Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Scrubber2050]

Just 21 more positions in the 23 to sort out

 

[Braveheart81]

Ita Vaea went completely missing against the Tahs before being dragged after 45 minutes.

If he's any chance of being a Wallaby bolter this year he needs to stand up in these big games.

I tend to think Palu and McCalman will be the two number 8s in the RWC squad if they're healthy.

 

[Slim 293]

Quiet game from a number of key Brumby forwards............

They were completely out-enthused.

 

[qwerty51]

I tend to think Palu and McCalman will be the two number 8s in the RWC squad if they're healthy.

That's without a doubt, Higginbotham would be the next backrower and he's potentially missing the squad depending on the forward make-up of the squad.

--

1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Sam Carter
5. Will Skelton
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. Israel Folau

 

[Marcelo]

Should be prohibited include to Ben Alexander at the starting XV

 

[Scrubber2050]

Quiet game from a number of key Brumby forwards....

They were completely out-enthused.

Obviously those dastardly comments by a mongrel, unethical, immoral Tahs player had the desired result on the outcome of the game

 

[Highlander35]

Assuming there's an extra place for a 5th prop, I think that you'll be taking 4 players into the squad who primarily play 6 and/or 8 at Test level, taking into consideration 6 backrowers and two opensides.

Fardy and Palu are the incumbent starting pair, while McCalman is the logical 3rd.

I think Higgers wins that 4th spot. He's competing with the likes of Schatz, Cottrell, Vaea, McMahon, Butler and Dennis, whom I think he'll have the edge over.

Of course if there's no new place for a 5th prop, I'd say that perhaps you'd only run with 5 backrowers. Fardy, Hooper & Palu to start, McCalman as the Blindside/8 cover, then Butler or McMahon as the second openside, so that the squad is not carrying someone who can only really play "one position".

 

[Viking]

As good as McCalman is playing I still don't rate his effectiveness at Test rugby. Same with Ben Alexander. Great super rugby players, average Test players.

 

[Braveheart81]

What are the other options?

Ma'a Nonu is probably the only player who has been consistently better in test matches than at Super Rugby level. That said, if he maintains that this year he will be incredible because he is playing some great Super Rugby right now.

The step up to test rugby is tough. I don't think we're going to get better results by picking uncapped players who aren't the best at Super Rugby level and hoping they somehow do a lot better at test level.

 

[qwerty51]

Cheika really got a lot out of McCalman on the EOYT imo, improved his physicality. He's been the clear stand out #8 in Aus. Palu's started a little slowly but had a big game yesterday. Should be a close battle.

 

[Godfrey]

This is mine based on "optimal" form. Nothing too out of the ordinary. In reality I still can't split Pocock and Hooper - my heart says Pocock but my brain says "I agree with the heart but I'm an idiot so better wait and see". Higginbotham in over Fardy as it's based on optimal form, but otherwise I'd be going with Fardy as he really hit the ground running for the Wallabies and was pretty consistently influential. Had that AB-like knack of knowing what to do with the ball as soon as it spilled.

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Skelton
6. Higgers
7. Pocock
8. Palu
9. Phipps
10. Cooper
11. Speight
12. To'omua
13. Kuridrani
14. JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Folau

16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Alexander
19. Carter
20. Hooper
21. Genia
22. Lealiifano
23. Beale

 

[BDA]

Higgers is probably in my squad on current form. I really like how he's been playing for the rebels this season. Much better than last season. He is certainly "on the fringe" but might be doing enough to win a spot.

 

[MarkJ]

16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Alexander
19. Carter
20. Hooper
21. Genia
22. Lealiifano
23. Beale

I'm guessing Beale is your wing cover? I'd leave out either Lealiifano or Beale, and bring in AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Horne - better coverage for wing & outside centre.

 

[BDA]

I thought Beale had a much better game than Lilo yesterday. Though he still slipped a few tackles.

 

[Godfrey]

I'm guessing Beale is your wing cover? I'd leave out either Lealiifano or Beale, and bring in AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Horne - better coverage for wing & outside centre.

I completely forgot about AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Still wouldn't have him in the run-on, but would possibly have him instead of Lealiifano. I had thought about the wings but rejected the idea of Cummins or Tomane as they only fill that one role. In my team you'd have to shift Folau to the wing for Beale or just put Beale there, which isn't really ideal. I had just been thinking that Beale could replace Cooper, Folau or TK (with other minor shuffling like Folau to 13 for TK).

 

[Viking]

I thought Beale had a much better game than Lilo yesterday. Though he still slipped a few tackles.

Beale much better then Lilo but still no evidence of his weakness in defence improving. The game involved lots of broken play. This is where Beale shines, probably one of the best broken play runners. Unfortunately I don't rate any parts of his other game and unfortunately their isn't as much space and broken play in Test rugby.

 

[Brumby Runner]

What are the other options?

Ma'a Nonu is probably the only player who has been consistently better in test matches than at Super Rugby level. That said, if he maintains that this year he will be incredible because he is playing some great Super Rugby right now.

The step up to test rugby is tough. I don't think we're going to get better results by picking uncapped players who aren't the best at Super Rugby level and hoping they somehow do a lot better at test level.

I think Tevita Kuridrani almost falls into the Nonu category as well, in that when he was first selected to play 13 for the Wallabies, he hadn't really been a standout at Super level. Arguments abounded about better options in Inman, the HB and maybe one or two Reds at the time. He has developed now (despite his showing against the Tahs) to be the incumbent No 13.

I think there is a bit of truth in the belief that certain players play better when surrounded by other quality players (eg Wallabies).

 

[TOCC]

I was really disappointed in Carter's game on Sunday, i he was well outplayed by both Skelton and Dennis... I don't see him as starting lock based on current form.

 

[hammertimethere]

I was really disappointed in Carter's game on Sunday, i he was well outplayed by both Skelton and Dennis. I don't see him as starting lock based on current form.

Me too to be honest. I was quite uninspired.

 

[BDA]

16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Alexander
19. Carter
20. Hooper
21. Genia
22. Lealiifano
23. Beale

I think you'd either have Lilo or Beale in the squad, but probably not both. Certainly not both on the bench. They are way too similar.