Pick Your 22 If A Test Was Being Played This Weekend

[Slim 293]

I don't think anyone seriously believes Vaea would be ahead of McCalman for the Wallabies... but he is a good young player...

He's done excellent in his first year and it's wrong to label him as nothing more than a seagull...

He gets through a mountain of work at the breakdown and puts in a lot of tackles...

 

[jay-c]

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.

ahh blue if u read it again you will see that im saying take vaea out of the team and put macca in>
im all for macca i agree he will play 50> hes been fantastic this year
ill also add that i think browns been fantastic at 6> hes too small to be a test 8 but hes got the agro to be a great 6

 

[tigerland12]

ill also add that i think browns been fantastic at 6> hes too small to be a test 8 but hes got the agro to be a great 6

I agree that Brown has been playing well, but history shows he can't quite cut it at international level.

 

[BDA]

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

16. Kepu
17. Moore
18. Simmons
19. Robinson
20. Higgers
21. Burgess
22. Morahan

Players that only just miss out for me are Giteau, Alexander, Hodgson, A’Fainga'a, and Gerrard. Would have liked to have included these guys but no room. I’d go with a 5/2 split. There is good versatility in our backline so I think one outside back should cover it. Morahan can cover 11,14, and 15. Ioane is my back-up 13. If Barnes or Cooper go down, O’Connor moves in. Burgess provides cover for Genia, although given that Genia hasn’t even been subbed off once this season, I’d toy with the idea of putting Gits on the bench to cover 9, because it would be good to have him in the team. I would also consider putting McCallman on the bench to cover backrow and lock and dropping simo out for gits.

Good side I think. Extremely talented backline. Strong Backrow. Worlds best halves combo, world class locks, and a front row which I think should be good enough to win us some ball. With players like TPN, Kepu, Palu, and Horwill back in the side are pack resembles the 2009 pack (which was solid at scrum time) rather than the 2010 pack (where we had to play second string players).
I’m still optimistic that Mitchell and Vickerman make the WC squad. They are the only players that I’d move into the above side (Vicks on the bench, Mitchell in for Ioane (Morahan and Simmons dropping out of the 22))

For me there is a few players that unfortunately I think we have to avoid playing. Mumm is good but we need bigger, specialty 2nd rowers (like Horwill) to help strengthen our front row. Brown is in great form but unfortunately not a great test player. Fainga'a's lack of size hurts us in the scrum time and his throwing has been average this season. Palu gives us an extra 10-15kg at the back of the scrum, which again is important to bolster the scrum.

 

[BDA]

BOKS

1. Beast
2. BDP
3. JDP
4. Bekker
5. Matfield
6. Burger
7. Brussouw
8. Alberts
9. FDP
10. M Steyn
11. Habana
12. JDV
13. Fourie
14. Aplon
15. F Steyn

16. Smit
17. CJVL
18. Russouw
19. Diesel
20. Hoggard
21. Lambie
22. JDJ

Rossouw can cover back row and lock. Spies and Kankowski narrowly miss my 22. Lambie narrowly missing a starting spot. Would have Juan Smith and Steenkamp in starting side if fit. Looking at the side, solid front row (although no better than aus IMO) strong 2nd row, strong backrow, and strong good centre combo. IMO their weakness is the wings and backline flair. Habana is only there because there is no-one better. This will make the boks even more predictable than they already were. I cant see them spreading the ball further than Fourie. Also I feel they lack flair in the backline. None of their players have much creativity, with Aplon the only back that is somewhat unpredictable.

 

[Scotty]

I'm liking the idea of a backrow of McCalman, Higginbotham and Pocock. Some real speed there, all a great in support and all can easily play 80minutes. Could actually be a good balance.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I'm coming around to the idea of McCalman at 6, even though I selected Higgers there. I also selected Cliffy at 8, but McCalman has done enough to suggest that he would be at least serviceable. I wouldn't be totally opposed to the back row you suggest Scotty. With that said, we need grunt as well as pace. Either McCalman or Higgers would have to provide it.

 

[farva]

Im not sold on Higgenbotham as a test player yet.
He looks flashy but my feeling is that he needs to work better in the tight.

But then I cant think of another 6 I would want to have in the Wallabies.

Oh, and Charles over Fa'ainga for the second hooker.

 

[Gnostic]

For what its worth:- (those fit this weekend only)
1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Mowen
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. JOC (James O'Connor)
13. Turner
11. Ioane
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Beale

16. TPN/Hanson (if TPN not fit)
17. Kepu
18. Wykes or Simmons / Pyle if its a heavy pitch and inclement
19. Dennis
20. Robinson
21. Phipps
22. Lucas

5:2 split with all positions covered in case of injury with specialists who can effectively cover other spots. the crucial pivot spots covered multiple times 10 in order of preference Cooper, JOC (James O'Connor), Lucas, Beale (I do not rate Beale at 10 and his runs there for the Tahs have convinced me)

 

[Godfrey]

Out of interest, why have you chosen Turner at 13 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 14?

 

[Gnostic]

Turner is solid game in game out. He can pass. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has struggled form form all year and is not a noted passer. Both have been shown to play very well in the 13.

Lastly and most importantly I like playing at least one winger who can fill fullback and kick realiably. Turner is average with the boot and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) much better. With Ioane on the other wing AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) went to the wing to balance the side.

 

[Godfrey]

Fair enough. The only problem I can see with that is the lack of a winger who is truly pacey at top speed. Digby has great acceleration but seems to slow over 60-100.

 

[kiap]

the crucial pivot spots covered multiple times 10 in order of preference Cooper, JOC (James O'Connor), Lucas, Beale

Agree with that.

 

[Dumbledore]

Im not sold on Higgenbotham as a test player yet.
He looks flashy but my feeling is that he needs to work better in the tight.

But then I cant think of another 6 I would want to have in the Wallabies.

Oh, and Charles over Fa'ainga for the second hooker.

Agree. I'd take McCalman or Mowen over him, just don't rate him. Charles over a Fa'ainga is a good shout, he hasn't been getting nearly as much love as he deserves.

 

[tigerland12]

I've always been confused why no one has mentioned McCalman as a 6. I'd have him over Higginbotham

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Tigs, I think Scotty did.

 

[tigerland12]

Tigs, I think Scotty did.

I should of been more specific, in general media not on these forums

 

[ntrugby10]

My Wallabies 22

1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Slipper
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill
6. Higgers
7. Pocock
8. McCalman

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

16. Gits
17. Morahan
18. Moore
19. Alexander
20. Palu
21. Chisholm
22. Burgo

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think there is a large amount of consensus about what our best XV is. This is a good thing going into a big 3N and RWC campaign. We should be in a part of the cycle where we know what our best team is and whether or not they will be successful. I'm going to tempt fate by predicting that if we can be at or near full strength this year then we will go far.

 

[JimboJoe1006]

For what its worth:- (those fit this weekend only)
1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Slipper
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Mowen
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. JOC (James O'Connor)
13. Turner
11. Ioane
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Beale

16. TPN/Hanson (if TPN not fit)
17. Kepu
18. Wykes or Simmons / Pyle if its a heavy pitch and inclement
19. Dennis
20. Robinson
21. Phipps
22. Lucas

5:2 split with all positions covered in case of injury with specialists who can effectively cover other spots. the crucial pivot spots covered multiple times 10 in order of preference Cooper, JOC (James O'Connor), Lucas, Beale (I do not rate Beale at 10 and his runs there for the Tahs have convinced me)

Just out of total hypothetical interest, would this be the same team if the test tomorrow was the WC final against AB's?