Aus vs NZ - 1st Test Sydney 17Aug2013

[biggsy]

Anyone care to speculate why you would carry two specialist 10's in a 23? I am confident that Link has considered this selection and has a sound reason but I can't work out what it might be.

Because link knows how bad it would be if JOC (James O'Connor) had to play 10 if there was a Injury to one of them if only one 10 was picked.

 

[scaraby]

So... I got all 23 players right but mixed up three starters.

I'm going to let Link know that I'm available as an assistant selector.

can you sort out our club team first?

 

[Scoey]

Cheers lads!

 

[Lee Grant]

So... I got all 23 players right but mixed up three starters.

I'm going to let Link know that I'm available as an assistant selector.

Outstanding work Braveheart. I would have had Robinson and Cummins in. Also probably Fardy starting instead of Simmons, because Mowen can do the calls.
.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Geez it's nice to see a logical team picked on form and experience, there isn't a player in there that makes you scratch your head as to why they've been picked or where they're playing. It's really refreshing and even if they don't win they're giving themselves every chance with this team.

You could argue that Simmons is unworthy, but you don't have to think hard as to why he's in there. There are number of other minor quibbles you could have with it around slipper or MMM but there isn't anything remotely approaching a howler like playing your best winger at 10.

Shame we're missing pocock and higgers to beef up that forward pack but that backline is as good as it gets for me. There is so much talent in the back 3, a solid as a rock midfield and the worlds best 9, it could do some amazing things if the forwards go ok.

 

[lewisr]

First time for quite a while that I have been proper excited for a Wobs Vs ABs match. Simply cannot wait to see what they have in store for us.

Pressures on Link to deliver!

 

[rugbyskier]

I'm happy with the selected team. The key will be the use of subs, as the Chiefs demonstrated in the Super Rugby final the skilful use of subs can be a game changer.

Really pleased to see Matt To'omua in the starting 15. I first met him when I went to South Africa in 2008 to see the Brumbies play in Cape Town and Pretoria, I was on the same flight over to Jo'burg and sat in the row in front of Matt and Stirling Mortlock. I spoke to Matt at the Brumbies presentation dinner on Saturday and said "you've come a long way from that wide-eyed young man on the Qantas flight to Jo'burg". He laughed and agreed that he was probably wide-eyed, he said that first trip to South Africa as an 18 year old was an unforgettable experience and he learned a lot.

 

[jollyswagman]

I recall during the 2011 Reds super campaign that there was a lot of talk about the Reds bench and how McKenzie used it. If I remember rightly he referred to his bench as " The Finishers" and often described how they all had an integral role play in every match - not just "back-ups" should someone go down. He would often comment on how important he felt it was to bring the respective players off the bench at the right time and felt that was a key to the Reds success that year.

I am very much looking forward to seeing if this thinking is something he carries through with the new roles and how and when he brings the reserves on. It sure will be a refreshing change to have a coach who know how to use his bench.

 

[Scotty]

I'm guessing that's why Hooper has been retained. He's the only regular threat with the ball amongst the pack.

Why does everyone think that Hooper is this great line bending threat? As far as I have seen he is mainly a threat when there is a little bit of space, and he can use his pace to beat another forward.

I would bank on Alexander, Slipper and Horwill all make more metres in the tight than Hooper. In fact, I'd bank on Gill making more metres in tight as well with his low body height technique.

 

[Ash]

Etc etc

Where do you get these cumulative figures from Ash?

The only one I know of is where the top ten, or something like that, is listed per category.

Fox sports fantasy rugby.

I know, I know, not the most reliable of stats gatherers, but useful for a quick look.

Would like to compile stats from rugbystats.com.au into a spreadsheet to quote, but suspect that may violate some copyright or something.

Try this link:
http://superrugbyfantasy.foxsports....?element_filter=et_4&stat_filter=total_points

Then click the little "i" on your player and choice, and look at the attack or defence stats.

 

[Braveheart81]

Why does everyone think that Hooper is this great line bending threat? As far as I have seen he is mainly a threat when there is a little bit of space, and he can use his pace to beat another forward.

I would bank on Alexander, Slipper and Horwill all make more metres in the tight than Hooper. In fact, I'd bank on Gill making more metres in tight as well with his low body height technique.

I think Hooper is very good at picking his moments and making sniping runs where he gains plenty of metres.

He's not going to bend the line through three defenders but his acceleration is excellent and he's good at taking advantage of little opportunities to have a run.

Hooper will provide plenty of go forward because he can do what our other forwards can't. Gill could possibly be better at pick and drives in tight, but I don't think that's what anyone is looking for out of our 7 in terms of the running they can provide.

 

[Scotty]

Anyone care to speculate why you would carry two specialist 10's in a 23? I am confident that Link has considered this selection and has a sound reason but I can't work out what it might be.

There are 5 blokes that have played 10 in super or test rugby in the 23!

My speculation would be that Cooper is also considered a back up 15, and To'omua is considered a back up 12.

 

[Ash]

Normally in a pack you have a forward or two who can carry well a bit wider, either targetting a lazy forward in the backline or running over the shoulder of a back. Without Higgers, Hooper is the next best. MMM, Mowen, Fardy aren't too bad at it, but they don't have the same impact as Higgers, Hooper, or from NZ, Read, Whitelock, Romano, etc.

Hooper is not there just to carry it up the guts, if you wanted that, might as well pick Gill as he will do just about an effective job and offer that little bit more over the ball.

 

[Richo]

Wha???? Moore, Horwill, Alexander, Slipper, Mowen, and MMM. Only Simmons isn't a carrier.

I didn't say carrier, I said threat. By that I mean someone who regularly busts tackles and creates line breaks. I think most of those guys are good ball carriers, but Hooper often breaks open a game. Having him rather than Gill ensures that the pack has that capacity. If Higgers weren't hurt, Gill might have got the start.

 

[Zander]

Horwill, Alexander and Moore are not strong carries, they barely make more than 1-3 metres each carry.

 

[I like to watch]

Why does everyone think that Hooper is this great line bending threat? As far as I have seen he is mainly a threat when there is a little bit of space, and he can use his pace to beat another forward.

I would bank on Alexander, Slipper and Horwill all make more metres in the tight than Hooper. In fact, I'd bank on Gill making more metres in tight as well with his low body height technique.

Mainly because there is more than one channel on a Rugby field.
I do agree with your observation that he is not exceptional if he is limited to pick and go's.

 

[aussie1st]

Love that team. No issues at all with carrying two 10s, if To'omua goes down I sure as hell don't want to see JOC (James O'Connor) running the ship. Plus as mentioned they cover all positions anyway.

Great to see a blank slate being given to each player with them picked on form and a gameplan. No more of this favourites which Deans used.

 

[Ash]

Horwill, Alexander and Moore are not strong carries, they barely make more than 1-3 metres each carry.

Could it have something to do with them mostly carrying it in the tight? Most of the tight forwards in the Oz teams who primarily carry in the tight "barely make more than 1-3 metres each carry".

I would say that Pyle, for example, would average more per carry. But then, Pyle is a better runner out wide than Horwill, Alexander, and Moore, but I'd say that Horwill, Alexander, and Moore are all stronger carriers of the ball in tight than Pyle.

 

[Zander]

Yes I know they carry tight but you still want at least 5 metres.

 

[Ash]

Ben Mowen didn't even average 5m / carry for the season and he did quite a few mid field runs and had a couple of long breaks.

I'd bet that you won't find many tight ball carriers averaging 5m per carry, if any. 3m -4m would actually be pretty god for a prop or non-wide running lock, I'd say (in my uneducated opinion), unless you're a Romano.