wamberal99
Bob Loudon (25)
Tate is a potential match winner, I don't think Gordon is.
Tate is a potential match winner, I don't think Gordon is.
I don't know if we watched the same Super Rugby season but Tate's form really tailed off. His option taking in the Crusaders game was the worst I've ever seen it.Gordons play is cynical/negative and does not have the vision of Tate. He leaves the pill in the scrum and focusses his attention on milking a penalty, often thats not there, rather than pushing ahead and looking for opportunity to score.
His option taking is not on par with that of Tate.
I’d pick Tate every time to back up White or to start if he was not available.
Correct.I don't know if we watched the same Super Rugby season but Tate's form really tailed off. His option taking in the Crusaders game was the worst I've ever seen it.
I think Tate is ultimately going to be the better player and earn more caps over his career than Gordon but not sure his warrants selection right now.
I just cannot get around Hodge being our starting 10. With out current injury toll I'm OK with him covering multiple positions on the bench but if he is the best we have at fly half then fuck me we are cooked.
I'd have both Lolesio and JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) starting at 10 over him. However I'd have him on the bench over either of them with one of the many talented outside backs on the bench.
Gordon v Tate is pretty level. I'd like to see Tate with more chances. Reckon he would go really well with the multiple legit ball runners we have in the pack now.
Never seen the point of playing a 10 from the bench. If the game is in the balance in any way the chances of them actually getting on the field are essentially nil. And then, if the game isnt and they do what are they really getting from it? 10 is a bit all or nothing I think.Purce, suggesting Hodge starts at 10 is odd, I grant you. It's what I see right now though. In essence I wouldn't be starting Lolesio, but building him from the bench wherever this is possible. With Quade out, that seems to give us JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) or Hodge. From what we have seen, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) has been undercooked and Hodge worked fine at 10. Choose between them I think. Of course what we see is not what the coaching team sees with training added in. So JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) may get the nod.
Ideally we would want a 6/2 bench again, but these shenanigans probably kill that opportunity. I'd want a 7, 10/utility back, and Vunivalu. Now if you are not fussed with getting Vunivalu onto the field, then you can start JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor), and bench say Gordon, Lolo, Hodge. If you want Vunivalu there, you can't have JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor), Hodge and Lolo in the 23 together. So I lock in Lolo (or drop him if we go 6/2) and flip a coin between Hodge and JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor). From what we have seen I think it's Hodge. JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) could get through if his training shows he is ready,
Never seen the point of playing a 10 from the bench. If the game is in the balance in any way the chances of then actually getting on the field are essentially nil. And then, if the game isnt and they do what are they really getting from it? 10 is a bit all or nothing I think.
I also think Lolesio is a fairly understated but effective 10 who will continue to improve as he gets more experience. He has more potential than Marcus Smith IMO who looks like a fairly decent running threat against defences that aren't international standard and that's about it.
Sad news for him.AAA heading home early. Death in the family
Why did it do him no favours? He did well. We didn't lose any of the subsequent two games because of anything he did (except, perhaps, for failing to dive on a loose ball).Sure, like Rennie's attitude to 7. He wants a utility back rower, not a specialist 7 on the bench. So a 7 starts or is in reserves. Unfortunately I suspect dropping Lolo into starting 10 (when Quade went down pre-game against England) did him no favours. If we start him, then both JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and Hodge are (sort of) utilities and work on the bench.
We will see Rennie's thinking soon enough.
Why did it do him no favours? He did well. We didn't lose any of the subsequent two games because of anything he did (except, perhaps, for failing to dive on a loose ball).
We very much lost those last two games in the pigs. Lolesio was fine.
Agreed. Consistency hasn’t been our strongest point and it’s something that’s built on successive good performances.I wouldn't go this way - we don't want to go backwards and getting a bonus point win will be crucial in the context of the TRC
So we are more likely to improve longer term by relying on a stopgap now? sorry Dru - not following the rationale here.
Poor Ala'alatoa, hope him and Mike are okay. Completes our best front row being unavailable.
With Bell out, Slipper doesn't swap, so guarantees Fa'amausili to start.
16. Longeran 17. Gibbon 18. Fa'amausili is as inexperienced as they come.