Marcelo
Ken Catchpole (46)
Talakai and Neville
The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
Talakai and Neville
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
The nice thing too see is that the Wallabies don't need to rebuild the team from scratch moving forward. In fact in nearly every position we have a strong foundation of established players that should remain in the picture up to 2019.
Back-row
The back-row has really been the corner stone of the Wallabies this season and I think we'll see that continue over the next 4 years. Pocock and Hooper will presumably both be there in 2019, barring some major injury to Pocock (if anything the 2 seasons he missed should prolong his career).
As a result I think we'll see Chieka develop the team around the 2 open-side approach. We have the depth to do it consistently with the likes of Gill (similar to Pocock) and McMahon (similar to Hooper) available. No reason we can't employ that in most test matches.
Importantly, we'll need to find the right 4/5/6 combination to compliment the 2 openside game plan. Most immediately, will be finding Fardy's long term successor. I think Luke Jones is the most obvious candidate, although he needs to develop his line-out skills over the next few years. Lopeti Timani is in the same boat.
Lock
In terms of second row I suspect Simo/Douglas/Carter will be the constants, and Cheika will need to develop a few more younger options - and as others have mentioned there's plenty of good options coming through the ranks (Adam Coleman and Rory Arnold appear to be the next cabs off the rank). I suspect this could actually become an area of strength for us. Skelton certainly has the potential to be an important part of the wallaby set up but really needs to develop his set piece skills.
Scrum
I'm really hoping they keep Mario Ledesma around for a while to continue his good work. I'd like to see Cheika bring in a handful of new front rowers next year to ensure that our FR stocks are deep come 2019. Sio/Slipper/Smith/Hanson is a really strong base to work from. Who's next in line will be interesting. Tolu Latu is most likely to become a mainstay IMO. after him I'm not sure who the best options are. Cheika has shown he's happy to look abroad for talent and I'd wager he'll probably lure PAE home before 2019, but in the meantime I'm happy with him developing his set piece in the northern hemisphere.
Backs
The majority of our backline should remain very stable over the next four years. The guys that really stand out for me as most likely to join the team are Stirzacker, Debracini, Kerevi and Taqele.
New Zealand
Looking forward I'm really confident that we can turn around our results against NZ over the next few years and win back the bledisloe. We are much better placed than they are at least over the next few years. Yes New Zealand has a production line of brilliant talent and depth is not a problem for them but you have to look at the personnel they are replacing. McCaw is essentially irreplaceable, not just become of his experience but for his leadership. Sam Cane is a talented guy but he'll never reach Ritchie's heights. Kaino is heading off into the sunset and the other mainstays in their backrow (Reid/Messam) are all unlikely to be with the team in 2019. Considering the strength of our backrow that has to be a concern. Just as concerning will be the loss of the Nonu/Smith combo which has been a rock for the team over the last 4 years. The All Blacks will need to build a backline around Aaron Cruden but that could take time.
Back-row
The back-row has really been the corner stone of the Wallabies this season and I think we'll see that continue over the next 4 years. Pocock and Hooper will presumably both be there in 2019, barring some major injury to Pocock (if anything the 2 seasons he missed should prolong his career).
As a result I think we'll see Chieka develop the team around the 2 open-side approach. We have the depth to do it consistently with the likes of Gill (similar to Pocock) and McMahon (similar to Hooper) available. No reason we can't employ that in most test matches.
Importantly, we'll need to find the right 4/5/6 combination to compliment the 2 openside game plan. Most immediately, will be finding Fardy's long term successor. I think Luke Jones is the most obvious candidate, although he needs to develop his line-out skills over the next few years. Lopeti Timani is in the same boat.
Lock
In terms of second row I suspect Simo/Douglas/Carter will be the constants, and Cheika will need to develop a few more younger options - and as others have mentioned there's plenty of good options coming through the ranks (Adam Coleman and Rory Arnold appear to be the next cabs off the rank). I suspect this could actually become an area of strength for us. Skelton certainly has the potential to be an important part of the wallaby set up but really needs to develop his set piece skills.
Scrum
I'm really hoping they keep Mario Ledesma around for a while to continue his good work. I'd like to see Cheika bring in a handful of new front rowers next year to ensure that our FR stocks are deep come 2019. Sio/Slipper/Smith/Hanson is a really strong base to work from. Who's next in line will be interesting. Tolu Latu is most likely to become a mainstay IMO. after him I'm not sure who the best options are. Cheika has shown he's happy to look abroad for talent and I'd wager he'll probably lure PAE home before 2019, but in the meantime I'm happy with him developing his set piece in the northern hemisphere.
Backs
The majority of our backline should remain very stable over the next four years. The guys that really stand out for me as most likely to join the team are Stirzacker, Debracini, Kerevi and Taqele.
New Zealand
Looking forward I'm really confident that we can turn around our results against NZ over the next few years and win back the bledisloe. We are much better placed than they are at least over the next few years. Yes New Zealand has a production line of brilliant talent and depth is not a problem for them but you have to look at the personnel they are replacing. McCaw is essentially irreplaceable, not just become of his experience but for his leadership. Sam Cane is a talented guy but he'll never reach Ritchie's heights. Kaino is heading off into the sunset and the other mainstays in their backrow (Reid/Messam) are all unlikely to be with the team in 2019. Considering the strength of our backrow that has to be a concern. Just as concerning will be the loss of the Nonu/Smith combo which has been a rock for the team over the last 4 years. The All Blacks will need to build a backline around Aaron Cruden but that could take time.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
The Soap Dodgers should be in a rebuilding phase next year.
To continue development of the Men In Gold "brand", and to prepare properly for the TRC, we probably need stiffer opposition than a Minnow Team in rebuilding phase.
Is there any money in the kitty for a decent game or two for Australia A/Barbarians/Swagman in the June International Window?
To continue development of the Men In Gold "brand", and to prepare properly for the TRC, we probably need stiffer opposition than a Minnow Team in rebuilding phase.
Is there any money in the kitty for a decent game or two for Australia A/Barbarians/Swagman in the June International Window?
I'm a little more optimistic - I think Malone has improved Foley's consistency in recent times, and I like that his stock "good" kick goes straight as a die. I want to see that consistency improve further and eliminate the "over the top" leg swing which drags it straight left or fades it right. I'd like to see players like Beale really work on their kicking - he's gonna be around the Wallaby set-up, so he might as well make himself more indispensable with really solid place kicking. He too kicks it pretty straight, but is inconsistent. Plus he can kick it long, which is always nice.
We have to look at who is likely to be in the mix in general. Leali'ifano obviously is one name, but the big hook is a bit dubious, although he hits some purple patches of form with it. But he's another that could seriously promote his claim with rock-solid kicking. Pity White has gone too. It's practice with these guys, with some technical massaging.
There are some youngsters who kick well, but they're way below the level we're talking about in terms of general play.
Sword of Justice
Arch Winning (36)
We can't select those players so what's the point bringing them up? Retallick, Whitelock and Etsebeth are some of the worlds best players. Who can perform the core duties of a Lock better than our current stock of Simmons and Douglas in Australia? It's not worth sacrificing the engine room, which you don't see, for players who are more visible.
Walk before you run and all that.
It'd be interesting to see if Cheika could get an extra gear or two out of him. Plenty of raw material.
I must admit I have no idea how he's been going up north.
You?
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
No idea. Just based on his previous form here. Maybe he would not want to play under Chubby, too much like hard work!
I think we'll see Folau playing 13 going forward, which he would be better suited too, or even the wing so the cross field kick can be used.
Having Beale at FB in some of those game really highlighted Folau's shortcomings such as his kicking and ability to set up his winger.
Having Beale at FB in some of those game really highlighted Folau's shortcomings such as his kicking and ability to set up his winger.
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
It would be interesting to see if Timani could be taught to work hard and contribute.
Yeah, no, a couple of units prepared to do the "forward stuff" will be required. The first two need to lose another 10 to 20kgs and other is too small for lock and not dynamic enough for the back row
The ABs beat us through skills, decision making, workrate and athleticism not random crash ball impact players.
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think its time Folau shifted to 13 for the Tahs at Super Rugby level. Given we bought a couple of wingers in Guildford and some League bloke, as well as having Horne and Beale and Kellaway.
So outside backs is where we aren't short.
The question is, who the fuck plays fullback at the Tahs in Folau's place?
So outside backs is where we aren't short.
The question is, who the fuck plays fullback at the Tahs in Folau's place?
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
We have a few of each emerging in the NRC. Plus, a few that are knocking at the door in regards to 2nd rowers. A good young prospect I hope someone in Aus has or does pick up is Perese from Qld Country. Good toe, good feet and not afraid of the contact when necessary. He's only young but I think he's potentially a good one.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Kellaway or KB (Kurtley Beale). Watching the NRC this season we have Horwitz on the books who I think is worth a look in at 12 so moving KB (Kurtley Beale) to 15 could be worthwhile.
It depends if Foley survives 12 month rugby
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yeah, that's a concern. Though, fortunately we do have a number of options in terms of back up. Horwitz as played a lot at 10, KB (Kurtley Beale) can in a pinch. We have young Jim Stewart in the squad who would also be worth a look if we had to move either one of those to 10 to take up position at 12.