Select your Wallabies 22 for the All Blacks game in Brisbane.

[DPK]

Couldn't agree more, Pat's size and hard running look to be more suited at 13 rather than 12 in the long run. But he's done very well at inside centre so far and I'd leave him there for the time being.

I think with Angaa at 12 you get the same game as McCabe, but IMO McCabe is the faster of the two. A bit more space at 13, and that pace is pretty useful.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

1. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Radike Samo

9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Anthony Fainga'a
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Saia Fainga'a
17. Salesi Ma'afu
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. Beau Robinson
21. Luke Burgess
22. Pat McCabe

 

[DPK]

No one (even those with 5 man benches) has picked Hodgson yet? I would have him on the bench alongside S Fa'ainga, Slipper, Vickerman, Higgenbotham, Burgess and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

Hodgson isn't a game changer. He's an honest tryer, but I don't see him making a big enough impact off the bench.

I think he's an example of a great Super player who's solid, but doesn't have the jagged edge required for Test rugby.

 

[Scotty]

Hodgson isn't a game changer. He's an honest tryer, but I don't see him making a big enough impact off the bench.

I think he's an example of a great Super player who's solid, but doesn't have the jagged edge required for Test rugby.

Not all bench players need to be game changes. Some are there to get the job done in case of injury, and are unlikely to see much time unless there is an injury.

Plus, a lot are still picking McCalman, who could be put in the same category, but doesn't cover 7.

 

[IamRed]

1. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Radike Samo

9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Anthony Fainga'a
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Saia Fainga'a
17. Salesi Ma'afu
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. Luke Burgess
21. Pat McCabe
22. Turner


I think Deans will go with 4/3 split against the All blacks like the game in New Zealand. Scott Higginbotham could cover 7 in the unlikly event that Pocock doesn't finish the game. Although McCabe can cover centres, wing and fullback Turner will be in there to give an extra fresh back late in the game to hopefully close out a win.

 

[DPK]

Not all bench players need to be game changes. Some are there to get the job done in case of injury, and are unlikely to see much time unless there is an injury.

Plus, a lot are still picking McCalman, who could be put in the same category, but doesn't cover 7.

That's fine if you're just cruising towards a comfortable win, but how often does that happen against NZ?

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Hodgeson is the only real ball pilferer we have besides Pocock (and Ant Fainga'a). So if Pocock does go down early it would be a relief having someone who can play an identical role coming off the bench. If we go for a 5-2 bench, it is a good idea.

 

[disco]

Hodgeson is the only real ball pilferer we have besides Pocock (and Ant Fainga'a).

That's another reason I like Ant Fainga'a because he does slow the ball down & pilfer really well.

 

[Richo]

1.Sekope Kepu
2.Stephen Moore
3.Ben Alexander
4.James Horwill
5.Nathan Sharpe
6.Rocky Elsom
7.David Pocock
8.Radike Samo
9.Will Genia
10.Quade Cooper
11.Digby Ioane
12.Anthony Fainga'a
13.Pat McCabe
14.James O'Connor
15.Kurtley Beale
16.Saia Fainga'a
17.Salesi Ma'afu
18.Simmons
19.Scott Higginbotham
20.McCalman
21.Luke Burgess
22.Adam Ashley-Cooper

Swap McCalman for Hodgson and you have my vote.

 

[fatprop]

I want another look at Samo, Higginbotham & McCalman

 

[Richo]

Don't we know what we're getting with McCalman already? I think we need to see the most likely back-up to Pocock get some game time.

 

[DPK]

Hodgeson is the only real ball pilferer we have besides Pocock (and Ant Fainga'a). So if Pocock does go down early it would be a relief having someone who can play an identical role coming off the bench. If we go for a 5-2 bench, it is a good idea.

Want a pilferer? Pick Robinson.

If you take a 5/2 split, why fill it with multi-positional players?

 

[Richo]

I'd like Robinson, but I don't think he's in Deans' plans so it's better to get a look at someone who is.

 

[tigerland12]

I don't see why Deans is favouring Hodgson as Pocock's back-up. Robinson was arguably the best openside in Super Rugby this year.

 

[tallboy]

1. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Radike Samo

9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Anthony Fainga'a
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Saia Fainga'a
17. Salesi Ma'afu
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. Luke Burgess
21. Pat McCabe
22. Turner


I think Deans will go with 4/3 split against the All blacks like the game in New Zealand. Scott Higginbotham could cover 7 in the unlikly event that Pocock doesn't finish the game. Although McCabe can cover centres, wing and fullback Turner will be in there to give an extra fresh back late in the game to hopefully close out a win.

I agree with Scotty and a few of the other posters, we need a 7 back up for Pocock, and I too favour Hodgson (plays a similar style to Pocock). Higginbotham or any of the reserve backrowers chosen in the 22 can't cover Pocock if he is injured. A Blindside or 8 can't just slot into the 7 role. They don't run the same lines defensively at all from set piece or even play the same role in general play. Watch Pocock, and even if he isn't stealing ball he is certainly making a nuisance of himself at the breakdown, or making the tackle that snuffs out any attack from set piece. Not having a genuine 7 on the paddock against the AB's is like giving them a free pass after the set piece and first phase. We all know they don't need much of an invitation.
Hodgson is very solid defensively (has a very low missed tackle count) and is a true fetcher. If not him then I would at least expect Beau to feature surely.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Robinson can do the job, but i just prefer Hodgeson when it comes to filling that role of a ball-pilferer. Robinson does a lot of hard work and is quick to the breakdowns, but Hodegson (to me) appears better at stealing the ball similar to Pocock.

They'd both do a good job, sorry for not mentioning Robinson before. But we can't take both and I understand why others would go for Robinson.

 

[tommyjay04]

Has JOC (James O'Connor) shown defensive deficiencies?? or is it just me who thinks he is a capable defender?, regardless of his size

Is the concern that if he is made to defend in the channel this might blunt his attacking prowess??

He is an exceptional talent which is why he performs well on the wing but having a specialist winger would surely be ideal. Especially given Michells imminent return

My team would be (a realise there are some "never going to happens" here)

1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Higginbotham
7. Pocock
8. Samo
9. Genia
10. QC (Quade Cooper)
11. Digby
12. JOC (James O'Connor)
13. A Faiinga
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. KB (Kurtley Beale)

 

[monkeybutt]

1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Vickerman
5. Horwill
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Samo
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. McCabe
13. A. Fainga'a
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

16. S.Fainga'a
17. Slipper
18. Sharpe
19. Higgenbotham
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

That's another reason I like Ant Fainga'a because he does slow the ball down & pilfer really well.

Horwill has also pilfered very well this year.

 

[#1 Tah]

Is it too early to bring Drew Mitchell back?