Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Lindommer]

Two points:

1. I suspect Douglas got his gig as a like-for-like backup to Simmons. If not Kane, whom?
2. If one of the hookers goes down can any member of the squad be discarded to bring in a replacement rake? Or must the discardee be the wounded one?

 

[RedsHappy]

Critical that TPN starts vs Fiji and Uruguay. He won't be burnt out, he barely played for the Tahs but it's a massive call given TPN's injury prevalence - if he goes down <48 hours before a big match.. Cheika will get crucified and TPN must feel the pressure on him to stay fit surely.

Additionally, it's surely fair that add that TPN's line out throwing can get very erratic, especially if he's tired or had a knock (that's not been bad enough to force him to leave the field).

IMO, major mistake potentially to not add Hanson but add the extra wingers.

 

[TOCC]

Critical that TPN starts vs Fiji and Uruguay. He won't be burnt out, he barely played for the Tahs but it's a massive call given TPN's injury prevalence - if he goes down <48 hours before a big match.. Cheika will get crucified and TPN must feel the pressure on him to stay fit surely.

He barely played for the Tahs because of his inury prevalence, which reinforces the question marks over the selection of only 2 hookers.


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[Hugh Jarse]

I'll back TCG's knowledge skills and experience in selecting the squad.

His job and reputation are on the line, not mine, although if he can maintain a W:L ration >28% he should be OK with his job, but not his reputation.

There were plenty of naysayers when he plucked Naiyaravoro out of reserve grade Tigers mungoball. That seemed to turn out OK.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Now get out there and Bring Back Bill.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Re - not having the third hooker

From the Tournament Rules

1.1.7 Compliance with Law 3.5

Compliance with the relevant World Rugby Laws and Regulations is critical in the conduct of the Tournament. Should Teams be found to be in breach of Law 3.5 (suitably trained and experienced players in the front row), the matter will be forwarded to the Tournament Disputes Committee for consideration.
In the absence of any mitigating circumstances this will result in:

• forfeiture of all Match points for that fixture (including bonus points)
• possible financial penalties

In terms of the provision of front row players to comply with Law 3.5, the necessary number of reserve front row players must be included in the Tournament Team to cover last minute injuries to front row players selected in the Match Team within the 48 hour replacement timeframe set out in Section 4.5 on page XX.

 

[Thinker]

2007 all over again. If Mumm or McMahon stayed home no one would be saying "if only we had another small forward who doesn't really fit into a position. If we get pumped at set piece it will all be about leaving our in-form lock at home.

Kev has also been a leader within the group even when sitting on the bech in a suit. Very odd decision.

Mark Chisholm used to get crucified for being too short as a lineout jumper, only 3 of our 10 back-5 forwards are taller than he was and Skelton is one of them.

 

[Viking]

Two points:

1. I suspect Douglas got his gig as a like-for-like backup to Simmons. If not Kane, whom?
2. If one of the hookers goes down can any member of the squad be discarded to bring in a replacement rake? Or must the discardee be the wounded one?

Like-for-like? Horwill is more Like-for-like then Douglas. Horwill the next best line-out jumper. I recall Douglas being average in the line-out.

 

[Jagman]

Anyone seen any of these props throw in the lineout before? All I can remember is when Matt Dunning did "Next Prop Model" on rugby HQ and got the props to show if they can throw like hookers. Slipper did pretty well from memory. He'd be the one I'd say is back up. But I reckon, when negotiating the pool stage they will play Moore 70+ minutes vs Fiji and TPN 70+ vs Uruguay. Phipps and Genia will probably do the same. In any case the biggest shock to me is not the omission Horwill or White but that of Hanson and the selection of McMahon. The only reason I can think of that they would do this is so that they have two full packs to train against each other during the tournament.

 

[Upthenuts]

this squad just tells oposition team to target the wallabies hookers and halfbacks in heavy contact more so than usual, no rest for the wicked

 

[RedsHappy]

I'll back TCG's knowledge skills and experience in selecting the squad.

His job and reputation are on the line, not mine, although if he can maintain a W:L ration >28% he should be OK with his job, but not his reputation.

There were plenty of naysayers when he plucked Naiyaravoro out of reserve grade Tigers mungoball. That seemed to turn out OK.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Now get out there and Bring Back Bill.

Why, like #hesautomagicallyrightashesthecoach?

If only there was more evidence of that being valid since Macqueen.

Just a small data point (which some will scoff at): Chek's Test w-l% so far 2014-5 is below that of J Connolly 2006-7.

 

[barbarian]

Can Toby Smith play hooker?

If not, the decision is insane. Both our hookers have a history of injury, and play in an attritional position. There is a significant risk of one going down within 48 hours of a game. If they do, we are pretty fucked.

I mean the Horwill selection is weird, but I don't think it will make or break us. This has the potential to fuck us right up.
.

 

[Tomikin]

I'll back TCG's knowledge skills and experience in selecting the squad.

His job and reputation are on the line, not mine, although if he can maintain a W:L ration >28% he should be OK with his job, but not his reputation.

There were plenty of naysayers when he plucked Naiyaravoro out of reserve grade Tigers mungoball. That seemed to turn out OK.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Now get out there and Bring Back Bill.

Me too his a better coach then me, I just guess most people expect that form means something.. and selecting a guy straight back from back injury with little to no game time or form for the guy many thought was our best lock recently is why we question it... Horwill played himself into form and selection..

 

[qwerty51]

this squad just tells oposition team to target the wallabies hookers and halfbacks in heavy contact more so than usual, no rest for the wicked

Yeah why would they target them any more than Folau? Or any other side's key players.. no.

 

[qwerty51]

Re - not having the third hooker

From the Tournament Rules

Don't quite understand, it says within the 48 hour period. Does that mean front rowers are except from the 48 hour window? That makes sense I guess.

 

[ACT Crusader]

I think the only mystifying selection is not having a 3rd hooker as insurance. OZ have 3 pretty tough pool games and in my view Moore and TPN were going to be in those tests regardless. A third hooker would've been very useful to start and possibly play 80 in the other pool match.

The other selections are much of a muchness in my opinion with pros and cons for the ones selected and those that "missed out"

 

[Train Without a Station]

Can Toby Smith play hooker?

If not, the decision is insane. Both our hookers have a history of injury, and play in an attritional position. There is a significant risk of one going down within 48 hours of a game. If they do, we are pretty fucked.

I mean the Horwill selection is weird, but I don't think it will make or break us. This has the potential to fuck us right up.
.

I agree the Horwill omission is poor but not a make or break selection. But the replacement is a step down.

The hooker issue is a massive fuck up. Takes a huge risk on potential forfeit, or losing a player for the remainder of the tournament over a minor injury.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Don't quite understand, it says within the 48 hour period. Does that mean front rowers are except from the 48 hour window? That makes sense I guess.

the necessary number of reserve front row players must be included in the Tournament Team to cover last minute injuries to front row players selected in the Match Team within the 48 hour replacement window

The squad must include enough front row players to comply with the rules in the event of an injury.

I read it that if the 48 hour replacement window prevents the team from complying, you do not comply.

 

[Jagman]

Don't quite understand, it says within the 48 hour period. Does that mean front rowers are except from the 48 hour window? That makes sense I guess.

No. It says the Tournament team has to cover last minute injuries within the 48 minute window.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Two points:

1. I suspect Douglas got his gig as a like-for-like backup to Simmons. If not Kane, whom?
2. If one of the hookers goes down can any member of the squad be discarded to bring in a replacement rake? Or must the discardee be the wounded one?

No. The replaced squad member must be replaced on medical grounds. You would need to replace another also injured player to do so.

 

[Slim 293]

Don't quite understand, it says within the 48 hour period. Does that mean front rowers are except from the 48 hour window? That makes sense I guess.

No, it says they must already be in the tournament team to be considered within the 48 he timeframe.