Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[qwerty51]

I wonder if those 10 extras for the USA game will travel to the UK anyway and hold pads etc


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I think it's pretty strict, you can't even have those outside the squad training with you. I know with the 48 hour window thing that player isn't even allowed to meet up with the group. Probably need to use schoolboys from the schools they train at to hold bags.

 

[Highlander35]

You could probably get non - eligible players from the Aviva clubs to do opposed training sessions. Would have no idea though.

 

[Omar Comin']

It's slightly less rigid version of football and cricket world cup rules. I like it, it's meant to discourage stupid shit like this, I mean, if any player can be replaced for any reason, why not just have open squads? Or 45 man squads? Or whatever.

It makes sense to have squads of this size size for cost reasons, but I'm not convinced there is a good reason to be so restrictive on replacements. It's really not ideal for teams to be switching a lot of players in and out so I don't see too much stupid shit that needs to be discouraged.

There are lots of reasons why a team might want to replace a player during a tournament. Not just injury or compassionate reasons. Team balance, form, removing a divisive element etc.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I think it's pretty strict, you can't even have those outside the squad training with you. I know with the 48 hour window thing that player isn't even allowed to meet up with the group. Probably need to use schoolboys from the schools they train at to hold bags.

Didn't the Darkness get in trouble at RWC 11 when they used Matt Todd (IIRC) at training during the "official RWC 11 period" to "hold the tackle bags" coincidental to Sir Richie GOATs foot injury?

 

[Highlander35]

Team balance and form are the shit that comes with every squad. No sympathy for that. Should be sorted out beforehand, if it isn't well, that's the fault of the selection committee, and they should get sacked.

Divisive presense, well, maybe, but again, that's an interpersonal issue that should really be dealt with before it's selected.

 

[Tomikin]

I was pissed off but now just happy to watch some rugby... I mean I don't know why we are all surprised last EOYT games he made some shit team selections, he made some shit decisions on the initial squad (Im looking at Luke Jones here) and his made some shit calls with the RWC squad.

But it's his arse on the line so his call.. There's some better decisions in there then QRU re-signing Dick Graham..

 

[Teh Other Dave]

Everyone is focusing on the negative aspects - Douglas over Horwill, only 2 hookers and 2 halfbacks and too many wingers, like the same mob that complain about a Test Cricketer being run out on 92. Forget about the 8 runs they didn't get, what about the 92 runs they did get?

Yes, the die is cast and these blokes will be represnting Australia at the Rugby World Cup and have done a mighty job to be selected - they should be congratulated. I will only be cheering for one team, and they'll be wearing gold (insert Romania dad joke here).

But internet forums work on discussion points, often discordant; here is my two bob's worth: I liken selecting only two hookers in the squad to selecting Shane Watson - if one hooker gets injured, this would effectively run our batsman on 92 (or 87) out.

 

[Groucho]

I'm amazed at the level of anger about this squad. Apart from the selection of Douglas over Horwill, and the non-selection of Hansen for one of the outside backs, it's almost precisely what everyone would've picked. Getting angry about McMahon is just finding things to get angry about.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I'm amazed at the level of anger about this squad. Apart from the selection of Douglas over Horwill, and the non-selection of Hansen for one of the outside backs, it's almost precisely what everyone would've picked. Getting angry about McMahon is just finding things to get angry about.

To be fair Groucho, this squad has a needlessly high chance (in that its >0) of giving up a forfeit to (say) Uruguay or having to send the captain home for a minor injury. Both incidents, if they occurred, would be definately worth getting angry about. People are just getting in early

 

[Groucho]

Yes, the die is cast and these blokes will be represnting Australia at the Rugby World Cup and have done a mighty job to be selected - they should be congratulated. I will only be cheering for one team, and they'll be wearing gold (insert Romania dad joke here).

But internet forums work on discussion points, often discordant; here is my two bob's worth: I liken selecting only two hookers in the squad to selecting Shane Watson - if one hooker gets injured, this would effectively run our batsman on 92 (or 87) out.

It's hardly that severe. If a hooker gets injured, then Hansen can be flown out. If it's a non-tour-ending injury, then Sio covers from the bench. In the case of a non-tour-ending injury to both a hooker AND a prop, preventing us making the numbers, then one of those injuries will have to be deemed to be tour-ending.

 

[Groucho]

To be fair Groucho, this squad has a needlessly high chance (in that its >0) of giving up a forfeit to (say) Uruguay or having to send the captain home for a minor injury. Both incidents, if they occurred, would be definately worth getting angry about. People are just getting in early

There's always that chance. We might have three hookers and injure 2 in the 72 hours before a game. Then we'd have to rely on the extenuating circumstances clause in the rules, like we might have to now if we injure a hooker and a prop.

 

[cyclopath]

so we've all failed to realise that this is actually based on Cheika knowing who will be injured and when?
Fair enough.
I dips me lid to the man.

No, I don't really think it's "planned", but I suspect there will be niggles and injuries that will allow the opportunity for new squad members to come in. Just a gut feeling.
Anyway, best to get back to the outrage at how stupid Cheika, Larkham, Grey and Ledesma are, and how right all of us are.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Anyway, best to get back to the outrage at how stupid Cheika, Larkham, Grey and Ledesma are, and how right all of us are.

I never left that place.
You gotta admit its funny how almost everyone agreed as to what the issue was.
Oh - and I dont blame Ledesma: i blame anyone who thought any squad of any number would be better with 5 wingers - and 4 10's

 

[Rugbynutter39]

The stupidest thing is the tournament rules. Why the fuck can't you take 40 players if you want to, they can sit back at the hotel and only play if required. Doesn't hurt to be able to take them.



Besides that, the only selection I'm dirty on is Genia over White. They both take too long to deliver the ball, but White has some points of difference with his kicking. Genia's point of difference used to be his running game, but that doesn't exist anymore.

As to why you should not take 40 players if you want to - one argument is creates unfair advantage for richer rugby nations who can afford such luxuries as opposed to less financial rugby minnows. About keeping a level playing field so limiting squads to 31 for all participants makes sense to me.

 

[BarneySF]

I'd hate to be the one announcing to the non first choice wingers that they had to draw straws to see who has their finger broken.

Like in Escape To Victory when they had to break the goalie's arm so Sly Stallone could take his place. TELL ME YOU'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE


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[Groucho]

You gotta admit its funny how almost everyone agreed as to what the issue was.

You can say that about almost any innovation.

 

[Train Without a Station]

It's hardly that severe. If a hooker gets injured, then Hansen can be flown out. If it's a non-tour-ending injury, then Sio covers from the bench. In the case of a non-tour-ending injury to both a hooker AND a prop, preventing us making the numbers, then one of those injuries will have to be deemed to be tour-ending.

Is there independent assessment?

 

[Train Without a Station]

You can say that about almost any innovation.

Brilliant idea. Let's risk the prospect of a forfeit. That extra additional winger could really come in handy.

 

[Groucho]

Brilliant idea. Let's risk the prospect of a forfeit. That extra additional winger could really come in handy.

My point is, that the Internet could (whisper it) be wrong, and the people we pay to run the national team be right.

 

[Train Without a Station]

You're right. Perhaps the masses are off the mark when they consider a second back up to a non specialist position to be less important than a single back up to a specialist position.