April Wallaby 30 Man Squad

[thierry dusautoir]

I see McCabe a class ahead of Lance

If we were playing a sport where the ability to pass left to right and kick were irrelevant.

McCabe's only move is to run and his lines are average at best.

However their is a nother code which likes people to do nothing but hit up mindlessly and tackle, maybe Pat could play that?

 

[fatprop]

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).

That second kicking option could come from JOC (James O'Connor) or 15

 

[fatprop]

If we were playing a sport where the ability to pass left to right and kick were irrelevant.

McCabe's only move is to run and his lines are average at best.

However their is a nother code which likes people to do nothing but hit up mindlessly and tackle, maybe Pat could play that?

I think you are confusing the role he plays/played with his abilities

 

[thierry dusautoir]

I think you are confusing the role he plays/played with his abilities

Well if its the role he "plays" he is not playing it well

 

[Swat]

I mention Gerrard because I see the selection of Barnes as the same old failures. I do not see Barnes as having played well at 15 last year despite the protestations of some here.

I resent that. I saw him play a very good game for Uni at 15.

 

[fatprop]

Well if its the role he "plays" he is not playing it well

meh, last try before invoking rule 10

role = "game plan" you know, what the coach wants him to do, straighten the attack, get over the advantage line, for a quick ruck etc etc

 

[Pete King]

JOC (James O'Connor) should only be considered for a wing position.

9 Genia
10 To'omua
11 Digby
12 Lilo
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 JOC (James O'Connor)
15 Mogg


Would be my starting backline against the lions. Yes To'omua is inexperienced at test level but I think he is worth the punt. Really rate his defensive capabilities and his combination with Lilo.

 

[Braveheart81]

JOC (James O'Connor) should only be considered for a wing position.

9 Genia
10 To'omua
11 Digby
12 Lilo
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 JOC (James O'Connor)
15 Mogg


Would be my starting backline against the lions. Yes To'omua is inexperienced at test level but I think he is worth the punt. Really rate his defensive capabilities and his combination with Lilo.

There is a 0% chance we are going to run out three debutants in the backline in the opening Lions test.

Regardless of form, that would be absolutely crazy.

 

[Pete King]

There is a 0% chance we are going to run out three debutants in the backline in the opening Lions test.

Regardless of form, that would be absolutely crazy.

Its conservative thinking like this that has australian rugby a country mile behind The All blacks.

 

[Braveheart81]

Its conservative thinking like this that has australian rugby a country mile behind The All blacks.

I disagree completely. This is a massively important series and no team in their right mind would introduce numerous debutants.

It would be different if the Lions series was after a mid season test series where you got a chance to blood players and try out new combinations. It isn't however.

New Zealand debuted three players in the first test against Ireland last year. In comparison, when they played the Lions in 2005, they debuted one player in the entire series.

 

[barbarian]

Its conservative thinking like this that has australian rugby a country mile behind The All blacks.

What rubbish. The reason why the ABs are so good is that they don't hurl swathes of young debutantes into high-pressure games. They know that you have to balance youth and experience, form and proven ability at the top level.
.

 

[Scoey]

Its conservative thinking like this that has australian rugby a country mile behind The All blacks.

That is not conservative thinking, it's logic. If two players of equal merit in terms of skill/form were competing for a position, one had 50+ Test Caps and the other is a rookie, who do you choose? The experienced player every day of the week. Because in Test Matches, experience is gold. Yes, they need to start somewhere, but that is what the EOYT is for.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

What rubbish. The reason why the ABs are so good is that they don't hurl swathes of young debutantes into high-pressure games. They know that you have to balance youth and experience, form and proven ability at the top level.
.

I think it is more that their 'Experienced' players are consistently the best player in their position (people like Carter, McCaw, Reid and Dagg)

While our 'perceived' best players Beale, Cooper and Ioane have the consistency of water.......

The players that are the All Backs spine play week in/week out consistently in the super team....which also helps.

In saying this the All Blacks are definitely not afraid to drop people who aren't performing and replace them with the in-form new blood i.e Piri Weepu being dropped last year.

I honestly understand the need to have players who are experienced rocks of the team, but at the same time their is no point taking a bunch of players who aren't in form at club level and expect them just to pull their shit together for the national team......changes need to be done in moderation.

 

[Brumbieman]

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

Incidentally, why do you prefer McCabe over Fainga'a, or is it just based on Dingo's preference?


As they play essentially the same roles, but with Ant you get the simple fact that he plays with Cooper and knows when to chime in and take a hit up from Cooper.

 

[barbarian]

The players that are the All Backs spine play week in/week out consistently in the super team..which also helps.

But it's not like the ABs only pick on Super form. Ma'a Nonu regularly stinks it up at Super level, yet gets picked every year and then steps up, because he has done it before and they trust him to do it again. Same with Conrad Smith- never really outstanding at Super level, but steps up in Black. Tony Woodcock is also in the same boat.

Australia has a few players who are similar- genuine test players who are rarely in top form at Super level. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was one of them, but is having a great year this year. Benn Robinson is another.
.

 

[Slim 293]

Incidentally, why do you prefer McCabe over Fainga'a, or is it just based on Dingo's preference?


As they play essentially the same roles, but with Ant you get the simple fact that he plays with Cooper and knows when to chime in and take a hit up from Cooper.

How in God's name does he know when to do that?!?!

He must be some kind of rugby super genius!

 

[fatprop]

Incidentally, why do you prefer McCabe over Fainga'a, or is it just based on Dingo's preference?


As they play essentially the same roles, but with Ant you get the simple fact that he plays with Cooper and knows when to chime in and take a hit up from Cooper.

Ant essentially plays as another backrower and Ant is probably better in defense, but I think McCabe is a better all-round footballer and more likely to do better in attack.

 

[Pete King]

That is not conservative thinking, it's logic. If two players of equal merit in terms of skill/form were competing for a position, one had 50+ Test Caps and the other is a rookie, who do you choose? The experienced player every day of the week. Because in Test Matches, experience is gold. Yes, they need to start somewhere, but that is what the EOYT is for.

Allow me to elaborate, I agree with you completely in terms of your statement if two players of equal merit in term of skill/form are competing then the more experienced player should be chosen. Site my selection of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at outside. In terms of the debutants I selected I believe their ability/ form is superior to that of any of their more experienced counterparts. On a case by case

15 Mogg - KB (Kurtley Beale) is obviously out of the picture, Ive selected JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing, so I ask who is the more experienced player of level ability and form here??
12 Lilo - No one has really nailed down this position and called it their own in the last couple of YEARS. I think lilo offers more then a mcabe style, probably edges out Taps (who went ok on the tour)
10 To'omua - I think that Cooper has been shown up at test level under pressure and you can bet your bottom dollar the lions would exploit him. JOCS is a better finisher then he is a ball player.

 

[Pete King]

What rubbish. The reason why the ABs are so good is that they don't hurl swathes of young debutantes into high-pressure games. They know that you have to balance youth and experience, form and proven ability at the top level.
.

Also why would the All Blacks change a side that is so dominant over us???

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Beale and Barnes will both come well and truly back into the picture in the next few weeks.

If both have solid returns I think they will feature in the team.

I'm expecting a backline of:

Genia
Beale
Ioane
Tapuai/McCabe
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
JOC (James O'Connor)
Barnes

Res:
White
Lealiifano
Mogg/Folau

I personally don't think McCabe should be selected and I also don't think Folau should really be playing either but I think he is a strong chance at a bench spot.

With three weeks to prepare for the first test, I highly doubt there are going to be substantial changes and players with recent test experience will be favoured.