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Wallabies 2020

Wilson

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
barbarian said:
He's playing better than the alternatives, and he's one of the few players we have who has proven their class at the highest level. So for me that guarantees his spot.
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He's the odds on favorite, but we have so much talent coming through and strength in the position that with a new coach I'm not sure he's up there as guaranteed.

Still I expect to him to start and would be picking him, but won't be surprised if Rennie changes things up there or goes with a horses for courses selection at 7. The captaincy may play a big role in that too, a lot depends on what direction Rennie wants to go in there.
 
barbarian

barbarian

Phil Kearns (64)
Staff member
Rennie seems to be a risk taker, but I'd be blown away if he doesn't start Hooper in the first test of the year. Blown. Away.

Blown away.
 
Wilson

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
Just expanding on the concept of captaincy, what is everyone thinking?

If we look at the incumbent and provincial captains you have:

  • Hooper (Incumbent)
  • Simmons (Waratahs)
  • Wright (Reds)
  • Ala'alatoa (Brumbies)
  • DHP (Rebels)
  • Prior (Force)
They're all in contention for the wallabies, though Prior is probably only a shot at the bench at this stage. Hooper is the safe option but Rennie may well be looking for a change, Ala'alatoa will likely only be playing half a game, DHP is in a 3-way selection battle and captains from fullback are rare, Wright is the youngest and probably best option (of these) for long term captaincy but is far from guaranteed. Simmons star is rising pretty quickly off the back of his set piece work and the faltering lineouts at all the other sides so he's much more in the frame than anyone would have thought when he took the Tahs captaincy.

As I see it comes down to staying safe with Hooper vs Moving to the new generation with Wright. The middle ground might be Simmons as captain with the intention to build Wright (or another young player) into the role. I know a lot of people won't like that but I don't think it's a terrible idea.

Are there any alternatives from outside that group? To'omua maybe?
 
Rebels3

Rebels3

Jim Lenehan (48)
Wright is a good player, but there is every chance he will be the 2nd best player in his ideal position in the franchise he plays for in 12 months time let alone captain the Wallabies. Unless hes going to make the move to 6 long term, of which is he the best 6 in the country or even best young 6? He could well find himself as the new Liam Gill by the end of this WC cycle, the 3rd best player in his position in the country despite been more than good enough to play at international level.
 
barbarian

barbarian

Phil Kearns (64)
Staff member
The position I think is wide open is 13. TK is obviously a safe option and the one I'd pick at the moment, but he's been pretty quiet for the Brumbies.

At present the form SuperAU 13 is Marcel Brache.

Fingers crossed Petaia can come back and claim the spot, as I don't think anyone else is really putting their hand up at the moment.
 
Derpus

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Rebels3 said:
Wright is a good player, but there is every chance he will be the 2nd best player in his ideal position in the franchise he plays for in 12 months time let alone captain the Wallabies. Unless hes going to make the move to 6 long term, of which is he the best 6 in the country or even best young 6? He could well find himself as the new Liam Gill by the end of this WC cycle, the 3rd best player in his position in the country despite been more than good enough to play at international level.
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McRight has a way to go to surpass Wright and Hooper just yet. Wright is also playing very well at 6 and is useful in the lineout - so helps balance any backrow with Hooper/McRight in it.
 
Derpus

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
barbarian said:
The position I think is wide open is 13. TK is obviously a safe option and the one I'd pick at the moment, but he's been pretty quiet for the Brumbies.

At present the form SuperAU 13 is Marcel Brache.

Fingers crossed Petaia can come back and claim the spot, as I don't think anyone else is really putting their hand up at the moment.
Click to expand...

Nah Paisami has been quite solid.
 
Rebels3

Rebels3

Jim Lenehan (48)
Brache in attack has been great, in defense hes Kerevi-like in that 13 channel.

The only one I see challenging Kurindrani for a spot at 13 is strangely JOC (James O'Connor).

Of the Force boys Lee Warner at lock and Ralston are smokeys, Also would give a shout out to Joost, I don't think he will come close to the Wallabies but has been superb in that 12 channel.
 
Wilson

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
Derpus said:
Nah Paisami has been quite solid.
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He started the year really well but recently he's had some defensive issues and his discipline in the tackle is a real worry, particularly at test match level. Won't be surprised or unhappy to see him get a run at some point this year but I don't think he's standing out at this stage.
 
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upthereds#!

upthereds#!

Peter Johnson (47)
For me - Samu will be unlucky to miss out again - with the recent rise of Mcreight and Swinton

Previously my 6 backrowers was

Naisarani, Valetini, Wilson Wright, Hoops & Samu

Now

Wilson, Naisarani, Valetini, Wright, Hoops & Swinton
 
Ignoto

Ignoto

Peter Sullivan (51)
I don't for a second think Hooper's got 7 locked away, nor do I think we'll see the C necessary next to his name. More importantly, 6 and 7 are so interchangible these days, that you can easily switch sides, and being a specialist pilferer is probably more detrimental in today's policed breakdowns.

Hooper is probably a more gifted athlete in terms of engine, but I'd dare say Wright has more of a footballers brain. I think Wrights demonstrated he plays with his eyes up where Hooper busts his gut to do everything he can. There's the age old saying of work "smarter not harder" and I think that probably sums up any debate between Wright and Hooper.

We played a lot of dumb Rugby with Hooper on the field (not blaming him for the gameplan), but whether that's what you want in the captain for our next chapter is something you should consider.
 
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Rebels3

Rebels3

Jim Lenehan (48)
Naisarani needs to get back on the park, hopefully this week in time for the Tahs. Could quickly become the forgotten man. Would love to see Wilson, Naisarani and Hooper given a go. That's extremely dynamic and would be a god send for a team that's lacked big ball carriers over the years
 
Derpus

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Rebels3 said:
Naisarani needs to get back on the park, hopefully this week in time for the Tahs. Could quickly become the forgotten man. Would love to see Wilson, Naisarani and Hooper given a go. That's extremely dynamic and would be a god send for a team that's lacked big ball carriers over the years
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Leave Wilson at 8. I'd rather see Wright or Valetini at 6.

Samu was very quiet against the Tahs and was subbed i think. He's gunna have to up his game a bit.
 
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