Wallabies Trinations Squad

[The_Brown_Hornet]

My match day 22...

1, Benn Robinson
2, Tatafu Polota-Nau
3, James Slipper
4, James Horwill
5, Nathan Sharpe
6, Rocky Elsom
7, David Pocock
8, Wycliff Palu
9, Will Genia
10, Quade Cooper
11, Digby Ioane
12, Berrick Barnes (*)
13, Adam Ashley-Cooper
14, James O'Connor
15, Kurtley Beale

16, Stephen Moore
17, Sekope Kepu
18, Rob Simmons
19, Scott Higginbotham
20, Luke Burgess
21, Pat McCabe
22, Matt Giteau

The asterisk next to Berrick is obviously because of his health. If he gets through the next couple of games intact, I'd be inclined to give him the nod. Were that not to be the case, JOC (James O'Connor) moves to 12 and Turner to 14. I'd also make the same qualifications on Elsom and Cliffy. I'm trying to find a spot for Ben McCalman and have a 5-2 bench, so I'd almost think about leaving McCabe out.

 

[light]

Surely not Burgess, Phipps would be a better option?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I ummed and ahhed about that one, but went with Burgess, as test experience will be important this year.

 

[drewprint]

1. Ben Alexander
2. Saia Fainga'a
3. Salesi Ma'afu
4. Dean Mumm
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Mitchell Chapman
7. Phil Waugh
8. Richard Brown
9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau
11. Nick Cummins
12. Anthony Fainga'a
13. Ryan Cross
14. Rod Davies
15. Cameron Shepherd

Geez, Tom Carter can't even make the reject team.

 

[light]

If mitchell is back in time I wouldn't mind seeing this backline
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. James O'Connor
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Kurtley Beale

5-2 on the bench
21. Matt Giteau
22. Berrick Barnes

Bit unconventional but Gits could cover 9 and 10. Barnes covers 10,12,13. That way Burgess doesn't have to play

 

[drewprint]

(*e) Matt Hodgson on the bench to cover 6 & 7. Most people have Higginbotham on the bench. What if Bam Bam goes down? You simply can't have an Elsom / Palu / Higginbotham loose trio.

Sure you can. Bring on Burgess. :fishing

 

[DPK]

Geez, Tom Carter can't even make the reject team.

Sheperd will be injured, move some people around and Carter's in.

 

[light]

Sure you can. Bring on Burgess. :fishing

:angryfire:

 

[sudrugby]

Who's the 13 cover if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) goes down from those 30? Digby?

Barnes or another IC...
I'm not a big fan of Fainga'a or McCabe and as Horne is often injured

 

[jay-c]

Quote Quoting Braveheart. View Post
(*e) Matt Hodgson on the bench to cover 6 & 7. Most people have Higginbotham on the bench. What if Bam Bam goes down? You simply can't have an Elsom / Palu / Higginbotham loose trio.
this is an extremely valid point.
beaus still a rookie compared to hodgesons experience> and everytime hodgeson has been asked to play 7 in place of pocock he has really stepped up

 

[barbarian]

Surely not Burgess, Phipps would be a better option?

I'll stick up for Burgo here- he has been pretty good off the bench for the Wallabies, and often adds a bit of life when he comes on with 10-15 to go. His sniping runs can catch out tired defensive lines. He is in a sense the perfect substitute halfback, as he can create tries when those around him are flagging.

As much as Phipps has had a good debut season, I still wouldn't have him at the RWC.

 

[Slim 293]

I don't think we can only have 2 halfbacks at the RWC, so I think Phipps will be in the Tri Nations Squad and in the RWC squad coming off the bench against the likes of Russia and the USA... Genia will start in all important games, while Burgess will be the Wallabies' bench SH who starts against the minnows giving Genia a rest...

With Mitchell unlikely and JOC (James O'Connor) possibly shifting to the wing Giteau will either be our backup or starting 12 and we shouldn't burden him with the responsibility of possibly playing halfback.

Plus, in the unlikely chance one of our halfbacks to go down in the RWC it's better to have someone already there who has had some bench time in the squad rather than having to draft someone in.

 

[TheNextBigThing]

I'll stick up for Burgo here- he has been pretty good off the bench for the Wallabies, and often adds a bit of life when he comes on with 10-15 to go. His sniping runs can catch out tired defensive lines. He is in a sense the perfect substitute halfback, as he can create tries when those around him are flagging.

As much as Phipps has had a good debut season, I still wouldn't have him at the RWC.

I'm with you 100% that Burgo has real potential as an impact player. His sniping runs can really catch tiring forwards off guard. The issue I see is that Burgo takes time to warm up, he needs some time to settle down that pass and get into a rhythm before he starts to really cut loose. We can't afford that in the last 15-20 when we need to be putting it to bed.

Genia played over 900 consecutive mins of footy this season. He can be counted on for the 3N. Giteau in 21. Five forwards.

 

[Swarley]

I was speaking to somebody with a lot of reliable connections and until recently was involved in the ARU setup, and he said that Giteau will be the backup #9 ahead of Burgess. I like it, eliminates the worry of Burgess' dodgy passing in the last few pressure-some minutes of the tight matches, and it allows a 5-2 split to combat the AB/SA physicality.

On another note, has anybody noticed the depth of all three SANZAR nations? This is going to be one hell of a 3N series, can't wait!

 

[Slim 293]

I was speaking to somebody with a lot of reliable connections and until recently was involved in the ARU setup, and he said that Giteau will be the backup #9 ahead of Burgess. I like it, eliminates the worry of Burgess' dodgy passing in the last few pressure-some minutes of the tight matches, and it allows a 5-2 split to combat the AB/SA physicality.

On another note, has anybody noticed the depth of all three SANZAR nations? This is going to be one hell of a 3N series, can't wait!

It sounds like somebody who knows a guy who knows a guy who is of the opinion that Giteau should be backup halfback.

After 3 seasons Deans hasn't even contemplated the idea, so I doubt he's going to start experimenting with the idea now.

If he did I think it would be stupid.

Giteau is not a scrumhalf.

 

[Swarley]

I'm not going to give details away, but he's a pretty reliable source. Up until recently was involved in the ARU coaching setup, and his contacts seem to think Giteau is the man for the backup #9 job. Makes sense- no need for Genia to come off unless he's injured, and it doesn't waste a spot on a specialist scrumhalf

 

[FairWeatherAussie]

I could be wrong, but I don't think he is eligible for wallaby selection. Even if you bind him in wedlock and have little Nonu babies.

With a bit of make-up they might not recognise him...

 

[Slim 293]

I'm not going to give details away, but he's a pretty reliable source. Up until recently was involved in the ARU coaching setup, and his contacts seem to think Giteau is the man for the backup #9 job. Makes sense- no need for Genia to come off unless he's injured, and it doesn't waste a spot on a specialist scrumhalf

I think you've gone back in time...

John Connolly is no longer the Wallabies coach...

 

[Joe Blow]

It sounds like somebody who knows a guy who knows a guy who is of the opinion that Giteau should be backup halfback.

After 3 seasons Deans hasn't even contemplated the idea, so I doubt he's going to start experimenting with the idea now.

If he did I think it would be stupid.

Giteau is not a scrumhalf.

Agreed. And Burgess is an excellent impact player to have on the bench. He brings a lot of aggression and thrust onto the pitch every time he plays. We need a bench that will impact a test in the second half. Burgess will be one of the first picked.

And Burgess was one of Deans first 'special' projects and Deans has never been a coach to do a 180 degree turn with his structure at short notice. Not happpening.

 

[DPK]

I'll stick up for Burgo here- he has been pretty good off the bench for the Wallabies, and often adds a bit of life when he comes on with 10-15 to go. His sniping runs can catch out tired defensive lines. He is in a sense the perfect substitute halfback, as he can create tries when those around him are flagging.

As much as Phipps has had a good debut season, I still wouldn't have him at the RWC.

Agreed, but I can't wait to see Phipps get a chance in 2012.