Wallabies XV 2011

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So I've tried selecting a full world cup squad based on previous performances, current form and the selectors mindset. In brackets are the players next in line should there be a injury.


Likely WC Backline:
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC
14. JOC
15. Beale

Backups:
Halfback: Burgess, Giteau the other halfback if needed (Phibbs)
Inside Backs: Giteau, A Faingaa (Mortlock)
Outside Backs: Turner, Davies (MacCabe)

WC Forward pack:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Slipper
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom (c)
7. Pocock (vc)
8. Palu

Backups:
Props: Kepu,Palmer (Alexander)
Hookers: Moore, Faingaa (Hanson)
Locks: Simmonds, Wykes, Samo (Pyle/AWH/Vickerman)
Backrow: McCalman, Hodgson, Higginbotham (Mowen/Robinson)

The backline speaks for itself. We've got the luxury of having Giteau who can play at 9, giving us room to bring another forward. I've decided to bring in Samo, who can play off the bench as an impact player. Giteau to cover 9,10 and 12. Faingaa to cover 12 and 13. Turner and Davies to cover the wings.

In the forwards, with Slipper and Kepu able to play on both sides, Alexander doesn't have a place in the team. I've decided to instead pick our best scrummager in Dan Palmer. Hanson and Faingaa will fight it out for the 3rd hooker position. Wouldn't surprise me if Hanson go the nod,they're contrasting players. Faingaa plays like a extra backrower while Hanson plays a more traditional hooker role. (note: Hanson is far superior to Faingaa at scrum time while Faingaa is superior at the line out and around the ground)

Simmonds is an obvious choice for the bench. Wykes i've selected on potential and current form. If Vickerman makes a successful return, theres no doubt he'll take his spot. Wouldn't surprise me if AWH gets picked, has been in great form recently as a super sub for the Reds. Samo gets picked purely for his impact off the bench, he provides something different.

Hodgson has beaten Robinson as the backup fetcher due to his versatility. McCalman and Higgers to cover 6 and 8.

Not a bad team.
 
Can't argue with most of that, particularly the starting XV, exactly what I'd go with. I'd like Nathan Charles to get a spot in the squad but Hanson and Faingaa are probably still in front of him. I'm with you on Palmer in the squad too. We need scrummaging power and he is excellent in that regard. Alexander has been underwhelming over the last 6 months. I think he'll be in the squad, but not the definite selection that he once was.

Beau Robinson vs Matt Hodgson is an interesting selection query. I'd be picking Hodgson still but Robinson has been outstanding. McCalman and Higginbotham provide good depth for the backrow.

If Vickerman can play well in his time at the Tahs, I'd be picking him definitely. Exactly the kind of agressive, tight lock we need in the squad. I'd pick Simmons as well with Wykes probably next off the rank.
 
I would pretty much go with the squad Lions1024 has posted. While bolters are likely, the reality is that Dingo will be unwilling to sway away from a proven core. In a World Cup season experimentation is not on the cards. For me I wouldn't pick Vickerman because I reckon its sending the wrong message, theres roomers in NZ that they are bring back Carl Hayman and Nik Evans for the ITM cup before the WC, as much as I would love to see Evans (who I would rate as the number 2 first/five in world rugby, has been really impressive for the Harlequins) be the back up to Carter in the WC, that would be just wrong. We need the best players to stay in this part of the world and play in the S15 year in year out not just half season or so in a WC year. While I don't blame them for the financial gains that is there choice with that choice they should have to give up national honors .
 

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I'd probably go with McCalman over Palu and Higginbotham at this stage.

How much longer does Pocock have on the sidelines anyone?
 
This is my 22 right now:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (will be back in a week or so)
3. James Slipper
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman (Palu injured)
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (hasn't had a good year in a rubbish team, but is still our best 13 in my eyes)
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Nathan Charles (Moore injured indefinitely as far as I know)
17. Sekope Kepu
18. Rob Simmons
19. Beau Robinson
20. Luke Burgess (Phipps just misses out)
21. Matt Giteau
22. Luke Morahan
 
How do you think this team will compare to my current All Black team?

Swans120 said:
This is my 22 right now:

1. Benn Robinson v Tony Woodcock
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau v Keven Mealamu
3. James Slipper v Owen Franks
4. James Horwill v Brad Thorn
5. Nathan Sharpe v Sam Whitelock
6. Scott Higginbotham v Jerome Kaino
7. David Pocock v Richie McCaw
8. Ben McCalman v Kieren Read
9. Will Genia v Jimmy Cowan
10. Quade Cooper v Daniel Carter
11. Digby Ioane v Hosea Gear
12. Berrick Barnes v Sonny Bill Williams
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper v Conrad Smith
14. James O'Connor v Isaia Toeava
15. Kurtley Beale v Mils Muliaina

16. Nathan Charles v Andrew Hore
17. Sekope Kepu v Adam Thompson
18. Rob Simmons v Anthony Boric
19. Beau Robinson v Ben Franks
20. Luke Burgess v Piri Weepu
21. Matt Giteau v Luke McAlister
22. Luke Morahan v Ma'a Nonu
Click to expand...

Hopefully Colin Slade will be back and firing by RWC
 
AB's have the better all-round team still over the Wallabes and with Carter and McCaw in AND at home they will be huge starting favourites.

And that will make it all the more funny when they choke.
 
Swans120 said:
This is my 22 right now:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (will be back in a week or so)
3. James Slipper
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman (Palu injured)
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (hasn't had a good year in a rubbish team, but is still our best 13 in my eyes)
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Nathan Charles (Moore injured indefinitely as far as I know)
17. Sekope Kepu
18. Rob Simmons
19. Beau Robinson
20. Luke Burgess (Phipps just misses out)
21. Matt Giteau
22. Luke Morahan
Click to expand...

Is Moore injured? He's playing this week?

Charles has been pretty average compared to Faaingaa and Hanson this year. Both would be in front of him imo, even though both have had horrible games recently.
 
If Charles is our backup, we are royally you know what! Terrible, can't throw, uesless. Would rather anyone else. I doubt we will take two specialist no7's. What is the point? As good as Robinson has been, he is not 1/100th of the player Pocock is. I would rather take Matt Hodgson who can play 6, but play 7 at a pinch.
 

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bombersno1 said:
If Charles is our backup, we are royally you know what! Terrible, can't throw, uesless. Would rather anyone else. I doubt we will take two specialist no7's. What is the point? As good as Robinson has been, he is not 1/100th of the player Pocock is. I would rather take Matt Hodgson who can play 6, but play 7 at a pinch.
Click to expand...

I think Robinson has well and truly taken over Hodgson as Pococks backup. With the likes of Higginboham and McCalman, we'll lose nothing in bringing a specialist fetcher as Pococks backup.
 
Lions1024 said:
I think Robinson has well and truly taken over Hodgson as Pococks backup. With the likes of Higginboham and McCalman, we'll lose nothing in bringing a specialist fetcher as Pococks backup.
Click to expand...

We should not take two specialist 7's. It is a waste of time. Have Robinson on standby in Australia playing club ruby if Pocock goes down with a more serious injury in the tournament. We will take Pocock and then take a few versatile backrowers- players like Hodgson, Dave Dennis, etc are leading that race.
 
Here's what I would pick as the 22 given every player is fit:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Sekope Kepu
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. David Pocock
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. James O'Connor
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Digby Ioane
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Stephen Moore
17. James Slipper
18. Rob Simmons (I'm so tempted to slot Vickerman in here...nah)
19. Beau Robinson
20. Rocky Elsom
21. Luke Burgess
22. Drew Mitchell

Not as many Reds in this side as one might think but given so many injuries, I think the 22 will look like this for the Samoa test 2 weeks from now after Deans has made his selections:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. James Slipper
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. James O'Connor
12. Matt Giteau
13. Anthony Faingaa
14. Digby Ioane
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Saia Faingaa
17. Ben Alexander
18. Rob Simmons
19. Beau Robinson
20. Ben McCalman
21. Luke Burgess
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper
 
40 man squad for Wallabies has been named:

Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Dave Dennis, Rocky Elsom (c), Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Salesi Ma'afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Stephen Moore, Luke Morahan, Dean Mumm, James O'Connor, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Beau Robinson, Benn Robinson, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Lachie Turner, Dan Vickerman.

Barnes, Mitchell not considered due to injury.

Good squad IMO. Richard Brown the only player I can think of atm that is possibly a bit unlucky. But looking at the backrowers named, I wouldn't choose Brown over any of them. Was always a bit of an average test player. Very good S15 player but an average test one. Surprised Deans' favourite in Nick Cummins wasn't picked. Again, wouldn't pick him over anyone named.

I really think this squad with Barnes and Mitchell in it has a lot of potential come the RWC. Really good squad I think.
 
Have you seen Brown this year? Not to mention he was a complete DUD at international level. He is a solid Super 15 player but that is his level. You may as well TRY Samo, who has more potential. Brown is your typical C grader who won't help anyone Internationally at least.
 
You're right about the real lack of fly halves in the squad. If we are to rest Quade then I think putting JOC in there is a great idea to let him run a test as a bit of experience. If Quade goes down before or during the RWC then we need some sort of options to deal with that and JOC adding that string to his bow would be a good thing. As long as it ain't Giteau.
 
Yep which is why this test is perfect. Lets be honest Quade is the first person picke din our side, he needs a rest. Look in a perfect world, Barnes is fit. But lets assume Barnes is not fit in the World Cup...who is there? Giteau is a spud at 10, he is barely a test quality 12 anymore as he has lost a lot of his speed. I would like to trial O'Connor at 10, purely for a depth reason in this test match as lets be frank here, there isn't a chance we will lose the test. I'd be happy for him to be at 10 for the SA test too with Cooper being eased back into the team after a long Super 15 season.
 
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