Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Slim 293]

If you decided Lilo was your backup 10, the 13 backs for the RWC squad could be:

Genia, Phipps, White
Foley, Leali'ifano
Kerevi, Kuridrani, JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia/Hodge
Beale, DHP, Koroibete, Banks/Maddocks

Depending on the forward makeup they could wind up with 14 backs...........

I think Petaia is a next year prospect like Valetini, and IMO I think Banks' boot should get him ahead of Maddocks, although Maddocks has been favoured by Cheika the last two seasons.

 

[fatprop]

If TK goes down I’d shift Kerevi out one and have MT or JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 before I had AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

I think we have learned Kerevi is a gun 12 and average at 13. Of the players who actually play 13, I would actually prefer CFS, then Hodge and then AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

 

[fatprop]

If you decided Lilo was your backup 10, the 13 backs for the RWC squad could be:

Genia, Phipps, White
Foley, Leali'ifano
Kerevi, Kuridrani, JOC (James O'Connor), Petaia/Hodge
Beale, DHP, Koroibete, Banks/Maddocks

To'omua will be there ahead JOC (James O'Connor)

 

[formerflanker]

Don't forget there are five "trial" Tests before the RWC. Lots of time for experiments, form reversals, and injuries (hope not) to make an impact on the RWC squad.

 

[Braveheart81]

Don't forget there are five "trial" Tests before the RWC. Lots of time for experiments, form reversals, and injuries (hope not) to make an impact on the RWC squad.

I reckon that's a tiny amount of time to trial different players. It's certainly plenty of time for injuries but I expect the planned first 23 will play the majority of those games/minutes trying to work on combinations.

I really don't think we'll see much straight out trialling for positions. Some RWC squad members could conceivably only play the Samoa test or nothing at all before the RWC.

E.g. the halfback position. I can't imagine Genia, Phipps, White, Powell and Gordon will all get time to see who should go to the RWC.

 

[Brumby Runner]

His defence is fine enough, certainly as good or better than his counterparts as you point out.

It's the attack that worries me. He's a fairly spindly type who needs space to thrive. In test rugby there is just less space, gaps close quicker and defenders are bigger and faster. I worry he's just going to get smashed.

If we're rolling with the Beale comparison, what Kurtley has proved is that he is fairly capable in contact due to sharp stepping and acceleration. And he's probably a bit more solid than Banks to begin with.

As I said though, it's just a gut feeling at this stage. Jesse Mogg is one option for his trajectory, but the other is Ben Smith. He's a pretty spindly type as well but has been phenomenal for the ABs. I'd also say he's a pretty big outlier as there aren't many people of his size/shape in international footy.
.

According to the Brumbies website and Wikipedia, Banks is 186cm and 93 kg; Beale is 183cm and 90kg. Overall, it seems that Banks is a bigger bloke than KB (Kurtley Beale), and that is my impression. I haven't seen Banks smashed at Super level, and that is the next step down from, and therefore the best indicator of potential performance at, test level. He might prove to be a bit fragile at test level but I personally doubt it. I think he has all the courage and skill required.

On form, Banks is a better defender than Beale, he runs straighter and harder than Beale and he is at least as good, perhaps better in the air than Beale. Banks' penalty kicking for touch has been a real revelation this year. He consistently makes 20 or more metres further than Beale or any other kicker in the Aus teams with the exception of Hodge. I don't think there is any reason at all other than possible bias for Banks to miss the No 15 spot for the Wallabies this year.

 

[TSR]

To'omua will be there ahead JOC (James O'Connor)

I dunno. Is that based on inside info FP or just your view?

To me To'omua has been underwhelming, both at the end of last year and in Super Rugby. I’m not sure Cheika’s selections did him any favours but, in any case, there was an opportunity there and I don’t know he has grabbed it.

Regardless I would have thought To'omua would get the nod up until I read all the info about JOC (James O'Connor) this week, but it seems there is quite a push on which suggests to me Cheika isn’t happy with the options available to him.

 

[KOB1987]

They are both pretty ordinary defenders, Beale is at 65% and Banks at 68%. Their other stats are quite comparable as well, Banks ahead in some and Beale in others. But if Beale gets the nod for the RSA test it’s definitely bias, it wouldn’t have anything to with 70 odd tests difference.

 

[Derpus]

According to the Brumbies website and Wikipedia, Banks is 186cm and 93 kg; Beale is 183cm and 90kg. Overall, it seems that Banks is a bigger bloke than KB (Kurtley Beale), and that is my impression. I haven't seen Banks smashed at Super level, and that is the next step down from, and therefore the best indicator of potential performance at, test level. He might prove to be a bit fragile at test level but I personally doubt it. I think he has all the courage and skill required.

On form, Banks is a better defender than Beale, he runs straighter and harder than Beale and he is at least as good, perhaps better in the air than Beale. Banks' penalty kicking for touch has been a real revelation this year. He consistently makes 20 or more metres further than Beale or any other kicker in the Aus teams with the exception of Hodge. I don't think there is any reason at all other than possible bias for Banks to miss the No 15 spot for the Wallabies this year.

Besides past performance at test level, which Beale has plenty of.

The consistent accusations of bias in your posts is amusing.

 

[Silverado]

According to the Brumbies website and Wikipedia, Banks is 186cm and 93 kg; Beale is 183cm and 90kg. Overall, it seems that Banks is a bigger bloke than KB (Kurtley Beale), and that is my impression. I haven't seen Banks smashed at Super level, and that is the next step down from, and therefore the best indicator of potential performance at, test level. He might prove to be a bit fragile at test level but I personally doubt it. I think he has all the courage and skill required.

On form, Banks is a better defender than Beale, he runs straighter and harder than Beale and he is at least as good, perhaps better in the air than Beale. Banks' penalty kicking for touch has been a real revelation this year. He consistently makes 20 or more metres further than Beale or any other kicker in the Aus teams with the exception of Hodge. I don't think there is any reason at all other than possible bias for Banks to miss the No 15 spot for the Wallabies this year.

Waratahs site has Beale at 184cm and 92 kg so a bee's dick in it. Neither are good defenders

 

[fatprop]

I dunno. Is that based on inside info FP or just your view?

To me To'omua has been underwhelming, both at the end of last year and in Super Rugby. I’m not sure Cheika’s selections did him any favours but, in any case, there was an opportunity there and I don’t know he has grabbed it.

Regardless I would have thought To'omua would get the nod up until I read all the info about JOC (James O'Connor) this week, but it seems there is quite a push on which suggests to me Cheika isn’t happy with the options available to him.

I agree he is underwhelming, but if we are looking for a back up inside back 10/12 I think he will get the nod (I would take Lilo) I think JOC (James O'Connor) is competing with Beale & Hodge

 

[Proud Pig]

Liam Wright at 8 is just picking the Pooper with all the problems that entails without the advantages that Pocock gives you.
The only reason you would do it is because Hooper is not a fetcher so you put a fetcher at 8 rather than a line bender.
We should have 4 possible lineout targets, so to me that means Jones or LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at 6 and McCaffery or Isi at 8.
If we only have the two jumpers we will get rogered silly at the lineout.
Banks or DHP at FB as with no Izzy the bomb will be a choice tactic and I don't want to see the ball bouncing 20 yerds off KB (Kurtley Beale)'s chest constantly. Whoever, doesn't start at FB should be on the wing as a kicking option.


Prop: Sio, Slipper, Ala'alatoa, Kepu, Tupou
Hooker: Fainga'a, Uelese, BPA
Lock: Rodda, Arnold, Philip, Simmons
Backrow: Hooper, Jones, Naisarani, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Samu, McCaffrey
Scrum Half: Genia, Phipps, Powell
Fly half: Leali'ifano, Cooper
Centres: Kerevi, Kuridrani, Meakes, CFS????
Back three: Koroibete, DHP, Banks, Speight, Beale, Hodge

It is a difficult squad to pick because there is no obvious backup to the starting K+K centres.

 

[TSR]

I wouldn’t have had Liam Wright in the frame at all, but he is quite tall for a 7 and a good jumper.

 

[Up the Guts]

I think we have learned Kerevi is a gun 12 and average at 13. Of the players who actually play 13, I would actually prefer CFS, then Hodge and then AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

Disagree, I think Kerevi’s far and away our next best 13 after TK and certainly a better attacking 13 than TK. He actually spent a lot of time at 13 for the Reds this year as they usually hooked CFS for DP who slotted into 12.

 

[fatprop]

Disagree, I think Kerevi’s far and away our next best 13 after TK and certainly a better attacking 13 than TK. He actually spent a lot of time at 13 for the Reds this year as they usually hooked CFS for DP who slotted into 12.

He maybe, but as a 12 he potentially world class, at 13 he is less than TK

 

[Strewthcobber]

Wright also calls the lineout for the Reds which opens up all sorts of possibilities in the second row

 

[Up the Guts]

He maybe, but as a 12 he potentially world class, at 13 he is less than TK

Yes, he’s definitely got more potential at 12 but if TK goes down I’d rather Kerevi at 13 with MT or JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 even if it means shifting Kerevi from his best position. I wasn’t that impressed with any of the options tried at 13 from the Rebels or Tahs. Hodge, in particular, was a let down as 13 was the position many thought he’d make his own.

 

[Show-n-go]

Both To'omua and Hodges stocks have dropped with the signing of JOC (James O'Connor)

I’d be very nervous if I were those two

 

[Joe Blow]

JOC (James O'Connor) has mostly been playing at 12 and 13 from what I've seen...

Kuridrani is the player most deserving of the 13 jersey, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a possible Kerevi/JOC (James O'Connor) centre partnership at some stage.

Yes. He’s pretty decent at 13 these days and not a bad back up. If TK is injured he could slot in well.

 

[Joe Blow]

They are both pretty ordinary defenders, Beale is at 65% and Banks at 68%. Their other stats are quite comparable as well, Banks ahead in some and Beale in others. But if Beale gets the nod for the RSA test it’s definitely bias, it wouldn’t have anything to with 70 odd tests difference.

I reckon it will be DHP.