My Wallaby 22

[disco]

15.James O'Conner
14.Digby Ioane
13.Stirling Mortlock
12.Berrick Barnes
11.Peter Hynes
10. Matt Giteau
9.Luke Burgess
8.Richard Brown
7.George Smith
6.Dean Mumm
5.Nathan Sharpe
4.James Horwill
3.Al Baxter
2.Stephen Moore
1.Benn Robinson

16.Tpn 17.Ben Alexander 18.Peter Kimlin 19.David Pocock 20.Josh Valentine 21.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 22.Drew Mitchell

Players not selected due to injuries or other: MMM, Will Genia & Rocky Elsom.

Probably should have Kepu or even Daley as the reserve prop as both have played both sides of the scrum this season.

 

[cyclopath]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Pretty good I reckon Disco.
I wonder whether Shepherd may get a go at 15 (or is he injured currently?) and maybe Turner on 1 wing. Hynes did nothing wrong last year in Tests, but has been a little below his best in S14 I think. I wouldn't be disappointed to see him - only worry is he seemed a bit slow at times this year.
My gut feeling is Palu will get a go too. But again, Brown not a bad option.

 

[Biffo]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Is that the 22 you favour, or the 22 that you think will be selected? If the latter, for which game? Baa Baas, Italy and France, or first Tri-Nations?

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

there's so many teams to consider.

For the baabaas, I'm pretty happy with what I threw together in the other thread.

15 Drew Mitchell
14 Lachlan Turner
13 Digby Ione Timana Tahu
12 James O'Connor Berrick Barnes
11 Lote Tuqiri
10 Matt Giteau
9 Luke Burgess
8 Wycliffe Palu
7 Phil Waugh
6 Mitchell Chapman
5 James Horwill
4 Dean Mumm
3 Al Baxter
2 Tatafu Polata-Nau
1 Ben Alexander

16 Stephen Moore
17 Sekope Kepu
18 Richard Brown
19 David Pocock
20 Josh Valentine
21 Ryan Cross
22 Timana Tahu Peter Hynes

I had originally had O'Connor, but (despite the latest articles) think he should go off with the U20s. So Berrick into 12. I'd rest Stirlo, in fact I'd play him sparsely this season full stop (to rest him more than anything). So start Timana at 13 and bring Hynes on to the bench. Note this team is about providing opportunities as well as a bit of a media spin, ie Waratahs (Mitchell, Lachie, Lote, Timana, Burgo, Palu, Waugh, TPN) preferred in some positions to help sell it in Sydney, without really impacting the standard of the team.

Then there's the two Italy tests, in which I would still mix things up, perhaps:

Test 1:

Cameron Shepherd
Peter Hynes
Stirling Mortlock
Berrick Barnes
Lote Tuqiri
Matt Giteau
Luke Burgess
Richard Brown
George Smith
Dean Mumm
Nathan Sharpe
James Horwill
Al Baxter
Stephen Moore
Benn Robinson

Reserves:
Tatafu Polata-Nau
Sekope Kepu
Wycliffe Palu
David Pocock
Josh Valentine
Timana Tahu
Adam Ashley-Cooper

Test 2:

Drew Mitchell
Lachlan Turner
Timana Tahu
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Lote Tuqiri
Berrick Barnes
Josh Valentine
Wycliffe Palu
Phil Waugh
Mitchell Chapman
Will Caldwell
Nathan Sharpe
Guy Shepherdson
Tatafu Polata-Nau
Ben Alexander

Reserves:
Stephen Moore
Sekope Kepu
Dean Mumm
David Pocock
Luke Burgess
Ryan Cross
Cameron Shepherd


And then you have to pick your best team, say for the Bledisloe Decider. Assuming Genia, MMM and Ione aren't available it may be something like:

15 Cameron Shepherd
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
13 Stirling Mortlock
12 Berrick Barnes
11 Lote Tuqiri
10 Matt Giteau
9 Josh Valentine
8 Wycliffe Palu
7 George Smith
6 Richard Brown
5 Dean Mumm
4 Nathan Sharpe
3 Al Baxter
2 Stephen Moore
1 Benn Robinson

16 TPN
17 Sekope Kepu
18 James Horwill
19 David Pocock
20 Luke Burgess
21 Timana Tahu
22 Lachlan Turner

But who knows?

 

[Biffo]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

But who knows?

Robbie

 

[disco]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Is that the 22 you favour, or the 22 that you think will be selected?

That's what I favour, as much as I like Deans I think he'll pick Tuqiri which is just bullshit as he has been nothing short of crap this season.

My Team for these games

If the latter, for which game? Baa Baas, Italy and France,

When I've got a bit more time I could probably come up with something like Noddy as I would definitely play a different 22 for the AB's & Boks.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

By the way. I wanna change my team already.

 

[Biffo]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

By the way. I wanna change my team already.

Which one? ???

 

[Spook]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Test team assuming all are fit and Morty is captain:

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Baxter
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Rocky
7. Smith
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Gits
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. Mortlock
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Turner

16. TPN
17. Alexanders/Sheperdson
18. Mumm
19. Brown
20. Burgess
21. Tuquiri
22. Sheperd

If Morty is dumped, we have:

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Baxter
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Rocky
7. Smith
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Gits
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Tuquiri
15. Turner

16. TPN
17. Alexanders/Sheperdson
18. Mumm
19. Brown
20. Burgess
21. Tahu
22. Sheperd

 

[disco]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

By the way. I wanna change my team already.

Well come on then, where is it.

 

[Cutter]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Test team assuming all are fit and Morty is captain:

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Sheperdson
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Rocky
7. Smith
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Gits
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. Mortlock
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Turner

16. TPN
17. Alexanders/Sheperdson
18. Mumm
19. Brown
20. Burgess
21. Tuquiri
22. Sheperd

If Morty is dumped, we have:

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Sheperdson
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Rocky
7. Smith
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Gits
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Tuquiri
15. Turner

16. TPN
17. Alexanders/Sheperdson
18. Mumm
19. Brown
20. Burgess
21. Tahu
22. Sheperd

Shepherdson over Baxter? Interesting decision.

Regardless of his form, Elsom shouldnt be picked until he has played in Australia. I'm happy for that to be a few club games (at least a month's worth) but he should never be picked straight into a Wallaby team while based o/s.

 

[Spook]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Test team assuming all are fit and Morty is captain:

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Sheperdson
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Rocky
7. Smith
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Gits
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. Mortlock
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Turner

16. TPN
17. Alexanders/Sheperdson
18. Mumm
19. Brown
20. Burgess
21. Tuquiri
22. Sheperd

If Morty is dumped, we have:

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Sheperdson
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Rocky
7. Smith
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Gits
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Tuquiri
15. Turner

16. TPN
17. Alexanders/Sheperdson
18. Mumm
19. Brown
20. Burgess
21. Tahu
22. Sheperd

Shepherdson over Baxter? Interesting decision.

Regardless of his form, Elsom shouldnt be picked until he has played in Australia. I'm happy for that to be a few club games (at least a month's worth) but he should never be picked straight into a Wallaby team while based o/s.

Ooops. It should have been Baxter at 3 and Sheperdson or Alexander on the bench. I swore I wrote that. I reckon one of the moods mods messed with me post :angryfire:

 

[Scotty]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Regardless of his form, Elsom shouldnt be picked until he has played in Australia. I'm happy for that to be a few club games (at least a month's worth) but he should never be picked straight into a Wallaby team while based o/s.

I'm happy for him to be picked as long as he has re-signed to a team back here, which to my knowledge hasn't happened yet?

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

By the way. I wanna change my team already.

Well come on then, where is it.

Well its the James O'Connor question for me.

Is he ready to start in a Bledisloe? Or should he be eased off the bench. So it would come down to this team:

And then you have to pick your best team, say for the Bledisloe Decider. Assuming Genia, MMM and Ione aren't available it may be something like:

15 Cameron Shepherd or JOC (James O'Connor)
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper/Cameron Shepherd
13 Stirling Mortlock
12 Berrick Barnes
11 Lote Tuqiri
10 Matt Giteau
9 Josh Valentine
8 Wycliffe Palu
7 George Smith
6 Richard Brown
5 Dean Mumm
4 Nathan Sharpe
3 Al Baxter
2 Stephen Moore
1 Benn Robinson

16 TPN
17 Sekope Kepu
18 James Horwill
19 David Pocock
20 Luke Burgess
21 Timana Tahu or JOC (James O'Connor)
22 Lachlan Turner

I have some concerns though. Would probably want more pace on the wings which opens up a place for Mitchell or Turner. Would love to have Ben Alexander in the squad, but TH back up is a concern.

 

[fatprop]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

For a Bled game

15 Cameron Shepherd
14 Peter Hynes (if fit) or Lachlan Turner (I like the 14 to be a 2nd "15")
13 Stirling Mortlock
12 Berrick Barnes
11 Lote Tuqiri (now our only real blindside winger)
10 Matt Giteau
9 Luke Burgess (the Sharks game highlighted again why we need his running game; it makes the opps backrow sit on their heals)
8 Wycliffe Palu
7 George Smith
6 Rocky Elsom
5 Dean Mumm
4 Nathan Sharpe
3 Al Baxter
2 Stephen Moore
1 Benn Robinson

16 TPN
17 Ben Alexander
18 James Horwill
19 Richard Brown
20 Josh Valentine
21 JOC (James O'Connor)
22 Adam Ashley-Cooper

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Re jig the lot fellas - Iaoni is finito - shoulder recon.

 

[Reddy!]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

It's looking more and more likely that James O'Connor might get the gig at fullback. I don't disagree with this as I think he is starting to show signs of the all round game that is needed at fullback (kicking, running, defence). He also offers that X-factor that has been missing in the back 3 since Latho retired. Robbie Deans obviously sees him as our long term fullback option due to him being played their on last years end of season tour.

15. James O'Connor
14. Drew Mitchell - usually plays very well for the Wallabies, great finisher, relatively experienced
13. Stirling Mortlock
12. Berrick Barnes
11. Lote Tuqiri
10. Matt Giteau
9. Luke Burgess
8. Wycliffe Palu
7. George Smith
6. Rocky Elsom - really hope Rocky is available come Tri-Nations
5. James Horwill - when in good form
4. Nathan Sharpe
3. Al Baxter
2. Stephen Moore
1. Benn Robinson

16. TPN
17. Ben Alexander
18. Dean Mumm - cover lock/backrow
19. David Pocock
20. Josh Valentine
21. Adam Ashely-Cooper - centres
22. Lachlan Turner - fullback/wing

Brown, Tahu, Shepherd and maybe Hynes are close to being in that team.

As fatprop suggested, we could have a back 3 of Tuqiri, Hynes and Shepherd (due to injury of Digby Ioane), but to me that is a very safe option, and lacks the X-factor that Mitchell or James O'Connor bring to the side.

 

[Cutter]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Welcome aboard Reddy.

Why is everyone picking Tuqiri?

I would switch Mitchell with Turner who is equally exciting in attack. Mitchell is too flakey in defence but can be dangerous running at tiring defenders towards the end of games.

15. O'Connor
14. Turner
13. Mortlock
12. Giteau
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
10. Barnes
9. Burgess
8. Brown
7. Smith
6. Mumm
5. Sharpe
4. Caldwell
3. Baxter
2. Moore
1. Robinson

16. TPN
17. Kepu/Alexander/Shepherdson
18. Horwill
19. Palu
20. Valentine
21. Tyrone Smith
22. Mitchell

 

[Epi]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

Epi's 22..

15. Shepherd O'Connor
14. Tuqiri (Diggers would have got this spot)
13. Mortlock (c)
12. Giteau
11. Turner
10. Barnes
9. Burgess (would have been Genia)
8. Brown
7. Smith
6. Rocky
5. Mumm
4. Sharpe (can't believe it...)
3. Baxter
2. Moore
1. Robinson

16. Alexander
17. Palu
18. TPN
19. Horwill
20. O'Connor AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
21. Tahu
22. Fainifo (sure he'll be shocked..)

 

[Spook]

Re: Stuff it I'm going early My Wallaby 22

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has played himself into the Wallabies again. Best 15 performance this year for an Aussie side.