The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
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Better Samoa then New Zealand...
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
2 years ago I would have cared about PAE. Now I feel like there is enough young propping talent such that its a non issue.
Tongan Thor
Tyrel Lomax
Allan Ala'alatoa
Jermaine Ainsley
Sham Vui
Plus a few more.
Where is Matt Sandell at?
Tongan Thor
Tyrel Lomax
Allan Ala'alatoa
Jermaine Ainsley
Sham Vui
Plus a few more.
Where is Matt Sandell at?
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Why is it sad? I am glad another player of Islander descent has chosen to play for them, we need strong Pacific Island teams, I often think of the 1 cap players that have played for Australia and others who could have been significant representatives for an Island team. I can see the drive to represent a Tier 1 nation yes, but Fiji, Tonga, Samoa are just as special and provide so much depth and character to World Rugby.
I look forward to seeing PAE turn out for Samoa and Australia Rugby should be happy we can give back some development time to the Islands for once.
I look forward to seeing PAE turn out for Samoa and Australia Rugby should be happy we can give back some development time to the Islands for once.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Just to add a couple of names to the list FF (Folau Fainga'a); Makin as being Super Rugby standard now and potentially test standard in future, and Johnson-Holmes as another outstanding performer at U20s level and with the potential to go the whole way. No 3 looks pretty well covered for a decade or so if they all stay here.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Vui and Uelese are far and above the best u20 front rowers. Not only strong, but massive of frame, not carrying too much excess fat to maintain weight, fast and mature.
Jermaine Ainsley is training with the squad.
amirite
Chilla Wilson (44)
I rate Ainsley, but I rate Lomax higher.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
I haven't paid as much close attention to Uelese as I have with Vui, but with Vui I really feel that his recklessness is curbing his potential. He has given away a handful of silly penalties against Samoa and Wales. Maybe by testing the waters he can find out where the boundaries are but that discipline will need to be in check for the big matches. No point in making a barnstorming run if you give up a cheapie two phases later.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
You can coach a bit of discipline into him. I have not seen him play, but I would love to see a few more of our younger players show a bit of mongrel, as long as they learn how to temper it.
I've had a thought. Could put this in the match thread, but it's just as relevant here.
Given the way rugby has changed, the idea of specific positions doing specific tasks has largely gone out the window. Like the 7 being solely a jackal, a 12 being a defending link player, a 10 defending in the front line, a lock being a lineout specialist.
When Cheika picked Hunt at 12 (a position he has never played) there was some online concern. Likewise when he put Kerevi at 12 last year. Or Horne on the wing. Or Pocock at 8. Or Timani at 8.
Which brings me to one of the most interesting things about the Cheika regime - the bibs the players wear at training. For those not aware, the players wear bibs with letters on them, which obviously stand for something (though we never knew what). Some I saw were 'SS' and 'PM'.
Apparently they represent skill-sets, ie 'Short Side' and 'Play Maker'. I'd love to know the others.
Anyway, this is a long-winded way of saying that I think Cheika has moved beyond 'positions' in the way he picks a team, and towards a mix of skill-sets where the number on the back is more or less irrelevant.
If anyone knows more of those training acronyms I'd love to know. I could be totally off the mark. Which is not unusual.
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Given the way rugby has changed, the idea of specific positions doing specific tasks has largely gone out the window. Like the 7 being solely a jackal, a 12 being a defending link player, a 10 defending in the front line, a lock being a lineout specialist.
When Cheika picked Hunt at 12 (a position he has never played) there was some online concern. Likewise when he put Kerevi at 12 last year. Or Horne on the wing. Or Pocock at 8. Or Timani at 8.
Which brings me to one of the most interesting things about the Cheika regime - the bibs the players wear at training. For those not aware, the players wear bibs with letters on them, which obviously stand for something (though we never knew what). Some I saw were 'SS' and 'PM'.
Apparently they represent skill-sets, ie 'Short Side' and 'Play Maker'. I'd love to know the others.
Anyway, this is a long-winded way of saying that I think Cheika has moved beyond 'positions' in the way he picks a team, and towards a mix of skill-sets where the number on the back is more or less irrelevant.
If anyone knows more of those training acronyms I'd love to know. I could be totally off the mark. Which is not unusual.
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Makes a fair sized hole for his nutsack if he puts it on the other way.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
And an even bigger one for his head.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Pretty sure he also defends there.