'13 WC | Semi Final | Australia 64-0 Fiji | Wembley

[aqua_duck]

So he can't pass OR catch? Maybe he should become an accountant?

What makes you say that? I assumed he was one of those "too expensive to play on the wing" type wingers that is placed in the centres, in which case rep winger would be perfect, but who knows maybe you're right and he can't catch.

Jennings has only ever played in the centres from Sg Ball, Jersey Flegg, 1st grade, origin, etc. He could probably play wing and do it well but a world cup semi final isn't the time to see.
Besides no one is saying he can't catch but catching a pass is completely different from catching a high ball with Uate and co trying to out jump you.

 

[DeeJ]

Tate at left center is a crap decision. He's never been able to play there. Morris and Jennings are far more versitile and can play both sides.

 

[mxlegend99]

Jennings has only ever played in the centres from Sg Ball, Jersey Flegg, 1st grade, origin, etc. He could probably play wing and do it well but a world cup semi final isn't the time to see.
Besides no one is saying he can't catch but catching a pass is completely different from catching a high ball with Uate and co trying to out jump you.

He played on the wing for City against Country a couple of years back, and has played there a couple of times for Penrith. He did a reasonable job. He has also played fullback for the Panthers and Tonga... where he wasn't so good.

It's definitely not a position he has spent a lot of time in. But he has certainly played in other positions. Left centre is just his primary position. But he has played some great games elsewhere. He played right centre for Australia in his debut and scored 3 tries. But apparently being able to score tries doesn't mean shit to Tim Sheens. He'd rather select Boyd and Tate who have done next to nothing at all. Give me a Jennings or Morris ahead of these blokes any day. They're viewed as better then they are due to being part of a dominant Queensland team, when the real positions that are responsible for the dominance have been the 1/6/7/9. (and Greg Inglis) Swap the Queensland spine with NSW and they would have won 8 series in a row. Shit even just having Greg Inglis would have probably been enough to win a few series. He certainly wouldn't be nearly as damaging with the service from the NSW halves. But he would still be individually brilliant enough to win the odd game even without much ball. Take him away from Queensland and Darius Boyd suddenly looks like Steve Turner and David Williams did for NSW.

 

[aqua_duck]

He played on the wing for City against Country a couple of years back, and has played there a couple of times for Penrith. He did a reasonable job. He has also played fullback for the Panthers and Tonga... where he wasn't so good.

It's definitely not a position he has spent a lot of time in. But he has certainly played in other positions. Left centre is just his primary position. But he has played some great games elsewhere. He played right centre for Australia in his debut and scored 3 tries. But apparently being able to score tries doesn't mean shit to Tim Sheens. He'd rather select Boyd and Tate who have done next to nothing at all. Give me a Jennings or Morris ahead of these blokes any day. They're viewed as better then they are due to being part of a dominant Queensland team, when the real positions that are responsible for the dominance have been the 1/6/7/9. (and Greg Inglis) Swap the Queensland spine with NSW and they would have won 8 series in a row. Shit even just having Greg Inglis would have probably been enough to win a few series. He certainly wouldn't be nearly as damaging with the service from the NSW halves. But he would still be individually brilliant enough to win the odd game even without much ball. Take him away from Queensland and Darius Boyd suddenly looks like Steve Turner and David Williams did for NSW.

The point still remains, a world cup semi final isn't the time to start experimenting with guys in positions that they haven't ever played in regularly

 

[expansionist]

I'm hoping Fiji dont die wondering.

They have to acknowledge their limitations and try to maximise their positives.

This means aggression aggression in the forwards, try to rattle the Aussies AND try their arms with getting the balls to the backs.

Actually rhe thing I would love to see that hasnt been as present as I would have hoped in their pool matches is offloads and second phase play from forwards popping the ball.

Their kicking game is crap, so the kick early kick long thing wont work for them. They have ti outplay the aussies.

I for one sincerely hope they can

 

[Tone83]

I was impressed with how well coached Fiji was in their last game, they seemed really well disciplined and composed. If they can just maintain that level of professionalism I think they'll still lose.

I think the tate hate is being a bit over-stated. I favour talent over work ethic usually but tate is pretty damn rock solid and the bigger the game the better for him. Morris and Boyd are the turds in the punch bowl as far as I'm concerned. Tate is at worst a little bit of clear pee.

 

[grouch]

All Im saying is he has played very little, if any wing during his 1st grade career. He is quite short (180cm) for a modern winger and Id have serious doubts about his ability to out jump blokes.

He may be awesome, however he hasnt shown it anywhere I have seen

It's another in a long line of bright ideas from Tone83.

Completely off the reservation

 

[mxlegend99]

The point still remains, a world cup semi final isn't the time to start experimenting with guys in positions that they haven't ever played in regularly

So we stick with guys who have proven they offer nothing? Boyd has been invisible on the wing and anyone could at the very least do what he has done. Were also using Brent Tate at left centre despite being a right side player and having 2 left centres to pick from. Both who are better then him.

Jennings on a wing would be far from the worst selection in this team. Not while the likes of Boyd, Tate, Thaiday and Tamou can grt a run ahead of blokes who are far better then these guys. Theres also little risk in selecting Jennings on the wing as we will win comfortably with any combination of available players regardless of how poor it is. The trouble is that winning so easily means Sheens isnt looking to improve our side. So when we face NZ or England we will be nowhere near our best.

 

[stormbati]

Saw an article about Hayne being promised by Sheens to get a fair crack at earning a starting spot if he chose to play for Australia.
This I have a problem with this because others werent given the same opportunity Hayne was. Jennings didnt even get a game after his appearence against Fiji. Hayne got a crack at centre when he never shouldve been considered at centre! Anyone wouldve looked good against the USA (no disrespect intended)
Jennings made a couple wayward passes in his only game but the same game Hayne was quiet as a mouse against Fiji.
Its a joke Jennings or Morris arent the starting centre. Hayne should be on the wing if not there at all. Jennings and Morris really havent been given a fair go.

 

[hutch]

The best position for hayne in this team is in the centres.

 

[typicalfan]

Hayne deserves his spot over Jennings based on the pool games. Jennings was ordinary.

 

[stormbati]

Hayne deserves his spot over Jennings based on the pool games. Jennings was ordinary.

Jennings got one opportunity. Hayne was given 2 more walkover games to prove himself

 

[mxlegend99]

Hayne deserves his spot over Jennings based on the pool games. Jennings was ordinary.

He had one game to prove himself and even being ordinary he scored a try and created a lot of opportunities outwide. He just didn't link well at all with Darius Boyd. But he did enough to show he is better then Brent Tate who hasn't shown any of that same promise.

Jennings gets a couple of games to build a partnership with Boyd, or better yet Boyd is dropped for Brett Morris who is a better left winger and they have the Origin combination together. If Brent Tate plays anywhere it's the right wing, where he played in Origin. But ideally you don't have him in the team at all. He won't create any opportunities for himself or his winger. He will more than likely butcher a few though.

 

[Reidy87]

Tate was arguably QLD's stand out player for a few origin games this year. Plus he has the runs of the board and has a huge heart/passion.

Jennings is younger and quicker, that's about it - his time will come. Tate deserves his spot one last time.

 

[adamkungl]

Sheens is washed up. Says a lot for the status of the game internationally that he is Aus coach. In NZ AB coach is what everyone strives to be. Jennings is the best Aus centre. Tate would be a wing option, but I guess flat bully track Morris has that sown up now. The only hope for Aus is if slater can make it back before the final.

It says absolutely nothing about the game internationally.

 

[Diesel]

Saw an article about Hayne being promised by Sheens to get a fair crack at earning a starting spot if he chose to play for Australia.
This I have a problem with this because others werent given the same opportunity Hayne was. Jennings didnt even get a game after his appearence against Fiji. Hayne got a crack at centre when he never shouldve been considered at centre! Anyone wouldve looked good against the USA (no disrespect intended)
Jennings made a couple wayward passes in his only game but the same game Hayne was quiet as a mouse against Fiji.
Its a joke Jennings or Morris arent the starting centre. Hayne should be on the wing if not there at all. Jennings and Morris really havent been given a fair go.

I'm not surprised the coach is offering places for players, I'd assume with Aussie Jim signed with NSW he was promised a starting place in the Australian team up to the WC

 

[Joely01]

Saw an article about Hayne being promised by Sheens to get a fair crack at earning a starting spot if he chose to play for Australia.
This I have a problem with this because others werent given the same opportunity Hayne was. Jennings didnt even get a game after his appearence against Fiji. Hayne got a crack at centre when he never shouldve been considered at centre! Anyone wouldve looked good against the USA (no disrespect intended)
Jennings made a couple wayward passes in his only game but the same game Hayne was quiet as a mouse against Fiji.
Its a joke Jennings or Morris arent the starting centre. Hayne should be on the wing if not there at all. Jennings and Morris really havent been given a fair go.

Watch the Fiji game again.
Tate gives Hayne nothing all game. When you are stuck on the wing it's hard to produce magic when you dot get the ball.
At least Hayne came in to do the tough runs.

 

[stormbati]

Watch the Fiji game again.
Tate gives Hayne nothing all game. When you are stuck on the wing it's hard to produce magic when you dot get the ball.
At least Hayne came in to do the tough runs.

Thats fine but why is he given more opportunity than Jennings? He was always a Winger/Fullback in this squad.
Jennings would of carved up Ireland and USA too don't you think?

 

[Parra Pride]

Thats fine but why is he given more opportunity than Jennings? He was always a Winger/Fullback in this squad.
Jennings would of carved up Ireland and USA too don't you think?

Because he's better than Jennings, plain and simple, now let's stop crying about what's been done.

 

[Tone83]

Thats fine but why is he given more opportunity than Jennings? He was always a Winger/Fullback in this squad.
Jennings would of carved up Ireland and USA too don't you think?

Hayne is the second best player in the world, that's why. Jennings is a good centre. Huge difference. And I like jennings a lot. I won't even address the morris argument because I might lose my shit.

It's a complete and utter joke that even 1 nsw or aus team has been fielded without hayne in it since he came into the league. The least sheens can do now is guarantee him a starting spot, in a way that's a slap in the face, it should go without saying, and should have gone without saying every game the kangaroos have played since around 2007.