Wallabies 31 Man Squad

[BDA]

Do the same restrictions in bringing players into the squad apply as in the RWC? Eg. you have to wait 48hrs I think?

If so, you surely have to carry 3 hookers and 3 half-backs.

Surely not, otherwise the Lions would have a clear advantage. I think that have close to 40 players in their squad.

 

[Bullrush]

Surely not, otherwise the Lions would have a clear advantage. I think that have close to 40 players in their squad.

Yeah....you might be right. I really don't know.

If Deans is free to pull in players at any time he wants then yep, he'll only have to name 2 half-backs.

For the record - I wouldn't take Burgess as the 2nd half-back. If he can't get a regular start in France, how can he be considered for 2nd best half-back in Aussie?! Without playing a single game??!?

 

[Try-ranosaurus Rex]

If Deans is free to pull in players at any time he wants then yep, he'll only have to name 2 half-backs.

I think your right in regards to the halfback, althought I wouldn't be suprised to see a hooker added (probably Hanson).

This would allow the third hooker to learn the lineout calls in the camp in the case that Saia or Moore goes down (TOUCHING WOOD LIKE CRAZY)

 

[Train Without a Station]

Out of those I would say Pyle and White have been the stand outs so far.

Cooper has been playing solidly but not out of his skin.

Cooper has just been playing solidly all year. Anybody to say that he has played out of his skin at all this year is a bigger one eyed Cooper supporter than Slim in one eyed Brumbies supporter or Qwerty is one eyed Cooper hater.

That being said, I think Cooper is the best of a beige bunch. Nobody has stood out at 10 long term in 2013. To'omua and Foley have played well but don't have the experience considered necessary and Barnes has played about 32 minutes there.

 

[Slim 293]

For the record - I wouldn't take Burgess as the 2nd half-back. If he can't get a regular start in France, how can he be considered for 2nd best half-back in Aussie?! Without playing a single game??!?

At least Deans is being consistent in selecting players who generally aren't even first (or second) choice players in their respective positions at their Super teams.........

 

[Ash]

I think Pyle probably deserves a run with the Wallabies, but I think we probably have enough rookies test players in the squad already. I'd probably go with Douglas and/or MMM ahead of Pyle.

I'm still confident that Beale will be added to the squad. He will be carefully watched this weekend. I'd love to see the following players added:-
1) Beale
2) MMM
3) Douglas
4) Palmer
5) Burgess
6) McCabe or George Smith (if he is going to be available for the 2nd and 3rd test Id add him).

Those selections would make for an awfully unbalanced squad though.

6 flankers, 3 locks at the moment. MMM and Douglas would make 5 locks, Smith would make 7 flankers. Can't see a squad with 5 locks and 7 flankers when it has just 2 hookers and 2 halfbacks.

Not to mention, short on 13s as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is the only current one there, although Horne can do in a pinch. It's also short on 10s and 15s, but has enough utility players to cover those positions.

 

[BDA]

Those selections would make for an awfully unbalanced squad though.

6 flankers, 3 locks at the moment. MMM and Douglas would make 5 locks, Smith would make 7 flankers. Can't see a squad with 5 locks and 7 flankers when it has just 2 hookers and 2 halfbacks.

Not to mention, short on 13s as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is the only current one there, although Horne can do in a pinch. It's also short on 10s and 15s, but has enough utility players to cover those positions.

I can't help it if Deans chose some players that he should not have chosen. I'm really pissed that MMM is probably going to miss out but Dave "invisible" Dennis is included. The players I've listed are simply those players I would like to see on the field. I appreciate that might not make for the most balanced squad.

BTW - Beale is a test 10 and 15 so he provides the ideal cover for those positions. McCabe and Horne can both play outside centre (who else do we have that is a better outside centre option than those two?).

 

[Ash]

I can't help it if Deans chose some players that he should not have chosen. I'm really pissed that MMM is probably going to miss out but Dave "invisible" Dennis is included. The players I've listed are simply those players I would like to see on the field. I appreciate that might not make for the most balanced squad.

BTW - Beale is a test 10 and 15 so he provides the ideal cover for those positions. McCabe and Horne can both play outside centre (who else do we have that is a better outside centre option than those two?).

Beale I would love, but under the current circumstances is not ideal and I think should not (I would say can not, but he probably will so obviously he can) be chosen. See other thread.

McCabe I can't justify either. He hasn't played much 13 at a Supe level to be considered a real option there, unlike Horne, and has been willing but really uninspiring in his few hitouts for the Brumbies. The fact that he's consigned to the Brumbies bench speaks volumes.

Burgess over White, can't agree. Would love to see White's exposure at test level, it should have happened last year before his knee op. Burgess has only been closing games in France, and his form isn't nearly as good as White's.

13 is a real hole for the Wallabies after AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) currently. I would say that the backup is Horne, although not playing at 13 this year and being uninspiring last games there for the Wobs. Looking at the starting 13s for each province, there's not much other choices. The next one is probably A. Finger. We just have to hope that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) stays uncrocked. I like Inman and he is in good form now and offers more with ball in hand over A. Finger, but Inman is still raw at a higher level and still has a few questions over how he would go against the Lions. Kuridrani has been OK for the Brumbies, but is still very green.

If George Smith would only available for the third test (he is due to be reaccessed end of June) and that's still a maybe then I can't see how he can be included in a limited 31-man squad. The inclusion of both Hooper and Gill has pretty much ruled out Smith's inclusion to me. 3 open sides in a squad of 31 doesn't work.

1 more lock will be chosen out of Douglas or MMM I think.

I reckon the a more balanced makeup of the 6 will look like:
1) Prop
2) Hooker
3) Lock
4) Halfback
5) Back utility / flyhalf
6) Back utility / fullback

If Deans follows this, then putting on my Mad Dingo hat, Deans will probably bring in:
1) No idea (Palmer maybe)
2) Hanson (although Deans may opt to not take a 3rd hooker, he's crazy like that)
3) Douglas (Douglas deserves to be there, and I would've loved to also see MMM make it)
4) Burgess (disagree with this selection - should be White)
5) McCabe - cover 12/13 (disagree with this selection)
6) Beale - cover 10/15 (disagree with this selection)

 

[Scotty]

I wonder if Cummins is considered a back up 13 by Deans?

 

[Dumbledore]

I wonder if Cummins is considered a back up 13 by Deans?

I reckon he must, Horne too. Digby's played there for Deans as well, so he'll be around as a last resort. I can't remember the last time AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has injured himself though, he's an incredibly durable player.

 

[terry j]

dunno if it's appropriate to bring it up in this thread, but what the heck eh?

what are the essential requirements, or differences, between 12 and 13? I mean, there has to be something for people to say '13 is a real hole' (think it was ash). How different can the two positions be??, that it is 'hard' to move one out (or in) to cover.

 

[BigSteve]

I reckon the a more balanced makeup of the 6 will look like:
1) Prop
2) Hooker
3) Lock
4) Halfback
5) Back utility / flyhalf
6) Back utility / fullback

If Deans follows this, then putting on my Mad Dingo hat, Deans will probably bring in:
1) No idea (Palmer maybe)
2) Hanson (although Deans may opt to not take a 3rd hooker, he's crazy like that)
3) Douglas (Douglas deserves to be there, and I would've loved to also see MMM make it)
4) Burgess (disagree with this selection - should be White)
5) McCabe - cover 12/13 (disagree with this selection)
6) Beale - cover 10/15 (disagree with this selection)

I also reckon this is what we are going to see, but hoping, praying and wishing that the six are:

1. Dan Palmer
2. James Hanson
3. Hugh McMeniman
4. Nic White
5. Quade Cooper
6. Jesse Mogg

 

[namtrak]

I also reckon this is what we are going to see, but hoping, praying and wishing that the six are:

1. Dan Palmer
2. James Hanson
3. Hugh McMeniman
4. Jake White
5. Quade Cooper
6. Jesse Mogg

I think one of those might not cut it as a player

 

[BigSteve]

I think one of those might not cut it as a player

haha Good pick up Namtrak

 

[BDA]

Beale I would love, but under the current circumstances is not ideal and I think should not (I would say can not, but he probably will so obviously he can) be chosen. See other thread.

McCabe I can't justify either. He hasn't played much 13 at a Supe level to be considered a real option there, unlike Horne, and has been willing but really uninspiring in his few hitouts for the Brumbies. The fact that he's consigned to the Brumbies bench speaks volumes.

Burgess over White, can't agree. Would love to see White's exposure at test level, it should have happened last year before his knee op. Burgess has only been closing games in France, and his form isn't nearly as good as White's.

13 is a real hole for the Wallabies after AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) currently. I would say that the backup is Horne, although not playing at 13 this year and being uninspiring last games there for the Wobs. Looking at the starting 13s for each province, there's not much other choices. The next one is probably A. Finger. We just have to hope that AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) stays uncrocked. I like Inman and he is in good form now and offers more with ball in hand over A. Finger, but Inman is still raw at a higher level and still has a few questions over how he would go against the Lions. Kuridrani has been OK for the Brumbies, but is still very green.

If George Smith would only available for the third test (he is due to be reaccessed end of June) and that's still a maybe then I can't see how he can be included in a limited 31-man squad. The inclusion of both Hooper and Gill has pretty much ruled out Smith's inclusion to me. 3 open sides in a squad of 31 doesn't work.

1 more lock will be chosen out of Douglas or MMM I think.

I reckon the a more balanced makeup of the 6 will look like:
1) Prop
2) Hooker
3) Lock
4) Halfback
5) Back utility / flyhalf
6) Back utility / fullback

If Deans follows this, then putting on my Mad Dingo hat, Deans will probably bring in:
1) No idea (Palmer maybe)
2) Hanson (although Deans may opt to not take a 3rd hooker, he's crazy like that)
3) Douglas (Douglas deserves to be there, and I would've loved to also see MMM make it)
4) Burgess (disagree with this selection - should be White)
5) McCabe - cover 12/13 (disagree with this selection)
6) Beale - cover 10/15 (disagree with this selection)

I agree those are the 6 that are likely to be chosen. I would have really liked to have seen MMM play.

I cant agree on McCabe not being in the squad. McCabe has plenty of test match experience, he's massively versatile and offers a very unique, direct style of play (if that's what your looking for). He probably wouldn't be in my starting side, but he's a valuable utility back.

To be honest I'm not too fussed with either White or Burgess being chosen. I lean towards Burgess because of his experience. It's something we don't have in spades which is why I think we are better off with guys like Burgess and Beale than the likes of White and Mogg

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

dunno if it's appropriate to bring it up in this thread, but what the heck eh?

what are the essential requirements, or differences, between 12 and 13? I mean, there has to be something for people to say '13 is a real hole' (think it was ash). How different can the two positions be??, that it is 'hard' to move one out (or in) to cover.

I think it depends on how you look at the centres as a pairing. I've always believed you need a balance of a passing/stepping centre and a crasher/bruiser. It shouldn't matter too much whether or not they play 12 or 13, so long as you have that balance. At outside centre defensive reads are important, so that can influence selections somewhat. I'm also of the belief that one of your midfield needs to be able to kick as well.

Scott Allen's Lions centre analysis was telling. The Lions pairing of Roberts and O'Driscoll in 2009 had the balance pretty much where you want it. Roberts is a big crashing centre who gets over the gain line, runs straight and nails blokes in defence. O'Driscoll has great hands, a magnificent outside break and reads the play very well. In Scott's analysis he pointed out that they swapped positions on a number of occasions so that adds weight to the argument that the centres should be looked at as a combination.

The All Blacks are another good example. Nonu and Smith have over the years lined up next to each other many times. They are very different players, with Nonu being a crasher and Smith the classy ball player.

 

[lewisr]

I cant agree on McCabe not being in the squad. McCabe has plenty of test match experience, he's massively versatile and offers a very unique, direct style of play (if that's what your looking for). He probably wouldn't be in my starting side, but he's a valuable utility back.

Surely Horne and Mogg would fill the roll that McCabe does. We have a number of utility backs (JOC (James O'Connor), Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)) so I don't really see why we need another... Horne has also added a distribution aspect to his game which is going to be key with players like Folau, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Digby and Cummins/ Tomane outside him. I'm sorry but I really can't see why McCabe should make the squad. Yes he has experience but he has been injury prone all season and hasn't played out of his skin when he's had the chance. Barnes, although low on game time, has shown he is brilliant form and hopefully we see a full 80 from him this weekend.

There are a number of players who deserve the spot ahead of Pat at this stage and when you say 'unique' I would call it one dimensional... He runs beautiful lines and is a great line crasher but we are not the All Blacks and we are not New Zealand. We have different cattle and success has traditionally come with a different style of play.

Just my opinion. Although I suspect Deans' love affair with McCabe will result in his selection in the final 6

 

[youngone]

I'm still confident that Beale will be added to the squad. He will be carefully watched this weekend. I'd love to see the following players added:-
1) Beale
2) MMM
3) Douglas
4) Palmer
5) Burgess
6) McCabe or George Smith (if he is going to be available for the 2nd and 3rd test Id add him).[/quote]


I really don't think Palmer will be there seeing as he's off to France? next year therefore not eligible for EOYT. (correct me on both if i'm wrong). I also don't think he does quite enough around the park to warrant that extra spot - and he is fairly limited to tighthead which is going against the way Deans likes players (versatile)... IMO

 

[Rebel rouser]

I can't remember the last time AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has injured himself though, he's an incredibly durable player.

Oh great mocker gods, forgive him, for he knows not what he sayeth.

 

[youngone]

Oh great mocker gods, forgive him, for he knows not what he sayeth.

in light of this, i won't make a comment about how unnecessary it really is to have such a debate over the reserve 9 seeing as Genia will play at least 240 minutes of rugby...