Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[topo]

Agree with the above team. Mind you, despite being a Fainga'a fan (both of them) for many years ( I first saw them playing for ACT in NSW state champs in 2001 when they were 14) I wouldn't have put Anthony at IC before last night. However that performance erased any doubts. He is the goods. And so is his brother. And I suspect the little brother is, as well.

 

[Viking]

At the moment id have the exact same team as Reddy but a different bench.

1. Robinson 2.Polota-Nau 3. Alexander

4. Sharpe 5. Mumm

6. Higgers 7. Pocock
8. Elsom

9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Fainga'a 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
11. Ioane 14. Mitchell

15. Hynes

Bench: Moore, Baxter, Douglas or Simmons, Hodgson, Giteau, Will Chambers, O'Connor

You had 3 inside centres with O'connor/barnes/Giteau. Id be disappointed If Barnes was in the 22. So Id put Will Chambers on the bench he can cover wing and outside centre this covers all the backline. Also have a younger lock for development, who evers in better form gets the pick. Wouldnt mind if Hodgson starts over pocock, this also should come down to who is in better form at the time.

 

[en_force_er]

I love how tough so many players are making picking a Wallaby 22. There is more depth this year, which is terrific, but in the end 22 players win the game. Anyway, my picks:

1. Alexander 2.Polota-Nau 3. Weeks

4. Sharpe 5. Mumm

6. Higgers 7. Pocock
8. Elsom

9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Giteau 13. Hynes
11. Ioane 14. Mitchell

15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

Bench: Moore, Robinson, Douglas or Chisholm, O'Young, Giteau, Chambers, Davies

I'll go through the more controversial selections:

Robinson for Weeks. Robbo seems off the money this year, through carrying an injury I think, and with Alexander playing LH (and well) Weeks deserves first crack. Robbo does deserve bench time though and a chance to re-stake his claim to a starting spot.

Higgs at 6. Some would say Rock should play flank but Higgs has been good this year. Rocky to go 8 on attacking scrums and 6 on defensive scrums. This would allow Rocky to do what he is best at on attack and defense and give Higgs the chance to step up. You heard it first here.

Hynes at 13. Certainly outlandish but he has played 13 in his younger days and I think you want your Mr.Reliable defending at 13. Realistically it doesn't matter who ends up where on attack with 3 possible fullbacks, 3 possible OCs and 2 possible 5/8s in the side. This flexible back line would play well into Deans' high tempo playing style.

So, what do you guys think?

 

[chief]

Hynes at 13 has some merit, it really depends what type of game Robbie wants to play. Attacking football would suit Hynes at 15, while conservative rugby would certainly suit AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). When it comes to broken play I think Hynes is the best attacker in the world. He looks so dangerous, illusive and powerful and he provides such a threat for the opposition. Anyways my two cents.

Interesting, no O'Connor on the bench, just an error?

 

[Cutter]

I love how tough so many players are making picking a Wallaby 22. There is more depth this year, which is terrific, but in the end 22 players win the game. Anyway, my picks:

1. Alexander 2.Polota-Nau 3. Weeks

4. Sharpe 5. Mumm

6. Higgers 7. Pocock
8. Elsom

9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Giteau 13. Hynes
11. Ioane 14. Mitchell

15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

Bench: Moore, Robinson, Douglas or Chisholm, O'Young, Giteau, Chambers, Davies

I'll go through the more controversial selections:

Robinson for Weeks. Robbo seems off the money this year, through carrying an injury I think, and with Alexander playing LH (and well) Weeks deserves first crack. Robbo does deserve bench time though and a chance to re-stake his claim to a starting spot.

Higgs at 6. Some would say Rock should play flank but Higgs has been good this year. Rocky to go 8 on attacking scrums and 6 on defensive scrums. This would allow Rocky to do what he is best at on attack and defense and give Higgs the chance to step up. You heard it first here.

Hynes at 13. Certainly outlandish but he has played 13 in his younger days and I think you want your Mr.Reliable defending at 13. Realistically it doesn't matter who ends up where on attack with 3 possible fullbacks, 3 possible OCs and 2 possible 5/8s in the side. This flexible back line would play well into Deans' high tempo playing style.

So, what do you guys think?

Your most controversial selection is stacking the bench with 4 backs. Then Hynes at 13. I see merit in the Weeks argument. Robinson isnt in top form.

Hynes at 13 has some merit, it really depends what type of game Robbie wants to play. Attacking football would suit Hynes at 15, while conservative rugby would certainly suit AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). When it comes to broken play I think Hynes is the best attacker in the world. He looks so dangerous, illusive and powerful and he provides such a threat for the opposition. Anyways my two cents.

Interesting, no O'Connor on the bench, just an error?

I don't think you watch enough world rugby.

 

[Biffo]

When it comes to broken play I think Hynes is the best attacker in the world.

Better than Ioane?

 

[Viking]

Hynes at 13 does nothing for me. Like you mentioned his main attacking weapon is in broken play. He gets this most at fullback. I really dont see Hynes in a wallabies jersey unless its at fullback. I think he's a smart player who knows when to inject himself and what gaps to run for. He's also been the best attacking fullback so far this year, more so then even AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Defensively Hynes will be good anywhere in the backline, but in attack he is best utilised at fullback. I wouldnt consider him for wing position as their is just too many aus wingers who are more capable of finishing tries quicker.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) though is a work horse and would be effective anywhere, so why wouldnt you stick him at OC or even wing. OC allows him to defensively put on those big hits which he cant do at fullback. Also gives him more crash ball which he's great at too. Only negative i can find for him at OC is his lack in offloading which would give Chambers or Horne merit for the position.

I want to see players in form being picked for the wallabies so i want to see Hynes as the wallabies fullback, His kicking is not that bad to discourage a starting spot. However that being said If I had to choose between AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Hynes I would have to go with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). He is class. But luckily because of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s versatility we dont have to choose between them, we can have both! Hynes fullback, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) outside centre/wing.

 

[Spook]

When it comes to broken play I think Hynes is the best attacker in the world.

Better than Ioane?

or Sivivatu, Williams, Poitrenaud, Rokocoko(in form)? Hynes has never been a standout at international level when attacking. Good solid player though.

 

[chief]

When it comes to broken play I think Hynes is the best attacker in the world.

Better than Ioane?

or Sivivatu, Williams, Poitrenaud, Rokocoko(in form)? Hynes has never been a standout at international level when attacking. Good solid player though.

I stand by my call, Sivivatu has been nothing on Hynes this year, from what I've seen in the Heineken Cup and the Magners, Williams has been less than impressive. Rokocoko has just found his form which he really hasn't had for some time.

 

[Spook]

When it comes to broken play I think Hynes is the best attacker in the world.

Better than Ioane?

or Sivivatu, Williams, Poitrenaud, Rokocoko(in form)? Hynes has never been a standout at international level when attacking. Good solid player though.

I stand by my call, Sivivatu has been nothing on Hynes this year, from what I've seen in the Heineken Cup and the Magners, Williams has been less than impressive. Rokocoko has just found his form which he really hasn't had for some time.

If you are talking about best in the world (which you are), then ability at test level is what you judge the player on. Williams had a good 6Ns. Hynes has scored 4 tries from 22 caps. Not a good return for a winger. He has been solid but not spectacular. I can't recall him turning a match for Oz either (which someone like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has done more than once). Hynes should be in the Wallaby 15 though.

By the way, Sivivatu cut up the Reds this year.

 

[DPK]

When it comes to broken play I think Hynes is the best attacker in the world.

Better than Ioane?

or Sivivatu, Williams, Poitrenaud, Rokocoko(in form)? Hynes has never been a standout at international level when attacking. Good solid player though.

James O'Connor is also dangerous in broken play.

 

[Godfrey]

I probably rate JOC (James O'Connor) as one of our best in broken play.

 

[DPK]

Hynes is good, dont get me wrong, but he seems to wander a lot.

What annoys me is we dont really have a winger that will just back themselves for pace. The Wallabies dont have a winger who believes he's the fastest player on the field and goes for gold.

 

[fatprop]

Just updating my guesses

Assuming they pick a squad

LHP
Robinson
KepuAlexander

THP
Alexander
Baxter
Weekes

Hooker
TPN
Moore

Locks
Sharpe
Mumm
Chisolm
Hockings Douglas

6s
Elsom
Mowen
Higgenbottom

7s
Hodgson
Pocock

8s
PaluElsom
Higgenbottom
9s
Genia
Burgess or Sheehan (if he continues to keep his discipline)


10s
Cooper
Gits

12s
JOC (James O'Connor)
Barnes

13s
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Cross
Horne or Chambers

Back Three
Ioane
Hynes
Mitchell
Turner

 

[Spook]

Baxter, Chisolm and Turner will be under threat in that list.

 

[fatprop]

Baxter, Chisolm and Turner will be under threat in that list.

Agreed

Baxter got really owned in the first two scrums last week (Crockett did it again this week to the Cheetahs who have been really solid this year) but the the other props have been no better.
Chisolm to me is still one of the best TH locks around in Aus, but needs a lineout specialist 2m unit with him for balance.
Turner hasn't got that many opportunities this season but has been pretty consistent with everything except his kicking (like Mitchell) his workrate is bloody good though

 

[DPK]

These predictions will be much easier next week after the Tah's take on the Brumbies, maybe we should just wait until then. :nta:

 

[Scotty]

Hynes is good, dont get me wrong, but he seems to wander a lot.

What annoys me is we dont really have a winger that will just back themselves for pace. The Wallabies dont have a winger who believes he's the fastest player on the field and goes for gold.

Rod Davies. Not that I'd pick him for the Wallabies, but he is the winger that is the fastest player on the field.

His defence has also really improved this season.

 

[DPK]

Hynes is good, dont get me wrong, but he seems to wander a lot.

What annoys me is we dont really have a winger that will just back themselves for pace. The Wallabies dont have a winger who believes he's the fastest player on the field and goes for gold.

Rod Davies. Not that I'd pick him for the Wallabies, but he is the winger that is the fastest player on the field.

His defence has also really improved this season.

Yep, thanks for reminding me. He does back himself (eg against Crusaders) but I wonder whether this is trained out of them or they just lose that belief at the Test level. See, Lachlan Turner used to back himself for pace, but I havent seen him really put his head down to get to the line for a while for the Tah's, let alone the Wallabies.

If your a speedster winger and you dont use your speed, what are you doing, really?

 

[Scotty]

I think it is called playing rugby league.