Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Derpus]

I never said any of them were, I’d rather the money spent of Kerevi etc to remain, as I said divided up and put into 5-7 players contemplating leaving that are of test quality.

The other players I mentioned need to be moved (on their current wages) to squads that could actually use them, instead of having one team having 5-6 quality flankers but no centres and another team having 3-4 quality centres but no flankers.

Otherwise we will end up with squads with 3-4 top end players and the rest young players or people marginally above club standard. No middle range players that all good clubs need

Yeah i agree, if we ignore what the players want it would be absolutely ideal if we could dictate who plays where and spread out the talent.

It's pretty hard to implement in practice though. Particularly given some of these players aren't on that much money. It's not like the NFL or NBA where you are on x million so relocating is no big deal.

 

[barbarian]

OK here is the team I would pick to play the RWC opener.

1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. Allan A
4. Rodda
5. Arnold - this last week has caused a shift for me. Coleman is not himself and Arnold is looking great.
6. Dempsey - wide open spot, this. Could easily be Jones.
7. Hooper
8. Naisirani

9. Genia
10. Foley
11. DHP
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani - he hasn't been this good at Super level in a long time
14. Hodge
15. Beale

16. Rangi
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. Coleman
20. Pocock - he's just too fragile to play all 80 at this stage, IMO.
21. McDermott
22. To'omua
23. Koroibete

Could add Jones to the bench and take out Koro.

You could swap the numbers in the back three, but I like the mix of that backline. A few ball-players, a few bashers, a few finishers. Good kicking game too.

The pack is pretty mobile and should have a strong set piece. Hooker is a weakness, and our second row options are pretty thin.

But I think the options are firming up in my mind.
.

 

[Rebels3]

OK here is the team I would pick to play the RWC opener.

1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. Allan A
4. Rodda
5. Arnold - this last week has caused a shift for me. Coleman is not himself and Arnold is looking great.
6. Dempsey - wide open spot, this. Could easily be Jones.
7. Hooper
8. Naisirani

9. Genia
10. Foley
11. DHP
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani - he hasn't been this good at Super level in a long time
14. Hodge
15. Beale

16. Rangi
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. Coleman
20. Pocock - he's just too fragile to play all 80 at this stage, IMO.
21. McDermott
22. To'omua
23. Koroibete

Could add Jones to the bench and take out Koro.

You could swap the numbers in the back three, but I like the mix of that backline. A few ball-players, a few bashers, a few finishers. Good kicking game too.

The pack is pretty mobile and should have a strong set piece. Hooker is a weakness, and our second row options are pretty thin.

But I think the options are firming up in my mind.
.

Pretty much bang on the money.

I’d still put Jones over Dempsey. Despite two average performances (not bad ones) he has been close to the best player in Australia all season.

Foley won the battle on Saturday over Cooper, although at half time Cooper was winning the war but lost it for a 15-20min stint in the second half.

Sefa has been pretty good for the Reds and Hodge’s versatility might see him on the bench

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I took the time to watch the Reds play on the weekend, specifically with the intent of watching Kerevi and his development at 12. Fair to say that if this is indicative of how he's been playing all season then he should be one of the first picked. His ability to break the line has always been unquestioned, but it's his passing that impresses now. That short offload for CFS' try was excellent. His defence in those narrow channels has improved too. When Cheika went the K-Squared option against England in 2016 I was against it, because they were too similar in my view and Foley needed a second playmaker alongside him. Now I'm on board with it because Kerevi has undergone a Nonu-like transformation into a centre who can not only bash and barge, but also do the skilful things.

You could have Cooper with the two K's and Beale at fullback and there would be attacking weapons all over the park.

 

['Tattsy'TaylorFan1]

OK here is the team I would pick to play the RWC opener.

1. Sio
2. Fainga'a
3. Allan A
4. Rodda
5. Arnold - this last week has caused a shift for me. Coleman is not himself and Arnold is looking great.
6. Dempsey - wide open spot, this. Could easily be Jones.
7. Hooper
8. Naisirani

9. Genia
10. Foley
11. DHP
12. Kerevi
13. Kuridrani - he hasn't been this good at Super level in a long time
14. Hodge
15. Beale

16. Rangi
17. Slipper
18. Tupou
19. Coleman
20. Pocock - he's just too fragile to play all 80 at this stage, IMO.
21. McDermott
22. To'omua
23. Koroibete

Could add Jones to the bench and take out Koro.

You could swap the numbers in the back three, but I like the mix of that backline. A few ball-players, a few bashers, a few finishers. Good kicking game too.

The pack is pretty mobile and should have a strong set piece. Hooker is a weakness, and our second row options are pretty thin.

But I think the options are firming up in my mind.
.

Like it however I reckon Fitzpatrick and Simmons have been outstanding recently and are demanding attention especially because of their experience and leadership. Holloway could also be a good option off the bench in jersey 19 I reckon as he could come on and play in either the second row or the back row depending on the situation. I'd go Simmo instead of Arnold, Fitzy over Rangi and Holloway over Coleman.

 

[Derpus]

I dont think Holloway is a genuine backrow option. Solid in the second row, hasnt had a good game in the back row in years.

 

[barbarian]

Like it however I reckon Fitzpatrick and Simmons have been outstanding recently and are demanding attention especially because of their experience and leadership. Holloway could also be a good option off the bench in jersey 19 I reckon as he could come on and play in either the second row or the back row depending on the situation. I'd go Simmo instead of Arnold, Fitzy over Rangi and Holloway over Coleman.

I thought about both Fitzpatrick and Simmons. It's 50/50 IMO.

The one bloke I actually forgot was Lukhan S-Loto. Could have him on the bench instead of Coleman.
.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Barbarian, very close to what I'd go with as well. Certainly, I'd have LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at 6 or on the bench with Jones the other way round. Dempsey might make it over one of those two, but his form this year isn't as good as theirs.

I am not yet set on either Foley or Quade at 10, and think we need to see more of Matt To'omua before deciding this spot. Foley has not been in good form and I seriously question his value between Genia and Kerevi. Quade has been better most of the year, barring last weekend especially but I think he is more likely to gel with Genia than Bernard, and is more likely to unleash both Kerevi and Kuridrani in the centres. But maybe To'omua will be better than both? I think Kerevi could well be the top ranked No 12 in the RWC if he has players around him who understand how to get the best out of him. I think that is more likely to be Quade than Bernard.

I would like to see the back three filled with players who fill those spots in their Super teams, so in the absence of Folau, I'd go with DHP at fullback and Maddocks and Naivalu on the wings. I will not hide from my biases and state again that I don't think Beale should be in the squad at all. I think he has been less than average anywhere in the three-quarter line all year, his defense is not up to par, and despite a better performance against the Rebels he has a lot of players in front of him imo.

So, there it is. Maybe one or two personnel changes and a couple of positional changes, but apart from hoping Pocock can return to start at 7 (not selected because of his injury issues atm), not an extra Brumby in the mix. How's that for impartiality?

 

[Derpus]

Barbarian, very close to what I'd go with as well. Certainly, I'd have LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at 6 or on the bench with Jones the other way round. Dempsey might make it over one of those two, but his form this year isn't as good as theirs.

I am not yet set on either Foley or Quade at 10, and think we need to see more of Matt To'omua before deciding this spot. Foley has not been in good form and I seriously question his value between Genia and Kerevi. Quade has been better most of the year, barring last weekend especially but I think he is more likely to gel with Genia than Bernard, and is more likely to unleash both Kerevi and Kuridrani in the centres. But maybe To'omua will be better than both? I think Kerevi could well be the top ranked No 12 in the RWC if he has players around him who understand how to get the best out of him. I think that is more likely to be Quade than Bernard.

He won't have a chance BR. I'm pretty sure he will only be eligible for one Super Rugby match this year.

 

[barbarian]

I am not yet set on either Foley or Quade at 10, and think we need to see more of Matt To'omua before deciding this spot. Foley has not been in good form and I seriously question his value between Genia and Kerevi. Quade has been better most of the year, barring last weekend especially but I think he is more likely to gel with Genia than Bernard, and is more likely to unleash both Kerevi and Kuridrani in the centres. But maybe To'omua will be better than both?

I'm not sold on To'omua at 10, based on the games he played there last year. 12 is his spot, but that's just my opinion.

I don't dispute what you say about Foley, but he has been on a slow but steady upward trajectory. It's still only April, and we've got two months before the first squad is even picked. I predict he'll be in a better spot in June. I'd love Quade to step up and take the spot, but he needs to lift a level or two.
.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I should also add that I'm mostly with Barbs on the Wallaby team, based on what I'm hearing from the forums. That would be a very solid match day 23.

 

[Derpus]

I should also add that I'm mostly with Barbs on the Wallaby team, based on what I'm hearing from the forums. That would be a very solid match day 23.

Solid but not exceptional. Wales should fancy the group.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Fair point Derpus, but we don't seem to have a lot of other attacking options that would worry the Welsh.

 

[Brumby Runner]

He won't have a chance BR. I'm pretty sure he will only be eligible for one Super Rugby match this year.

Barbarian selected his team for the RWC opener. There will be opportunities to run To'omua at 10 or 12 in the RC but whether Cheika opts for that option remains to be seen.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I'm not sold on To'omua at 10, based on the games he played there last year. 12 is his spot, but that's just my opinion.

I don't dispute what you say about Foley, but he has been on a slow but steady upward trajectory. It's still only April, and we've got two months before the first squad is even picked. I predict he'll be in a better spot in June. I'd love Quade to step up and take the spot, but he needs to lift a level or two.
.

I'd agree that both need to lift their games a level or two. Form later in the season will be a big factor of course.

 

[KOB1987]

Without requoting the whole of Barb's team there, I like it in general but just my 2 bobs on a couple of the selections:
- won't have all of Hodge, DHP and Beale up the back, will have 2 of those and a flyer, either Koro or Naivalu. Whichever of the first 3 that misses out goes to 23
- Rangi is too small for an international hooker, I think about 94kg wringing wet. I like how Fitzpatrick is playing as well, but I reckon it will be TPN.
- Phipps will be the bench halfback, like it or not
- we can drop the talk of To'omua at 10, he will probably be on the plane but as a back up 12 or 22
- the 3 locks you have will be picked plus Simmons, and I think one of Jones or LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) as the 4/5/6 cover

 

[Up the Guts]

I’d probably give Beale a couple more games before locking him at 15, although if he plays the way he did on Saturday he will be a good option. Kerevi is now head and shoulders our most potent back and one of the best in Super but I do hope our game plan is a little more sophisticated than pass it to Samu. Toss a coin for the wings.

 

[Adam84]

Simmons can't be selected, the bloke is a senior wallaby who has always had loads of potential and a physique to match, yet far too often he goes missing and turns into a powderpuff in big games. Its just not good enough, inconsistency can be excused in youth, but in a senior wallaby with a ton of experience behind him, if he hasn't learned to play consistently good footy by now then he never will.

 

[wamberal]

From what little I have seen of him (and he has not played much) I reckon Leota could be a smokey for the squad.

 

[Tomikin]

I think from the little I've seen of Toni Pulu I'd have him in front of Sefa and Koro, good defensive winger, with pace to burn .. needs a few more games but he should be right in the talk as the flyer.