The squad sizes for the world cup have already been confirmed as 33 so not sure why the debate.
I believe that can give you;
- 6 props (AAA / Slipper / Tupou if fit / Bell if fit / 2 others)
- 3 hookers (Porecki / 2 others)
- 3 locks (Frost / Skelton / 1 other)
- 6 backrow (Holloway / McReight / Valetini and then 3 out of Hooper/Hanigan/LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)/Wilson/Gleeson/Samu)
- 3 halfbacks (White / Lonergan / Tate)
- 2 flyhalves (Quade and Gordon/Foley)
- 4 centres (Kerevi / Ikitau / Foketi / 1 other)
- 5 outside backs (Marika / Kellaway / Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) / Wright / 1 other)
- 1 utility (Hodge or O'Connor)
You could probably drop the extra outside back for another backrower but someone needs to play against Portugal
interesting the lack of versatility in that backline. Foley has some flexibility but I wouldn't have him in the squad - I thought he was bog average last year. None of the other halves are really strong candidates outside of their primary position. QC (Quade Cooper) maybe in the past but not now.
Kerevi's versatility is only 12/13. Foketi the same at a stretch. Ikitau I don't see as a realistic candidate as anywhere other than 13.
Marika is purely a 12. Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) I'd worry about at 15 unless it is a 2nd string Fiji team. Wright can obviously wing and fullback. Kellaway the same plus 13.
Some versatility will be key I reckon. Beale would be the ultimate but is a lost cause.
- Hodge the standout covering everywhere in double figures.
- JOC (James O'Connor) covers 10 and 12 but perhaps 13 and 15 at a pinch. Not wing anymore though.
- there was talk about giving Jock Campbell some time at 10 but that seems to be a Rennie thing and never happened. But he covers 15 and wing.
- Petaia pretty key at covering 13, wing and fullback and could be important.
- Donaldson ok but not really up to it at the moment.
- Jack Debreczeni a left field option having played some 15.
- I wonder if Issak Fines-Leleiwasa might consider is Wallaby having missed the Fiji squad? He adds massive versatility.