Wallabies Watch

[Lindommer]

Horwill.....Timani.....alongside one another is an exercise in redundancy as they do not compliment one another.

Dunno 'bout that, I've heard Kev say some very nice things about Sita. Sita, on the other hand, says bugger all to anyone, incuding Kev.

 

[Lindommer]

Deans's quandary with the outside backs: I've come to the conclusion he'll place a huge importance on both defence and kicking. It warmed the cockles of my heart to see that lovely interplay between JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale on Friday, it must be very tempting to go down that path with the Wallabies but I don't think it's a given. The other thing Deans MUST take into consideration is the size of the Lions' backs.

barbarian, how 'bout putting up your team again with players ranked in every pozzy?

 

[Train Without a Station]

I think most people would agree the complete opposite about Taps...

While yes, he is the incumbent he hasn't been in good form at all....

He has definitely had a quiet month. You couldn't say he is in bad form. But how does Taps still have to prove himself week in week out, yet McCabe can miss half the season then get a couple of runs off the bench in a different position and he is an option, or rather the option?

Oh wait, he's got about 8 more caps, mostly losses. Experience. Been there and done it before.

 

[Dave Beat]

As much as the idea of JOC (James O'Connor) at 13 gets me all hot and bothered there are zero grounds on which he should be there anytime soon. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is in great form and is the incumbent and JOC (James O'Connor) has played literally zero games at 13.

Rugger I know, and I hate playing players out of position - I've seen what he brings to 10, 15, and wing - he can read a game, runs excellent lines, and has variation to his passes, strong in defence, and I really think he would complement the players around him.

Just a gut feel and something I'd like to see.

 

[Slim 293]

He has definitely had a quiet month. You couldn't say he is in bad form. But how does Taps still have to prove himself week in week out, yet McCabe can miss half the season then get a couple of runs off the bench in a different position and he is an option, or rather the option?

Oh wait, he's got about 8 more caps, mostly losses. Experience. Been there and done it before.

Taps should still definitely be in the squad.......

He's the second best 12 we have behind Lilo right now.

 

[Richo]

It looked like Retallick was in JOC (James O'Connor)'s blind-spot when he went to line up the kick but JOC (James O'Connor) also completely butchered the angle of his kick and went for distance when he should have just been trying to get the ball out immediately.

Sure, shit happens. But people go berserk when Quade throws an intercept for a try. JOC (James O'Connor) is supposedly the "safe" option. Perception is a funny thing.

 

[BDA]

Paul Cully's 25 for the first part of the squad:

Forwards (14). Hookers: Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs). Props: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), James Slipper (Reds). Second-rowers: James Horwill, (Reds) Rob Simmons (Reds), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), Hugh McMeniman (Western Force). Loose forwards: Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), George Smith (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Ben Mowen (Brumbies) Backs (11). Halfbacks: Will Genia (Reds), Nic White (Brumbies). Five-eighths: James O'Connor (Rebels), Quade Cooper (Reds). Midfielders: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Pat McCabe (Brumbies). Wings/fullbacks: Kurtley Beale (Rebels), Israel Folau (Waratahs), Digby Ioane (Reds), Nick Cummins (Western Force).

I think Cully's on themoney here, save for Cummins. Tomane was Deans' first pick last year and probably will be again.

Pretty good looking 25 too. Is the final squad 30 players??? I'd add Palmer, Douglas, Higgers, Taps, Mogg to round out the 30 (although Deans will probably prefer Barnes to Mogg )

 

[Slim 293]

31 apparently.........

 

[Braveheart81]

BDA - 31 in total. 6 players will be added after the last round before the break on the 9th of June.

I think there's a strong chance that some of the injured players will be held back until that 6 so they get more game time. I'm guessing McMeniman and Barnes won't be picked in the initial squad (which is only two games away).

 

[Lindommer]

Is this Cully's ranking?

1. Robinson, Alexander/Slipper, Kepu
2. Moore, TPN
3. Slipper/Alexander, Kepu
4. Simmons, MMM
5. Horwill, Timani
6. Mowen, MMM
7. Smith, Hooper
8. Palu, Mowen
9. Genia, White
10. Cooper, JOC (James O'Connor), Lealiifano
11. Ioane, Cummins, JOC (James O'Connor)
12. Lealiifano, McCabe
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Cummins, McCabe(?)
14. JOC (James O'Connor), Folau
15. Beale, Folau, JOC (James O'Connor)

Discuss Looks a bit skinny for THPs.

I put up a question some time ago about Slipper and Alexander: what is/are their best sides? Buggered if I know.

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

^ Agreed. I'm also anticipating a number of Brumbies to be held back too, this is due to the fact that at the begining of the season it was mentioned that the initial 25 man squad would be dependent on the finals hopes of the Australian teams.

I therefore anticipate a number of Brumbies in contention for the final 31 man squad to be held back (not all of them).

Players I anticipate to be in the final 6 man addition to the squad would include the likes of Palmer, Mowen, McCabe and Mogg.

Under this rationale, i expect Alexander, Moore, Smith (depending on the ARU), White and potentially Tomane to make the initial 25 man squad (Brumbies players).

Therefore the Brumbies aren't critically wounded before the clash with the rebels on the 7th June.

My expected 25 man squad:

PROPS: Alexander (BRU), Robinson (WAR), Slipper (RED), Kepu (WAR)
HOOKERS: Moore (BRU), Polota-Nau (WAR)
SECOND ROW: Horwill (RED), Simmons (RED), Douglas (WAR), Timani (WAR)
BACKROW: Hooper (WAR), Gill (RED) or Smith* (BRU), Higginbotham (REB), Palu (WAR)
HALVES: Genia (RED), White (BRU)
INSIDE BACKS: Cooper ** (RED), O'Connor (REB),
CENTRES: Lealiifano (BRU), Tapuai (RED), Ashley-Cooper (WAR)
OUTSIDE BACKS: Folau (WAR). Ioane (RED), Tomane (BRU), Beale (REB)

Six additional players named after 7/06/2013

Palmer (BRU), McMenimum (FOR), Mowen (BRU), McCabe (BRU), Barnes (WAR), Mogg (BRU)

Fringe players who could work themselves into a spot.

Ryan (WAR), Cummins (FOR), McCalman (FOR) Aulea (BRU), Horne (WAR), Hanson (RED), Fainga'a * 2 (RED), Dennis (WAR)

* I expect Cooper to be omitted from the initial 25 man squad under the premise that he will play the Lions for the Reds as a trial run. If he plays well in that encounter, then he'll find himself in the squad.

** I don't think there is enough room in a 31 man squad for three specialist opensides. Selection will be largely dependent on the ARU's stance on Smith. I don't want to get in that argument now, but I'd take Hooper over Gill. If Smith makes it, it would be at the expense of Gill.

 

[scaraby]

Is this Cully's ranking?

1. Robinson, Alexander/Slipper, Kepu
2. Moore, TPN
3. Slipper/Alexander, Kepu
4. Simmons, MMM
5. Horwill, Timani
6. Mowen, MMM
7. Smith, Hooper
8. Palu, Mowen
9. Genia, White
10. Cooper, JOC (James O'Connor), Lealiifano
11. Ioane, Cummins, JOC (James O'Connor)
12. Lealiifano, McCabe
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Cummins, McCabe(?)
14. JOC (James O'Connor), Folau
15. Beale, Folau, JOC (James O'Connor)

Discuss Looks a bit skinny for THPs.

I put up a question some time ago about Slipper and Alexander: what is/are their best sides? Buggered if I know.

Slipper still dont like in the scrum but didnt like Alexander last year and he proved me wrong. We need a rock in there somewhere though ...Palmer ,Ryan? Who's been the stand out scrummager this year.. Tahs have been solid but the scrum in the Force ,Reds game the other night looked unstable. Brumbies,Rebels. ? I'm not an expert on this so happy to be lectured.

 

[Braveheart81]

John Eales column today could be a good indicator that there will be some resistance at least from the ARU board in allowing Deans to select Smith.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/d...up-against-the-jones-boys-20130506-2j1zo.html

 

[BDA]

BDA - 31 in total. 6 players will be added after the last round before the break on the 9th of June.

I think there's a strong chance that some of the injured players will be held back until that 6 so they get more game time. I'm guessing McMeniman and Barnes won't be picked in the initial squad (which is only two games away).

Yeh that makes sense. If that's the case probably Douglas will slot in the 25 and MMM will be one of the 6 added.

I'd add Gill as the 31st player.

 

[BDA]

Watchign the Saders v Brumbies game on the weekend, from where I was sitting the Brumbies scrum seemed to improve when Alexander took over at tighthead from Palmer. Not sure what to make of that.

 

[USARugger]

Sure, shit happens. But people go berserk when Quade throws an intercept for a try. JOC (James O'Connor) is supposedly the "safe" option. Perception is a funny thing.

I can assure you that I've never been one of those people. He cops shit for no reason pretty regularly and seems to have to score 50 points in order to be said to have a good match by most.

 

[Braveheart81]

Watchign the Saders v Brumbies game on the weekend, from where I was sitting the Brumbies scrum seemed to improve when Alexander took over at tighthead from Palmer. Not sure what to make of that.

I think Palmer is dropping down the pecking order rapidly. He brings much less in general play so if his scrummaging isn't significantly better than the alternatives I think he'll miss out.

 

[qwerty51]

Plus he's going overseas next year. I think the props are firming as Robinson, Alexander, Slipper and Kepu.

 

[Lindommer]

Do we really think Kepu's the second best THP? Or the second best LHP? Surely Ryan's passed him for the 3 jumper, and I'll agree with those banana benders who judge Holmes is doing better at number 1.

But once again, could the expert fatties please tell us what numbers to put on Slipper and Alexander.

 

[Gnostic]

John Eales column today could be a good indicator that there will be some resistance at least from the ARU board in allowing Deans to select Smith.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/d...up-against-the-jones-boys-20130506-2j1zo.html

Maybe Smith should just sign a contract with the ARU to play in 2015. That would be in keeping with the contracting ethics the ARU has displayed in the past. Maybe they would make him Captain as well.

Also John if you hadn't sold your integrity and ethics when you rubber-stamped JON's decisions, hidden performance reviews and approved JON's excessive remuneration over the last few years I could give some credence to what you say.