Wallaby George Smith tipped for No. 7 spot over Phil Waugh

[greenandgoldrugby]

Agreed Woody. Marcus Horan needs shooting. That silly penalty sunk the whole match.

I thought your boys looked pretty strong around the ruck and maul. Made yards pretty easily. Will be interesting to see what happens in that department on saturday in Melbourne.

[Jehna]

Waugh is a good player but he doesn't have the flair to play 7 as well as players like McCaw and George. The game has changed dramatically in the last 5yrs or so and Waugh hasn't changed his game to suit. I still think he's a worthwhile bench sitter though...he makes an impact when he comes on around the 60min mark when players tend to go back to basics as the tiredness kicks in.

[Woody]

The problem with Waugh on the bench is he is only a #7 (or a very very short 6 or 8!). And carrying a specialist 7 is a bit of a luxury these days.
I saw an interesting bit on TV tonight which explained the Soioialo McCaw 6&7 thing. Apparently they are trying to develope McCaw's carry game and aim to use Rodney as a second fetcher to take the pressure of Richie. Oddly enough it seems to work in the Antarctic test last Saturday.
Also saw a really cool interview with Aussie Bob. Evereybody looked so relaxed and happy, it's almost surreal. Gits was saying how much he liked that Robbie is not autocratic, "this is the game plan, you guys are shit hot players, do what you want within the parametres of that game plan" (my words actually, but that was what he meant!)
Roll on Saturday.

[GIGS20]

Seems to Work for the 'Saders, why not try it Internationally!

'Saders have relied on a fairly basic game plan with awesome skills development. The All Blacks have reaped the benefits of a whole bunch of guys with pretty awesome skills development, their success (or lack thereof) has resulted from the structures imposed upon that skill set, sometimes the structure matches it and they do well, other times the structure doesn't and they do crap. A generalised structure allowing players to express their creativity will be great as long as Lote either a) Passes the ball or b) stays on the end of the line

[Burgs]

As I've maintained for the last three years, if you had to play both Smith and Waugh then I would start Waugh to take the big hits in the first 50-60 minutes and then unleash Smith to exploit the gaps that start opening later in the second half.
I agree with Woody that it is too much of a luxury to have a specialist #7 (or any position apart from maybe Hooker, hello Taipan!) so it really should be Waugh start or not at all.

[Woody]

Burgs, can't argue with that. Smith as a benchie can give you 6,7 or 8 cover. It just seems a crying shame not to have him on the pitch for as much time as possible.
Ditto Gigs. Lote? the good is very good, the bad is awful.
I thought it was odd that Gits is saying that about Aussie Bob when from memory the Mitchell RWC campaign was very autocratic.

[Flamethrower]

You beat me to it Burgs. This was how they have played in the past, only Smith didn't get on the pitch till the 70 minute mark. If you start Smith on the bench he would have to come on at 50/55 minutes.
When he comes on he's like a mad Pitbull and all the other players are tired.

[BLR]

I thought it was odd that Gits is saying that about Aussie Bob when from memory the Mitchell RWC campaign was very autocratic.

Maybe compared to Connolly and Jones where even underperforming players would get a run on when there were other players who would have been better...inability to listen to reason etc. Plus maybe he means Mitchells style with the Force as well....