Wallabies 2012 Championship Squad

[RugbyReg]

Fainga'a is a Sonny Bill specialist, much the same as Carozza was on John Kirwin. He'd be my pick (with QC (Quade Cooper) at 10) for the All Blacks tests at least.

 

[fatprop]

Anyone but Horne - well not anyone, but I think Barnes and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) should be the centres.

But Robbie will go with Horne!

I think it will depend on the wingers fitness.

Assuming Beale is fit, Iaone & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will be on the wings unless Mitchell is training the house down

If Mitchell does demonstrate he is up to it AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 13

Horne? below AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), with McCabe gone, we have no one clearly better. It comes down to a coin toss with Horne already ahead.

 

[Scoey]

I know all things being equal, Mitchell is by far a better winger than Shipperly. I also know that as a QLDer I am going to favour Ships and NSWmen are going to favour Drewster BUT Ships has been playing really well. He is match fit (played 80mins of every game this season) and Drew is coming back from injury from playing very little S15 and above rugby this season, hell, very little S15 and above Rugby the last two seasons.

Drew has shown (RWC11) that he can come back from injury and hit form very quickly, but he has also shown that he can come back from injury only to get re-injured. We'll probably go with a 5/2 split on the bench as usual, and for that reason I would feel a lot more comfortable with Ships on the field over Drew.

 

[Richo]

I would prefer to see caution shown with Mitchell. Perhaps off the bench, if he's fit enough. I certainly would not want to see him rushed into the starting side given his recent history.

As for 13, it seems to me that Fatprop has laid out the scenario pretty succinctly. Not that much in it, for mine, between Horne and Fainga'a. Both have big question marks at this point. Perhaps the RC will provide some answers.

 

[Scoey]

Aussie Mike Harris is putting his hand up for a shot at the 12 jersey. I can't see it happening but I like the thought of bringing in a 12 to replace a 12, instead of this seemingly never ending "shuffling" we do with our backline to cover for injuries etc.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/w...ny-bill-williams/story-e6frf55l-1226441060964

 

[fatprop]

Fainga'a is a Sonny Bill specialist, much the same as Carozza was on John Kirwin. He'd be my pick (with QC (Quade Cooper) at 10) for the All Blacks tests at least.

So play Fainga'a at 12? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Horne at 13? Barnes on the bench?

Unlikely

 

[Athilnaur]

I think barnes, digby, ant, horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), beale is likely.

Cooper, digby, barnes, horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), beale if Deans and co agree Cooper is up to it.

Crucial game and I'd be a lot happier if Tomane and McCabe were playing, meh.

 

[RugbyReg]

So play Fainga'a at 12? AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Horne at 13? Barnes on the bench?

Unlikely

why unlikely? I'd like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13. Barnes on the bench works too.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

If deans had a brain

9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Digger
12 barnes
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 Toss up Mitchell/Shipps/Cummings/Vuna(god forbid)
15 Beale

21White
22 Ant

 

[Bowside]

deans will go with:

9. genia
10. barnes
11. ioane
12. finger/harris
13. finger/horne
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. beale

and we will lose the test match. here. first.

 

[en_force_er]

Is Tomane injured? I don't think Vuna is injured.

Reality check, these two are ahead in the Robbie pecking order over Ships. Can't guess where Mitchell factors in.

 

[No4918]

deans will go with:

9. genia
10. barnes
11. ioane
12. finger/harris
13. finger/horne
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. beale

and we will lose the test match. here. first.

I fear this is actually going to happen.

 

[fatprop]

why unlikely? I'd like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13. Barnes on the bench works too.

I just don't see Deans dropping Barnes from the starting side. He did too well against Wales.

So if Cooper starts, Barnes will be moved to 12.

Now if Cooper starts from the bench(not my preferred option), I can see Faainga at 12.

But I see

10 Cooper
12 Barnes

as the likely line up

 

[Jiggles]

deans will go with:

9. genia
10. barnes
11. ioane
12. finger/harris
13. finger/horne
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. beale

and we will lose the test match. here. first.

I fear Deans is going to do something really stupid like

10. Barnes
12. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
13. Horne

 

[en_force_er]

I fear Deans is going to do something really stupid like

10. Barnes
12. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
13. Horne

And the only time the ball will be thrown 2 passes wide will be when Higgers in on the wing.

 

[Athilnaur]

I think the key is Cooper, if he is in, highly likely Barnes to 12.

The curveball is Harris to 12. That gives us good kicking percentages and ok distribution, but its a huge ask.

 

[Jiggles]

And the only time the ball will be thrown 2 passes wide will be when Higgers in on the wing.

Mind you he will probably put in a classy little chip kick and score the wallabies only try in a 25 - 13 loss.

 

[Jiggles]

I think the key is Cooper, if he is in, highly likely Barnes to 12.

The curveball is Harris to 12. That gives us good kicking percentages and ok distribution, but its a huge ask.

Harris's distribution is just starting to get ok at Super level, he is no where near up to scratch for test matches yet.

 

[Athilnaur]

I'm inclined to agree Jiggles, but he has shown promise and he is in the squad. I think he needs another year, but Deans might see more.

 

[TOCC]

Is Tomane injured? I don't think Vuna is injured.

Reality check, these two are ahead in the Robbie pecking order over Ships. Can't guess where Mitchell factors in.

Vuna shouldn't be..
At least Ships is an effective defender