Wallabies 2018 Spring Tour

[Jerry West]

I would guess that Petaia, Valetini and Cottrell would be the three exceptions.
If we take our recent squad with the same coaching setup it’s unlikely we will do well.
Some things have to change.

It also sounds like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will also be named in the squad....

 

[Derpus]

It also sounds like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will also be named in the squad..

yeesh, hope not.

 

[Dctarget]

I will be very, very surprised if QC (Quade Cooper) is selected. Barring him steering the Rebels to a championship, I don't think we will ever see Quade in gold again.

 

[KOB1987]

yeesh, hope not.

Jerry's just getting some more mileage out of a journo suggesting that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was returning to oz for a crack at a 4th RWC/

 

[Brumby Runner]

Have you watched him play at all recently? My guess is he's better, but who's actually seen any of his football lately?

No, but I've seen a whole lot of Ned playing over the past two years and I'm not in the least impressed. Jones was in good form before he left for o/s and all reports are good about his form over there. It would be a gamble, but one I'd be willing to take.

 

[Rebels3]

Good to see Matt Philip has been rewarded for being one of the best Australian locks in Super Rugby all year with an extended off season after failure to be selected for the squad.

 

[fatprop]

Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley (1 Test, Melbourne Rebels, 23)
Allan Ala'alatoa (29 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Rory Arnold (18 Tests , Brumbies, 28)
Adam Coleman (28 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Angus Cottrell* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 28)
Jack Dempsey (6 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 24)
Folau Fainga’a (5 Tests, Brumbies, 23)
Ned Hanigan (17 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Jed Holloway* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Michael Hooper (c) (87 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)
Sekope Kepu (99 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 32)
Tolu Latu (9 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (4 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)
David Pocock (74 Tests, Brumbies, 30)
Izack Rodda (13 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)
Rob Simmons (90 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Scott Sio (51 Tests, Brumbies, 27)
Taniela Tupou (8 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

Backs
Tom Banks (2 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Kurtley Beale (80 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Israel Folau (69 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Bernard Foley (64 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Will Genia (96 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 30)
Jake Gordon* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 25)
Dane Haylett-Petty (27 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 29)
Reece Hodge (33 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 24)
Samu Kerevi (21 Tests, Queensland Reds, 25)
Marika Koroibete (17 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Jack Maddocks (5 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 21)
Sefa Naivalu (7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Nick Phipps (69 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

 

[Joe Blow]

I would have had Petaia in place on Naivalu.

Jed Holloway? Interesting.

 

[Braveheart81]

I would have had Petaia in place on Naivalu.

Jed Holloway? Interesting.

This is only for the third Bledisloe. There will be a few more added to the EOYT squad. I'm not sure whether players from this squad will drop out or all would go.

The usual names who have been left out are Petaia, Timu and Samu. None would be likely to be in the matchday 23 and all are involved in NRC semi finals so there's a pretty strong chance some or all of them will be added for the EOYT.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Your team or Cheika's FP?

If Cheika's, it was always going to happen that Gordon would replace Powell but it is very rough on Joe. In the squad for near on 18 months with something like less than 40 minutes total playing time. Told to go back to NRC for more game time; replaced by Gordon who also gets no game time, but now assessed as better and picked in the squad to tour.

Did anyone see Gordon's efforts in the NRC? He is the consummate one trick pony as a No 9. He is no better or worse than most No 9s with his passing game and the one area he shines is in support play for others making a line break. He has good speed when put into the open. He does SFA by himself, rarely if ever taking on the line and provides very little threat to the opposition defensive line. Has he even got a kicking game? His defense and cover tackling ability does not stand out.

I would argue that Powell has a more threatening game with his occasional snipes and his cover defense is outstanding. If we are looking for an all round No 9 however who has a bit of all of it in his game, we wouldn't go past Michael Ruru. After Genia, he is the one No 9 who can consistently pose a threat with ball in hand, and works like an extra forward in defense.

But it is what it is. By my reckoning, neither Phipps nor Gordon are up to test standard, nor have the potential to get there in the next twelve months.

 

[WTF?]

Your team or Cheika's FP?

If Cheika's, it was always going to happen that Gordon would replace Powell but it is very rough on Joe. In the squad for near on 18 months with something like less than 40 minutes total playing time. Told to go back to NRC for more game time; replaced by Gordon who also gets no game time, but now assessed as better and picked in the squad to tour.

Did anyone see Gordon's efforts in the NRC? He is the consummate one trick pony as a No 9. He is no better or worse than most No 9s with his passing game and the one area he shines is in support play for others making a line break. He has good speed when put into the open. He does SFA by himself, rarely if ever taking on the line and provides very little threat to the opposition defensive line. Has he even got a kicking game? His defense and cover tackling ability does not stand out.

I would argue that Powell has a more threatening game with his occasional snipes and his cover defense is outstanding. If we are looking for an all round No 9 however who has a bit of all of it in his game, we wouldn't go past Michael Ruru. After Genia, he is the one No 9 who can consistently pose a threat with ball in hand, and works like an extra forward in defense.

But it is what it is. By my reckoning, neither Phipps nor Gordon are up to test standard, nor have the potential to get there in the next twelve months.

I love it! incessant calls for Gordon to be included in the squad for months. Now he is, the very first post is WHY?

Not that I am having a go at you BR, you are entitled to your opinion.

I say congrats to Gordon & Holloway who have climbed the next level of the mountain - they will learn so much in that environment. JD is just a class act, keeps to himself, trains the house down and even though he is not a 6 in the mould of Mellon, his speed, leg drive and aggression are like he is 20kgs heavier. I am very glad he is back, I hope he is able to play at the same intensity that we saw when he virtually won the Bled for us last year.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Great to see Dempsey and Kerevi's names there

 

[Jimmyjam]

In my opinion Joe Powell is barely Super Rugby standard, he's not particularly quick, a weak defender, has a good but not great pass, not a noted kicker. Seriously I'd have Matt Lucas in front of him at the Brumbies any day of the week. Powell really shouldn't even be in the conversation. In fact I'd have to rate Sorovi, Tuttle, Ruru and even U/20s Harrison Goddard at the Rebs in front of him. I'm sure he's a top bloke and gives 100%, but he's nowhere near international standard unfortunately. He's had the opportunity to make his case, but hasn't made the cut.

Same with Timu, runs into contact like a leaguey, way too upright, turns the ball over nearly every time he goes into contact, regularly throws dumb passes and doesn't compete in the rucks or line outs. Seriously a liability at international level. Has the odd gallop that makes the highlight reel and people who don't watch the entire game think he's the second coming!

 

[Joe Blow]

That’s a bit harsh but I would agree that neither has staked a claim, albeit with pretty limited opportunity.

 

[fatprop]

Your team or Cheika's FP?

If Cheika's, it was always going to happen that Gordon would replace Powell but it is very rough on Joe. In the squad for near on 18 months with something like less than 40 minutes total playing time. Told to go back to NRC for more game time; replaced by Gordon who also gets no game time, but now assessed as better and picked in the squad to tour.

Did anyone see Gordon's efforts in the NRC? He is the consummate one trick pony as a No 9. He is no better or worse than most No 9s with his passing game and the one area he shines is in support play for others making a line break. He has good speed when put into the open. He does SFA by himself, rarely if ever taking on the line and provides very little threat to the opposition defensive line. Has he even got a kicking game? His defense and cover tackling ability does not stand out.

I would argue that Powell has a more threatening game with his occasional snipes and his cover defense is outstanding. If we are looking for an all round No 9 however who has a bit of all of it in his game, we wouldn't go past Michael Ruru. After Genia, he is the one No 9 who can consistently pose a threat with ball in hand, and works like an extra forward in defense.

But it is what it is. By my reckoning, neither Phipps nor Gordon are up to test standard, nor have the potential to get there in the next twelve months.

I would have taken Gordon and Raru myself. Gordon has a very good kick, good box kick and good, long clearance from 9. The Tahs used him well there early in the season. "If" support play is a "one trick" I wish the whole side had it.

Powell? I don't think he is consistent enough, does some good things randomly, but not enough

 

[RugbyReg]

In my opinion Joe Powell is barely Super Rugby standard, he's not particularly quick, a weak defender, has a good but not great pass, not a noted kicker. Seriously I'd have Matt Lucas in front of him at the Brumbies any day of the week. Powell really shouldn't even be in the conversation. In fact I'd have to rate Sorovi, Tuttle, Ruru and even U/20s Harrison Goddard at the Rebs in front of him. I'm sure he's a top bloke and gives 100%, but he's nowhere near international standard unfortunately. He's had the opportunity to make his case, but hasn't made the cut.

Same with Timu, runs into contact like a leaguey, way too upright, turns the ball over nearly every time he goes into contact, regularly throws dumb passes and doesn't compete in the rucks or line outs. Seriously a liability at international level. Has the odd gallop that makes the highlight reel and people who don't watch the entire game think he's the second coming!

that's the type of high quality analysis I love about GAGR!

 

[Rebels3]

I'll go out on a limb and say that Gordon come WC will be the no.2 barring injuries. I dont mind Powell, he is still a young man and has some potential, Phipps will always work harder than his opposite and Ruru is as tough as nails but i personally don't see any of these options been better than Gordon.

BR i agree with your frustration with the lack of logic with how Powell has been discarded, it's all a bit of madness and i feel for the guy. But i believe through pure accident we are getting to the stage where the best option for no.2 will actually be the second best scrum half in the country, which in my opinion is Gordon.

On others in the squad, love the fact Dempsey is back, Holloway i believe is extremely luck (although i can see the logic behind it), Cottrell is another lucky one, as is Ainsley, Sefa's inclusion i find strange (although i am a big fan of his).

The unlucky Philip, Slipper, believe it or not Quade and Petaia. On saying all this each player included has their valid reasoning to be there.

Good luck boys and rip in

 

[Derpus]

Good to see Matt Philip has been rewarded for being one of the best Australian locks in Super Rugby all year with an extended off season after failure to be selected for the squad.

Meh if Arnold cant get into the side neither Phillip nor Holloway stand a chance.

 

[Rebels3]

Arnold is in the squad

 

[fatprop]

I don't understand Hollaway, he looked great at lock for the Tahs, but he isn't a test lock and his work at 6/8 is underwhelming - so much so that we have seen Wells own the spot all season