LittleGuy
First XV
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2010
- Messages
- 4,911
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Great observations guys, and can't say I disagree with almost anything you guys have posted.....
Looks finally like we have Hooker sorted out, Hamilton is growing into a good player and Barkwill is a nice pickup for the backup option, he really stepped up his game after the Samoa contest. Hopefully we won't have to go back to Pletch again.
At Prop, it really looks like Tiedemann is improving, perhaps his time in France is improving his scrummaging. Buydens was fairly solid all tour, Marshall had some decent moments, although he didn't get a ton of game time. Wooldridge struggled against Samoa and depth could be a concern. I still think this is a slightly weaker position for Canada though perhaps not the crisis it has been in recent years.
Lock is the weak point of the side at the moment, especially since Cudmore is only available for limited action. Sinclair and to a lesser degree Hotson are probably more effective in the back row, Beukeboom looks like a good prospect as does Pierce hopefully they can develop quickly. The front row isn't getting the help they need from the engine house at the moment.
Backrow we have options coming out of our butt, I'm not at all worried here, though I share the sentiments of many Canadian fans in that Sinclair should be moved here and O'Toole dropped to the bench.
Scrum-half is in a transition now, and His Edness will be missed. White isn't at all consistent and probably won't ever be, Mack is certainly more composed and better in attack but he's not the best defensive player, he might get pushed around against teams like Samoa and the PNC sides. Wilson played well but at 29 he's more an acceptable stop gap, even he was saying himself that the RWC in 2015 is probably a pipe dream. Not sure if Jamie Mackenzie is still in the minds of the powers that be, he returned to school and is playing at Uni. but dosen't seem to be in the conversation at least at the moment.
Fly-Half, is more of a waiting game, lots of prospects coming up, McCann, Braid looks better than he did two years ago, Jones is in the conversation, Piatek from the Blues is a good player. Evans can always have a go in here. Hirayama is an option as well though I think he's more a 7's specialist who should only be on the XV's side as a fill in. Not a strong point for us right now but I think come 2015 we could have some very capable players.
Backs: So many options here as you guys have pointed out, not an area of concern for me with the posiblle exception of replacing Pritchards goalkicking, should he either leave the side or have to play a reduced role. He is a fitness freak and is signed for Bedford for this year and next, with the expanded bench maybe he can fill in a utlity role off the bench for Canada, or start in matches where points will be at a premium. He's the Vice Captain so is playing a leadership role as well, perhaps a player/coach type deal or even helping Canada with their backs from behind the scenes is in order for 2015.
Looks finally like we have Hooker sorted out, Hamilton is growing into a good player and Barkwill is a nice pickup for the backup option, he really stepped up his game after the Samoa contest. Hopefully we won't have to go back to Pletch again.
At Prop, it really looks like Tiedemann is improving, perhaps his time in France is improving his scrummaging. Buydens was fairly solid all tour, Marshall had some decent moments, although he didn't get a ton of game time. Wooldridge struggled against Samoa and depth could be a concern. I still think this is a slightly weaker position for Canada though perhaps not the crisis it has been in recent years.
Lock is the weak point of the side at the moment, especially since Cudmore is only available for limited action. Sinclair and to a lesser degree Hotson are probably more effective in the back row, Beukeboom looks like a good prospect as does Pierce hopefully they can develop quickly. The front row isn't getting the help they need from the engine house at the moment.
Backrow we have options coming out of our butt, I'm not at all worried here, though I share the sentiments of many Canadian fans in that Sinclair should be moved here and O'Toole dropped to the bench.
Scrum-half is in a transition now, and His Edness will be missed. White isn't at all consistent and probably won't ever be, Mack is certainly more composed and better in attack but he's not the best defensive player, he might get pushed around against teams like Samoa and the PNC sides. Wilson played well but at 29 he's more an acceptable stop gap, even he was saying himself that the RWC in 2015 is probably a pipe dream. Not sure if Jamie Mackenzie is still in the minds of the powers that be, he returned to school and is playing at Uni. but dosen't seem to be in the conversation at least at the moment.
Fly-Half, is more of a waiting game, lots of prospects coming up, McCann, Braid looks better than he did two years ago, Jones is in the conversation, Piatek from the Blues is a good player. Evans can always have a go in here. Hirayama is an option as well though I think he's more a 7's specialist who should only be on the XV's side as a fill in. Not a strong point for us right now but I think come 2015 we could have some very capable players.
Backs: So many options here as you guys have pointed out, not an area of concern for me with the posiblle exception of replacing Pritchards goalkicking, should he either leave the side or have to play a reduced role. He is a fitness freak and is signed for Bedford for this year and next, with the expanded bench maybe he can fill in a utlity role off the bench for Canada, or start in matches where points will be at a premium. He's the Vice Captain so is playing a leadership role as well, perhaps a player/coach type deal or even helping Canada with their backs from behind the scenes is in order for 2015.
