Wallabies 2019 Thread

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I've not kept up with JOC (James O'Connor) happenings since he left OZ. What position has he been mostly playing and how's he gone up North? Is he still any good?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Just on the hooker situation, I think with the talent, but also lack of test experience in that pivotal spot, I'd be very tempted to have TPN as cover.

 

[Derpus]

Best squad I've seen yet. Pretty clear that fans generally have now discarded Adam Coleman. On form, there's no argument, but on experience, surely he will be considered along the same lines as the Beale supporters point to his 580 odd tests when he is not the form No 15 in the Aussie conference.

Yeah he will likely be in the squad. Philip will not be.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Jim Tucker has Simmons, Rodda, Coleman, "apprentice" Harry Hocking training in camp at the moment and Arnold joining next week

 

[Derpus]

I think a few players are primed to start their Wallaby careers in ernest next year: Petaia, Valetini, Philip maybe McDermott, Gordon

 

[Braveheart81]

Best squad I've seen yet. Pretty clear that fans generally have now discarded Adam Coleman. On form, there's no argument, but on experience, surely he will be considered along the same lines as the Beale supporters point to his 580 odd tests when he is not the form No 15 in the Aussie conference.

I do like you hanging onto the premise that Beale had a bad season.

I agree that Banks was more consistent. I don't think that is going to get him the starting jersey though.

 

[fatprop]

I do like you hanging onto the premise that Beale had a bad season.

I agree that Banks was more consistent. I don't think that is going to get him the starting jersey though.

On form Beale shouldn't be anywhere near the starting Wobs team, but I expect him to be persevered with initially

As a 15 at test level, he isn't safe enough under the high ball and struggles to get go forward against a set chase line.

But I don't think Banks will start at 15, DHP deserves the role

 

[Braveheart81]

On form Beale shouldn't be anywhere near the starting Wobs team, but I expect him to be persevered with initially

As a 15 at test level, he isn't safe enough under the high ball and struggles to get go forward against a set chase line.

But I don't think Banks will start at 15, DHP deserves the role

You talk about form and suggest that Beale shouldn't be anywhere near the team but then conclude saying DHP deserves the role.

I think DHP had a pretty average season for the Rebels. On purely Super Rugby form he'd be third behind Banks and Beale.

 

[Derpus]

I think we can safely conclude that no one really 'deserves' the starting 15 jersey.

Outside backs, 10 (as always) and hooker are our problem spots this year.

 

[fatprop]

You talk about form and suggest that Beale shouldn't be anywhere near the team but then conclude saying DHP deserves the role.

I think DHP had a pretty average season for the Rebels. On purely Super Rugby form he'd be third behind Banks and Beale.

DHP was injured and came back, did some quality work when the side was struggling

 

[Strewthcobber]

Beale was pretty good too initially after moving back to 15. In both cases it's the last month that's been the issue

 

[Tomikin]

I've said it before, so forgive me for repeating myself. I want to see Banks given a shot at some point, but I fear he's Jesse Mogg 2.0 - good at Super level, but his physical deficiencies may prove too great to thrive at test level.

We haven't seen enough to confirm that assessment though, and I'd love him to prove me wrong.

His much more Physical then Mogg, and breaks tackles with power more then just speed. Mogg did have some brilliance at test and some not so good moments, but wasn't really given a chance, plus Banks tackling is a strength were Moggs was an issue.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think a few players are primed to start their Wallaby careers in ernest next year: Petaia, Valetini, Philip maybe McDermott, Gordon

I'd add a few, like HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), although he is in the unenviable spot of having both Sio ans Slipper still here next year. I am assuming Robertson switches full time to the TH side in 2020. Others are, Swain, Simone, Wright.

I'd really like to see Valetini make the RWC squad this year and to play a couple of the lesser round robin games. IMO he is ready and the experience would be invaluable for next year and beyond.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I do like you hanging onto the premise that Beale had a bad season.

I agree that Banks was more consistent. I don't think that is going to get him the starting jersey though.

I readily concede your argument BH, but Banks has put in a very impressive last half of the season, and as someone here keeps telling us in the early parts of the season, that early season form means little and other players will rise to the top towards the end, then he is more deserving of the Wallabies No 15 spot than Beale.

 

[Braveheart81]

I readily concede your argument BH, but Banks has put in a very impressive last half of the season, and as someone here keeps telling us in the early parts of the season, that early season form means little and other players will rise to the top towards the end, then he is more deserving of the Wallabies No 15 spot than Beale.

I agree with all that. I just think Cheika will go with Beale. He'll want the second playmaker ability that Beale brings from fullback and he'll back his test experience to deliver the best outcome.

I could be entirely wrong but that's my prediction.

Likewise, Cheika could be wrong, but it's largely his decision. I highly doubt Johnson and O'Connor will be demanding that certain selection decisions are non negotiable.

There wouldn't be a test coach anywhere in the world who picks their squad and team entirely on form.

 

[Derpus]

I agree with all that. I just think Cheika will go with Beale. He'll want the second playmaker ability that Beale brings from fullback and he'll back his test experience to deliver the best outcome.

I could be entirely wrong but that's my prediction.

Likewise, Cheika could be wrong, but it's largely his decision. I highly doubt Johnson and O'Connor will be demanding that certain selection decisions are non negotiable.

There wouldn't be a test coach anywhere in the world who picks their squad and team entirely on form.

Does Keiran Reid even play Super Rugby anymore?

 

[Braveheart81]

With the expectation that a 33 player Wallaby squad will be named tomorrow I thought it would be interesting to compare to what happened last time.

In 2015 Cheika named a 40 player squad for the Rugby Championship. The schedule was a bit different in that we first played South Africa at home before travelling to Argentina. The two All Blacks games were at the end as they are this time. The longer camp at home meant a larger squad made sense.

With us travelling to South Africa and opting for a week long camp there (before the test week), a smaller squad makes sense. I would expect that there will be players added once they get home to bring the camp size back up to around 40 (half of these will probably be injured players like Pocock, Coleman, Petaia and Samu).

In the four tests in 2015 we used 32 players. Ultimately 29 of them went to the RWC. The only players who played one of those four tests and didn't go to the RWC were Horwill, Higginbotham and White.

It will be interesting to see how many are used across the four tests this time. I expect it will be a few less. In 2015 Cheika had only been in the job for four tests at the end of 2014.

I think that aside from players missing this tour due to injury, it will be pretty unlikely that healthy players outside that 33 man squad are a chance to go to the RWC. They would most likely be relying on injuries to free up spots.

 

[RugbyReg]

With the expectation that a 33 player Wallaby squad will be named tomorrow I thought it would be interesting to compare to what happened last time.

In 2015 Cheika named a 40 player squad for the Rugby Championship. The schedule was a bit different in that we first played South Africa at home before travelling to Argentina. The two All Blacks games were at the end as they are this time. The longer camp at home meant a larger squad made sense.

here's the squad he announced (bolded are the 31 RWC squad ultimately announced):

Extended Qantas Wallabies Squad:

Rory Arnold (Brumbies)*
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)
Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
Quade Cooper (Reds)
Dave Dennis (Waratahs)
James Hanson (Reds)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Tetera Faulkner (Force)
Israel Folau (Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
Will Genia (Reds)
Matt Giteau (Toulon)
Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)
Greg Holmes (Reds)
Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Rob Horne (Waratahs)
James Horwill (Reds)
Samu Kerevi (Reds)*
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)
Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
Drew Mitchell (Toulon)
Wyclif Palu (Waratahs)
Ben McCalman (Force)
Sean McMahon (Rebels)
Dean Mumm (Waratahs)
Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)*
Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
David Pocock (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
Rob Simmons (Reds)
Will Skelton (Waratahs)
James Slipper (Reds)
Toby Smith (Rebels)*
Henry Speight (Brumbies)
Matt To'omua (Brumbies)
Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
Nic White (Brumbies)

*Uncapped
^Foreign player ruling

Kane Douglas wasn't in this squad but went to the RWC.

 

[Tomikin]

Does Keiran Reid even play Super Rugby anymore?

Did you just compare Kurtley Beale to Keiran Reid ?

 

[Derpus]

Did you just compare Kurtley Beale to Keiran Reid ?