Wallabies 31 Man Squad

[Bowside]

It gets released on Sunday.

Here is what I would pick assuming Folau is sticking around, Beale not in contention.

Props (4): Robinson, Slipper, Palmer, Sio
Hookers (2): Moore, TPN
Locks (4): Horwill, Douglas, Pyle, Timani/Neville/Simmons
Opensides (2): Smith, Gill
6/8 (4): Mowen, Palu, MMM, Higginbotham
Scrumhalf (2): Genia, White
Flyhalf (1): Cooper
Centre (3): AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Lilo, Horne
Wing (2): Ioane, Folau
Fullback (1): JOC (James O'Connor)

Maybe omit one of the locks in favour of Mogg, Barnes or Mitchell.

 

[Scott Allen]

This is what I think Deans will go with, rather than what I think it should be:

Props (4): Robinson, Alexander, Slipper, Kepu
Hookers (2): TPN, Moore
Locks (4): Horwill, Timani, Simmons, Douglas
Backrow (5): Higgers, Smith, Palu, Hooper, Gill
Scrumhalf (2): Genia, White
Flyhalf (1): Barnes
Centres (4): McCabe, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne, Lealiifano who will also cover flyhalf with JOC (James O'Connor)
Wingers (2): Ioane, JOC (James O'Connor)
Fullback (1): Folau

Aim to protect Barnes, McCabe and JOC (James O'Connor) from further possible injury as I believe they'll be starting in the first test.

MMM to come in as part of the remaining six once he's fit.

 

[tommymc15]

Apparently Quade and Issy are not in contention according to Jake White and other coaches from the australian super rugby franchises

 

[fatprop]

Props (4): Robinson, Slipper, Palmer, Alexander
Hookers (2): Moore, TPN
Locks (4): Horwill, Douglas, Simmons
Opensides (2): Smith, Gill
5/6 (1) MMM
6/8 (3): Mowen, Palu, Higginbotham
Scrumhalf (2): Genia, White
Flyhalf (2): JOC (James O'Connor), Cooper
Centre (2): AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne
Wing (2): Ioane, Tomane
Fullback (1): Barnes (Folau if he signs a contract)

 

[Brumby Runner]

It gets released on Sunday.

Here is what I would pick assuming Folau is sticking around, Beale not in contention.

Props (4): Robinson, Slipper, Palmer, Sio
Hookers (2): Moore, TPN
Locks (4): Horwill, Douglas, Pyle, Timani/Neville/Simmons
Opensides (2): Smith, Gill
6/8 (4): Mowen, Palu, MMM, Higginbotham
Scrumhalf (2): Genia, White
Flyhalf (1): Cooper
Centre (3): AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Lilo, Horne
Wing (2): Ioane, Folau
Fullback (1): JOC (James O'Connor)

Maybe omit one of the locks in favour of Mogg, Barnes or Mitchell.

Can't see Squeaky, Palmer and Sio all being in the 25. That would leave the Brumbies without front row back-up for the following game.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Props (4): Robinson, Slipper, Palmer, Alexander
Hookers (2): Moore, TPN
Locks (4): Horwill, Douglas, Simmons
Opensides (2): Smith, Gill
5/6 (1) MMM
6/8 (3): Mowen, Palu, Higginbotham
Scrumhalf (2): Genia, White
Flyhalf (2): JOC (James O'Connor), Cooper
Centre (2): AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne
Wing (2): Ioane, Tomane
Fullback (1):Barnes (Folau if he signs a contract)

Same comment re three Brumbies' front rowers - can't see it happening in the initial 25.

 

[Braveheart81]

You'd have to think that either the Waratahs or the Brumbies will have 3 front rowers in the initial 25 man squad.

 

[fatprop]

Same comment re three Brumbies' front rowers - can't see it happening in the initial 25.

I just picked the best THPs (Slipper & Palmer) & LHPs (Robinson & Alexander)

Where they came from didn't come into it.

Now Palmer does have to extract a digit around the field this weekend to be a chance whilst getting at least parity with Robbo; or Kepu or Ryan may become the option.

 

[Brumby Runner]

What I'd like to see, but don't expect:

Robbo Alexander Slipper
Moore TPN
Horwill Douglass Pyle Simmons
MMM Hooper Gill
Higgers Mowen Palu

Genia White
Cooper
Lealiifano Horne AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Digby JO'C Cummins
Folau

Two or three more props to be added from Palmer, Sio, Holmes and Kepu.

Depending on fitness and form, three or four to come from Smith, To'omua, Tapuai, Tomane, Mogg and Barnes.

 

[Scott Allen]

What I'd like to see, but don't expect:

Robbo Alexander Slipper
Moore TPN
Horwill Douglass Pyle Simmons
MMM Hooper Gill
Higgers Mowen Palu

Genia White
Cooper
Lealiifano Horne AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Digby JO'C Cummins
Folau

Two or three more props to be added from Palmer, Sio, Holmes and Kepu.

Depending on fitness and form, three or four to come from Smith, To'omua, Tapuai, Tomane, Mogg and Barnes.

Can't see them only having three props in the 25 - can't pack live scrums in practice with those numbers so either the Waratahs or Brumbies will have three front rowers taken out of their Super games in that period of the camp.

Whilst that may not be the best for the Super team, I'm sure the decision will be based on what the coaches consider is best for the Wallabies.

 

[qwerty51]

(4) Robinson, Alexander, Slipper, Kepu
(2) Moore, Polota-Nau
(4) Horwill, Simmons, Douglas, Timani
(2) Hooper, Gill
(3) Palu, Mowen, Higginbotham
(2) Genia, White
(2) O'Connor, Barnes
(2) Ioane, Tomane
(3) McCabe, Ashley-Cooper, Horne
(1) Folau

 

[Lindommer]

My selections:

Prop (4): Robinson, Slipper, Alexander, Palmer
Hooker (2): Moore, TPN
Lock (4): Horwill, Douglas, Simmons, MMM
Openside (2): Smith, Hooper
6/8 (3): Palu, Higginbotham, Mowen
Scrumhalf (2): Genia, White
Flyhalf (2): Cooper, To'omua
Centre (3): AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Lealiilfano, Horne
Wing (2): Ioane, JOC (James O'Connor)
Fullback (1): Folau

My reasoning on the 7s conundrum is this: Hooper is the incumbent fetcher (and the best with ball in hand) while I'd pick only one of Smith or Gill as they have the most similar style of play. Smith's experience and linking play seals it for me. But there's no doubt Liam will wear the Wallaby gold some time this year.

Backrow: MMM can play 4 and 6, Higgers and Mowen can cover 6 and 8.

Flyhalf: the ranking probably goes Cooper>Lealiifano>To'omua>Barnes>JOC (James O'Connor). I like the way To'omua's done the simple stuff well for the Brumbies, the sort of play we need against the BILs. But he'd only get a run as a reserve or if Cooper goes down.

Barnes, Cummins, Dennis, Gill, Kepu, McCabe, Mitchell, Pyle, Ryan, Tapuai, Timani, Tomane et al to play themselves into the extra six. There's a spot in the final 31 for another winger to get a guernsey. Robbie, PLEASE don't put AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) out there again.

Realistically, the Brumbies and Reds should provide the bulk of the Wallabies squad this year. From the Tahs only TPN, Robinson, Douglas, Hooper, Palu, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Folau deserve to be in the match day 22, while Higgers and JOC (James O'Connor) are about it from the Rebels and Force, which leaves 13 from the top two. Sounds about right. This week's Tahs/Ponies match will clear up a lot of these choices.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

My pick at the 25 man squad.

(4) Alexander, Kepu, Robinson, Slipper
(2) Polota-Nau
(4) Douglas, Horwill, Simmons, Timani
(5) Higginbotham, Hooper, Mowen, Palu, Smith (Gill)
(2) Genia, White
(2) O'Connor, Cooper
(3) Ashley-Cooper, Lealiifano, Horne,
(3) Folau, Ioane, Tomane

Six late additions

(6) McMenimum, Barnes, Cummins, McCabe, Mogg, Palmer / Ryan

In the mix, but unlucky.....

Tapuai, Shipperly, Dennis, Palmer / Ryan, Holmes, Fainga'a, Fainga'a, Hanson, To'omua

 

[RoffsChoice]

You'd have to think that either the Waratahs or the Brumbies will have 3 front rowers in the initial 25 man squad.

I'd say both

 

[RoffsChoice]

Props (4): Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Ben Alexander, Dan Palmer
Hookers (2): Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau
Locks (3): James Horwill, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons
Backrow (5): Scott Higgenbotham, Liam Gill, Wycliff Palu, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper
Scrumhalves (2): Will Genia, Nic White
Flyhalves (1): Berrick Barnes
Centres (4): Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe
Wingers (3): Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, James O'Connor
Fullbacks (1): Israel Folau

And the latecomers:
Paddy Ryan, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Joe Tomane, Jesse Mogg

 

[Bairdy]

Robinson, Alexander, Slipper, Palmer
Polota-Nau, Moore
Horwill, Simmons, Douglas, MMM
Palu, Higginbotham, Mowen
Smith/Gill, Hooper
Genia, White
JOC (James O'Connor), Cooper/Barnes
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne/Tapuai, Lealiifano
Ioane, Folau, Cummins/Tomane

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

props: Robinson, Slipper, Alexander, Kepu
hookers: TPN Moore
second row: Horwill, Douglas, Simmons/Timani
Open side: Gill, Hooper (yet to see any indication that smith is eligible so as far as i am concerned, he isn't)
eight & blindside: Palu, Higgers, Mowen (i dont get this MMM love. he was good for what, 6 rounds? then he got injured and won't be back till at least another 2 weeks...he won't get picked especially with Higgers' massive improvement in form)
scrummies: Genia, White
fly halves: JOC (James O'Connor)
Centres: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), McCabe, Lilo and horne
Wings: Ioane, Folau, Mitchell/Tomane
Fullback: Barnes

Mogg, Pyle, Timani/Simmons, QC (Quade Cooper), and Sio to be added later. and probably faainga

 

[BDA]

(4) Robinson, Alexander, Slipper, Kepu
(2) Moore, Polota-Nau
(4) Horwill, Simmons, Douglas, Timani
(2) Hooper, Gill
(3) Palu, Mowen, Higginbotham
(2) Genia, White
(2) O'Connor, Barnes
(2) Ioane, Tomane
(3) McCabe, Ashley-Cooper, Horne
(1) Folau

I think this is pretty close to what we'll get.

If this is the 25 I would expect Palmer, MMM, Cooper, Lilo, Cummins, Mogg to be the added 6.

 

[Pfitzy]

Fuck Timani. Bring Pyle instead

 

[RoffsChoice]

Fuck Timani. Bring Pyle instead

Timani has been massive for the Tahs this year, Cheika has drilled an impressive work ethic into the man. He's now Wycliff Palu who can jump at the lineout and pushes really well in the scrum. I'm convinced that the amazing Benn Robinson scrum form is due, at least 25%, to Timani.

Pyle and Higgenbotham are the rock on which the Rebels are built, but Pyle isn't tested at the top level - Timani was consistent for the Wallabies last year and even started to thrive under the pressure.