2010 Wallabies End of Year Tour (EOYT)

[Groucho]

In that case the mods will have to warm up their Yellow and Red cards as some will struggle to play with civillised people.

Even the worst Aussies on that site are alright.

 

[farva]

If any are interested, many of us PR refugees are also hiding over at http://www.ikonstruct.co.uk/cp/

 

[farva]

Even the worst Aussies on that site are alright.

Are there any Australian regulars at PR that aren't also over here? Ika, Townsville, dumbledore, thats about it?

 

[Gnostic]

My preferred 37 (not what I think will happen) separated from what I would like to start:-

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Simmons/Douglas
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia (only if fully fit - if not he can stay home and heal)
10. Cooper
12. Barnes (Kicker)
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
11. Mitchell
14. Turner
15. Beale

16. Fainga'a
17. Kepu (can cover THP)
18. Mumm
19. Hodgeson
20. Burgess
21. Giteau
22. Hynes

Extended squad:-
Hooker - Charles
Props - Weeks & Palmer
Second Row - Simmons\Douglas whoever isn't in the run on
Backrow - Higginbum, Brown, Mowen
Halfback - Kingi (If Genia isn't fit then Phibbs or Holmes)
FH - To'omua
IC - JOC (James O'Connor), A. Fainga'a
OC - Inman, McAbe
Wings - Shepherd, Cummins

 

[Gnostic]

Are there any Australian regulars at PR that aren't also over here? Ika, Townsville, dumbledore, thats about it?

There are all the Saffas and Kiwis who reside in Oz as well.

 

[farva]

This is who I think will be picked, not who I would like to see picked:


Robinson, Slipper, Palmer
Moore, Fa'ainga, Charles
Alexander, Kepu, Ma'afu
Sharpe, Simmons, Mumm, Douglas, Dennis
Elsom, Higgenbum
Pocock, Hodgson
McCalman, Brown
Genia, Burgess, Kingi
Cooper, To'omua, Giteau
Barnes, Fa'ainga
Ashley-Cooper, Inman
Mitchell, OConnor, Turner, Cummins, Davies
Beale, Hynes

Meaning a starting team of (midweek in brackets):

Robinson (Palmer)
Moore (Fa'ainga)
Alexander (Ma'afu)
Simmons (Douglas)
Sharpe (Dennis)
Elsom (Higgenbum)
Pocock (Hodgson)
McCalman (Brown)

Genia (Kingi)
Cooper (To'omua)
Mitchell (Davies)
Giteau (Fa'ainga)
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (Inman)
JOC (James O'Connor) (Turner)
Beale (Hynes)

Slipper (Alexander)
Fa'ainga (Charles)
Mumm (Mumm)
Brown (McCalman)
Burgess (Burgess)
Barnes (Barnes)
Turner (Cummins)

 

[Gnostic]

Farva, Palmer is a specialist THP and doesn't have the mobility required to play from LHP IMO. If you have him starting even in the mid week team you need a mobile LHP like Kepu or Daley to balance. Having a lump like Ma'afu would compromise the team with Palmer's restrictions. Remember Fatprop likes to refer to Palmer as a pot plant and while I don't think he is that bad, he ain't great around the park.

 

[en_force_er]

My preferred 37 (not what I think will happen) separated from what I would like to start:-

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Simmons/Douglas
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia (only if fully fit - if not he can stay home and heal)
10. Cooper
12. Barnes (Kicker)
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
11. Mitchell
14. Turner
15. Beale

16. Fainga'a
17. Kepu (can cover THP)
18. Mumm
19. Hodgeson
20. Burgess
21. Giteau
22. Hynes

Extended squad:-
Hooker - Charles
Props - Weeks & Palmer
Second Row - Simmons\Douglas whoever isn't in the run on
Backrow - Higginbum, Brown, Mowen
Halfback - Kingi (If Genia isn't fit then Phibbs or Holmes)
FH - To'omua
IC - JOC (James O'Connor), A. Fainga'a
OC - Inman, McAbe
Wings - Shepherd, Cummins

I like the squad, glad to see you dropped the Kepu covering No.8 theory.

I wouldn't take McCabe as an OC though, he'd be back 3 for me. Cummins would cover OC.

In regards to the front row, I believe Alexander will be good to tour and he'd take Palmers spot. Also, I'd go Fitzpatrick over Charles but I'd be willing to eat my words if Eastwood and University meet in the Shute Shield final and Charles outplays Fitz.

EDIT: I'd put Ma'afu in over Weeks, we've invested too much development in him not to keep pushing for more.

 

[Gnostic]

Haven't dropped the Kepu No8 theory. IMO it is a good idea. He has played there and still has all the skills. At a pinch I have no doubt he could do it but it would only be needed if both McCalman and Palu were injured. We need to see Higginbum or Elsom there to see if either of them can get over the advantage line in their carries and that is what MUST happen in this tour.

Ma'afu is about as good as it gets IMO. I am amazed that Noriega was able to get the scrum stable but Weeks offers more and Palmer could still outscrum Ma'afu even with his improvement. I not sure on ruching Alexander back with not much to gain. IMO it would be better for Oz Rugby for him to have a full off-season and ensure full fitness. Same with Genia.

Cummins, McAbe - swings and roundabouts. I think Cummins is more a specialist winger playing in the centres and McAbe to opposite.

 

[farva]

Gnostic, Kepu covering 8 is all well and good at club level, but I would be very nervous with throwing him in there at test level with no real preparation. But as you say, if McCalman, Palu, Brown and Higgenbum all go down then maybe its worth considering.

I never understood why Deans persisted with Ma'afu. Weeks and Palmer were both at about the same level as Ma'afu, and would provide a lot more given the amount of resources thrown at Ma'afu. But given Ma'afu has been the one, we need to get some return from our investment now.

In regard to Palmer, I thought he could play both sides of the scrum, which is why the Brumbies picked him up. Im happy to be proved wrong.

 

[fatprop]

Farva

Palmer plays both sides so he can be a bench unit, but he is a THP who can play LHP. A bloody good scrummaging THP, but his work rate around the field is mediocre.

A decent side will run a fast stepper at him when he hides on the blind (as happened in the S14).

In the UK mud, his scrummaging could be highly valued on tour.

 

[Groucho]

Palmer deserves some development time. It would be good for Oz to have a specialist THP scrummager as an option for when circumstances demand it.

Kepu, Charles/Fitzpatrick and Palmer would make a very solid midweek scrummaging front row.

 

[RugbyReg]

I believe he was in the U20s tournament played in England and was raved about by the Pommy commentators as being one of the best young props they'd seen. Same conditions.

 

[en_force_er]

Gnostic, I just think that Kepu was changed from an 8 to a prop for a reason.

Now, I've never analysed his game play in detail but it could be plenty of things, speed or work-rate perhaps?

My point is, if Kepu was potentially a test quality number 8 he'd still be playing there.

 

[Lee Grant]

He was switched to prop as a school leaver when his first coach saw how big he was.

 

[Viking]

Whens the spring tour get annouced?
Im looking forward to seeing Higgenbotham and Kepu get a run. Would also be nice to see Davies too!

 

[Burke's Boot]

Anyone know if there will be another internal Wallaby trial like there was at Riverview last year?

 

[Hawko]

Palmer deserves some development time. It would be good for Oz to have a specialist THP scrummager as an option for when circumstances demand it.

Kepu, Charles/Fitzpatrick and Palmer would make a very solid midweek scrummaging front row.

From a scrummaging point of view I have been a big Palmer fan and was mortified when the Tahs let him go to the Horsies this year. BUT, I saw him play earlier this year and his field defence was AWFUL, Campese turnstile-like. I would not take him, I think he needs time to mature and develop his game at Super level. He's very young, THP's should not be playing internationally till they are 23-25, even mid-week.

For the same reason I would not be taking Slipper either, he's been pushed into the role far too early. There is not enough understanding that the peak age for THP's is 27-32. We are discarding props just when they should be in their prime. The English don't know much about playing rugby, but they do know a thing or two about prop development.

 

[tranquility]

With news that Lachie Turner was the best on ground in the Shute shield semi on the weekend a paradigm shift may have occurred with he and Mitchell now becoming the starting wingers in the wallaby XV. These two can then fight it out for essentially one wing spot as Digby will walk back into the side as he offers something that no other back in Australia offers at the moment (line-breaking ability, strength in contact etc). My point is however that JOC (James O'Connor) becomes almost the perfect bench utility in the same way that Giteau was early on in his career covering 11,12,14,15 and 10 in a serious crisis. If Digby where in the starting side we could he play a 5-2 split as he could cover 13, but that is a risky and unlikely tactic. This may be less risky if both Digby and Lachy Turner were the starting wings as they can both play at 13 at a pinch but we are still desperately short of a back up 13. I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) best position is 13 and he should play their in all forms of the game, he looks a more natural footballer their than he does at 15 and the team benefits from his hard running and efficient tackling. Rob Horne will make the perfect backup when he returns from injury because he is an immense talent who will probably play 50 tests for Australia but he is just not quite up to it as a starter at this stage of his career in my opinion.

Even though JOC (James O'Connor) can play 10 and 12, he would probably still take up the 'outside' back reserve spot and Berrick would take up the 'inside' back position. However this still leaves us incredibly flexible as a back-line unit.

Just a few stray thoughts on the current health of the Australian backline. KB (Kurtley Beale) at fullback is curing a lot of headaches.

 

[#1 Tah]

My Squad:

Props: Benn, Ben, Kepu, Ma'afu
Hookers: TPN (if fit), Moore, Fitzpatrick, Fainga'a
Locks: Mumm, Sharpe, Douglas, Dennis
Back Rowers: Rock, Pockock, McCalman, Hodgson, Waugh, Mowen (Dennis can cover)
Scrummies: Genia, Burgess, McKibben
Inside Backs: Cooper, Giteau, Barnes (Beale can cover for midweeks)
Outside Backs: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Beale, Turner, Mitchell, JOC (James O'Connor), Hynes, Davies