Wallabies world cup squad selection

[high tower]

Wow!
Barnes has not played at 12 for most of this year, gets damaged physically and mentally playing 10, comes back as a 15, his now going to displace McCabe.

Four games out of Four he has being picked at 12 this year. On the weekend he made 15 tackles with no misses, got over the advantage line when asked and scored our only try, backing up.

McCabe will stay at 12 and Fainga'a will be his and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s deputy. South Africa and the All Blacks will have midfield combos that demand ours are rock solid.

Barnes is trying to get into the squad in front of Giteau.

JOC (James O'Connor) will be Coopers back up.

This how they will start the World cup, injuries are a given with 7 games in 6 weeks or so of international rugby, so the back ups will need to be good and some of ours have better reputations than our starters, this is a good thing!

 

[waves]

Wow!
Barnes has not played at 12 for most of this year, gets damaged physically and mentally playing 10, comes back as a 15, his now going to displace McCabe.

Agree HT, if Berrick Barnes is going to get the call up it wont be at 12 it will be at 10 back up to Quade, Likewise with Giteau Quade will need a back up and should be interesting to see who gets selected.

 

[qwerty51]

Can anyone tell me why we're announcing our squad on Thursday and not Monday the 22nd which is the IRB cut-off date. This denies players that haven't played yet like Slipper, TPN, Palu and Mitchell to potentially get a hit out in club rugby over the weekend which Robbie and co. could view.

 

[tigerland12]

He speaks the truth, I hadn't even thought about that untill now, seems silly.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I would settle for Berrick being in the squad at the moment. McCabe hasn't done a lot wrong really and he did go well on the weekend. I just think Barnes is overall a better 12 than any other player in the country.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

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.

Yep, agree with you there. Inside centre is a problem, but with McCabe getting better week by week it's not a massive one. As I said above, Berrick is my preferred choice, but it really depends on how right to go he is.

Samo and Higgers is six of one half a dozen of the other really. I think we need them both in the 22. Schmoo is definitely a contender, but who would we drop? Our back three have been dynamite at times.

 

[Joe Blow]

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

:fishing

 

[Swarley]

Polota-Nau, Moore, Fainga'a
Slipper, Kepu, Alexander, Cowan
Horwill, Sharpe, Simmons, Vickerman
Pocock, Elsom, Palu, Samo, Higginbotham, Hodgson
Genia, Burgess
Cooper, Barnes
Ashley-Cooper, McCabe, Fainga'a, Giteau
Ioane, Mitchell, Turner
Beale, O'Connor

 

[tigerland12]

The only way both Barnes and Giteau will both be picked is if Deans doesn't take a 3rd half-back and uses Giteau as a cover. Even then it's a stretch to fit them both in.

 

[qwerty51]

Since people are posting squads I'll have a go, I'll be very shocked if this isn't the exact squad;

Kepu, Moore, Alexander, Horwill, Sharpe, Elsom, Pocock, Higginbotham, Genia, Cooper, Ioane, McCabe, Ashley-Cooper, O'Connor, Beale, Polota-Nau, Slipper, Vickerman, Hodgson, Burgess, A Fainga'a, Turner, S Fainga'a, Ma'afu, Simmons, McCalman, Samo, Barnes, Horne, Mitchell

 

[rugby_man]

The Wallabies have got some very difficult selections to be made as there are going to be some quality players missing out. I'd probably like to see the following side named for the first game:

1. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. James Horwill
6. Rocky Elsom [c]
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Rob Simmons
19. Wycliff Palu
20. Luke Burgess
21. Anthony Fainga'a
22. Drew Mitchell


That's probably our strongest side for the first game but after the likes of Palu, Polota-Nau and Mitchell get some game time under their belts, I'd say there could be changes before the finals, provided we get through. Couple of notes
* I watched Berrick Barnes over the past month in his return to club rugby and he has been outstanding. He looks ready to go and has gotten back up after receiving some heavy knocks. I'm a big fan of the 12 being a second play maker and I think that's the way we should utilise our inside centre, especially with the talent we have out wide.
* Couldn't find any room for Matt Giteau in the 22 but I'd still take him to New Zealand in the 30-man squad and play him in the games against Russia and the USA. But I think he is too similar a player to Barnes and I'd say only one can fit into the game day 22.
* Pat McCabe is a good player but with the team dynamics I think the Wallabies should be employing, we look most dangerous playing an expansive game and utilising the speed our backs have and unfortunately I don't see McCabe as being a part of that. Although he has done quite well for himself in his few tests.
* Once Palu regains full fitness, I'd put him at 8 and Higginbotham back to the bench. That's not to say Higginbotham isn't any good cause I think he is a fantastic player. I just think with a fully fit Palu, he would be very useful with his size and aggression in the ruck. Higginbotham definitely provides impact off the bench as proven lately and I would be perfect to bring on against a tiring side in the second half.
* James Slipper is an impressive young player and I hold him in very high regards. Once he is fully fit, I'd like to see him replace Alexander. It was no coincidence he ended up starting in the Tests by the end of last season.
* Mitchell can cover wing and fullback and when he is fit and firing, he is an asset to this Wallabies, although it will be hard for him to win a starting spot with Ioane, O'Connor and Beale in form.
* I'd have Anthony Fainga'a in the 22 because he provides a straight running option as well as being a very good defensive player. If we need are getting found out in the midfield, Fainga'a is the type of player to bring on and he will have no problems plugging the holes in the midfield. Having him on the bench is a tactical move as we might need to change strategies mid-game.
* After Polota-Nau has some kilometres under his legs, I'd put him into the starting team. Moore is playing brilliant at the moment but Polota-Nau is an X-factor player for us. He provides a lot of grunt up front and intimidates opposing players.

To complete the 30-man squad, I'd personally take:

Al Baxter (although I can't see this happening with Deans)
Saia Fainga'a
Dan Vickerman
Matt Hodgson
Ben McCalman
Nick Phipps
Matt Giteau
Pat McCabe


Notes:
* I like Baxter. Yes he has had some shockers in the yellow jersey but he's been great for the Waratahs. His experience would definitely be needed if the other props go down.
* Vickerman's experience as well would be very useful, especially for somebody like Rob Simmons. Vickerman has been away from the game for 3 years but he has fitted straight back into the team without much fuss.
* I thought about whether to use Matt Giteau as the 3rd string halfback if need be through injuries to the other two scrummies and give the last spot to either Luke Morahan or Lachie Turner but it is a specialist position so opted for Nick Phipps. McCabe is capable of covering all backline position bar 10.

All in all, a pretty good squad to win, definitely good enough on paper to win it. Unlucky Benn Robinson was injured or I'd definitely use him in the starting side once he was up and running again. Rob Horne with more game time under his belt would have taken McCabe's spot in my squad but I've haven't seen him play for Southern Districts since he's been back to know whether he is playing well or not. But if he is, I'd take him to New Zealand. He could be very useful.

 

[mark_s]

McCabe is our starting 12 in my view, he has done little wrong in his 4 tests so far and I think he is a good counterfoil for Cooper. I am nervous about the number of returning from injury players included in squads (e.g. TPN, Palu, Mitchell, Horne, Slipper, Daley).

The only one of these I see walking straight into the starting team is Palu and thats a maybe. The rest are likely to be squaddies/reserveswho will only get limited game time until one of the starting 22 gets injured, in which case they will be thrown into a knockout match underdone.

 

[mark_s]

Also, what are the rules on injury replacements for the RWC? Can anyone be brought in at any time? I presume you can only replace players who are out of the RWC due to injury (and no just injured for a week etc.) Is there some sort of period they need to wait until they can be selected in the game day 22 (e.g. 48 hours)?

 

[fatprop]

Polota-Nau, Moore, Fainga'a
Slipper, Kepu, Alexander, Cowan
Horwill, Sharpe, Simmons, Vickerman
Pocock, Elsom, Palu, Samo, Higginbotham, Hodgson
Genia, Burgess
Cooper, Barnes
Ashley-Cooper, McCabe, Fainga'a, Giteau
Ioane, Mitchell
Beale, O'Connor

that is pretty close I reckon, but I think Gits may miss out for Phipps and Cowan may miss out for Maa'fu

 

[Scotty]

My top 22 is leaning towards the dumping of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), with A Fa'ainga taking his place and Barnes coming onto the bench. No matter what happens I think Barnes is an absolute must for the bench in the critical games. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) only stays in the 22 if we go for a 4/3 split, and if we go for a 4/3 split I'd be tempted to have Samo cover the lock position and hope that Horwill and Sharpe can play out 80.

 

[Crow]

I don't know if Cowen will be forced out by Maa'fu.
Maa'fu didn't get on the field v. SA, but Cowen at least had a cameo in the earlier game.

 

[tigerland12]

I would much rather seen Ben Daley over both of them to be honest. Is he fit enough? He was listed to play for the Gold Coast on the weekend, but I am not sure if he actually played.

 

[Groucho]

Polota-Nau, Moore, Fainga'a
Slipper, Kepu, Alexander, Cowan
Horwill, Sharpe, Simmons, Vickerman
Pocock, Elsom, Palu, Samo, Higginbotham, Hodgson
Genia, Burgess
Cooper, Barnes
Ashley-Cooper, McCabe, Fainga'a, Giteau
Ioane, Mitchell
Beale, O'Connor

I'd lay money on that squad occurring, injuries allowing.

 

[Fredfreduels]

I don't think Barnes will make the squad. He is a great player, although he had an average year for the tahs. Giteau on the other hand had a great year for the brumbies. Just food for thought.

 

[What2040]

I'd lay money on that squad occurring, injuries allowing.

believe a few guys having fitness tests in Sydney tomorrow - if they pass then into the squad i reckon