rubbish from last week!

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

Wasn’t Slipper a 10 at some stage in juniors? Or am I imagining I heard that?

was a 10 as a schoolboy at TSS

 

[dru]

Tate could do it

This is kind of redundant at this stage so my comment also - still. If you wanted a backup half to also back to an injured 10 you'd surely put Gordon on the bench.

 

[qwerty51]

Do people not realise #6 and #8 only states where they pack in a scrum? Their roles and channels they play in the game are completely up to Rennie and there's no set standard from the number they wear on their back.

 

[stillmissit]

I think his boot will make a big difference for us on the weekend.

A bigger difference would be if the top 2" is engaged from the start. Last week we started overconfidently and got done. This week I would love to see the guys rip into the poms from the start and not let up for 80 mins then have a look at the scoreboard, of course keeping the penalties to a minimum.

 

[stillmissit]

Do people not realise #6 and #8 only states where they pack in a scrum? Their roles and channels they play in the game are completely up to Rennie and there's no set standard from the number they wear on their back.

Go tell Keiran Read that?

 

[Slim 293]

Both Wilson and Valetini have extensive experience (including test experience) in the positions they've been selected to play at this weekend, and clearly have been selected in those positions as it best suits their role in the team...

It's not like they've been selected to play at lock, or on the wing.

 

[qwerty51]

Go tell Keiran Read that?

Explain?

 

[Joe Blow]

I would not be surprised to see both scrumming at 8 over the course of this test depending on the situation. At the same time its likely that Valentini will play close to the ruck and Wilson a touch wider. Both have excellent handling skills and good vision.

 

[stillmissit]

Explain?

Have a look at this and it will give you some clues.

 

[Dctarget]

 

[stillmissit]

I would not be surprised to see both scrumming at 8 over the course of this test depending on the situation. At the same time its likely that Valentini will play close to the ruck and Wilson a touch wider. Both have excellent handling skills and good vision.

Agree Joe but I think Wilson will be a fair bit wider if we want to use his linking skills! Or better cover his channel and then move wide.

 

[tragic]

Wouldn't surprise me if every Wallaby played 10 at some point as a junior, usually went to the best player in the team.

Or the coaches son….

 

[Dctarget]

Tough to drop JVP, didn’t he get MOTM last week?

 

[qwerty51]

Have a look at this and it will give you some clues.

You have completely lost me.

If you're talking about how Read plays, which was generally wide I could show a ton of clips of #8s also playing tight. It's not the position that tells you what channel they'll play in. That was just his role for the team and also dependent on who the blindside flanker was.

 

[Derpus]

You have completely lost me.

If you're talking about how Read plays, which was generally wide I could show a ton of clips of #8s also playing tight. It's not the position that tells you what channel they'll play in. That was just his role for the team and also dependent on who the blindside flanker was.

Kaino was never afraid of the hard stuff

 

[John S]

Interesting dropping Arundell for Nowell again - was EJ (Eddie Jones) just trialling him as a starter? Didn't think he had a bad game?

 

[Slim 293]

Agree Joe but I think Wilson will be a fair bit wider if we want to use his linking skills! Or better cover his channel and then move wide.

That would be a 6 under Rennie...

 

[qwerty51]

Interesting dropping Arundell for Nowell again - was EJ (Eddie Jones) just trialling him as a starter? Didn't think he had a bad game?

Nowell started last match. Arundell has been on the bench for all 3 now.

 

[stillmissit]

You have completely lost me.

If you're talking about how Read plays, which was generally wide I could show a ton of clips of #8s also playing tight. It's not the position that tells you what channel they'll play in. That was just his role for the team and also dependent on who the blindside flanker was.

Maybe we have watched different games over the years. Read could play the tight and was excellent over the ball but he knew his role is to support the breakdown where ever it is and support runners and link in players to create space, tackle hard at all times and take the ball up if the opportunity arises.
As you are lost I assume this is lost on you as well. Did you play 8 at any time or in the pack?
Read was a quintessential 8 as was the great Australian Loane. NZ have put our plenty of them but we have not had so many, I thought Jed Holloway was going to be a great 8 but was injured early and that opportunity disappeared into the row, the fate of many potential 8's.