Wallabies team for next week?

[Redsfan]

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Cameron Shepherd? Anyone else? - JOC (James O'Connor) is not a wing.
13. Rob Horne
12. Anthony Fainga'a
11. Drew Mitchell - Again, due to there being nobody else.
10. Matt Giteau
9. Luke Burgess- as much as I hate to say it, Genia didn't have the best game and may be injured?

8. Hodgson/Higginbotham/McCalman?
7. David Pocock
6. Rocky Elsom
5. Nathan Sharpe
4. Rob Simmons
3. Salesi Ma’afu
2. Saia Fainga'a
1. Benn Robinson

Lachie Turner up for a recall?

 

[Gnostic]

1. Robinson
2. S. Fainga'a
3. Slipper
4. Mumm
5. Simmons
6. Higginbum
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Shepheard
12. Giteau
13. Horne
14. Turner
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

16. Moore
17. Fairbrother
18. Sharpe
19. Hodgeson
20. Burgess
21. Beale
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

 

[cyclopath]

1. Robinson
2. S. Fainga'a
3. Slipper
4. Mumm
5. Simmons
6. Higginbum
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Shepheard
12. Giteau
13. Horne
14. Turner
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

16. Moore
17. Fairbrother
18. Sharpe
19. Hodgeson
20. Burgess
21. Beale
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

I would swap Mumm for Sharpe, and I am not sure about Elsom at 8, but if Brown is out (fair call) then I guess the options are limited.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

1. Robinson
2. S. Fainga'a
3. Slipper
4. Mumm
5. Simmons
6. Higginbum
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Shepheard
12. Giteau
13. Horne
14. Turner
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

16. Moore
17. Fairbrother
18. Sharpe
19. Hodgeson
20. Burgess
21. Beale
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

Liking that team. Simmons at least had a good crack when he came on, and Slipper has looked good whenever he has come on. Would be inclined to have A Finger starting with Horne on the bench, but we need Beale and JOC (James O'Connor) for their utility value.

 

[Gnostic]

I went with Barnes @ 10 because Giteau just isn't a 10. Giteau did start to show the good at 12 last week and CHristchurch for me is his last chance. No performance he can join Mitchell in retirement. A. Fainger just didn't make the bench but could really displace JOC (James O'Connor) who hasn't impressed me this year. JOC (James O'Connor) really has to learn to pass the ball or he will be useless as a centre were I think we all agree his future lies. He just isn't good enough under the high ball and his positioning is just not up to it at wing.

 

[biggsy]

The whole Reds 2010 team would be fine for next week..

 

[waratahjesus]

The whole Reds 2010 team would be fine for next week..

i agree, the season is a write off, so may as well through people out there that can win a half of football and claim moral victory.

 

[aussie1st]

1. Robinson
2. S. Fainga'a
3. Ma’afu
4. Mumm
5. Simmons
6. Elsom
7. Podock
8. Higginbotham
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. Giteau
13. Horne
14. Shepard
15. Beale
16. Moore
17. Slipper
18. Sharpe
19. Brown
20. Burgess
21. JOC (James O'Connor)
22. Some back

Not ideal moving AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) from his best position but he can play winger better than the current bunch and may as well try Beale at fullback.

 

[TOCC]

Start simmons over mumm, drop brown and start higginbitham, move barnes to 5/8 and giteau to 12

Whilst I don't entirely blame Drew for the red card he still did some stupid things, so drop drew and start turner

 

[fatprop]

I don't see any of these options being any better at all, it is simply shuffling the deck chairs on the titanic.

The clear problem is that the All Blacks are just a better side and we don't have the cattle to match them at the moment (especially with 14 men).

We lost the game because they competed for the ball better than we did (that is the essence of rugby).

In defence we lack dominant tacklers, in attack after three phases of not getting to the advantage line we ran out of support (so we stopped and rested and reset).

So which new forwards are going to get over the advantage line (Higgenbottom maybe but he has never started a test and whose best work with the Reds was in a loose game, not the trench warfare of a test match) and which forwards are going to smash them at the advantage line to stop their momentum, and where are the 8 better forwards that are going to compete for the ball all game?

 

[DPK]

Absolutely agree, fp. We were comprehensively beaten by an incredible team.

We've got to look at the available positives. The Wobs held onto the ball for about 15-16 phases before AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s try, the AB's didn't score any tries up the midfield where our defense was good.

Giteau's gotta go. Bench at least. And someone else should take over the kicking.

 

[Langthorne]

Given where we are in the campaign, the sensible option is to make only a few changes in the forwards: maybe Fainga'a in for Moore (assuming Moore's fitness is the problem), Hodgson for Brown. If we want to disrupt the ABs maybe we need more skill at the breakdown, and an even faster paced game. Hodgson can help with this I think.

In the backs there are a few options, but I wouldn't be bringing in a new cap to start as none of the options are really all that outstanding or experienced. The big question for me is where to play the most consistent performer - AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). If we go with him at 15, then Horne stays at 13. If we put him in at 13, we are looking at Beale, JO'C or Shepherd at 15. Mitchell was dumb, but he was also the most penetrating runner we had, so he has to stay (but he has to train in a dunce's hat). Barnes and Giteau could switch positions...Giteau had a decent game, and Barnes was solid yet not flash in attack.

Whatever 15 starts, the bench must be used. Especially if we are going with an even faster paced game. I'd like to see Simmons, A Fainga'a, Beale, Burgess, Slipper, Higginbotham get a good run (although I wouldn't bring them on all at once of course).

I think we should always be going for the win, but if that is not the primary concern (maybe development of new talent is higher on the agenda) then I say go nuts and mix it up. Don't piss about in some kind of half way house that pleases nobody.

 

[chief]

Hynes is back yeah?

1. Robinson
2. Fainga'a
3. Ma'afu
4. Simmons
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Higginbotham
9. Genia
10. Giteau/Barnes
11. Hynes
12. Fainga'a
13. Horne
14. Sheps/Turner
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
16. Moore
17. Slipper
18. Mumm
19. Brown
20. Giteau/Barnes
21. JOC (James O'Connor)
22. Sheps/Turner

Pick any team in the world we are still going to lose. Probably by 50 this week.

 

[Tangawizi]

1. Robinson
2. S. Fainga'a
3. Ma’afu
4. Simmons
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Houston
9. Genia
10. Giteau
11. OConnor
12. Fainga'a
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. Shepherd
15. Beale
16. Moore
17. Slipper
18. Mumm
19. Higginbotham
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Horne

 

[naza]

2. Saia Fainga'a

You have to be kidding. Moore is 10 times the player. Moore and Pocock were the pick of our forwards.

 

[WB3]

1 Robinson
2 S. Fainga'a
3 Maafu/Slipper - neither impressed last night
4 Simmons
5 Sharpe
6 Elsom
7 Pocock
8 Hodgson?
9 Genia
10 Barnes/Giteau
11 OConnor/Shephard - if OConnor is benched then lose Beale. I would rather see Shephard used as a sub at this point
12 Giteau/Fainga'a - I think Giteau was alright last night, but if they okay him at flyhalf (which I don't think they should) then they ought to play a runner outside him. Barnes made one terrible mistake but was otherwise ok. Defended well.
13 Horne - defends well. Needs ball. I feel like all he needs is one try or a big play to give him some attacking confidence. Cannot afford to weaken our defence against the ABs by having Beale at fullback. He is a sub for later in the game when he can be disruptive in attack.
14 Mitchell - made a dumb mistake last night but is the penetrative runner we need.
15 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - moves to 13 if Beale/JOC (James O'Connor) is brought on late.


Reserves (depending on starting lineup) Maafu/Slipper, Moore, Mumm, Burgess Barnes/Fainga'a, Shephard, JOC (James O'Connor)/Beale

MAN the Wallabies need some mongrel. We are missing Alexander, TPN, Horwill, and Palu immensely. I would consider inserting someone like Kane Douglas or Phil Waugh into the squad just because they showed some self-belief during the S14 and moving Elsom to 8. If this was the RWC I would insert Baxter for Maafu immediately (forgetting his injured neck). We lacked the physicality to win last night. Too much tentative crap and not enough desperation - aside from Pocock. I wish I could say Robbie needs to wield the axe mercilessly, but he just doesn't have the cattle in his current squad to do so.

 

[#1 Tah]

4: Douglas
5: Sharpe
8: ...uh... fuck.
11: Turner
14: Mitchell

18: Mumm
19: Waugh. 2 Replacement back rowers.

 

[Slim 293]

I would love to have seen Ma'afu stay on for a bit longer after Sharpe came off...

I still have strong concerns about Sharpe's inability to scrummage and its effects on our already vulnerable pack...

Anyways, O'Connor is not a wing, and Brown shouldn't be playing test rugby...

Fainga'a for Barnes would be a nice surprise but I just don't see it happening...

 

[fatprop]

1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Maafu
4 Mumm
5 Sharpe
6 Elsom
7 Pocock
8 Hodgson
9 Genia
10 Giteau
11 Cummins
12 Barnes
13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 Mitchell
15 Shephard

 

[farva]

Robinson
Moore
Ma'afu
Mumm
Sharpe
Elsom
Pocock
McCalman

Genia
Giteau
Shepherd
Barnes
Horne
JOC (James O'Connor)
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

Fa'ainga
Slipper
Simmons
Hodgson
Burgess
Fa'ainga
Beale

The only changes I will make are to bring in McCalman for Brown to try and get some mongrel in the squad and drop Mitchell, who needs to be dropped after a red card. Sure we need him to play, but he also needs to be made an example of. Deans needs to be tough and show that if you get a red card, you dont play the following week.
The ABs last night would have beaten any team in the world. I think we need to show some consistency and trust the players. Shuffling everyone around after getting beaten is going to be a recipe for killing moral. Plus the added experience will be worth it in the long run.