April Wallaby 30 Man Squad

[Brumbieman]

Well fuck me running, I actually like that squad!!!


MMM for Dennis and its about spot on!

 

[gel]

I might have missed it, but what actually is the purpose of these get togethers?

 

[TSR]

I might have missed it, but what actually is the purpose of these get togethers?

They give us something to write about.

 

[USARugger]

I might have missed it, but what actually is the purpose of these get togethers?

Headshots for the game programs and promotions, more or less.

 

[Groucho]

I might have missed it, but what actually is the purpose of these get togethers?

Mainly planning. Players are put into streams and assigned to development resources in the support group such as training and physio. Some people may be carrying injuries or in recovery programs that may need to be handed over from provincial to Wallaby personnel. Some may need an introduction to Wallaby systems and be given training, materials or support by a coach, trainer or senior player. Exactly the same thing as happens in any province at the start of a Supe season. It's big business and it's done professionally, no matter how much disgruntled fans might think the Wallabies are a joke outfit.

 

[Scotty]

Marto impressed me as being a half wit when I first met him in Uni days back in the '80's.

In the 30 odd years since he still hasn't found the missing half.

You get more sense having a conversation with the family dog than you do with him.

Trojan Horse FFS. Time to change the batteries on his tin foil hat.

If this isn't contravening the laws of this forum I don't know what is.

The ironic thing is that he has forged a successful radio and television career of being himself. Many people would love to be that 'half witted'.

 

[gel]

Thanks

 

[Richo]

Well fuck me running, I actually like that squad!!!


MMM for Dennis and its about spot on!

Wait. Wtf?!? You're ruining my image of you, Brumbieman. You're supposed to be outraged that Anthony Fainga'a isn't part of the squad.

Next thing you'll be telling us that Palu is a deserves his spot.

 

[Scotty]

Barnes played the best tests at fullback by a Wallaby last year since Beale was in peak form in 2010.

You'd be crazy to select a debutant with questionable defence at fullback for the first Lions test. It would be a trainwreck waiting to happen.

James O'Connor has been a Wallaby star in recent years but was made to look like a fool when he was thrown in at the deep end at fullback against the All Blacks. It just isn't a good idea.

I still think one of Mogg or Folau is a very good chance at being a bench player to provide attacking spark late in a game.

You'd be crazy to select a bloke at full back for a lions test when he hasn't played there for a year.

Surely you can see how ridiculous that would be?

 

[Brumbieman]

Wait. Wtf?!? You're ruining my image of you, Brumbieman. You're supposed to be outraged that Anthony Fainga'a isn't part of the squad.

Next thing you'll be telling us that Palu is a deserves his spot.

Well it is daft that he's not in the squad, even just for his support in training, tackle coaching (Luke Morahan mentioned last year how much Ant had improved his tackling after the Chiefs game when he pulled off 3-4 huge try-saving hits) and leadership, besides the fact that with Manu Tuilagi and Jamie Roberts most likely to form the centre pairing for the Lions, having a defensive specialist who organises the defence and tackles people behind the gainline (giving our backrowers the easy route into the breakdown) would be absolutely priceless.

Lealiifano and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) though is a very good centre pairing and both are very good defenders.

 

[Scotty]

Jeez I can't believe the level of outrage on the front page over this.

Firstly- it's a 30 man squad. People get so up in arms when there is ONE player they don't like (eg Berrick Barnes or TPN), and all of a sudden ROBBIE DEANS IS A FAILURE. Fuck me.

Secondly- I reckon this is the best 30 man squad I have seen from Robbie. Form players have been rewarded. Old hands have largely been picked, but a few undeserving ones have been left out (Horne, Kepu etc).

Really only Quade and maybe Drew Mitchell can consider themselves unlucky.

I reckon he's got it about 90% right here.

And yet the tirades against Deans, I can't believe it!
.

I hope this is a late April fools, because this is the strangest post I have ever seen from you.

You do realise that to be in form you have to have played some rugby?

 

[Bowside]

I think after watching the brumbies game I would still go with Tapuai at 12 for his footwork in the tight, but I would definitely have Lilo on the bench covering 10/12

It is criminal that Smith is not in the wallaby squad. Shame that speight is not eligible because he is better than tomane.

I still wouldn't have picked Dennis in this squad. I understand that MMM is injured but I think Quirk or Cottrel are more deserving of the position.

Carter is also right on par with Simmons, Pyle, Douglas and Timani.

 

[ACT Crusader]

G. Smith has to go back to Japan so that's hardly a criminal offence.....

Probably my only question is the selection of Toomane over Mitchell, but still plenty of time for Drew. I reckon some of the new faces are there so Deans and co can see what they're about in terms of responding to team directions/plans.

I think there will be a number in today's 30 that won't feature in the final 31.

 

[Bowside]

The thing that annoys me most about this Wallaby squad is that it took Deans so fucking long to make obvious decisions.

Mowen and Auela should have been there last year. More locks should have been blooded last year. Tapuai should have been at 12 all of last year.

It's like when it took him till the last game of the 2010 to drop Giteau.

You can trust the bloke to make the right decision - after he has made every possible wrong decision.

 

[hazzaj]

The thing that annoys me most about this Wallaby squad is that it took Deans so fucking long to make obvious decisions.

Mowen and Auela should have been there last year. More locks should have been blooded last year. Tapuai should have been at 12 all of last year.

It's like when it took him till the last game of the 2010 to drop Giteau.

You can trust the bloke to make the right decision - after he has made every possible wrong decision.

Mowen is so wet behind the ears its a joke. Did you see him play tonight? He's captain but sheeesh still a kid.

 

[Richo]

Well it is daft that he's not in the squad, even just for his support in training, tackle coaching (Luke Morahan mentioned last year how much Ant had improved his tackling after the Chiefs game when he pulled off 3-4 huge try-saving hits) and leadership, besides the fact that with Manu Tuilagi and Jamie Roberts most likely to form the centre pairing for the Lions, having a defensive specialist who organises the defence and tackles people behind the gainline (giving our backrowers the easy route into the breakdown) would be absolutely priceless.

Maybe Ant should just be the backs defensive coach?

 

[Bowside]

Mowen is so wet behind the ears its a joke. Did you see him play tonight? He's captain but sheeesh still a kid.

No ones asking him to captain the wallabies. He brings a lot to the team at lineout time and equips himself well enough around the rest of the field. That's more than can be said than for most of the blokes who have played 6 or 8 for the wallabies in the last few years.

 

[Richo]

I hope this is a late April fools, because this is the strangest post I have ever seen from you.

You do realise that to be in form you have to have played some rugby?

Not to fight Barbarian's battles for him, but the following would seem to be pretty clear:

Form players have been rewarded. Old hands have largely been picked, but a few undeserving ones have been left out (Horne, Kepu etc).

"Form players have been rewarded" -- i.e. the guys who are in form and playing well right now have been selected. "Old hands have largely been picked" -- i.e. experienced players who might be injured or out of form but who have played well for the Wobs over a number of seasons have also been selected.

 

[The Red Baron]

Mowen is so wet behind the ears its a joke. Did you see him play tonight? He's captain but sheeesh still a kid.

I'm not sure what you are basing that on. Because it can't be observation.

On a side note, Mowen has been a professional rugby player since 2006, where he earned 1 cap for the Reds. He was a regular member of the Waratahs between 2008-2011. Although he does not yet have a Wallaby cap, I have a hard time believing he is 'wet behind the ears'.

 

[Groucho]

Well it is daft that he's not in the squad, even just for his support in training, tackle coaching (Luke Morahan mentioned last year how much Ant had improved his tackling after the Chiefs game when he pulled off 3-4 huge try-saving hits) and leadership, besides the fact that with Manu Tuilagi and Jamie Roberts most likely to form the centre pairing for the Lions, having a defensive specialist who organises the defence and tackles people behind the gainline (giving our backrowers the easy route into the breakdown) would be absolutely priceless.

Lealiifano and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) though is a very good centre pairing and both are very good defenders.

I could live with Lilo and ACC in the Wobs. Good in defence and attack.