Wallabies Trinations Squad

[DPK]

I'd rather Robinson in the squad over Higginbotham, but that essentially means you have 3 opensides which is a bit un balancing. Even though I would have confidence in Robinson and Hodgson playing 6, limits line out options.

Well I dunno. Beau is pretty physical, shifting bodies and counter rucking. If you had he and Pocock in the same backrow it would be like the old Smith and Waugh combination, which, coincidentally, we used at another RWC.

One thing I noticed looking at the old Phil Waugh tapes is that when he played against a top openside, like McCaw, he played bodyguard. If McCaw was looking to pilfer, Waugh was there to smash him off the ball or smash him when he got the ball. With two opensides, one can play minder while the other can play more generally in the forwards.

It's known that you need a body shifting blindside, but I think with two opensides who are pretty physical in their play anyway you can still have this blindside role covered while getting the advantage of two pilferers. Pocock won't be able to get to every ruck to compete for the ball, but with two opensides you can cover almost every ruck.

 

[tigerland12]

Well I dunno. Beau is pretty physical, shifting bodies and counter rucking. If you had he and Pocock in the same backrow it would be like the old Smith and Waugh combination, which, coincidentally, we used at another RWC.

Yep definatly, if Elsom isn't fit I would love to see that option. Robinson has been outstanding this year. But I don't think Deans will play two opensides. We haven't since the Smith/Waugh days.

 

[DPK]

If Elsom is injured, there's not telling what Deans will do. He's a little troppo at the best of times.

 

[Ruggo]

If Elsom is injured, there's not telling what Deans will do. He's a little troppo at the best of times.

I say this with and without bias but Higgers will get the gig. I think that is how Robbie will see it.

 

[Slim 293]

I say this with and without bias but Higgers will get the gig. I think that is how Robbie will see it.

I really hope not...

 

[TheNextBigThing]

On Beau Robinson, I would not pick him in the squad. The reason? He is a specialist openside, and as long as Pocock is around then we don't need him. So if Bam is fit it is a wasted spot. If Bam gets injured though you can bring Beau in to take the 7 jumper.

Agree wholeheartedly. The sticking point however is whether not including him in the squad will prevent him from training/working on combinations. If Beau can remain in camp/training despite not being in the squad then it's a good idea. The feasibility having dedicated reserves outside the squad relies heavily on the generosity of the ARU; something they're not known for.

 

[DPK]

I say this with and without bias but Higgers will get the gig. I think that is how Robbie will see it.

Trying to predict some of Deans decisions is like finding a needle in a haystack... while doing a loop de loop in a hot air balloon.

 

[tigerland12]

Trying to predict some of Deans decisions is like finding a needle in a haystack... while doing a loop de loop in a hot air balloon.

Thank fuck, I thought I was the only one who thought this

 

[Groucho]

I think Deans makes excellent selections, and we're seeing the fruits of it now.

When Deans makes a selection I don't like, I thank goodness that we have someone better than me running the show, as opposed to concluding with inexorable logic that we have someone worse.

 

[Sully]

Trying to predict some of Deans decisions is like finding a needle in a haystack... while doing a loop de loop in a hot air balloon.

I feel the same way about some of the theories in this thread.

 

[TheNextBigThing]

When Deans makes a selection I don't like, I thank goodness that we have someone better than me running the show, as opposed to concluding with inexorable logic that we have someone worse.

Clearly not familiar with how the internet works.

 

[Swarley]

Wallabies RWC 2007:

Backs: Chris Latham, Julian Huxley, Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Mark Gerrard, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Scott Staniforth, Stephen Larkham, Berrick Barnes, George Gregan (vc), Sam Cordingley.

Forwards: David Lyons, Wycliff Palu, Stephen Hoiles, George Smith, Phil Waugh (vc), Hugh McMeniman, Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Al Baxter, Greg Holmes, Matt Dunning, Guy Shepherdson, Adam Freier, Stephen Moore, Sean Hardman.

Shadow Players: Rodney Blake, James Horwill, Al Campbell, Matt Cockbain, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jone Tawake, Josh Holmes, Ryan Cross, Clinton Schifcofske and Sam Norton-Knight


Players in bold make up the 12/40 guys still in realistic contention for this years Wallaby sqaud. Some have retired, some are well past it, some have had their season ended by injury. I do envy the Springboks, who have a much larger proportion of their '07 player core returning.

So, looking at that sqaud, Connolly named:

2 x Loosehead Props
3 x Hookers
2 x Tighthead Props
4 x Locks
2 x Blindside Flankers
2 x Openside Flankers
2 x Number Eights

2 x Scrumhalfs
2 x Flyhalfs
2 x Inside Centres
2 x Outside Centres
3 x Wingers
2 x Fullbacks

The 10 shadow players consisted of 6 forwards and 4 backs, providing cover in each position. Some players in the squad were there to cover multiple positions, such as Giteau (acting as the third-choice #9) and McMeniman (covering both #6 and #4). I think that this is the best selection formula, providing a great balance of skills and more-than-ample preparation if a specialist goes down (I don't want to pick just one pilferer (Pocock) and have to fly either Robinson or Hodgson in 2 days before the RWC Final.

So going by this selection method, the Tri-Nations/RWC Squad should look something like this:


2 x Loosehead Props
Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander

3 x Hookers
Tatafu Polota-Nau, Stephen Moore, Saia Fainga'a

2 x Tighthead Props
Sekope Kepu, James Slipper

4 x Locks
Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Dan Vickerman

2 x Blindside Flankers
Rocky Elsom, Scott Higginbotham

2 x Openside Flankers
David Pocock, Matt Hodgson

2 x Number Eights
Wycliff Palu, Radike Samo/ Ben McCalman


2 x Scrumhalfs
Will Genia, Luke Burgess

2 x Flyhalfs
Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes

2 x Inside Centres
Matt Giteau, Anthony Fainga'a

2 x Outside Centres
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne

3 x Wingers
Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Lachie Turner

2 x Fullbacks
Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor


Shadow Players: Nathan Charles, Al Baxter, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman/ Radike Samo, Phil Waugh (I'd prefer Beau Robinson on form, but the Ork's experience and leadership win him a spot), Nick Phipps, Pat McCabe, Luke Morahan.

 

[drewprint]

My ideal backrow relies on the fitness of certain players, but...

6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Samo

Tell me that dynamic, marauding backrow wouldn't put the fear of God into opposing teams.

 

[Slim 293]

Connolly only had 2 scrumhalves because the only quality scrumhalf in the country was Gregan, and then there was Cordingley who was barely fit...

Deans will take 3 scrumhalves if all 3 are fit: Genia, Burgess and Phipps...

 

[tigerland12]

Fair squad there Swarley, I'd just add Shepherd instead of Horne (he wont be fit), possibly Morahan or McCabe for Turner, and McCalman and Samo in the squad at the expense of Higginbotham.

I think this squad looks alot stronger than the 2007 one imo

 

[Slim 293]

Connolly only had 2 scrumhalves because the only quality scrumhalf in the country was Gregan, and then there was Cordingley who was barely fit...

Deans will take 3 scrumhalves if all 3 are fit: Genia, Burgess and Phipps...

Or Deans will only take 2 scrumhalves, and Phipps will be brought in the moment one of them goes down...

But I think he will, and should take 3...

Otherwise Genia and Burgess have to be in the 22 for every match (in the RWC)... and Deans isn't going to use Giteau as a backup scrumhalf... nor should he...

If he does, I think it would disrupt the form he's come back into...

 

[ACT Crusader]

Fair squad there Swarley, I'd just add Shepherd instead of Horne (he wont be fit), possibly Morahan or McCabe for Turner, and McCalman and Samo in the squad at the expense of Higginbotham.

I think this squad looks alot stronger than the 2007 one imo

The OZ 2007 squad most probably would have performed a bit better (even against England) had Larkham been fit. BB was not ready for such a game IMO. Yes the forwards were beaten up, but that's why a Larkham quality could've turned something in OZ favor.

Swarley - which of your props cover both sides that would be low risk going into a test match?

 

[Slim 293]

The OZ 2007 squad most probably would have performed a bit better (even against England) had Larkham been fit. BB was not ready for such a game IMO. Yes the forwards were beaten up, but that's why a Larkham quality could've turned something in OZ favor.

Swarley - which of your props cover both sides that would be low risk going into a test match?

It would definitely be Kepu...

 

[Swarley]

The OZ 2007 squad most probably would have performed a bit better (even against England) had Larkham been fit. BB was not ready for such a game IMO. Yes the forwards were beaten up, but that's why a Larkham quality could've turned something in OZ favor.

Swarley - which of your props cover both sides that would be low risk going into a test match?

Sekope Kepu and James Slipper can both play loosehead.

 

[DPK]

Random question; what happened to Mark Gerrard for him to lose his place in the Wallabies squad in the first place?