I agree. Lockyer isn't the best in his position so he shouldn't be in the Australian team.Parrasque said:Minichello is a better fullback than him...
Thurston is a better 5/8 than him...
Johns is a better Captain than him...
I don't think there SHOULD be a spot for him.
THANK YOU! Amen! I get so tired of seeing fanboys ranting about players who have strung some good football together deserving representative selection. First of all, I am a huge fan of Thurston and truly believe he is a class act. But his time will come. Show me the last time Lockyer performed poorly in a test match, and I'll show you examples of players who were picked purely on form and went missing in rep games (Watmough anybody?)The Observer said:There are plenty of fickle fans here with a short memory, so let me remind them of the proverb "form is temporary, class is permanent".
Lockyer is a world class player that is playing in a struggling Broncos team. He has been a brilliant Kangaroos captain, his playing and leadership record as test captain is superb, unlike some of our past captains he's barely ever brought a negative headline to the game either. Let's not forget that Lockyer almost single handedly pulled Australia out of the fire as captain in tests in 2003, 2004 AND 2005.
Notice too that when Lockyer was out with injury in 2005, we were demolished by the Kiwis.
Locky will be captain and 6, Johns will not be made captain for one final test match because he is retiring, Australia needs continuity in leadership, the selectors know that and coach Stuart probably knows that. If Stuart is smart, he won't have Lockyer defending in the middle of the park and will keep him fresh for attack.
That said, Thurston is a great player and one of the form players. If we blood him now, it should be off the bench, he should not be rushed at all. Even Prince struggled to make an impact for Australia after being blooded for the Aus Invitational XIII against NZ A.
PARRA_FAN said:I dont know if it was Stuart or an Australian selector but they said to regain the Tri Nations they were gonna pick the team on form.
The question is Lockyer on form?
Its hard to say really, if Thurston doesnt get picked it'll be a farce. If Lockyer doesnt get picked it'll be a farce cause he's Australia's captain. If Lockyer is picked at fullback it'll be farce cause Minichello is the best fullback.
Notice too that when Lockyer was out with injury in 2005, we were demolished by the Kiwis