GaffaCHinO
Peter Sullivan (51)
For anyone who still questions Ben McCalman's impact on matches
Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC
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KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I saw another one today pop up on Twitter that was the same team except it had George Smith on Mowen's flank..
HighPlainsDrifter
Jimmy Flynn (14)
I think Kane Douglas is out for at least 3 months following back surgery ....Maybe we can start a rock thread and pick Brian Jones , Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman for the next Stones tour (Brian via a séance or holygram).
Bairdy
Peter Fenwicke (45)
But......... but........ Higgers had a great season in 2013 so he is higher than McCalman the 'trundler' in the pecking order.
T
TOCC
Guest
To be fair, if these sort of stats were the norm then everyone on here would be supporting him as the starting number 8.
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BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
You'd have to be blind not to see that McCalman has been in career best form over the last 8 months. Great news for the Wallabies heading into the WC.
My only problem with Ben is that he's not really a dominant ball runner at test level. Palu is better at bending the line. Again I guess it comes down to balance.
My only problem with Ben is that he's not really a dominant ball runner at test level. Palu is better at bending the line. Again I guess it comes down to balance.
I see McCalman and Palu sharing 80 minutes with both available. One will get 50, the other 30.
I see a bench of Skelton, Higgers & McCalman with either Hooper or Pocock budgeted for 80 minutes.
Skelton coming on for a full on 30, Fardy finishing at lock, with Higgers & McCalman playing 6/8 respectively.
So the only two forwards to play 80 would be the openside & Fardy
I see a bench of Skelton, Higgers & McCalman with either Hooper or Pocock budgeted for 80 minutes.
Skelton coming on for a full on 30, Fardy finishing at lock, with Higgers & McCalman playing 6/8 respectively.
So the only two forwards to play 80 would be the openside & Fardy
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
I think the criteria is that you had to hold an ARU contract for 7 years, and have over 60 TEST caps.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
or commit to returning to Super rugby for at least 2 seasons..eligible as soon as they are back on Aussie soil
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I would pick Giteau in a WC squad but not the best 23. Valuable experience for the younger players and those without WC experience and could lead the side against Fiji and Uruguay.
Ma'afu would be my 2nd best tighthead. Mitchell mayyybbe only because I think we're short of class finishers but definitely not Ioane.
Ma'afu would be my 2nd best tighthead. Mitchell mayyybbe only because I think we're short of class finishers but definitely not Ioane.
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Ma'afu hasn't played 60 test for Australia. Its 60 tests and 7 years service.
aka_the_think
Jimmy Flynn (14)
A few things.
A. "Under the revised Policy, players returning to Australia from overseas who make a two-year commitment to an Australian Super Rugby Club will also be eligible to represent the Qantas Wallabies immediately upon their return."
Isn't this already the status quo? I am pretty sure a number of guys have signed with Super clubs and - before they've played a game of Super rugby - have been picked for the Wallabies. Can't think of any examples but still fairly certain. (I'll see if I can come up with any and I'll post them in an edit, feel free to point out if I am wrong).
To my understanding this rule would prevent someone like Kane Douglas or Sitaleki Timani (et al.) from signing to play for 2 years when their overseas contract expires in a few years (i.e. 2016 for Sita, 2017 for Douglas) in order to play in the world cup?
I am disappointed these two, particularly Kane, can't be selected, and I'm sort of holding out that this could be a loophole that lets them play in the RWC. Pretty sure you're only allowed to play at the point at which you return to Australian soil.
B. Has anybody thought about Rocky Elsom? Absolute wildcard, I don't rate him at all (and obviously wouldn't pick him in the squad) but he does have 75 caps. Haven't seen him on any lists. Does he have the 7 years?
C. What's Giteau's kicking like up north? I will admit to not really watching much Northern Hemisphere rugby, and I'm very convinced that all other club competitions (Top 14, Japan, Aviva, etc.) are all well and truly below Super standard so I'm not very convinced that any of these guys - even if they're in good form up there - will be any decent. If Giteau can kick well then I am in favour of his selection, purely because our kickers are doing poorly at the moment. He would inject a bit of experience, particularly against NH opposition and on their fields, but I am skeptical about his speed, agility and fitness these days.
E. The above aside, I can definitely see Smith being selected, he was superb against the Lions and 2 years should not a massive difference make. Would significantly augment our back row stocks, not that they need much help.
F. Guys I would love to have in consideration for RWC: Mowen, Smith, S Timani, Kimlin, Douglas, Ioane, Mitchell, Giteau, Chisholm, Elsom, Barnes, Gerrard, Ma'afu, and Pyle. Please, please note that I do not reckon most, if any, of these guys should be in the 30, it just doesn't hurt to have more depth and competition.
A. "Under the revised Policy, players returning to Australia from overseas who make a two-year commitment to an Australian Super Rugby Club will also be eligible to represent the Qantas Wallabies immediately upon their return."
Isn't this already the status quo? I am pretty sure a number of guys have signed with Super clubs and - before they've played a game of Super rugby - have been picked for the Wallabies. Can't think of any examples but still fairly certain. (I'll see if I can come up with any and I'll post them in an edit, feel free to point out if I am wrong).
To my understanding this rule would prevent someone like Kane Douglas or Sitaleki Timani (et al.) from signing to play for 2 years when their overseas contract expires in a few years (i.e. 2016 for Sita, 2017 for Douglas) in order to play in the world cup?
I am disappointed these two, particularly Kane, can't be selected, and I'm sort of holding out that this could be a loophole that lets them play in the RWC. Pretty sure you're only allowed to play at the point at which you return to Australian soil.
B. Has anybody thought about Rocky Elsom? Absolute wildcard, I don't rate him at all (and obviously wouldn't pick him in the squad) but he does have 75 caps. Haven't seen him on any lists. Does he have the 7 years?
C. What's Giteau's kicking like up north? I will admit to not really watching much Northern Hemisphere rugby, and I'm very convinced that all other club competitions (Top 14, Japan, Aviva, etc.) are all well and truly below Super standard so I'm not very convinced that any of these guys - even if they're in good form up there - will be any decent. If Giteau can kick well then I am in favour of his selection, purely because our kickers are doing poorly at the moment. He would inject a bit of experience, particularly against NH opposition and on their fields, but I am skeptical about his speed, agility and fitness these days.
E. The above aside, I can definitely see Smith being selected, he was superb against the Lions and 2 years should not a massive difference make. Would significantly augment our back row stocks, not that they need much help.
F. Guys I would love to have in consideration for RWC: Mowen, Smith, S Timani, Kimlin, Douglas, Ioane, Mitchell, Giteau, Chisholm, Elsom, Barnes, Gerrard, Ma'afu, and Pyle. Please, please note that I do not reckon most, if any, of these guys should be in the 30, it just doesn't hurt to have more depth and competition.
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