Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[hammertimethere]

QWERTY, THIS IS NOT THE TEAM OF THE WEEK THREAD .

 

[TOCC]

Ben Alexander is not the preferred starting THP for the Wallabies... not by a long shot

 

[TSR]

No matter how good Ben Alexander is playing super rugby I don't like seeing him in any Australian XV selection, regardless of the selection rational.

 

[qwerty51]

QWERTY, THIS IS NOT THE TEAM OF THE WEEK THREAD .

It's not a team of the week

 

[Dumbledore]

There was a bit of chat about this in the Reds - Brumbies match thread, just carrying it over from there.

Who's shaping up as the backup THP? Kepu is pretty clearly the first choice, although it would be nice if he could stop the stupid shoulder charges. Alexander is, I guess, the presumptive backup. Can we really afford another Wallaby scrum meltdown where a referee just pings Alexander over and over and over again though?

I know sometimes it isn't his fault, but the perception is there now and I can't exactly see it changing. Still, he's in excellent form at the moment.

 

[TOCC]

It's not a team of the week

You've got some strange selections then


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kiap]

Who's shaping up as the backup THP? Kepu is pretty clearly the first choice, although it would be nice if he could stop the stupid shoulder charges. Alexander is, I guess, the presumptive backup. Can we really afford another Wallaby scrum meltdown where a referee just pings Alexander over and over and over again though?

I know sometimes it isn't his fault, but the perception is there now and I can't exactly see it changing. Still, he's in excellent form at the moment.

Beggars can't be choosers, unfortunately.

What's Mafood doing in September?

 

[Dumbledore]

Good question. Apparently Longbottom is going pretty well too?

 

[Scrubber2050]

1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Rory Arnold
5. Luke Jones
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben McCalman
9. Nic White
10. Matt To'omua
11. Rob Horne
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Robbie Coleman

Pretty uninspired by our wingers and locks, tough to pick those.

Reckon you are wrong 9 times
1,3,4,5,9,10,11 and 12

Not bad 6 outa 15

 

[kiap]

Good question. Apparently Longbottom is going pretty well too?

Not sure. Reckon Longbum just about declared himself a Pom. Besides he's been out of action for a good while.

 

[Dumbledore]

Right now, and with a very healthy Rebels bias, I'd be looking at something like

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Little Timani
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Vaea

9. White/Phipps - Phipps if Quade is healthy and playing well.
10. To'omua/Quade
11. Speight
12. Lilo/To'omua if Quade is playing 10
13. Kuridrani
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Folau

16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Weeks
19. Jones. Maybe Arnold if he kicks on, or Skelton if scrummaging improves.
20. Pocock/McMahon - dependent on health/form/opposition
21. McCalman/Higgers - as above
21. Phipps/White
22. Beale

 

[Scrubber2050]

Arnold May be a smokey for the wider squad.

Skelton certainly is increasing the size of his motor and still needs to improve his scrummaging. I think he will end up partnering Simmons when RWC comes around. Carter may end up riding the pine.

Alexander will probably get the nod for reserve THP - cupboard is bare over that side. We have 2 very good LHP in Slipper and Sio as well l at 2 with Moore and TPN.

 

[Wilson]

There was a bit of chat about this in the Reds - Brumbies match thread, just carrying it over from there.

Who's shaping up as the backup THP? Kepu is pretty clearly the first choice, although it would be nice if he could stop the stupid shoulder charges. Alexander is, I guess, the presumptive backup. Can we really afford another Wallaby scrum meltdown where a referee just pings Alexander over and over and over again though?

I know sometimes it isn't his fault, but the perception is there now and I can't exactly see it changing. Still, he's in excellent form at the moment.

Assuming it's 5 for the world cup then it looks like Slipper, Kepu, Sio, Weeks and Alexander. Toss up between Weeks and Alexander for the back up, probably Weeks when the scrum is vital and Alexander otherwise. It'll need to be tested as much as possible in the RC though.

There isn't anyone else too close now, Talakai has fallen right back in recent weeks (though still looks good for the future, just not this year) and the force scrum has Faulkner well behind. Holmes could still contest on his return but he's been out so long now it's hard to say how he'll return. Slipper and Sio are so far ahead of everyone else in the loose head stakes I'd be amazed if anyone managed to force either out, god damn I hope they stay fit.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Alexander May get the nod from experience only but jeez that's a worry in the last 10 minutes of a close match

 

[BDA]

I've found it a bit hard to get a read on Weeks' form over the last few rounds. In his last two games, he's given away some penalties and dish out a few of his own (against Sio and Cowan). I'm still not sure where he's at. The Force's scrum has been terrible u until this week and I probably expected/hoped he'd shown a bit more dominance this week.

 

[BDA]

It wouldn't shock me if Cheika tried out a new lock during the Rugby Championship. I still think its unlikely any of them would take Horwill's spot on the plane to England, but you never know. Still too early to say. If Cheika does look at someone you would think it would be Arnold or Timani (although I'm not convinced Timani is a genuine lock, at least at this stage)

I think Skelton has had a good start to the season. Good to see him developing his scrum work

 

[Slim 293]

I don't think Horwill will be on the plane unless he has a major form reversal..............

I would say Simmons, Carter and Skelton are the most likely certainties with the 4th spot still up for grabs.

 

[ChargerWA]

Don't discount Coleman for the 4th lock spot. I reckon he has more potential upside than the others if he can stay fit for the rest of the season.


While Lopeti is ahead on form, Coleman is 11cm taller. That will count for something at line out time.

 

[ChargerWA]

And I wouldn't have Carter in the first 3. Simmons, Skelton and Horwill all before him.

Cheika and Link both showed bad form is no impediment to picking Horwill.

 

[qwerty51]

I will go out on a limb and say not only has James played his last Test but he won't make another squad.