Wallabies 2019 Thread

[TSR]

Yeah, look - I do too. But he is in there so I hope he can come good.

Personally I would have though Latu had burnt up his last chance, but Cheika seems to like, even encourage the rouge element, and Latu definitely has some attributes like his strength over the ball that are a real point of difference.

Maybe, as someone else suggested, they are just keeping TPN on ice and letting Ulese & Latu shoot it out for the third spot. Pure speculation of course, but I can see merit in that.

 

[ForceFan]

Congratulations to Isi Naisarani and Dane Haylett-Petty who both had their Super Rugby debuts with the Western Force and were both worked hard to earn Force Player of the Year Awards.

Hope they go well in the Rugby Championship and get their change for the RWC in Japan.

I'm sick of the parochial bullshit that goes on at this site.

Me too........but then so often we read about the need for a return to tribalism in order to increase the rugby following. It's obviously a delicate balance.

 

[Joe Blow]

That is the one I struggle with the most.

Hopefully Latu repays the faith shown.

Uelese to shine and eventually be the starter this year. Here first....

 

[dru]

Petaia will need to play more than a fortnight of rugby......

But I don’t rate Hunt.

Agree on Petaia. After that we part.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I just think any form at all will see Petaia in the side. I can’t remember ever having such poor outside back talent.

 

[upthereds#!]

Maddocks will be SUPER lucky to progress to WC. I think he is super lucky to be in this squad, considering only 1 strike winger was selected (Koroibete) with Pulu, Speight & Naivalu left behind, yet we have an abundance of guys who are kicking options for the back 3 ahead of Maddocks- DHP, Hodge, Banks and then Beale as a FB.

 

[Strewthcobber]

TPN confirmed to be recovering from ankle surgery. 5 weeks in to 8 weeks recovery

 

[Joe Blow]

I'm not sure he'll make the 23. I take it as being more of an emergency in case Hooper can't play.

Maybe not but Cheika has preferred to have at least 2 and sometimes 3 genuine 7s in his 23. If he goes in with Dempsey on the bench and we lose Hooper early(unlikely) then we will be banging away at the Boks with a like for like back row............god forbid.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think we’ve got the best group of locks available currently in the squad, even though Phillip would be far more deserving of a spot than Simmons, but we know that’s not going to happen this year, so moving on.....

Coleman hasn’t been included because of injury.... but honestly, who would he replace out of Arnold, Rodda, Simmons, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), and Jones (who can cover lock)?

In terms of this group I think Philip is competing more with Arnold and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) for a spot. Rodda and Simmons are probably seen as comparable players for the other locking role.

Coleman fits into both camps although when tasked with the lineout leader role last year it was a debacle. I tend to think the group we've picked now is better off without him. It's been a long time since he's shown the form that had him as our best lock for a while.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Overall most would not have problems with wallaby selections but the real reminder with players selected / available is lack of players we have with real X factor about them. Sadly of course this is why Izzy was a loss as he had X factor which is rare currently in oz rugby stocks and why players like Beale persisted with (as at his best and in form he does bring X factor - but clearly being in form and at his best he is not).

 

[Derpus]

When did it become the case that we are flush with props and have no wingers?

 

[Tomikin]

Overall most would not have problems with wallaby selections but the real reminder with players selected / available is lack of players we have with real X factor about them. Sadly of course this is why Izzy was a loss as he had X factor which is rare currently in oz rugby stocks and why players like Beale persisted with (as at his best and in form he does bring X factor - but clearly being in form and at his best he is not).

I think our Forwards are packed with X-Factor, I'm going to mention Brumbies forwards here, because that's who I watched the most, but AAA, SIO, FF (Folau Fainga'a), Slipper, Arnold, all have great hands and great interplay creating so much space, add in Hooper, Isi and another big running 6 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) / Vanetini off the platform, you have 3 hard running backs in TK/KK/MK being hit from Genia/White and whoevers at 5'8. Do we really need our other 2 players to have at the back to have x factor.

Not to mention that our bench will have one of Sio/Slipper and Thor injecting late and possible some pace in Beale, I think we are covered pretty well.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

I think our Forwards are packed with X-Factor, I'm going to mention Brumbies forwards here, because that's who I watched the most, but AAA, SIO, FF (Folau Fainga'a), Slipper, Arnold, all have great hands and great interplay creating so much space, add in Hooper, Isi and another big running 6 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) / Vanetini off the platform, you have 3 hard running backs in TK/KK/MK being hit from Genia/White and whoevers at 5'8. Do we really need our other 2 players to have at the back to have x factor.

Not to mention that our bench will have one of Sio/Slipper and Thor injecting late and possible some pace in Beale, I think we are covered pretty well.

Forwards bench of Latu, Slipper, Thor, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Dempsey makes for some strong impact especially running with the ball. I really like it.

 

[RugbyReg]

When did it become the case that we are flush with props and have no wingers?

perhaps play Tupou on the wing?

 

[Derpus]

perhaps play Tupou on the wing?

It would be entertaining, at the very least.

 

[BDA]

I think at times in the past we've relied too much on x factor players in the backline, to our detriment. History has shown that world cups are won with a strong forward pack and from that perspective we look to have decent depth and no plodders. I remember 5 or so years back when the most obvious difference between the wallabies forwards and the all blacks was that 1 to 8 were all genuine ball players capable of making an impact in general play. Thats definitely changed. Our front row group (and not just the starting 3) is pretty dynamic.

Obviously you need some good backs too but i think we've got enough talent in that department to compete (even if its maybe one of the weaker backlines we've played at a world cup)

 

[Hound]

It would be entertaining, at the very least.

Would give him some time to gather momentum. Imagine a crash ball inside line off the 12.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think at times in the past we've relied too much on x factor players in the backline, to our detriment. History has shown that world cups are won with a strong forward pack and from that perspective we look to have decent depth and no plodders. I remember 5 or so years back when the most obvious difference between the wallabies forwards and the all blacks was that 1 to 8 were all genuine ball players capable of making an impact in general play. Thats definitely changed. Our front row group (and not just the starting 3) is pretty dynamic.

Obviously you need some good backs too but i think we've got enough talent in that department to compete (even if its maybe one of the weaker backlines we've played at a world cup)

Yep, X-Factor is a bit overrated. You definitely need skill and pace in the backs, but World Cups are won in the set piece, defence and kicking mostly. The Wallabies could have Horan and Campo in the backline again, but if they're getting dusted in the forwards, show over.

 

[Up the Guts]

I don’t think our backs are too bad. Kerevi is as good as Folau was at breaking tackles (if not better) and this is the first season we’re going to use him in full. We’re probably one explosive winger short but Koroibete looked like he was getting back to his 2017 form towards the back of the season so he may fix that problem for us. Defensively, we look much better with the two Ks in the centres meaning we won’t have to chop and change too much.

 

[cyclopath]

perhaps play Tupou on the wing?

Shorter walk to the naughty chair when he shoulder charges someone.