Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Derpus]

Valetini is just a flat out beast. I remember him man handling Naisarani 5m out from his own line in the NRC as an 18 year old and forcing a turnover.

Any good in the lineout? honestly never seen him play.

 

[Joe Blow]

The back row is a real problem area for this Wallaby side. Without Pocock we are not competitive at the breakdown.
Hopefully all of the potential backrowers have a good super season and we have more options.
Dempsey has his moments, that effort against the ABs last year was magic. It would be great to have someone who can physically impose themselves on the game. Valentini looks like the most likely to be that bloke, but who knows. It’s a big step up for the likes of him, Naisarani and others.
If we go to the RWC with the Pooper as our starting backrow it’s hard to see us progressing far into the knock out stages.

 

[Derpus]

Valetini looks super injury prone. Broken leg and further injuries to his leg and hand between 18 and 20 years old.

 

[KOB1987]

Lopeti Timani was to be our answer at 8 a couple of years ago

 

[Brumby Runner]

You appear to have missed Rory Arnold Reg, in both the selected group and the group left out. If he has another Super rugby season like this one I believe he will make the cut.

Also, I am backing Banks to make the cut - although that does depend on him jumping someone like Maddocks in the pecking order and that seems a challenge at the moment. Or, possibly, one of Beale or Hodge being left out (with To'omua covering 12).

With regards to Naisirani - he has potential - but didn’t he get dropped during this year’s super season? At the very least I remember him not being quite the World beater it was assumed he was going to be.

But, all in all, I think that is a pretty solid squad.

Rory was a stark omission from Reg's squad. I too think he will make it.

Otherwise, I can't really see any real or perceived bias in the squad. I'd just have a few other changes as well. I would not have Beale in the squad simply for poor form reasons. His unsettling effects on the rest of the squad should also be taken into account.

Similarly, I would not take Nick Phipps. He always (or nearly always) disappoints and is not there on potential to be a future starter. So replace him.

So, I'd bring Arnold in to replace Jones until he proves through his Super form that he warrants selection. Ruru or Powell for Phipps as they both have so much more upside for the future than NP. I think the centres are well catered for with Kuridrani, Kerevi, Hodge and Petaia. I'd throw Banks into the back to replace Beale.

On Naisarani, his form suddenly improved both in terms of wrkrate and effectiveness once his move to the Rebels in 2019 was confirmed. I think he will make the grade.

 

[Slim 293]

Lopeti Timani was to be our answer at 8 a couple of years ago

Like his brother, always seemed like a stop gap measure for our lack of go forward in the pack...........

Valetini and Naisarani are certainly much brighter prospects this early into their careers, but let's see how they develop - Valetini's injury run is a concern.

 

[Slim 293]

Ruru or Powell for Phipps as they both have so much more upside for the future than NP.

I don't rate Ruru, and feel he's a massive step down from the other four.

 

[MarkJ]

Banks is the best cover defender in Australia, I’m not sure why that was never valued in a side so bad at reorganising the defensive line post turnover.

Unfortunately I don't think his defence in the line is on par with his cover defence, he seemed to fall off a fair few tackles in Super Rugby. Probably something that can be fixed though.

 

[Derpus]

Rory was a stark omission from Reg's squad. I too think he will make it.

Otherwise, I can't really see any real or perceived bias in the squad. I'd just have a few other changes as well. I would not have Beale in the squad simply for poor form reasons. His unsettling effects on the rest of the squad should also be taken into account.

Similarly, I would not take Nick Phipps. He always (or nearly always) disappoints and is not there on potential to be a future starter. So replace him.

So, I'd bring Arnold in to replace Jones until he proves through his Super form that he warrants selection. Ruru or Powell for Phipps as they both have so much more upside for the future than NP. I think the centres are well catered for with Kuridrani, Kerevi, Hodge and Petaia. I'd throw Banks into the back to replace Beale.

On Naisarani, his form suddenly improved both in terms of wrkrate and effectiveness once his move to the Rebels in 2019 was confirmed. I think he will make the grade.

I was almost agreeing with you till you threw out Ruru. The Rebels fell apart every time he came on the field in place of Genia.

I'd take all of Genia, Phipps, Gordon, Powell or even Sorovi over Ruru.

Shame Louwrens got ruined, because he was the better of the two.

 

[fatprop]

Lopeti Timani was to be our answer at 8 a couple of years ago

Yep, highlights the lack of depth issue

 

[KOB1987]

It will certainly be nice if all the players listed so far are available for selection come the RWC. There’s at least half a dozen that weren’t for the spring tour. It’s probably what will save Cheika’s ass, I know I’d be including it in my defense if I was him.

 

[fatprop]

I think Pocock, Hooper, Haylett-Petty & Folau are the only units on the list at the moment

The rest should be down to demonstrated form and fitness in the Super Rugby next season, I have question marks on everyone else

 

[Derpus]

I think Pocock, Hooper, Haylett-Petty & Folau are the only units on the list at the moment

The rest should be down to demonstrated form and fitness in the Super Rugby next season, I have question marks on everyone else

I'd add in the props.

 

[chasmac]

Here's my list:
1) Sio
2) Jordan
3) 7A's
4) Rodda
5) Simmons
6) McMahon
7) Pocock
8) Isi
9) Genia
10) To'omua
11) Izzy
12) Kerevi
13) TK
14) Koro
15) Banks

16) TPN
17) Kepu
18) Thor
19) Coleman
20) Hooper
21) Jones
22) Phipps
23) Beale

Some explaination;

• Simmons is the best set piece lock. Gives us lineout and scrum stability (I can live with his average ball carries).
• Hooper to finish. Replace 6,7 or 8.
• If no McMahon then maybe Jones (could be a case of grass is greener with both these guys).
• Coleman has been leapfrogged by Rodda.
• Jones hybrid 5/6.
• No musical chairs on defense, therefore To'omua to 10 and TK to lead the defense from 13.
• Beale to finish. Never start.
• Koro for pace
• Banks for pace and kick
• Phipps or whoever has the best s15
• If TK is too slow then Hodge. Straight swap.
• If TPN is too slow then the next best from S15.

This is rough on the non tacklers; Foley, Beale, Cooper, DHP, Maddocks but Nathan Grey's headless chickens give me the shits.
Also rough on some forwards who have been close; Slipper, Hookers, Arnold, Dempsey, Higgers.
Coaches
The only one I'd keep is Mick Byrne and that's because he might be able to remember what it looks like to be around a successful team.

 

[Clavis Ruo]

Bob Dwyer says RA should lower the 60-test threshold for overseas players. I think he is right. It would mean the return of the likes of Will Skelton and Nic White. Anyone else worth considering?

 

[fatprop]

I'd add in the props.

Our tight five isn't providing a platform

 

[Up the Guts]

What about the former Chiefs winger signed to the Brumbies, his name escapes me, any danger of him making the squad?

 

[Joe Blow]

I’d say we have the best tight 5 depth we have had in the pro era.
It doesn’t help to switch sides with every prop and some back again. Our set piece in 2017 was very good.
We need a decent set piece coach and consistency in selection.

All of sudden switching Kepu back to TH and dropping TT on the weekend was set piece suicide. Actually our lineout was not bad.

 

[Derpus]

Here's my list:
1) Sio
2) Jordan
3) 7A's
4) Rodda
5) Simmons
6) McMahon
7) Pocock
8) Isi
9) Genia
10) To'omua
11) Izzy
12) Kerevi
13) TK
14) Koro
15) Banks

16) TPN
17) Kepu
18) Thor
19) Coleman
20) Hooper
21) Jones
22) Phipps
23) Beale

Some explaination;

• Simmons is the best set piece lock. Gives us lineout and scrum stability (I can live with his average ball carries).
• Hooper to finish. Replace 6,7 or 8.
• If no McMahon then maybe Jones (could be a case of grass is greener with both these guys).
• Coleman has been leapfrogged by Rodda.
• Jones hybrid 5/6.
• No musical chairs on defense, therefore To'omua to 10 and TK to lead the defense from 13.
• Beale to finish. Never start.
• Koro for pace
• Banks for pace and kick
• Phipps or whoever has the best s15
• If TK is too slow then Hodge. Straight swap.
• If TPN is too slow then the next best from S15.

This is rough on the non tacklers; Foley, Beale, Cooper, DHP, Maddocks but Nathan Grey's headless chickens give me the shits.
Also rough on some forwards who have been close; Slipper, Hookers, Arnold, Dempsey, Higgers.
Coaches
The only one I'd keep is Mick Byrne and that's because he might be able to remember what it looks like to be around a successful team.

Who picks a 10 for defence? its literally the one position in the world where no team picks a player due to his defensive abilities. At best its a bonus, as with Farrell and Sexton. Everyone else hides their 10.

I like most of the rest of your picks.

 

[Derpus]

Our tight five isn't providing a platform

In my uneducated opinion its largely down to the hooker and second row. I reckon the scrum has been ok (even though it should have been great, really) and they have been decent enough around the park.