November Tour Squad

[Moses]

Ten uncapped players have been named in a 43-man Wallabies training squad for the tour of Japan and Europe beginning next month.

The newcomers include Western Force winger Nick Cummins, NSW Waratahs back Rob Horne, Queensland Reds halfback Richard Kingi, Brumbies flanker Mitchell Chapman, Waratahs lock Dave Dennis, Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick, Brumbies prop Salesi Ma'afu and Sydney University forward Ben McCalman.

Props Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu return after missing the start of the season due to injuries sustained in the final game of last year's spring tour against the Barbarians at Wembley.

Winger Digby Ioane is also back after being forced out of the home Tests needing a shoulder reconstruction.

The players will assemble in Sydney next Monday in preparation for the historic tour.

The final 35-man party will be announced on October 9.

"It's a starting point," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said in a statement.

"The four-day training camp gives us the opportunity to bring the group together, assess where the guys are at, and also look at some new options."

Squad: James O'Connor (Western Force), Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs), Drew Mitchell (Western Force), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds), Nick Cummins (Western Force), Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds), Ryan Cross (Western Force), Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Matt Giteau (Western Force), Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds), Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds), Josh Valentine (Western Force), Will Genia (Queensland Reds), Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs), Richard Kingi (Queensland Reds), Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs), George Smith (Brumbies), David Pocock (Western Force), Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs), Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies), Matt Hodgson (Western Force), Rocky Elsom (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs), Richard Brown (Western Force), Mitchell Chapman (Brumbies), Ben McCalman (Sydney University, unsigned), Mark Chisholm (Brumbies), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs), Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs), Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs), Pekahou Cowan (Western Force), Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Damien Fitzpatrick (NSW Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs).

Dick Brown in the squad? Well it is a starting point I guess.

One thing you could say about this group, it's a unique squad that has never gathered before

 

[fatprop]

The pick 43 and on October 9 it becomes 35.

So who will be the 8?

Nick Cummins
Rob Horne
Richard Kingi
Stephen Hoiles
Ben McCalman
Dave Dennis
Salesi Ma'afu
Phil Waugh

this would be my guess

 

[Newb]

probably. but i could see hoiles keeping a spot and maybe valentine getting the ass out of the flyhalfs.

 

[fatprop]

probably. but i could see hoiles keeping a spot and maybe valentine getting the ass out of the flyhalfs.

To replace who? These are the leftovers. Chapman, to me, is the obvious coverage for Elsom as a tall 6

Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs),
George Smith (Brumbies),
David Pocock (Western Force),
Matt Hodgson (Western Force),
Rocky Elsom (Brumbies),
Richard Brown (Western Force),
Mitchell Chapman (Brumbies),

The same with Richard Kingi who they should take 3 9s and I think Kingi's time will come

Josh Valentine (Western Force),
Will Genia (Queensland Reds),
Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs),

 

[spectator]

Have to say that the selection of Kingi is a major surprise to me, ahead of the likes of Phibbs and Holmes. I would have to say that Ben Lucas in particular must be disappointed given he is the No.2 Reds half. Maybe it is reward for a stellar 7's year as well as being an eye to the future. Interestingly, Kingi is also a converted 10.

Thought Jerry Y. of Sydney Uni might be a chance. Looked very good in the Final yesterday.

 

[Blue]

I like a back row of Chapman and Smith with Elsom at 8.

It really makes sense in all respects. Chapman has pace, he is tough, and a great lineout jumper.

Fark me but other than that everyone and his dog is on that list.

 

[RugbyReg]

spec, Lucas ended up playing a fair bit of the club season at 10, outside Kingi. Plus he was disapointing for the Reds.

Nice little clip of a handy Kingi try on the front page of the QRU web site

http://qru.com.au/ top right corner from the City v Country game.

 

[Spook]

I like a back row of Chapman and Smith with Elsom at 8.

It really makes sense in all respects. Chapman has pace, he is tough, and a great lineout jumper.

Fark me but other than that everyone and his dog is on that list.

Hey Bluey, it'd be funny it that was the Wallaby backrow and yet the Brumbies continued to pick Holies :nta:

Personally I'd like to see Palu get back to top form. However, if the doesn't happen, it'd be worth trying Elsom at 8 with another big bloke in the backrow. Lineout would be good.

 

[Spook]

So we'd have a backline of

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

We go from one bigger back who can get over the advantage line (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)) to 3 (Ioane, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Morty). That's got to be a huge improvement from an attacking perspective.

 

[RugbyReg]

if :elsom: aint 100% fit, there's not point taking him. This will be a hard bloody tour. 5 tests (each damn hard - even Scotland) plus 2 mid-weekers? Not room for passengers ala his last game.

Same goes for all - Sharpe, Morty, Diggers etc. I'd prefer a bunch of fit and firing rookies, than more experienced players who are hobbling on one leg.

 

[spectator]

spec, Lucas ended up playing a fair bit of the club season at 10, outside Kingi. Plus he was disapointing for the Reds.

Nice little clip of a handy Kingi try on the front page of the QRU web site

http://qru.com.au/ top right corner from the City v Country game.

Won't begrudge Kingi at all Nod, just surprised is all. Playing injured for a couple of games didn't help Lucas.

 

[Gagger]

if :elsom: aint 100% fit, there's not point taking him. This will be a hard bloody tour. 5 tests (each damn hard - even Scotland) plus 2 mid-weekers? Not room for passengers ala his last game

Is there hard news of his lingering lack of fitness, or is that (understandably) based on his lumbering in Wellington?

 

[disco]

Mitchell Chapman is a good selection he's a genuine 6 & that's definitely one spot we need to build more depth.

I was hoping Lucas would make the squad & I'm surprised to see Kingi there in front of him.

I'd like to see a bigger backline picked on this tour for the 4th Bledisloe I'd like to see.

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

Prefer AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 but would like Deans to go bigger out wide. Don't think it will happen I even think that Deans will drop Mitchell or Turner & move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to the wing & keep JOC (James O'Connor) at 15 when Mortlock returns.

If Cameron Shepherd was fit I'd even start him at fullback.

 

[Spook]

Beale is a big unit and looks to have been selected as a fullback - his aggression, commitment and defense need to improve a lot. Hopefully having spent time under Deans they have.

 

[Lindommer]

No Cameron Shepherd, no Scott Higginbotham, no Ben Mowen. We NEED bigger backs, especially at 15. Chapman can consider himself to be very lucky, Higginkhyber and Mowen had better Super campaigns.

The counts are Tahs 15, Reds 7, Brumbies 10 and Force 11 (including McCalman). Looks about right.

Who's injured? Kimlin, Freier. Holmes? Is Shepherd still injured? Or otherwise engaged? :nono :-*

Who else missed out? Shepherdson, Henderson, Hardman.

 

[Spook]

No Cameron Shepherd, no Scott Higginbotham, no Ben Mowen. We NEED bigger backs, especially at 15. Chapman can consider himself to be very lucky, Higginkhyber and Mowen had better Super campaigns.

The counts are Tahs 15, Reds 7, Brumbies 10 and Force 11 (including McCalman). Looks about right.

Who's injured? Kimlin, Freier. Holmes? Is Shepherd still injured? Or otherwise engaged? :nono :-*

Who else missed out? Shepherdson, Henderson, Hardman.

I thought Chapman had a better season than Higginbotham who started with a bang but went very quiet whereas Chapman had an excellent backhalf to the season. Mowen is very unlucky though. Where is he anyway?

 

[Newb]

To replace who? These are the leftovers. Chapman, to me, is the obvious coverage for Elsom as a tall 6


The same with Richard Kingi who they should take 3 9s and I think Kingi's time will come

i was thinking possibly over brown or hodgson if neither of them look too flash in the training camp and hoiles leapfrogs them. same with kingi over valentine. but probably unlikely as you say.

 

[Lee Grant]

Obviously there are players chosen who are no hope of making the tour but are players for the future, I think it is great that they are in a Oz squad situation. It will open their eyes and there is enough of them for opposed training plus change. And a couple of them who we think are no hope of touring will get a trip - and others won't.

Dave Dennis? We all have blind spots, but I can't see any merit in this fellow and reckon that if he was any good he would have got more games for the Tahs than he has. Sure, he's a pretty fair ball runner and is an 80 minute player at the Sydney club level, but where are you going to play him?

Short arses can get away with playing in the 2nd row in Sydney club rugby, but he'd never start a game there in the Super14 let alone an international game At best he is a bench backrower who could play 6 or possibly 8 if somebody told him what to do.

It's good to see McCalman in the squad as part of his development. He's a good pickup by the Force but he will struggle to get a starting game next year if the 3 Force backrowers all stay healthy. Unlike hs Uni second row partner, Dennis, you can see the potential - and it will be as an 8 IMO.

Mowen will be miffed about being omitted when Dennis and McCalman were included. He was the Tahs premier lineout receiver and stealer this year - not bad for a backrower.

Good to see Robbie Horne there. He had a dreadful time with a hamstring injury in the S14; then he came back too soon for the Oz U/20 team and damaged it again. Just as well that he came good in time to play 3 matches.

You could see on Saturday that Nick Cummins is a goer when he came off the bench for Randwick; but he's the same type of player as Cross is and I doubt that both will tour.

Beale may get a trip if he shows a bit of tackling ticker in opposed sessions. His efforts at 12 in the last 3 games of the S14 and his top play as fullback in an U/20 warm up game which Deans was at may give him the nod over other hopefuls.

It looks like Fitzpatrick is on the plane before he makes his mark in Super rugby. He wouldn't be the first and it will give him a leg up to be chosen as bench hooker ahead of Freier at the Tahs next year. The thing is though: I'm not sure what kind of contract he has.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Baxter starting in a few tests. I thought the refs dudded him in 3N.

No Higginbotham? Serves him right for showing too much indiscipline but we shouldn't give up on this fellow. Meantime Chapman is given some deserved recognition.

Dingo - for the umpteenth time: please play Barnes at 10 and Giteau at 12.

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

Isn't Mowen out till early next year due to a shoulder op? I think that's the reason that's kept him (and Shepherd and Kimlin).

 

[fatprop]

Interesting piece in the SMH

Unlikely students in line for honours

Rupert Guinness | September 29, 2009

TWO days ago, Sydney University forwards David Dennis and Ben McCalman were on the fringes of professional rugby, thinking only of victory in the Shute Shield grand final over Randwick.

Dennis faced an uncertain future, with his Waratahs contract to expire in December and only one Super cap to his name, while McCalman had yet to start his career at the Western Force.

But as the second-row combination for the Students, they were not short of motivation as they looked ahead to extending their club's record in club grand finals to an impressive five wins.

What a difference two days can make. Today, with that club title now theirs to share with their teammates, they are Wallabies squad members.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans yesterday said a shortage of second-rowers through injury or illness had played a role in their selections as two of 10 uncapped players in the 43-man train-on squad for the grand slam tour. He also said they owed it to their performance for the Students during the 24-19 win over Randwick at the SFS, a feat the pair were celebrating with their teammates at the Alfred Hotel in Camperdown yesterday.

''It would be fair to say it was confirmed,'' Deans said yesterday of the impact of their performances.

Dennis and McCalman, who prefer playing in the back row, were two of many shining lights in the University pack at set pieces and in the battle for possession at the breakdown on Sunday.

Their versatility helped the Students to a 14-11 first-half lead. Then, in the second stanza, they played their part as the entire team proved dogged in defence when Randwick made a late rally.

Deans had been taking notes on Dennis and McCalman throughout the Shute Shield. ''They have played all year, they have played well,'' he said. ''They are versatile. They are fit for the game and they have versatility. When you look at our squad and some of the challenges with depth, particularly through the middle row, and the fact we have to play seven games in four weeks and may encounter injuries, that sort of versatility might be handy.''

There is concern for injured second-rower Nathan Sharpe, who was named yesterday. Unavailable for selection were Sam Wykes, Tom Hockings, Peter Kimlin and Will Caldwell.

For Dennis and McCalman, the opportunity presented to them is one they both aim to make the most of when the squad assembles for a camp next Monday. ''It was a surprise, but now knowing where we are - in the 40 - and that anything is possible, we are going to have a good go, really push,'' Dennis said. ''We are not going there to make up numbers, but to try and possibly push to get on the tour.''

He conceded he had been taken aback at how his fortunes had changed. ''Only last week we were talking about trying to get in a Super 14 team, and now we get an opportunity to train in in the Wallabies squad,'' he said.

McCalman is certainly not daunted by the challenge, saying: ''It is a great opportunity to go there and give it everything, rip in and get my best chance to make the final squad. I am going to really go in, have a go and give it a crack.''

Giving it ''a crack'' is what Deans wants to see. Then the Wallabies might get back to winning.