Wallabies squad named

[wamberal]

The monetary value of publicity about Folau's signing has probably paid for any top-up already.

We need to keep reminding ourselves that the general sporting public is not very interested in our game at the moment, so if there is a bit of hyperbole here and there, the odd selection surprise, well that is what a small professional sport needs to do these days to stand out in a very crowded market-place.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think Cummins has taken over Turner in the pecking order and based on the form and injuries at the completion of the EOYT he was my second pick for winger behind Digby. I'm still iffy on Drew Mitchell, he even admitted that mentally he was still battling with his injury, but if he overcomes this and shows some good form in 2013 then he will round out the top 3 competition for wingers.

Following those 3 you move onto the likes of Shipperly, Vuna and Turner. I'd say they are all on par and their selection will be dependent on their club form. In saying that I would also play a fit JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing ahead of these 3..

I have real doubts about Mitchell's chances of returning to full fitness and form. More's the pity, because at his best he is a great player. Time will tell. I would certainly place Tomane above all of Shipperley, Vuna (especially) and Turner, and have him on par with Cummins. Very similar in-your-face players with good speed and defences. Both very worthy of the gold jersey.

 

[Brumby Runner]

We are short at 6, not lock

Fardy plays 6 as well as lock, as does Neville from the Rebels. Either would be worth a look at 6.

 

[Braveheart81]

The monetary value of publicity about Folau's signing has probably paid for any top-up already.

We need to keep reminding ourselves that the general sporting public is not very interested in our game at the moment, so if there is a bit of hyperbole here and there, the odd selection surprise, well that is what a small professional sport needs to do these days to stand out in a very crowded market-place.

Absolutely.

I am sure SMH got more hits on the article with Folau in the title than if they'd run a generic 'Wallabies pre-season squad announced' title.

 

[TOCC]

I guess in that case Quade has definitely earned his top up

 

[Dumbledore]

Fardy plays 6 as well as lock, as does Neville from the Rebels. Either would be worth a look at 6.

Jones would be worth a look at 6 long before Neville. Neville is a fantastic athlete but he's very, very raw.

 

[Groucho]

Absolutely.

I am sure SMH got more hits on the article with Folau in the title than if they'd run a generic 'Wallabies pre-season squad announced' title.

Or a Growden semi-fantasy, where he makes something totally banal up, runs it past a player or coach after training, gets a perplexed nod, then attributes it to them. "Wallabies to shower after games, says Pocock." Ah, the bad old days.

 

[Groucho]

I guess in that case Quade has definitely earned his top up

But perhaps not a "yellow jersey".

 

[Ruggo]

For mine Greg Holmes is the glaring omission. We have Benny R and then a line of fill in options on the LH side.

 

[wamberal]

Maybe they are waiting for one of the young gun LHPs to come through early in the season.

 

[Paradox]

Meh, neither will ever be a test 6

Instead of who?

Mowen is a really solid S15 unit, but he doesn't bend the line, he doesn't dominate in defense and he isn't dominant at the breakdown.

When is Dennis going to demonstrate these qualities? He's a poor test player at this stage

 

[It is what it is]

For mine Greg Holmes is the glaring omission. We have Benny R and then a line of fill in options on the LH side.

Slipper's a good LHP, and that's where he should be playing.

 

[Ruggo]

Slipper's a good LHP, and that's where he should be playing.

But he isn't. The fella who has been plying him at THP for the last two years was a fairly handy test prop himself remember.

Going into this Lions series we need players playing in positions they are established in on a regular basis.

 

[It is what it is]

But he isn't. The fella who has been plying him at THP for the last two years was a fairly handy test prop himself remember.

Going into this Lions series we need players playing in positions they are established in on a regular basis.

He's being more frequently played at LHP by the Wallabies, it's QLD who are playing him out of position.
Deans has consistently preferred Alexander and Kepu as THP's to Slipper.
Meanwhile here's his profile on the Wallabies website
http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/T...ofilePage/tabid/1513/playerid/39/Default.aspx

 

[Ruggo]

I know he can play both sides but he still plays most of his rugby at THP. I think the Lions pack will be to strong to be playing players in positions they are not getting regular game time at. Come time for the Lions, Slipper will most certainly have played his rugby at TH leading into it.

I'm not saying he can't play the position. I just don't think that is adequate preparation for what will be most likely a daunting Lions pack.

 

[It is what it is]

I know he can play both sides but he still plays most of his rugby at THP. I think the Lions pack will be to strong to be playing players in positions they are not getting regular game time at. Come time for the Lions, Slipper will most certainly have played his rugby at TH leading into it.

I'm not saying he can't play the position. I just don't think that is adequate preparation for what will be most likely a daunting Lions pack.

I like Slipper and would have him starting ahead of BR as LHP for the Wallabies. He is our best 'rugby playing' prop.
If the extra prop is added under the new rules, then I don't think Slipper will beat Kepu, Alexander, Palmer or Ryan for the 2 THP spots.
I just feel Deans won't play him THP unless there's an emergency.
Link will understandably do what's right for Qld, but he's not doing Slipper any favours for a test position.
Slipper himself prefers LHP.

 

[Slim 293]

Ahead of Benn Robinson?

Naaaaaah.........

 

[fatprop]

When is Dennis going to demonstrate these qualities? He's a poor test player at this stage

poor? average maybe, he has had his moments, but he does do it consistently in the S15 and plays as a classic tight 6

He is still clearly a better option than the alternatives suggested, but if one steps up, then great, always happy for an upgrade. Of those, MMM is a good chance and Jones maybe as well in the future.

 

[BDA]

I like Slipper and would have him starting ahead of BR as LHP for the Wallabies. He is our best 'rugby playing' prop.
If the extra prop is added under the new rules, then I don't think Slipper will beat Kepu, Alexander, Palmer or Ryan for the 2 THP spots.
I just feel Deans won't play him THP unless there's an emergency.
Link will understandably do what's right for Qld, but he's not doing Slipper any favours for a test position.
Slipper himself prefers LHP.

I like what he offers in general play but I think Slipper has a lot of work to do re: his scrummaging. Ben Alexandar looks to have (fingers crossed) finally turned a corner in his career (at 28 years of age) and is developing good technique. Slipper has potential over the next few years but needs to keep improving.

I agree with the saying that test props peak (at least scrumming wise) around the age of 30. Look at Woodcock (31) Castro (31) Jones (31) Sheridan (33). BR and BA are both 28yrs so they should be at their peak heading into the next world cup. Whilst a guy like Slipper makes more impact round the field he can be exposed by the more experienced test props. He'll probably peak heading into the 2019 WC. Same goes for Paddy Ryan and Dan Palmer.

At test level, scrumming ability should be the be all and end all for a prop. So often we see a team take control of a game as a result of pressure at scrum time.

 

[Braveheart81]

I thought Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander both cemented themselves as our first choice props in 2012. Benn Robinson had a slow start to the year overcoming his knee reconstruction but was back near his best by the end of the year.

Ben Alexander was consistently one of our better forwards and for the first time in his career, he can honestly lay claim to our scrum being stronger when he was on the field.

The introduction of the 4th prop on the bench is probably a negative for players like Kepu who has been a favourite for his versatility. He needs to have a strong 2013 to show he is still one of our best props.

The fourth prop option should be good for Dan Palmer as well. Whilst he will have to jump ahead of a couple of people to be a first choice Wallaby, the fact that he is an excellent scrummager could help him make it onto the bench a fair bit. He would be useful if our scrum is struggling at any point.

Slipper is good around the park but is a bit of a jack of all trades prop. He needs to improve his scrummaging further as his better fitness and mobility is mitigated by the fact that both props can now be replaced without drama during a test.