The Wallabies Thread

[Zero_Cool]

Coleman & Foley will be some of the first selected along with Kepu, Hooper, Pocock, Deale, Genia & Folau.

On Coleman, I thought he was fantastic in the opening game vs the Reds. I expect he is playing injured

I'm not sure about Pocock and Hooper, both being automatic picks. I think given we have two potential genuine 8's to pick (Higgers or Timu, with Nisarania to qualify soon too, maybe ) I don't know that you can continue to justify selecting both Pocock and Hooper in the starting 15.
The other thing pushing this is that we have a number of genuine options emerging at 6 (Wells and Korczyk for example).

Given this it's going to be really hard to pick both a genuine openside (Pocock) and a center/openside hybrid (Hooper). I still think Cheika will select them both, but I think that's the wrong choice.

I think we have proven Pocock and Hooper can't both co-exist in the same team and you get the best out of both of them. And looking at it, if you have to pick only one of them (relying on previous form for Pocock) I think you start Pocock and bring Hooper off the bench.

I don't think that's what Cheika will do. I'm almost half expecting Pocock, Hooper and Hanigan to be the back row regardless of form and only partially considering injury. Such is Chieka's selection.

 

[Derpus]

Can we stop talking about Naisarani for now? It's been established he won't be available until next year. That's 15 odd tests away.

 

[fatprop]

Yeah. that’ that’s how ‘form’ works though

Only on the internet

 

[Getwithme]

I get the no point in playing lance line because he's leaving but I'm of the opinion of selecting the best possible team at the given point in time. Instead of playing people who aren't ready to for that level let alone before to a high standard at that level. I think by selecting your best side it breeds depth in itself. By all means invite them to train with the group etc but select the best team possible. Thoughts?

 

[Braveheart81]

Can we stop talking about Naisarani for now? It's been established he won't be available until next year. That's 15 odd tests away.

On the same note we should stop mentioning Higginbotham. He'd be 50-1 to ever play for the Wallabies again.

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[dillyboy]

Surprised this was not been mentioned yet. It's not as if there has been much of interest in sport over the last 24 hours.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...wallabies-forwards-coach-20180325-p4z675.html

It was mentioned a few posts above yours but everyone was too caught up with the Foley vs anyone else debate to notice....

 

[cyclopath]

It was mentioned a few posts above yours but everyone was too caught up with the Foley vs anyone else debate to notice..

So it was. I must have flicked past it a couple of times. Cheers.

 

[Up the Guts]

With Naisarani unavailable and Valetini injured, the only real alternative to the Pooper is Timu playing at 8. The way he’s been going he should definitely be considered. I actually think he’s been slightly better than Naisarani this year (although Naisarani’s consistent form over the past two years would probably see him get the nod over Timu if available) and is certainly the sort of explosive ball carrier we’ve been searching for, for some time. If someone could just drop him a line about practising controlling the ball at the back of the scrum over the next two months I’d be happy to see him wear Gold in June.

 

[Zero_Cool]

On the same note we should stop mentioning Higginbotham. He'd be 50-1 to ever play for the Wallabies again.

Um, no. Seriously just no?!

He was in the Jues series, played quite well, then was dropped with no reason given (perhaps legal reasons). He fit's in ideally for what the Wallabies should be looking for he can jump in the lineout, he's got amazing ball skills. Beyond all of that he's a Super Rugby Capitan, he's gotta at least be considered. Assuming Higgers is better than Timu (and Cheika was talking about Timu potentially being in the squad -- albeit 6 months later than he should have been) and that's not a big assumption by any stretch, Higgers really has to be in the squad.

With Naisarani unavailable and Valetini injured, the only real alternative to the Pooper is Timu playing at 8. The way he’s been going he should definitely be considered. I actually think he’s been slightly better than Naisarani this year (although Naisarani’s consistent form over the past two years would probably see him get the nod over Timu if available) and is certainly the sort of explosive ball carrier we’ve been searching for, for some time. If someone could just drop him a line about practising controlling the ball at the back of the scrum over the next two months I’d be happy to see him wear Gold in June.

I think a part of that is he's not use to the pack going forward so quickly and he's probably pushing pretty hard like all the Reds pack (perhaps too hard at times). He was decent in the NRC at it, but you are right that's the weakest aspect of his game. I suspect it'll be most of what he's doing over his week off -- likely with George Smith on it.

 

[Scrubber2050]

On the same note we should stop mentioning Higginbotham. He'd be 50-1 to ever play for the Wallabies again.

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Certainly agree (as long as Chek is the coach)

 

[Zero_Cool]

Certainly agree (as long as Chek is the coach)

But why? Surely he's objectively good enough to be in the squad. Cheika clearly has no problem picking older players see Moore and TPN last year among many many others. I just don't see how you don't have him in the squad if you're Cheika, unless it's the colour of his Jersey.

 

[TOCC]

Only on the internet

Ok, in the world of FP, how is recent form measured if not by the quality of the most recent games?

And remember, people were discussing selections based on form... everyone here acknowledges that more then form counts come the June a series.

 

[Slim 293]

Um, no. Seriously just no?!

He was in the Jues series, played quite well, then was dropped with no reason given (perhaps legal reasons).

Nah, and in broken record mode, he's had plenty of opportunities and has never really delivered his potential at test level...........

 

[Tomikin]

I'm not sure about Pocock and Hooper, both being automatic picks. I think given we have two potential genuine 8's to pick (Higgers or Timu, with Nisarania to qualify soon too, maybe ) I don't know that you can continue to justify selecting both Pocock and Hooper in the starting 15.
The other thing pushing this is that we have a number of genuine options emerging at 6 (Wells and Korczyk for example).

Given this it's going to be really hard to pick both a genuine openside (Pocock) and a center/openside hybrid (Hooper). I still think Cheika will select them both, but I think that's the wrong choice.

I think we have proven Pocock and Hooper can't both co-exist in the same team and you get the best out of both of them. And looking at it, if you have to pick only one of them (relying on previous form for Pocock) I think you start Pocock and bring Hooper off the bench.

I don't think that's what Cheika will do. I'm almost half expecting Pocock, Hooper and Hanigan to be the back row regardless of form and only partially considering injury. Such is Chieka's selection.

You can't be taken seriously when you say Huggers as an option at 8 being his played like 20 mins and hated or Wells being selected before Hooper or Poey.. Timu done well but every team ever will take Hooper or Poecock before him twice on Sundays and with one hand tied behind there backs..two of the best in the world vs guys just making super rugby..

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[Tomikin]

Um, no. Seriously just no?!

He was in the Jues series, played quite well, then was dropped with no reason given (perhaps legal reasons). He fit's in ideally for what the Wallabies should be looking for he can jump in the lineout, he's got amazing ball skills. Beyond all of that he's a Super Rugby Capitan, he's gotta at least be considered. Assuming Higgers is better than Timu (and Cheika was talking about Timu potentially being in the squad -- albeit 6 months later than he should have been) and that's not a big assumption by any stretch, Higgers really has to be in the squad.




I think a part of that is he's not use to the pack going forward so quickly and he's probably pushing pretty hard like all the Reds pack (perhaps too hard at times). He was decent in the NRC at it, but you are right that's the weakest aspect of his game. I suspect it'll be most of what he's doing over his week off -- likely with George Smith on it.

No his weakest part is how he falls of tackles ..take off the red tinted glasses

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[jimmydubs]

So it was. I must have flicked past it a couple of times. Cheers.

I thought you were trying to get some discussion on it going by mentioning it again. I mean it seems like a worthwhile topic..

MST on the top 5 has some questions asked. I’ve never heard of him. Not sure who else was on the shortlist?

 

[Scrubber2050]

As much as I like Higgers, Chek has shown he isn't one of his "favourites"

Whilst He's played a shitload more minutes than Pocock he will not be picked.

There are guys running around who are performing better and fit into Chek's style of play.

Whether Pocock should even be considered is a topic worth discussing !

Pocock is a lightweight 8 and not much of a runner at all. He does bring other things to the table.

 

[fatprop]

Ok, in the world of FP, how is recent form measured if not by the quality of the most recent games?

And remember, people were discussing selections based on form. everyone here acknowledges that more then form counts come the June a series.

And I think it is a wonderful wayto waste time, but irrelevant

This happens every year, someone has a couple of decent games early (they rarely can keep it going for the season) and some of the test incumbents are still building form as they all started pre season late.

The reality is that early form is generally fleeting and as I continually say, this comp builds and gets harder as it goes.

Lets see who has "form" in May when they are all playing somewhat wounded and playing the rampant Kiwi sides

 

[TOCC]

And I think it is a wonderful time to waste time, but irrelevant

This happens every year, someone has a couple of decent games early (they rarely can keep it going for the season) and some of the test incumbents are still building form as they all started pre season late.

The reality is that early form is generally fleeting and as I continually say, this comp builds and gets harder as it goes.

Lets see who has "form" in May when they are all playing somewhat wounded and playing the rampant Kiwi sides

As was said, people acknowledge that more then form counts come June selections. People are entertaining the notion of form players as something to discuss in the mean time, just like all those ‘team of the weeks’ which get published here and on other news website, it highlights those individuals who are playing well in their respective positions at the time.

Don’t get you back up about it if the likes of Foley isn’t in that team of the week, its a positive that players outside of the incumbent Wallaby XV are putting their hand up.

 

[TSR]

And I think it is a wonderful wayto waste time, but irrelevant

This happens every year, someone has a couple of decent games early (they rarely can keep it going for the season) and some of the test incumbents are still building form as they all started pre season late.

The reality is that early form is generally fleeting and as I continually say, this comp builds and gets harder as it goes.

Lets see who has "form" in May when they are all playing somewhat wounded and playing the rampant Kiwi sides

It is well acknowledged in the posts that this was a discussion about who was in form NOT a potential test selection. The differences are also acknowledged.

I actually thought as a mod you might appreciate someone trying to steer the whole debate away for the continual Foley debate, but you actually seem to revel in it. For what it’s worth, I find the endless debate on Foley and the Pooper equally pointless and irrelevant and would much rather come on here and read some (any) alternate discussion.