Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[Biffo]

has Mitchell done enough to cement a wing spot? I say yes.

He cemented his wing spot a long while ago.

 

[disco]

im making the call that burgess is going to win us the world cup next year, not genia

If we were asking them to play as a 2nd openside but we're not, Burgess is brilliant in defence but all round he couldn't polish Genia's boots as a halfback.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

with Moore now ruled out with a broken jaw until the tri-nations, it would appear as though Fainga'a will get his chance at a Wallaby jersey. TPN will be starting with Fainga'a on the bench.

You would have to think so. The only other choice would be Edmonds I guess, but Fainga'a should get the nod. Will be good to see him get a run, but loosing Moore is a hell of a blow.

How things change, 2-3 weeks ago the front row stocks were looking alright, now we're scambling for cover with people crocked everywhere.

 

[Lindommer]

Kurtley Beale looks more like a test fullback every week.

How about these backs:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Beale
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Hynes

 

[cyclopath]

Kurtley Beale looks more like a test fullback every week.

How about these backs:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Beale
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Hynes

Works for me.
Good thing is players like Turner, Horne and A Fainga'a are knocking on the door too, and would not be out of place in that reckoning.

 

[AussieDominance]

Wouldn't be surprised if Fitzpatrick got the second hooking spot.

 

[Reddy!]

has Mitchell done enough to cement a wing spot? I say yes.

He cemented his wing spot a long while ago.

Not necessarily, his defence was a bit to be desired mid way through the season. Also with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Digby, Hynes, Turner, Davies as wing options, and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Britney, Hynes and now Beale as fullback options his place in the back 3 wasn't a sure thing, but he has reignited his form in the past weeks like a good player can and now has jumped ahead of the pack.

 

[Reddy!]

Kurtley Beale looks more like a test fullback every week.

How about these backs:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Beale
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Hynes

Works for me.
Good thing is players like Turner, Horne and A Fainga'a are knocking on the door too, and would not be out of place in that reckoning.

Depth! It is looking like there will be quite a few players that are inter-changeable. For example, J'OC could easily come in for Beale in that team, or on the bench. Or Hynes at fullback, Or Barnes at inside etc etc.

Only bad thing about that team is Burgess on the bench, I would be tempted to have J'OC on the bench as well and just hope Genia doesn't get injured or tired, but as I'm sure you will point out to me, that is risky business in test matches.

 

[James Buchanan]

What are people's opinions on L. Turner?

The Tahs wingers have been really solid this year. Mitchell has gained a lot of praise, but Turner has been as good in many areas and better in others. For example, I've noted numerous times where he's been very solid under the high ball.

 

[cyclopath]

I think he has been very good.
His defence, and that of Mitchell of late has been very solid, and they are doing the things wingers should do.

 

[Langthorne]

has Mitchell done enough to cement a wing spot? I say yes.

He cemented his wing spot a long while ago.

Not necessarily, his defence was a bit to be desired mid way through the season. Also with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Digby, Hynes, Turner, Davies as wing options, and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Britney, Hynes and now Beale as fullback options his place in the back 3 wasn't a sure thing, but he has reignited his form in the past weeks like a good player can and now has jumped ahead of the pack.

Davies is fast, but his defence is the worst of the lot. His would have to be a long way down the pecking order.
I would expect to see all of those guys in a 30 man squad (Davies as a maybe).

The big thing Beale and O'Conor have got is that they can play pretty much anywhere in the backline.

13 is still up in the air in terms of guys who have been playing there in the s14. There is the option of putting Ioane or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in there, and it will be interesting to see if Deans gives Horne a run (depending on how he goes for the rest of the season in terms of form and injuries).

 

[mark_s]

Kurtley Beale looks more like a test fullback every week.

How about these backs:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Beale
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Hynes

This seems to be the most attacking backline that we can come up with, but does it have the right balance? Looks to weighted to light weight attacking players to me. Who is going to make that 3-4 mtres against a set defensive line that will give us time to clear the ball?

 

[Newb]

Kurtley Beale looks more like a test fullback every week.

How about these backs:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Beale
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Hynes

This seems to be the most attacking backline that we can come up with, but does it have the right balance? Looks to weighted to light weight attacking players to me. Who is going to make that 3-4 mtres against a set defensive line that will give us time to clear the ball?

sharpe. the outside outside centre :sharpe:

 

[cyclopath]

Kurtley Beale looks more like a test fullback every week.

How about these backs:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Beale
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Hynes

This seems to be the most attacking backline that we can come up with, but does it have the right balance? Looks to weighted to light weight attacking players to me. Who is going to make that 3-4 mtres against a set defensive line that will give us time to clear the ball?

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Ioane have no problem making metres, and Mitchell too has been getting forward well even in contact. Add Seagull Sharpey, and TPN and BA from up front and they should be OK. I think a bit of flair might be the edge we need.

 

[Biffo]

Kurtley Beale looks more like a test fullback every week.

How about these backs:

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Beale
20. Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Hynes

Works for me.
Good thing is players like Turner, Horne and A Fainga'a are knocking on the door too, and would not be out of place in that reckoning.

Works for me, too. I'd add Chambers as knocking on the door.

Don't forget the two "Barbarians" games. To'omua, Turner, Horne, Fainga'a, Halangahu, T. Carter, Chambers, Davies (if fit), Leiliifano (when does he recover?), McCabe, J. Turner and maybe even Inman can be given starts in those two games. Some could also be on the bench against the Fijians, poms and Irish.

 

[Spook]

I'd stick Horne (fucking awesome against Canes) or Chambers at 13. We have 2 good 13s, why not play them? Keep AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in the back 3.

 

[TOCC]

Horne was fantastic against the Hurricanes, such exceptional footwork but he still maintains a hard running style

 

[RugbyReg]

My current assuming injuries rule out Robinson, Horwill, Moore, Simmons, Kepu, Lealiifano.

This is for the first test v Fiji.

15 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 Mitchell
13 Chambers
12 Giteau
11 Hynes
10 Barnes
9 Genia
8 Elsom
7 Pocock
6 Higginbotham
5 Sharpe
4 Mumm
3 Weeks
2 TPN
1 Alexander

16 Fainga'a S
17 Maafu
18 Douglas
19 Hodgson
20 Burgess
21 Cooper
22 JOC (James O'Connor)

Meaning my Aust A team v Eng would be something like

15 Beale
14 Davies
13 Horne
12 Fainga'a A
11 Turner
10 To'omua (although perhaps U20 players won't be available? so perhaps Dan H if so)
9 Valentine
8 Brown
7 Waugh
6 Schatz
5 Humphries
4 McCalman
3 Fairbrother
2 Whitaker
1 Daley

16 Fitzpatrick
17 Holmes G
18 Dennis
19 Houston
20 Holmes
21 Dan H (or Mitch Inman)
22 Pat McCabe.

 

[Reddy!]

Agree with Cyclopath, there are enough big runners in there. Genia is huge for a small guy. Cooper is quite a big flyhalf (when compared to Gits and Barnes). AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mitchell, Ioane are all big runners.

 

[Lindommer]

No Q cooper, Nod? Will he be viewing these games from Boggo Road?