Wallabies 2020

[RoffsChoice]

I'd love to have Beale and JOC (James O'Connor) around for Harrison and Lolesio in particular. Passing the lessons on to the next generation is something we really struggle with in Australian rugby.

 

[RedsHappy]

Maybe. It will be interesting to see. I still think he's got something to offer, and at very least would be good to have around a young squad.

The question is surely: relative to whom, and where are the better alternatives to KB (Kurtley Beale) deep in the reserves as you say Barb? There may be: not many.

I think your team pick is logical and objective but, unfortunately, what does stand out to me is just how few really outstanding players - in world rugby terms - are in it. It pretty much implicitly validates our place in the world rankings.

The 2 players I see in your team with the most developmental upside at Wallaby level are your 5 and 9.

 

[Slim 293]

I think Samu is too good to leave out of the 23............

Would slot him onto the bench and shift LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) to bench lock/emergency 6 cover.

 

[Slim 293]

I’d probably swap Banks and DHP around.........

I don’t know why, but Banks always seems to look a bit lost out on the wing.

 

[barbarian]

I think your team pick is logical and objective but, unfortunately, what does stand out to me is just how few really outstanding players - in world rugby terms - are in it. It pretty much implicitly validates our place in the world rankings.
.

Maybe for now that's true. But I think there is room for plenty of improvement.

Our prop stocks are as good as I can ever remember them - we have four legitimately world class options to choose from.

We've got young talent in the backrow, and a few exciting young backs coming through.

This is a bit of a bridging year I think, where guys like Beale and DHP and Simmons and Kuridrani will have a part to play, but maybe not next year as the younger guys eclipse them.

 

[Dctarget]

World class players: AAA, Hooper
Arguably world class players: Slipper, Sio, Tupou, Koroibete.
I think will become world class players: Wilson & Petaia.
World class players not eligible: Kerevi & a big IF

 

[Dctarget]

I like Tate but I don't think he's our long term answer at 9. He's good (and probably the best of the lot) but not sensational.

 

[Up the Guts]

OK so I think we've seen enough of this season to make some early predictions for how the Wallabies will look.

1. Sio or Slipper
2. Fainga'a or Mafi
3. AAA
4. Rodda
5. Philip
6. Valetini
7. Hooper
8. Naisirani

9. McDermott
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Banks
15. DHP

16. Fainga'a or Mafi
17. Sio or Slipper
18. Tupou
19. Hockings
20. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
21. Powell
22. Simone
23. Beale

A solid side but not a very exciting one. Just looks like we're missing a few guys with a bit of game breaking potential.

 

[Dctarget]

A solid side but not a very exciting one. Just needs someone with a bit of game breaking potential.

The forward pack is pretty class but that backline is very uninspiring.

 

[barbarian]

A solid side but not a very exciting one. Just looks like we're missing a few guys with a bit of game breaking potential.

Yeah I wouldn't disagree. But I think those guys are waiting in the wings - Petaia, Lolesio, McDermott, Wilson, Nawaqanitawase, McReight, etc.

Hopefully these guys can continue to develop through the Super season so they can start putting real heat on our more established options.

I also think To'omua and JOC (James O'Connor) are playing as well at Super level as I can remember. They have proven they can cut it at test level, so hopefully this is the year they both can take the next step.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Banks at 15 or nowhere. Deserves his chance in my opinion.

I would also like to see Pete Samu start at 6 or 8, he’s too good to be a dogsbody.

Would much prefer him at this stage to Valetini.

 

[RugbyReg]

Not bad barbar. I'd go with

1 Slipper
2 Fainga'a
3 AAA
4 Rodda
5 Philip
6 Wilson
7 Hooper
8 Naisirani
9 McDermott
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Koroibete
12 To'omua
13 Kuridrani
14 DHP
15 Banks

16 Mafi
17 JP Smith
18 Tupou
19 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 Samu
21 Louwrens
22 Stewart*
23 Wright#

* standard parochially bias pick
# attempt to off-set the bias pick.

 

[KOB1987]

Here's my calculated guess:

1. Slipper
2. Fainga'a
3. AAA
4. Rodda
5. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6. Dempsey
7. Hooper
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Banks
15. Haylett-Petty

16. Uelese
17. Sio
18. Tupou
19. Philip
20. Samu
21. McDermott
22. Harrison
23. Beale

Squaddies
P - JP Smith
H - Mafi
L - Simmons
LF- Wilson
HB - Powell
10 - Lolesio
C - Paisami
OB - Kellaway

Still early days, every position is still wide open.

 

[drewprint]

Not bad barbar. I'd go with

1 Slipper
2 Fainga'a
3 AAA
4 Rodda
5 Philip
6 Wilson
7 Hooper
8 Naisirani
9 McDermott
10 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Koroibete
12 To'omua
13 Kuridrani
14 DHP
15 Banks

16 Mafi
17 JP Smith
18 Tupou
19 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
20 Samu
21 Louwrens
22 Stewart*
23 Wright#

* standard parochially bias pick
# attempt to off-set the bias pick.

I like this a lot. Except I’d have Valetini at 6.

 

[Up the Guts]

Here's my calculated guess:

1. Slipper
2. Fainga'a
3. AAA
4. Rodda
5. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6. Dempsey
7. Hooper
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Banks
15. Haylett-Petty

16. Uelese
17. Sio
18. Tupou
19. Philip
20. Samu
21. McDermott
22. Harrison
23. Beale

Squaddies
P - JP Smith
H - Mafi
L - Simmons
LF- Wilson
HB - Powell
10 - Lolesio
C - Paisami
OB - Kellaway

Still early days, every position is still wide open.

Much prefer Samu at 6 if it is between he and Dempsey. I'd have Valetini ahead of Dempsey as well.

 

[KOB1987]

Much prefer Samu at 6 if it is between he and Dempsey. I'd have Valetini ahead of Dempsey as well.

Based on rounds 1-4 I would as well, but Dempsey had a blinder on Friday and I'm tipping him to come good when it counts. I reserve the right to change my view haha.

 

[RebelYell]

Here's my calculated guess:

1. Slipper
2. Fainga'a
3. AAA
4. Rodda
5. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6. Dempsey
7. Hooper
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. Banks
15. Haylett-Petty

16. Uelese
17. Sio
18. Tupou
19. Philip
20. Samu
21. McDermott
22. Harrison
23. Beale

Squaddies
P - JP Smith
H - Mafi
L - Simmons
LF- Wilson
HB - Powell
10 - Lolesio
C - Paisami
OB - Kellaway

Still early days, every position is still wide open.

Cheik? Is that you?

Seriously though, not a bad looking side at all. I just want a 12 who is playing 12, that's the main thing. No strong preference between To'omua and JOC (James O'Connor).

I don't know if Meakes is up to it at Test level, could have him over Karmichael. I also would have Banks at FB, DHP on the bench instead of Kurtley. No strong feelings about the second winger, as long as they are capable defensively and actually play there regularly. I also don't have Demspey in my 23 at present.

1. Slipper
2. Fainga'a
3. AAA
4. Rodda
5. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6. Samu
7. Hooper
8. Naisarani
9. White
10. To'omua
11. Koroibete
12. Hunt
13. Kuridrani
14. Speight/Kellaway/Maddocks/Wright/Pulu/English/CFS/Nawaqanitawase/Muirhead
15. Banks

16. Uelese
17. Sio
18. Tupou
19. Philip
20. Valetini
21. McDermott
22. JOC (James O'Connor)
23. DHP

 

[Jimmyjam]

I'm really happy with the forward depth.. except perhaps Lock and hooker At lock we really have only 3 test quality - Rodda, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Philip. Props are really strong with a couple of youngsters like HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) and Bell on the rise. Back row options everywhere and all quality plus a powerful contingent of next gen U20's like Wilson, Harris, McReight and Tizzano, already at Super Rugby standard. I'd be keen to punt on a couple of youngish backs who I reckon could be up to test rugby... Hunter Paisami and Tom Wright. I also reckon Beale always played his best test rugby off the bench.. couldn't find a spot for To'omua unfortunately

My first squad would look like this...

Slipper
Fainga'a
AAA
Rodda
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Valetini
Hooper
Naiserani
White
JOC (James O'Connor)
Korebeite
Paisami
Kuridrani
Wright
DHP

Sio
Ulease
TT
Philip
Samu or Dempsey
McDermott
Beale
Banks

 

[Up the Guts]

Cheik? Is that you?

Seriously though, not a bad looking side at all. I just want a 12 who is playing 12, that's the main thing. No strong preference between To'omua and JOC (James O'Connor).

I'd have Stewart and Simone well before Hunt if we're looking only at current 12s.

 

[Slim 293]

In boredom I created an exercise of putting together two XV’s of the two best options IMO in every position..........

It’s not necessarily a first and second XV, and it certainly discriminates against those masters of none players eg Beale, Hodge etc.

1. Slipper / Sio
2. Fainga’a / Mafi
3. Ala'alatoa / Tupou
4. Rodda / Philip
5. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) / Hockings
6. Valetini / Dempsey
7. Hooper / Wright
8. Naisarani / Samu
9. Powell / McDermott
10. To'omua / Lolesio
11. Korobeite/ Daugunu
12. JOC (James O'Connor) / Simone
13. Kuridrani / Petaia (how long is he out for?)
14. Wright / Kellaway
15 DHP / Banks

I think To'omua has been stronger at 10 than JOC (James O'Connor) in recent weeks............

JOC (James O'Connor)’s general kicking game was especially bad on the weekend.