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Wallabies Trinations Squad

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Groucho

Greg Davis (50)
Baxters 69 tests has always riled me. He came into the side only because every other TH prop in the country broke himself and stayed because Eddie Jones was a spanner short of a toolbox when it came to forwards. Anyone who thinks his first 49 tests were up to international standard is off with the pixies and a few after his 50th weren't too flash either. Yes he looks pretty good for the Tahs but he does have 2 exceptional frontrowers packing down with him.

What choice did Jones have? Baxter was always there or thereabouts, for his whole career. Of course his tests were up to international standard. However he suffered from not quite being the better tighthead when the Wallabies had a generally weak scrum. He was always going to be the focus of that - the tighthead always is. Playing with the current scrum, he'd do fine.
 

Scotty

David Codey (61)
This may surprise you, but a good scrum is not the sole domain of props. It would have assisted Baxter if he had a lock who actually pushed or an openside flanker who didn't practically detach upon hearing "engage". Slipper categorically is not better than Baxter at the moment, nor does he have the breadth of experience 70 odd caps bring.

Slipper may turn into an excellent prop, but he isn't one yet. Against quality looseheads this year he has always come off second best and that is only at Super Rugby level.

Slipper is only 22 and has shown fantastic ability for his age. He is only going to get better. If he had been packing down with Robinson and tpn this year I he would be seen as the equal if Baxter at the scrum, if not better and most certainly better around the park.
 

jay-c

Ron Walden (29)
ive heard a few times that palmer from the brumbies is considered the best scrumaging prop in the country> not being a master of the dark arts myself can anyone confirm this for me?
because personally i think our scrum is suck a weakness in our opponents eyes that carrying a prop around the field may be worth it if we were able to guarantee a 'dominant' scrum>
kepu tpn and robinson is my pick thou> very strong and has the combination~
 

waratahjesus

Greg Davis (50)
Kepu will get the bench spot, he offers the diversity we need, it's between slipper and. Alexander, I would prefer slipper but I really can't call it, slipper hasn't set the world on fire for me this year, he only managed a couple of good games last year and I dont think he has carried that form through. That said he is young an if he plays or not Australian rugby needs him involved in the set up to help him keep improving. Alexander dissapoints me, I actually think baxter has been the best aus tight head, won't get a look in though
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
ive heard a few times that palmer from the brumbies is considered the best scrumaging prop in the country> not being a master of the dark arts myself can anyone confirm this for me?
because personally i think our scrum is suck a weakness in our opponents eyes that carrying a prop around the field may be worth it if we were able to guarantee a 'dominant' scrum>
kepu tpn and robinson is my pick thou> very strong and has the combination~

I would say that Palmer is definitely the best scrummaging TH in the country with Kepu close behind...

But while Palmer is a master of the scrum, he doesn't provide anything else around the field...

In fact, between scrums he could go take a seat on the sideline and provide the same workrate...

Either two things need to happen to get Palmer into the Wallabies:

a) The IRB introduces the prop equivalent to the 'pitch hitter' in baseball

or

b) He improves his workrate significantly

I would easily have Palmer in the squad over Alexander if he could just do a little more, because to have someone of his scrummaging ability play against some of the NH teams like England, France, Wales or Italy would be something. Ideally he'd be the kind of player to put in for the first 50 minutes when these teams like to target the Wallaby scrum, and then bring on someone a bit more athletic when they're worn down.
 

barbarian

Phil Kearns (64)
Staff member
From today's SMH

art_p8-200x0.jpg



So no Burgo for Samoa, so I would expect Phipps to get a start. Rocky and Kepu will be back, but will Deans throw them in straight back from injury?
 

DPK

Peter Sullivan (51)
Which facet of his game is slow, Groucho? I'd be worried about his defence and lack of experience.
 

Groucho

Greg Davis (50)
Which facet of his game is slow, Groucho? I'd be worried about his defence and lack of experience.

His running in open play, DPK. His pass is nice and fast and he gets to Rebels breakdowns well. But I think he will struggle with the speed of the Wallabies game. I think he'll be slower than some of our forwards and a lot slower than all our other backs. I'm basing that assessment on seeing him getting burned a few times, admittedly by fast players, but neither Genia or Burgess would have been.
 

Swarley

Bob Loudon (25)
From today's SMH

art_p8-200x0.jpg



So no Burgo for Samoa, so I would expect Phipps to get a start. Rocky and Kepu will be back, but will Deans throw them in straight back from injury?

I personally think Giteau will be the starting #9, with Phipps on the bench
 

vidiot

John Solomon (38)
I wonder if it may not be better just to let Genia and Cooper run at 9 and 10 and find some combination (again) with however fills the centres - I would think Giteau at 12 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or maybe McCabe at 13. They will want to hit the ground running for the trinations.
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Giteau will most likely be starting 12, and backup 10...

Those will be the two positions Deans will want him to focus on with Genia, Burgess and Phipps all providing adequate cover for 9...
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
I reckon Deans will seriously consider Giteau on the bench for the WC to cover 9-10-12. I'm sure he wants a 5:2 and he's perfect for the role.

Better to see if he's still up to 9 at the start of the season.
 

light

Peter Fenwicke (45)
exactly, why have a specialist 9 on the bench who can only play one position and takes the spot of a loose forward, when you can have a specialist 9 who covers 3 backline positions and has experience in all 3 roles. Allows us to start the likes of Elsom and Palu and have consistent 60+ min players such as Hodgson, Robinson on the bench
 
M

Maroon Army

Guest
When was the last time Gits played at scrum-half? Is his service even up to Test standard?
 
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