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WhoDaresWin
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Has McCalman ever played at 6?? He could be a good option there.
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DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Here's hoping Douglas shakes off the poor form that saw him dropped and moved last year. Would I be right in saying that his 2011 season was a case of "second year syndrome"?
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
i think dennis will prove the best of the bunch at the tahs currently, he is going to be a real option at 6 in the next couple of years, hope they start him at 8 a fair bit as well, he was fantastic there at the end of last year.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Every Waratah supporter is praying that it was second year syndrome. His break through year was so impressive, but in my opinion he needs to substantially uprate his fitness so he can get to more rucks more quickly. There was a G&GR clip up about six months ago where he an Mumm were in a tackle situation together. A couple of seconds later Mumm was entering the tackle zone of the next ruck and Douglas was 30 metres behind. Not a good look. The best chance he has is to watch and copy Dan Vickerman if he is to take his game to the next level.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
This all really depends on the type of 6 we want. NZ have often had their big basher at 6 and the higher work rate 8. Think Collins and So'oialo.
We seem to like to go for a higher work rate tall 6 with the more explosive and skilled 8. Think Cockbain and Kefu.
Problem with the wallabies was that as the tournament wore on, Elsoms impact and work rate appeared to diminish. Samo's impact also diminished (his workrate was already low). Only Pocock got better and better.
We seem to like to go for a higher work rate tall 6 with the more explosive and skilled 8. Think Cockbain and Kefu.
Problem with the wallabies was that as the tournament wore on, Elsoms impact and work rate appeared to diminish. Samo's impact also diminished (his workrate was already low). Only Pocock got better and better.
MajorlyRagerly
Trevor Allan (34)
GAGR Godwins Law!!
I still think Elsom has things to offer for the right game plan. What is clear though is how much you have missed Palu. Elsom, Pocock, Palu has quite a nice balance about it.
light
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I had my doubts about this theory when it was first proposed but am slowly accepting the fact that we cannot avoid talking about it.
Apparently, but it may be like what Sportin' Life said: It ain't necessarily so.
I didn't see him do too much wrong except when to make his participations count. What I did see was the undeniable rise of Timani who had to be starting because he had cleaned up some problem areas he had been weak in with his other Super teams.
But maybe you are right, and whether or not it was 2nd year syndrome, the long term absence of Vickerman and initial unavailability of Timani, will give him a lifeline to start on a regular basis again. He will have to take this chance.
I hope that Ruggo is right and that Douglas wiill come of age in 2012. This is the time of the year when I look at my recordings of the previous season's Super matches; so I will be looking at his activity, which others have questioned.
But since it's a lightning 2 match visit, I don't think they will take him or any other young specialist lock on tour, and that Sharpe, Horwill and Simmons will suffice.
If they did, Pyle would be in front of him anyway.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
I think you have hit the nail on the head. Rocky has the ability to play several differnt styles and have equal impact plus he is a bloody good asset to any lineout. He is both incredibly strong and versitile.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
What else are we meant to talk about when it comes to loose forwards?
Scotty
David Codey (61)
There is a thought. Maybe Timani can be our Jerry Collins style 6, and balance him out with a high work rate 8?
Or he could up skill his ball handling and go straight to 8.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
On McCalman; at this stage, McCalman isn't up to it. But I would hate to see him discarded from Wallaby contention now as I still believe he has a lot to offer further down the track.
If he was to be discarded, it would be a good example of the problems with Australian forward selection. At 23, he's probably stopped his physical growth, but learning he's only just beginning to seriously learn his trade as a backrower. The problems with his technique are pretty well known around here and are on display, the main one being body height in the tackle. In two or three seasons time, we could be looking at a much better player, and I hope his current form doesn't mean some of us are looking with a blind eye.
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