Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!
- Thread starter Viking
- Start date
- Status
Ruggo said:
No argument from me. It now makes Saia's decision to up stumps and move to Brisbane in search of a starting spot look good and Fitzy's decision to turn down the Force offer and chance his arm in Sydney against TPN and Freier look not-so-wise. I realise he's a bit younger than Saia and Perth's a bloody long way from home but there are opportunities in life which must be grasped in order to advance. In my book Fitzy's good enough to be a starting Super hooker, he just has to find a team.
As I read it the Fingers moved to Brisbane because the Brumbies didn't rate Anthony and they insisted on a two-Finger deal, is that correct? And the Brumbies are/were supposed to be the smartest rugby franchise in Australia. :nta: :nta: :nta:
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
Biffo said:
understand your point biffo, but ive never seen an australian team fire early int here season with one or two players changing, i dont think resting the majority of the first 15 early on will do us that good, the mid week matches against england and on the europe tour are for that, test matches should be for the australian 15 that deans thinks is going to be his best, if your resting people, you start the reseves not outsiders.
i also think its really disrespectful of fiji to suggest we dont treat them as a full team, sure there not going to be the strongest fijian team on earth but come world cup if we did that to them they would touch us up.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/forum/index.php/topic,10399.0.html
If you guys want, but I guess this discussion is fine here too.
If you guys want, but I guess this discussion is fine here too.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/inform-edmonds-states-his-case-for-selection-on-wallabies-bench-20100515-v5fq.html
This article raises a good point, he would be a good option.
As a starting hooker I wouldn't pick him ahead of Saia but off the bench for 15 he brings something special to the table.
This article raises a good point, he would be a good option.
As a starting hooker I wouldn't pick him ahead of Saia but off the bench for 15 he brings something special to the table.
S
skullring
Guest
:kurtley: :kurtley: :kurtley: :kurtley: :kurtley: Kurtley Beale for the utility back bench spot!!
I never thought I would say this either.. But he deserves it.
I never thought I would say this either.. But he deserves it.
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
en_force_er said:
I would pick him ahead of Saia Fainga'a.
Wayne Smith's teams in The Australian today:
Test XV: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Daley.
Midweek XV: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Will Chambers, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 Al Baxter.
Don't know if I agree with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wing, for me he's at either 15 or 13; same for Hynes and Ioane, what're their best positions? Chambers and Davies would have to consider themselves lucky to snag a spot in front of Turner. But what I like about WS's thinking is the potential for some of these blokes to rise under Deans' tutelage, Beale, Horne, Houston, Higginbotham, Douglas and S Fainga'a will/should show massive improvement this year. But JOC (James O'Connor)? He's had a gifted run the last few years but I'm still not convinced he's a test player, I'd rather see A Fainga'a given a go at inside centre.
Cameron Shepherd's injury this year couldn't've been worse timed.
Test XV: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Daley.
Midweek XV: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Will Chambers, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 Al Baxter.
Don't know if I agree with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wing, for me he's at either 15 or 13; same for Hynes and Ioane, what're their best positions? Chambers and Davies would have to consider themselves lucky to snag a spot in front of Turner. But what I like about WS's thinking is the potential for some of these blokes to rise under Deans' tutelage, Beale, Horne, Houston, Higginbotham, Douglas and S Fainga'a will/should show massive improvement this year. But JOC (James O'Connor)? He's had a gifted run the last few years but I'm still not convinced he's a test player, I'd rather see A Fainga'a given a go at inside centre.
Cameron Shepherd's injury this year couldn't've been worse timed.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Not a bad team by wayne smith. I dont think Kurtley deserves a starting spot he has played well late in the season while other players have played consistently throughout the whole season and have already proven themselves at international level eg. Hynes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Ioane. I also agrue Brown at 8 when hodgson and higgers are playing so well and bring more to the table.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
totally agree scotty! however i think we gotta throw in a fresh outside centre in Rob Horne or Will Chamber. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) considers himself a fullback now and Digby is a runner not a distributor. Plus the two havent played much at outside centre this year. Its a real worry in my eyes but its got to be done, chuck in horne/chambers at 13. This should really be the only spot which calls for a new wallaby bolter that hasnt entirely proven himself.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Chief,
That is not correct. The Reds back three have had the advantage of playing outside Cooper and Genia, so tend to get their hands on the ball more, and also they have a game plan to run the ball, but IMO they still haven't 'owned' the Tahs back three. Mitchell is arguably the form winger of the comp, Turner has been defending well and doing the odd brilliant thing, and Beale has looked more like and international winger every week he plays.
Mitchell would be my first choice wallaby winger, Ioane my second, but Davies or Turner could still do the job. Hynes would just edge Beale at the moment, but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would edge both.
topo
Cyril Towers (30)
LHP looks to be the problem for me in both sides.
Daley is not up to it yet. He still gets monstered against the better THPs and I think scrummaging is one area where there is a big step up from S14 to Test matches. I suspect he will get there, but needs at least another year or 2.
Baxter has only played LHP very rarely and never successfully. Forget it. He's a THP or he's not there.
For the top side my preference would be BA at LHP and Weeks (if fit) at THP. If Weeks is not fit Salesi Ma'afu for THP.
For the midweek side Kepu (should be fit by then, it was only supposed to be a 4 week injury) at LHP or Daley if he isn't fit. THP could Ma'afu or the Fuse.
Daley is not up to it yet. He still gets monstered against the better THPs and I think scrummaging is one area where there is a big step up from S14 to Test matches. I suspect he will get there, but needs at least another year or 2.
Baxter has only played LHP very rarely and never successfully. Forget it. He's a THP or he's not there.
For the top side my preference would be BA at LHP and Weeks (if fit) at THP. If Weeks is not fit Salesi Ma'afu for THP.
For the midweek side Kepu (should be fit by then, it was only supposed to be a 4 week injury) at LHP or Daley if he isn't fit. THP could Ma'afu or the Fuse.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Seb V said:
Fair enough Seb. One of these two have the potential to be the next great Wallaby 13. The concern is that Horne may be injured for much of his career. While Horne is the better all round footballer at the moment, Chambers exponential improvement has been impressive. If he keeps going at that rate he could turn into something special.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
I'd be happy to see a Ma'afu/Alexander combo for the top side, and Weekes/Daley for the B side. I'd be putting Le Fuse out to pasture.
Then again if Deans wants to have Alexander at 3 when Robbo comes back, he should probably keep him there in the Wallabies and find some alternate LHPs.
Then again if Deans wants to have Alexander at 3 when Robbo comes back, he should probably keep him there in the Wallabies and find some alternate LHPs.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Guys,
Every time Greg Holmes has played this year he has done well. He is nowhere near as good as he should be, due to the injury setbacks he has gone through, but I think if he was put into the Wob Squad he'd get back on track. His cause is helped by the ridiculous amount of front-rower injuries that potential Wallabys have picked up.
No, I'm not suggesting he start, or even bench, for the Wallaby's but if he had a good stint under their terrific coaching regime the Wobs have the things he'd learn and the confidence he'd gain could lead to a serious shot at a WC spot.
Just an opinion.
Every time Greg Holmes has played this year he has done well. He is nowhere near as good as he should be, due to the injury setbacks he has gone through, but I think if he was put into the Wob Squad he'd get back on track. His cause is helped by the ridiculous amount of front-rower injuries that potential Wallabys have picked up.
No, I'm not suggesting he start, or even bench, for the Wallaby's but if he had a good stint under their terrific coaching regime the Wobs have the things he'd learn and the confidence he'd gain could lead to a serious shot at a WC spot.
Just an opinion.
- Status