New munster signing

D24tress wrote:
We could see an ireland team with munster backs and leinster forwards

Back on topic, I wonder those this fellow have an Irish granny? Seems he maybe well peed off with his native Australians (though I see he has played Australia A). Any comments I've seen about him say he is great going forward but defence is a bit suspect.

Will Chambers may have to consider return to rugby league as he is again picked on the bench for the Queensland Reds

WILL Chambers is being pushed into considering a return to rugby league next year, with another selection knockback denting his World Cup dreams.

It is not just being dropped after round 3 that stings but the fact he has been overlooked repeatedly when centre changes and vacancies forced by injury have arisen.

That was the case yesterday when Chambers was left on the bench for tomorrow night's Super Rugby blockbuster against the Auckland Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

Instead, coach Ewen McKenzie has gone with a like-for-like solution by drafting young Ben Tapuai and his ball-playing benefits to replace sidelined Mike Harris (knee) at inside centre.

"We considered a few options to replace Mike but in the end the straight swap at inside centre allows us to continue building continuity in our other backline positions," McKenzie said.

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If that is tacit approval that defensive leader Anthony Faingaa is to continue at outside centre for the rest of the season, Chambers is really battling to win back his specialist No.13 slot.

McKenzie has said the 2011 game is different to 2010, with defence now such an emphasis and the need for extra ball players to crack the line.

Key playmaker Quade Cooper, halfback Will Genia, fullback Ben Lucas and Tapuai up that quota.

Ironically, Chambers may have stronger selection prospects with the Wallabies, who have a dearth of big, 100kg line busters at outside centre.

The issue is that Chambers has now been bypassed for big measuring stick match-ups against Springbok Jaque Fourie (Stormers) and Rene Ranger or Jared Payne at the Blues.

In a fortnight, a chance against the powerhouse Crusaders pairing of Sonny Bill Williams and Robbie Fruean may also have been missed.

There is lots of uncertainty for a 22-year-old such as Chambers to deal with when a regular starting spot is probably all he craves in either code. He is making strides in rugby and there is still huge potential for a Test career.

But an NRL club may even now be promising the 2009 Melbourne Storm grand final winner a starting spot for 2012.

Blues coach Pat Lam has publicly urged every fan of the Auckland team in southeast Queensland to turn up at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.

D24tress wrote:We could see an ireland team with munster backs and leinster forwards

red_stag wrote:King - he's young but he's made it fairly high only to be shoved back down to Earth. I'm much happier with him than de Villiers. He brings playing experience with the likes of Genia and Cooper - some of the best at the running game. He also brings a Rugby League influence - not a bad thing to have. And he is motivated - he has played for big teams in League and Union. But surplus to requirment in both. I much prefer that to JDV - strikes me as a guy looking to get a cushy number with Juan de Jongh breathing down his neck at Stormer.

McKenzie has attributed the 22-year-old's struggles to the enhanced contest for the ball at the breakdown, which has put more emphasis on ball playing - passing and kicking - by backs over ball running.

In 2010, Chambers was a key man in getting Queensland over the advantage line, but now the Reds feel they need to create more through a second playmaker at inside centre beside Quade Cooper, and fullback Ben Lucas as another ball player.

Faingaa can perform a number of roles at No.13 and McKenzie has stressed his inspirational tackling, as his side's best backline defender, "got him a ticket to the dance".

Chambers' ability to play on the wing could become an important asset, with flyers Rod Davies and Peter Hynes on the long-term injury list and youngsters Dom Shipperley and Kimami Sitauti set to miss the next month on Australian Under-20s duty.