Dunning a world-class prop (?)

[Jehna]

Though a few of you might like this one

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Dunning a world-class prop

by Robert Smith
September 20, 2007
AUSTRALIA John Connolly said Matt Dunning is a world-class prop and he has nailed down the loose-head prop position for the Wallabies.

To those disbelievers who watched Dunning carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace after the Wallaby scrum disintegrated against England at Twickenham in 2005, Connolly contended he was now a different player in the improving Australian forward pack.

Connolly, who with forwards coach Michael Foley has worked for almost two years rebuilding the technique and confidence of the Wallaby pack after their nadir at Twickenham, said switching Dunning from tight-head to loose-head was the key.

"Matt was outstanding last weekend against Wales and that (Tri-Nations) game against South Africa (last June) was a watershed moment for him, he had a few ghosts to exorcise," Connolly said.

"Michael Foley has worked very hard with him, technically and mentally, and he's done very well on the field and he's fitted in very well off the field.

"At the moment, Dunning has nailed down his spot, these things do change, but at the moment he's our number one loose-head prop."

Connolly said the New South Wales Waratahs forward was not comfortable playing at tight-head before and now he was doing things automatically at loose-head.

"What we did learn was that he was primarily a loose-head prop and we went down a period trying to turn him into a tight-head and I don't think he was comfortable there and that affected his form," he said.

"Test rugby is about doing things automatically and he wasn't comfortable out there and that's a problem. As soon as we said, 'You're not a tight-head at all, you're a loose-head, we're going to make you the best loose-head in the world,' he felt very comfortable and kept on improving."

Connolly, a former hooker with 15 years coaching experience, has great faith in 28-year-old Dunning, who has had his doubters of his toughness at elite level.

"Matt is a world-class prop, he showed that in South Africa, his game there was magnificent and Matt's challenge is going to be maintaining that," Connolly said.

"He's put a mark in the sand and now we expect that every time he plays and that's going to be his challenge mentally to prepare for that standard and play to that standard all the time."

Dunning will play his third consecutive match at the World Cup and his 35th international against Fiji in Pool B at Stade de la Mosson here on Sunday.

Agence France-Presse

[Sagerian]

Yeah, but since when does Robert Smith know anything about rugby?



Mighty fine article posting once again.

[benny]

i've "DEAD SET" heard everything now.. dunning wouldn't be in the 5th world team if they selected them.. glad connolly is going, bring in Robbie Deans..

[Sagerian]

He couldn't even secure the loosie spot for the tahs.. not sure how that makes him world class.

[RuckNMaul]

i cant see how he could be "World class" when he only plays strictly loose?
tight head is the pressure spot.

[Seldom]

We need a poll for this one!!!!!

[gustafsl]

He's gotten better then he was at the start of the tests, but still wouldn't consider him World Class. Only reason he's on the team is cause he is from the Warratahs. If he played for Force he wouldn't have even made the team of 70 (or whatever it was).

[The EnForcer]

We need a poll for this one!!!!!

He'd probably start practising against it.

[RuckNMaul]

[travelling_gerry]

hey guys you have to take these articles for what they are....properganda and mind games......

Remember the famous Campese article just prior to the 91 World Cup Final when he came out and said the game would be boring unless the Poms played running Rugby.... (or words to that effect)....

and what happened? The poms came out and tried to play a game they had never done and got beaten. And most acknowledge that if the Poms had played to their strengths then they would have given the title a fair shake.

As a coach Connolly is as much a "mind manager" as a selector and strategist.

If you keep telling a player they are crap they will then play like crap....tell them they are a World Beater...and good things will come.

And if Dunning starts to play a little loose on Saturday...then the old "double whammy" mind game comes into place...

Imagine this....half time...Dunning not playing the best....Connolly takes him aside in the dressing rooms at half time... "hey mate....you know you are World class but you are not living up to it and letting all your team mates down...what are you going to do about it?"

Many Coaches over the years have said that sport is 80% of what goes on between the players ears....and Connolly is no different....massage the mind and the results will follow...

Think back to only a week ago when Cam Shepherd got his call up...

Connolly: Hey mate, I'm just calling all the players who were in contention and missed out.........(insert pause here to wait for the players reaction)......and you are not one of them. You coming to France.

I am fairly sure that if Cam had blown up and started abusing Connolly the phone would have been hung up and another player get the trip. Coaches do these things to gain insight into a players mental strength and "ticker".
(remember 1 Adam Frier's phone call?)

Some players might suck it up and ask how they can improve to gain selection and their stocks go up in the coachs mind.

So as supporters we just need to suck it up too and believe....

BILL IS COMING HOME IN 07!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Burgs]

He still sucks

[chook]

You are all wrong of course. THe Dunning is first class, blue ribbon, world champion.

It must be true cos I say so.

Anyway, everyone knows Tahs players are 25% better than Force players and the rest of the rabble out there.

[travelling_gerry]

From the BBC Rugby Site

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rugbyworl...australia.html


Wales ratings v Australia (121)Bruce Pope 15 Sep 07, 12:09 PM Cardiff - I was at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday as Wales lost 32-20 to Australia in a match that leaves the Wallabies in control of Pool B.

Here's how I rated the individual Wales players' performances. See whether you agree and let us know what you thought of the match.




Gareth Thomas – The captain lasted 22 minutes before going off dazed. Showed some nice running lines in attack and was his usual brave self in defence, but his kicking too often handed the initiative back to Australia. 6

Mark Jones – The wing was unable to find any space when the ball did get to him and his decision to shovel on poor ball under pressure set Australia away for Stirling Mortlock’s try. 5

Tom Shanklin – Added some much-needed physical presence in the Wales midfield but got little change out of Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock. 6

Sonny Parker – Stretchered off after 18 minutes and unable to make any real impact on the game. 5

Shane Williams – The man most likely to open up the Wallaby defence brought a roar from the crowd each time he touched the ball and generally made ground. Got the try he deserved five minutes from the end. 8

Stephen Jones – Showed up well, never scared to take the ball forward himself and give his forwards a target to drive into, but had a mixed day with the boot. 6

Dwayne Peel – Just about held his own against George Gregan, although a few wayward kicks – one charged down in his own 22 – and few trademark breaks. 6

Gethin Jenkins – Anchored the Wales scrum well and put in some good defensive work. 6

Matthew Rees – Usual mixed bag from the hooker who was tigerish in the loose, outstanding at the breakdown, but still suspect with his line-out throwing. 7

Adam Jones – Lost his battle at the scrummage against Matt Dunning and left the gap in the Wales defensive line that led to Matt Giteau’s opening try for the Wallabies. 4

Ian Gough – Laboured manfully but overshadowed by the Wallaby lock pairing of Nathan Sharpe and Dan Vickerman. 5

Alun Wyn Jones – Never took a backward step and was a secure jumping option at the line-out. 6

Colin Chavis – Another quality performance from the veteran, made his presence felt harrying and hurrying Australia. Spent a couple of occasions on the sidelines being patched up for his troubles. 7

Martyn Williams – The open-side rarely stopped running, was usually on the shoulder of his backs when they needed him but lost out to George Smith in the scavenging stakes. 6

Jon Thomas – Made the most of his switch to number eight, punching holes with ball in hand, barging over for a try and taking responsibility in the Wales line-out. 8

Replacements:

Thomas Rhys Thomas – Hooker was introduced for the last 14 minutes alongside Duncan Jones and Michael Owen. Not great with what throw-ins he had. 5

Duncan Jones – Helped bolster the scrum and give Wales a platform for their late flurry. 6

Michael Owen – Came on at lock but found time to get in the mix out wide as Wales spread the ball. 6

Alix Popham – Had quite a bit of match time due to Charvis needing running repairs and caught the eye with some typical big hits. 6

Mike Phillips – Strong and direct when he came on for Peel 10 minutes from the end. 6

James Hook – Came on after 22 minutes when Thomas was injured, rarely caught the eye but kicked his goals well. Had the chance to stop Chris Latham for Australia’s third try but his tackle was lightweight. 6

Kevin Morgan – Early introduction after Parker’s injury. The full-back was bright and solid at the back, making a crucial try-saving tackle on Drew Mitchell midway in the second half. 7

[James]

On the topic of world class props I was looking over some old news archives and I noticed John Mitchell wanted to recruit Al Baxter in the first year, thank god we dodged that bullet...

[jazza93]

i dont know why everyone thinks he is not a good prop, if he wasnt he would not be able to last 10 minutes.

scrums take up a few minutes in the game, the other 78 minutes is on the field and that is what he is best at. he does great work at protecting the ball in the rucks and he gets some good runs in attack. in defence i have seen alot of great tackles by him and he does good work in the rucks.

he is doing a good job i hope he keeps his form up.