The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
If Sio is named I'd guess it will be at the expense of Mayhew from the squad I selected.
Rumours are rife that Hardwick and Hanigan will both be in the squad. My guess is that Hardwick is the backup 7 in the initial squad knowing that the only reason to call in a specialist would be if Hooper got injured.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
I think you have probably nailed every one of them BH, but on a personal preference note, I'd like to see Rona rather than Meakes (who I think has been severely over-rated on these threads) and I really, really would like to see Tui or Phillip get a lock spot in place of Rob Simmons who is seriously out of form this year.
Sincerely hope you're right to have dropped Dean Mumm from the squad.
I'd expect Meakes to be named over Rona because there's more need for a 12 than a 13 with Kerevi and Kuridrani in the squad battling for the 13 jersey.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
I take your point; I was really only comparing the worth of the two Force centres. But if another 12 is required, then I'd opt for Pai'iaia as the more attacking option and at a pinch offering some coverage at 10 also.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
One thing with Meakes is that while he is not an incredible attacking player, what he does is sets up tries. Look at the line breaks by Force players. Typically it originates from a Meakes pass. Equally, he is very good on defence. I think his skills compliment both Foley at 10, and the strike runners we have in the outside backs. Basically, Meakes puts people through gaps, Folau, DHP, Kuridrani and Hunt are the guys we have who can find those gaps.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
Iv heard this numerous times but looking at the stocks we basically have 2 good ones, a few absolute plodders, 1/2 unproven ones and 1/2 no more than Super level. I actually have less faith in our 3rd choice lock than our 3rd choice scrum half.
Good - Coleman, Arnold
Plodder - Simmons, Douglas
Used to be a plodder - Carter
Super Rugby level - Phillip, Enever
Just big - Skelton
Raw talent - Tui, Arnold twin
Is he a 6 or lock? - RHP, Hanigan. You can potentially add Tui to this list to
A 6 that can play Super Rugby level lock - Timani, Fardy
The rest - at best semi-pro level
Really not much there if Arnold or Coleman went down
Still better than our 12 options tho.
Good - Beale
Raw - Pai'aia
Super Rugby level - Meakes
Utility - Hodge
Rest of the cupboard - Blank
Rock Lobster
Larry Dwyer (12)
Can someone explain to me how Hardwick can even be considered for this squad? First year in Super Rugby, not even a regular starter for the Force and while solid he's hardly setting the comp alight. I could understand if he had Mafi like stats but he's not in the same ball park. Surely he needs another year or two to be considered even close to having earned a spot?
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
Runs hard, tackles hard, competes hard, great work ethic and has some decent hands.
Kid has some real talent, i don't mind players like him getting a go off the bench etc.
Rock Lobster
Larry Dwyer (12)
their coach is a fan of rotation. TPN, Lance, their props, the backrow, halves. They all have matches off.
He has started regularly. I think he is a decent selection and has improved rapidly.
If Mafi was Australian eligible I think he'd clearly be picked. He's been an absolute standout.
Micheal
Alan Cameron (40)
To be honest I think Hardwick is top five form backrowers in Australia this season.
Its not that 'he isn't an automatic first pick at the Force' but more so that Wessels has used his backrow players as a unit this season. Every fit played has rotated between starting and not starting, with horses for courses and players coming off the bench early to 'finish' the game as opposed to 'starting' it. I don't think his benching can be used to justify that he's not worthy of a Wallabies squad position.
It also seems that Wessel's approach is very similar to Cheika's in 2013. He was never intent on winning the competition in 2017 but rather wanted to build squad depth, separate the pretenders from the real deals and identify a solid first XV for next season. This requires a lot of rotation.
Also, if you look at the backrow talent there with RHP, Naisarani, Hodgson, McCalman, Koteka theres a lot of competition.
If the Wallabies squad was 40 players I'd have most of those that I just mentioned. If I could I'd be starting Naisarani as the Wallabies 8.
I personally think he's been better than Dempsey, Hanigan, Alcock and Tui this season easily. Even then, he's a different player to Hooper, Higgers etc. and shouldn't really be compared as substitutes for them.
He has all the traits I want in a backrower and fits the profile that Cheika loves so dearly.
Rock Lobster
Larry Dwyer (12)
I get the whole rotation thing and it's obvious Cheika is a fan. I just don't think he, or Hanigan for that matter, have done ENOUGH to warrant selection in a Wallaby squad at this stage. Both good players and plenty of potential but IMO and call me old school but unless you are an absolute superstar I reckon you need more than a season of Super Rugby under your belt to have EARNED selection in a Wallaby squad. Thought the same with Powell last year when he got picked in the squad after a handful of minutes Super Rugby experience.
Who would you pick instead?
No one has made a matchday 23 yet. There'll be a couple of players in every squad (for every team) that are something of project players that probably won't get capped.