Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Brumby Runner]

So why was McCalman included? I don't think Cheika feels Timpani is ripe just yet. We will see him on the EOYT I suspect.

Are you sure there will be an EOYT this year, just after the RWC? I have in mind that there was no EOYT after the 2011 RWC and I think there was an announcement some time ago to that effect this year also. But I could be imagining it.

 

[A mutterer]

So why was McCalman included? I don't think Cheika feels Timpani is ripe just yet. We will see him on the EOYT I suspect.

are you suggesting that chieka is playing the timpani in the hope of getting him to bang out some better performances?

 

[Train Without a Station]

Where do you get your stats from TWaS?

Timani's 3 lineout wins all year is pretty remarkable. Needs to work on that if ever to be selected.

Vodacom Rugby App.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/vodacom-rugby/id810905014?mt=8

 

[Train Without a Station]

The other thing about Timani is he has played 80 minutes twice this year. Round 1 and about 3 weeks ago.

He averages 59 minutes per game and generally comes off in the 55-65 minute mark.

Compare that to Skelton last year and many were questioning his fitness because he only played 5 or so full games.

The other thing that goes against Timani is his tackle completion rate. His is 85% which is high for a tight forward who should be making low risk tackles in tight. Compare this to Quade Cooper who is a perceived poor defender, and tackles at 88%.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Happy with most. Its a certain recognition for those players

I nearly fell off my chair re Hunt. He must be there as Waterboy.

 

[Viking]

Disappointed with Godwin but he only has himself to blame.

 

[BDA]

The absence of Timani maybe increases Vaea's prospects. They are similar players in that their strengths are physicality and ball running, neither being a legitimate line-out option.

Looking at their stats side by side, the big difference is Vaea's effectiveness with ball in hand. they went for roughly the same amount of runs (V - 126, T - 129) but Vaea was a lot more effective, with twice the metres (V - 356, T - 178) and almost twice as many defenders beaten (V - 19, T - 10).

Vaea was also the superior defender, with more tackles (V - 116, T - 90) and less missed tackles.

 

[Pfitzy]

Hate tackle stats - never tell the full story.

Are you sure there will be an EOYT this year, just after the RWC? I have in mind that there was no EOYT after the 2011 RWC and I think there was an announcement some time ago to that effect this year also. But I could be imagining it.

Pretty sure you're right there - RWC will run deep into October and unless the ARU have teed up a money making tour that should be it?



In any case, of the squad I'm sure there are a couple of guys that are there mainly for Cheik to see if they can knock off incumbents.

 

[the sabanator]

I'm not surprised so many Reds were picked. Outside of Hunt, the guys picked were either experienced Wallabies or coming off of outstanding seasons (Kerevi, Holmes). Whether they start, come off the bench or make the 31 is another story.

Plus I think Cheika might want to see what he can do with these guys under competent supervisions. It's hardly a secret the Reds team was stacked with talent this year that just went criminally underutilised.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Hate tackle stats - never tell the full story.

They generally tell enough of the story. If they're lower than everybody else, the player isn't doing enough. If they're higher, they generally are.

Comparing similar positions and types of players is fair. It's when some attempts are regularly more difficult than others the comparison is skewed. E.g. comparing a tight forward tackling one off the ruck to a fullback attempting 2 on 1s after line breaks.

 

[KOB1987]

With regards to the make up of the squad, think of it like this:

Our first 2 games are against Uruguay and Fiji. After these 2 games our core 23 players are by and large going to get all the game time. The other 8 guys are there in case we need a last minute change to the 23. This is precisely where we need someone with the experience of horwill to fill in, and not a debutante like Rory Arnold. So expect more experience and less super form amongst these 8 blokes.

The other 14 or so in the wider squad are probably more for the future and to give them some exposure to the wallabies outfit. Khunt for example won't be on the plane but if something happens to kuridrani or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) he's probably the next best 13 option so it makes sense to keep him in the loop for now.

 

[TOCC]

Hate tackle stats - never tell the full story.




Pretty sure you're right there - RWC will run deep into October and unless the ARU have teed up a money making tour that should be it?

The ARU were initially planning on playing some matches in Europe post the RWC but canned the idea.. There will be no EOYT


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scrubber2050]

The ARU were initially planning on playing some matches in Europe post the RWC but canned the idea.. There will be no EOYT


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great idea. The wallaby boys dont really get a pre season, just the 4 weeks off. Has happened for the past few years .

All players need a real spell particularly the forwards

 

[Braveheart81]

People also need to consider that the Wallabies have been assembling at various points over the course of the year and whilst it hasn't involved much actual training, there's been a lot of strategy sessions, particularly amongst the playmakers and leadership group.

That means that some selections which seem based more on reputation than on form are continuations of decisions made at the start of the year.

Part of the trade-off of starting preparations from the beginning of the year prior to Super Rugby finishing is that some of the broader selection decisions have already been made. When you've established a group of halfbacks and inside backs to be your playmaking group you're unlikely to then decide that your third choice halfback should be dropped for a greenhorn who is completely unfamiliar with the setup and would be a tenuous selection decision weighing up their superior form against an experienced Wallaby who has been in the fold throughout the year.

 

[Aussie D]

Disappointed with Godwin but he only has himself to blame.

What were the contributing factors though?
Foley's 10-man rugby game plan
Poor backline coaching at the force
Quality inside players
Disheartened after being in the Wallaby set-up all of last year and not receive a minute's game time (even against the BaaBaas).

If a guy like KHunt can make the squad surely godwin deserved a call up (and others for that matter).

 

[Groucho]

Weeks has barely played. PAE has anchored our best scrum in five years.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

PAE has unlimited potential, and is about to get schooled (in both senses of the word) in Europe for a year or three. It's a very wise investment to cap him.

 

[Groucho]

The absence of Timani maybe increases Vaea's prospects. They are similar players in that their strengths are physicality and ball running, neither being a legitimate line-out option.

Looking at their stats side by side, the big difference is Vaea's effectiveness with ball in hand. they went for roughly the same amount of runs (V - 126, T - 129) but Vaea was a lot more effective, with twice the metres (V - 356, T - 178) and almost twice as many defenders beaten (V - 19, T - 10).

Vaea was also the superior defender, with more tackles (V - 116, T - 90) and less missed tackles.

Good point. Vaea and Timpani are two of the very few players we have who can play the Potgeiter role in a Cheika Wallabies. Wouldn't it be good if Higginbotham could be taught to rampage?

 

[qwerty51]

Vaea has not taken a single lineout all year. Even Genia has 3.

 

[Slim 293]

Genia also has 2 lineout steals............ smokey for a lock spot?

 

[Slim 293]

Seriously though, I'm not sure about the relevance in the context of this discussion?