Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[Ruggo]

That is not a bad team Noddy.

 

[scrubber]

Surely Sharpe is past it

 

[fatprop]

Surely Sharpe is past it

He is the best lock in the country

 

[gone]

Still maintain (as I mentioned earlier in the thread) that Ma'afu should be ahead of Weeks. He had another huge scrummaging game in the weekend. Has to be in the Wallabies squad for me.

It depends what you want most from your prop, Weeks scrummages well but IMO I feel its his work around the park that gives him the jump on Ma'afu.

I agree that Weeks does give you more around the park but first and foremost I want a tighthead who can hold up a scrum - Weeks did not do that in the weekend.

 

[David]

Still maintain (as I mentioned earlier in the thread) that Ma'afu should be ahead of Weeks. He had another huge scrummaging game in the weekend. Has to be in the Wallabies squad for me.

It depends what you want most from your prop, Weeks scrummages well but IMO I feel its his work around the park that gives him the jump on Ma'afu.

I agree that Weeks does give you more around the park but first and foremost I want a tighthead who can hold up a scrum - Weeks did not do that in the weekend.

Agreed, but lets not even discuss the scrums in the tahs vs ponies game.

 

[wobbly]

About 3-4 weeks ago I picked up on a Roar thread that suggested Deans try Gits at FB. It gained a little momentum when I posted on here. However another poor showing against the Reds and I can't say I'd want to find a place for him in the Wallabies at all.

I too would love to see the Genia - Cooper - Fainga'a combination tried for the Wallabies, but I can't see Deans dropping both Barnes and Gits. The choice between Gits and Barnes at IC is a no-brainer, it's got to be Barnes if Cooper is fly half. I'm concerned Deans will fiddle AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) around even more instead of lock him in as OC where he belongs. Hynes and JOC (James O'Connor) are bona fide FB options and the Gits experiment is a fringe possibility.

My team would be:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Hodgson
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Fainga'a
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Hynes
15. JOC (James O'Connor)

Bench: Weeks, Moore, Simmons, Higginbotham, Sheehan, Barnes, Giteau

I'm guessing Deans will go with something more like:

My team would be:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Hodgson
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Barnes / Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Mitchell
15. Hynes

Bench: Baxter, Moore, Higginbotham, Waugh, Burgess, Barnes/Giteau, JOC (James O'Connor)

 

[Viking]

Hynes was my starting fullback, shifting AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) too wing or outside centre. But now that he is probably heading overseas next year is their a point in sticking him in the team? I dont think their is, especially with so many other options. Its a shame really because he is a quality player and has put in the hard yards, I blame the ARU for offering him a shitty contract. But whats done is done, and now i see the best option for fullback is AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), outside centre Will Chambers. If you insist on having AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at outside centre, then JOC (James O'Connor) for fullback he's been having a good super 14 season. We really really need to pick a team this year and stick with it until the RWC.

 

[fatprop]

I'm guessing Deans will go with something more like:

My team would be:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Hodgson
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Barnes / Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Mitchell
15. Hynes

Bench: Baxter, Moore, Higginbotham, Waugh, Burgess, Barnes/Giteau, JOC (James O'Connor)

I think that is pretty close but I don't think you need Waugh with Hodgson & Pocock in the side, I think someone like a Dennis, McCalman or Chapman who can play that lock/6 role would be more beneficial.

I would also pick Weekes ahead of Baxter at the moment and Burgess? he ain't playing great, but neither are the others so I don't know

 

[en_force_er]

STOP THE PRESSES!!!

Shep back to FB for the Force this week. Remember he was Robbie's 1st choice FB when he started coaching the Wobs.

I still think an inform Shep would be our No1 option, here's hoping he preforms.

 

[David]

STOP THE PRESSES!!!

Shep back to FB for the Force this week. Remember he was Robbie's 1st choice FB when he started coaching the Wobs.

I still think an inform Shep would be our No1 option, here's hoping he preforms.

Shep is definitely a good fullback and a good runner of the ball but he brings more of a kicking game as opposed to JOC (James O'Connor) and Hynes IMO, so I guess it comes down to the style of player deans wants back there.

Also, Shep always seems to find his form pretty quickly after coming back from injury, so I would say its more a matter of will 3 s14 games be enough to warrant selection at 15?

 

[waratahjesus]

Shep unfortunately is crocked as. he is only there cos there out of options, He has dodgy knees, ankles, hips and muscles to boot.

i think it would be much better to blood JOC (James O'Connor) at fullback if were going to move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (if hynes is heading away, otherwise JOC (James O'Connor) is only in my extended training squad.)

15-AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14-Mitchell
13-Ioane
12-Barnes
11-Turner
10-cooper
9-genia
8-rocky
7-pocock
6-dennis
5-sharpe (would prefer a younger player though, we know what sharpe can do, he can bench it a few games, but in form he deserves it)
4-mumm
3-alex
2-TPN
1-benn

 

[Aussie D]

1 FatCat
2 TPN
3 Weekes / Maafu
4 Mumm
5 Sharpe
6 Higgers (will add to our lineout whereas Hodgson is a bit short)
7 Pocock
8 Elsom
9 Genia
10 Quade
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12 A Finger
13 Horne (if fit otherwuse Chambers)
14 Ioane
15 Hynes (if he stays / JO'C if he goes)

Reserves S Finger, Fairbrother, Douglas, Hodgson, A Halfback (preferable one who gets rid of it quickly and accurately), Barnes, Mitchell

 

[en_force_er]

Also, Shep always seems to find his form pretty quickly after coming back from injury, so I would say its more a matter of will 3 s14 games be enough to warrant selection at 15?

Warranting squad selection and warranting Wallaby 22 selection are different things. I think he should make the squad because he is simply a class act.

If he holds together, that's a big if, I'd like to see him work his way into the 22 through playing for the Oz Barbarians.

 

[Viking]

hmm yes i almost forgot about Shepard, he was my first pick fullback at the start of the year. If he has 3 blinders in the remaining super 14 games he'll definitly be in consideration. He has got a lot of work to do though.

For now (with the assumption hynes is going overseas) my squad is
15-AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14-Mitchell
13-Will Chambers
12-A.Fainga
11-Ioane
10-cooper
9-genia
8-Hodgson/Higgers
7-pocock
6-Rocky
5-sharpe
4-mumm
3-alex
2-TPN
1-benn

Reserves: S Fainger, Weeks, Douglas, Hodgson/Higgers, Halfback, Gits/Barnes, JOC (James O'Connor)

Lots of Reds, cos lets faces it they deserve it! (best backline of the super 14).

I was not keen on putting Barnes into the squad because he has been playing so poorly. However international rugby is a lot different. Cooper will have a lot of pressure on him, and the strategy that the wallabies goes into the games will be a lot different to that of the Reds, The Reds always run it which suits Cooper, He has not done that much kicking this Super 14 season and im doubtful about a game where he needs to find feild position with his boot. Barnes for me is one of the best tactical kickers around, having him in the squad would be good with his boot and his defence.

However I would like to see the wallabies playing a Reds style of game, therefore my first pick (maybe not the smartest as mentions above with Barnes) is A. Fainga!

 

[Scotty]

I think I would prefer Gits to Barnes if that was the choice as 12. We then have a left/right kicking combination, and Giteau can roam wider in attack, like he did in Perth. Just need a big 13 such as Chambers to come inside to offer Cooper the straight runner.

I would also be tempted to have Gits defend at 13, so a more aggressive defender can be close to Cooper.

Having Gits in the side can add further width to our attack, while I don't think Barnes can add much to our attack that Cooper doesn't already have (eg chip kick or cross kick). Barnes has only been average at tactical kicking this year as well, although I admit, much better than Gits.

 

[Blue]

Shep unfortunately is crocked as. he is only there cos there out of options, He has dodgy knees, ankles, hips and muscles to boot.

i think it would be much better to blood JOC (James O'Connor) at fullback if were going to move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (if hynes is heading away, otherwise JOC (James O'Connor) is only in my extended training squad.)

15-AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14-Mitchell
13-Ioane
12-Barnes
11-Turner
10-cooper
9-genia
8-rocky
7-pocock
6-dennis
5-sharpe (would prefer a younger player though, we know what sharpe can do, he can bench it a few games, but in form he deserves it)
4-mumm
3-alex
2-TPN
1-benn

Dennis before Higginbotty would border on insanity.

 

[liquor box]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) while our most consistant wallabies performer last year (with his strong runs/defence) didnt pass the ball that often, and i doubt his offloading capabilities.

Downside of the fend

Chambers seems to have both - fend with the left and one handed back flick pass with the right.

He is also a ball hog though. Hopefully this is just a league hangover and will change.

I think for a flick pass to be effective you also need to be a hog, the suprise element is increased if you are drawing in players because you are "hogging" it

 

[Biffo]

Dennis before Higginbotty would border on insanity.

Yes.

F/N. Blue, Mate, is that OK with you? Not a chapter, not a para, not a sentence, not a clause, just one word. My meaning is clear?

 

[Ruggo]

After Gitau's comments in the media, he shouldn't be let anywhere near a Wallaby jersey regardless of the effect. A. Fainga'a is the man for the 12 jersey. He has been working in defence all season covering Cooper. Why would anybody want to risk breaking the understanding they have between them. He certainly has more heart than Gitau.

1/ Fat Cat
2/ TPN
3/ Alexander
4/ Sharp
5/ Mumm
6/ Higgers
7/ Hodgeson/Pocock
8/ Elsom
9/ Genia
10/Cooper
11/ Digby
12/ a. Fainga'a
13/Chambers
14/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
15/Hynes

16/ Weeks
17/ S. Fainga'a
18/ Douglas/Simmons
19/ Dennis
20/ Burgess
21/ JOC (James O'Connor)
22/ Mitchell/Davies

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has not got me convinced as a 13. the incident over the dissallowed try shoued him to be either greedy or unaware to the players around him. Niether makes a great 13 in my view. He will do good things on the wing. A young lock needs to be in the 22.

 

[Viking]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) while our most consistant wallabies performer last year (with his strong runs/defence) didnt pass the ball that often, and i doubt his offloading capabilities.

Downside of the fend

Chambers seems to have both - fend with the left and one handed back flick pass with the right.

He is also a ball hog though. Hopefully this is just a league hangover and will change.

I think for a flick pass to be effective you also need to be a hog, the suprise element is increased if you are drawing in players because you are "hogging" it

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is more of a Hog then anyone in the team. And what your referring too I wouldnt call it hogging, as a lot of the time the OC will straighten or draw in defenders to create space for their outside man! That is not hogging! Hogging would be not passing to a player who is in a better position then you. Flick passing is far from hogging, take a look at the Reds they are offloading, flick passing more then anyone in the comp and they have been the players who have been playing as a team or more then any of their competition!