Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Braveheart81]

Yeah don’t understand the rationale for Liam Wright being ahead of Naisarani. I thought Wright was excellent for the Reds but don’t know why we need another 7. I’d be disappointed if Naisarani wasn’t there.

I think the rationale is a) if Samu doesn't pass fit for the tour and b) Hooper went down in the warm up you'd be playing Jack Dempsey at 7.

I wouldn't be taking Wright either but I get their point.

I can't see Samu making this tour. They leave this weekend for a one week camp before test week. I can't see how someone who left the field with a hamstring injury would be fit to participate in the camp starting two weeks later. I can't really see the point of taking someone who can't do the camp in the hope they're fit for the test. It's the start of a big test season, not the end of it.

 

[Derpus]

And here are the "experts" selections

https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/...k/news-story/516b142ddce9b9b913ddb194cdcbc5d0

None selected Cooper or Naisarani, the all selected AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the outside backs and To'omua as the 10 back up to Foley

Mugs.

How on earth would McCaffrey, Dempsey or even Hanigan be ahead of Isi?

When was the last time To'omua had a single game in Aus you could point to and say, 'yeah he played really well'.

The last England test in the 2016 tour?

It's amazing how much a players reputation can grow in absence.

 

[TSR]

Some baffling selections there.

 

[Up the Guts]

“Maddocks has got the nod but it’s more to see whether he can bounce back from a poor end to the season.”

This logic baffles me. Sure you might give someone like Genia, who has won us test matches before almost off his own bat, a crack despite their form slipping but there are so many other options on the wing to Maddocks. And, no disrespect to Maddocks because he’s a good finisher with great attacking instincts, but he’s not a freaky talent like Petaia who can potentially break open a game.

They often say in mungo ball that Origin isn’t the place to gain experience. In this case, I don’t think test rugby is the place for Maddocks to find form.

 

[Slim 293]

For me, Naisarani has been the complete package at no 8, and even when the rest of the Rebels fell away he maintained his impressive form throughout the year.........

I don't think McCaffrey's form since his injury has been as good as it was prior, and in that time Samu has cemented his place in the squad.

Valetini, probably deserves to be in the wider squad going into the RC, but I maintain his time will be next year, and if he keeps it up he'll be a walk up starter for the 6 jersey in 12 months.

 

[upthereds#!]

Picking Wright is a feel good thing - Pretty clear Poey will be back eventually and Samu can cover 7 in the mean time (and has been playing the house down)

Hanigan and Dempsey shouldn't be in the squad at all with the likes of Tui, Jones, Mccaffrey and Naisarani going around.

 

[upthereds#!]

Kafe picked Holmes over Kepu....what...?

Also think Maddocks will miss WC. Hes unnecessary

Centre/FB: Beale
Wing/FB: Maddocks, DHP, Banks
Centre/FB/Wing: JOC (James O'Connor), Hodge.

 

[upthereds#!]

Liam Wright over Luke Jones and Isi Naisirani really surprises me. I don't see the point in selecting Liam. Is it as backup to Hooper with no Pocock with Samu an injury concern?

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) staggers me but then again it doesn't.

I think cut down by 2 spots to 31, he may be the unlucky back to get the shove, but I do understand the, if TK goes down, who would you want.

 

[Dctarget]

How's Banks under the high ball? I can't remember if he's safe or not?

 

[Slim 293]

How's Banks under the high ball? I can't remember if he's safe or not?

He's fairly reliable............

 

[Slim 293]

Just going back to the topic of Jesse Mogg............

He had some weaknesses, both physical and mental, that were obvious at a Super Rugby level which I haven't seen with Banks as yet.

Banks is a far better defender, more reliable under the high ball and certainly not as prone to some of the brain farts we saw from Mogg during his patches of bad form.

 

[formerflanker]

Which position though?

Wing.
A solid member of the back three.

 

[formerflanker]

I know JOC (James O'Connor) has played 12 this season but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s in the discussion for the 15 jersey.

Selected at 15 after playing 12 in a different competition so no comparisons can be made?
A big gamble.

 

[Up the Guts]

I think cut down by 2 spots to 31, he may be the unlucky back to get the shove, but I do understand the, if TK goes down, who would you want.

If TK goes down I’d shift Kerevi out one and have MT or JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 before I had AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[Slim 293]

JOC (James O'Connor) has mostly been playing at 12 and 13 from what I've seen.........

Kuridrani is the player most deserving of the 13 jersey, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a possible Kerevi/JOC (James O'Connor) centre partnership at some stage.

 

[Up the Guts]

Selected at 15 after playing 12 in a different competition so no comparisons can be made?
A big gamble.

Beale ended up playing 15 for the Wallabies in 2017 after playing 12 all season up north when Folau took time off for the EOYT. For me, going from 12 to 15 is far less risky than 15 to 12.

 

[formerflanker]

Liam Wright over Luke Jones and Isi Naisirani really surprises me. I don't see the point in selecting Liam. Is it as backup to Hooper with no Pocock with Samu an injury concern?

Wright's selection would be the fulfilment of a "like for like" selection philosophy - Pocock ruled out, bring in the next best of that mould, and don't look for a large 8.

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon there's very little chance JOC (James O'Connor) will be looked at as a 15 option as a starter. We have multiple better options there already. I think it will be as another potential utility player like Hodge that can cover a bunch of positions. I can't see him featuring for a starting jersey.

I think the way he plays now is best suited to the centres. Maybe he's fighting with To'omua, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Hodge etc. as a player who can cover 12/13 behind Kerevi and Kuridrani and also has the benefit that he could play 14/15 if needed.

If Leali'ifano makes it as the backup 10, To'omua's spot becomes very tenuous.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Yeah, moving forward I reckon it's Hodge v JOC (James O'Connor) for the last spot in the WC squad. Both will get some minutes in the 5 tests to put forward their case

 

[Braveheart81]

If you decided Lilo was your backup 10, the 13 backs for the RWC squad could be:

Genia, Phipps, White
Foley, Leali'ifano
Kerevi, Kuridrani, JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia/Hodge
Beale, DHP, Koroibete, Banks/Maddocks