Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Slim 293]

There's infinite possibilities.............

Most of which are unrealistic...........

 

[Marcelo]

And I don't think convincing him to stay will be a problem. There was an article in the Fiji Times not long after he signed last year, that suggested he really really wants that canary jersey.

Really? Do u have the link?

 

[Brumby Runner]

The reactions of some posters to a possible concept is hilarious.

I'm not suggesting what should happen, just what could be a possibility. It will all depend on how Chieka wants to play the game and the skill sets required to execute that plan. The provincial location of individuals are irrelevant when considering the skills sets that they bring, except in the case of determining the case between equally balanced individuals and considering established combinations.

The whole reason for posting the concept is a consideration of how well Folau played coming into 13 (from 15) against Kurindrani, and the comments of coaches before and after that game. When you consider history and the selection of McCalman to play 7 in the 2011RWC against Ireland it is not a far fetched idea when you consider the balance of the skill sets available. The McCalman selection was not particularly bad given the skill sets available to Deans (in the flawed & limited squad he selected) what the great failure was, was not adjusting the game plan to account for the loss of the specialist 7 skill set (that and the idiotic idea of playing a conservative kicking game plan and not having a long kicker in the entire squad).

Having a fixed idea of picking the perceived best player in each position with no reference to the game plan to be played may not create a cohesive whole and leave key skill sets uncovered. Selection should be considered from the point of view of the game plan that the coaches want to play. That may change from game to game, but I doubt that.

Ok. I think I'll just stick with probabilities. Barring injuries, I think it is probable that Folau will fill the 15 spot and Kuridrani the 13.

 

[Highlander35]

Really? Do u have the link?

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=279963

"He told us before he left last year, that he will only return when he achieved his goal of playing for the Wallabies," proud dad Ravunivadra Uluilakeba said.
"He has achieved one, a Super Rugby contract and I believe he will fulfil his words before returning home."
Uluilakeba had faith his son could be a Wallaby in the future.

 

[Lorenzo]

All of last year this almost this entire board thought Folau was immovable from 15 (despite his below average kicking game) because of his high ball prowess. Suggesting he ought to displace TK is beyond stupid.

 

[KevinO]

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=279963

Thank you,

10.05 over 100 meters. WOW

 

[TOCC]

All of last year this almost this entire board thought Folau was immovable from 15 (despite his below average kicking game) because of his high ball prowess. Suggesting he ought to displace TK is beyond stupid.

Not beyond stupid... Just unlikely and probably unnecessary given how well Tevita has grown in the role the past 2 seasons.



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[Lorenzo]

Not beyond stupid. Just unlikely and probably unnecessary given how well Tevita has grown in the role the past 2 seasons.



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I'm going with beyond stupid. There are four tests before the RWC. There's no time left for silly experiments. Playing Folau at centre when TK was close to our best back (if not the best) last season is just ridiculous.

 

[TOCC]

How did TK play on the weekend? How about the backup 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)?

'Beyond stupid' would be failure to plan for redundancies and examining potential ideas, especially in case of injury..


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[cyclopath]

How did TK play on the weekend? How about the backup 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)?

'Beyond stupid' would be failure to plan for redundancies and examining potential ideas, especially in case of injury..


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Spot on.

 

[Ruggo]

How did TK play on the weekend? How about the backup 13, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)?

'Beyond stupid' would be failure to plan for redundancies and examining potential ideas, especially in case of injury..


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Look at players who are and have played 13 before. Let's see what options that throws up. Keen to see how Speight handles the position after a few more games. I don't think stupid is the term I would use but to be toying with an untried player in that position I don't think will end well with the time frame we are looking at. I agree with Lorenzo on that point. Who plays 13 for the Wallabies will have to be astute in defense at 13. That is why I think experience is the key. If Izzie is an option, get him playing in that position for the Tahs right now.

I think Izzie is more valuable at 15 me thinks.

 

[Gnostic]

As I said before the selections will be determined by the type of game the coaches want to play, form, incumbency and injury. As said above not to consider all options now is stupid. Would you rather go into a RWC selecting a running padding 10 to play a kicking conservative game plan or not have a backup fetcher/ruck 7 in the squad and not plan playing structures to cover the loss of that 7. Same with 13.

 

[TOCC]

It also needs to be remembered that greater flexibility is required at a RWC compared to your standard tour, the cup has shorter turnaround periods and greater restrictions on squad sizes and replacements..




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[Ruggo]

Some positions will remain a specialist position regardless. Anyone remember how sacrificing that for flexability worked out at 7 at the 2011 RWC?

 

[Highlander35]

Yeah, but there's flexibility, like, McCalman CAN play seven if he really really needs to, or flexibility like McMahon and Butler, who are more than capable sevens who typically play elsewhere.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Spot on.

Nah. I agree it would be stupid (or beyond) not to have a contingency, but it is generally stupid imo to plan to move one of the best players from the position he normally plays when the backup in that position would be a real weakness in the team. And I am not just referring to Izzy being moved from 15 to 13, but much more generally.

The contingency should be someone like Kyle Godwin as backup 13. Really he would be contingency for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) who is the real contingency at 13 when fit.

Having said that, just to prove how wrong I can be, Henry Speight really filled in for Kuridrani in a very good way against the Cheetahs, and probably will stay there for some time while TK is out injured. In my world, though, Nigel Ah Wong would have been the contingency at 13 had he not himself been injured, allowing Henry to stay where he has been so successful.

 

[fatprop]

All this talk about Folau at 13, how about who would then play 15?
Cupboard is pretty bare IMHO

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[Slim 293]

Also, if Speight continues to play as well as he did on the weekend at 13 then he might be considered as Kuridrani's backup............

At the very least though he's helped book his spot on the plane to England by having that flexibility now............

 

[cyclopath]

I'm not sure anyone (maybe 1 poster??) seriously suggested removing Kuridrani from 13 and putting Folau there provided both were fit and firing, and still the outrage continues that anyone should suggest anyone else could play 13. Maybe. Possibly.
To recap - Kuridrani is out for many weeks with a shoulder injury. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is yet to return. Both will need to regain match fitness and form. Speight has exactly 1 game at 13 and does well, so he should be considered a back-up (booked his ticket on the basis of it apparently, eh Slim 293? ); Godwin has 1 good game at 13 so he's OK. It's beyond stupid apparently to even theorise that Folau could ever play 13, but fine to nominate other rookies in that position. I think it would be nice to know all the potential options in a RWC year. Options if players are injured on tour. Options if players get subbed in a game.
I just can't see the problem some people have with considering possibilities without getting all outraged that their favourite 13 is being discriminated against. Somehow. Or that it's beyond stupid.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I'm now more worried about our options at 10, with QC (Quade Cooper) being out for (I think) seven weeks and only a couple of games match practice before going into test season. We've now got a few blokes who are going to be well short of a gallop come RWC time. The flip side is that they should be fresh and raring to go.