Wallabies v Wales: Name Your Best XV

[Jets]

1. Robinson - First picked in team, would be my captain
2. Moore - No other options
3. Kepu - Best THP at the moment
4. Simmons - Back in form
5. Sharpe - In good form
6. Higginbotham - Needs a chance of playing a few tests in a row. Will suit playing with Pocock and Palu
7. Pocock - Easy to pick. Might have Hooper on bench later in series to play last 10 of a couple of games
8. Palu - Need his go forward
9. Genia - Back in form
10. Cooper - No one else. Don't think his is ready but no other options really
11. Ioane -
12. Fainga'a - Will tackle his heart out
13. McCabe - Think 13 will suit him better than 12
14. Tomane - Looks ready to take the next step
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - Always seems to play best in Gold. Don't think other options are up for it yet.

16. TPN - Next best option. Out of sorts of late but will hopefully get back to past form
17. Slipper - Plays both sides and good work around the field. Alexander wouldn't bother me though.
18. Pyle - Has been pushing for a while. Worth giving him a chance
19. Dennis - Replace Palu at 50-60min mark
20. White - Has been in great form. Lucas would be the option if going for a 5:2 split
21. Barnes - covers 10 and 12. Would be happy to see him start at 12 as would work well with Quade
22. Morahan - Covers back 3. Finally playing OK. Good try against Brumbies and his defensive work has improved greatly

 

[tigerland12]

No issues with that side Jets.

 

[emuarse]

1. Robinson - First picked in team, would be my captain
2. Moore - No other options
3. Kepu - Best THP at the moment
4. Simmons - Back in form
5. Sharpe - In good form
6. Higginbotham - Needs a chance of playing a few tests in a row. Will suit playing with Pocock and Palu
7. Pocock - Easy to pick. Might have Hooper on bench later in series to play last 10 of a couple of games
8. Palu - Need his go forward
9. Genia - Back in form
10. Cooper - No one else. Don't think his is ready but no other options really
11. Ioane -
12. Fainga'a - Will tackle his heart out
13. McCabe - Think 13 will suit him better than 12
14. Tomane - Looks ready to take the next step
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - Always seems to play best in Gold. Don't think other options are up for it yet.

16. TPN - Next best option. Out of sorts of late but will hopefully get back to past form
17. Slipper - Plays both sides and good work around the field. Alexander wouldn't bother me though.
18. Pyle - Has been pushing for a while. Worth giving him a chance
19. Dennis - Replace Palu at 50-60min mark
20. White - Has been in great form. Lucas would be the option if going for a 5:2 split
21. Barnes - covers 10 and 12. Would be happy to see him start at 12 as would work well with Quade
22. Morahan - Covers back 3. Finally playing OK. Good try against Brumbies and his defensive work has improved greatly

Jets, my only alterations to your selection would be to have Barnes starting at 12 rather than Fainga'a, and to have Lucas on the bench covering for Ginea/Cooper/Barnes/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Also I would have a 5/2 split from the bench with Hooper instead of White as Ginea is an 80 minute player.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Jets, my only alterations to your selection would be to have Barnes starting at 12 rather than Fainga'a, and to have Lucas on the bench covering for Ginea/Cooper/Barnes/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Also I would have a 5/2 split from the bench with Hooper instead of White as Ginea is an 80 minute player.

I totally agree I don't think we can afford to have both McCabe and fainga starting with JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale both out not enough attacking options.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tigerland12]

Jets, my only alterations to your selection would be to have Barnes starting at 12 rather than Fainga'a, and to have Lucas on the bench covering for Ginea/Cooper/Barnes/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Also I would have a 5/2 split from the bench with Hooper instead of White

I don't understand why many posters feel like we HAVE to have a back up openside on the bench? Are we all scared that the Ireland game will repeat and we won't have anyone? I honestly can't even remember New Zealand or South Africa having a specialist openside on the bench. If we do have one it's a waste of a spot, Pocock is our best player and will play 80minutes most weeks.

 

[Braveheart81]

If we are going to put Hooper on the bench, I think it is more likely to be against Scotland to hopefully give Pocock a break ahead of the Wales test and to give Hooper his debut.

I can't see us ever selecting a team without a backup halfback.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

If we are going to put Hooper on the bench, I think it is more likely to be against Scotland to hopefully give Pocock a break ahead of the Wales test and to give Hooper his debut.

I can't see us ever selecting a team without a backup halfback.

Maybe if Lucas is in the team somewhere, but I'd rather see White have a crack.

 

[Bardon]

Well, congratulations to them anyway. But why don't they honeymoon in Australia?

I believe it's the timing of the weddings themselves that's the problem. Ian Evans gets married next week, a date he set last year when he was injured and no where near contention for the Welsh squad. AWJ is attending his sisters wedding next week.

This means they've had to stay in the UK and not travel with the advanced party who are preparing for the first test. They've been selected for the game against the Baa Baas and will travel to Aus later to link up with the rest of the squad. Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies went with the advanced party and are likely to start the first test. So it's a case of Evans and AWJ possibly having to win their places in the team back.

 

[Scotty]

BDA,

I was also going to suggest a Hooper and Pocock double team vs the Welsh. But you've just kept Palu on and effectively limited us to 2 jumping options in the line out. I doubt Palu will play 80.

 

[Scotty]

I believe it's the timing of the weddings themselves that's the problem. Ian Evans gets married next week, a date he set last year when he was injured and no where near contention for the Welsh squad. AWJ is attending his sisters wedding next week.

This means they've had to stay in the UK and not travel with the advanced party who are preparing for the first test. They've been selected for the game against the Baa Baas and will travel to Aus later to link up with the rest of the squad. Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies went with the advanced party and are likely to start the first test. So it's a case of Evans and AWJ possibly having to win their places in the team back.

I think you might have missed the joke?

 

[Scotty]

Jets, my only alterations to your selection would be to have Barnes starting at 12 rather than Fainga'a, and to have Lucas on the bench covering for Ginea/Cooper/Barnes/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Also I would have a 5/2 split from the bench with Hooper instead of White as Ginea is an 80 minute player.

I am looking forward to having Cooper with Barnes outside of him. Barnes rightly got a lot of plaudits for this performance vs the Welsh in the 3rd playoff, but what most people forget is that Cooper was looking like he would tear them a new one with help from Barnes outside him before he was injured. We won because of Barnes' control of the game, but we likely would have won by a lot more had Cooper not been injured.

The only position that worries me is Ashley-Cooper. I don't really thinks he deserves to be in the starting line-up, but I can't see many other options.

 

[BDA]

BDA,

I was also going to suggest a Hooper and Pocock double team vs the Welsh. But you've just kept Palu on and effectively limited us to 2 jumping options in the line out. I doubt Palu will play 80.

I'd have Hooper and Dennis on for Palu and Higgers in the second half.

Also I cant remember the last time AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has cost the Wallabies a game. He seems to shine in the Gold Jersey and in fact I have clear memories of him being particularly effective against the Northern Hemisphere teams. He's a must have. We need the right mix of young and experience.

 

[Dai bando]

If Cooper and Barnes can direct play well, we should take this series. Genia and our backrow will be the difference

Hmmm I thought your post was very good by the way, but the piece in bold I have to question, We have a certain Mike phillips who will Keep Genia honest, then our back row 6,Dan Lydiate is very strong his tackle count is off the radar, his support work is very good too, does an enormous amount of work around the tackle and collision 7, Sam warburton has had his ahare of injuries this season but, if he stays fit throughout the series I think you may have a different perspective of the back row.
8 Toby Falatau, when he first burst onto the scene, he was considered a little small with out the experience needed for a No8, well since the WC thats all changed. Our back row is a very good unit they complement each other, one makes the hit the other steals the ball, your back row as good as it is will have their hands full me thinks.

 

[numbertwo]

WALLABIES forwards coach Andrew Blades says front row versatility will help the Australian scrum adjust to short turnarounds in next week's opening Tests against Scotland and Wales.​

Blades says changes made to replacement rules since his playing days have nullified the importance of having specialists in the tight-head and loose-head positions, and flexibility can help take the Australian scrum forward.​

In last year's World Cup, Wallabies props Sekope Kepu and Ben Alexander played on the opposite sides of the scrum to where they play at provincial level - and Blades says the concept of switching certain players around up front to best suit the side is likely to continue.​

Advertisement: Story continues below​

''We're really lucky we have a number of guys who adapt well to both sides,'' he said. ''We've got Keps [Kepu] who is adept at playing both sides, Benny Alexander [who moves to tight-head for the Brumbies clash with Melbourne] adept at playing both sides … and Slips [James Slipper] can also play both sides.​

''It's helpful because of the nature of the season. If you get lots of one-sided props in a total squad you find it difficult to adapt. We could potentially go into a Test with one specialist and two guys who can play both sides and we get great coverage.''​

​

Read more:​

​

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/wallabies-play-switcheroo-to-lend-scrum-added-push-20120531-1zkvo.html#ixzz1wTLZpOYE​

I really respect Andrew Blades but this seems to be more of the thinking that disappates the strengths of the team. Let's pick 15 guys who are really strong in their positions and then play them out of position. Better still, pick the best tighthead in the country and play him at halfback. If you look at managing the test season too much you won't win a test match.

 

[Jiggles]

I really respect Andrew Blades but this seems to be more of the thinking that disappates the strengths of the team. Let's pick 15 guys who are really strong in their positions and then play them out of position. Better still, pick the best tighthead in the country and play him at halfback. If you look at managing the test season too much you won't win a test match.

Completely agree with that.

Blades says changes made to replacement rules since his playing days have nullified the importance of having specialists in the tight-head and loose-head positions, and flexibility can help take the Australian scrum forward.​

I mean what on earth is he smoking thinking that the LHP and THP aren't specialist positions? surely he didn't drink the cool aid?

 

[Joe Blow]

Kepu, Alexander and Slipper don't know if they are LHs or THs, and opinion here, and elsewhere, differs on all 3 as well.
They are being played all over the place, mostly on opposite sides for Super and Test sides. Who wouldn't be confused?
It is nice to have a LH prop who is capable of playing on the other side if necessary, and visa-versa. But wherever these guys play in Super rugby should be where they are considered for in the test side.
'Jack of all trades, master of none' doesn't really cut it at the highest level. We have seen this illustrated over and over again in many different positions.
Maybe Palmer will show us his worth as a specialist if given a run against the Scots?

 

[Richo]

Completely agree with that.

Blades says changes made to replacement rules since his playing days have nullified the importance of having specialists in the tight-head and loose-head positions, and flexibility can help take the Australian scrum forward.​

I mean what on earth is he smoking thinking that the LHP and THP aren't specialist positions? surely he didn't drink the cool aid?

I thought the same thing when I read that. Obviously it's smart for the bench prop to be versatile, but why you would deliberately swap positions as was done with Alexander and Kepu is still beyond me. Are they trying to fake out the other team or something?

 

[Sully]

Yes it's great to be able to play both sides but a prop will always be better on one side of the scrum. Playing him on his bad side in place of a better scrumager is just plain dumb. Play both props on their bad sides is plain stupidity.


Sent using Tapatalk on a very old phone

 

[hammertimethere]

Note as well that Palmer is conspicuously absent from super rugby this week. He'll play against scotland and if he does well might push for selection in tests vs Wales (probably no. 2 and 3)

 

[tigerland12]

The good thing about Palmer playing, is that Ma'afu won't be starting!