Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Fox had Pocock listed as 114 in the Test series and 103 when the Brumbies played against the Tahs so I’m not sure what was going on there. Don’t think he is anywhere near 115kg.
No way in hell is Hooper 101 or Pocock 116kg. Big unit yes - 116 no.
Had a chance to meet Pocock at wallabies trial game up close ...not a tall bloke as stats show or wide but gees in terms of pure muscle he is the goods.Most recent games he (Pocock) has been listed at 103kg. I always had trouble believing 115kg, but I'd bet he is 5 - 10kg heavier than the likes of Hooper and Miller.
he was 115 before recent bout of surgery and sabbatical I believe. Back when Kearns would rave that he has the biggest arms in rugby (I think in 3rd behind Etzebeth and Chisholm). He leaned down to get more mobile and reduce stress on the lower limbs
I'll have a crack.
I assume squad size is staying at 31.
Props: Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Alan Ala'alatoa Almost definitely. Hopefully Slipper can focus on rugby in Canberra and get back in gold.
Hookers: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tolu Latu, Jordan Uelese I'd expect Taf to be in the squad. Cheika has been doing a lot to keep him around. Also Might swap BPA with Folau.
Locks: Adam Coleman, Lukhan Tui, Matt Phillip, Will Skelton Is Skelton signed for 2019? Also can't see Philip being there either. Where's R. Arnold? He will be there and probably one of Rodda or crowd favourite Simmons.
Flankers: David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Jack Dempsey, Sean McMahon, Peter Samu I rate this backrow a lot but don't think McMahon is having a tilt at RWC. I'm really hoping Dempsey makes a great recovery.
Number 8: Isi Naisarani Remains to be seen if he is quality at the top level..
Halfbacks: Will Genia, Jake Gordon I think Phipps will be here with Genia. No other scrumhalf has stepped up yet.
Fly-Halves: Bernard Foley, Matt To'omua Yep
Centres: Kurtley Beale, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Reece Hodge Yep
Wing: Marika Koroibete, Jordan Petaia Unless Petaia gets some good minutes on the EOYT I don't think he'll be included. I'd imagine Maddocks/Banks will be here instead.
Fullback: Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt Hunt at this rate won't be able to play for a super side let alone Aus will he?
Shadows
Prop: Jermain Ainsley
Hooker: Folau Fainga'a
Lock: Izack Rodda
Back Row: Caleb Timu
Halfback: Joe Powell
Fly-Half: Quade Cooper
Centre: Bill Meakes
Wing/Fullback: Jack Maddocks/Tom Banks
Potential Bolters:
Prop: Harry Lloyd
Hooker: Anaru Rangi
Lock: Darcy Swain
Back Row: Angus Cottrell/Will Miller
Halfback: Moses Sorovi
Fly-Half: Hamish Stewart/ Andrew Deagan
Centre: Duncan Paia'aua
Wing/Fullback: Andy Muirhead
It was only last time we didn't because of the draw meaning we had 3 games in 8 days, so they took a calculated punt. If the games are spaced well enough I think we'll revert to normal.My Turn. (will assume Skelton will not return)
Hooker: TPN, Uelese, Latu
Prop: Sio, Slipper, Thor, Kepu, Ala'alatoa
Lock: Rodda, Coleman, Arnold
5/6: Tui, Jones
7/8: Naisarani, Poey Hoops, Samu
Halfback: Genia, Phipps, Gordon
Flyhalf: To'omua, Foley
Centre: Beale, Hodge, Kerevi, Tk
OB/: Koroibete, DHP, Folau, Maddocks, Naivalu
Shadow (round it up to 40) - Don't usually take 3 Hookers or 3 Halfbacks to I would expect to see probably Simmons and Banks included from this list)
Fainga'a, Robertson, Simmons, Hanigan, Powell, Quade, Petaia, Speight, Banks
My Turn.
Yeah, we have 8, 6 and 6 days gap, and then 6 or 7 days gap for a quarter, so don't need to manage the workload quire as closely
There seems to be a general consensus that Uelese will be there. Seriously doubt it. Been injured for the better part of two seasons and has now fallen well behind in experience to BPA, Fainga' a and Latu.
I do not see the need for Naisarani or Samu and if Tui comes it will be primarily as a lock that can play 6. Dempsey and McMahon should be pursued and Cottrell tried on the EOYT.Until we see Tui or Naisarani pulling a Radike and on the wing for a game, I'm not interested.