Wallabies train on squad

[aussies1st]

Don't know where Burgess came from. He bearly got any game time along with MacKay. But great to see them leaving out guys that didn't perform like Turini and Lyons. I'm already liking this coaching combo.

Squad
Chris Latham, Cameron Shepherd, Lote Tuqiri, Mark Gerrard, Clyde Rathbone, Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau, Stirling Mortlock, Gene Fairbanks, Ben Tune, Stephen Larkham, Mat Rogers, Sam Norton-Knight, Lachlan MacKay, George Gregan, Sam Cordingley, Brett Sheehan, Luke Burgess, Josh Holmes, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Daniel Heenan, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Stephen Hoiles, John Roe, Scott Fava, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Mark Chisholm, Al Kanaar, Greg Holmes, Benn Robinson, Nic Henderson, Gareth Hardy, Rodney Blake, Al Baxter, Guy Shepherdson, Adam Freier, Tai McIsaac, Jeremy Paul, Tatafu Polota-Nau.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19218183-23217,00.html

 

[SpaceMonkey]

No Bill Young or Fatt Dunning, which is a good start.

 

[Timbo]

I think its a harsh call on both Turunui and Lyons...

 

[NK Arsenal]

Same here, but we'll have to live with it

 

[lockyno1]

I think its a harsh call on both Turunui and Lyons...

I don't- Turunui is a average centre and we have better options especially with Staniforth and Sam Norton-Night. Lyons is a ok backrower but I'd take the other options over him.

 

[Timbo]

Says the man who prefers Nathan Hauritz as a spinner.

 

[lockyno1]

Says the man who prefers Nathan Hauritz as a spinner.

What has cricket got to do with this. Lyons is on the BENCH for NSW who if I may remind you failed to make the top2 this year. You can't tell me the other no8's listed were in better form. As for the centres they have 5 centres. Turnui is never going to win a test for you. Yes he'll be solid but that is not going to win tests. In the end Mortlock is reasonably safe for the no13 and Morgan is not a no12!

 

[Timbo]

Morgan is a far better 12 than 13.

He is no crashball. Which is how he seems to be used in 13. In 12 he can create things from nothing.

In anycase, I'd have Norton-Knight in 12 and Mortlock in 13.

I'd also like to say, after two really good super rugby seasons, what does Peter Hewatt have to do?

 

[lockyno1]

Morgan is a far better 12 than 13.

He is no crashball. Which is how he seems to be used in 13. In 12 he can create things from nothing.

In anycase, I'd have Norton-Knight in 12 and Mortlock in 13.

I'd also like to say, after two really good super rugby seasons, what does Peter Hewatt have to do?

Morgan has not been playing as well as Norton-Knight or Staniforth has been. They are better no12's. As for Hewat, he is a good goalkicker but he can't defend. He was abysmal in the last month and a half in defence!

 

[Timbo]

So I suppose someone like Lockie Mackay, with all of 40 minutes game time under his belt, is a better option? Give me a break.

 

[lockyno1]

So I suppose someone like Lockie Mackay, with all of 40 minutes game time under his belt, is a better option? Give me a break.

Mackay is a no10, and in case you don't know we don't have many no10 options really.

 

[Timbo]

Mackay played 12 at the Force this year when he actually made the field.

 

[Nugby]

I get the impression that Hewat is seen as an inconsistent player. I'd agree that his last few games weren't impressive, though not sure about month and a half.

 

[lockyno1]

Mackay played 12 at the Force this year when he actually made the field.

Yes but he is seen as a no10. In the end at best Morgan may have snared a bench spot and in the end versatility comes into it. Mackay can play 10, 12, and 13. It is a factor when choosing squads.

 

[Jackal Dog]

MacKay is average no.10 his best position is 12 where he can utilise his excellent running game even though he has played little footy this season I would give him or Staniforth the inside centre position with either Mortlock or Rahtbone at outside.

As for Lyons never really rated him anyway, as I have always said he is the hulk against lesser sides but when it comes down to the crunch especially at test level he is invisible, a "enforcer" in name only.

 

[lockyno1]

MacKay is average no.10 his best position is 12 where he can utilise his excellent running game even though he has played little footy this season I would give him or Staniforth the inside centre position with either Mortlock or Rahtbone at outside.

Mackay isn't bad at no10 if he has a good 12 and 13 and his defence is pretty good- one strong point. My side would have Staniforth at 12, Larkham at 10, and Mortlock or Rogers at 13. We need a kicker in our side! I'd be tempted to have Shepard on one of the wings as well with Tuquiri on the other.

 

[aussies1st]

Rogers at 13? No way in hell! SA and NZ will have a field day running at Rogers. Mortlock is the best center in the World.
What happened to Huxley? He should have been in the squad as he can cover fullback, 5/8 and 12 very well.

 

[Te Kaha]

Mortlock is the best center in the World.

riggggghhhhhhhhttttttttttt.......

 

[Scott]

As a Nzer, I'd actually agree that Mortlock is the best 13 in the world.

Just shades Conrad Smith imo.

 

[Te Kaha]

As a Nzer, I'd actually agree that Mortlock is the best 13 in the world.

Just shades Conrad Smith imo.

Nah.. the irishman may be a cry baby.. but is still a better rounded player...