The Wallabies Thread

[upthereds#!]

Im sure they will, just pointing out we got more depth at thp.

 

[KOB1987]

no mcmahon. who will be backup to hoops

alcock? Fainga'a? Smith? Hodgson? (in that order is my guess)

I reckon it will be G Smith. He will be of massive benefit as a squaddie even if he doesn't make the 23, and against the June opposition he's still going to be handful if he does get called up.

 

[Highlander35]

alo-emile called up to Samoa, M. Ala'alatoa wants to be an all black...man I hope Tupou and Lomax come good as THP. Now to find the next LHP.

 

[farva]

So squad predictions?

I understand that Sio, Slipper, Beale and McMahon are injured so wont be selected.

Props (5) Alaatatoa, Robertson, Smith, Kepu, Cowen
Hookers (3) Moore, TPN, Latu
Locks (4) Coleman, Arnold, Philip, Douglas (shouldnt be but will)
Back Row (6) Hooper, Fardy, Higgenbotham, Dempsey, Hardwick, Haylett-Petty (my smokey)
Half Back (3) Powell, Phipps, Ruru (is he eligible?, if not Genia)
Fly Half (1) Foley
Centres (3) Kerevi, Meakes, Kuridrani
Outside Backs (5) Folau, DHP, Speight, Hunt, Hodge (Banks as a smokey)

 

[upthereds#!]

So squad predictions?

I understand that Sio, Slipper, Beale and McMahon are injured so wont be selected.

Props (5) Alaatatoa, Robertson, Smith, Kepu, Cowen
Hookers (3) Moore, TPN, Latu
Locks (4) Coleman, Arnold, Philip, Douglas (shouldnt be but will)
Back Row (6) Hooper, Fardy, Higgenbotham, Dempsey, Hardwick, Haylett-Petty (my smokey)
Half Back (3) Powell, Phipps, Ruru (is he eligible?, if not Genia)
Fly Half (1) Foley
Centres (3) Kerevi, Meakes, Kuridrani
Outside Backs (5) Folau, DHP, Speight, Hunt, Hodge (Banks as a smokey)

Not sure about Phillips in the 2nd row. Simmons, Carter, Skelton, Arnold the 2nd and Skelton would all be ahead of him. Dempsey won't be a chance, Hanigan would be ahead of him if anything but it'll be Timani aswell in there. Will absolutely be quade as the 2nd flyhalf.

 

[upthereds#!]

I reckon it will be G Smith. He will be of massive benefit as a squaddie even if he doesn't make the 23, and against the June opposition he's still going to be handful if he does get called up.

based on what smith said though...about other 7s getting a crack. I think Alcock would get it now, maybbbe Fainga.. I would prefer G.Smith but I don't think they'll do it for these upcoming tests.

 

[farva]

Quade could well be picked, but he is nowhere near standard.
I picked Dempsey as Cheika was talking he and Hardwick up.
Carter might get the nod ahead of Philip, but I would be livid if Simmons or Skelton do, they are not performing whereas Philip is.
Timani isnt getting picked at the Rebels. Ill admit to not seeing enough of the Rebels so dont know if he should get the nod. I thought Alcock might be an option too. Im also going to change Douglas for Carter as I forgot about Carter!
The squad is only 30 so really cant take too many passengers. Maybe 3 development players (Dempsey, Hardwick and Phillips) with the rest needing to be at standard.
I say dont pick Simmons, Skelton, Douglas, Mumm, Cooper, etc if they are not performing as we have better options, albeit not established. And it is Scotland and Fiji, not NZ. Plus Cheika has said he wants to not be blooding players after this year with the next world cup in sight.

 

[upthereds#!]

Quade could well be picked, but he is nowhere near standard.
I picked Dempsey as Cheika was talking he and Hardwick up.
Carter might get the nod ahead of Philip, but I would be livid if Simmons or Skelton do, they are not performing whereas Philip is.
Timani isnt getting picked at the Rebels. Ill admit to not seeing enough of the Rebels so dont know if he should get the nod. I thought Alcock might be an option too. Im also going to change Douglas for Carter as I forgot about Carter!
The squad is only 30 so really cant take too many passengers. Maybe 3 development players (Dempsey, Hardwick and Phillips) with the rest needing to be at standard.
I say dont pick Simmons, Skelton, Douglas, Mumm, Cooper, etc if they are not performing as we have better options, albeit not established. And it is Scotland and Fiji, not NZ. Plus Cheika has said he wants to not be blooding players after this year with the next world cup in sight.

Dempsey has been out injured and is still out. Timani is getting picked. and it's 33. More options I don't most of our incumbents are old enough or playing crap enough to need replacing between now and the WC tbh. it's what..2 years away? Anyway I think this squad will be more about the Rugby Championship, with new players coming on the EOYT.

This is what I would like it to be with a few new faces to get a crack at a bench spot at least once, but I think Cheika will not give up Simmons, Skelton and Mumm plus Alcock or Hardwick would be picked over Smith.

BTW Cheika likes 2 x teams, with an extra hooker, prop and halfback

1. Robertson, Smith Sio (if fit, Lomax if not)
2. Moore TPN Latu
3. Kepu, Ala'alatoa
4/5. Carter Coleman Arnold Arnold (less flashy but rough stuff then Tui)
6. RHP, Fardy
7. Hooper, Smith
8. Higs, Timani
9. Genia Phipps Powell
10. Quade Foley
12. Hodge Meakes
13. Kerevi Tk
11/14. Naivalu Speight Koroibete DHP ..(an extra forward if not fit though)
15. Folau Hunt

 

[KOB1987]

1. Robertson, Smith Sio (if fit, Lomax if not)
2. Moore TPN Latu
3. Kepu, Ala'alatoa
4/5. Carter Coleman Arnold Arnold Tui
6. RHP, Fardy, Hanigan
7. Hooper, Smith
8. Higs, Timani
9. Genia Phipps Powell
10. Quade Foley
12. Hodge Meakes Godwin
13. Kerevi Tk
11/14. Naivalu Speight Koroibete DHP ..(an extra forward if not fit though)
15. Folau Hunt

My guesses (not necessarily preferences) as above

 

[RoffsChoice]

If you're going by having two possible teams with a few depth players (as Cheika seems to like doing), and with the eyes set square on developing for 2019, I'd be hoping for:

Props: Toby Smith, Nic Mayhew, Tom Robertson, Allan Ala'alatoa, Sekope Kepu
Hookers: Talu Latu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Hanson
Locks: Adam Coleman, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Matt Philip, Richie Arnold
Backrowers: Michael Hooper, Chris Alcock, Ross Haylet-Petty, Richard Hardwick, Ned Hanigan, Lopeti Timani, Scott Higgenbotham
Scrumhalves: Joe Powell, Michael Ruru, Will Genia
Flyhalves: Bernard Foley, Jono Lance/Ian Prior/Quade Cooper
Centres: Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Billy Meakes, Reece Hodge
Wingers: Sefa Naivalu, Henry Speight
Wingers/Fullbacks: Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau
Fullbacks: Karmichael Hunt

 

[upthereds#!]

just come out in the courier mail that cheika will probs go with hanigan and hardwick. So i guess hardwick replaces mcmahon and hanigan is a no.6 backup. Maybe no room for RHP unless they carry a 5th lock/backrow guy like Mumm....if they don't pick mumm

 

[cyclopath]

If you're going by having two possible teams with a few depth players (as Cheika seems to like doing), and with the eyes set square on developing for 2019, I'd be hoping for:

Props: Toby Smith, Nic Mayhew, Tom Robertson, Allan Ala'alatoa, Sekope Kepu
Hookers: Talu Latu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Hanson
Locks: Adam Coleman, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Matt Philip, Richie Arnold
Backrowers: Michael Hooper, Chris Alcock, Ross Haylet-Petty, Richard Hardwick, Ned Hanigan, Lopeti Timani, Scott Higgenbotham
Scrumhalves: Joe Powell, Michael Ruru, Will Genia
Flyhalves: Bernard Foley, Jono Lance/Ian Prior/Quade Cooper
Centres: Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Billy Meakes, Reece Hodge
Wingers: Sefa Naivalu, Henry Speight
Wingers/Fullbacks: Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau
Fullbacks: Karmichael Hunt

But Moore's already been named as captain.

 

[RoffsChoice]

But Moore's already been named as captain.

Then I expect Mumm at 6 and Phipps at 9.

 

[cyclopath]

Then I expect Mumm at 6 and Phipps at 9.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Some strange and questionable selections being put forward. Why would Lomax ever be considered as a LHP? Ben Alexander is back in the LH side and playing good football. Not even collapsing or being heavily penalised at scrum time. Would be a better bet imo than Cowan.

As far as injuries are concerned, what is the status of Kepu, Dempsey, Phipps, Sio, DHP, all of whom seem to have been missing or are doubtful at present?

 

[Getwithme]

I think generally having an eye to developing for the World Cup doesn't mean selecting younger players. The group of players we have had over the last 12 months I think are young enough and puts Cheika in a nice position.

Reward those individuals who are good enough but no need to blood younger players with an eye to the cup because our group is fairly useful as it is.

If that makes sense?

 

[Joe Blow]

It doesn't make too much sense if we have injury problems in a couple of areas where we are looking light on, LHP and 10 to be more specific.

 

[upthereds#!]

Some strange and questionable selections being put forward. Why would Lomax ever be considered as a LHP? Ben Alexander is back in the LH side and playing good football. Not even collapsing or being heavily penalised at scrum time. Would be a better bet imo than Cowan.

As far as injuries are concerned, what is the status of Kepu, Dempsey, Phipps, Sio, DHP, all of whom seem to have been missing or are doubtful at present?

Wayne Smith and I think Tucker both listed Sio and DHP, soooo I have hope, but I think it's a dream. Sio (only just?) missed out on travelling with the team, but maybe Cheika is being kept up to date on their progress a little better then us.

I wrote Lomax, but not as a LHP, but as a 5th prop of Sio isn't fit. Without Sio we could still have LHP Robertson & Smith with THP Kepu, Lomax and Ala'alatoa (who can play both) OR Could be an experienced Cowan or Alexander (doubt it) another good scrummager who has been around the system & can play both sides (Faulkner) or another recent wallaby camp invitee LHP (Faagase)

 

[upthereds#!]

It doesn't make too much sense if we have injury problems in a couple of areas where we are looking light on, LHP and 10 to be more specific.

We got Robertson and Smith at LHP. Ala'alatoa can play both sides. If Sio isn't fit, you still have 3 wallaby LHPs. Not as good as our THPs in Kepu and Ala'alatoa but still. I would bring a guy like lomax in to develop then a cowan or faagase. Would rather put Ala'alatoa to LHP and Kepu at THP if necessary then bring a 3rd specialist LHP who most likely just wouldnt cut the mustard at RC or WC level.

Cheika likes 2 x teams plus an extra hooker, prop and halfback. Would be surprised to see a 3rd flyhalf for a 3 game series.

 

[Braveheart81]

Here's my guess at the 33 man squad:

Props:
Smith, Mayhew, Robertson, Kepu, Ala'alatoa
Hooker:
Moore (c), TPN, Latu
Lock:
Coleman, Arnold, Simmons, Carter, Skelton
Backrow:
Hooper (vc), Timani, Hardwick, Hanigan, Fardy, Higginbotham
Halfback:
Genia, Phipps (Gordon), Powell
Fly half:
Foley, Cooper
Centres:
Hodge, Kerevi, Kuridrani, Meaks
Back three:
Folau, Hunt, Korobeite, Speight, Naivalu