Rex Philosophies - November

[Rex Messup]

Brett Sheehan - test scrum half

I think everybody accepts that the step up in intensity and ability at test level makes tries hard to come by. Test rugby seems to be more of an arm wrestle where toughness and tenacity counts for a lot more than super rugby where the game does open up a bit

Sheehan was a bit of a wild child when he started ( a decade ago?) at the Tahs

He was prone to brain explosions. I remember him being penalised regularly for throwing hay makers when he should have been throwing the ball to his fly half

I don't rate Phipps. He is one of Deans' obsessions that nobody else gets.

Sheehan is one tough mother. I think his style is better suited to test rugby than super rugby

He plays like a 9th forward. He smashes people. He dives on loose ball. He's everywhere in cover defence. He's 'ard

He loves having a run. He isn't likely to split defences with his blinding pace but he won't shovel sh1t ball to the backs.

Rex stamp of approval.

[Helmet]

Sheehan definitely lifted his game during the season
I still think he is a bit slow for the game these days but he plays with real passion which more than makes up for it, plus he has a reliable pass
was happy to see him sign on for next year

[GIGS20]

re speed, i changed my opinion on that after watching him play test rugby again. significantly quicker to the breakdown than phipps
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[sandgroperrugby]

re speed, i changed my opinion on that after watching him play test rugby again. significantly quicker to the breakdown than phipps
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I don’t think he is quicker, he just reads the game better and can anticipate the requirement to be in a certain place at a certain time.

[Alison]

For Rex to give a back of any sort his stamp of approval is a fine accolade indeed!

[jono]

I don’t think he is quicker, he just reads the game better and can anticipate the requirement to be in a certain place at a certain time.

It's much of a muchness really, he's consistently in the right place at the right time. In attack and defence. As opposed to Phipps who is still found looking and processing where to be next.

Sheehan plays like George smith. He knows where the game is going and positions himself accordingly
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[Rex Messup]

Sheehan is one of the few backs that could be accepted into the pack

The bloke has massive ones

[James]

Hard to judge Sheehan on the amount of game time he has had, but he has certainly lifted the team when he has come on and that is what a bench 9 should do. The difference I found with Sheehan against Argentina (I think it was) was that he was giving faster delivery and he had the forwards running onto those passes. Phipps has a bullet pass but we weren't applying pressure because we weren't getting the quick recycle, quick pass to a player on the move. As Jono and SGR said he know what to do/where to be and when to do it.

[Helmet]

getting to every break down is more of a fitness issue as well as what others have said being able to the read the game which Sheehan has no issue with.
It is speed around the breakdown where he lacks, he just isn't the attacking threat that modern half backs need to be to help give space for the rest of the back line.
He ticks all the other boxes though and knows how to play to his strengths, plus he kicked a few goals last year

[Political BS]

Dear Rex,
How do you think the Force will use their half backs this year. Mathewson start, Sheehan off the bench, Snowden for variety??

[shasta]

Snowden is EPS. Injury cover for the other two.

[sittingbison]

Dear Rex,
How do you think the Force will use their half backs this year. Mathewson start, Sheehan off the bench, Snowden for variety??

Snowden is EPS. Injury cover for the other two.

Sheehan will definitely be on the bench. Alby is a prized new weapon, of known and proven international ability. You don't put your marquee with his ability on the bench (unless you are the Tahs where political infighting and influence from HQ are the norm).

[Rex Messup]

Sheehan may return from this tour the incumbent wallaby 9

I don't see him viewing the pine as his position. The bloke is a tenacious competitor

The Aucklander will have to earn his stripes

The culture should be selection based on form and training committment and dedication

Form will determine it. Sheehan won't be bowing down to any kiwi

Great to have genuine options and competition for the jersey. That is what builds high performance and a winning culture.

2013 is going to be a good one

[sittingbison]

I admire Sheehan, and he has not let the Force down. In fact he has put back lucrative and easier Nippon to help us out in hour of need when re-signing with Hodgo and Brownie. But it is disingenuous to say he may be the incumbent wallaby 9. He is behind Genia, White, Lucas, Phipps - and by next season will probably be behind Frisbee, McKibbin and Hart as well. Sad but true.

Sure it is competition, the more the better. And Sheehan is ultra competitive. But don't forget Mathewson is talented AND in form, getting Auckland into grand final of ITM cup. And he (along with Ebersohn) has a lot to prove

[shasta]

That may all be true. But he's one of the guts brigade @ the Force. Thinks he's an 18 stoner who can scrap like Cassius Clay. He'll fight for his spot, no doubt. I agree with the bloke who's hijacked Messup's account.
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