So, with having a few extra moments being incarcerated, decided to have a crack at seeing what the Wallabies would look like in the inevitable event of: “psyche, tests are going ahead in July”
1. James Slipper
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Alan Ala'alatoa (c)
4. Cadeyrn Neville
5. Matt Phillip
6. Rob Valetini
7. Michael Hooper
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Nic White
10. Matt To'omua (vc)
11. Marika Koroibete
12. James O’Connor
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Tom Banks
16. Alex Mafi
17. Scott Sio
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
20. Pete Samu
21. Tate McDermott
22. Hamish Stewart
23. Tom Wright
I‘ve gone for what I think is a fairly balanced back row, Valetini a monster in close quarters, Hooper in the backs and Naisarani’s ball-carrying, I think I’ve picked two good lineout operators (if severely lacking international experience) to make up for the two non-jumpers in the back row which Naisarani who I would fire into the “serviceable” drawer in the lineout cabinet. My captain is a huge question mark I understand, I’ve gone with him as the only thing close we have to a captain in a winning culture we have available and could potentially take us through to the next World Cup, providing Thor hasn’t usurped him in the team by then. Think McDermott has a really bright future in the gold but no need to rush him into a starting jersey when he can spend a season or two understudying to Nic White, might get some stick for not picking Liam Wright but I have the most awful feeling McReight will push Wright to the blindside in the near future and if we play him in that position it’s just Pooper 2 electric boogaloo. Not overly inspired with the midfield I’ve picked given their advanced years but happy to be pointed in a better direction.