Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[Reddy!]

Reddy, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Without the ball that Hodgson snaffles, Genia can do fuck-all with.....

Hmm, it's pretty easy to stand out in a consistently beaten side.

 

[topo]

I am a big fan of Baxter, and I would contend that he has been the best scrummaging THP in Aus for a few years now. But I have to agree with Noddy here. At international level he always seems to get penalised when the scrum goes down. Especially at vital times. It seems to be a default position for a lot of refs, especially Saffer ones. It is unjust madness but it makes him too big a risk. I would love to see Laurie Weeks get a run (did I mention that he was developed at Sydney Uni?) and I think he would go well, but Alexander is the incumbent and he hasn't done much wrong and he has done a lot right. I'd put BA at THP and Weeks on the bench. That way if Fatcat goes off, BA can go to LHP and if BA goes off we're sweet with Weeks there. With Kepu on the bench we struggle if the THP goes off, as he is far better at LHP than THP (although getting better in recent weeks).

 

[fatprop]

Fair enough Spook, I would still choose Alexander at THP if Robinson is at LHP. As Alexander is stable enough to allow Robinson to do his stuff and has the best workrate.

But if Robinson is wounded, I would start Baxter at THP and Alexander at LHP


edit

Weeks I would expect to be the Aus A anchor and tour at the end of the year.

 

[Spook]

But if Robinson is wounded, I would start Baxter at THP and Alexander at LHP

Yep, sounds reasonable Fat. Who would be on the bench? Dunning has been poor IMO. Kepu?

 

[cyclopath]

It is a problem - Kepu has not really shone at all. Dunning would probably have more chance - at least has more experience at International level (not that that says a lot). Robinson's pretty important, isn't he?

 

[fatprop]

But if Robinson is wounded, I would start Baxter at THP and Alexander at LHP

Yep, sounds reasonable Fat. Who would be on the bench? Dunning has been poor IMO. Kepu?

Henderson or Kepu would be my choice as LHP coverage, Daley doesn't scrummage well enough yet.

 

[en_force_er]

Henderson or Kepu would be my choice as LHP coverage, Daley doesn't scrummage well enough yet.

Henderson is playing above and beyond what I've grown to expect of him. A Wallaby squad birth wouldn't be too rash of a suggestion. This being said Pek is playing 1 again this week, it was unfair on him to convert him to hooker at S14 level and I think he will show his old self at LH. He really is a good aggressive

As far as TH goes Fairbrother is really hitting some good form. I mean he isn't Australian by many peoples definition but he is apparently Australian enough to play for the Wobs. His form would suggest he could Big Ben's back-up but I would question whether his heart would be in right place.

Yes these men both happen to be Force players but they have put in some good performances recently.

 

[Reddy!]

Cooper...if he can play like that in a test match in Durban, he's got the gig.

 

[liquor box]

I am now seriously wondering if Gitts will be selected, it is becoming easier each week to find others to fit into a team without him.

Will Deans want a second 5/8 playing at centre or a hard runner?

I would look at
9- Genia
10- Cooper
11- Digby
12- A Fainga
13- AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14- Mitchell
15- Beale

I think Barnes would offer more as a bench player and I would prefer not to have Beale at 15 but he is playing there as a starter and is looking ok. In an ideal world I would have Cameron Shepard at 15 if he gets fit.

1- Robinson
2 TPN
3- Weekes
4- Mumm
5_ Rocky
6- Higgonbottom
7- Pocock
8- Hoiles
My biggest issue is not having an old head in the backs to settle Cooper


It has also occured to me that a very strong U24 side would be possible at the moment.

 

[Reddy!]

Nah I think both Barnes and Giteau will find themselves in the 22. Both will play themselves into some form, if not now, during the domestic tests. I think the bigger question mark is how to best fit Rabbit into the team. I almost wouldn't mind seeing him as a winger, but the less shuffling around the better ideally.

 

[cyclopath]

1- Robinson
2 TPN
3- Weekes
4- Mumm
5_ Rocky
6- Higgonbottom
7- Pocock
8- Hoiles

Umm, we do not need a guy playing 5 who doesn't usually; we need a proper lock who knows how to scrum as a lock. Sharpe will be it at this stage.
Hoiles does not have the grunt required to be the 8.

 

[#1 Tah]

If we are looking to ditch the double playmaker strategy:

9. Genia
10. Gitau
11. Mitchell
12. Carter
13. Horne/Ione
14. Turner
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

Gits is head and shoulders above any playmaker + experience is needed

 

[en_force_er]

I am now seriously wondering if Gitts will be selected, it is becoming easier each week to find others to fit into a team without him.

Will Deans want a second 5/8 playing at centre or a hard runner?

I would look at
9- Genia
10- Cooper
11- Digby
12- A Fainga
13- AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14- Mitchell
15- Beale

I think Barnes would offer more as a bench player and I would prefer not to have Beale at 15 but he is playing there as a starter and is looking ok. In an ideal world I would have Cameron Shepard at 15 if he gets fit.

1- Robinson
2 TPN
3- Weekes
4- Mumm
5_ Rocky
6- Higgonbottom
7- Pocock
8- Hoiles
My biggest issue is not having an old head in the backs to settle Cooper


It has also occured to me that a very strong U24 side would be possible at the moment.

I love the lack of mentioning of Rocky at lock which is a big move. I'm not saying I'm not behind it, I honestly think it's the best for everyone (so many good looseys, we need to make space somewhere). I wouldn't play him with Mumm though, they'd be too small.

My Wallaby team would look like:

1. Alexander (can play 1 and 3)
2. TPN (get's nod over Moore because he has more running in him, this is an Aussie strength this year and needs to be used as much as possible)
3. Weekes (can also play 1 and 3)
4. Elsom
5. Sharpe
6. Hodgson (also covers 7 and 8. if lineout struggles with only 2 genuine options, replace with Mumm)
7. Pocock
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (to share fullback responsibilities with Hynes. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is great at looking for work and was good on the wing during the 07 season)
12. Gits (to rotated in the match 15 with Fainga'a depending on if the game calls for a specialist IC or 2nd 5/8. Gits to cover halfback in a pinch)
13. Digby
14. Mitchell
15. Hynes

16. Moore
17. Robinson
18. Van Humphries (big call but if Rocky is to play lock you need a real "bread and butter" player to back him up if things go pear shaped)
19. Mumm (too small for a test lock but can play there if necessary, mostly to be used at 6)
20. Beale (gets nod over Fainga or Barnes on the bench based on his ability to cover 10, 12 and 15)
21. Mortlock (won't get much time but I think he could be a cool head if needed)
22. O'Connor (has been decent in a bad team and needs to be kept in the fold as a future player)

You guys mightn't like my ideas but I think it would really work.

 

[DPK]

As one of the most experienced backs in Australia at the moment, Matt Giteau would have to be picked in the squad. The thought of an all under 25 backline coming up against the Boks or AB's is not a good one. We saw how the pressure got to O'Connor in a few of the tests last year.

 

[chief]

Latest prediction.

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell/JOC (James O'Connor)
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Hynes

 

[David]

Latest prediction.

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell/JOC (James O'Connor)
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Hynes

Mostly agree, except JOC (James O'Connor) isn't a winger and should not be played there.

 

[Ruggo]

Mitchell looks great in attack but holds no more value than a paper weight in defence. JOC (James O'Connor) over mitchell for sue.

 

[DPK]

Whats this JO'C to wing thing goin on? If he's going to be in the outside backs he'll be at fullback, where he has actually played a bit this year.

 

[cyclopath]

I love the lack of mentioning of Rocky at lock which is a big move. I'm not saying I'm not behind it, I honestly think it's the best for everyone (so many good looseys, we need to make space somewhere). I wouldn't play him with Mumm though, they'd be too small.

My Wallaby team would look like:

1. Alexander (can play 1 and 3)
2. TPN (get's nod over Moore because he has more running in him, this is an Aussie strength this year and needs to be used as much as possible)
3. Weekes (can also play 1 and 3)
4. Elsom
5. Sharpe
6. Hodgson (also covers 7 and 8. if lineout struggles with only 2 genuine options, replace with Mumm)
7. Pocock
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (to share fullback responsibilities with Hynes. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is great at looking for work and was good on the wing during the 07 season)
12. Gits (to rotated in the match 15 with Fainga'a depending on if the game calls for a specialist IC or 2nd 5/8. Gits to cover halfback in a pinch)
13. Digby
14. Mitchell
15. Hynes

16. Moore
17. Robinson
18. Van Humphries (big call but if Rocky is to play lock you need a real "bread and butter" player to back him up if things go pear shaped)
19. Mumm (too small for a test lock but can play there if necessary, mostly to be used at 6)
20. Beale (gets nod over Fainga or Barnes on the bench based on his ability to cover 10, 12 and 15)
21. Mortlock (won't get much time but I think he could be a cool head if needed)
22. O'Connor (has been decent in a bad team and needs to be kept in the fold as a future player)

You guys mightn't like my ideas but I think it would really work.

No, I don't. Mumm has consistently played his best rugby at lock, and has not played 6 well at Test level at all; Rocky on the other hand IS a 6, and pretty good. Why play them out of position? If Mumm is too small for lock (he isn't), why put Elsom there. He is, remarkably, not bigger. We cannot fuck around with the locks - we have been horribly exposed in the past with locks that scrum poorly behind a dodgy THP. Mumm scrums very well; Sharpe is better too.
It does not make sense.
I'm also not sure about selecting the 2 starting props based on the fact they can both play both sides. By all means have a versatile one on the bench, or one starting, but our current best THP and LHP should in principle start.

 

[en_force_er]

No, I don't. Mumm has consistently played his best rugby at lock, and has not played 6 well at Test level at all; Rocky on the other hand IS a 6, and pretty good. Why play them out of position? If Mumm is too small for lock (he isn't), why put Elsom there. He is, remarkably, not bigger. We cannot fuck around with the locks - we have been horribly exposed in the past with locks that scrum poorly behind a dodgy THP. Mumm scrums very well; Sharpe is better too.
It does not make sense.
I'm also not sure about selecting the 2 starting props based on the fact they can both play both sides. By all means have a versatile one on the bench, or one starting, but our current best THP and LHP should in principle start.

Has Mumm played a test at 6? Not to my recollection, at least in a starting role. His form there in the S14 has been at least equal to his form at Lock.

Rocky has played Lock in his younger days. He is a touch taller and the same weight as Dean and is an all round better player. Also his game is naturally suited to Lock, he is abrasive, does good tight work, is powerful and is terrific in the lineout. Rocky could play the same game Dean does, but better. Getting him back up to speed at scrumtime would take time but the match against Fiji would be an easy start and England would be a terrific test.

We have many test level looseys and few test level locks, why not make an investment and see if we can get more of our best players on the park? It mightn't pay off but if it doesn't just move him back. If it does we will have a better team around the park.

Also I never said I'd start both props based on their utility, I merely noted it based on the fact that the bench prop is a specialist loosehead. I though the info was relevant.