|
|||
|
Message Boards
|
|||
| In 2005 they were gun, they just completely blew the final. Man what a disappointing night that was... the worst tactics employed ever! Let's just hope if they get a chance to redeem themselves for that shocker they keep ball in hand and have a crack. Chances are if it'll be anyone it'll be against the Saders... |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hope u are right zedds,I have tipped the Tahs all year come what may,and just hope they can step up for these last two games.I've been waiting a couple of years now,but have never seen a Tahs outfit performing like this and am really hopping for a home semi....Lets hope so | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ado, The Bulls are absolutely hopeless, the Tahs should easily get the bonus point. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wallabies selection aside, the question remains - can the revitalised Tahs back it up against the Bulls in Pretoria??? Another toughy, but judging on the way the Tahs are playing and and how average the defending champions have been this season, me think - YES. Although still not convinced... 4 props in the 22 is somewhat questionable. If we get 2 backline injuries it'll be looking bleak... |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wouldn't need Barnes to cover for 15 if you picked Mitchell on one wing. Next to Gerard he's the best 15 in Oz. Why Aussie John wastes him on the wing is beyond me. He's 10 times the footballer Shepard will ever be. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You know what Gale I was thinking that the other day (Sam 2-Dads), due to his ability to play 15, 10, 11/14 and 12. He was playing 2nd 5 2 seasons ago for the Tahs if I remember right, if not last year. BUT I have serious doubts in his ability at Test level. Hell, he even makes me nervous at S14! Sometimes his kicking is way off bar, and he's far from the biggest lad in the team. But he has got some skill, hopefully he'll brush up on it soon. He was awesome in last year's ARC, what a shame that comp has been dumped.. Carter could probably fill 12, 13 and wings. AC could fill all except 10. That was the advantage having Bernie and Gits in the XV - 2 flyhalfs. You would probably pick Barnes if you needed a backup to Gits cos he can cover 10 and 12. Wonder how he goes at fullback? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom Carter has been outstanding for the Tahs, he is making enough noise to be considered. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Talk about high risk Ado. If you are going to take those sort of risks put the other 2-dads kiddie in there: Sammy. He can play pivot or fullback and I reckon he'd do ok at 2nd 5 as well. AC is not (from what I've seen anyway) a playmaker and as much as I like Gerrard, neither is he. Panther, I like Lealiifano too, but haven't seen enough of him to know what else he can do. Too early but he looks like a great prospect. I'd put Beale ahead of him at this point - by some margin. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| mmmm... I agree I'd rather see AC on the bench than Barnes. The problem only exists if they go for a 5-2 bench. If they go to a 4-3 there's no issue. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I've already got 2 who can back up at 10.Ashley Cooper played half a season there when Larkham was out. Failing that I'd shove Gerrard in there, move Mitchell to FB and bring on Cross. But if I wasn't allowed to have Ashley Cooper, I'd take Barnes. He gives me a 10 and 12 option, but he's not as dynamic or versatile as AC. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lealiifano backup @ 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ado, you need a backup 10. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coops at 10? That'd be a bit dangerous... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gale I'm with your on the Tyrone Smith call for 12. He is the best 12 in the country at the moment and is one of only two at S14 level who are natural 12's. Carter being the other. Just depends on whether Deans wants a second kicking option at 12. In which case Barnes may come into the picture. That said the ELV's wont be included in test footy so the second kicking opption may not be as critical. I just hope they dont put Mortlock in at 12. He is the best 13 in the world so why move him? If they all stay fit, I'd like to see a backline like: Burgess, Giteau, Lote, Smith, Morlock, Mitchell and Gerrard. Ashley Cooper and Cross as the reserves. That gives me the best backline on form and a couple of backs who can cover everything from 10 out. If Burgess got injured I'd slip Gits back to 9 and bring in Ashley cooper. All bases covered. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PS Kip I am (still) concerned about our depth of props, with Dunning arguably the form tighthead in Australia at the moment. The NSW scrum held up against the Sharks on the weekend with Dunning and Robinson the anchors, and the Sharks have probably the best (or close) scrum in the S14. Whether they could take on the world is another thing though... I think having Tatafu Polota-Nau as the rake will help due to his size and strength. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No probs and here's looking forward to some competitive games. Difficult not to call you Jimbo but will get used to it. kip |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kip, the pack will hold up fine. Yes NH packs are traditionally strong because your teams focus strongly on the set-piece (not that SH teams don't, but NH do it more). Well this is what SH players say when they go up the NH anyway. The Wallabies won't have the strongest pack in world rugby this year. If Vickerman doesn't get picked we will be even weaker! But we'll go well enough, and will probably smash the French and the Paddies soundly. Likewise, England should cop a hammering from NZ. Love your enthusiasm (as always), but be prepared for disappointment... |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tyrone Smith has been pretty good for ACT. He should battle it out with Carter (maybe) for the 12 starting spot for Aus A. That is if either Staniforth or Cross don't make the Wallabies cut. I think Cross needs to be tested at 12. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jimmy The key issue for me is the pack. How will it stand up? kip |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| From what I've picked up from the press, the common combination you hear is: 10. Giteau 12. Mortlock 13. Cross Personally I'm not a fan of Mortlock at 12, he's a typical straight-running tackle-busting 13, and I think the way the modern game has evolved you really need an agile ball player at 12. This is where Barnes could maybe step-in, with Mortlock at 13. The question remains whether Barnes' ball running skills would match the world's best 12's. Giteau, for example, creates much more danger at 12 than Barnes every will. Barnes' strengths are his distribution, kicking and his vision for the game. Darting through AB/Bok defensive lines is another thing. This is where Staniforth should be stongly considered. Whether he's the best 12 in the country is another thing, but his ball running is awesome and his defence is superb. Cross should also be considered due to his strength, speed, passing skills and the lines he runs. Or maybe Deans should persist with Giteau at 12 and try out Barnes at 10, maybe Beale? Although I think Beale needs another couple seasons at S14/Australia A before he ever starts a Test. Definitely shows promise though... I reckon: 10. Giteau 12. Staniforth (Cross?) 13. Mortlock |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jimmy, I hardly think Robbie will give Leroy a run on of 2 good games. His others have been awful. He still 'goes missing' mentally too often. Maybe next season. There are plenty of options @ 8. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MG, I'd have Tyrone Smith at 2nd 5 - although I'm not sure about his kicking game being a leaguie. He breaks the line more often than Carter, is a solid defender and a quicker runner. I'd probably have Barnes at backup 10, although Beale is looking the goods since he's had 2 critical additions to his game: Burgess on his inside and sammy 2-Dads at the back. Speaking of Sammy, if he continues to impress, he may be making a late play for no 15 ahead of Gerrard (assuming Latho is unfit). shepherd to inconsistent. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bring on the June Tests!!! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It will definitely be interesting to see what decisions Robbie and his team make. Don't expect anything too drastic - he is likely to give a few of the young standouts a run in Tests: Burgess, Horwill, Houston, Beale (maybe). The others will get a run for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup. Deans will no doubt want to promote some depth, but making wholesale changes and risking a Test loss won't happen. PS I used to use Jimbo_Jones as my name but couldn't be bothered logging in/out of Yahoo, so it's jimmy_howes from now on. Bring on |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ado, who do you reckon will be at 2nd five eights playing next to Giteau? Berick Barnes is one option but IMO leaves a pretty thin defensive channel. Giteau's defence this year has been a bit suspect and we know he likes to venture offside. Tom Carter from the Warratahs maybe? And Mortlock at center. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! Pty Limited. All rights reserved. Advertise with Us - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Help |