Wallabies 2019 Thread

[KOB1987]

Approximately 1 week and 6 hours

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

So we're two tests into the season and now only two tests away from picking our RWC squad. Where do things sit after those two games?

Props: Slipper, Sio, Ala'alatoa, Tupou, Kepu
Hookers: Fainga'a, Latu
Locks: Arnold, Rodda, Simmons
Backrow: Hooper, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Naisarani
Halfback: Genia, White
Fly half: Foley, Leali'ifano
Centres: Kerevi, Kuridrani
Back three: Beale, Hodge, Banks, Koroibete

That's 13 forwards I would have fairly close to locked in. Latu is the only questionable one there but I think his time off the bench was pretty strong versus Uelese getting concussed after a minute. I have Uelese and TPN fighting it out for the last hooker spot.

So we need one more hooker, and either one more lock and three backrowers or four backrowers if LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is also your 4th lock.

I see Pocock as being a guaranteed selection if he's healthy. If Pocock doesn't make it then Samu would definitely be in. Demspey/Jones/Samu/Coleman/Valetini would seemingly be competing for 2 or 3 spots.

That's 10 backs. We will most likely take 13 and at most 14 so that would be one more halfback (probably Powell), one of Petaia/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/DHP and one of To'omua/JOC (James O'Connor). If we opted for 14 backs then we could take an extra of these players.

Last RWC we only took two halfbacks and in 2011 Phibbs only played 30mins on the wing against Russia. I wouldnt be surprised to see another forward go.

 

[Braveheart81]

Last RWC we only took two halfbacks and in 2011 Phipps only played 30mins on the wing against Russia. I wouldnt be surprised to see another forward go.

We had a very different schedule though and our choice to only take two hookers and halfbacks was based around wanting separate XVs so we could run out a complete B team against Uruguay and not have key players involved in two short turnarounds.

This time around we have a minimum of 6 days between games and our two toughest pool games have 8 days between them (our first two games).

I expect we will take three hookers and halfbacks so it doesn't become essential to replace a player with a minor injury. We also don't have a player who can reasonably fill in as an emergency halfback whereas we had Matt Giteau last time around.

 

[RugbyReg]

I agree we'll take three hookers and halfbacks and then there will be sudden injuries in training and we will bring in reinforcements in other areas. Perhaps Petaia after regaining confidence in the NRC

 

[fatprop]

I agree we'll take three hookers and halfbacks and then there will be sudden injuries in training and we will bring in reinforcements in other areas. Perhaps Petaia after regaining confidence in the NRC

Cheika said around RWC selection that they would plan around the replacements, starting off "short" in some areas with the assumption that as injuries occur they could balance out as required

 

[barbarian]

I agree we'll take three hookers and halfbacks and then there will be sudden injuries in training and we will bring in reinforcements in other areas. Perhaps Petaia after regaining confidence in the NRC

I've always wondered why you can't take a squad of 30 players, and then just take 5-10 more as well.

Are there any rules that your named players are the only ones allowed in the country/at training? I know there is a 24-48 hour rule for squad replacements, but to me the only reason you'd leave those people in Australia is so they can keep their match fitness in club footy.

There is a certain logic to just bringing an additional prop, hooker, lock, halfback and utility back along and keeping them enmeshed with the squad at training, so when an injury inevitably happens they are ready to slot straight in.
.

 

[Slim 293]

Players outside of the 31 named in the squad are not allowed to train with the team..........

Wales got into trouble for this last time, and I seem to recall the AB’s testing the boundaries back in 2011.

 

[wamberal]

These sorts of discussions remind of the days when domestic Test sides were only allowed to assemble 48 hours before the game.

 

[RugbyReg]

Players outside of the 31 named in the squad are not allowed to train with the team....

Wales got into trouble for this last time, and I seem to recall the AB’s testing the boundaries back in 2011.

the All Blacks?????? NEVER!!!!!

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Players outside of the 31 named in the squad are not allowed to train with the team....

Wales got into trouble for this last time, and I seem to recall the AB’s testing the boundaries back in 2011.

We had a very different schedule though and our choice to only take two hookers and halfbacks was based around wanting separate XVs so we could run out a complete B team against Uruguay and not have key players involved in two short turnarounds.

This time around we have a minimum of 6 days between games and our two toughest pool games have 8 days between them (our first two games).

I expect we will take three hookers and halfbacks so it doesn't become essential to replace a player with a minor injury. We also don't have a player who can reasonably fill in as an emergency halfback whereas we had Matt Giteau last time around.

I imagine a squad in Brisbane and Sydney will be working out. Then they can be called up and play 48hrs later.

 

[Braveheart81]

I imagine a squad in Brisbane and Sydney will be working out. Then they can be called up and play 48hrs later.

The issue we avoid by having three specialists in the initial squad is that if a first choice hooker or halfback gets a one week injury and you only have two of them in your squad you realistically have no choice but to replace them because the replacement is needed for the 23 in your next match.

If you do have three of each in the squad you can keep the injured player in the squad knowing that they will come back into your best 23 once they recover.

 

[Strewthcobber]

On rugby ruckus Turinui thought that taf would be on the plane because of his ability to cover prop in an emergency

 

[wamberal]

On rugby ruckus Turinui thought that taf would be on the plane because of his ability to cover prop in an emergency

And in a real emergency he could play 8!!!

 

[RugbyReg]

On rugby ruckus Turinui thought that taf would be on the plane because of his ability to cover prop in an emergency

that would be quite the emergency. I think Tolu Latu has played prop more recently than TPN

 

[ShtinaTina]

"Petaia, Polota-Nau and Pocock return
to the Qantas Wallabies Squad"

https://wallabies.rugby/news/2019/08/02/wallabies-squad-new-zealand

 

[Highlander35]

I'd quite like a 35 man squad: 2 XVs, backup Front Row, Backup Halfback and an extra player for shits and giggles and to make a nice round number.

Always difficult increasing squad size though: financially I can imagine its not really wanted, and it does provide exacerbate a pretty big advantage to tier 1 nations with more pros and/or greater ability amongst depth players.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Ok I think getting closer to final 31 RWC spots below.

Can see the benefits of only taking 2 half backs like last RWC so pity we don't have another Giteau here. Would like to fit in DHP but can't find the room. Maybe Coleman misses out and DHP comes in as got Jones/Dempsey and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) that cover lock

For me Jones and Dempsey battling for final backrow position and can't split them.

On centres battle for 2 spots between O'Conner, Petaitia, To'omua and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) one would think. For me as least To'omua misses out as O'Connor covers both centre positions and and got Beale and Hodge as extra 10 cover. Final centre position between AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) & Petaiti as both cover outside centre and wing and battle between them.

Props: Slipper, Sio, Ala'alatoa, Tupou, Kepu (5)
Hookers: Fainga'a, Latu. Uelese (3) /8
Locks: Arnold, Rodda, Simmons, Coleman (4) /12
Backrow: Hooper, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Naisarani, Pocock, Jones (or Dempsey), Samu (6)/18
Halfback: Genia, White, Powell (3)/21
Fly half: Foley, Leali'ifano (2)/23
Centres: Kerevi, Kuridrani, OConnor, Petaia or, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (4)/27
Back three: Beale, Hodge, Banks, Koroibete (4)/31

 

[Joe King]

I can't seem to see the game on channel 10 tonight. Can anybody else?

edit: ok, got my weeks mixed up.

 

[Slim 293]

I reckon the following 24 are locked into the RWC at this stage.........

Props: Sio, Slipper, Ala'alatoa, Kepu, Tupou
Hookers: Fainga'a, Latu
Locks: Arnold, Rodda, Simmons
Backrow: Hooper, Naisarani, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
Scrumhalves: Genia, White, Powell
Flyhalves: Lilo, Foley
Centres: Kerevi, Kuridrani
Wings/Fullbacks: Koroibete, Beale, Banks, Hodge

The following will be fighting it out for the remaining 7 spots, and although I've listed Pocock he'll definitely be included if fit.........

Hookers: Uelese, TPN
Locks: Coleman
Backrow: Pocock, Jones, Samu, Valetini, Dempsey, Wright
Centres: To'omua, JOC (James O'Connor), AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Petaia
Wings/Fullbacks: DHP, Maddocks

Although it seems Coleman is not in competition with anyone, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) does cover lock and could play there depending on the makeup of the squad.

 

[TSR]

You’ve left Petaia out.