Official Super Rugby Thread 2013

Status
Not open for further replies.
OrbitalDawn said:
So... Israel Folau a shoe in for Wallaby fullback?
Click to expand...

Possibly. Pretty exciting prospect. Yet to see his kicking game. Judging by how he runs he probably never had a need for a running game but against the Lions he may need one.

Kurtley Beale had a good comeback for the Rebels, and with OConnor looking a bit out of sorts, Cooper somewhat of an enigma, maybe Beale at 10 with Israel at 15, OConnor on the bench for cover at 15,14,10...
 
sand_man said:
OrbitalDawn said:
So... Israel Folau a shoe in for Wallaby fullback?
Click to expand...
Possibly. Pretty exciting prospect. Yet to see his kicking game. Judging by how he runs he probably never had a need for a running game but against the Lions he may need one.
Click to expand...
You mean a need for 'kicking game'?

Interesting that Folau looks Wallaby potential after just a few games at high level in a new code. What does that say about the league talent especially the indigeneous guys?

A great league player when he was signed for the new western Sydney AFL franchise in a $6M 6 yr contract- a marketing move more than anything- because he learnt the game from scratch in trial season then played one full season sort of average-best thing he had from league and his size was his 'marking' ability under high ball, and I guess his kicking would surely have improved in AFL where pinpoint punting is a requirement...anyway, wasn't going be be much good and he got out of the contract, league didn't want to stump up enough to get him back and Union got him.

On the other hand, the current best player in league, Greg Inglis, colossal athlete -1.95 and 107kg, would be picked straight away for Wallabies any backline position of his choice if he switched to Union and just practiced with the team...he is that good, seriously. He could write his own salary cheque.
He can also kick, having been used as goal kicker early in career- when I mean early, he debuted at 18 and played state the next year, now 26 and the experts are wondering just how good he can still become the way he is playing at fullback this year. First time I have seen him 'fit' last few years appeared on the chubby side.
Played every position in backline at NRL level already.
League will never let him go though.

There are a bunch of league players that would walk into Wallaby team within the first year in Super15.
 
Last edited:
APoc184 said:
I have no hope for my Cheetah boytjies this year.

I say that so that I will not be disappointed when they eventually disappoint and if they do actually win a few games I will be pleasantly surprised.
Click to expand...

Ah the nostalgia. There was this piece on Sport24 (which I can no longer find) where the pundit was bemoaning the also-ran status of the Cheetahs and Bulls for the 2013 Super season. HE whined about how well the sharks and stormers would be. He even expressed his hope that the former two teams would not embarrass the country.

Words to live by...
 
sand_man said:
Possibly. Pretty exciting prospect. Yet to see his kicking game. Judging by how he runs he probably never had a need for a running game but against the Lions he may need one.

Kurtley Beale had a good comeback for the Rebels, and with OConnor looking a bit out of sorts, Cooper somewhat of an enigma, maybe Beale at 10 with Israel at 15, OConnor on the bench for cover at 15,14,10...
Click to expand...

Good point, we haven't really seen him kicking much.

One has to wonder who Robbie Deans is gonna go with for flyhalf. Difficult choice, but I'd say O'Connor or Cooper is best bet, with Beale or Folau on fullback. That's if Beale doesn't make the choice for him by self-destructing. Watching the game now, giving Toomua a shot at flyhalf wouldn't be a bad idea. Dude is very talented.
 
OzzieCapie said:
You mean a need for 'kicking game'?

Interesting that Folau looks Wallaby potential after just a few games at high level in a new code. What does that say about the league talent especially the indigeneous guys?

A great league player when he was signed for the new western Sydney AFL franchise in a $6M 6 yr contract- a marketing move more than anything- because he learnt the game from scratch in trial season then played one full season sort of average-best thing he had from league and his size was his 'marking' ability under high ball, and I guess his kicking would surely have improved in AFL where pinpoint punting is a requirement...anyway, wasn't going be be much good and he got out of the contract, league didn't want to stump up enough to get him back and Union got him.

On the other hand, the current best player in league, Greg Inglis, colossal athlete -1.95 and 107kg, would be picked straight away for Wallabies any backline position of his choice if he switched to Union and just practiced with the team...he is that good, seriously. He could write his own salary cheque.
He can also kick, having been used as goal kicker early in career- when I mean early, he debuted at 18 and played state the next year, now 26 and the experts are wondering just how good he can still become the way he is playing at fullback this year. First time I have seen him 'fit' last few years appeared on the chubby side.
Played every position in backline at NRL level already.
League will never let him go though.

There are a bunch of league players that would walk into Wallaby team within the first year in Super15.
Click to expand...

There's definitely some great talent in League. The other big name convert is obviously Sonny Bill Williams. Although, I think their style of play is quite risky. If their hand offs and line breaks aren't working they don't have much else to offer.

That being said, I wouldn't mind some more converts. Makes for exciting rugby!
 
GreGorGy said:
Ah the nostalgia. There was this piece on Sport24 (which I can no longer find) where the pundit was bemoaning the also-ran status of the Cheetahs and Bulls for the 2013 Super season. HE whined about how well the sharks and stormers would be. He even expressed his hope that the former two teams would not embarrass the country.

Words to live by...
Click to expand...

Pleasantly surprised is an understatement in my case.

In my opinion, the three major contributing factors in the Cheetahs' change of fortune are:

1. They have not been hampered by endless injuries to key players...
2. Their defence has been a revelation and helped them win some of the close games they usually lost...
3. Those 50/50 calls that always went against them are now going in their favour.
 
APoc184 said:
Pleasantly surprised is an understatement in my case.

In my opinion, the three major contributing factors in the Cheetahs' change of fortune are:

1. They have not been hampered by endless injuries to key players...
2. Their defence has been a revelation and helped them win some of the close games they usually lost...
3. Those 50/50 calls that always went against them are now going in their favour.
Click to expand...

I think their improvement is very similar to the Chiefs last year. Keeping their attacking prowess while improving their defence. I really hope they can maintain this level of playing, as I've always liked them.
 
APoc184 said:
Pleasantly surprised is an understatement in my case.

In my opinion, the three major contributing factors in the Cheetahs' change of fortune are:

1. They have not been hampered by endless injuries to key players...
2. Their defence has been a revelation and helped them win some of the close games they usually lost...
3. Those 50/50 calls that always went against them are now going in their favour.
Click to expand...

I shudder to think how much more effective the Cheetahs would be with Goosen fit...not that they're doing badly at all. :eek: :p
 
OzzieCapie said:
You mean a need for 'kicking game'?

Interesting that Folau looks Wallaby potential after just a few games at high level in a new code. What does that say about the league talent especially the indigeneous guys?
Click to expand...

Sorry, yeah, kicking game.

League talent is off the charts. I guess it's more of an indictment on the popularity of rugby union in OZ. Rugby union is like what? 6th on the list? Actually quite amazing that they do as well as do in a sporting code not even in the Top 3...

OrbitalDawn said:
Good point, we haven't really seen him kicking much.

One has to wonder who Robbie Deans is gonna go with for flyhalf. Difficult choice, but I'd say O'Connor or Cooper is best bet, with Beale or Folau on fullback. That's if Beale doesn't make the choice for him by self-destructing. Watching the game now, giving Toomua a shot at flyhalf wouldn't be a bad idea. Dude is very talented.
Click to expand...

Cooper is a lemon at test level. So erratic and unpredictable. His style of play is almost too charismatic for test rugby! Where he should be calculated and playing the percentages he'll be throwing the long, reverse pass. Breath taking at times, costly at test level. Carlos Spencer, to me was another player who fits into this mould.

James is a prodigious talent for sure. Playing for the Rebels, he hasn't done himself any favours. Not easy to shine behind that pack. Also being so versatile, as is the case with so many rugby players, is more of a curse than a gift because no coach is ever allowing you to settle into your best position. James has played 10, 14 and 15 so far.

Beale at his best is awesome. Great player! Need to manage him right. Can also slot in at 10 or 15!!

Not sure against the Lions would be the right environment to be blooding new talent so from that perspective I would be reluctant to select Toomua.

I think it's crazy playing the Lions in your 1st internationals of the year. I know we played them a number of years back at the same time of the year too. A series we won under PDV!! No mean feat!!

Wonder how OZ are going to fair...?? They got some brilliant players starting to come though, some established and some new but if this Lions outfit fire it's going to be a brutal series!!

Quite looking forward to it actually!!
 
sand_man said:
Cooper is a lemon at test level. So erratic and unpredictable. His style of play is almost too charismatic for test rugby! Where he should be calculated and playing the percentages he'll be throwing the long, reverse pass. Breath taking at times, costly at test level. Carlos Spencer, to me was another player who fits into this mould.

James is a prodigious talent for sure. Playing for the Rebels, he hasn't done himself any favours. Not easy to shine behind that pack. Also being so versatile, as is the case with so many rugby players, is more of a curse than a gift because no coach is ever allowing you to settle into your best position. James has played 10, 14 and 15 so far.

Beale at his best is awesome. Great player! Need to manage him right. Can also slot in at 10 or 15!!

Not sure against the Lions would be the right environment to be blooding new talent so from that perspective I would be reluctant to select Toomua.

I think it's crazy playing the Lions in your 1st internationals of the year. I know we played them a number of years back at the same time of the year too. A series we won under PDV!! No mean feat!!

Wonder how OZ are going to fair...?? They got some brilliant players starting to come though, some established and some new but if this Lions outfit fire it's going to be a brutal series!!

Quite looking forward to it actually!!
Click to expand...

Agreed on all points. It'll be a hard couple of games, I reckon. Also looking forward to it. Robshaw is going to captain them, so should be a good contest.

On another point... fsck yeah, Crusaders!
 
Last edited:
OrbitalDawn said:
There's definitely some great talent in League. The other big name convert is obviously Sonny Bill Williams. Although, I think their style of play is quite risky. If their hand offs and line breaks aren't working they don't have much else to offer.

That being said, I wouldn't mind some more converts. Makes for exciting rugby!
Click to expand...

That is SBW's style. He has come back to league with a bang, but Inglis is on another level, he is a back and in league SBW is actually a 'forward' where those 'hit ups'and off loads happen...Thurston as a 5/8th would be out of this world.

Yes they punch above their weight in Union, because league is much more dominant at school level, especially the govt schools where most of indegeneous go.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X