Farah can only play one position, or at a push three, I wouldn't call him a genuine utility.
Waste of a space for sure.
Waste of a space for sure.
vBookie: 2013 World Cup - Australia v Ireland
- Thread starter Junior11
- Start date
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
It isn't a push for him to play in the halves at all he can play a genuine utility role...
Are you saying he is a waste of space in this Kangaroos team or just a waste of space in general ??
How can he play a genuine utility role when he only covers one or two spots? He's not going to be filling in in the backline or forwards if there's an injury there, is he?
He's a waste of a space on the Australian bench. Plays minimal minutes and is next to no help if there's an injury.
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
He can cover 4 spots so yes I would call him a utility but I see your point as well and to answer your question No he can't cover positions (Fullback, Centre, Wing etc) like say a Kurt Gidley who can play pretty much anywhere..
But at the moment I believe Robbie is the best option we have in the 14 and DCE should be at 7...That's the way I would want it anyway
Bottom Line no matter who we select they will do the job and do it well, It's great to have so much competition for spots
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I don't think Farah's done anything particularly well that I've seen so far ... I'd just go with four forwards, but DCE would be an upgrade too.
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I wouldn't mind that (4 Forwards) but then my concern would be as you raised before injury during a game...
It's hard to gauge because of the constant changes but say against the USA (Likely Quarter Final opponent) we name Myles, Papalli, Cordner and Fifita on the bench and Thurston goes down...we could be in trouble
It's not so bad if say Tate went down because we could move Bird to the centres and bring on Cordner/Papalii..
Or if a winger goes down then we could just shift Tate to the Wing Bird to the centres and bring on Cordner/Papalii...
If any forward goes down we can cover it but god help Australia if our 6 or 7 get injured..
If Thurston/Cronk goes down I guess we could always shift the other half to seven (If Cronk went down) Inglis to 5/8 and Bird in the centres
or...
If Inglis is at Fullback we could go Thurston to 7, Inglis to 6, Boyd to 1, Tate to 5 Bird to 3..
If Thurston goes down Inglis to 6 Bird to Centres or If Inglis is at 1 we can go Inglis to 6, Boyd/Slater/Hayne to 1, Tate to wing, Bird to centre..
Summing up - we could do that
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I think if a half goes down then the other half can carry the side well enough, both are more than capable. It's a pretty unlikely scenario though, the only time I actually remember the Australian utility being used as a utility for injury was Gidley playing at centre when Tate got injured in the 2010 Four Nations final. They'd probably have coped fine with that even if Gidley wasn't there too ... I don't remember who all the second rowers were that night, but someone could have covered it.
On the Farah/DCE injury cover aspect, DCE covers the halves better than Farah and must therefore be a better utility than Farah, who is only the best replacement if Smith gets injured.
On the Farah/DCE injury cover aspect, DCE covers the halves better than Farah and must therefore be a better utility than Farah, who is only the best replacement if Smith gets injured.
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I think DCE is too good to play from the bench, I would have no hesitation in Making him the starting halfback and having Cronk/Farah on the bench...
Nothing against Cronk he is a great player but I think DCE is the best halfback in the NRL and deserves the number 7
If your looking for injury cover in case 6 or 7 go down (As you said it's rare but it can happen) then yep obviously you would have Cronk/DCE...But if you just want someone to come on and give Smith a break then Farah is the man for that...
However unless injury occurs to our 6/7 during a game they will/should play 80 minutes in those positions and there is no need for a half on the bench but there is a need for Smith to have 20 minutes off so Farah is the obvious choice there..
I guess it's a case of what you want - Rotation/Rest/Potential Injury Cover for 6/7 or Rest time/Injury Cover for Cameron Smith...
Either way Sheensy goes I will be happy as I hold them all in high regard
Doesn't Smith play 80 minutes though?
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Yeah he does but there's nothing wrong with giving a star player 20 minutes off per game...
These guys play 30+ games at the highest levels and burnout can be a problem (Smith 28 Games, Cronk 28 Games and Thurston 27 Games)..
Games against Teams like Ireland and USA are the perfect time to rest/rotate...
Like I said it depends what the coach is looking for come Semi Final time, Does he want to rotate his stars ?? If so who does he want to rest during the game ?? Or does he want to rest them from a full game ?? Is Smith showing signs of burnout ?? Are Cooper or Thurston hampered by niggling injuries ?? Are Farah and DCE in form ?? etc etc
There are many things that Sheensy will have to factor in when deciding the 6,7,9 and 14 situation...
Form comes into it as well, He stated this morning that he will drop players for slacking off against Ireland no matter who they are...
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Well I can't see Smith wanting to come off the field in the semis or final regardless of how long the season is. If he didn't play 80 then Farah would he a good bench choice for sure.
Aidos
Andrew 'Joey' Johns
Smith played a short while at lock when Farah came on against England. Personally, I prefer Smith just to play 80 at hooker if he can. Bird could cover the halves and probably hooker if needed, but they will go with a utility no doubt.
Surely Papalli will start in the second row for the rest of the tournament, he's a gun. I'd also start DCE for Cronk and Jennings for Tate.
Surely Papalli will start in the second row for the rest of the tournament, he's a gun. I'd also start DCE for Cronk and Jennings for Tate.
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rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Agreed, In the semis I think Smith will play 80 providing he is 100% and DCE will be on the bench but Sheensy may go with Farah..Not sure
For the Finals I would go
6. Thurston
7. DCE
9. Smith
14. Cronk / Farah
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Kangaroos forward Nate Myles ready for 'business end' of Rugby League World Cup
NATE Myles insists the time for sightseeing is over as Australia prepare to face Ireland in their final group game of the Rugby League World Cup at Thomond Park on Saturday.
After watching on as the Kangaroos passed their toughest test of the first stage of the World Cup, in defeating England 28-20, the 28-year-old was then called upon for the clash against Fiji.
With Myles in the starting 13, Australia cruised to a 34-2 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals and a third win from three will guarantee they face minnows the United States in the last eight.
Gold Coast forward Myles starts again for the clash with Ireland in Limerick and, having taken in much of Britain and Ireland in the early days of the tour, he admits he's now ready to focus solely on rugby.
"It has been fantastic so far, I have really enjoyed it," said Myles. "We have done a lot of sightseeing and I am definitely seeing a lot of the side of the world that I haven't seen before.
"Obviously being in the team environment is something I really enjoy. We've seen Cardiff Castle and the Guinness Factory (in Dublin) the other day was pretty impressive.
"When you come over here and you see castles that are older than Australia, it is pretty cool. I am really enjoying it.
"But it is now half-way through the tournament and we are starting to get down to the business end now so it is time to switch on. One more game until the quarters now, so it's game time -- it's on.
"Ireland have got Brett White and Pat Richards, and they are two players that we have got to watch out for. But it is all about us and the way we prepare, and how we play out there."
In stark contrast to Australia, Ireland have lost both of their World Cup matches -- a 32-14 defeat by Fiji followed by a 42-0 shut out loss to England.
Ireland can still mathematically reach the quarter-finals, with Fiji facing England, although victory over the Kangaroos would be one of the great all-time shock results in rugby league history.
However, assistant coach Ged Corcoran insists Ireland will rise to the occasion in front of their own fans at a ground best known as the home of the Munster rugby union team.
"It is a challenge that most of the players enjoy and thrive on; that is why they play the game -- for the challenge," he said.
"The Aussies are used to it aren't they? They get it every week out there in the State of Origin, weekly NRL games that are usually a sell-out.
"It might be a bit of a shock for our boys who are used to playing in front of the 4,000 or 5,000 people but the boys are looking forward to it.
"We are not threatened by Australia. People have given us the underdog tag but sometimes it is nice to win the games as an underdog because sometimes the dog bites back, doesn't it?"
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226755899025
- STAFF WRITERS
- AFP
- NOVEMBER 08, 2013 2:08PM
NATE Myles insists the time for sightseeing is over as Australia prepare to face Ireland in their final group game of the Rugby League World Cup at Thomond Park on Saturday.
After watching on as the Kangaroos passed their toughest test of the first stage of the World Cup, in defeating England 28-20, the 28-year-old was then called upon for the clash against Fiji.
With Myles in the starting 13, Australia cruised to a 34-2 victory to book their place in the quarter-finals and a third win from three will guarantee they face minnows the United States in the last eight.
Gold Coast forward Myles starts again for the clash with Ireland in Limerick and, having taken in much of Britain and Ireland in the early days of the tour, he admits he's now ready to focus solely on rugby.
"It has been fantastic so far, I have really enjoyed it," said Myles. "We have done a lot of sightseeing and I am definitely seeing a lot of the side of the world that I haven't seen before.
"When you come over here and you see castles that are older than Australia, it is pretty cool. I am really enjoying it.
"But it is now half-way through the tournament and we are starting to get down to the business end now so it is time to switch on. One more game until the quarters now, so it's game time -- it's on.
"Ireland have got Brett White and Pat Richards, and they are two players that we have got to watch out for. But it is all about us and the way we prepare, and how we play out there."
In stark contrast to Australia, Ireland have lost both of their World Cup matches -- a 32-14 defeat by Fiji followed by a 42-0 shut out loss to England.
Ireland can still mathematically reach the quarter-finals, with Fiji facing England, although victory over the Kangaroos would be one of the great all-time shock results in rugby league history.
However, assistant coach Ged Corcoran insists Ireland will rise to the occasion in front of their own fans at a ground best known as the home of the Munster rugby union team.
"It is a challenge that most of the players enjoy and thrive on; that is why they play the game -- for the challenge," he said.
"The Aussies are used to it aren't they? They get it every week out there in the State of Origin, weekly NRL games that are usually a sell-out.
"It might be a bit of a shock for our boys who are used to playing in front of the 4,000 or 5,000 people but the boys are looking forward to it.
"We are not threatened by Australia. People have given us the underdog tag but sometimes it is nice to win the games as an underdog because sometimes the dog bites back, doesn't it?"
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226755899025
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Irish blood runs through Manly Sea Eagles prop James Hasson in rugby league World Cup
WHEN the Irish team sing their stirring national anthem prior to their World Cup game against the Kangaroos on Saturday, there will be no more passionate player than Sea Eagles forward James Hasson.
The 21-year-old may have spent most of his life in Sydney but is very proud of his Irish heritage and representing the country of his birth.
"I always dreamt of playing for Ireland but I thought I would do it through rugby union," said Hasson, who moved to Australia with his family when he was two.
"It wasn't just saying 'I qualify for Ireland, I want to go and play for them' - I've been thinking of this for a while," Hasson said.
And he renewed his ties with the Irish by travelling back there every couple of years on family holidays.
And a busload of Hasson's relatives are travelling down to Limerick from County Derry to watch him play for the first time tomorrow.
"So I am really excited about that as well," he said."I grew up in Australia but now that I have played for Ireland I consider myself Irish."
Hasson has already played in the Ireland team beaten 42-0 by England and he now faces the ultimate test against the Kangaroos.
"I have no regrets coming over here and representing the country of my father's birth and playing against two of the best teams in the world," he said.
"This is a massive game for me, it's just a great chance to test myself at this early stage of my career."
Adding to the occasion, Hasson will be playing against his Sea Eagles teammate Daly Cherry-Evans for the first time.
"He is a cheeky little bugger out on the field," Hasson said."He will be looking to get under my skin and I will try to get under his skin - it will be good."
Hasson is also preparing to cop some sledging from his friend and former Cronulla teammate Paul Gallen.
He goes into Saturday's game against the star-studded Australian side with realistic expectations about what to expect.
"If we can play our best the scoreline won't be massive, if we get within 20 of them it will be competitive," he said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226756067485
- - - Updated - - -
Australian coach Tim Sheens puts Kangaroos players on notice ahead of World Cup finals
Jarryd Hayne (L) of Australia looks on during the Australia Training Session at Langtree Park.Source: Getty Images
TIM Sheens will send the Kangaroos out for tonight's final World Cup pool clash against Ireland with a clear understanding only six spots in Australia's top side are safe and the rest are up for grabs in the countdown to the finals.
While the Irish aren't expected to give the Kangaroos any great challenge, the competition from within the 23-man squad is hotting up and tonight could ultimately be the last match on tour for some players.
Sheens said prior to the tournament "only a handful" of players could consider themselves certain starters.
Asked this week if that was still the case, Sheens replied: "Pretty much, yeah."There are a few more who are pretty secure but I think this weekend they need to show me more."
The players considered certainties to be in the top side come the final at Old Trafford on November 30 are Cameron Smith, Paul Gallen, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.
Slater was players' player against England in the tournament opener and returns at fullback tonight joining Smith, Gallen and Cronk in the starting team while Inglis and Thurston are being rested.
Thurston's absence gives Daly Cherry-Evans another start in the halves, this time at five-eighth with Cronk at back at seven.
But as good as Cherry-Evans was against Fiji, Sheens considered Cronk's effort against England as one of Australia's best that means Cherry-Evans has to knock Robbie Farah out of the race for that utility role.
Sheens was impressed with both Cherry-Evans and Farah last week with Farah's kicking game out of dummy half in tough conditions singled out by the coach while Cherry-Evans scored one try and created three more.
Tonight's performance will go a long way to settling that bench spot.Gallen's performance at front-row against Ireland will also be crucial to the ultimate make-up of the pack with Sheens still weighing up if the vice-captain is best placed a prop or lock after his effort coming off the bench against Fiji.
Sheens admitted he changed the game last week when he went on with Andrew Fifita.
"His yardage is great and he went on the other night and you could see the difference," Sheens said."Young Fifita took it forward and Gal took it forward on the back of that really powerfully. He is a handful."
Matt Scott will be rested tonight because of a broken finger he suffered late in the NRL season that is still giving him trouble while James Tamou needs a big game to consolidate his starting spot.
The make-up of the front-row will also determine the back-row and several spots on the bench.
With Luke Lewis out of the tournament after dislocating his shoulder, Boyd Cordner could secure his place in the top 17 with another strong game.
Brent Tate will play right centre tonight but share the role with Jarryd Hayne who'll start on the wing.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...world-cup-finals/story-fni3fbgz-1226756087537
- JON GEDDES THE MANLY DAILY
- MANLY DAILY
- NOVEMBER 09, 2013 12:00AM
WHEN the Irish team sing their stirring national anthem prior to their World Cup game against the Kangaroos on Saturday, there will be no more passionate player than Sea Eagles forward James Hasson.
The 21-year-old may have spent most of his life in Sydney but is very proud of his Irish heritage and representing the country of his birth.
"I always dreamt of playing for Ireland but I thought I would do it through rugby union," said Hasson, who moved to Australia with his family when he was two.
"It wasn't just saying 'I qualify for Ireland, I want to go and play for them' - I've been thinking of this for a while," Hasson said.
And he renewed his ties with the Irish by travelling back there every couple of years on family holidays.
"So I am really excited about that as well," he said."I grew up in Australia but now that I have played for Ireland I consider myself Irish."
Hasson has already played in the Ireland team beaten 42-0 by England and he now faces the ultimate test against the Kangaroos.
"I have no regrets coming over here and representing the country of my father's birth and playing against two of the best teams in the world," he said.
"This is a massive game for me, it's just a great chance to test myself at this early stage of my career."
Adding to the occasion, Hasson will be playing against his Sea Eagles teammate Daly Cherry-Evans for the first time.
"He is a cheeky little bugger out on the field," Hasson said."He will be looking to get under my skin and I will try to get under his skin - it will be good."
Hasson is also preparing to cop some sledging from his friend and former Cronulla teammate Paul Gallen.
He goes into Saturday's game against the star-studded Australian side with realistic expectations about what to expect.
"If we can play our best the scoreline won't be massive, if we get within 20 of them it will be competitive," he said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...league-world-cup/story-fni3fbgz-1226756067485
- - - Updated - - -
Australian coach Tim Sheens puts Kangaroos players on notice ahead of World Cup finals
- PAUL CRAWLEY IN LIMERICK
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- NOVEMBER 09, 2013 12:00AM
Jarryd Hayne (L) of Australia looks on during the Australia Training Session at Langtree Park.Source: Getty Images
TIM Sheens will send the Kangaroos out for tonight's final World Cup pool clash against Ireland with a clear understanding only six spots in Australia's top side are safe and the rest are up for grabs in the countdown to the finals.
While the Irish aren't expected to give the Kangaroos any great challenge, the competition from within the 23-man squad is hotting up and tonight could ultimately be the last match on tour for some players.
Sheens said prior to the tournament "only a handful" of players could consider themselves certain starters.
Asked this week if that was still the case, Sheens replied: "Pretty much, yeah."There are a few more who are pretty secure but I think this weekend they need to show me more."
The players considered certainties to be in the top side come the final at Old Trafford on November 30 are Cameron Smith, Paul Gallen, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.
Thurston's absence gives Daly Cherry-Evans another start in the halves, this time at five-eighth with Cronk at back at seven.
But as good as Cherry-Evans was against Fiji, Sheens considered Cronk's effort against England as one of Australia's best that means Cherry-Evans has to knock Robbie Farah out of the race for that utility role.
Sheens was impressed with both Cherry-Evans and Farah last week with Farah's kicking game out of dummy half in tough conditions singled out by the coach while Cherry-Evans scored one try and created three more.
Tonight's performance will go a long way to settling that bench spot.Gallen's performance at front-row against Ireland will also be crucial to the ultimate make-up of the pack with Sheens still weighing up if the vice-captain is best placed a prop or lock after his effort coming off the bench against Fiji.
Sheens admitted he changed the game last week when he went on with Andrew Fifita.
"His yardage is great and he went on the other night and you could see the difference," Sheens said."Young Fifita took it forward and Gal took it forward on the back of that really powerfully. He is a handful."
Matt Scott will be rested tonight because of a broken finger he suffered late in the NRL season that is still giving him trouble while James Tamou needs a big game to consolidate his starting spot.
The make-up of the front-row will also determine the back-row and several spots on the bench.
With Luke Lewis out of the tournament after dislocating his shoulder, Boyd Cordner could secure his place in the top 17 with another strong game.
Brent Tate will play right centre tonight but share the role with Jarryd Hayne who'll start on the wing.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...world-cup-finals/story-fni3fbgz-1226756087537
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rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Cameron Smith eyes another milestone
By Liam FitzGibbon
AAP
7:30am Sat 09th November, 2013
A decision not to rest Cameron Smith at the Rugby League World Cup is helping the Kangaroos skipper draw closer towards another remarkable feat in his career.
Smith is one of only a handful of players in Tim Sheens' squad to be selected for all three of Australia's group games and will earn his 34th international cap in Saturday's clash with Ireland.
The Melbourne Storm star could play in all six of Australia's matches if, as expected, the tournament favourites reach the final.
That would take Smith to 37 international appearances and put the hooker well and truly on track to becoming the most capped forward in Kangaroos history.
Petero Civoniceva holds the record with a remarkable 45 caps but 30-year-old Smith would likely overtake the prop in the next two years.
It would add another achievement in a long list for Queensland star Smith, who is already being talked up as a possible immortal.
"He's one of those players that, after his career, would be pushing - dare I say - that immortal-type player," Kangaroos assistant coach David Furner said on Friday.
"He's been a part of and led Queensland to those (State of Origin) victories and also, most importantly, the Australian team after Darren Lockyer.
"He's a tremendous player, probably number one in the world in his position but it's also his on and off-field presence and what he gives the young kids, that sort of experience and guidance."
While Sheens has taken the opportunity to give the likes of Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston a rest during the group stage, he's opted to start with Smith in all three games.
Smith will likely share Saturday's game with Robbie Farah but the Kangaroos coaching staff feel the skipper's calming influence is crucial early in games.
"This is another one of those games that experience an guidance for the team is important," Furner said.
The decision not to rest Smith is likely to deny vice captain Paul Gallen a chance to skipper his country for the first time.
http://www.nrl.com/cameron-smith-eyes-another-milestone/tabid/10874/newsid/75325/default.aspx
By Liam FitzGibbon
AAP
7:30am Sat 09th November, 2013
A decision not to rest Cameron Smith at the Rugby League World Cup is helping the Kangaroos skipper draw closer towards another remarkable feat in his career.
Smith is one of only a handful of players in Tim Sheens' squad to be selected for all three of Australia's group games and will earn his 34th international cap in Saturday's clash with Ireland.
The Melbourne Storm star could play in all six of Australia's matches if, as expected, the tournament favourites reach the final.
That would take Smith to 37 international appearances and put the hooker well and truly on track to becoming the most capped forward in Kangaroos history.
Petero Civoniceva holds the record with a remarkable 45 caps but 30-year-old Smith would likely overtake the prop in the next two years.
It would add another achievement in a long list for Queensland star Smith, who is already being talked up as a possible immortal.
"He's one of those players that, after his career, would be pushing - dare I say - that immortal-type player," Kangaroos assistant coach David Furner said on Friday.
"He's been a part of and led Queensland to those (State of Origin) victories and also, most importantly, the Australian team after Darren Lockyer.
"He's a tremendous player, probably number one in the world in his position but it's also his on and off-field presence and what he gives the young kids, that sort of experience and guidance."
While Sheens has taken the opportunity to give the likes of Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston a rest during the group stage, he's opted to start with Smith in all three games.
Smith will likely share Saturday's game with Robbie Farah but the Kangaroos coaching staff feel the skipper's calming influence is crucial early in games.
"This is another one of those games that experience an guidance for the team is important," Furner said.
The decision not to rest Smith is likely to deny vice captain Paul Gallen a chance to skipper his country for the first time.
http://www.nrl.com/cameron-smith-eyes-another-milestone/tabid/10874/newsid/75325/default.aspx
Australia by 50+ Ireland have been disappointing this World Cup.... Expected much more from them but I guess they got the group of death (Australia and England) but they still could've finished 3rd but were beaten by a fair margin against Fiji. Against England they were terrible..
Australia I doubt will be using their full strength side?
Australia I doubt will be using their full strength side?
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Geez Thanks
Tom Waterhouse has nothing on me and Junior...
We are paying over the odds no doubt but just remember mate.... "At Marathon Stadium we know what punters want" ;)
- - - Updated - - -
I posted the side on page 1 but here it is again for everyone
The Australian team to play Ireland:
1. Billy Slater
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Brent Tate
4. Josh Morris
5. Brett Morris
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Paul Gallen
9. Cam Smith (c)
10. James Tamou
11. Greg Bird
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Nate Myles
INTERCHANGE
14. Boyd Cordner
15. Robbie Farah
16. Andrew Fifita
17. Corey Parker
RESERVES
18. Josh Papalii
19. Johnathan Thurston
20. Michael Jennings
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Hamish171
Adam Woolnough
I have a feeling for the final, Sheens may go with Tate over Jennings which would be stupid considering Tate has nothing on Jennings. I hope thats just me overthinking this but then again Sheens has gone with Farah for 3 games so Sheens could do a ton of stupid picks for the final.....