Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Wilson]

So Talakai is going from a Sydney Uni prop to Wob contender in how many Super games?

That's the state of our tight head prop stocks atm. Worth noting Slipper earned his first wallaby's caps the same year he started at the reds, and he did it without the benefit of an NRC equivalent.

 

[Viking]

Do think Larkham as attack coach would influence any selections? I certainly think Larkham would fight to have To'omua and Lilo in the team.

Not sure what his opinion on Beale, Foley, or Cooper is but he certainly does have a Brumbies bias. (and rightly so )

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

An interesting thought would be Larkham's view on the composition of the Wallaby backline. Given that he plays To'omua and Lilo at 10/12 respectively, you'd think he'd push for that at test level as well. I don't think he'd get any argument with TK starting at outside centre. That then leaves 11, 14 and 15. I can't forsee a situation that Izzy wouldn't play fullback and I think if JOC (James O'Connor) plays well then he'd be on one wing. A bit of competition for that last spot then!

 

[BDA]

Yeh I think you need at least one specialist winger. Speight is probably the favourite. He's an out-and-out finisher, built in the same mould as Savea.

Badger is not really an out-and-out finisher. He's very well rounded (offence and defence) and very aggressive. To me he is a carbon copy of Rob Horne, except Horne can play 12/13. You'd have to think he'll miss out.

then again, they'll be injuries.

JOC (James O'Connor) would be the first winger chosen. He'd be in the top 3 wingers in the world IMO.

 

[humanbeast]

After watching the brumbies game, I am liking Rory Arnold more and more. He does nearly as much work as Carter but has far more impact in what he does.

 

[Brumby Runner]

JOC (James O'Connor) would be the first winger chosen. He'd be in the top 3 wingers in the world IMO.

I will hold my opinion of JOC (James O'Connor) until he shows his wares in Super rugby again. To say he is one of the top three wingers in the world is a big call atm when his form is in an inferior competition, and he showed very little in the one Reds start. Admittedly, what he did show was more winger type skill than No 10, but I'd still like to see how he copes after a half a season on the wing before pencilling him in as a certain Wallaby. For the Wallabies' sake, I hope he can prove his worth but so far he has very few runs on the board imo.

 

[Brumbieman]

So, the Ita Vaea train has officially left the station. Anyone wishing to jump on now before it's too late, start catching up before you get left behind and I get to say "I told you so!"

He's the 8 we've been looking for since Kefu, and is only going to get better and better as he regains fitness and instinct.

 

[Wilson]

Amazing how far he's come, I expected him to work his way back into contention but I thought it'd take at least a year before he was ready. It's going to be a battle for him though, a few fringe backrow players are stepping up atm and McCalman and Fardy are looking like a lock as the starting 6 & 8.

 

[Bairdy]

I get it that posters don't think it's relevant to discuss the return to the Wallabies of a world class player who has been injured for most pf the past two years, but to be discussing the potential injury replacement for our unquestionably best No 13 when he is not injured is really a low act.

Oh rubbish, it's a perfectly normal discussion.

No one is hoping he gets injured, but in the game of rugby you'd be foolish to not have 2-3 other options lined up in the event of an injury.

Snip

 

[Joe Blow]

After watching the brumbies game, I am liking Rory Arnold more and more. He does nearly as much work as Carter but has far more impact in what he does.

At this stage it will be tough for Horwill to make the squad if Arnold and other youngsters keep coming on. The Force have a couple of good young locks and Luke Jones hasn't been doing his chances any harm either.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I will be very surprised if Kev makes it into the RWC squad this year. Not only is his own form on the wane, but the way the Reds are playing atm won't be doing any of their candidates any favours.

 

[Brendan Hume]

Last night may have seen a few lines through names. Talakai shown up against a more wily prop. Ben Alexander had been holding his end up well against some good packs. Pretty much all of the reds backs shouldn't get a look in based on current form, and the forwards haven't been much better. I had so much hope for the Aussie conference before the start of the season...


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[Braveheart81]

I still think the Brumbies and Waratahs will be up amongst the top few sides at the business end of the season.

 

[BDA]

So, the Ita Vaea train has officially left the station. Anyone wishing to jump on now before it's too late, start catching up before you get left behind and I get to say "I told you so!"

He's the 8 we've been looking for since Kefu, and is only going to get better and better as he regains fitness and instinct.

Yeh he is starting to get my people's attention. the bloke played 81 minutes on Friday and was trying to make an impact until the very end. He's clearly not yet in peak physical condition. I reckon he could lose another couple of kilos, without losing his effectiveness.

It's hard to see an uncapped backrower making the world cup squad, but no doubt cheika will be planning for the possibility that Palu will be injured (there's probably a 30-40% chance of Palu being unavailable for some or all of the world cup). Ben McCalman certainly picks himself but we need at least one big line-bending backrower in the squad. Palu has had a quiet start to the season. Vaea looks to be a possible alternative if Palu's injured / out-of-form.

I'd like to see how he fairs against some of the Saffer and Kiwi packs before I make a final judgment

 

[Ruggo]

I will be very surprised if Kev makes it into the RWC squad this year. Not only is his own form on the wane, but the way the Reds are playing atm won't be doing any of their candidates any favours.

This could also have a reverse effect. If the Reds fortunes improve when the likes of Kev and Simmons come back, it could also prove their true value. I think there is every chance experience will get him into the squad but getting into that starting 15 could prove a very different story.

I am only happy for him to be there if he deserves to be there. Other players are putting their hands up and if they pass him, so be it. Rory Arnold is the player who has caught my eye of late. I like the balance in his game he is showing and looks good in the traditional functions expected of a lock. At this stage I would like to see him tested in a Wallaby jersey before the RWC. Partnered with experience, I don't really have an issue with green players being selected.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I'd like to see how he fairs against some of the Saffer and Kiwi packs before I make a final judgment

He had a pretty solid game against the Chiefs and I believe their pack is one of the strongest going around. But I agree that he needs to keep showing improvement to be considered for higher honours later in the year.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I am only happy for him to be there if he deserves to be there. Other players are putting their hands up and if they pass him, so be it. Rory Arnold is the player who has caught my eye of late. I like the balance in his game he is showing and looks good in the traditional functions expected of a lock. At this stage I would like to see him tested in a Wallaby jersey before the RWC. Partnered with experience, I don't really have an issue with green players being selected.

I think the first three locks are now Simmons, Carter and Skelton. Won't be at all surprised if Skelton progresses to a consistent starter for the Wallabies. After that, I think Arnold could be most like for like with Skelton, so having him come on late in the game playing in tandem with Big Will would probably scare the pants off a lot of opposition sides. I hope that Rory can maintain and improve his form because he seems to have enough potential to fill that very large frame of his. And both of them, Skelton and Arnold seem to be very strong at scrum time as well.

 

[BDA]

It's Horwill's spot to lose. Even in average form, he showed enough on the EOYT to prove that he can be a handy member of the squad, albeit only a bench / injury back up. He has a tonne of experience and his set piece work is strong. If simo goes down injured, I would think Horwill would be the most qualified to run the line-out.

I would be shocked in Rory was in the RWC squad. Just too inexperienced. There's only 4 games before the world cup to blood new players and I would think Cheika will want to be settling on his top side for at least 2, maybe 3 of those games. Barring injuries, or some shocking form from horwill, I cant see it.

 

[Highlander35]

Barring an injury crisis, it's hard to see uncapped players in the squad, unless they demonstrate ridiculous form.

 

[BDA]

I wouldn't say we need a crisis. We only have 4 capped lock. It would only take one injury and we'd most likely need to cap new players. Same goes for THP, maybe half back