Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[Jethro Tah]

I like Cutter's squad and barring any injuries this team would be very competitive in the 3N. The only adjustment I would make is:
13 - Ioane
14 - Hynes
15 - AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
This would only be for jersey numbers sake I guess as the back 4 will switch around a fair bit. I just don't see Diggers as a genuine winger/speedster, and I prefer seeing AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as the bomb diffuser and the key runner from deep.

We are good to go for goal kickers this year with QC (Quade Cooper)/Gits on the run on and JOC (James O'Connor) off the bench.

 

[Lindommer]

If we are looking to ditch the double playmaker strategy:

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

MEDIC! Send this lad straight to the nearest psychiatric ward.

Opposing coaches/teams will line up their two biggest back-rowers opposite Tom and pound him every time he hogs the ball (ie, every time), resulting in our attack breaking down and, more likely, eventual loss of possession.

 

[matty_k]

I thought we set up a thread for Carter bashing.

 

[Spook]

My run on team if we were playing a Bled tomorrow would be:

1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Gits
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Hynes

Hynes and Mitchell would swap around during the game.

16. Moore
17. Baxter
18. Chisolm
19. Hodgson
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

Agree completely with the starting XV although I'd start Moore - TPN threw poorly again against the Cheetahs. That's his only issue but it's an important one. Horwill is the only player I think who could change things and his introduction would force Chisolm out of the 22. I'd start big Kev in front of Mumm.

I'd be incredibly surprised if Baxter was in the 22 based on Deans actions of last year. The vacant role needs to be filled by the next best scrummaging TH which , based on the S14, is Ma'afu . Deans will probably go for Kepu though.

 

[#1 Tah]

if mortlock and cross make the squad then it is not based on form but solely political

 

[Viking]

1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu

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

16. Moore
17. Baxter
18. Chisolm
19. Hodgson
20. Burgess
21. Hynes
22. Gits

Id pick this for the first international test. I think its against Fiji. Its a bit inexperianced at international level but its pretty much the form players of the super 14. On attack i think it will be a killer black-line, worries me a bit in defence especially the 10. 12 channel so for the tri-nations would have to do some swapping.
11. Mitchell
12. Gits/Barnes
13. Ioane
14. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15. Hynes

Bench:
21. JOC (James O'Connor)/Gits
22. Horne
Wouldnt stick Barnes on the bench as JOC (James O'Connor) and Gits would be better impact players as they have more attacking ability whereas barnes is just a solid player (most of the time). Horne would also have an impact off the bench. Also if Hynes isnt in the starting 15 i wouldnt have him in the 22 as he wouldnt make much of an impact off the bench, rather have JOC (James O'Connor) covering fullback from the bench. So IMO hynes at fullback, with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) wing/OC, Ioane OC/wing is the best option.

 

[spectator]

My run on team if we were playing a Bled tomorrow would be:

1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Gits
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Hynes

Hynes and Mitchell would swap around during the game.

16. Moore
17. Baxter
18. Chisolm
19. Hodgson
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

Agree completely with the starting XV although I'd start Moore - TPN threw poorly again against the Cheetahs. That's his only issue but it's an important one. Horwill is the only player I think who could change things and his introduction would force Chisolm out of the 22. I'd start big Kev in front of Mumm.

I'd be incredibly surprised if Baxter was in the 22 based on Deans actions of last year. The vacant role needs to be filled by the next best scrummaging TH which , based on the S14, is Ma'afu . Deans will probably go for Kepu though.

Not a bad team and won't disagree with any of the forwards proposed. Too many wingers in the backline though. I think Hynes is a solid S14 fullback but not test standard. Either AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) there, with Ioane to 13 and Hynes to wing, or JOC (James O'Connor) at the back, and Hynes to the bench. People talk about JOC (James O'Connor)'s defence as a weakness but in the games I have seen this year it has improved a lot, and he adds so much in attack.

 

[Viking]

Not a bad team and won't disagree with any of the forwards proposed. Too many wingers in the backline though. I think Hynes is a solid S14 fullback but not test standard. Either AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) there, with Ioane to 13 and Hynes to wing, or JOC (James O'Connor) at the back, and Hynes to the bench. People talk about JOC (James O'Connor)'s defence as a weakness but in the games I have seen this year it has improved a lot, and he adds so much in attack.

If ur right about JOC (James O'Connor) i'd put him as starting 12, he'd got test experiance and is in far better form then gits & barnes.

 

[CanadianRugby]

Completely agree Seb V. Throw the rookies out for the start, then go with the other line-up. I've come around on Cooper, he's playing too well not to start at 10. Probably go Gits at 12, but with JO'C close at hand.

Also, its a young enough backline to be around for a few years.

 

[Reddy!]

This is great, and everyone is putting forward teams that will be competitive. Usually selecting a Wallabies team is so clear cut, but this year depth is evident and thus these debates.

I honestly believe, that if 1 or 2 Aussie teams make the final, and a few players have massive stand out games, they will be the first picked for the Wallabies. A big performance in a final will just discount previous form throughout the Super 14.

For example, if the Waratahs make the finals, and Barnes comes out and just dominants the game, playing a big part in a win, or narrow loss, He will earn back his starting jersey without too much trouble.

 

[Reddy!]

I can give you another example.

Turner in the 2008 final against the Crusaders. Played like poo most of the season, comes out and has a big game scoring 2 tries, next day gets called into the Wallaby squad.

All coaches needs is to see a glimpse of form from the players THEY want in the squad.

 

[#1 Tah]

if we are looking to scrap the double playmaker then hopfully we could see this.

9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Mitchel
12.Liliafano

Crying shame that Rene Ranger re-organised his ribs.

But Based on form

1.Robinson
2.TPN
3.Baxter
4.Mumm
5.Sharpe
6.Rock
7.Pockock (if fit, if not then Waugh)
8.Palu
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Mitchell
12.Gits/Barnes
13.Ione/Horne
14.Turner
15.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

16. Moore
17. Alexander
18. Douglas
19. Hodgson
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Horne/Ione

The first game is against fiji and the Tahs did a bang up job of 83-15 in the trials so expect a b team.

Things like horne and burgess starting, Gits at 10 and a tear-jerking Huxley comeback

 

[liquor box]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s form hasn't been dynamic and he is cursed by his versatility. If Ioane or Horne are picked at 13 and Hynes at 15, where will AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) play? He's a good bench player because of that versatility but he may struggle to get a starting spot.

He's been excellent this year and was the best Wallaby back, by some margin, in 2009. He continues to the best player under the high ball in Australia and is with Ioane, the strongest player in contact. Horne hasn't proved much yet this year with his injuries and in previous years has struggled in breaking tackles - great potential but needs to prove he is up to test rugby. If Ioane is picked at 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will play wing or fullback. Hynes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mitchell and Ioane all must be in the Oz 15 somewhere. If push came to shove, I'd pick AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) over Hynes. I'd even tempted to select Hynes over Mitchell despite his good form this year. Mitchell is still flakey in defense.

I think the best player under a high ball is actually Genia, I dont know how he does it but he seems to get the ball a hell of a lot against taller oponents, I realise this is not about halves so it is not relevent.

I think Hynes is becoming the most over rated at the moment, he is good but not that great

 

[liquor box]

worries me a bit in defence especially the 10. 12 channel so for the tri-nations would have to do some swapping.

I thought Cooper was quite good in Defence against the Sharks, he is getting better fast.

 

[Biffo]

I think the best player under a high ball is actually Genia, I dont know how he does it but he seems to get the ball a hell of a lot against taller oponents, I realise this is not about halves so it is not relevent.

I'd put Genia and Burgess equal as Australia's best under the high ball. Two halfbacks FFS :angryfire:

 

[Reddy!]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s form hasn't been dynamic and he is cursed by his versatility. If Ioane or Horne are picked at 13 and Hynes at 15, where will AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) play? He's a good bench player because of that versatility but he may struggle to get a starting spot.

He's been excellent this year and was the best Wallaby back, by some margin, in 2009. He continues to the best player under the high ball in Australia and is with Ioane, the strongest player in contact. Horne hasn't proved much yet this year with his injuries and in previous years has struggled in breaking tackles - great potential but needs to prove he is up to test rugby. If Ioane is picked at 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will play wing or fullback. Hynes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mitchell and Ioane all must be in the Oz 15 somewhere. If push came to shove, I'd pick AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) over Hynes. I'd even tempted to select Hynes over Mitchell despite his good form this year. Mitchell is still flakey in defense.

I think the best player under a high ball is actually Genia, I dont know how he does it but he seems to get the ball a hell of a lot against taller oponents, I realise this is not about halves so it is not relevent.

I think Hynes is becoming the most over rated at the moment, he is good but not that great

Yeh agreed on Hynes. Some are saying he will walk straight into the starting team. He is good, but I don't think it's going to be as easy as that. At least not at fullback. Not proven there yet.

 

[topo]

These sort of comments seem to follow Hynes. Yet nearly every time he plays for Reds or Wallabies he performs well. He reliably gets the job done almost every time and occassionally shows flashes of genius. That's good enough for me. I'd have him at FB and put AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 with Diggers and Mitchell on the wings as previously suggested.

 

[Cutter]

These sort of comments seem to follow Hynes. Yet nearly every time he plays for Reds or Wallabies he performs well. He reliably gets the job done almost every time and occassionally shows flashes of genius. That's good enough for me. I'd have him at FB and put AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 with Diggers and Mitchell on the wings as previously suggested.

Dingo loves his high work rate off the ball. He is an Australian Caleb Ralph. I don't say that as a criticism either. Ralph was a good player for a long time but neither Ralph nor Hynes are Sivivatus or Caucaus.

 

[Jets]

Am I the only one who hopes that Burgess is kept well away from the Wallabies. The Tahs would have scored about 100 more points this season if he wasn't running across field making sure they didn't make easy metres. O'Young was good on the weekend and Valentine has been better than normal. Anyone but Burgess.

 

[Biffo]

Am I the only one who hopes that Burgess is kept well away from the Wallabies.

I certainly am not with you. Burgess was outstanding last Saturday. I suspect thta he improves dramatically when he has a real 5/8 as his target.