<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Melhor Time @ Aug 27 2009, 09:18 AM)
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wally @ Aug 26 2009, 07:00 AM)
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Your knowledge of over seas based Australians is quite sound, but they said the same thing about Brock James when he was playing in the NPC. He got his chance while with the Western Force but he struggled to make the flyhalf position his own, so I don't agree that he would be a better option than Australia's crop of current and emerging 10s (Giteau, Barnes, Cooper, Beale, O'Connor and Toomua). We a well stocked in that department. What would be handy is if we could select Dan Vickerman at lock and Gasnier at outside centre as we have little depth there with Mortlock and Ioane succumbing to long term injuries. I had forgotten about Luke Rooney, do you know how he is going?[/b]
I agree with you about Brock James after playing for Taranaki in New Zealand. He looked very good. He then went on to struggle to get game time and to not look so good in the Super 14 for the Force and the Reds. The difference, however, is that the level of the Top 14 is superior to that of the NPC. Brock James is playing against world class flyhalves. The Top 14 has a better group of flyhalves than the Super 14, and anywhere else in the world. This season there is Wilkinson and Goode (England), Contepomi and Bosch (Argentina), Beauxis, Michalak and Trinh-Duc (France), McIntyre (New Zealand) and Gower and Orquera (Italy). Brock James has not been the best in France because Juan Martin Hernandez has been since moving there from fullback in late 2006 (of course he is now in South Africa). But, James has not been embarrassed. He has been a strong performer and without question playing much better than at any time during his career. He would be the Wallaby flyhalf if elligible, without question. He is kicking goals for Clermont even though France's goal kicker, Morgan Parra, is their scrumhalf. James would be picked ahead of Beale, Toomua, O'Connor and Cooper without question. He is reliable and trustworthy as an option taker and is far more experienced. If he is not picked to kick goals the Wallabies would be problem free as Giteau or Barnes at 12 would be the kicker. Clermont bought him as a last minute signing. They needed a flyhalf and the player they had signed (Cameron McIntyre) was not released. NObody, including me, gave Brock James a chance but he has been very, very good.
Here is a try from last season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_gfCwBDVS4
Luke Rooney had a good season last year but will have a hard time this season as Toulon have bought outside backs like May (England) and Rory Lamont (Scotland). Below is a try vs Montauban last season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-TuhuPbZvc
and here is one vs Toulouse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y07CS_w5i7s
Gasnier has been mainly used on the wing for SF Paris. They have Bastrenaud so naturally will play him at 13. Gasnier, this season, is likely to play more at 13.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEGivSofUMs
Here is he playing 12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byhDD-XIwE8...feature=related
Make no mistake, if these three were playing for the Wallabies you would have stronger team. The problem is you guys (in Australia) don't watch French or European rugby so don't get to see them. If you did I think there would be pressure at John O'Neill to allow Robbie Deans to pick players playing in Europe.
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Yeah thanks for all that mate. Obviously Gower is Australian too but he's no longer eligible to represent his country of birth. I think when the Super 15 kicks off in 2011 the new Melbourne franchise will endeavor to bring back a lot of these players. I'm sure Gasnier will come home to have a crack at the Wallabies world cup squad. I will try and find somewhere where I can stream the French Top 14 games as it seems like a quality competition, probably only second to the Super 14.
Considering your information I think if over seas based Australians were considered the first string backline would look like this..
9. Genia/Burgess
10. Giteau
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. Mortlock
14. Gasnier
15. Ashley-Cooper
20. James
21. O'Connor
22. Mitchell
Streets ahead of what we've got turning out for us this weekend.
