Wallabies world cup squad selection

[BDA]

My starting team and squad as of today would be as follows:-

1. Kepu
2. Moore (in outstanding form)
3. Alexandar
4. Horwill (the world's form lock)
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Higgers
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. McCabe
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Vickerman
19. Samo/Palu
20. Burgess
21. Fainga'a/Barnes
22. Mitchell/Horne

That’s a great side with some real impact on the bench. If we can bring on TPN, Samo/Palu, Slipper and Vickerman with 20 minutes to go that should give us a lot of added aggression. Also guys like Fainga'a and Mitchell high quality substitutes.

I’m 50/50 right now as to whether Barnes should replace McCabe, but perhaps it depends on the opposition. I thought McCabe really showed his worth last night. The Boks definitely thought they had the upper hand in the centres but McCabe made some big tackles and proved a tough nut to crack. He adds an extra dimension to backline. Fainga'a was great off the bench but I thought AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) played pretty well himself.

So that would be my first choice 25 players. I would round out the squad of 30 with:-
Robinson (if fit), Saia Fainga'a, Simmons, Hodgson, Giteau (backup halfback and general utility to be used during the USA/Russia games so that others can rest).

Perhaps Deans should take Turner instead of Horne because we need an extra outside back, but Deans has a bit of a hard-on for Horne. Besides I suppose AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can move to wing if we need him to.

 

[tigerland12]

I agree with that except Ant Fainga'a for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the starting side, with Barnes and Mitchell on the bench. If Barnes can return strongly, I wouldn't mind him at 12, although McCabe has been playing pretty well imo.

 

[Waylon]

It is rare that Australia has had so many difficult decisions. There will be some high quality players left out.

 

[dudebudstud]

Assuming everyone was fit I think this is the team we should go with. I put subs in brackets.

Props - Alexander, Robinson (Kepu)
Hooker - Moore (TPN) - This is a tough decision as I would rate both of them equally. TPN is a vicious tackler, but Moore gains some serious yards with ball in hand
Locks - Horwill, Sharpe (Simmons, Vickerman)
Flankers - Pocock, Higganbotham (Elsom, B. Robinson)
8 - Palu (Samo)
9- Genia (Burgess)
10 - Cooper
11 - Iaone
12 - JOC (James O'Connor) (Barnes)
13 - A Fiangaa( AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper))
14 - Mitchell
15 - Beale

My captain would be Horwill or Sharpe. Both experienced, and are natural leaders. There are obviously a few players I have left out who would make the 30 man squad. But This pretty much covers every position.

 

[Knockers]

Starting Team for RWC:

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Higginbotham
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. O'Connor
13. Faiinga
14. Mitchell (if fit)
15. Beale

16. TPN
17. Kepu (Robinson if fit)
18. Simmons
19. Samo
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Ashley-Cooper

 

[cyclopath]

Starting Team for RWC:

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Horwill
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Higginbotham
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. O'Connor
13. Faiinga
14. Mitchell (if fit)
15. Beale

16. TPN
17. Kepu (Robinson if fit)
18. Simmons
19. Samo
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Ashley-Cooper

Really? You'd start a (preferred)THP at LHP, keep a guy at THP who is probably worse than the guy on the bench in that position, but the guy on the bench you'd replace with a specialist LHP if he's fit? Hmm, I think I disagree with the front row permutations there. Remember, Kepu played most season at 3 and did so very well, and I think is playing LHP now because no-one else really stands out. In any event, if Kepu does not start somewhere, he really must be on the bench at the very least. I think Robinson is, unfortunately, a slim hope.

 

[Richard D. James]

So who do we consider to be our backline "leader". I don't mean form an attacking sense, but from an all round leadership point of view. We have some great experience in the forwards, Horwill, Sharpe, Moore, etc. It's our backs that seem to be lacking in this regard. Someone to pull things together when the going gets tough. To decide when to tighten the play or unleash and to organise the defence.

Genia is the closest we have but he needs to be marshalling the forwards. You would say someone like Barnes could do it, but I still think he needs to be our backup 10 and start from the bench. A Fainga'a was the man for the Reds, but he's inexperienced at this level. Not sure who could take up the role.

 

[Skippy]

Post world cup I'm looking forward to seeing a fit Rob Horne push AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for the 13 jersey with someone like Mitch Inman developing for the future.

With Beale off to the Rebels I would have liked to have seen Barnes/Horne at 12 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 across the Waratah midfield but I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will now play fullback.

And the competition between Barnes, McCabe and Ant Fainga'a for 12 can only be a good thing for Aus rugby particularly with JOC (James O'Connor) also likely to be given his opportunity. And let's not forget Tapuai and Mike Harris.

There are some quality players there, even without Gits and what I like most about this bunch is the potential to pick horse for courses i.e. select which player suit the conditions/tactics.

Looking forward to the Tri Nations, Bledisloe and EOYT's in 2012 and 2013 aswell as the Lions in 2013 because I can see another post 99 World Cup period of domination if we get things right particularly as most of our forwards have a few years to go in them like Horwill, Simmons, Slipper, TPN/Moore etc and Genia/Cooper/Beale are only kids still.

 

[Gnostic]

I'll have a stab, having been awake for nearly 24hours I can perhaps come close to the madness of the selectors.

1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
11. Ioane
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Vickerman
19. Higginbum
20. Hodgeson
21. Burgess
22. McCabe

23. S. Fainga'a
24. Ma'afu
25. Simmons
26. Brown
27. A. Fainga'a
28. N. Phipps
29. Giteau
30. Mitchell

 

[Bowside]

I'll have a stab, having been awake for nearly 24hours I can perhaps come close to the madness of the selectors.

1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
11. Ioane
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Vickerman
19. Higginbum
20. Hodgeson
21. Burgess
22. McCabe

23. S. Fainga'a
24. Ma'afu
25. Simmons
26. Brown
27. A. Fainga'a
28. N. Phipps
29. Giteau
30. Mitchell

Close.

 

[DPK]

Why d'you think he's been up all night, bowside!

 

[Gnostic]

Thank you, fixed, Bowside.

 

[GC]

Saw on twitter than Benn Robinson has gone in for surgery. Guess the miracle recovery was not to be.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Mine:

1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Sharpe
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Higginbotham
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (*)
11. Ioane
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Simmons
19. Samo
20. A Finger (*) -- I am sorely tempted to start with Ant at 13.
21. Burgess
22. McCabe

 

[cyclopath]

From twitter

Well, that being the case, I assume we'll se the current starting front row, Slipper on bench with TPN (if fit). Kepu can be shuffled around if needs be, theoretically so can Alexander (although I am less keen on this idea). Slipper should be mainly THP, but I guess could play LHP if he had to, but shouldn't have to as one of the others could do it. I expect he'll displace the current bench-warmers if he proves himself.
Back row leader? A big problem, as no-one seems to have the experience to take it, except you-know-who. And he is left-right-out at the moment.

 

[Knockers]

Really like to see James O'Connor starting at 12. Creates more options than Pat McCabe

 

[Bowside]

Mine:

1. Kepu
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Higginbotham
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Barnes
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (*)
11. Ioane
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

16. TPN
17. Slipper
18. Simmons
19. Samo
20. A Finger (*) -- I am sorely tempted to start with Ant at 13.
21. Burgess
22. McCabe

I would have the same side but with Samo starting, and Shmoo on the bench if he is fit.

Inside centre is deans biggest selection issue, everything else is pretty much picked.

I think if that XV can execute a half decent game plan than they can compete with the all blacks.

 

[gecko]

My squad:

Props:
Kepu, Alexander, Slipper, Cowan
Hookers:
Moore, TPN, S Fainga'a
2nd Row:
Horwill, Sharpe, Vickerman, Simmons
Backrow:
Elsom, Pocock, Samo, Higgenbotham, Robinson, Palu (if not fit then McCalman)

Half backs:
Genia, Burges (Gits to cover at a pinch)
Flyhalf:
Cooper (JOC (James O'Connor) 1st backup), Barnes
Centres:
A Fainga'a, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), McCabe, Giteau (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and McCabe also cover wing/fullback)
Outside backs:
Ioane, Beale, JOC (James O'Connor), Mitchell, Turner

 

[Bowside]

My squad:

Props:
Kepu, Alexander, Slipper, Cowan
Hookers:
Moore, TPN, S Fainga'a
2nd Row:
Horwill, Sharpe, Vickerman, Simmons
Backrow:
Elsom, Pocock, Samo, Higgenbotham, Robinson, Palu (if not fit then McCalman)

Half backs:
Genia, Burges (Gits to cover at a pinch)
Flyhalf:
Cooper (JOC (James O'Connor) 1st backup), Barnes
Centres:
A Fainga'a, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), McCabe, Giteau (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and McCabe also cover wing/fullback)
Outside backs:
Ioane, Beale, JOC (James O'Connor), Mitchell, Turner

Pretty much nailed it. 4th prop still up for grabs, would like to see baxter or daley, but it will probably be ma'afu. Maybe take another outside back as well instead of a 3rd hooker?

My dirt tracker team would be:

1. Daley/Cowan
2. S. Fainga'a
3. Slipper
4. Vickerman
5. Simmons
6. Higgenbotham
7. Robinson
8. Palu/Mcalman
9. Burgess
10. Barnes
11. Turner
12. McCabe/Giteau
13. A Fainga'a
14. Mitchell
15. Giteau/McCabe

Will they rest rocky at all during the world cup or will he play every game?

 

[RugbyReg]

The interesting thing about squad selection come RWC time is that I don't think it should all come down to the next best player.

First of all take into account that two of the games are givens. USA and Russia are givens for us no matter who we run out. Italy will be tougher, but I don't fear them.

The key games are Ireland and then the finals. For those games we need our best 22. Deans should be pretty damn close to knowing who our best 22 are, or at least best 20 or so.

The balance of the squad, in my eyes, then comes down to attitude as much as aptitude. Meaning, there's no room for egos, even if that person is the 'next best' option for a position. In all reality those 8 back up players are going to spend a lot of time as hit shields so their attitude, and willingness to put the squad first are a must.

Now I don't know players specifically, but it my eyes I wouldn't pick someone like Giteau for the above reason. He wouldn't be in my 22, and I'd fear for his impact on the team as he hung around with the non-match day players.

Guys like Vickerman, the Faingaas, Ben Daley, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes - to me - all come across as people who would be willing to do the hours on the training paddock for the betterment of the Wallabies.

As far as squad make up goes, I don't reckon we need three scrumhalves. If Will or Burgo gets injured, fly someone over as we're only 3 hours away. There'd be a case for someone like Ben Lucas for sure, a bloody strong one in my eyes, but I can't see it happening. I can understand 3 hookers in the squad, because of the physical workload of that position.