Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Gillys_ghost]

Mitchell at his best was probably the best winger in the world at the time. he hasnt demonstrated anything to make me think hes back to that level but i dont think he needs to be at his best to be better then the rest of our options. for his experience alone i would have him in the squad.

Props: Slipper, Kepu, Sio, Holmes, Alexander
Hooker: Moore, Polota-Nau, Fainga'a
Lock: Simmons, Coleman, Skelton, Jones
Flanker: Pocock, Hooper, Fardy, McMahon
No.8: McCalman, Palu
Scrumhalf: Phipps, Genia
Flyhalf: Cooper, Foley
Wing: Speight, O'Connor, Mitchell
Centre: To'omua, Giteau, Kuridrani, Ashley-Cooper
Fullback: Folau, Beale

 

[Gnostic]

I think Latu has to be in contention as the No2 hooker. I'd also be looking at PAE in front of Alexander.

 

[qwerty51]

You can't underestimate his performance in a big final at Twickenham. The context is big. It wasn't just his attack, he made great reads in defence that completely shut down attacks.

I was one who thought he was past it but he performed like 2009-11 Drew, if he can do that now, he can do it in 4 months time.

 

[Brumbieman]

You can't underestimate his performance in a big final at Twickenham. The context is big. It wasn't just his attack, he made great reads in defence that completely shut down attacks.

I was one who thought he was past it but he performed like 2009-11 Drew, if he can do that now, he can do it in 4 months time.

Yep, Mitchell played his way into the squad.

We're lacking some proper wingers with experience, and an ability to finish. Lots of talent, but no one with 50 odd test appearances, recent high pressure knockout comp finals experience, size, strength and a kicking game.

His defence was never brilliant, but it was decent enough to offset his attacking ability.

People forget how physical Mitchell is, when he runs it he runs fucking hard and regularly makes a break by sitting his would be tackler on his arse, not stepping him.

 

[BDA]

We're lacking some proper wingers with experience, and an ability to finish. Lots of talent, but no one with 50 odd test appearances, recent high pressure knockout comp finals experience, size, strength and a kicking game.

You just described AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[barbarian]

Mitchell is a bit like Gits. He certainly deserves to have a shot in one of the RC tests before the World Cup. That's when the whips will start cracking, and he can play his way in.

That performance last night won't get him in the squad. It will, however, open a door and give him a chance he may not have previously had.
.

 

[ChargerWA]

I thought Timani was industrious, but Jones looked a little bit light. The question mark over both is their physicality. Think Lopeti might be a bit better placed to offer that.

Timani is 10cm too short. True he is about the same height as Brad Thorn, but he just doesn't play like a rock moving lock. He's a back row option in test rugby to me because he plays quite loose.

Fitting Speight, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Mitchell, JOC (James O'Connor), Horne into 2 will be interesting.

I think JOC (James O'Connor) is there. He's too versatile and can kick. But he will have to get fit in the next 16 weeks. He's still basically crocked.

I'd have Mitchell second but can't really comprehend a reality where AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) isn't on the plane.

 

[Jagman]

Dan Palmer is coming back... Seriously http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-union/uni...g-20150503-1myncb.touch.html?skin=smart-phone


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[qwerty51]

Incredible, what does he weigh now?

 

[BlueBagger]

I think on form currently this is a close 23.
Mitchell has almost played his way into the team but would need to see him play a RC game. Starting front row is almost in concrete but reserves are wide open. Could be a few back line bolters in Samu Kerevi but massive call before a world cup. Players like horne will be unlucky to miss out but tough to ignore speight and JOC (James O'Connor) etc. Hooper and Pocock a massive debate but if we could inject hooper off the bench for the last 30 he would make a massive impact. Same with Beale and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). Half back reserve is also interesting. Would love to see stirzaker but its hard for bolters in a WC year.
Would love to hear others opinions of why or why not for some of the players. Lealiifano would also be an unlucky omission.

Slipper
Moore (C)
Kepu
Simmons
Carter
Fardy
Pocock
Palu
Phipps
Foley
Speight
To'omua/Gits
Kuridrani
JOC (James O'Connor)
Folau

TPN/Latu
Sio
(Cowan,PAE,alexader)
Skelton
Hooper
Genia/White
Beale
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

 

[Wilson]

I think Latu has to be in contention as the No2 hooker. I'd also be looking at PAE in front of Alexander.

Latu is looking more and more likely, though it's amazing to think we'd debut another hooker after last year, even if he was around the middle of the list when he was injured. It might end up depending on how much game time he gets in the rest of super rugby, with tpn concussed again he's looking good for a few more starts.

 

[Jagman]

Incredible, what does he weigh now?

The article says 97kg. I'd be a bit worried for him.


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[Scrubber2050]

Dan Palmer is coming back. Seriously http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-union/uni...g-20150503-1myncb.touch.html?skin=smart-phone


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He was a pot plant back then - probably be the same now.

Keps then Holmes then Alexander then PAE

 

[Brumby Runner]

He was a pot plant back then - probably be the same now.

Keps then Holmes then Alexander then PAE

For RWC I agree with your THP ranking. Think Holmes has been showing very good form in Super rugby and looks to fill that particular hole. Ben A gets the nod over PAE only because he plays both sides. On form, can't see either of Cowan or Faulkner in the squad.

I am a strong supporter of the notion that any player to be selected must prove themselves in the current Super comp or miss out. I'd have all of Giteau, Mitchell and Smith in this category. Can't see where they'd get that opportunity now, so bad luck to them. On JOC (James O'Connor), he certainly hasn't yet proved he has good form for the Reds and imo would rank quite a bit down the pecking order of wingers. Honey Badger's in the same boat. Certainly, I'd have them below Speight, Horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Tomane and probably Betham in pretty much that order atm. The disappointments as wingers this year have been English, Morahan and Shipperley.

Locks are a bit of a mystery. Skelton is the stand out this year and would be my first choice at LH. Seems there's no argument about Simmons as first choice TH lock. As backup, I'd like to see like-for-like as much as possible. Either Coleman or Arnold to back up Will, and Carter to back up Simmons. I really like Luke Jones but prefer him as back up to Fardy at 6. That would mean someone like McMahon probably wouldn't make the squad, impressive though he is.

Just some thoughts on a couple of the spots under discussion. I'd prefer to keep the powder dry on a final squad until later to see if injuries are going to play a large role in players'availability.

 

[A mutterer]

Ben A can't play on both sides of the scrum - what he can do is play with grass in his face on both sides of the scrum.

Given it's a northern RWC he should be nowhere near consideration, especially after his performance on the weekend.

If we're picking on form in the season to date, and not potential, JOC (James O'Connor) has shown nothing so far this season (except some goal kicking form) so it's hard to see him in the squad atm. Beale should likewise have played himself out of contention with consistently poor decision making, passing and kicking.

I'd like to see Speight start working a bit harder, it shouldn't be a shoe in for him to walk into a spot, particularly in light of the current battle for the 7 jumper. In fact I think the backs should be pretty bloody concerned about turning in decent performances week in, week out as everyone has some big areas of improvement - and trying like hell to stand out to gain their jumper.

 

[BDA]

I noticed that Rory Arnold was added to the Wallabies get together on the weekend. He's obviously in the frame of the extended squad.


I see that Genia, Cooper, Slipper and Simo have all been named in a rather large "leadership group". Horwill is an interesting omission from that group. The leadership group seems to include nearly even player that has been a C or VC for the wallabies over the last 5 years, yet no Horwill. I suspect its an indication that Cheika sees him possibly missing out on world cup selection at this point.

 

[RugbyReg]

Does the fact Dave Dennis is in the Wallaby leadership group assure him a spot in the squad? Does his form support this? It was strong early on, but I didn't think he had sustained it.

 

[BDA]

If we're picking on form in the season to date, and not potential, JOC (James O'Connor) has shown nothing so far this season (except some goal kicking form) so it's hard to see him in the squad atm. Beale should likewise have played himself out of contention with consistently poor decision making, passing and kicking.

With JOC (James O'Connor) I'd say you're being a bit harsh. He has had a few moments of brilliance where he has made something out of nothing, including an excellent performance against the cheetahs. Unfortunately the Reds backline has been a basket case this season and so he hasn't got a lot of great attacking ball. He's also struggled with injuries.

We all know you can't go off form alone. JOC (James O'Connor) has been a fairly positive contributor to the wallabies (at least on the field) over the years.

 

[barbarian]

Does the fact Dave Dennis is in the Wallaby leadership group assure him a spot in the squad? Does his form support this? It was strong early on, but I didn't think he had sustained it.

It's hard to tell. Is he in there because he's in good form, or just because he's the captain of Australia's best Super side and it would be weird to leave him out??
.

 

[Braveheart81]

If we're picking on form in the season to date, and not potential, JOC (James O'Connor) has shown nothing so far this season (except some goal kicking form) so it's hard to see him in the squad atm. Beale should likewise have played himself out of contention with consistently poor decision making, passing and kicking.

I certainly agree that JOC (James O'Connor) and Beale need to improve their form substantially. They won't have played themselves out of contention though, they just need to find some better form towards the end of the season.

For any regular members of the squad, form in the back end of the Super Rugby season leading into the tests is likely to be enough to keep their spots.

Does the fact Dave Dennis is in the Wallaby leadership group assure him a spot in the squad? Does his form support this? It was strong early on, but I didn't think he had sustained it.

I'd say only a certainty for the initial wider Wallaby squad that will be far more players than make the Rugby Championship squad. Hodgson is also part of that group and by no means a certainty to make the final squad given the flankers available.

I think it's more about bringing in more leaders from the Australian Super Rugby teams.