Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[chief]

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 .................

Noddy when you say for the Fiji test do you mean that it should be the best performing team?

If so, I have issues with Chambers selection (in due season his time will come), Hodgson should edge Elsom for the #8 spot, moving Elsom to 6 and Higginbotham on the bench. Mumm there I have to disagree with, way to many penalties, certainly not ready for Tri-Nations Rugby. I'd rather Cooper-Barnes, or Barnes-Cooper, but Giteau really fucks that plan up. However just my opinion. I think JOC (James O'Connor) deserves a starting run somewhere too possibly AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 13, and JOC (James O'Connor) at 15.

Attention to all those people who think Beale deserves first shot at Wallaby fullback, he does not. He has not yet proved himself any further than what Hynes has done. He has not been the outstanding fullback of the Australian teams, JOC (James O'Connor) and Hynes have. Don't jump the gun lads, Aus A for Beale. However, if performance persists, then call the boy up I say.

 

[#1 Tah]

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

me neither and the selectors like him, he was schoolboy captain

 

[chief]

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

me neither and the selectors like him, he was schoolboy captain

schoolboy captain will have nothing to do with his selection. Faainga by a mile for the 2nd Hooker Spot.

 

[Ruggo]

Fainga'a for 2nd hooking spot. Fitzpatrick has not had the game time to stake a claim.

 

[en_force_er]

1. Fainga'a
2. Edmonds
3. Fitzpatrick

Those are my preferences in order to get the 2nd hooker spot.

 

[RugbyReg]

Its effectively what I think is the best team for test footy.

I think Chambers is the best option for 13. Only other options are Cross or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). If we move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) we need to find a fullback, and from there the only options are JOC (James O'Connor), Beale or Hynes. In the end I would prefer Chambers in the test team above these lads.

And I have Cooper on the bench Lindo.

 

[cyclopath]

Is Higgers OK? Looked to be pretty sore with that ankle last night. I was not happy to see that - I really like what he's been doing lately.
Hard to argue with that team except maybe switch Hynes and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), but they interchange on field a bit anyway I suspect.
Chief - Mumm has done plenty to be there, and I don't think his penalty count has been noticeably higher than anyone else. Correct me with the dreaded stats if I am wrong!! You are right about Beale being prematurely hyped (again). But at least this time, he seems to have found his better position, and to give him credit, he is improving in defence all the time. In time, he could be a superb 15 I think. Aus A would be the perfect spot.
Noddy's Aus A backline could seriously carve up!!

 

[farva]

Daley/Cowen (With Fatcat down we have a weakness here)
TPN
Alexander (He has been a penalty machine at LH, lets get him back to TH under Noriega where he belongs)
Mumm
Sharpe
Hodgson
Pocock
Elsom

Genia
Cooper
Ioane
Giteau
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Mitchell
JOC (James O'Connor)

Fingers
Weeks
Douglas/Simmons
Higgenbotham
Sheehan
Beale/Barnes
Hynes

 

[Brumbies Guy]

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

me neither and the selectors like him, he was schoolboy captain

Saia captained a game of Aust schools too.. and was captain of the world cup winning U19's

 

[fatprop]

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

me neither and the selectors like him, he was schoolboy captain

Saia captained a game of Aust schools too.. and was captain of the world cup winning U19's

and has shown this year he is the 3rd best hooker in the country. He clearly deserves his chance.

 

[tranquility]

without once ounce of doubt.

 

[disco]

I think Chambers is the best option for 13. Only other options are Cross or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

I don't know Noddy I really like Rob Horne he is very quick & is a brilliant defender, I think it's a position we have some good depth in ATM.

I would be happy to see any of Chambers, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne or Ioane line up at 13 against any opposition.

Our biggest area of concern is back up halfback, who is 1st choice fullback & who will be our starting #8.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, sorry, you are right. No way I should leave Horne out as an option.

In my eyes, if the decision is made to leave AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at the back, then its only between Chambers and Horne.


...



...

maybe Digby I guess...

 

[Scotty]

Good chance that Digby will be picked at 13 if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is played at the back. Hynes and Mitchell deserve selection along with Digby and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), it is just where they put them.

Personally, I'd have AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 and Hynes at fullback, with Mitchell and Ioane on the wings.

 

[chief]

It's going to be hard pressed to select someone. Mitchell's had a few good games, but I don't know if he should be starting for the Wallabies. As he's played good against some pretty shitty teams.

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

Reds back 3 have owned the Tahs back 3 for pretty much every game this year. Not doing this to start a war either. JOC (James O'Connor) and Hynes have been the performing fullbacks. Anyone's guess for this team.

 

[Aussie D]

Serious question. Why is everyone automatically assuming Gitteau will be the 12? His form this year has been average and he has failed to turn up in all the big games the Brumbies have played (IMHO)?

 

[chief]

Serious question. Why is everyone automatically assuming Gitteau will be the 12? His form this year has been average and he has failed to turn up in all the big games the Brumbies have played (IMHO)?

2003-2008 form.

 

[#1 Tah]

It's going to be hard pressed to select someone. Mitchell's had a few good games, but I don't know if he should be starting for the Wallabies. As he's played good against some pretty shitty teams.

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

Reds back 3 have owned the Tahs back 3 for pretty much every game this year. Not doing this to start a war either. JOC (James O'Connor) and Hynes have been the performing fullbacks. Anyone's guess for this team.

9. Burgess
10. Barnes
11. Mitchell
12. Carter
13. Horne
14. Turner
15. Beale
20. Holmes
21. Halangahu
22. Sidey.

How about that?

the Tahs back 3 have scored the most tries out of any team's back 3 this year. My Matchday 22

1. Kepu
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Mumm
5. Sharpe
6. Rock
7. Pockock
8. Hodgson
9. Genia
10. Gits/Barnes
11. Mitchell
12. Barnes/Gits
13. Horne
14. Turner
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

16. Freier/Fitzpatrick
17. Ma'afu
18. Douglas
19. Waugh
20. Burgess
21. Beale
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

Cooper will play against fiji then watch the rest of the games from behind bars.

 

[Biffo]

Attention to all those people who think Beale deserves first shot at Wallaby fullback.

Can you please give me a reference to "all those people"? I have not seen, heard, read or dreamed of anyone claiming Beale should have first crack at Wallaby fullback.

 

[Biffo]

We may be missing a few things here. First, let's look at what's ahead for the Wallabies: (1) the warm-up games against the Fijians, poms and Irish (2) Australia A rings-in against the poms (3) the 3N (4) the spring tour of Asia and Europe.

IMO, the very clear objectives for the year should be (A) a very settled Wallaby squad having completed a rampaging tour of Europe in November - and thus being the RWC squad in waiting (B) all candidates for the Wallabies in 2011 having been thoroughly tested (get the pun?) and ranked.

Those being the objectives, the first four games for the Wallabies and two for the rings-in should be used to rest those players who need recuperation (Rocky, Potato-Wau and a few others), to give the young guns (and there are, praise be to Robbie D, many) opportunities to be tested and to form and tune the squad for the 3N. IMO, the last is the least important.

I would choose my squads and teams from within them with all those principles branded into my thinking.