Pick Your 22 If A Test Was Being Played This Weekend

[PaarlBok]

I would pick Grant ahead of M Steyn and anyone of Mvovo, JP Pietersen or Basson before Habana, who has been poor.

Nah Morne is fine. Our pack will dominate and Morne and FdP will dominate from there. Shite forgot about JP, He'll be in Aplons place and Aplon to the bench in Bassons place. Habana will be fine, to much class to leave him out.

 

[tigerland12]

My Saffa team. Beast (Steenkamp if fit), Bismark, Janine du Plessis, Matfield, Bekker, Brussouw, Burger, Alberts, du Preez, Steyn, JP Peiterson,Jdv, Fourie, Basson, Francois.
Spies is way out of form as is Habana and Bakkies has been over rated for years. If Smith was fit i dunno who id leave out of Burger and Brussouw. I think the Boks have some real problems ahead of them. Although that center pairing is one of the best going around.

 

[PaarlBok]

If Smith was fit i dunno who id leave out of Burger and Brussouw.

Nice to have problem. I'll have Juan in Alberts place and let Schalk and Brussouw pack in 8 in scrums. Juan and Willem is the same type of players and you need the right combo here.

 

[kiap]

Yes, it does haha. I really don't rate him. Benny McCalman is best 8 in the country right now

Thought it might :lmao:. If Palu is match fit, I think Wyclif edges it. McCalman played some good tests against the ABs last year but lacked a bit of impact on the EOYT. Agree that he is playing well now though, and has time and youth on his side to cement a claim.

In Samo's defence, he hits hard and that's what I want to see more of from the Wallabies (he's a smoky at best, however, and time may have passed him).

 

[tigerland12]

I'll have Juan in Alberts place and let Schalk and Brussouw pack in 8 in scrums.

Yes very true, I forgot that Henrich packs at 8 usually for the cheetahs anyone. Is Smith gonna be back for the WC?
And kiap I agree, cliffy is the first choice. I just dont rate Radike much, hopefully he proves me wrong and has a blinder this weekend

 

[PaarlBok]

Is Smith gonna be back for the WC?

Yep , look like he is ahead of recovery schedule at the moment and probably may future in the 3 Nations.

 

[Blue]

Thought it might :lmao:. If Palu is match fit, I think Wyclif edges it. McCalman played some good tests against the ABs last year but lacked a bit of impact on the EOYT. Agree that he is playing well now though, and has time and youth on his side to cement a claim.

In Samo's defence, he hits hard and that's what I want to see more of from the Wallabies (he's a smoky at best, however, and time may have passed him).

Problem is even when Palu is fit he has not beein form at all. The last time he placed consistently good rugbny wa somehwere early in 2010.

McCalman really just gets on with it and is a world class player in my book, so much so that if Palu was fit I would play Ben at 6.

 

[JimboJoe1006]

This is my team assuming the test is against the All Blacks.
15. Beale
14. Ioane
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. Giteau
11. JOC (James O'Connor)
10. Cooper
9. Genia
8. McCalman
7. Pocock
6. Mowen
5. Sharpe
4. Horwill
3. Kepu
2. Moore
1. Robinson

16. Charles
17. Slipper
18. Simmons
19. Vaea
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Gerrard

Should the test be against Samoa, or the like, then the team would be vastly different. Phibbs, Morahan, Dennis, Hinningbotham and Wykes could all potentially be included somewhere.

 

[Skippy]

If there was a test tomorrow.... I'd pick what i reckon Robbie Deans would pick. Robbie will stick with what he knows... maybe a few debutants off the bench but largely he will stick with the team he's built over the last 2 years. Gits to take back 12 over Barnes. No Fainga'a. Mortlock in squad to undertake a 6 week speed and agility program and be on standby for the WC if Gits/Barnes don't make it and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can't find form.
I'm sure Robbie said in an article the other day that there won't be many new players this year introduced to the Wallabies as it's too late now. But I think Mike Harris will be in the squad perhaps.

15. Beale
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. Giteau
11. Ioane
10. Cooper
9. Genia
8. Palu
7. Pocock
6. McCalman
5. Horwill
4. Sharpe
3. Robinson
2. Moore
1. Slipper

Bench -

Alexander
Kepu
Nathan Charles
Burgess
Sam Wykes
Lachlan Turner
Berrick Barnes

It's goodbye to Brown and Mumm from the 22 I think. Beau Robinson might sneak in if Elsom isn't fit. TPN not selected due to fitness and wouldn't be able to play tomorrow.

 

[Slim 293]

The fit 22...

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Dennis/Kimlin (hard to split)
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Giteau
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. O'connor
15. Beale

16. Edmonds
17. Kepu
18. Simmons
19. Hodgson
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Morahan

 

[GC]

1. Robbo
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Horwill
5. Sharpie (C)
6. Higgers
7. Pocock
8. Mowen
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Diggers
12. Gits
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Turner
15. Beale

16. Kepu
17. Fainga'a
18. Simmons
19. Beau
20. Burgo
21. Barnes
22. Morahan

 

[kiap]

Problem is even when Palu is fit he has not beein form at all. The last time he placed consistently good rugbny wa somehwere early in 2010.

McCalman really just gets on with it and is a world class player in my book, so much so that if Palu was fit I would play Ben at 6.

Encouraging to hear McCalman is regarded as world class. He's got plenty of rugby years ahead. Only 7 test starts so far, though. He began well but played ordinary in the last 3. Good point on Palu as he's yet to show consistent form and fitness this year. By contrast, McCalman is in good form in S15, and is the test incumbent, so it may well pan out like you say. We'll see. :thumb

 

[inthestands]

Technically he is out. He was given three weeks to recover. Force, bye and Lions.

That would be 4 weeks between games; Hickey said resting him from the Force game would give him three (1wk to Force, 2wk to bye, 3wk to Lions).

He will play against the Lions.

 

[jay-c]

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe (c)
6. Higginbotham
7. Pocock (vc)
8. Vaea

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. O'Connor (k)
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. Morahan
15. Beale

16. Fainga'a
17. Alexander
18. Simmons
19. Hodgson
20. Palu
21. Burgess
22. Giteau

i like it but id swap vaea for mcalman

 

[tigerland12]

Captaincy to Genia or Sharpe with Pocock as VC. Lost faith in Elsom.

 

[08umema]

i think i only saw beau robinson mentioned once. no one else would have him in their team?

 

[fatprop]

1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Dennis
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. O'Connor
15. Beale

16. Charles
17. Kepu
18. Alexander
19. Kimlin
20. Hodgson
21. Giteau
22. Shepherd

 

[Tank]

interesting fp - 3 frontrowers on your bench...

 

[fatprop]

interesting fp - 3 frontrowers on your bench...

Yep, I would carry a full front row on the bench until the starters provide evidence they can provide clean ball and competent pressure.

Genia is good enough to play 80 minutes, and Gits can provide coverage if Genia is wounded, so Burgess can miss out.

 

[Blue]

i like it but id swap vaea for mcalman

Vaea only starts at the Ponies because they have no other options. He can run straight when has has space and not much else. Shows little rugby nous or understanding for positional play as an eight. He hasn't got the skills and versatility a modern day eight needs.

It's like Spies. He looks great when he runs, so fans think he is a good player. It's when you lift the hood, you discover a small motor and no brain.

Ben McC will play 50 for the Wobs. I'll be quoting myself in a few years time.