Deans tries a sanchez
The Wallabies squad to take out the 2009 Tri-Nations was announced today. It’s largely the same as the existing squad with just a few changes.
In case you live under a rock (or just outside of Australia) the previously highest paid man in Australian rugby – Lote Tuqiri – is out having been arsed by the ARU just yesterday. Rather than draft in another outside back, Deans has beefed up the ranks of the back row, slotting the much awaited Rocky Elsom (still with dodgy knee) and Wycliff Palu (fully fit) back into the squad.
This gives Deans 9 back-rowers to choose from. As Dingo enjoyed 3 opensides on at once, fuck it, why not just have the pack made out of back rowers and put George Smith at 9 like Marto fantasises about?
The other big change is the arseholing of Josh Valentine for SANCHEZ Will Genia. As Juan Cote pointed out in an earlier post, this has been on the cards for a while, with Valentine getting only 10 minutes game time through the warm up test period. Along with Pek Cowan and Matt Hodgson, this will be another new cap inclusion for the Wallabies, and based on his S14 form, a well deserved one.
Wallabies squad for 2009 Tri-Nations
| NAME | POSITION | SUPER 14 TEAM | AGE | CAPS |
| Ben Alexander | Prop | Brumbies | 24 | 7 |
| Adam Ashley-Cooper | Fullback-Wing | Brumbies | 25 | 26 |
| Berrick Barnes | Inside centre-Flyhalf | Queensland Reds | 22 | 16 |
| Al Baxter | Prop | NSW Waratahs | 32 | 66 |
| Richard Brown | No 8/Loose Forward | Western Force | 24 | 7 |
| Luke Burgess | Halfback | NSW Waratahs | 25 | 14 |
| Quade Cooper | Flyhalf | Queensland Reds | 21 | 5 |
| Pekahou Cowan | Prop | Western Force | 22 | 1 |
| Ryan Cross | Centre | Western Force | 29 | 13 |
| Rocky Elsom | Flanker | Brumbies | 26 | 40 |
| Will Genia | Halfback | Queensland Reds | 21 | Uncapped |
| Matt Giteau | Flyhalf | Western Force | 26 | 67 |
| Matt Hodgson | Loose forward | Western Force | 27 | Uncapped |
| James Horwill | Lock | Queensland Reds | 23 | 13 |
| Peter Hynes | Wing | Queensland Reds | 26 | 14 |
| Peter Kimlin | Lock | Brumbies | 23 | 1 |
| Drew Mitchell | Wing/Fullback | Western Force | 25 | 31 |
| Stephen Moore | Hooker | Brumbies | 26 | 35 |
| Stirling Mortlock | Centre | Brumbies | 31 | 78 |
| Dean Mumm | Lock/Loose Forward | NSW Waratahs | 25 | 13 |
| James O’Connor | Fullback | Western Force | 18 | 4 |
| Wycliff Palu | No 8 | NSW Waratahs | 26 | 28 |
| David Pocock | Flanker | Western Force | 21 | 5 |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | Hooker | NSW Waratahs | 23 | 12 |
| Benn Robinson | Prop | NSW Waratahs | 24 | 20 |
| Nathan Sharpe | Lock | Western Force | 31 | 76 |
| George Smith | Flanker | Brumbies | 28 | 99 |
| Timana Tahu | Centre | NSW Waratahs | 28 | 4 |
| Lachie Turner | Wing/Fullback | NSW Waratahs | 22 | 5 |
| Phil Waugh | Flanker | NSW Waratahs | 29 | 79 |
Tags: adam ashley-cooper, al baxter, ben alexander, benn robinson, berrick barnes, david pocock, dean mumm, drew mitchell, george smith, james horwill, lote tuqiri, luke burgess, matt giteau, matt hodgson, nathan sharpe, peter hynes, peter kimlin, phil waugh, quade cooper, richard brown, rocky elsom, ryan cross, stephen moore, stirling mortlock, tri-nations, will genia, wycliff palu
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Nice table!
Probably a good option bringing in another loose forward, as the non-use of Tuqiri suggested Deans wasn’t interested in another outside back. A pity for Cummings/Shep etc though.
Is Cam Shepherd fit again?
i dont think it matters, tahu isn’t fit and neither is elsom.
Mowen must have been close.
If Lote wasn’t rissoled he would have presumably made the squad based on what Deans said today. Does that mean the only reason Tahu made is by default?
JO’N could save himself another $500K right there with a well placed ‘employment matter’.
I hope Burgo doesn’t get injured as Sanchez will be seriously under-done come the first game of the Tri-Nations.
Great to see him there however.
I knew Pek Cowan would be there, I think Deans/Williams have picked him out for the future.
I am though slightly suprised that TimTam is still there. Deans must think he has more talent than Smith (if less actual skills) and back himself to make a man out of him. Good luck I guess!
Tahu and Hodgeson are the biggest hipocritical selections… Goes against everything Deans has ever said.
Hoiles and Tirinui are overlooked for those two despite being younger, bigger and have more experience.
I reckon Hodgson was ahead of Hoiles on form this year.
Morgs? Are you serious?
I didn’t say i’d pick them i was just saying they are younger, bigger and have more experience.
Deans said he wouldn’t pick hoiled cos he’s too small, and then he picks hodgeson?
and Tahu played under par all year in super14 and got picked.
Tahu didn’t play under par all year. As soon as he got consistent starts he was the Tahs most dangerous back. PLayed brilliantly in SA.
I can’t believe Cooper’s still there. It can only be because Beale’s still injured, surely.