Wallabies 2023

[TSR]

You're forgetting Scott Higginbotham, what an outstanding player, Wallabies won the 2011 Tri Nations with him at No.8, he was a big factor to their success 2010-2011 (Elsom, Pocock, Higginbotham) - a world class backrow coached by the outstanding David Nuicifora who was breakdown/forwards coach at the time, who's now leading Ireland to unprecedented success - everything comes back to Nuicifora.

I loved Scott Higginbotham.

But - he did get multiple chances and under more than 1 test coach. Ultimately I don’t think you can say he was consistently successful at test level. Guys like McMahon, McCalman and others all had some level of sucess at test level. None achieved sustained success.

 

[RugbyReg]

You're forgetting Scott Higginbotham, what an outstanding player, Wallabies won the 2011 Tri Nations with him at No.8, he was a big factor to their success 2010-2011 (Elsom, Pocock, Higginbotham) - a world class backrow coached by the outstanding David Nuicifora who was breakdown/forwards coach at the time, who's now leading Ireland to unprecedented success - everything comes back to Nuicifora.

Four games played that year. Ben McCalman played No 8 twice, Higgers once and Radike once.

6 Elsom, 7 Pocock, 8 Higginbotham played together just once for 1 win.

6 Elsom 7 Pocock 8 McCalman was the one that played together the most

Other than that one above mentioned win with Higgers (v SAF in Durban), the only other games he had were at 6 with McCalman at 8 and Poey at 7 were v Russia in the RWC Pools, v Wales in the Bronze Medal game and in that random last test of the year in Cardiff.

So, probably understandable for many people to forget his impact over those two years, as he didn't really have one. At least not how you remember,.

 

[Slim 293]

You're forgetting Scott Higginbotham, what an outstanding player, Wallabies won the 2011 Tri Nations with him at No.8, he was a big factor to their success 2010-2011 (Elsom, Pocock, Higginbotham) - a world class backrow coached by the outstanding David Nuicifora who was breakdown/forwards coach at the time, who's now leading Ireland to unprecedented success - everything comes back to Nuicifora.

Reg beat me to it, but....


WROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG.

 

[Marce]

Tom Wright is hosting a TV show or something like that in WBs page so he's on the plane to France lol

 

[stillmissit]

Four games played that year. Ben McCalman played No 8 twice, Higgers once and Radike once.

6 Elsom, 7 Pocock, 8 Higginbotham played together just once for 1 win.

6 Elsom 7 Pocock 8 McCalman was the one that played together the most

Other than that one above mentioned win with Higgers (v SAF in Durban), the only other games he had were at 6 with McCalman at 8 and Poey at 7 were v Russia in the RWC Pools, v Wales in the Bronze Medal game and in that random last test of the year in Cardiff.

So, probably understandable for many people to forget his impact over those two years, as he didn't really have one. At least not how you remember,.

Reg where you get this info amazes me, I always rated Higginbottom although he was a bit of a seagull and struggled to hold his spot. Finished tries well but wasn't all that great in the loose. McCalmum was a tighter player but not as good as Scott IMHO.

 

[stillmissit]

I loved Scott Higginbotham.

But - he did get multiple chances and under more than 1 test coach. Ultimately I don’t think you can say he was consistently successful at test level. Guys like McMahon, McCalman and others all had some level of sucess at test level. None achieved sustained success.

McMahon always played above his weight, I had zero expectation that a guy of his size would have much of an impact in internationals. Not the size of a dog in a fight?

 

[TSR]

McMahon always played above his weight, I had zero expectation that a guy of his size would have much of an impact in internationals. Not the size of a dog in a fight?

I thought he was underwhelming at first, but improved significantly. If memory serves me correct though his best period was at the time Pocock was out injured. If Pocock had been available I’m not sure they could have played Hooper, Pocock and McMahon together.

But yeah - there was a period there where McMahon was excellent. Likewise a number of the guys on the list I posted earlier had periods when they were very good (McCalman springs to mind).

There were very few, if any, periods where we had a consistently successful backrow trio (even before we worry about bench impact).

 

[Ignoto]

Reg where you get this info amazes me, I always rated Higginbottom although he was a bit of a seagull and struggled to hold his spot. Finished tries well but wasn't all that great in the loose. McCalmum was a tighter player but not as good as Scott IMHO.

Pete Samu plays the same game as Higgers did.

Based on comments he's made post retiring, it sounded like Chieka kept changing what he wanted Higgers to do before picking him. So it's not unsurprising that he has little impact on the international game.

Human Specimens in Mark Chisholm and Pier Spears also never seemed to really live up to their bodies.

 

[hammertimethere]

McMahon always played above his weight, I had zero expectation that a guy of his size would have much of an impact in internationals. Not the size of a dog in a fight?

Ardie Savea is the best 6/8 in NZ by an absolute country mile and he's more of a 6'2 104kg type than a 6'4 115kg type. His speed, power and intensity/insanity of play is the key to his game. McMahon was a bit same. Gleeson could be similar. You don't NEED to be a massive lump to play 6/8 internationally, but you have to have the speed and power to match those that do. Height is relevant because of lineout roles but with the right combo of players impact shouldn't be huge.

The actual impact of the physical differences between players who are all over 6'1 and 105kg is overstated I think.

 

[Derpus]

Ardie, while still great, doesnt have the same impact at international level as he does in Super Rugby. Id argue hes actually only middling on the defensive side, in particular.

McMahon was great. But he recognised that his style of play combined with his smaller frame was simply unsustainable.

Samu also really only has the impact that he does off the bench.

Size does matter.

 

[Marce]

I loved Scott Higginbotham.

But - he did get multiple chances and under more than 1 test coach. Ultimately I don’t think you can say he was consistently successful at test level. Guys like McMahon, McCalman and others all had some level of sucess at test level. None achieved sustained success.

If my memory is OK, he was a penalties magnet. Wasn't he?

 

[Dctarget]

The only question mark for me is hooker. Bell & Tupou injured is a massive concern but the hierarchy of props is fairly indisputable. I have no idea who our three hookers will be. None have impressed me that much.

 

[Braveheart81]

You're forgetting Scott Higginbotham, what an outstanding player, Wallabies won the 2011 Tri Nations with him at No.8, he was a big factor to their success 2010-2011 (Elsom, Pocock, Higginbotham) - a world class backrow coached by the outstanding David Nuicifora who was breakdown/forwards coach at the time, who's now leading Ireland to unprecedented success - everything comes back to Nuicifora.

This try by Higgers against the All Blacks in 2011 was unreal.

 

[TSR]

If my memory is OK, he was a penalties magnet. Wasn't he?

Biggest criticism is he played mostly wide, not tight.

 

[Wilson]

The only question mark for me is hooker. Bell & Tupou injured is a massive concern but the hierarchy of props is fairly indisputable. I have no idea who our three hookers will be. None have impressed me that much.

Would absolutely love for Paenga-Amosa to re-sign with the Reds for next year and rocket back into contention, he's the most reliable hooker we've had over this world cup cycle.

 

[cyclopath]

Hey guys, Wallabies 2023 thread here - just the regular reminder.

 

[dillyboy]

Biggest criticism is he played mostly wide, not tight.

Was the best winger we had (pretty sure we actually played him there a couple of times).

But as good as Higgers was, he was nothing to do with the Wallabies in 2023

 

[stillmissit]

Would absolutely love for Paenga-Amosa to re-sign with the Reds for next year and rocket back into contention, he's the most reliable hooker we've had over this world cup cycle.

I am surprised that none of our available hookers have put their hand up for wallaby gig. P-A as an ex garbo? Is still the best hooker we have had in a while.
What has happened with Uelese? he was injured last year and I was hoping he would come back strongly.

 

[Derpus]

This try by Higgers against the All Blacks in 2011 was unreal.

Gotta be up there for greatest try of all time (Wallabies edition).

 

[SouthernX]

Hey guys, Wallabies 2023 thread here - just the regular reminder.

if you can’t learn from past mistakes how do you intend to plan for the future?