Rugby Gilly

The Wallaby World Cup squad has just been announced with Rocky Elsom dumped as captain. His replacement is Horwill.


Australian squad:

Backs - Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess, Will Genia.

Forwards - Ben McCalman, Radike Samo, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, Tatafu Polota-Nau.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/elsom-dumped-for-horwill-as-wallabies-captain-20110818-1iz0i.html#ixzz1VLQMrTFM

NO GITS

G.Wood wrote:NO GITS

aye. Non contributor with an attitude.

No direct cover for Pocock.

Mick Sawyer wrote:

G.Wood wrote:NO GITS

aye. Non contributor with an attitude.

It's what happens when you get told you are god's gift your whole life and then someone dares challenge you

I've seen a lot of Gits (at the Force) and whoever told him he was God's gift was right ...a garquen tragedy he isnt a contributor at the moment

...and as he's off to fill up his super in France (and Deans has extended his contract) I doubt he'll ever play for the Wallabies again

embee wrote:I've seen a lot of Gits (at the Force) and whoever told him he was God's gift was right ...a garquen tragedy he isnt a contributor at the moment

...and as he's off to fill up his super in France (and Deans has extended his contract) I doubt he'll ever play for the Wallabies again

He's had a weird career. Full of talent as you say, had a long injury layoff & came back with one cylinder misfiring. Post injury he would try and gas defenders on the outside but could only manage it against John Smit & his like. His positioning & lines as first receiver were bloody awful. He must have driven coaches and those playing alongside him crazy. Uncoachable & vulnerable because he's failed so often to bring a win in tight games against first tier opposition.

It's what happens when you get told you are god's gift your whole life

Mark Waugh syndrome.

Best backline in the comp. Unforch the forwards will be about 5th.

JGK wrote:Best backline in the comp. Unforch the forwards will be about 5th.

I wish I shared your view about the first bit. The second limb is spot on.

We lack a pure linebreaker in the centres, even someone like Mortlock who had the strength & mongrel in contact to carry the ball forward another 4 metres.

JGK wrote:Best backline in the comp. Unforch the forwards will be about 5th.

So no semi spot for us then. Can't wait for the Snoozer choke.

skully wrote:

JGK wrote:Best backline in the comp. Unforch the forwards will be about 5th.

So no semi spot for us then. Can't wait for the Snoozer choke.

I think our #2 ranking is contentious. England have a winning record against us in recent times, in more than one sport I note. I see a semi final as being an on par achievement. No doubt John O'Neill will disagree. The thing I fear for the sake of the game here is public expectation being over inflated. Watch the hyperbole crank up if we truly test the ABs at Lang Park.

Mick Sawyer wrote:
Post injury he would try and gas defenders on the outside but could only manage it against John Smit & his like.

Fark me. He can beat a hooker for speed. He must be farking quick.

Well, I think that was the point, taips.

taipan wrote:

Mick Sawyer wrote:
Post injury he would try and gas defenders on the outside but could only manage it against John Smit & his like.

Fark me. He can beat a hooker for speed. He must be farking quick.

Although not a fast as some props. I've seen one or both of the Franks gangsters adjust laterally & scrag him down.

Probably a good move to put Horwill in charge although i don't think Elsom was in any real danger of not being selected. Good to see Sharpe get another run. At least the captaincy stays with the pigs where it belongs.

GIts got what he deserved. He's the kind of player the old blazer brigade feared when the game went professional.

You have to feel that the All Blacks will c*ck it up again, even more so in front of their home fans - but everyone else looks pretty sh!t right now, so it might have to be an even more spectacular meltdown than usual.

Big Dog wrote:Probably a good move to put Horwill in charge although i don't think Elsom was in any real danger of not being selected. Good to see Sharpe get another run. At least the captaincy stays with the pigs where it belongs.

Elsom was the only real option when he was appointed.



Horwill is a better all round fit but lost a year due to injury & needed to prove that he was a solid lock for selection, hence the change not happening at the beginning of the 3N.

Zat wrote:GIts got what he deserved. He's the kind of player the old blazer brigade feared when the game went professional.

aye.

Wobblies v the Blecks shortly in Brisbane.

FWIW, the Wobblies have beaten the Blecks in Brisbane twice in 18 matches. Once in 1992, the other time in 1929...

Absolute cracker of a match so far. Aus led 20-3 at half time courtesy of some physical, yet dynamic rugby. The Blecks then ground out two tries to level it up. (One of those tries off 25+ phases!) Australia has just hi back to lead 25-20 with 17 to go.

I think I need a tissue...

Zat wrote:I think I need a tissue...

Use the curtains.

Good victory though