The Wallabies Thread

[Braveheart81]

I believe you are very close to the mark BH. Unfortunately with that squad and likely team we are going to get beaten and from there we will decline further as the RWC approaches.

It is the last opportunity Cheika and cohorts have to look at and evaluate new talent at test level. I would especially like to see players like Clarke, Perese, Valetini, Cottrell, F Fainga'a, DPA, Stewart given a chance now to show if they will be options come RWC time. And Pete Samu too if he's interested. We know what some of the incumbents offer and in many cases it will not be good enough for next year.

From your likely starters and bench, I would start Arnold in place of Coleman because of better form and is now an 80 minute player; Allan A in place of Kepu (again better form and a whole lot more development potential) with Tupou on the bench;

I agree that I would like to see Valetini in the squad if he doesn't go to the under 20 RWC.

I can't see Izzy Perese making it given he isn't getting selected for the Reds currently. Cottrell would be close as a 6 option but I don't think Stewart is there yet.

I still think Kepu is our best THP and looks likely still to be for the RWC next year.

If Pete Samu signs he should be selected.

I'm not sure we will have a lot of debutantes this season given how many new players came into the team in the last year or so. I also think the Ireland series isn't for experimenting. They have a very limited preparation and it is vitally important series for Cheika and the Wallabies.

 

[Up the Guts]

Watching Arnold these past few weeks in a struggling Brumbies side has convinced me that he is worth a start. Having a guy that can break apart a maul regularly is invaluable given that most high quality teams will score more often than not if they get a maul 5m out.

 

[Derpus]

Mauls are the worstest things man. Just the worstest.

 

[Derpus]

I agree that I would like to see Valetini in the squad if he doesn't go to the under 20 RWC.

I can't see Izzy Perese making it given he isn't getting selected for the Reds currently. Cottrell would be close as a 6 option but I don't think Stewart is there yet.

I still think Kepu is our best THP and looks likely still to be for the RWC next year.

If Pete Samu signs he should be selected.

I'm not sure we will have a lot of debutantes this season given how many new players came into the team in the last year or so. I also think the Ireland series isn't for experimenting. They have a very limited preparation and it is vitally important series for Cheika and the Wallabies.

It's for getting bent over by the second best rugby team in the world. Grand Slam and Leinster just won the European Cup. We are in for some shit.

 

[USARugger]

A French team with a flyhalf who was around 14 years old showed the blueprint for how to beat this Irish side but we won't be able to come close to replicating it I think.

If Leinster's attack somehow translates into the Irish camp between now and the tour, we're in for a hiding.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Calling it now Rob Simmons run on 6 with Hooper and Pocock.

 

[wamberal]

Calling it now Rob Simmons run on 6 with Hooper and Pocock.

Slits throat.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I'm not sure we will have a lot of debutantes this season given how many new players came into the team in the last year or so. I also think the Ireland series isn't for experimenting. They have a very limited preparation and it is vitally important series for Cheika and the Wallabies.

I am sure you are right again BH, but my point is that I think it's very unlikely we will be competitive with Ireland with our present expected lineup, and we will then be committed to much the same for the RC, EOYT and RWC, as in it will be too late then to try debutants.

I would definitely be looking to include Stewart on the bench to give him around 15 minutes in each of the tests at No 10 for experience sake.

 

[Derpus]

I am sure you are right again BH, but my point is that I think it's very unlikely we will be competitive with Ireland with our present expected lineup, and we will then be committed to much the same for the RC, EOYT and RWC, as in it will be too late then to try debutants.

I would definitely be looking to include Stewart on the bench to give him around 15 minutes in each of the tests at No 10 for experience sake.

I think if we are facing up to the stark reality, there is no combination of any Australian players, tried and tested or otherwise, that you would expect to be overly competitive with Ireland should they carry their 6 nations form over to the June series.

 

[Braveheart81]

I am sure you are right again BH, but my point is that I think it's very unlikely we will be competitive with Ireland with our present expected lineup, and we will then be committed to much the same for the RC, EOYT and RWC, as in it will be too late then to try debutants.

I would definitely be looking to include Stewart on the bench to give him around 15 minutes in each of the tests at No 10 for experience sake.

Do we gain anything if we get flogged?

I think Stewart is promising but I'm also not really sure he's the next big thing and I don't think he'll be the second best 10 option for the RWC. I tend to think that will be Beale.

I don't think players gain much from getting a crack before they are ready. Of the 19 and 20 year olds I think Rob Valetini is the only one who really looks like he is primed for higher honours in the not so distant future.

 

[Derpus]

Do we gain anything if we get flogged?

I think Stewart is promising but I'm also not really sure he's the next big thing and I don't think he'll be the second best 10 option for the RWC. I tend to think that will be Beale.

I don't think players gain much from getting a crack before they are ready. Of the 19 and 20 year olds I think Rob Valetini is the only one who really looks like he is primed for higher honours in the not so distant future.

Nah. Those few minutes where Foley went off against the Lions really put this idea to bed. He's not a very good 10 at all.

 

[neilc]

Nah. Those few minutes where Foley went off against the Lions really put this idea to bed. He's not a very good 10 at all.

Beale was meant to be a 10 when he was first signed but I think over the years we have seen that he really doesn't suit that position and that he is better in a role of less decision making and using his running ability rather than setting up plays for other people.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Derpus, it's precisely why using some up and comers against Ireland will be likely to bear fruit come RWC time. Hark back to the development side England sent out to be flogged by the Wallabies some years ago, and led to the emergence of Jonny Wilkinson among others.

Where's the benefit of our incumbent side being beaten up by Ireland and then not being in a position to do anything about it before the RC etc.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Beale was meant to be a 10 when he was first signed but I think over the years we have seen that he really doesn't suit that position and that he is better in a role of less decision making and using his running ability rather than setting up plays for other people.

That's an overstatement of Beale's present contributions at the Tahs and the Wallabies. His sole positive influence atm is to put Folau through gaps. He can't defend to the required level, and his crabbing tends to disrupt the rest of the backline. Only Folau seems to be able to take any advantage from a Beale pass.

 

[Zero_Cool]

I think Stewart is promising but I'm also not really sure he's the next big thing and I don't think he'll be the second best 10 option for the RWC.

One thing to keep in mind with Stewart is he's still learning how to play fly half originally he use to play flanker (explains his defence and love of hitting rucks!). While it's obvious he's got the instinct and vision to play fly half he's still learning his trade -- even just as a back.

While I don't see him starting, maybe in the 23 as a utility back (similar Hodge) covering 10, 12, and maybe 13 and 15.

By virtual of the fact that he's likely to be the only genuine Australian fly half not named Foley playing Super Rugby, he's far and away the best choice (read only choice) to play fly half should Foley go down. The other options (Beale, Hodge, Debreczeni) are maybe fine to fill in for an injury or similar, but you can't be starting them in a world cup game. Maddocks or Mason could be options but it would appear that they are unlikely to actually be playing fly half.

That's an overstatement of Beale's present contributions at the Tahs and the Wallabies. His sole positive influence atm is to put Folau through gaps. He can't defend to the required level, and his crabbing tends to disrupt the rest of the backline. Only Folau seems to be able to take any advantage from a Beale pass.

This is spot on about Beale, I think the time for us to be playing Beale as a fly half has passed. He was pushed into the centres and has lost that ability to play fly half. However by playing in the centres he's having to defend in the centres and against the top teams he simply can't do that. I actually think Cheika would do well to try Kerevi at 12.

 

[Up the Guts]

I am sure you are right again BH, but my point is that I think it's very unlikely we will be competitive with Ireland with our present expected lineup, and we will then be committed to much the same for the RC, EOYT and RWC, as in it will be too late then to try debutants.

I may be being more optimistic than you but I will reserve my judgment on whether or not we will competitive with Ireland until we front up to them in the first test. I know guys like Koroibete, Kurindrani, and Coleman have been in poor form but there was talk that players like Koroibete and Coleman were up their with the best in the world last year. If the players can get it together and regain some form then we still stand a good chance at home imo. And there are signs that players are starting to get it together, Beale was excellent last week in attack and defence, Folau has been completely dominant since his return from injury, and players like Arnold are stepping up.

 

[Braveheart81]

By virtual of the fact that he's likely to be the only genuine Australian fly half not named Foley playing Super Rugby, he's far and away the best choice (read only choice) to play fly half should Foley go down. The other options (Beale, Hodge, Debreczeni) are maybe fine to fill in for an injury or similar, but you can't be starting them in a world cup game. Maddocks or Mason could be options but it would appear that they are unlikely to actually be playing fly half.

In your opinion. He has only started a couple of games, and played his most recent game at fullback (although presumably he will move back to 10).

I disagree that this makes him the obvious option to start at 10 for the Wallabies if Foley gets injured. I think it is really unlikely to happen.

 

[TSR]

I really can’t see Stewart being in the 23 at this stage.

If something happens to Foley, I believe Cheika will go for a make shift option.

However, he is the only 10 currently playing who seems to have any sort of potential to one day be a test player. If I am wrong I will very happily be corrected. For that reason I hope he is included in the squad.

Hell - if there is anyone else remotely on the radar, I would invite them to. Personally I wouldn’t object to Quade being invited.

 

[Brumbieman]

Never been much of a gambler but i'm going to chuck a pineapple on a multi for us to win the Ireland series and Bledisloe this year.

Our super coaches are shite, but the Wallabies are half decent, and we still have a great match day 23 to field. We'll lose the first test against the Irish, but I reckon we'll win the second two, and because we aren't opening the test season with back to back fucking games against NZ in NZ, we'll actually have a chance to gel a little as a team before we take on NZ, with only one game in NZ this year.

 

[Derpus]

This is spot on about Beale, I think the time for us to be playing Beale as a fly half has passed. He was pushed into the centres and has lost that ability to play fly half. However by playing in the centres he's having to defend in the centres and against the top teams he simply can't do that. I actually think Cheika would do well to try Kerevi at 12.

I agree, and we should play CFS at 13. I think Lance is way more solid in defense as well, so he gets picked at 10. Daugunu and Perese for the wings and Stewart at full-back. Rock solid defensive line there.

What was that? they just conceded 63 points to the fucking Sunwolves? Calling for Beale to be dropped for his defense and for Kerevi to be picked instead is incredible. Truly.

Never been much of a gambler but i'm going to chuck a pineapple on a multi for us to win the Ireland series and Bledisloe this year.

What's that paying out; 6 million on the dollar?