Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Tomikin]

A part of me is frustrated that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been picked, as he's been very so-so at Super level this year. And he's about 47.

And I just know that he's going to get more game time than he really deserves.

But.. he will slot in and play his fucking heart out, and probably be one of our better backs.

It's just what he does, and what he always has done.

He's frustratingly good, and I have no reason to think that won't take him to Japan.
.

To be fair I'd pick him on the wing before Maddocks as well.

 

[Tomikin]

I don't think McCaffrey did his chances much good on the weekend. I'm not sure he would have been picked anyway as I don't think he was included in the leadup camps but he didn't impress or have impact against essentially a test pack. I thought the level looked a bit above him.

He has the last 2 years got injured mid to late season and not come back to form too well, Samu over took him as the Brumbies 8 and the rest is history, some of the others have got in on potential more then current skill Valetini. Although McCaffrey been better then Dempsey all year.

 

[Derpus]

^^^
Dempsey is lucky to be there, but has the ace up his sleeve of previously being MotM in a victory over the Darkness.

So many of our talents seem to injure themselves at inopportune times and never come back the same.

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon Dempsey would pair well as the number 8 if Salakaia-Loto or Valetini are playing 6.

My first up backrow would be Jones, Hooper, Naisarani. Dempsey is probably the reserve backrower there due to his versatility.

 

[Viking]

A part of me is frustrated that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been picked, as he's been very so-so at Super level this year. And he's about 47.

And I just know that he's going to get more game time than he really deserves.

But.. he will slot in and play his fucking heart out, and probably be one of our better backs.

It's just what he does, and what he always has done.

He's frustratingly good, and I have no reason to think that won't take him to Japan.
.

I share that frustration. He just too slow these days, easily burnt on the outside by attackers - he will be a weakness in defence and now offering little in attack.

Playing your heart out will only go so far depending on your physical abilities. I think Kuridrani and Hodge offer all the cover we need at 13.

Glad to be proven wrong.

 

[Viking]

I reckon this is a pretty clear summary of why McCaffrey isn't getting a look in. They don't think he would step up to the next level.

Even as a die hard Brumbies supporter I doubt he could either. Great season and super xv player though.

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is better than Hodge every day of the week at 13. I think that's why he's there. There's no desire to pick Hodge there to start a test if it can be avoided.

 

[Derpus]

I share that frustration. He just too slow these days, easily burnt on the outside by attackers - he will be a weakness in defence and now offering little in attack.

Playing your heart out will only go so far depending on your physical abilities. I think Kuridrani and Hodge offer all the cover we need at 13.

Glad to be proven wrong.

Hodge is lucky to be in the squad. If Petaia or Hunt were, he likely wouldn't.

 

[Brumby Runner]

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

On another matter, a squad breakdown:

Brumbies : 6 forwards + 4 backs = 10
Waratahs : 6 + 3 = 9
Rebels : 3 + 6 = 9
Reds : 4 + 1 = 5
Exeter Chiefs : 0 + 1 = 1

Reg, I can't say that I've seen much in the way of parochial bias, whether bullshit or not, in the comments so far. I am a bit surprised when I look at the breakdown you've outlined, that there are so many Tahs forwards and se few backs in the side given the widespread apprehension that the Tahs were weak in the forwards and stronger in the backs.

It is a pretty good squad all in all. We probably all have a couple of irritants in the squad who we would leave out if we had our druthers.

In my case, I don't think Latu, Maddocks or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) have really earned their spots. I would have preferred BPA as the third hooker. I have a distinct impression that he relishes the tough stuff and is made for test rugby.

I think Maddocks has been in poor form most of the Super season. IMO the winger who finished more strongly was Rona. He must have been close to selection.

At 13, I agree with many here that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is filling the spot on his experience alone. He did not have a strong Super season. For his combination with Kerevi at the Reds, I would have opted for CFS in his stead.

But there you have it. If I was a selector, there would only be two or three changes to the squad, so it is pretty much spot on imo.

My concern now is seeing what rubbish Cheika can instil in what is a pretty good squad and to be disappointed once again when they fail to perform as they should.

BTW, my changes include removing two Tahs and one Rebel. In their place I'd go with two Reds and a Tah. Hopefully I won't get labelled with the parochial tag for my views.

 

[Brumby Runner]

TPN is another who was unavailable due to injury.

What is Hunt's status BH? Is he also on the injured list or just didn't make the squad?

 

[shanky]

I'm a big fan of McCaffrey and his style of play.
Unfortunately though, when you're on the outside, then you've just got to do that bit dazzle to get noticed.
He had his big chance last weekend and didn't take it. Sad for him, but true

 

[Braveheart81]

Reds : 4 + 1 = 5
Exeter Chiefs : 0 + 1 = 1

So the Reds are 5x better than the Exeter Chiefs, the team that finished second in the English Premiership.

You should be over the moon at that!

What is Hunt's status BH? Is he also on the injured list or just didn't make the squad?

He is still injured but hasn't been mentioned anywhere. I don't think he'd have made the squad if healthy.

 

[Joe Blow]

I reckon Dempsey would pair well as the number 8 if Salakaia-Loto or Valetini are playing 6.

My first up backrow would be Jones, Hooper, Naisarani. Dempsey is probably the reserve backrower there due to his versatility.

Dempsey on the bench covering 6/7/8

 

[Slim 293]

I know we have to get through the RC first, but just looking further ahead to the RWC.........

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)?

 

[Shaker]

Uelese and Latu... One played 3 games and the other was done for drink driving recently. Laughable. I know Fainga'a was always gonna be starting but surely there is better players to back him up.

 

[TSR]

That is the one I struggle with the most.

Hopefully Latu repays the faith shown.

 

[Ignoto]

Hopefully Latu repays the faith shown.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Hodge is lucky to be in the squad. If Petaia or Hunt were, he likely wouldn't.

Hodge needs to play in ball-playing roles. He is not fast enough or dynamic enough to be a 13, 11, 14.

He has his moments at 15, but i'd like to see him 10/12.

 

[formerflanker]

Hodge needs to play in ball-playing roles. He is not fast enough or dynamic enough to be a 13, 11, 14.

He has his moments at 15, but i'd like to see him 10/12.

When he played 10 for the Rebels, he was quite often the first to the breakdown (i.e. the ball carrier had just received the pill from him) and was very effective in securing possession.
However that kept him away from the first receiver role.
Probably a planned strategy but it does diminish his ball playing opportunities.
At Wallaby level strategies would be different.

 

[Slim 293]

Hodge is lucky to be in the squad. If Petaia or Hunt were, he likely wouldn't.

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

But I don’t rate Hunt.