Wallabies Trinations Squad
- Thread starter Bowside
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TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
Big, big plus if Drew Mitchell is fit and firing by WC. As good as some of the others are going such as Davies, Mitchells form at the start of the year was fantastic.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Braveheart, please get rid of that avatar. It makes me go all funny.
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
I'm wondering how much the performance of the Reds this season will affect Wallaby team selection. Will relatively lesser players be preferred because they are a part of the season's most successful team Australian Super team?
There are only four Reds players who I would consider Wallaby 1st XV starters (Horwill, Genia, Cooper, Ioane), assuming all contenders are fit, but there seems to be wide support for a few others. If it came down to two players of a similar ability then I can see an arguement for a Reds player being preferred, but nothing beyond that.
It may be that I am concerned unneccesarily as selections last season were not biased towards the highest ranked Australian Super team (maybe there are some reserve force 20 year old props who need blooding :fishing )
There are only four Reds players who I would consider Wallaby 1st XV starters (Horwill, Genia, Cooper, Ioane), assuming all contenders are fit, but there seems to be wide support for a few others. If it came down to two players of a similar ability then I can see an arguement for a Reds player being preferred, but nothing beyond that.
It may be that I am concerned unneccesarily as selections last season were not biased towards the highest ranked Australian Super team (maybe there are some reserve force 20 year old props who need blooding :fishing )
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
One would think that several others Reds players should come under consideration for starting roles as they have been considerably more successful than all the other Oz sides.
They would be Slipper, Samo, Simmons, Higgers and Davies.
Slipper and Samo should both seriously be considered if fit for TH and no 8 respectively and the others should all be in the squad along with Robinson and S. Fainga'a.
The Reds will not dominate the Wallabies as one might expect which just goes to show that under Link they really have become much more than the sum of their total parts.
They would be Slipper, Samo, Simmons, Higgers and Davies.
Slipper and Samo should both seriously be considered if fit for TH and no 8 respectively and the others should all be in the squad along with Robinson and S. Fainga'a.
The Reds will not dominate the Wallabies as one might expect which just goes to show that under Link they really have become much more than the sum of their total parts.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
More talk on the forwards please. Why do we spend do much time talking about backs? We don't have to worry too much about backs if Genia, Cooper, JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale are all fit.
Hands up those who have seen our talented backs wither on the vine?
The most important questions are: who are the best forwards to:
- participate in the set pieces and semi-set pieces (which would include restarts and mauls)
- participate in the physical contests, including counter-rucking, for the longest?
Then we can spend 5 minutes talking about the backs and 4 of them will be spent beating our chests for the the players who play for our favourite team.
Hands up those who have seen our talented backs wither on the vine?
The most important questions are: who are the best forwards to:
- participate in the set pieces and semi-set pieces (which would include restarts and mauls)
- participate in the physical contests, including counter-rucking, for the longest?
Then we can spend 5 minutes talking about the backs and 4 of them will be spent beating our chests for the the players who play for our favourite team.
Dunning made a nice comment on ruggamatrix about the front row selection for the RWC, he was quite confident Aus could compete well at the world cup if Aus chose front rowers for their scrummaging ability first and not their ability to make yards with ball in hand.
B
Braveheart.
Guest
In the spirit of more forward talk, less backs talk, here is my humble opinion on those who are going to be deliberated come RWC and TN squad selection....
Here are my thoughts re: front row...
1. Loose Head Prop: Benn Robinson :robinson: is unquestionably the primo propo on the loose side. I've seen little debate here on the merits of any other loose head prop - which warrants the question: what if Robbo goes down injured? Thankfully Ben Alexander, James Slipper and Sekope Kepu can all play on the loose head side BUT all pale in comparison compared to Robbo. In many respects, Robbo could potentially be the unsung hero of the 2011 Wallabies.
2. Hooker: Commence Tatafu Polota-Nau vs Stephen Moore debate.
TNP :nau:
Pros - a) hardest defensive hitter in the wallabies set up. b) Provides go forward in attack and consistently tackles the player behind the gain-line. c) He's the type of player that can lift those around him. d) Unquestionably strong at scrum time & hasn't missed a beat with his throwing this year.
Cons - a) has a tendancy to get broken. b) has a tendancy to get broken.
Stephen Moore
Pros - a) Hard grafting, hard working, traditional style hooker. b) Strong at scrum time & a dead eye dick with his line-out throwing. c) Strong leader. d) Works hard on and off the ball, always in support.
Cons - a) Doesn't provide the ball crunching, game breaking tackles that TPN does.
Either way the cookie crumbles, I expect one of them to get a 50 minute run in tests and the other 30 minutes. There is a vaild argument starting either.
I'd go with Taf to make an impact for the first 50 mins of the test to belt the opposition black and blue, then sure things up with Stephen Moore in the arse end of the test.
3. Tight Head Prop: Tight head prop in many respects could be our archilles heel this year. In my opinion it's a two way battle between the tried and unproven (James Slipper) and the up and comer (Sekope Kepu). While both players have been tried in tests before, neither have proved themselves on an international stage (and when I say proved I mean absolutely monstered an opposition's scrum.
I think Sekope has benefited from playing in a front row with Taf and Robbo, and has formed a formibable combination with both - while Slipper has suffered a little from anchoring a weaker scrum with Fainga'a and Daley after a reasonably strong end of season tour 2010.
I'd go with Kepu to start in the TN, but the penny could land either way.
Here are my thoughts re: front row...
1. Loose Head Prop: Benn Robinson :robinson: is unquestionably the primo propo on the loose side. I've seen little debate here on the merits of any other loose head prop - which warrants the question: what if Robbo goes down injured? Thankfully Ben Alexander, James Slipper and Sekope Kepu can all play on the loose head side BUT all pale in comparison compared to Robbo. In many respects, Robbo could potentially be the unsung hero of the 2011 Wallabies.
2. Hooker: Commence Tatafu Polota-Nau vs Stephen Moore debate.
TNP :nau:
Pros - a) hardest defensive hitter in the wallabies set up. b) Provides go forward in attack and consistently tackles the player behind the gain-line. c) He's the type of player that can lift those around him. d) Unquestionably strong at scrum time & hasn't missed a beat with his throwing this year.
Cons - a) has a tendancy to get broken. b) has a tendancy to get broken.
Stephen Moore
Pros - a) Hard grafting, hard working, traditional style hooker. b) Strong at scrum time & a dead eye dick with his line-out throwing. c) Strong leader. d) Works hard on and off the ball, always in support.
Cons - a) Doesn't provide the ball crunching, game breaking tackles that TPN does.
Either way the cookie crumbles, I expect one of them to get a 50 minute run in tests and the other 30 minutes. There is a vaild argument starting either.
I'd go with Taf to make an impact for the first 50 mins of the test to belt the opposition black and blue, then sure things up with Stephen Moore in the arse end of the test.
3. Tight Head Prop: Tight head prop in many respects could be our archilles heel this year. In my opinion it's a two way battle between the tried and unproven (James Slipper) and the up and comer (Sekope Kepu). While both players have been tried in tests before, neither have proved themselves on an international stage (and when I say proved I mean absolutely monstered an opposition's scrum.
I think Sekope has benefited from playing in a front row with Taf and Robbo, and has formed a formibable combination with both - while Slipper has suffered a little from anchoring a weaker scrum with Fainga'a and Daley after a reasonably strong end of season tour 2010.
I'd go with Kepu to start in the TN, but the penny could land either way.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
If Deans wants to make full use of Cooper at flyhalf, and play a game with more width than any other side (just about ever) in world rugby, then there are a few things we might see:
1. Fast loose forwards that can support a break and get to the wide breakdown (think the likes of Elsom and Pocock playing a little wider, and guys like McCalman and Hodgson as bench options)
2. Tight forwards that are good in close runners to make up for any deficiencies in the loose forwards (TPN, Moore, Kepu, Slipper, Robinson, Horwill, Sharpe – these guys are all very good runners in tight, and would give at least two loosies a bit more freedom)
3. Moving Cooper to 15 in defense alongside Beale
4. A solid centre pairing that are very good at the breadown. JOC (James O'Connor) isn’t massive but he is very good at the breakdown. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is also fantastic there. Isolation can be a big issue with playing a wider game
5. A 5-2 bench split. Burgess is a good option here as with his defense and speed he can cover most positions in the backline at a pinch.
We can win this RWC by playing to our point of differences, while keeping the basics strong – going forward first, winning the breakdown, fast line defense.
1. Fast loose forwards that can support a break and get to the wide breakdown (think the likes of Elsom and Pocock playing a little wider, and guys like McCalman and Hodgson as bench options)
2. Tight forwards that are good in close runners to make up for any deficiencies in the loose forwards (TPN, Moore, Kepu, Slipper, Robinson, Horwill, Sharpe – these guys are all very good runners in tight, and would give at least two loosies a bit more freedom)
3. Moving Cooper to 15 in defense alongside Beale
4. A solid centre pairing that are very good at the breadown. JOC (James O'Connor) isn’t massive but he is very good at the breakdown. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is also fantastic there. Isolation can be a big issue with playing a wider game
5. A 5-2 bench split. Burgess is a good option here as with his defense and speed he can cover most positions in the backline at a pinch.
We can win this RWC by playing to our point of differences, while keeping the basics strong – going forward first, winning the breakdown, fast line defense.
THP - Kepu, Slipper
Hooker - Nau, Moore & dunno Faaingaa may make it on workrate, I would prefer Charles
LHP - Robinson, Alexander great workrate, but a bit of a penalty machine as hinges too often
Three of the props can play both sides so plenty of flexibility, if the are going to pick a fifth prop - Longbottom, his scrummaging is good on both sides, Palmer hasn't played for months
Hooker - Nau, Moore & dunno Faaingaa may make it on workrate, I would prefer Charles
LHP - Robinson, Alexander great workrate, but a bit of a penalty machine as hinges too often
Three of the props can play both sides so plenty of flexibility, if the are going to pick a fifth prop - Longbottom, his scrummaging is good on both sides, Palmer hasn't played for months
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
Is Kepu fit?
He should be given first shot at the TH role.
What about Samo at 8? He also deserves to be given a chance as he has really given the Reds backrow some grunt,.
For the RWC we need a pack that can match up physically with the likes of England and the ABs and dominate the rest..
Guys like Elsom, Kepu, TPN, Moore, Samo, Pocock and Horwill who will not take a backward step can help us achieve that.
He should be given first shot at the TH role.
What about Samo at 8? He also deserves to be given a chance as he has really given the Reds backrow some grunt,.
For the RWC we need a pack that can match up physically with the likes of England and the ABs and dominate the rest..
Guys like Elsom, Kepu, TPN, Moore, Samo, Pocock and Horwill who will not take a backward step can help us achieve that.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
It's the ultimate non-PC selection comment, but I had a dream recently wherein the best 2011 NSW forwards combined solely with the best 2011 QLD backs, each group was optimal for task, best in class and was used to their respective combinations, and, low and behold, we were winning all Test silverware that came our way.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Dual opensides?
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Hasn't he? Robinson and Moore/Nau are our best scrummagers in those positions. THP has been more controversial with some unsuccessful experiments. But Kepu/Slipper will go fine. Deans has had a big role in developing Slipper, who still has vast improvement in him. The role of Palmer seems to be the only remaining question. All in all, the situation seems to have come right at the right time, and probably as quickly as it possibly could have.
Having said that, the one example of Deans not picking the best scrummager has been Baxter. I'd argue the referees made that selection for him.
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
There wasn't anyone else. Even Big Al was injured if my memory serves correctly.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Meh. Deans develops players. That means there have to be a few failed experiments. Daly and Fainga'a may still come good.
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