Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[en_force_er]

Ioane is a possibility but he is not a good footie play defensively. He can tackle to the cows come home but he doesn't read the opponent's attacking play well - not that he is the Lone Ranger in the Wallaby backline. Park him on the wing and let him chime in and play like a 13 on attack.

I really want to see Mortlock on the wing and Ione at 13. When on 'D' Mortlock can defend the 13 channel.

This allows us to play to both player's strengths and allows Mortlock to play Wallabies, he is a genuine leader and that is just as important as anything else. Morty's career isn't dead, he just isn't being used right. I think friend had the right idea last S14 season.

 

[naza]

Has anybody tipped Huxley to return as a Wallaby this season ? I can see it happening. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is not a natural 15. Mortlock is done. Nobody else is putting their hand up at fullback.

 

[#1 Tah]

what about damien fitzpatrick? been solid back-up for tatafu polota-nau all season

 

[James Buchanan]

what about damien fitzpatrick? been solid back-up for tatafu polota-nau all season

No chance with Moore and probably Fainga'a ahead of him.

Probably will play bench for Aus A though.

 

[steiner]

I'm not as concerned about 13 and fullback as other people. I'm happy with the options at 13. i.e AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne and Digby. Gasnier as a wildcard. Morty's starting to look past it of course, but you never know.
At 15, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and I've got no problems with JOC (James O'Connor), as other people do. Class player who will overcome his faults with time. He's young and will learn, that's obvious, but for some reason people seem to overlook this. Hynes is an option.
If you wanted to take a risk, Quade and Kurtley. These latter two flakey of course, but could be great in attack and they should tighten up somewhat with practice. They'd have to of course. For a more solid option, McCabe's looking good for the Brumbies and has obvious potential, even though presently on the wing.

The main backline conundrum for me is 10. Giteau was always going to be a good 10 under the free-kick ELV, and so it proved, but his star rose and fell with the onset and demise of that law. He has to prove that he has developed the service game to be an effective 10 without the running freedom and faster-paced game that that law provided for. Thus far that has not been the case.
The other main option, Cooper, is still poor in defence, and though he could improve here, will he ever overcome his flakiness and poor decision-making? I'd have my doubts, as others would. Has a great long pass of course, but will he throw it at the right time?

Time is starting to run short before the next WC and Deans can't waste too much more time on Giteau and Cooper if they aren't the best choice. I'd favour To'omua and Ben Lucas as potentially the best 10's to set the backline in motion and make the right decisions. Followed perhaps by L'fano, but none of these players are currently getting game time at 10, which is a problem.

We may see some more experimenting by Deans at the Wallabies this year. Perhaps throw To'omua in to the deep end, see if he swims. Ben Lucas doesn't appear on the radar at the moment, but perhaps that will change.

Robbie may have to make some hard decisions this year and can't waste too much more time in making them.

 

[Pfitzy]

Want to stick a few more line breaks in there steiner?

Carter for 13.

 

[waratahjesus]

I'm not as concerned about 13 and fullback as other people. I'm happy with the options at 13. i.e AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne and Digby. Gasnier as a wildcard. Morty's starting to look past it of course, but you never know.
At 15, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), and I've got no problems with JOC (James O'Connor), as other people do. Class player who will overcome his faults with time. He's young and will learn, that's obvious, but for some reason people seem to overlook this.

i agree he has potential, but he isnt an international class payer for mine currently, question is, will he learn and be better int he next year, cos if not we need to find other options for the world cup

 

[Reddy!]

Another week goes past in the Super 14 and again Cooper puts his hand up for the Wallaby flyhalf position. His combination with Genia would also have some value I imagine.

 

[waratahjesus]

genia, quade, gits combo has to be given a run, it becomes clearer every week.

that said, if he picks a squad of 40 again, its also clear hangers deserves the recognition to at least be in the extended squad and maybe some aus a games.

 

[Epi]

genia, quade, gits combo has to be given a run, it becomes clearer every week.

that said, if he picks a squad of 40 again, its also clear hangers deserves the recognition to at least be in the extended squad and maybe some aus a games.

Agreed.. The backline is obviously Genia, Cooper, Gits, Diggers.

With A. Finger breathing down Git's neck for the 12 spot.

 

[liquor box]

genia, quade, gits combo has to be given a run, it becomes clearer every week.

that said, if he picks a squad of 40 again, its also clear hangers deserves the recognition to at least be in the extended squad and maybe some aus a games.

realistically Gits has to be picked on reputation, but I wonder if Cooper has a better understanding of Barnes at 12?

Gits has not impressed this year so far and is 3rd by my reckoning at 10 so will only be in contention for a 12 spot.

 

[Reddy!]

Whatever they do, I don't want to see Quade at 12. I would prefer him on the bench if he was not going to be the starting flyhalf.

 

[chief]

Robbie Deans is going to have a lot of trouble picking a back line for the Wallabies.

9. Genia
10. Giteau/Cooper/Barnes
11. Hynes/ Ioane/O'Connor/Mitchell
12. Giteau/Cooper/Fiangaa/Lealifano/O'Connor
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Mortlock/Ioane/O'Connor(?)
14. O'Connor/Hynes/Ioane/Mitchell
15. Mitchell/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Hynes/O'Connor

My picks are bolded, yes those picks are virtually no chance of occurring, but from so far, that's who I'd have. That's a backline that would rip some shit up as well.

 

[Epi]

Robbie Deans is going to have a lot of trouble picking a back line for the Wallabies.

9. Genia
10. Giteau/Cooper/Barnes
11. Hynes/ Ioane/O'Connor/Mitchell
12. Giteau/Cooper/Fiangaa/Lealifano/O'Connor
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Mortlock/Ioane/O'Connor(?)
14. O'Connor/Hynes/Ioane/Mitchell
15. Mitchell/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Hynes/O'Connor

My picks are bolded, yes those picks are virtually no chance of occurring, but from so far, that's who I'd have. That's a backline that would rip some shit up as well.

I'd have Frankie in the mix on the wing...

 

[RugbyReg]

pffft backs...

...so young Mr Douglas. Do we throw him into lock? I'd be happy to give it a try. Perhaps Chis on the bench as cover in case it goes tits up. But I'd prefer him at the RWC next year, with a bit more than a couple of games of test rugby under his belt.

 

[Epi]

pffft backs...

...so young Mr Douglas. Do we throw him into lock? I'd be happy to give it a try. Perhaps Chis on the bench as cover in case it goes tits up. But I'd prefer him at the RWC next year, with a bit more than a couple of games of test rugby under his belt.

What about Van the Man... Apparently Robbie doesn't look at birth certificates, and anyway - he's a year younger than Brad Thorn...

 

[spectator]

Much to Noddy's chagrin I will start with a conversation about backs.

The Qld 9-10-12 combo is very compelling. Cooper is head and shoulders ahead of the other 10's in OZ at the moment.I've said it before, Fainga'a is a perfect foil for Cooper, and arguably the best defensive back in the country. Genia picks himself.

Of the young forwards going around, Douglas does deserve to be on the radar but it is early days. Let's watch him go around in a few more S 14 games. Ditto for Jake Schaatz. Love to see the Reds front row get some Aus A recognition.

Higgers might have won himself some brownie points today.

And so as not to appear totally biased, Hodgson has been putting his hand up for a few weeks now.

Finally on the forwards..Holmes was very impressive off the bench for the Reds today.

 

[Lee Grant]

There are a lot of good comments here and some not so good.

People sometimes confuse good form in the Super 14 with probability that such a player will, ipso facto, be the player to pick in a Bledisloe match. You may argue that it's the only thing that you have to go on, and you will be right, but selectors, and especially the head coach, look further. They look at players that have the big game attributes, players that can take a S14 game to big test matches.

We all get it wrong, even the selectors. We need X-factor players, but more than anything we need players who can do the basics well, play with aggression for as much as 80 minutes as is possible, and players who play as well without the ball as with it. Add in another 20 generic attributes here and you get the idea. They include such things as getting off the ground early, backing up players, making team mates look better than they are, and running back into gaps in their teams defensive lines defensive lines.

Such players may not jump out at you but the guys with the clipboards don't miss too many.

I invite people to nominate uncapped players from your team who fit the bill. From the Tahs I nominate Kane Douglas and Rob Horne for the EOYT and to have a big future for Oz.

 

[chief]

With the current situation which is currently going on (success from the 3 Super 14 teams) I think JON should seriously look at Australia A games, and numerous of them. It could only bring on benefits for Fringe players, and with a RWC heading around the corner as well.

 

[en_force_er]

With the current situation which is currently going on (success from the 3 Super 14 teams) I think JON should seriously look at Australia A games, and numerous of them. It could only bring on benefits for Fringe players, and with a RWC heading around the corner as well.

There is two games against England A this year and, if I'm not wrong, a possible game against NZ Maori.