W
WB3
Guest
I wonder how much (assuming everyone was fit and well) Deans would change his squad during the World Cup year. Aside from the obvious starters (TPN, Alexander, Ioane etc), I would hope he would choose some older, wiser fellas. People like Waugh and Baxter could contribute a lot to this team both from experience and mentality, even if they were on the bench. Were both of them fit right now I think Deans would be mad not to insert Baxter at 3 and Waugh at least into the 22 (whoever suggested him at 8 might be onto something, though I would rather see Elsom moved and have either Waugh or Pocock play out of position at 6).
Unfortunately this Wallaby team seems leaderless. Aside from Elsom and Giteau (and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to an extent) who of genuine experience is currently in the squad? I'm talking players who have been around for 5 years in Wallaby colours. 1 year of test football does not make players greats. A combination of youthful enthusiasm and steady heads to direct them is what we need. Elsom and Giteau are a shonky foundation as far as I am concerned anyway - their leadership skills seem lacking. They can play but are NOT a strong foundation for a team's self-belief.
If they won't get Waugh and Baxter (I suppose we do have some legitimately strength in both positions with a full squad, though I'd still see Baxter on the bench), then we DEFINITELY ought to get Vickerman. He would be an investment worthy of a part of the silly money a few of our backs are making.
My (Perfect World) Cup 22:
1 Robinson
2 TPN
3 Alexander
4 Vickerman
5 Horwill
6 Elsom (in form)/Higginbotham
7 Pocock
8 Palu
9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Mitchell
12 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
13 Horne/Chambers
14 Ioane
15 Hynes
16 Baxter
17 Moore/Fainga'a
18 Douglas
19 Waugh
20 Burgess (by necessity)
21 Barnes/Giteau
22 JOC (James O'Connor)
Im sure blokes will disagree on some positions (and in some I really don't know), and it mightn't be the thread for it, so to tie it to the topic - this is the team that if I had all the players available, I would probably pick - on the basis of WINNING TEST MATCHES, not "developing" (poorly at this rate) for next years world cup.
Like that other bloke said - I want blokes who will bleed for this team. Tough defenders (bar Cooper, who everyone seems to agree makes up for it) and hard workers. Some guys are in there because they could be awesome (Giteau and Elsom) if they pulled their finger out, but I'm not happy about it. The rest I think are a solid bunch of blokes with the right attitude.
To MODs - if this is a pointless thread-jacking exercise, I apologise.
Unfortunately this Wallaby team seems leaderless. Aside from Elsom and Giteau (and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to an extent) who of genuine experience is currently in the squad? I'm talking players who have been around for 5 years in Wallaby colours. 1 year of test football does not make players greats. A combination of youthful enthusiasm and steady heads to direct them is what we need. Elsom and Giteau are a shonky foundation as far as I am concerned anyway - their leadership skills seem lacking. They can play but are NOT a strong foundation for a team's self-belief.
If they won't get Waugh and Baxter (I suppose we do have some legitimately strength in both positions with a full squad, though I'd still see Baxter on the bench), then we DEFINITELY ought to get Vickerman. He would be an investment worthy of a part of the silly money a few of our backs are making.
My (Perfect World) Cup 22:
1 Robinson
2 TPN
3 Alexander
4 Vickerman
5 Horwill
6 Elsom (in form)/Higginbotham
7 Pocock
8 Palu
9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Mitchell
12 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
13 Horne/Chambers
14 Ioane
15 Hynes
16 Baxter
17 Moore/Fainga'a
18 Douglas
19 Waugh
20 Burgess (by necessity)
21 Barnes/Giteau
22 JOC (James O'Connor)
Im sure blokes will disagree on some positions (and in some I really don't know), and it mightn't be the thread for it, so to tie it to the topic - this is the team that if I had all the players available, I would probably pick - on the basis of WINNING TEST MATCHES, not "developing" (poorly at this rate) for next years world cup.
Like that other bloke said - I want blokes who will bleed for this team. Tough defenders (bar Cooper, who everyone seems to agree makes up for it) and hard workers. Some guys are in there because they could be awesome (Giteau and Elsom) if they pulled their finger out, but I'm not happy about it. The rest I think are a solid bunch of blokes with the right attitude.
To MODs - if this is a pointless thread-jacking exercise, I apologise.
