Wallaby Watch 2014

[SammyP]

No strong goal kicker is a concern. Its gunna be either Foley, White, or Lealifano. Foley and White are pretty fresh and untested, Lealifano off form.

BEALE!!!!!! lol jk

 

[Dumbledore]

I reckon is Palu starts we'll see Higgers on the bench as a change of pace type reserve. McCalman has been the better player over the course of the season, but I reckon he might be seen either as a starter or not in the 23.

 

[BDA]

I'm hoping Beale is being consider as a back 10 / bench player, with Foley as the go to guy.

For the world cup our 10s might be Foley and Cooper, with Beale providing coverage. The only good thing about Beale being named at 10 is that we wont see him at 12 and I think it makes more sense for Foley to be pick in front of him at 10.

 

[Westie]

Interesting that we've gone from picking wingers to having a bunch of utility backs, Cummins excepted.

On the 10/12 allocations

Maybe McKenzie wants to build on the shape to the wallaby game from last year and having To'omua (Lilo if injured) at 12 outside Foley (Beale if injured) is the way he wants to play it.

That gives him robust defence/carries and ball-playing/kicking options at 12 with some spark at 10.

To'omua has earned next crack.

 

[cyclopath]

I think also Benn Robinson.

I also think the squad would miss his extensive experience at the RWC - just being in the squad.

We are clearly astute fellas!

 

[bleedgold]

I wouldn't argue with either AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Fardy given the role temporarily either.

BUT why would we want a temporary captain 18 months out from a RWC?

Let's lock in Hoops or Squeeky and let them lead us to a RWC triumph!

 

[BDA]

I think again the likes of McCabe and Horne being named as back three players probably means they are seen as bench options that will provide cover for the outside backs + centre

 

[Braveheart81]

Interesting that we've gone from picking wingers to having a bunch of utility backs, Cummins excepted.

I think it's out of necessity more than anything else.

Speight isn't eligible, Tomane, Betham, CFS are all injured.

Tomane would have definitely been in the squad if fit in my opinion.

 

[BDA]

Just because Benn Robinson isn't in this squad doesn't mean he wont be in the WC. He wasn't picked first up last year either, but he finished the year in the starting side. Link knows what he offers. Hopefully it will motivate him to up his game

 

[Westie]

Just because Benn Robinson isn't in this squad doesn't mean he wont be in the WC. He wasn't picked first up last year either, but he finished the year in the starting side. Link knows what he offers. Hopefully it will motivate him to up his game

Lose the man boobs and stop adjusting the headgear while his teammates hit rucks and he's a chance.

 

[Joe Blow]

BUT why would we want a temporary captain 18 months out from a RWC?

Let's lock in Hoops or Squeeky and let them lead us to a RWC triumph!

Squeaky for sure with Hooper the deputy

 

[Richo]

Richo, it is pretty deep. Carter is tipped to miss out for example.

Deep, but unproven. We have loads of guys who MIGHT be great in stepping up, but we don't know.

Anyway, I was wrong. Good set of locks, IMO.

 

[Viking]

Squeaky for sure with Hooper the deputy

@bleedgold

Why? Because..... David Pocock!

 

[Hawko]

Surely Link would play To'omua at 10 ahead of Beale...

Surely....

Surely not! The Wallaby gameplan requires an expansive 10 and a conservative 12, as we saw on the last EOYT. The Brumbies gameplan requires a conservative 10 and 12, as we have seen this year. So, To'omua is first choice 10 for the Brumbies but first choice 12 for the Wallabies. Based on the EOYT I would imagine To'omua was almost the first one picked, even before Folau.

The players I feel sorry for are Lilo and McCabe. Had the Brumbies not continued with Jakeball, they could have played Lilo 10, To'omua 12 and given Lilo free rein at 10. Had they done so, Lilo would have been first choice 10 before Beale and Foley if he reproduced his 2012 form. But his skillset is not a good fit for a conservative 12 and when he plays it you can see he's not naturally comfortable with it.

You have to feel sorry for McCabe. Can't get a start at Canberra and still makes the Wallaby squad. I doubt he got much sleep in the last couple of nights.

 

[Richo]

I really don't understand the logic of releasing the team before the press conference starts.

Something something something social media strategy.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

I think he picked the wrong force prop should have been longbottom

 

[Richo]

Hodgo

Always good to have the captain spend 70 minutes on the bench -- if he even makes the match day side.

 

[Benaud]

I assume for captain they want someone likely to start in the WC.

Hooper being the youngest player in the squad probably doesn't help his chances. He's also a decent chance of being usurped in his position by Pocock next year too. The plus side of that is if he is usurped by Pocock, he'll probably be the captain so it'll be a simple replacement. I like the idea of naming whichever one ends up on the bench as vice captain too!

Moore is really the only other option but he'll probably only play 50-60 mins most games.

 

[lewisr]

I wouldnt read too much into those 'listed positions' that the ARU put up. Unless Link named the squad like that in the press conference?

They just seem to fuck that up all the time. I remember them having photos of james slipper as Quade Cooper and other weird positional crap last year.

Pretty fair squad I think, no real surprises and some reward for good form mixed with incumbency.

 

[Viking]

I assume for captain they want someone likely to start in the WC.

Hooper being the youngest player in the squad probably doesn't help his chances. He's also a decent chance of being usurped in his position by Pocock next year too.

There is also a good chance Gill could surpass him. Just because he is the best in his position today doesn't mean we should lock him in for the next 2 years, especially with the 7 jersey having so many good candidates. Even Colby has a small chance to surpass him.