April Wallaby 30 Man Squad

[Dave Beat]

Did any body read McEnzies thoughts / reasons behind Cooper at 15 in D.
1. great counter attack,
2. lance tackles, gill (or Smith / Hooper) turns over, cooper first reciever on quick ball counter attack.

And Deans methods for the last 24 months has seen a heap of tries scored.

Would love to see (have seen) McEnzie head coach, and the assistant Wallaby coach of 1999 recalled.

 

[Gnostic]

Hey Gnostic correct me if in wrong but Deans selected Gerrard in his wider WC squad but didn't he do a hammy or something?

No, from my he was selected and played in the disaster that was the Samoa game and he didn't get another look in. He certainly missed out on the RWC squad altogether, which given the game plan, as I said was just to use Link's term 'stupidity'.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallaby-rugby-world-cup-squad-shock/

 

[ACT Crusader]

Cheers. All I remember was him being named in some massive squad - 40 odd players? - just thought that was the WC squad.

He definitely had a very good year in 2011. I think I was on here even trumpeting for his return as his punting was back to his 07-08 best and of Latham-esque distances.

 

[ChargerWA]

For me assuming the players are fit, our backline should be:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Lilo
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale


Beale would have to play 4 games for the Rebs first (which I think he will) and play well. Many on here claim him to be a sublime 10, but i've never seen it. He is good at 10, but is a sublime 15.

I would have Mogg as 15 if Beale doesn't get his shit together. Those long kicks of his are worth so much more than the extra 10m they gain over every other Australian kicker. They are a mental advantage. His team looks up and feels pumped as they can pressure the opposition in their 22. The other teams players drop their heads as they have to deal with the pressure of defensive lineout after defensive lineout.

The only other position I would be tempted to mess with would be Ioane's wing. He has lacked the explosiveness of previous years for me, but the other heir apparents haven't done enough to displace him outright. If I was to replace him I would go for Tomane.

Either way, I don't have any major concerns blooding young players. The Lions series is just a warm up for the real contest............getting back the Bledisloe Cup.

 

[Slim 293]

Well, this what I like to see..........

 

[en_force_er]

For me assuming the players are fit, our backline should be:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Lilo
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

I'm not 100% on Cooper and even less on Beale but what I am 100% sure on is Taps at 12.

He's been invested in, and he's maturing nicely and playing good footy. I'd say Lilo has been as good, but he hasn't got the test caps into him. Don't give up on a good thing when he's still in good form.

Lilo looks to be Mr.Bench covering 10,12, and 15.

 

[kiap]

Fixed

 

[Hoolly Doolly]

We have some really good options for fullback, my preference being Mogg because his kicking in my opinion will be crucial, but he will be a weakness in defence simply because he rarely has to. But Beale is no better in D, and nowhere near as lethal with the boot.

Interesting point raised about Moggs defense. I recall last year in one of the games against the Force, Mogg got run over by the honey badger twice.....guys like Tuilagi or one of the big welsh wingers will flatten Mogg if caught out one on one.

 

[BPC]

Well, this what I like to see....

Personally I prefer the female of the species.

 

[fatprop]

OK

Here is another option

1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Palmer
4 Douglas
5 Horwill
6 Mowan
7 Smith
8 Palu
9 Genia
10 Lilo
11 Iaone
12 Mcabe
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 JOC (James O'Connor)
15 Cooper

16 Hanson
17 Alexander
18 Slipper
19 MMM
20 Auelua
21 Gill/Hooper
22 White
23 Beale

24 Simmons
25 Kimlin
26 Higgenbotham
27 Pyle
28 Tapuai
29 Mogg
30 Mitchell

Let Cooper play 10 as he does well, let Lilo play the "Lance/Lucas" role, just a thought

A pair of strong tackling centres and a seriously strong kick return set

 

[Bowside]

You kill any chance of enterprising first phase attack with McCabe at 12. I'd still have Tapuai over him.

But I get where you are going with the team. I think in an ideal world it would be Cooper and Beale, but Beale has squandered his chance and Lilo deserves it more at the moment.

The only change I would make apart from Taps at 12 is to play an outside back on the bench in place of Beale. You either have him in the starting team or totally out, because having him on the bench ruins the balance.

 

[Badger]

If the two day logistics camp was just for admin things like photos in the 2013 gear, media, interviews etc, maybe Quade had already gotten his stuff sorted during the last camp?

Photo: Getty Images

 

[en_force_er]

If you are keen to play a player in a Jono Lance role then McCabe would be amazing. He's played plenty at fullback (for when we're on attack) and he's a good defender in the line (for when we're on D).

Why not name him at 15 but use Quade for counter attack?

 

[Sully]

If you're looking for a Jono Lance type player who tackles as well as McCabe hits the line like McCabe but with a better passing game I have your man. Jono Lance.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[fatprop]

You kill any chance of enterprising first phase attack with McCabe at 12. I'd still have Tapuai over him.

But I get where you are going with the team. I think in an ideal world it would be Cooper and Beale, but Beale has squandered his chance and Lilo deserves it more at the moment.

The only change I would make apart from Taps at 12 is to play an outside back on the bench in place of Beale. You either have him in the starting team or totally out, because having him on the bench ruins the balance.

I expect the rush defense to make first phase difficult anyway, which is why kick return will be so critical, but you have JOC (James O'Connor), Lilo & Iaone, as well and McCabe & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) running lines.

I don't see McCabe stopping anything, he runs straight and tackles hard. He is my "Nathan Grey" of this backline. Someone the ball can be handed too in times of trouble to get over the gain line, and tackle Jamie Roberts

 

[fatprop]

If you're looking for a Jono Lance type player who tackles as well as McCabe hits the line like McCabe but with a better passing game I have your man. Jono Lance.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

I see McCabe a class ahead of Lance

 

[ACT Crusader]

If the two day logistics camp was just for admin things like photos in the 2013 gear, media, interviews etc, maybe Quade had already gotten his stuff sorted during the last camp?

View attachment 3460

Photo: Getty Images

Impossible. Last year the Wallabies didn't have the facilities to facilitate sorting that stuff out......

Can't see McCabe getting the fullback spot, he's midfield and possibly a wing option.

Despite AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) being the best 13 in OZ right now I won't be at all surprised to see him at fullback.

Barnes at FB no thanks. I'd put AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) there and play Lilo and McCabe 12/13 - if JOC (James O'Connor) is seen as the answer at 10.

 

[Bowside]

I see McCabe a class ahead of Lance

Does having more opportunity simply make you a better player though?

Lance is 2 years younger, and has done as much has McCabe has at super rugby level.

I think it would be silly to debut lance against the Lions, but no sillier that making Pat McCabe a starting player in a world cup year.

 

[Bowside]

I expect the rush defense to make first phase difficult anyway, which is why kick return will be so critical, but you have JOC (James O'Connor), Lilo & Iaone, as well and McCabe & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) running lines.

I don't see McCabe stopping anything, he runs straight and tackles hard. He is my "Nathan Grey" of this backline. Someone the ball can be handed too in times of trouble to get over the gain line, and tackle Jamie Roberts

You also kill the second kicking option from 12 which is something the brumbies and reds have both utilised this year. (force have as well if you want to include godwin in this discussion)

I just fear McCabe running upright and getting gang tackled by the lions forwards. Australia will have a much better chance going with someone that can either distribute (through a short passing game) or take the ball to ground and recycle quickly. Has to be Lilo, Tapuai or JOC (James O'Connor).

 

[GaffaCHinO]

and these guys run our game...FAIL