Wallabies 2019 Thread

[The Burke]

Interesting stats RugbyReg. I think minutes played would be a better factor than games started. Would show who is the most effective when they are actually on the field.

I have been super impressed with Luke jones so far and believe he could be more useful than LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in a 2nd row/6 position particularly coming off the bench.

 

[dru]

Form team as it stands at the moment. From now new players come in via the bench and players losing form go out via the bench, to negate the '1 game effect':

Interesting take KOB. I’m not far off either.

Surprised with Hoopert making the bench and Talakai for that matter. Would have made room for Slipper I think. I understand “our via the bench” but I suspect Foley either starts or dits in the outer. Meakes might be a better bench option. Actually, Hunt.

I do think you are very close to a form team right now.

 

[Up the Guts]

Form team as it stands at the moment. From now new players come in via the bench and players losing form go out via the bench, to negate the '1 game effect':

1 Johnson-Holmes WAR
2 Fainga'a BRU
3 Alalaatoa BRU
4 Phillip REB
5 Jones REB
6 McCaffrey BRU
7 Samu BRU
8 Naisarani REB
9 Genia REB
10 Cooper REB
11 Rona WAR
12 Kerevi RED
13 English REB
14 Folau WAR
15 Maddocks REB
Bench
16 Rangi REB
17 Hoopert RED
18 Talakai REB
19 Carter BRU
20 Hooper WAR
21 Gordon WAR
22 Foley WAR
23 Koroibete REB

The next 8 to make up the 31 man squad:

Fitzpatrick WAR
Slipper BRU
Arnold BRU
Valetini BRU
Sorovi RED
Lealifano BRU
Meakes REB
Hunt WAR

No room for Meakes in the 23? It's hard to displace Kerevi with his one-man army efforts at the Reds but surely Meakes could slide in ahead of Foley.

 

[KOB1987]

I'm using the SuperBru fantasy stats, I use those because unlike the other comps it doesn't include goalkicking, unless you elect the player to be your kicker. Over the season so far Foley is slightly ahead of Meakes with an average of 12.8 v 12.3, but it also has an interesting 'form' calculation which looks at the last 3 games and gives a higher weighting to the more recent game. Meakes is ahead of Foley 13.0 v 11.3 on that measure. Another good game from Meakes and he'll nudge into the 23 I'd say. However, if you assumed that was your team, who is the back-up 10?

I think the stats aren't that great for props and locks as it ignores set piece (except scrum penalties) so in a couple more rounds we'll start to be a bit more subjective about the selections for those positions. I wouldn't have Hoopert or Talakai in reality either, they've just been good around the park.

 

[Adam84]

Interesting stats RugbyReg. I think minutes played would be a better factor than games started. Would show who is the most effective when they are actually on the field.

I have been super impressed with Luke jones so far and believe he could be more useful than LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in a 2nd row/6 position particularly coming off the bench.

Jones is a quality player, it amazed me he wasn’t given more of an opportunity at test level when he was here last...
But in comparisons betweeen Jones and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), they do play different styles and offer different skill-sets to the forward pack. Jones gets through more work defensively, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) gets through more carries and runs. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)’s form in 2019 is down though.

 

[RoffsChoice]

I'm thrilled that we have a couple of guys in the position who offer something different. Much as a coach may love the stability of being able to call up the next guy and play the same way, we also need to be able to play differently as required, and having those horses for courses is invaluable.

 

[barbarian]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is one of those players who produces his best rugby at test level, though.

And remember he polled second in the John Eales Medal, so is obviously very well respected amongst the playing group.
.

 

[Braveheart81]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) playing 6 last year was to crash the ball up in tight with the 7 and 8 both playing wider.

I tend to think that we would only have one of Naisarani and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the starting backrow. If Naisarani starts then LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) would be more likely to play lock.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was first choice 6 last year. I think there's a very high probability he is in the 23 with everyone available. I think if LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) starts at 6 we have the highest likelihood of Pocock continuing at 8 and Hooper at 7.

 

[fatprop]

Waratahs (40 in 4 = 10):
- Holloway and Hanigan are the main targets. Simmons is calling I assume? He reads the lineout well and is probably playing the bluff a bit.
- Holloway's work in defense is exceptional.
- Not many other options other than the traditional, but Hanigan clearly a strong option. Three very good targets.

It appears the opps are looking at Holloway as the weakest link - and so far he is making them pay

 

[Slim 293]

I'll have a crack.......... mix of form, and players I expect Cheika to pick:

1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. AAA
4. Arnold
5. Rodda
6. Hooper
7. Pocock
8. Naisarani
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Korobeite
12. Meakes
13. Kerevi
14. DHP
15. Folau

16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20. Samu
21. Gordon
22. Beale
23. Kuridrani / Banks / Maddocks / Naivalu

I would keep the Brumbies front row, and the Rebels inside backs combinations..........

Coleman nowhere to be seen - Rodda and Arnold have been the form locks for two years now, and I don't think Coleman is even the best lock currently at the Rebels. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) offers a lot of impact off the bench and can cover 6 in an emergency.

I'm not a fan of the Pooper but I don't see it changing anytime soon........

Petaia's injury probably won't see him get enough time to crack the squad for the RWC, but if he proves me wrong I would slide him into 23.

Kuridrani still a strong possibility to start for his general reliable test form, particularly if Kerevi's defensive issues arise again.

If Meakes keeps playing the way he has he should be an automatic pick for 12, but he does lack test experience and To'omua is a likely alternative.

 

[barbarian]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was first choice 6 last year. I think there's a very high probability he is in the 23 with everyone available. I think if LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) starts at 6 we have the highest likelihood of Pocock continuing at 8 and Hooper at 7.

What do you reckon are the chances of him playing lock? Him and Coleman would be a pretty physical pairing, and as Reg's stats have shown both are adept in the lineout.
.

 

[Derpus]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) playing 6 last year was to crash the ball up in tight with the 7 and 8 both playing wider.

I tend to think that we would only have one of Naisarani and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in the starting backrow. If Naisarani starts then LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) would be more likely to play lock.

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was first choice 6 last year. I think there's a very high probability he is in the 23 with everyone available. I think if LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) starts at 6 we have the highest likelihood of Pocock continuing at 8 and Hooper at 7.

The latter option would be somewhat disappointing in my opinion. I think you need to strike a balance between rewarding form and including experience.

This may be controversial but i thought after the Ireland series both Pocock and Hooper struggled somewhat for form, recognizing their otherwise ridiculous standards. We definitely haven't seen anything this year that suggests they both MUST be included, particularly given the form of Naisarani.

If form trends continue and injury permits, I hope we at least trial a bigger backrow in the shortened RC. I'd like to see how a backrow of Pocock/Hooper, Isi and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)/Jones/McCaffrey fair.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Kuridrani still a strong possibility to start for his general reliable test form, particularly if when Kerevi's defensive issues arise again.

Fixed.

Generally like your selection. I feel for McCaffrey after his incredible form, but it's a world cup year and coaches go with what they know.

I like the LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)-Samu reserves, as both the starting locks are good enough to play 80 and the reserves can cover backrow injury.

As it stands, I'd kill for Meakes to be starting 12, but it will be Beale or Hunt.

 

[Braveheart81]

What do you reckon are the chances of him playing lock? Him and Coleman would be a pretty physical pairing, and as Reg's stats have shown both are adept in the lineout.
.

I reckon pretty strong. He'll be there somewhere. Cheika will rightly view him as one of the best ball carriers he has available from 4-8.

Here's my current team based on a combination of form and ability.

Slipper
Fainga'a
Ala'alatoa
Salakaia-Loto
Rodda
Jones
Hooper (c)
Naisarani
Genia
Cooper
Maddocks
Meakes
Kerevi
DHP
Folau

TPN
Sio
Tupou
Coleman
Pocock
Gordon
Beale
Kuridrani

I expect it will change a lot over the coming months. Realistically the last 6 weeks of Super Rugby are going to count far more than the first 12 (and so they should).

 

[Derpus]

^^^^
Good team.

I suppose Beale is the emergency 10?

 

[Slim 293]

Fixed.

Generally like your selection. I feel for McCaffrey after his incredible form, but it's a world cup year and coaches go with what they know.

I like the LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)-Samu reserves, as both the starting locks are good enough to play 80 and the reserves can cover backrow injury.

As it stands, I'd kill for Meakes to be starting 12, but it will be Beale or Hunt.

If McCaffrey keeps playing the way he has, I would definitely have him in the squad....... he's physical, great link play, and can jump in the lineout - definitely another good no 8 option, but would have to get some game time in the RC to see if he's up to it.

 

[Slim 293]

^^^^
Good team.

I suppose Beale is the emergency 10?

It's a risk you could take against some teams, but you could also go with To'omua and Beale on the bench, with To'omua to cover 10/12 and Beale to cover fullback (as well as 12/10) with Folau sliding to the wing if need be.

I haven't mentioned Foley because I feel he is playing 10, or not there at all....... and at the moment Cooper is in much better form.

 

[Derpus]

Foley has been shockers.

 

[Braveheart81]

If McCaffrey keeps playing the way he has, I would definitely have him in the squad... he's physical, great link play, and can jump in the lineout - definitely another good no 8 option, but would have to get some game time in the RC to see if he's up to it.

I definitely feel like McCaffrey will struggle to have the same abrasiveness and physicality at test level. I'd feel more confident with him playing a 6 role rather than an 8 role. If you picked him at 8 you'd need LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at 6.

Out of Hooper and Pocock I definitely feel like Pocock is probably more likely to work as an impact player than Hooper. Samu has had a field day off the bench with turnovers as that sort of player often does. They are fresh and coming on against tiring players. I think the work Pocock could do at the breakdown in the last half an hour of a game would be substantial. If you're in something of a trench warfare game where we are defending our backsides off (i.e. South Africa at the 2011 RWC, he comes on earlier).

In terms of surviving the test season and RWC I also think we're more likely to see more of David Pocock if we're not trying to get him to play 80 minutes each test.

 

[wamberal]

Foley has been shockers.

And that's being kind. I would have chosen another word. Maybe you almost did?