Henjak out for 3 to 4 weeks

[shasta]

The silver lining in the cloud. O'Young will have to stand up all the way across the ditch still pulling the splinters from his arse. But 3-4 weeks as the starting half may lift him enough to not look elswhere for next year. The Eastwood connection at 8 - 9 - 10 looked pretty handy against The Reds so we won't be lacking there.

Be glad to see how McGrath goes too. He'll have to get a bit of game time I suppose. O'Young will find 80mins a bit of an ask against Canterbury for sure. Deans will have Jack & Co running down that channel from the off.

[Burgs]

Either that or....Gits goes to Scrum Half and Stanners comes from the bench to #12!

[shasta]

Either that or....Gits goes to Scrum Half and Stanners comes from the bench to #12!

I think I remember you saying here once before that you like Gits as 9 for The Wallabies, Burgs? I don't. Obviously not because I don't rate him. Just that I reckon there are some good 9's around if they can get a shot, none more than Yak and O'Young.

Connolly is perhaps only looking as far as WC 2007 regarding Gits at 9. Fair enough - that's his brief.

Having said that I'd really like to see Spanner come back into the side somehow. Mitchell has some really tough choices this year. Seeing how crucial next weeks match is, you might just be on the right track there. Glad I don't have to pick the team.

[Burgs]

Yeah mate, you've "outed" me

If only to have options come match day and both #9 and Reserve Half goes down we would have an experienced option to put there.
Currently in Australian Rugby our Halves tend to be fairly physical types which is good but also leads to injuries more often.
If come the RWC Final and we lose both Halves I would be more comfortable seeing Gits wander in from Inside Centre with a few more matches at the base under his belt than he currently has had.

He had a couple of minutes against (I think?) the Canes and had a shocker, mainly due to not having had enough exposure there, it isn't as if he isn't skillfull enough for the role.

Re #9's around the comp, I think if you took Gits out of selection contention there would be a better pool of players lining up for Wallaby #12 than #9?

Just to clarify though, I am saying O'Young to start and then Gits to move in on the Sub, not sure if that is how it read the first time?

[shasta]

Yeah mate, you've "outed" me
Just to clarify though, I am saying O'Young to start and then Gits to move in on the Sub, not sure if that is how it read the first time?

Yeah. It did. I think. I meant that in such a crunch match - which I guess they all are for The Force now - the coach may be reluctant to put McGrath in at a crucial stage if the game's there to be won.

[The InnFORCEr]

After just reading the Sunday Times. Henjak is out 3-4 with medial tear in right knee and angus scott also has a month out with a calf injury.

AJ Whalley and MacKay went with the squad and Stantiforth and Pusey to join them in Hamilton for the Cheifs match.

[Shaun]

MaCkay- now there is someone I want to see play

[Thequeerone]

If something happens to O'Young who would be next No 9 assuming Gitts stays at 12
bet Henjak is worried - because with a bit more game time O'Young will probabley be hard to bench again

[no.8]

The squad travelling to New Zealand is as follows:

BACKS

Cameron Shepherd, Chris O’Young, Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Haig Sare, James Hilgendorf, Jon McGrath, Junior Pelesasa, Lachlan MacKay, Matt Giteau, Ryan Cross, Scott Daruda



FORWARDS

AJ Whalley, Brendan Cannon, David Pocock, Gareth Hardy, Luke Doherty, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (c), Pek Cowan, Richard Brown, Rudi Vedelago, Scott Fava, Tai McIsaac, Tom Hockings, Troy Takiari



*Scott Staniforth (knee) , David Pusey (ankle) , Angus Scott (calf) and Matt Henjak (knee) were not available for selection due to injury.

[Shaun]

I thought Pusey and Stanners will be going over for the Cheifs game?

[Thequeerone]

Yes Doc - that's the new rumor started by the Sunday Times - it makes sense so it may well be true

[andrewM]

Scott Staniforth (knee) , David Pusey (ankle) , Angus Scott (calf) and Matt Henjak (knee) were not available for selection due to injury

Feel a bit sorry for Henjak, after driving me insane all last season I thought he was playing pretty well this year

[AndyS]

Must be gutting for Henjak, but a huge opportunity for O'Young - the Wallabies coaching team got a good look at him against the Reds and they'll get another against the Brumbies.

[frontrow]

He is definately one of my votes for most improved since last season...

[Pockets]

I agree with Fobcast I reckon O'young is a better half back, mind you Henjak has got quicker ball out this year.
I lay money Gits will play there on tour but probably against the Brumbies, as will not want the kiwis getting a look befor eteh World Cup.