Wallabies Trinations Squad
- Thread starter Bowside
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H
high tower
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That would be the year that Mortlock was out injured, as far as i know he was not available for Wallaby selection due to injury since he last played for the wallabies in 2009.
Out side of the rebels who have tried a few at 13, which 13 stood out amongst the Australian teams and said pick me before Mortlock?
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Horne have both excelled at 13 at both test level and Super rugby level respectively...
Mortlock was already looking a little sluggish when he played his last Wallaby tests in 2009, and hasn't improved much since...
Mortlock would probably be behind a reasonable list of candidates that include AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne, McCabe, Fainga'a and possibly Ioane...
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Great to see good discussion without player bagging. The form of some of our players leading into the Wallaby Season is a good sign. The Silver lining in TPN's injury is that another hooker should come into the squad and Charles most definatly deserves that shot. It doesn't matter to me whether Kepu or Slipper starts, what I like is the idea of have a well rounded prop (no pun intended) on the bench as backup. Sharpe and Horwill will start but I like the idea of Simmons on the bench. Vickerman would also be good but I think Simmons has done a great job in staking his claim. In reality I do't think anybody who has not been in a Wallabies squad under Deans's tenure will get a look in this year. The form of those who have looks good for the most part which is good for selecting the squad. How they perform in camp under the watchful eye of the coaches will determain who gets the gig on game day.
Last year was a tough pill to swallow with some good positives thrown in but in reality it was a tough year for injuries. Some players were thrown in the deep end but they are all a year older and wiser now so bring it on. This Wallaby season has me excited.
Fainga'a looks fairly tall on the TV but shorter in real life I have noticed. If anybody can find a scalp under that head of hair to measure his height, they should be given a medal.
Last year was a tough pill to swallow with some good positives thrown in but in reality it was a tough year for injuries. Some players were thrown in the deep end but they are all a year older and wiser now so bring it on. This Wallaby season has me excited.
Fainga'a looks fairly tall on the TV but shorter in real life I have noticed. If anybody can find a scalp under that head of hair to measure his height, they should be given a medal.
Personally I don't see why Horne should be in front of Mortlock for Outside Centre. He's only played one or two games this year for the Tahs, similar amount of time in Super Rugby to Elsom. Horne is a brilliant defender and hits with the force of a bloke double his size. But would ha have had the game time to be a serious contender. The world cup is where you need people of experience and leadership. Mortlock has spades of both. He was out last year due to his back injury and, having suffered the same injury, I know how much work it takes to get back to being able to move comfortable let alone play Rugby at an elite level. He's done a lot to get back to where he is, and I can't remember, but did Elsom only replace him as captain when he wasn't available? Your right that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and McCabe are probably ahead of him in form (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) more so based on his last test matches) but his leadership skills could prove to be invaluable
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Saia is 187cm and the tallest of the brothers. 5cm taller than Anthony at 182cm, the height is their distinguishing feature as twins (aside from the hair).
H
high tower
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Horne is injured, brilliant player in attack and defense, but has not played for months now.
McCabe brilliant broken field runner and therefore better suited on the wing, not proven in defense @ 13 international level, he is behind only Ionae and JOC (James O'Connor) for a wing spot - Ionae often injured and JOC (James O'Connor) mooted as cover for fullback and 12 will result in the wallabies need a back up winger
Fainga'a is my back up for Giteau when he goes down injured after mopping after Cooper one to many times, he is the best credentialed international 12(needs to be ready NOW to play outside Copper in attack and DEFENSE) after Giteau of the players currently fit and healthy.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) I already had as the starting no.13
McCabe brilliant broken field runner and therefore better suited on the wing, not proven in defense @ 13 international level, he is behind only Ionae and JOC (James O'Connor) for a wing spot - Ionae often injured and JOC (James O'Connor) mooted as cover for fullback and 12 will result in the wallabies need a back up winger
Fainga'a is my back up for Giteau when he goes down injured after mopping after Cooper one to many times, he is the best credentialed international 12(needs to be ready NOW to play outside Copper in attack and DEFENSE) after Giteau of the players currently fit and healthy.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) I already had as the starting no.13
What actually happened to Horne? I know he injured his elbow (?) in the Crusaders game but it was only supposed to be a 6-8 week thing IIRC. But he has disappeared without a trace. He fell off the radar about the same time they killed Bin Laden. Wait, surely it couldn't be...
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
I've said it before, the wing reserves are a worry. Ioane and O'Connor starting (assuming mitchell is injured), but aside from those guys no one has stood out to me. We have a bunch of consistantly consistant players fighting for 2 or 3 spots. Morahan, Turner, Davies, Cummins, Gerrard, Shepherd are the main contenders imo
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Yeah my thoughts exactly. Turner has never been disapointing in the Wallabies jersey, and Shepherd has been brilliant this year when he's not injured. Gerrard has been great, but his style of play is fairly different to the rest of the backline and I don't think we need another fullback cover ( Beale, O'Connor, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), McCabe). And assuming Ant Fainga'a and McCabe are in the squad it means extra cover at 13.
The only thing that worries me is Shepherd is injury prone and Turner is out of form, but I wouldn't complain if they were picked.
H
high tower
Guest
Gerrard best assets
his kick return- strong and hard in heavy traffic or one on one
and brilliant kick can turn average situation into opportunity with good chase.
2nd phase playmaker with good all round skills and vision
Beale, JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all likely starters so not covering 15, and JOC (James O'Connor) woeful under the highball in the past.
Beale and JOC (James O'Connor) maybe cover for Cooper @ 10 based on form, and no other contenders outside the top 15.
his kick return- strong and hard in heavy traffic or one on one
and brilliant kick can turn average situation into opportunity with good chase.
2nd phase playmaker with good all round skills and vision
Beale, JOC (James O'Connor) and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all likely starters so not covering 15, and JOC (James O'Connor) woeful under the highball in the past.
Beale and JOC (James O'Connor) maybe cover for Cooper @ 10 based on form, and no other contenders outside the top 15.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I wouldn't class McCabe as a 'broken field runner'... he's more of a bash it up type...
But McCabe is an out and out centre who is wasted on the wing, and solid at fullback...
And I don't think his defence will be an issue... Deans already had him as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s backup on the EOYT...
But he should definitely be in the squad as a cover for 12 - 15.
nathan
Darby Loudon (17)
There was an article in the Australian a while ago where Hickey said that Horne would likely be out for the rest of the season. Maybe the Wallabies Medical staff had a say in how long he's been out for considering he's history? I know he needs game time, but he can get that in club and potentially through the 3N.
I'm not Horne's biggest fan, but I can see what he brings to the equation and we need a backup to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) that has a similar impact on a game. At the moment, as much as I do think they're great players - I don't see that out of Faainga, McCabe or Gerrard at 13.
I'm not Horne's biggest fan, but I can see what he brings to the equation and we need a backup to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) that has a similar impact on a game. At the moment, as much as I do think they're great players - I don't see that out of Faainga, McCabe or Gerrard at 13.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Sounds exactly like another Brumby ute back...
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
No idea, although I recall seeing a photo of the Tahs training in the Herald a week or so ago and Horne was running around in one of the opposing team vests they use. So I assume he's back almost to playing - just in time for the end of the season, although maybe he'll be in the mix for the Samoa test. Surely that would be his only chnace to start trying to play himself into WC contention.
...or the pic could have been doctored by the CIA...
S
Skippy
Guest
Two points from me.
Firstly if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was on form and playing 12/13, if Horne was fit and playin well, if Mitchell was fit and thus allowing JOC (James O'Connor) to move to 12 etc etc then sadly Mortlock will be out of the frame for a recall. But given the injuries and so on, why not pick Mortlock at 12/13 for a game or two in the warm up to the 3 nations. If he shows something, persevere... if not then in the 3 nations explore other options. With a bit of sprint training over the course of a few weeks maybe he can find a yard or two of lost pace. In personally think Mortlock at 12 for 60 minutes will be a great move for the Wallabies (if fit and finds a yard of pace before the WC) as his defence in that channel will be highly valued, he would make a good battering ram in attack and bodyguard for Quade in defence. And he can work at 13 outside JOC (James O'Connor) or Gits or at 12 inside AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).
All I'm saying is, lets give him a go. I don't think much can be read into his form at the Rebels too much. Playing inside of Huxley or Lachie Mitchell or outside of Cips has not helped his cause.
Secondly, Peter Hynes. Lets not right him off just yet. He is a Deans favourite and hopefully will get a run prior to the WC, manage his knee injuries (like Ben Tune?) and get through the WC. If Hynes is available and fit it solves a lot of questions and avoids having to select Shepherd/Turner etc.
Firstly if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was on form and playing 12/13, if Horne was fit and playin well, if Mitchell was fit and thus allowing JOC (James O'Connor) to move to 12 etc etc then sadly Mortlock will be out of the frame for a recall. But given the injuries and so on, why not pick Mortlock at 12/13 for a game or two in the warm up to the 3 nations. If he shows something, persevere... if not then in the 3 nations explore other options. With a bit of sprint training over the course of a few weeks maybe he can find a yard or two of lost pace. In personally think Mortlock at 12 for 60 minutes will be a great move for the Wallabies (if fit and finds a yard of pace before the WC) as his defence in that channel will be highly valued, he would make a good battering ram in attack and bodyguard for Quade in defence. And he can work at 13 outside JOC (James O'Connor) or Gits or at 12 inside AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).
All I'm saying is, lets give him a go. I don't think much can be read into his form at the Rebels too much. Playing inside of Huxley or Lachie Mitchell or outside of Cips has not helped his cause.
Secondly, Peter Hynes. Lets not right him off just yet. He is a Deans favourite and hopefully will get a run prior to the WC, manage his knee injuries (like Ben Tune?) and get through the WC. If Hynes is available and fit it solves a lot of questions and avoids having to select Shepherd/Turner etc.
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