Hybrid Test 22

[#1 Tah]

So it appears that there is a strong possibility (in comparison to previous years) that the Wallabies will play the Kangaroos in a hybrid test this year. I wouldnt mind seeing them play as it will pretty much be an opposed training session for the Wallabies and will plug the financial gap for the RWC year.

So my personal 22 would be (using union numbers but omitting 6 & 7)

15. Beale
14. Turner
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Schmoo (if fit)/Ioane
10. Barnes
9. Genia
8. Pocock
5. Rocky
4. Sharpe
3. Alexander
2. TPN
1. Cat

16. Moore
17. Slipper
18. Mumm
19. Palu
20. Burgess
21. Cooper/Giteau
22. Horne

Turner needs to be there. If you have ever watched the Kangaroos or the Storm play, you know that 70% of tries are from Slater catching a high ball in the goal are. Lachie Turner is the best Aussie player under the high ball.

Barnes/JOC (James O'Connor) QC (Quade Cooper) is not up to the defensive requirements of mungoball. Simple as that

Rocky We need him on the park, and without flankers, lock is the obvious choice

Cat/TPN/Alexander These 3 are the best runners around the park. Scrum should be so easy we could play Dunning and win all of their ball.

Thoughts?

 

[TheTruth]

good call - IMO the Cat not fit enough for league - prob the same with TPN and Palu - sure all impact players for a while but in league going up and back 10 metres all game all would be shown up

 

[matty_k]

Would you be better of using flankers (who can also run a lineout) as locks for more speed around the park?

 

[TheTruth]

Would you be better of using flankers (who can also run a lineout) as locks for more speed around the park?

probably as most Rah rah flankers are as big (generally) as the so called big boys of league

 

[Maroon Army]

Beau Robinson is made for Hybrid Rugby.

 

[liquor box]

I guess it depends if you want to win without a doubt or play a game that shows how good Rugby can be.

If you just want to win then play 4 quality 7's in your team and position them on the half way line in defence evenly spaced, pilfer the ball from the tackle when the game turns to union in the attacking half and then play 4 props and just rumble down the field and score every time. It would be boring to watch but the Mungos lack of practice and skill at a breakdown/ruck/maul would be shown immediately. As long as you can reach the halfway line within 6 tackle then you will control the game. I would pick 5 big heavy hitters rowers to hit the ball up, they only need to average 10 metres a run to make it into the opponants half so guys like Higginbum and Sharp come to mind, I think TPN could also fill this role. My final spot would go to some one quick to play at fullback to gather any balls that are kicked over the defence. Maybe Beale?

 

[bazzamacca]

Sorry - never seen JOC (James O'Connor) miss a tackle......


QC (Quade Cooper) can be hidden more effectively in mungo. A number of non-tackling (and tackling, actually) five-egths are hidden in league, if only to keep them fresh.

 

[barbarian]

You'd have to have Jarrod Saffy surely. The bloke won an NRL premiership.

 

[qwerty51]

You wouldn't play any locks or front rowers..

 

[Viking]

Its an experimental game so why not experiment. Id personally love to see how a Front Rower or a Lock would go in League. TPN always seems to smash his way through defences so it will be interesting to see how he'd go against league defenders. And it would also be great to have Cooper in the squad, it would be interesting to see if u can actually hide in defence easier in league then union.

 

[jay-c]

i wouldnt want the wallabies to lower themselves into a shit fight which could potentially give ammunition which would never end the banter
the leaguies want to play the wallabies because they feel they have something to prove>
both games are good both games are different> keep it that way~

 

[Swarley]

I think that a Hybrid Test is a terrible proposition. It'd be much better playing a half of each or a 2- match series. With this in mind, Union would have to pick a side of flashy backs and mainly backrowers in the forwards. Beale would be great at fullback, his skill set coupled with his speed and ability to break the line make him a massive attacking threat. The wingers mainly need speed, and Turner has this in buckets, not to mention his consistency under the high- ball. I couldn't really think of another winger (besides Davies) and went for Morahan as his speed is an asset not to be wasted. Digby and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) are the perfect centre combination: Big and strong, skilled and fast, and defensively solid. Barnes would be a definite, due to his Broncos background and brilliant defence. He could also play a Lockyer- type roll and control the play with a big boot and an overseeing role. Giteau would be a brilliant halfback, his acceleration, ball skills and his knowledge of the game see him get this role over Quade. The forwards were a lot tougher to pick, but in the end I chose Palu and TPN as props due to their physicality and brute strength. Genia was an obvious choice for hooker, playing an almost identical role in both codes. The backrow is made up of Saffy, Higginbotham and Pocock creating a near- perfect balance. Saffy is a relentless tackler with an NRL history, Higginbotham is very attacking and physically imposing and Pocock is flawless in technique. The bench is made up of 2 tackling machines (Fainga'a/ Robinson), a strong prop (Elsom) and a versatile, skilled utility back (O'Connor).

1. Kurtley Beale
2. Luke Morahan
3. Digby Ioane
4. Adam Ashley-Cooper
5. Lachie Turner
6. Berrick Barnes
7. Matt Giteau
8. Tatafu Polota-Nau
9. Will Genia
10. Wycliff Palu
11. Scott Higginbotham
12. Jarrod Saffy
13. David Pocock
-------------------------------
14. Rocky Elsom
15. Saia Fainga'a
16. Beau Robinson
17. James O'Connor

 

[Skippy]

Sharpe, Alexander and Benn Robinson wouldn't last 5 minutes in a game of league. They would be bent over and cut in half time and time again. The Wallabies would not be able to make it out of there half as the League teams defence would just keep knocking them over and forcing mistakes. If the Wallabies can't get out of their own half, then they can't start playing 'rugby' down the other end. The best chance the Wallabies would have in terms of being able to compete during the league phase (including when defending as a league team) would be too pick players like Saffy, Beau Robinson, Elsom (former Bulldog) as a back three in the forward pack. Alexander, Horwill, Sharpe, Robinson etc would not be able to keep up with the 10m rule in defence during the league phase.
I'm not sure if the scrums are 'full on' or not but if the League boys are going to ask Snowden and Petero for example to pack in a proper scrum, I'd put Pocock and Brown into the front row. At hooker, you need someone who can act as a dummy half in attack and also defend the middle of the pitch. I'd go with Burgess as his defence is excellent and he will snipe well also and chew up the metres. Elsom and Brown can be lifted in the lineout.
So for me, I'd go with more of 'league' type lineup who can still dominate during the rugby phase.
1. Beale
2. Ioane
3. JOC (James O'Connor)
4. Chambers - former Melbourne Storm
5. Mitchell/Rod Davies/Turner
6. Cooper
7. Genia/Gits/Barnes
8. Pocock
9. Burgess/Gits/Genia
10. Brown
11. Elsom
12. Beau Robinson
13. Saffy

14. Palu
15 and 16. As above - whoever misses out at 9 and 7
17. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or probably another forward - Sam Wykes, TPN or Samo. (Just depends on what area you want to strengthen... back or forwards - lineout or scrum etc.

 

[Skippy]

i wouldnt want the wallabies to lower themselves into a shit fight which could potentially give ammunition which would never end the banter
the leaguies want to play the wallabies because they feel they have something to prove>
both games are good both games are different> keep it that way~

And I agree completely. It's a bit of fun to nominate a lineup but a stupid concept and I hope it never comes to fruition.

 

[darkhorse]

You'd have to have Jarrod Saffy surely. The bloke won an NRL premiership.

Mostly from the bench. Admittedly you would find it hard to leave him out just because of his experience playing league. Similar story with Palu, Elsom and Barnes.

Also think QC (Quade Cooper) defensive frailties could be covered alot of teams do it with their halves in the NRL.

 

[louie]

i really hope this doesn't happen. Would ruin the integrity of both codes.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Hope it doesn't happen, if anything I'd prefer to see a full game of each code. Not too sure how League structures their bench but:

1. Kurtley Beale
2. Cooper Vuna
3. Digby Ioane
4. Adam Ashley-Cooper
5. Drew Mitchell
6. Quade Cooper
7. James O'Connor

8. David Pocock
9. Matt Giteau (surely Dad will give him some pointers)
10. Tatafu Polota-Nau
11. Rocky Elsom
12. Scott Higginbotham
13. Jarrod Saffy

14. Saia Fainga'a (reserve prop & 2nd row)
15. Wycliff Palu (reserve prop & 2nd row)
16. Anthony Fainga'a (reserve lock & centre)
17. James Stannard (reserve hooker & half back)

 

[Moses]

If the Wallabies can't get out of their own half, then they can't start playing 'rugby' down the other end.

They could kick it...

 

[Skippy]

If they kicked it out from their half whilst in league mode... wouldn't the opposition (league) boys receive it in their half and be playing 'league' as they work it out from their own half? Or have I misunderstood the rules? I thought both teams played league coming out of their half and when they cross the half way line they have to play union rules. i would assume if you kicked it or turned it over, the opposition, if in their half would be playing league also?
You see mate... dumb idea isn't it!!

 

[08umema]

beau robinson is made for hybrid rugby.

can't agree more, he is a tackling machine.