Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Highlander35]

On the basis of that squad, Toby misses out in the front row because Faulkner plays both sides. Simples. 3 hookers is simple too.

Of the locks, Simmons, Skelton, and Dennis probably make it, probably Horwill ahead of Mumm.

And of the 7 backrowers, I only see McMahon missing out.

Can't pick the backs, but 5 will miss the final squad. At this stage, Too many syllables, Kerevi, White, along with one of group A (Lilo, Gits, Cooper, Beale, Foley, To'omua) and one of group B (Speight, Tomane, Mitchell, Beale).

Obviously Beale can't be dropped twice.

We'll probably know in 2 weeks who's missing out in general, but that's mine based on that squad.

Can't argue with most of the squad given form and injuries, but devastated for Jones.

 

[Brumby Runner]

changes i would have made

coleman for mumm
Jones for dennis
Vea for McMahon
JOC (James O'Connor) for Beale

Yes, I think they would all be an improvement.

 

[TOCC]

Still don't quite comprehend Mumm over Jones

 

[Slim 293]

Faulkner is the third option at THP. At least he doesn't carry on his shoulders the heavy burden of being beaten by all top class props at test level in the last 5 years

Neither does Ruan Smith, or me for that matter.............

 

[TheNude]

I reckon that's a pretty good squad. Only one bloke genuinely unlucky, and that is Luke Jones.

Always the focus will be on the one or two strange choices, but in reality I reckon he's got it 95% right here. Always going to get a few left field choices in a squad of 40, but I doubt many of them end up in the final 31.
.

Echos my view; good balance of experience and some new names to blood in the RC and see if they can perform at test level ahead of the RWC.

 

[ACT Crusader]

What are others thinking, a 17/14 split for the final squad?

3x hookers - as named
5x props - Faulkner to miss
3x locks - Skelton, Simmons and Horwill
1x lock/loosie - Dennis
5x loosies - the two Mc's to miss

 

[Scoey]

Obviously Beale can't be dropped twice.

In a perfect world that would be possible.

 

[Slim 293]

What are others thinking, a 17/14 split for the final squad?

3x hookers - as named
5x props - Faulkner to miss
3x locks - Skelton, Simmons and Horwill
1x lock/loosie - Dennis
5x loosies - the two Mc's to miss

Something like that, although I would think McCalman in/Dennis out......... but then he is Cheika's captain at the Tahs.

Edit: Although with no Jones Dennis might just be considered the 4th lock?

 

[Marcelo]

The old "anybody else must be better".

If Alexander is good at Super Rugby and poor at test level, what's Faulkner going to be when he's poor to average at Super Rugby level to begin with?

Everybody know that Alexander has been hit by any NH prop at the last years

At least the rivals don't know him, maybe he will be more respected for being unknown. Alexander is the jester of props at international level

Thanks sir Mario Ledesma!

 

[wamberal]

Still don't quite comprehend Mumm over Jones

Must want to have a look at him. Not sure what he expects to find.

 

[mouth guard]

If Mumm making the squad over Jones doesn't show Cheika's Waratah bias I don't know what will...

 

[ACT Crusader]

Something like that, although I would think McCalman in/Dennis out... but then he is Cheika's captain at the Tahs.

Edit: Although with no Jones Dennis might just be considered the 4th lock?

I'm a little surprised by the Dennis inclusion. Can't really put my finger on it, but to me he looks lost out there. A poor mans Hugh 3M

 

[Brumby Runner]

My thoughts on Arnold were due to him tailing off a little as the year went off. Very common for younger players. Coleman held his form a little better I felt.

I think Arnold's best is behind him for 2015, but obviously will be even better in 2016.

We clearly have different perspective about Rory A. In my opinion he really put in at the end of the season when the Brumbies were missing Sam Carter and was playing his best football by the finals time. But in any case, I don't expect he will make the final cut, but wouldn't be unhappy if he did in place of (say) Mumm who I don't think has justified a spot on the squad at all.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Faulkner is the third option at THP. At least he doesn't carry on his shoulders the heavy burden of being beaten by all top class props at test level in the last 5 years

Thanks sir Mario Ledesma!

Just being beaten by Benn Robbo when they fronted up directly against each other.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Everybody know that Alexander has been hit by any NH prop at the last years

At least the rivals don't know him, maybe he will be more respected for being unknown. Alexander is the jester of props at international level

Thanks sir Mario Ledesma!

Ben Alexander has struggled at times against certain opponents. He has also performed well against others.

That makes no sense whatsoever. Players aren't going to respect a guy more for never being good enough to fail for the Wallabies. You do realize they probably check out Super Rugby right?

This isn't local club rugby where somebody turns up and says they were an All Blacks trialist and nobody is the wiser.

 

[Dumbledore]

Devastated for Jones. His agent should be on the phone to France.

 

[emuarse]

How the ^#*% did Dean Mumm get there?

 

[Brumby Runner]

What are others thinking, a 17/14 split for the final squad?

3x hookers - as named
5x props - Faulkner to miss
3x locks - Skelton, Simmons and Horwill
1x lock/loosie - Dennis
5x loosies - the two Mc's to miss

I think that'll be close but personally I wouldn't mind seeing Arnold as the third lock in place of Kev. I'd say the same about Coleman had he made the squad instead of Rory.

 

[KOB1987]

What are others thinking, a 17/14 split for the final squad?

3x hookers - as named
5x props - Faulkner to miss
3x locks - Skelton, Simmons and Horwill
1x lock/loosie - Dennis
5x loosies - the two Mc's to miss

It could be 18/13 especially with Giteau there. And they are calling this the squad for the TRC so just because someone is omitted doesn't mean they can't be recalled into the final RWC squad.

 

[emuarse]

40 man Extended Qantas Wallabies Squad:

Rory Arnold (Brumbies)*
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)
Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
Quade Cooper (Reds)
Dave Dennis (Waratahs)
James Hanson (Reds/Rebels)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Tetera Faulkner (Force)
Israel Folau (Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
Will Genia (Reds)
Matt Giteau (Toulon)
Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)
Greg Holmes (Reds)
Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Rob Horne (Waratahs)
James Horwill (Reds)
Samu Kerevi (Reds)*
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)
Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
Drew Mitchell (Toulon)
Wyclif Palu (Waratahs)
Ben McCalman (Force)
Sean McMahon (Rebels)
Dean Mumm (Waratahs)
Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs)*
Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
David Pocock (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
Rob Simmons (Reds)
Will Skelton (Waratahs)
James Slipper (Reds)
Toby Smith (Rebels)*
Henry Speight (Brumbies)
Matt To'omua (Brumbies)
Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
Nic White (Brumbies)

Gees, Benny Robinson must be rally upset, he's the only eligible Waratahs run on player not selected in this squad. What did he do to upset Chieka?