Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Godfrey]

Simmons had a precent decent game for a first outing against the Bulls, pretty busy. Let's see how he goes but I'm confident come WC time it'll be him and Skelton as starting locks. Good balance of athleticism & braun with Simmons lineout skills and Skelton's offloads/short passes adding some points of difference.

 

[KOB1987]

Below is a hypothetical RWC2015 starting XV based on this thread. Spot the controversial selection:

1. Robinson
2. Hansen
3. Alexander
4. Douglas
5. Horwill
6. Mumm
7. Pocock
8. Butler
9. White
10. Beale
11. Tomane
12. Giteau
13. Folau
14. Cummins
15. O'Connor

I'd be happy to be picked in that team, not sure about the World Cup chances though...

 

[Brumby Runner]

Simmons had a precent decent game for a first outing against the Bulls, pretty busy. Let's see how he goes but I'm confident come WC time it'll be him and Skelton as starting locks. Good balance of athleticism & braun with Simmons lineout skills and Skelton's offloads/short passes adding some points of difference.

I tend to agree. Simmons and Carter are too much the same. I'd certainly keep Carter as backup to Simmons and then one of Coleman or Arnold as backup to Skelton. Lopeti Timani to me is a No 8 and well could start there if we are looking for forward dominance or even parity.

 

[KOB1987]

What is the actual status of Kane Douglas re RWC?

 

[Brumby Runner]

ATM I'd say not eligible. If he comes back early he will need to prove himself to be a better pick than the likes of Skelton, Coleman or Arnold to fill the LH lock spot. Simmons and Carter have the TH lock spot to themselves imo.

 

[KOB1987]

has Rory Arnold really done anything to justify Wallaby selection this year? He's a good player, don't think it's his time yet though.

 

[qwerty51]

What is the actual status of Kane Douglas re RWC?

He's contracted to Leinster for another year, no idea why he's being discussed.

Also Horwill has more chance of making the squad than Arnold. If there was a lock bolter it would be Coleman.

 

[Sully]

I think everyone has written Horwill off way too soon.

 

[KOB1987]

He's contracted to Leinster for another year, no idea why he's being discussed.

Also Horwill has more chance of making the squad than Arnold. If there was a lock bolter it would be Coleman.

I was only asking the question. I would agree with the latter.

I think everyone has written Horwill off way too soon.

I for one haven't, his discipline is an issue right at the minute but he can sort that out and his experience is something no other currently playing lock in this country can match.

 

[Godfrey]

The problem is while he's fallen away, Skelton has improved. If we're looking for an aggressive, strong lock to truck it up then Horwill has more competition than he has had in years. His better lineout ability would be his only clear advantage above Skelton for me right now, and I say that as a Horwill fan. Of course it is possible though but so far it seems like adversity has bent him more than anything else.

 

[Sully]

I was thinking of him more as the third lock in the match day squad. Capable of replacing Simmons and Skelton.

 

[Sully]

Actually dark horse Mitch Chapman could dot the same.

 

[Jagman]

I think it was made obvious in the articles about Mumm that he is coming back only to have a shot at the RWC squad. As the captain of some english team and highly rated I'm sure he'd be getting paid quite handsomely and therefore taking a big risk. The Waratahs want him, sure, but they only signed him one year.

Perhaps he hasn't had that much lineout calling experience at Test level. Though he has some. But he was very good at it at the Tahs. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure he was ahead of Mowen when he was there and Mowen is a better caller than Simmons now. In 2012 when Mumm got subbed for the Tahs their lineout went from excellent to an absolute mess.

I'm not advocating for Mumm, I'm just reading between the lines. Why would he return to Sydney if someone had not given him reasonable assurances?


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[wamberal]

He's contracted to Leinster for another year, no idea why he's being discussed.

Also Horwill has more chance of making the squad than Arnold. If there was a lock bolter it would be Coleman.

Because Georgina Robinson keeps talking about him coming back, that's one reason.

 

[qwerty51]

I agree, I can't imagine Mumm coming back unless he was told by someone high up he is a decent shot at making the squad. Exeter have had one of their best seasons whilst he's captain, I'm sure he's enjoying life over there and on a bigger pay cheque.

 

[BDA]

I could only see Mumm making the squad as a 6, and only if there's an injury or two in that position. Right now I'd have Fardy, Timani and probably Jones ahead of him

 

[Slim 293]

The question is.........

Is Mumm's English club rugby form sufficient evidence that he's a significantly better player than when he departed?

Because his experience is completely obsolete if he's not.........

 

[Brumby Runner]

I could only see Mumm making the squad as a 6, and only if there's an injury or two in that position. Right now I'd have Fardy, Timani and probably Jones ahead of him

And McMahon and Cottrell and Butler and etc etc. Mumm has no recent form at Super level.

 

[Joe Blow]

And McMahon and Cottrell and Butler and etc etc. Mumm has no recent form at Super level.

and Higgers, McCalman and probably a few others.

 

[Viking]

has Rory Arnold really done anything to justify Wallaby selection this year? He's a good player, don't think it's his time yet though.

Nah, but he's been solid and no other lock has been outstanding for the last couple of years. We really need some-one in this area to step up. Otherwise you will always get posters searching for answers in fresh players like Arnold.