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Bledisloe 2. Eden Park, 24th Sept 7.05pm NZT. 5.05 pm AEST, 3.05 WA

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Dark Shark

Alex Ross (28)
Will need to be a big shift from Wilson. While I think he’s gonna be a proper beast in a couple years, if he can clean up his ruck work and focus his unrivalled enthusiasm this weekend, that will put him in better stead for more game time later this year.
While Wilson’s ruck work has improved a little, I still think he has no clue around the ruck. He falls off his feet too easily, lacks effectiveness and I think at times there is a player who was never coached properly as a junior, dazzled with the razzmatazz and just lacks basic fundamentals in the tight stuff where he is needed.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Glad Wilson is given an opportunity in his actual position, and happy Angus Bell is back in the team. He is a monster.
I'll be happy to see him have a good game, but for the life of me I do not understand how arguably the best No 8 in test rugby atm is displaced by a player who hasn't even featured in a run of recent test matches. If there is one Wallaby who should feel secure in his spot, it is Rob Valetini. I am also at odds with you about Wilson's best position. I reckon he has more influence hitting the blind side where he gats a bit more space than in the centre when playing No 8.

Some will undoubtedly say the numbers on the back are meaningless (looking at BH) but that's just not so in terms of sending a message. The message that Rob V is our best No 8 should be front and centre and not be undermined in any way in the eyes of fans and oppositions alike.
 

KOB1987

Rod McCall (65)
Agreed KOB but has Rob V's performance at the back of the scrum disappointed you in any way?
No but Wilson/Samu is a more complementary fit on the open side from the scrum. Let me put it this way - let’s say you were forced to play a back row of Leota, Valetini and Wilson. Which one are you playing at 7?
 

A mutterer

Chilla Wilson (44)
I'll be happy to see him have a good game, but for the life of me I do not understand how arguably the best No 8 in test rugby atm is displaced by a player who hasn't even featured in a run of recent test matches. If there is one Wallaby who should feel secure in his spot, it is Rob Valetini. I am also at odds with you about Wilson's best position. I reckon he has more influence hitting the blind side where he gats a bit more space than in the centre when playing No 8.

Some will undoubtedly say the numbers on the back are meaningless (looking at BH) but that's just not so in terms of sending a message. The message that Rob V is our best No 8 should be front and centre and not be undermined in any way in the eyes of fans and oppositions alike.
one word, attrition - probably because of injuries? if leota was fit we would see an unchanged back row and bobby v at the back.

bobby v is good enough to flex between 6 and 8, wilson not so much. who else is the squad fits the bill for a 6?
 

John S

Desmond Connor (43)
Any more information on the above tweets assertion that the judiciary conceded Newell's cleanout on Sio should have been cited?
 

Purce

Jim Clark (26)
Rob V would have been the first name on the team sheet. There is no doubt about that. And no one would think otherwise.

The reality is that at 6 and 8 the numbers really don't matter on their back, its about which role the coaches think they will perform better. They will then be assigned that role.

Wilson at 8 gives you a different beast to Rob V. Harry has exceptional skills, for a guy his size, with ball in hand. It will allow the Wallabies to mix it up a bit at scrum time.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see them both pack down at 8 at different stages during the game.

Getting caught up over who wears 8 and who wears 6 really is a bit silly at this stage. No message is being sent to the public or the players that Rob V isn't the best player in the team. It says the coaches are keen to use each players different skill sets. Which is a good sign of coaching IMO
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
No but Wilson/Samu is a more complementary fit on the open side from the scrum. Let me put it this way - let’s say you were forced to play a back row of Leota, Valetini and Wilson. Which one are you playing at 7?
I don't see that that has any relevance to who fills the 6 and 8 spots when there is an option at 7, as Pete Samu is. But to answer you, I would honestly have to say Rob Leota at 7 as he is the best pilferer of the three. That would not make me change my mind about Harry being best suited to 6 and Rob V staying at 8. I just see no justification at asll to swap them.

Actually, I don't understand what point you are making about Wilson/Samu being a more complementary fit on the openside. Do you think there was an issue between Valetini and Samu covering the open side last week? In any case, why would you think Wilson and Samu would operate better? At least Valetini and Samu have tremendous experience playing together at both the Brumbies and Wallabies. I don't think Harry Wilson and Pete Samu have more than a nodding acquaintance with each other speaking in rugby terms.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
one word, attrition - probably because of injuries? if leota was fit we would see an unchanged back row and bobby v at the back.

bobby v is good enough to flex between 6 and 8, wilson not so much. who else is the squad fits the bill for a 6?
I don't know why people think Harry can't play 6. That was his spot in the Aus U20s where he absolutely killed all comers. His style of play also, imo, suits 6 better than 8 where his ability to make ground through the centre is compromised (whereas it is a particular strength of Rob Valetini's) and his off loading abilities are enhanced by fewer and less organised defenders when on attack down the blind side.
 

KOB1987

Rod McCall (65)
I don't see that that has any relevance to who fills the 6 and 8 spots when there is an option at 7, as Pete Samu is. But to answer you, I would honestly have to say Rob Leota at 7 as he is the best pilferer of the three. That would not make me change my mind about Harry being best suited to 6 and Rob V staying at 8. I just see no justification at asll to swap them.

Actually, I don't understand what point you are making about Wilson/Samu being a more complementary fit on the openside. Do you think there was an issue between Valetini and Samu covering the open side last week? In any case, why would you think Wilson and Samu would operate better? At least Valetini and Samu have tremendous experience playing together at both the Brumbies and Wallabies. I don't think Harry Wilson and Pete Samu have more than a nodding acquaintance with each other speaking in rugby terms.
I think most seem to think it’s largely a moot point but you seem to have a major bee in your bonnet about it. In layman’s terms Samu is about a 6.5 and Harry is about a 7.8. Valetini is either a 6 or an 8. The only time literally where they need to line up as per numbers on their back is at scrum time, and probably really only defensive scrums at that. As Purce says they will probably mix it up a bit anyway.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Think 6 and 8 are pretty easily interchangeable. I expect Valetini will still be picking in at the back of the scrum for example.
 

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I'll be happy to see him have a good game, but for the life of me I do not understand how arguably the best No 8 in test rugby atm is displaced by a player who hasn't even featured in a run of recent test matches. If there is one Wallaby who should feel secure in his spot, it is Rob Valetini. I am also at odds with you about Wilson's best position. I reckon he has more influence hitting the blind side where he gats a bit more space than in the centre when playing No 8.
you're acting as though Valetini was dropped. Ironically he has been selected in the same position he played the vast majority of the Brumbies Super Rugby season. No doubt as advised by the plentiful number of brumbies forwards coaches which now fill the Wallabies coaching ranks.
 
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Joe Blow

Peter Sullivan (51)
I don't see that that has any relevance to who fills the 6 and 8 spots when there is an option at 7, as Pete Samu is. But to answer you, I would honestly have to say Rob Leota at 7 as he is the best pilferer of the three. That would not make me change my mind about Harry being best suited to 6 and Rob V staying at 8. I just see no justification at asll to swap them.

Actually, I don't understand what point you are making about Wilson/Samu being a more complementary fit on the openside. Do you think there was an issue between Valetini and Samu covering the open side last week? In any case, why would you think Wilson and Samu would operate better? At least Valetini and Samu have tremendous experience playing together at both the Brumbies and Wallabies. I don't think Harry Wilson and Pete Samu have more than a nodding acquaintance with each other speaking in rugby terms.
Being that V plays blindside at the Brums with Samu at 8 and there is someone else at 7 says a lot, particularly as The Wobs forward coach was also their coach at the Brums for some time and he preferred that arrangement. Hoping Wilson has a massive game and Bobby V does his usual.

Edit - Adam got in just ahead of me
 

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)

Reiko apparently unhappy with the boomerang response to the haka, calling it disrespectful. Farrrrrrrk me. Do we need to start genuflecting, eyes averted in reverence?
Well if Reiko did actually say something about it, he should of got it pointed out that and experienced AB would say f*** up, anyone can respond hpwever they want, I actually like the boomerand response myself.
 

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
you're acting as though Valetini was dropped. Ironically he has been selected in the same position he played the vast majority of the Brumbies Super Rugby season. No doubt as advised by the plentiful number of forwards coaches which now fill the Wallabies coaching ranks.
Tend to agree Adam I think he's a better 6.
 
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