Wallabies Trinations Squad

[TOCC]

Maafu is faster then Shane Williams?

 

[Groucho]

Maafu is faster then Shane Williams?

He is. And I once saw Gerrard run down Caucau.

And Pocock run down Habana.

 

[Simmo161]

I think Robbie should start the 3N with our best team. An early convincing win would establish a winning mindset.
With this self belief secured within, we can then be a little conservative and throw down the challenge to our bench and give them the opportunity to retain the winning momentum.
The key here is to establish self belief & a winning mindset and then hold onto it, regardless of the outcome of the 3N.
Don't get me wrong, to win the 3N would be brilliant but I think it would be far more important to start the WC campaign with a fully fit squad that believes rather than as 3N Champions minus key players due to injuries.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep, agree Simmo. No point in experimenting now, just get on with it. We need to build some momentum through the 3N and lay down a marker. Our successful RWC campaigns in the past have featured games before the tournament where you could see everything clicking (e.g 1991's thrashing of England and a solid win against the AB's, good wins against the Boks and AB's in 1999). There were also settled selections in key positions too and I think it's starting to look that way for the Wobs now.

 

[Slim 293]

Yep, agree Simmo. No point in experimenting now, just get on with it. We need to build some momentum through the 3N and lay down a marker. Our successful RWC campaigns in the past have featured games before the tournament where you could see everything clicking (e.g 1991's thrashing of England and a solid win against the AB's, good wins against the Boks and AB's in 1999). There were also settled selections in key positions too and I think it's starting to look that way for the Wobs now.

Hopefully none of those settled positions involve some of Deans' journeyman such as Daley, Maafu, and Mumm...

I do like to think that most positions will be pretty obvious, with just a few new faces getting opportunities in positions where we are weak - Samo at 8, Dennis as possible 6 backup... possible new 4th lock choice... Phipps as halback cover... maybe McCabe or Fainga'a get a hitout at outside centre at some point off the bench?

Otherwise, Deans will probably be going for what was generally the first choice team of last year with Kepu returning to the 22...

If Mitchell is unable to return I would assume Deans being Deans will keep Giteau at 12 and leave JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing...

 

[Joe Blow]

This is it for RD.
Many Kiwis and Australians will argue that his results are poor and his winning percentage is one of the worst of recent Wallaby coaches.
However it has always been about building towards the RWC later this year for Deans.
He will field the best possible squad when the time comes, which means that those journeymen will not be in the squad if there are better options available.
It is time for him to mask that fierce loyal streak and select his strongest possible squad. This also stands regarding the captaincy.

 

[Nusadan]

Bear in mind that in the lead up to the Wallabies' 3rd most successful RWC campaign saw them lose 50 odd something to the ABs in 2003 only for them to win the semi several months later on against the same team...

 

[GC]

Bear in mind that in the lead up to the Wallabies' 3rd most successful RWC campaign saw them lose 50 odd something to the ABs in 2003 only for them to win the semi several months later on against the same team...

And wasn't that a glorious night?

 

[Groucho]

Bear in mind that in the lead up to the Wallabies' 3rd most successful RWC campaign saw them lose 50 odd something to the ABs in 2003 only for them to win the semi several months later on against the same team...

We want to do better this time. As delicious as it was to beat those ABs, a part of that pleasure was 'stealing' a win from a better team, through a combination of good luck, mental hardness and desire. This time we still want all those things, but also to be the better team. Any fifty point differences should be in our favour.

 

[Swarley]

As much as it pains me to say it, I fear Robbie Deans' loyal nature will prevail yet again this year. Players like Mumm, Giteau, McCalman et al., who had very good Super XV campaigns and have been in the Wallabies 22 on a regular basis will be back again despite their apparent ineffectiveness on the big stage. Don't get me wrong, I think McCalman had a solid EOYT last year and didn't let anyone down for a lack of trying, but he isn't physical enough to play a World Cup Final against the All Blacks. I'm praying that Dingo picks Palu with Samo on the bench in a 5-2 split, which compensates for Palu's lack of match-fitness and Samo's tendency to fade during the final stages of a match. Giteau belongs on the bench, but after last years abhorrent performances he still only dropped him in November, so he'll almost definitely be back again. Likewise, I don't think Rocky should be captain. Not because he hasn't played much this year, but because it's burdened him by smothering the natural aggression that rendered him the force he was in Ireland. Give it to Genia, Horwill or Sharpe, they truly lift with the (c) next to their name.

 

[Slim 293]

Giteau's form warrants a return to the starting lineup at inside centre... especially if JOC (James O'Connor) plays on the wing...

And we don't need a 5-2 bench split...

 

[DPK]

I can understand the reasons Deans would persevere with Giteau and McCalman, but not Mumm. He's just so decidedly average.

They talk about players running on to the ball. Against the Blues, I actually saw him run on to the ball, stop on both feet and then try to attack the line from a standing start. His crash technique is just awful.

Same goes for his cleaning out. From watching him play, I get the impression he has no idea about gaining space beyond the ball at the ruck.

 

[Crow]

So if you're not going to use S15 form, what are you going to use?
You can't say McCalman's out, even though he had a great S15, and then in the next breath have Samo because he had a great S15. Samo has his opportunity in 2004 and failed, so what's the difference?

 

[Moses]

I recall fondly Samo's run in 2004, and would love to see him get another shot

 

[Sully]

The first 20 min of the Super final should be shown to all loose forwards as an example of how to play. Samo was mammoth

Was that 2004?

 

[Slim 293]

The first 20 min of the Super final should be shown to all loose forwards as an example of how to play. Samo was mammoth

Was that 2004?

Twas 2004.

George Smith was significantly more mammoth in that match though. Topped off with a grubber that led to one of Gerrard's 3 tries.

 

[Sully]

Again I said watch the first 20 min. Samo also played 4 so was not really a loosie.

 

[jay-c]

it seems everyones starting team is very similar> but heres my take< tear me to pieces
strong emphasis on what will be required at wc (ie gerrard for field position game in wet nz)

starting team/ squad

1-robinson /daley
2-moore /s.fainga
3-kepu /slipper
4-sharp /simmons
5-horwill /vickerman
6-elsom /higgers
7-pocock /hodgeson
8-mcalman /samo

9-genia /burgess
10-cooper /barnes
11-ioane /cummins
12-oconner /giteau
13-ashley cooper /a.fainga
14-morahan /davies
15-beale /gerrard

bench would be
slipper
fainga
hodgeson
higgers/samo (horses for courses)
burgess
barnes if not well giteau
gerrard

31-alexander
32-hanson >>considered charles
33-mumm
34-timani>> considered pyle/wykes
35-robinson
36-brown>> considered dennis
37-phipps
38-mcabe
39-a.fainga
40-turner
not considered due to injury: tpn,mitchell, palu (all starting team when fit)

not considered
baxter> fact: expensive when it comes to scrums >cannot afford to have him and alexander in the squad> at least alexander score tries
waugh> cant play 80 mins for the tahs cannot risk needing him for 79 mins in a test> far behind hodgeson and robinson even brown anyway for 7
mortlock> doesnt have the pace and when he took that kick the other week against the force i said to myself if he gets this hes still got what it takes to take on the world... he missed

 

[Slim 293]

Daley?

I really do hope that Daley and Maafu don't progress beyond scrum camp...

 

[tigerland12]

My trinations squad minus: Polota-Nau, Mitchell, Hynes and Palu

Props: Robinson, Kepu, Slipper, Alexander. If Slipper doesn't recover bring in Daley or Longbottom
Hooker: Moore, Fainga'a, Charles. Hanson is a darkhorse, similar mould to Huia Edmonds
Locks: Horwill, Sharpe, Simmons, Vickerman. Pyle, Wykes and Timani could all make it infront of Vickerman
Backrowers: Elsom, Pocock, McCalman, Samo, Hodgson, Higginbotham. It will be very hard to choose between Hodgson and Robinson
Scrum-Halves: Genia, Burgess, Phipps
Inside Backs: Cooper, Giteau, A.Fainga'a
Outside Backs: Ashley-Cooper, Ioane, O'Connor, Beale, McCabe, Shepherd, Morahan. Turner, Davies and Cummins could all push for Morahans spot.

I think that is a very good squad. I'd take that to the WC with Tatafu in for Charles, McCalman or Higginbotham out for Palu and Mitchell in for Morahan

Captain: Elsom with Will Genia and David Pocock as VC's