Mitchell Out Of World Cup?

[Richo]

I think Fainga'a does offer something in the squad, especially during the pool games or against a team like NZ who will be having big centre runners come at you. He is a more inspirational player than somebody like Giteau or Barnes in my opinion. Call me crazy and all that.

Calling you "Reddy!" covers that already, mate.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

This also solves one of the worry of O'Connor's defence outside Cooper. He's been very inconsistent at the Brumbies, but people need to be a little more optimistic. He forms a great partnership with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and can act as Mr. Consistent outside the unpredictable Cooper.

That bit made me chuckle. But I agree, if I was picking a team today I would have Giteau outside of Cooper. I think for all that was said about his form last year, compared to his form this year that he is becoming fairly underrated.

I'm not liking the idea of JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing, I can see it going real badly come the WC. Just doesn't have the size for the spot.

Everyone said the same when he was first picked there last year. He finished the season as one of our best and from memory even made a couple of the World XV teams on the wing. I think when people hear O'Connor's name they instantly think of the midget 17 year old that he use to be.

 

[ChargerWA]

Giteau has his strengths, but with the dynamic younger guys coming through, he now looks stodgy. He needs to be in the WC squad, but not in a starting position. Use his experience off the bench as long as he doesn't revert to crabbing and shutting down the play.

 

[matty_k]

I wouldn't say he is looking stodgy. He has been one of the best performers in the Brumbies. Sure that at the moment standing out in that team wouldn't be hard but he has found form again.
So I too wouldn't count him out yet either.

 

[ChargerWA]

Compare his line breaking to Quade or JOC (James O'Connor), and he looks Stodgy. But that doesn't make him invaluable to the Wallabies.

 

[Groucho]

I've been a big critic of Giteau for a while now, but I'd be absolutely stoked if he keeps up his current form. Playing the way he is now, he'd be great outside Cooper and do a lot to sew up the defensive hole.

Giteau = 10x Fainga'a, a journeyman at best.

 

[Swarley]

Brumbies Guy, I didn't elaborate enough about Giteau's form. I meant that although earlier in the season his form was patchy, he's beginning to turn up week- in, week- out and this trait could prove vital to the Wallabies backline come the pressure of RWC Finals matches. 2009- 2010 aside, Giteau was an attacking, creative player every match, and was always defensively reliable. If he continues to improve at the same rate he is now, come October he could be amongst the best in the world. That's a massive 'if', however.

 

[Groucho]

Brumbies Guy, I didn't elaborate enough about Giteau's form. I meant that although earlier in the season his form was patchy, he's beginning to turn up week- in, week- out and this trait could prove vital to the Wallabies backline come the pressure of RWC Finals matches. 2009- 2010 aside, Giteau was an attacking, creative player every match, and was always defensively reliable. If he continues to improve at the same rate he is now, come October he could be amongst the best in the world. That's a massive 'if', however.

He should be reaching his peak now.

 

[farva]

Genia
Cooper
Ioane
Giteau
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
JOC (James O'Connor)
Beale

That is our best backline with Mitchell out, and what I want to see at the world cup.
We can have a play with Cummins, Shepherd, Morohan, etc but make sure the strongest backline gets lots of time together.

 

[Gooch]

I really doubt Deans will bring someone along in a WC year from outside the top 25 to starting WC winger in between now and September.

Deans will stick with those who've been in the mix for the last 2 years and not 'bring anyone' in from outside or give someone a rapid rise to WC stardom or 'infamy'.

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

Maybe bench cover will consist of Shepherd, Davies, Morahan, Cummins or Gerrard but I can't see Dingo making any suprising choices now, in a world cup year. maybe next season he will start bringing a few more through for the Lions tour, but he'll play it safe in September.

*EDIT: sorry I didn't read your post before writing Farva. I like your ideas

 

[farva]

Gooch, I would like to see a few of those guys tried, maybe have them on during the early tests and see if someone really puts their hand up.
But our strongest team, which I think we have both agreed on, need some game time together in the lead up to the world cup.

 

[#1 Tah]

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

Problem?

 

[DPK]

Aren't we forgetting philosophy Deans subscribes to? Backlines should be written more like this:

9. Genia
--. Cooper
--. Beale
--. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
--. JOC (James O'Connor)
--. Ioane
--. Horne

 

[ChargerWA]

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

Problem?

When's Horne due back? Is he going to get enough game time between now and then to warrant Bled/3N selection?

Otherwise, for mine:
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

 

[MrTimms]

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

When's Horne due back? Is he going to get enough game time between now and then to warrant Bled/3N selection?

Otherwise, for mine:
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

Agreed.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

When's Horne due back? Is he going to get enough game time between now and then to warrant Bled/3N selection?

Otherwise, for mine:
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

Yep, barring further injury I go with this too.

 

[Shiggins]

9 .The Turtle
10 . Backflip Cooper
11. The Turtle creator
12. I'm learning French ( on current form)
13 . cross dresser Cooper
14. Rabbit
15 . Gilbert


Go the force!!!!

 

[Burke's Boot]

18 months back i had a motorbike accident where i broke both my ankle and fibula (a non-weight baring bone) like Mitchell did. Not as bad as Mitchell though as i didn't need surgery on the bones though i had serious ligament/tendon damage that takes twice as long as bone to heal. Mitchell should be available for the WC.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

18 months back i had a motorbike accident where i broke both my ankle and fibula (a non-weight baring bone) like Mitchell did. Not as bad as Mitchell though as i didn't need surgery on the bones though i had serious ligament/tendon damage that takes twice as long as bone to heal. Mitchell should be available for the WC.

No chance.

His ankle was dislocated to a 90' angle... you don't think there is serious ligament/tendon damage? Almost certain that's what his surgery would have been to repair.

 

[matty_k]

Yeah I'd go with could instead of should.
Not only is there physical damage there is psychological too.
It will take time for him to fully trust the ankle again.