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Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

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Brumbieman

Brumbieman

Dick Tooth (41)
Forcefield said:
So if Douglas comes back, how does that change the starting line-up? Surely a fit in form Douglas would pair Simmons in the second row for the line-out/scrum. Skelton to the bench with Hooper and a backrow of Pocock, Fardy and Palu?
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He'll join the squad at the back of the 2nd row cue, and work his way up from there.
 
Strewthcobber

Strewthcobber

Mark Ella (57)
Brumbieman said:
He'll join the squad at the back of the 2nd row cue, and work his way up from there.
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I'm sure the ARU have it worked out but what's his insurance situation in Australia, especially while training here?

On the surface, no contract with the ARU, not eligible to be selected by their own rules, not signed to any Super club or Union. Might be an interesting one.
 
Groucho

Groucho

Greg Davis (50)
People are talking him up so they can get angry about coaches and officials making the decisions they've just invented to get angry at.
 
fatprop

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Brumby Runner said:
And what about showing some form? Oh, wait, he is coming in from the NH isn't he?;)
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Yep, he hasn't had a great year, what we don't know is how much of the year he was trying to play through the back injury.

It does highlight the paucity of decent TH rock movers around. If he gets back to the Reds, I expect to see him flourish under Thorn & Styles

I expect the rush would be far less if we had form locks in abundance.
 
Groucho

Groucho

Greg Davis (50)
TOCC said:
If i were Luke Jones i would have my manager putting my name forward for European clubs, he would seem to have a better change of been selected for the Wallabies by playing in Europe then he does in Melbourne.
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Everyone seems to be suggesting their favorites throw the toys out of the pram. It would be ironic if we finally developed some depth, and then all the depth disappeared in a hissy fit because they weren't picked.
 
T

Train Without a Station

Guest
Not sure if TOCC a Reds fan who lives in Sydney has any special attachment to Luke Jones, other than seeing he was a good performing player who wasn't rewarded with selection.
 
T

TOCC

Guest
Groucho said:
Everyone seems to be suggesting their favorites throw the toys out of the pram. It would be ironic if we finally developed some depth, and then all the depth disappeared in a hissy fit because they weren't picked.
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No he isn't a personal favourite but I appreciate the impressive form that Luke Jones displayed throughout the 2015 Super Rugby season and now find it rather incredible that Kane Douglas, who doesn't qualify for the Wallaby selection even under the new rules is been called into the squad ahead of him. This is the same Kane Douglas who has had indifferent form and is only now returning from injury.

How does an out of form, ineligible and recently injured european based lock get selected over an in-form Australian based lock?

And before we go throwing out lines about players having 'hissy fits', this is more about the precedent which is getting set for future selections and future eligibility. Australian rugby can never compete with the money on offer in Europe, that is a fact that everyone has accepted, but Australian Rugby and Australian Super Rugby teams can offer Wallaby eligibility and the opportunity to play Test rugby for your country. Its one thing to set eligibility criteria of 60 caps which only applies to a very small group of players, but opening up selection to players like Kane Douglas who only has 15caps and may remain in Ireland next year sets a very dangerous precedent.
 
qwerty51

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
TOCC said:
get selected over an in-form Australian based lock?
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A question no journo dared to ask at the squad announcement.

The Luke Jones case is seriously weird. Not a single article or journo mentioned him as an omission. He made the training squad and then just disappeared completely, no reference at all to him.
 
ACT Crusader

ACT Crusader

Jim Lenehan (48)
TOCC said:
No he isn't a personal favourite but I appreciate the impressive form that Luke Jones displayed throughout the 2015 Super Rugby season and now find it rather incredible that Kane Douglas, who doesn't qualify for the Wallaby selection even under the new rules is been called into the squad ahead of him. This is the same Kane Douglas who has had indifferent form and is only now returning from injury.

How does an out of form, ineligible and recently injured european based lock get selected over an in-form Australian based lock?

And before we go throwing out lines about players having 'hissy fits', this is more about the precedent which is getting set for future selections and future eligibility. Australian rugby can never compete with the money on offer in Europe, that is a fact that everyone has accepted, but Australian Rugby and Australian Super Rugby teams can offer Wallaby eligibility and the opportunity to play Test rugby for your country. Its one thing to set eligibility criteria of 60 caps which only applies to a very small group of players, but opening up selection to players like Kane Douglas who only has 15caps and may remain in Ireland next year sets a very dangerous precedent.
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That may all be well and true, but why should that be a reason for Jones to be looking overseas? He is clearly in the reckoning, and given the history of injuries with OZ locks he wouldn't be far from getting the call up. Plus there's next year and beyond given Jones has good years ahead of him.

In my view Jones had a decent year if not a bit inconsistent. But it wasn't the sort of form screaming "pick me" and what is often the case with fringe players, they have to really stand out to get more than a training squad position. Even more so in a WC year.
 
Highlander35

Highlander35

Andrew Slack (58)
He was the form lock. Skelton the only real contender for that title.

Mumm and Dennis both selected in the same capacity with lower levels of class and form.

Anyway, so long as Douglas doesn't get selected, I'm happy with whatever Locks Chieka picks for the World Cup.
 
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