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

[Brumbies Guy]

Is it too early to bring Drew Mitchell back?

Randwick this weekend, Canada the next.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

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)

if you want a genuine winger, why would you put AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) there??
I think the concern with JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 is really just a size issue. he's still young with a lot of physical development to go through and it's hard to see him matching up physically with Nonu, SBW, De Villiers. I don't see any other reason than that.

1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Samo
9. Genia
10. QC (Quade Cooper)
11. Digby
12. A Faiinga
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - needs to step up his game to last years form quickly
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. KB (Kurtley Beale)

16. TPN
17. Slipper (if ready to go)
18. Vickerman
19. Higginbotham
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. McCabe (only because Mitchell needs a game the night before and Turner appears to not be in the wallaby squad for the cup, so don't see him featuring in this game)

Lastly, if Mitchell is back and fit come the world cup, he has to be in the squad in my mind. he was the best winger arguably in the comp before he got injured and he is sensational all around. someone will be dropping out and I think it will be one of the centres. Barnes to 12, Digby to 13 and drewster the rooster on at 11.

 

[Geeves]

Well assuming that these players are selected for the RWC and they are fit. If I was Deans I would be busting a gut to get them onto the park in gold ASAP . Assuming that Elsom is the Captain for the RWC. I think that against the AB's Higginbotham will find himself in squad land in order to get some game time into the players that have been injured. I see Higginbotham as a like for like with Elsom and he is not an 8.

I would think that getting some genuine game time into players at the top level is essential for Slipper, Palu, TPN and Mitchell. While this is the only game left for the JOC (James O'Connor) experiment at IC. I would normally have a backup 7 (i.e. Robinson) but with no time before the RWC these returning players need time in the middle.

This is all assuming that Deans really wants to use the bench players. Which is something he has been hesitant to do so far.

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

16 TPN
17 Slipper
18 Simmons
19 Palu
20 Burgess
21 Barnes
22 McCabe

 

[The_Riddler]

I find it strange that people are persisting with Rabz at 12, it isn't going to happen this year. My team for NZ would be as follows:

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

16. S. Finger
17. Slipper
18. Vickerman
19. Higginbotham
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Ashley-Cooper

 

[fatprop]

So how many of the RWC squad coming off their sick beds will get game time here

 

[FairWeatherAussie]

After looking at the team for the RWC I'd be interested to see if Deans plays Barnes at 12 and Horne at 13 vs the kiwi's, assuming they are both fit. Barnes, for obvious reasons, he's probably going to be our first choice 12 come RWC, and needs some hard game time first. Plus if his headaches come back I'd rather that it happened now than half way through a crucial game in the WC. Horne, because if he's going to the WC then he should some time to compete for the position and show he is worth the risk. I'd like to see him get one half vs the kiwis and fingers the other half.

BTW there is a lot of competition for that 13 jumper in the RWC squad : AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Fingers, Horne, McCabe and either Ioane or JOC (James O'Connor) if Mitchell comes back to the wing.

 

[rugby_man]

1. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. James Horwill [c]
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Radike Samo
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Anthony Fainga'a
13. Rob Horne
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Saia Fainga'a
17. James Slipper
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. Luke Burgess
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Adam Ashley-Cooper

That would be my side for the weekend. I'd let Mitchell play club rugby this weekend and if he looks sharp, throw him into the side to familiarise himself with the plays again. If he is to play a big part in this side, he needs to start playing almost right away. Didn't include Polota-Nau or Palu because I think they're still injured. Included Slipper though as I think he is available for this weekend. Barnes deserves a call-up and I'd pick Horne at 13. He can penetrate the All Blacks midfield and that's why I think he is one of the keys to beating the All Blacks. Unlucky for McCabe but I really think Fainga'a can certainly contain Nonu with his defensive prowess. Samo into the starting line-up cause his skill can be a determining factor in open play.

Good side I'd say for this week. Would definitely go close to beating the All Blacks, closer than last time anyway.

 

[kiap]

Would love to see Slipper and a couple others returning from injury in the test 22 but they can't just be rushed back and thrown straight in the deep end against the ABs.

Slipper, TPN, Sookface, Schmoo to make their comebacks at international level against Canada, aiming for maximum minutes.

The 1st and 2nd teams I'd go with:

Aus vs NZ (Brisbane, Sat 27 Aug)            Aus Barbarians vs Canada (Gold Coast, Fri 26 Aug)
-----------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------
1. Sekope Kepu                              1. Ben Daley / Al Baxter
2. Stephen Moore                            2: Tatafu Polota-Nau 
3. Ben Alexander                            3: James Slipper
4. James Horwill (c)                        4. Sitaleki Timani
5. Nathan Sharpe                            5. Dan Vickerman
6. Rocky Elsom                              6. Dave Dennis / Dean Mumm
7. David Pocock                             7: Beau Robinson
8. Radike Samo                              8: Wycliff Palu  

9. Will Genia                               9. Nick Phipps
10. Quade Cooper                            10: Berrick Barnes
11. Digby Ioane                             11: Drew Mitchell
12. Anthony Fainga'a                         12. Matt Giteau (c)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper                      13: Rob Horne 
14. James O'Connor                          14. Rod Davies
15. Kurtley Beale                           15. Luke Morahan

16. Saia Fainga'a                            16. James Hanson
17. [s]James Slipper[/s] Salesi Ma'afu             17. Ben Daley / Pek Cowan
18. Rob Simmons                             18. Ben McCalman
19. Scott Higginbotham (to 6 at 55')        19. Matt Hodgson 
20. Luke Burgess                            20. Ben Lucas
21. Pat McCabe  (to 13 at 55')              21. Mark Gerrard
22  Lachlan Turner                          22. Lachlan Turner

Turner plays off the bench for the Baabaas on Friday and backs up there again for the Wallabies on Saturday (realistically this won't happen but it could be a discussion starter). Possible farewells for Giteau, Gerrard, Baxter against Canada as well...

 

[Joe Blow]

1. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. James Horwill [c]
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. James Slipper
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. Luke Burgess
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Pat McCabe

I think Horne should start with the Oz Baa Baas for his first game back.
Throwing him in against the ABs in his come back test is asking a lot.

 

[Ged]

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

16. S.Fainga'a
17. Slipper
18. Simmons
19. Higgenbotham (bring on fairly early in 2nd half, 50-55m)
20. Burgess
21. McCabe (hopefully AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) works his arse off for 50 minutes and we can bring on McCabe fresh at 12, move Fainga'a to 13)
22. Turner

For once i don't hesitate choosing a front row. Very proud of these guys so far.

Exactly the same except for Turner. Not much point picking him if he's not going to RWC. ON the presumption that Barnes, Horne and Mitchell will all play the night before, I'd go with a 5-2 split with Vicks as well, and give the forwards a really hard workout against the ABs.

 

[wikman]

I will pick JOC (James O'Connor) as he has not yet been officially dropped from the squad although I will pick an extra outside back in case he in dropped.
1. Sepoke Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Pat McCabe
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Radike Samo
19. Ben McCalman
20. Luke Burgess
21. Anthony Fainga'a
22. Lachie Turner

Reserve 22 is JOC (James O'Connor) is banned.
23. Rob Horne

 

[tigerland12]

Not sure why people are picking Sharpe and Turner, the latter isn't even in the WC squad, so not much point in him playing, whilst it's pretty clear that the 3 locks for the game will be Vickerman, Horwill and Simmons.

1-Kepu
2-Moore
3-Alexander
4-Simmons
5-Horwill
6-Elsom
7-Pocock
8-Higginbotham
9-Genia
10-Cooper
11-Ioane
12-McCabe
13-A.Fainga'a
14-Ashley-Cooper
15-Beale

Bench: S.Fainga'a, Ma'afu, Vickerman, Samo,McCalman,Burgess, Horne/Mitchell

This is the side I think, assuming JOC (James O'Connor) gets suspended, which I think he will. I reckon Higginbotham deserves another chance, and I can't see Deans changing his side from the one that beat the Boks.

 

[Swarley]

I will pick JOC (James O'Connor) as he has not yet been officially dropped from the squad although I will pick an extra outside back in case he in dropped.
1. Sepoke Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Pat McCabe
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Radike Samo
19. Ben McCalman
20. Luke Burgess
21. Anthony Fainga'a
22. Lachie Turner

Reserve 22 is JOC (James O'Connor) is banned.
23. Rob Horne

Wikman, I understand where you're coming from, but I don't like the idea of Horne being thrusted back into the scene without much preparation. I also doubt Lachie Turner will be picked, seeing as he wasn't named in the RWC Squad. I think we need another lock on the bench (Simmons- Sharpe's playing in the Canada game) and Samo starting for Higginbotham.

You're pretty close though.

 

[Swarley]

Australian Barbarians vs. Canada:
15. Lachie Turner
14. Rod Davies
13. Rob Horne
12. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
10. Berrick Barnes
9. Nick Phipps
8. Pat McCutcheon
7. Matt Hodgson
6. Dave Dennis
5. Nathan Sharpe
4. Sitaleki Timani
3. James Slipper
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
1. Ben Daley
--------------------------
16. James Hanson
17. Pekahou Cowan
18. Dean Mumm
19. Beau Robinson
20. Ben Tapuai
21. Luke Morahan
22. Mark Gerrard

With the players left, my Wallabies squad would be:
15. Kurtley Beale
14. James O'Connor (depending on ARU sanction, if any)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Pat McCabe
11. Digby Ioane
10. Quade Cooper
9. Will Genia
8. Radike Samo
7. David Pocock
6. Rocky Elsom
5. James Horwill (c)
4. Rob Simmons
3. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
1. Ben Alexander
-----------------------
16. Saia Fainga'a
17. Salesi Ma'afu
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Ben McCalman
20. Scott Higginbotham
21. Luke Burgess
22. Anthony Fainga'a

 

[wikman]

seeing as he wasn't named in the RWC Squad. I think we need another lock on the bench (Simmons- Sharpe's playing in the Canada game) and Samo starting for Higginbotham.

You're pretty close though.

I have not looked at the team for the Canada game and just picked players i would have in my 22. Also would you really start Samo for the Wallabies considering his error count and inconsistency?

 

[Swarley]

Yes, I would. Much higher work rate and is physically imposing.

 

[DPK]

I'd love to see the two teams Swarley posted go head to head.

 

[Groucho]

I'd love to see the two teams Swarley posted go head to head.

They're surprisingly evenly matched.

 

[Lindommer]

Methinks Dingo will make a statement about the physicality of the modern game ("it's being played and refereed differently in 2011", "counter-rucking's more important than turnovers at the breakdown", etc) and start with the two hard buggers in Vickerman and Samo. There's also the matter of attacking the ABs' lineout, Dan really is a lineout maestro. Before Reds' supporters attack me, I've got nothing against Simmons or Higginbotham, they're both very good players and have a lot to contribute on Saturday and in the RWC. At this stage I think Vickerman shades Simmons in the grunt stakes, Rob still has a bit of filling out to do and will be a great second-rower in a few years. To my eye Higginclacker's style is much better suited later in a test match than at the start.

If JOC (James O'Connor) gets a spell in the sinbin (he should) I'd put Anthony Fainga'a at 12: inside-centre gives him the opportunity to have a go at both Nonu AND Smith in defence. Added to that he's played alongside Cooper for most of the Super season and probably knows best what Quade's going to do next. Reserve outside back should be Mitchell.

But there again, who'd be a selector.

 

[fatprop]

Methinks Dingo will make a statement about the physicality of the modern game ("it's being played and refereed differently in 2011", "counter-rucking's more important than turnovers at the breakdown", etc) and start with the two hard buggers in Vickerman and Samo. There's also the matter of attacking the ABs' lineout, Dan really is a lineout maestro. Before Reds' supporters attack me, I've got nothing against Simmons or Higginbotham, they're both very good players and have a lot to contribute on Saturday and in the RWC. At this stage I think Vickerman shades Simmons in the grunt stakes, Rob still has a bit of filling out to do and will be a great second-rower in a few years. To my eye Higginclacker's style is much better suited later in a test match than at the start.

If JOC (James O'Connor) gets a spell in the sinbin (he should) I'd put Anthony Fainga'a at 12: inside-centre gives him the opportunity to have a go at both Nonu AND Smith in defence. Added to that he's played alongside Cooper for most of the Super season and probably knows best what Quade's going to do next. Reserve outside back should be Mitchell.

But there again, who'd be a selector.

He was, he hasn't demonstrated that skill since returning.

Today, Sharpe is our best defensive lineout unit followed by Elsom