laffranchi absolutely robbedwhen

[Tommax25]

when i read the report about lockyer being out of the test (and before seeing the changes) I thought "oh, ok bird will move to 5/8th, laffranchi either on the bench or into the starting side as a replacement" I thought that was a certainty as he's 18th man and played a great game in city v country and the switch makes sense (not like for example slater being out, well then obviously they would draft in a FB and laffranchi would miss out)....but ridiculously they bring in another second rower, even though they named a second rower as 18th man, the player who moves into the squad due to any last minute injuries, so this is an atrocious move and laffranchi should feel gutted and outraged at this move

or have i missed something and this is a reasonable change to have been made?

 

[Nuke]

Doesn't make any sense to me.

Just like when Wayne Bennett brought Darren Smith into the Australia team a few years ago. Yes, they were in England, and yes, Darren Smith was playing in the ESL, but the Aussie touring squad already had a centre with them who hadn't had a game (and I don't think got a run at all on that tour thanks to Bennett and Smith). I can't remember who that centre was though ... was it Jamie Lyon?
Regardless who it was, it was a stupid decision, and one that the player has every right to feel hard done by.

 

[Illegal Immigrant]

I thought Chris Anderson brought in Darren Smith?

On Anthony's non-selection, Ricky Stuart would not know his elbow from his chin. He should have been in starting team before Paul Gallen based purely on form, but as eluded too in all media except those that Ricky work's for he does not play for Cronulla nor a Ricky old boy so he was no chance.

 

[hineyrulz]

Laffranchi is deadset unlucky, but i still couldn't see why Prince couldn't get the 7 jersey and move Thurston to 6. What a lethal halves combo.

 

[scuzzi]

Doesn't make any sense to me.

Just like when Wayne Bennett brought Darren Smith into the Australia team a few years ago. Yes, they were in England, and yes, Darren Smith was playing in the ESL, but the Aussie touring squad already had a centre with them who hadn't had a game (and I don't think got a run at all on that tour thanks to Bennett and Smith). I can't remember who that centre was though ... was it Jamie Lyon?
Regardless who it was, it was a stupid decision, and one that the player has every right to feel hard done by.

It was Luke Lewis

 

[Tap Twist Snap]

Really Pathetic. I hate how these rep teams are jobs for the boys. It happens with all of them and doesn't make me feel like supporting the teams. I hope the kiwi's give it to them really.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Laffranchi is deadset unlucky, but i still couldn't see why Prince couldn't get the 7 jersey and move Thurston to 6. What a lethal halves combo.

I agree. Defence wise though, Bird is the better option with Crocker coming in. Should of been Laffranci though.

Ricky Stuart has really f**ked some players over in international matches, but the fact remains that he has only lost one match as Australian coach since the begining of 2006.

 

[Special K]

The Laffranchi hype machine is in full force once again.

18th men never get brought into the side unless it is a last minute injury. Remember when Kurt Gidley was 18th man for NSW a few years back?

 

[Illegal Immigrant]

The Laffranchi hype machine is in full force once again.

18th men never get brought into the side unless it is a last minute injury. Remember when Kurt Gidley was 18th man for NSW a few years back?

On current form who do you believe is playing better football Gallen, Crocker or Lanfranchi?

 

[Highlander]

Why have a 18th man if you wont play them?

Pathetic but you come to expect this from Stuart if it wasent for Brad Fittler in 02 Stuart would have been the next Terry Lamb in coaching.

 

[Pierced Soul]

def robbed. thaidays also playing the house down and should have been ahead of crocker. as ryles said it's all about politics. Stuart knows how crocker plays and obviously feels comfortable with him there knowing he can get the job done. feel sorry for laffranchi, but as much as it sucks good players dont always get rep jerseys (i.e. blacklock)

 

[Kingytek]

Im starting to lose faith!
I was glad there are others that share my opinion when i first read the news.

This is f**king disgraceful!

 

[bjm8]

"18th men never get picked"

so its better to be the 19th best player and hope for an injury?

tossers. hope nz stick it to em.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Whats the point of an 18th man if he's not gonna get picked after a withdrawl from injury?

Remember Steve Price was 18th man for one particular test in 2004, so a second rower was injured, I think it was Fitzgibbon and so instead of picking a player outside the squad, they put Price straight into the side.

So it didnt really matter if Price was prop, they just moved him straight into the starting second row spot.

Now Stuart picks someone who wasnt even considered in the Australian squad in the first place.

Fair dinkum. :x

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

Farcical. If not the fact that a thoroughly deserving player in Laffranchi didn't get the call, but that Mick Crocker was the choice. I hope Carl Webb and Mick Crocker appreciate how phenomenally lucky they are and play accordingly.

 

[little_aza]

its all poiltics...qlder taken out, another put in his place. its wrong, but its how it works. how else do explain kites inclusion!?!?