Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Wilson]

As far as hookers go I think it might be, fitness permitting, Moore, one of tpn and saia as an experienced backup and one of Hanson and latu as the less experienced but in form options. Atm that'll be tpn and Hanson. I'd be surprised if both of saia and tpn missed out (assuming they're fit), I think their big game experience and track record of standing up when called upon will mean there's always room for one of them.

 

[Lindommer]

I'd be willing to lay serious money Cheika won't select any of the Europeans this year. The only qualification I'll make is injuries notwithstanding. Mitchell over Horne? Never!

 

[Viking]

I'd be willing to lay serious money Cheika won't select any of the Europeans this year. The only qualification I'll make is injuries notwithstanding. Mitchell over Horne? Never!

Why? Mitchell has a greater skill-set and apparently form is just as good.

 

[hammertimethere]

I still don't agree that it's entirely necessary to name 3 halfbacks in the squad. I get that there is a risk if somebody goes down in the captains run then injured in the first minute but honestly how likely is that really? The advantages of being able to take an extra back or back 5 forward outweigh that risk in my view

 

[Braveheart81]

I still don't agree that it's entirely necessary to name 3 halfbacks in the squad. I get that there is a risk if somebody goes down in the captains run then injured in the first minute but honestly how likely is that really? The advantages of being able to take an extra back or back 5 forward outweigh that risk in my view

I think this is why Giteau will be part of the squad as the emergency third halfback rather than taking a specialist.

I can't see Cheika only naming two halfbacks without Giteau because whilst the risk is miniscule, the repercussions are substantial. With the RWC, the risk period extends to 48 hours before the match so it would take in the captain's run plus the training session the day before (which is presumably a contact session).

In the worst case scenario with only two halfbacks in the squad, one gets injured in the two days before a game leaving you only a starting halfback. If they then get injured early in the match you might have Cooper, JOC (James O'Connor) etc. playing halfback for a lot of a game which I think would really destroy your chances in that match.

 

[Viking]

Can the third choice half-back simply be on "holiday" in England during the RWC.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Can the third choice half-back simply be on "holiday" in England during the RWC.

They can - but can only join the squad if someone is out for good + they need to wait 48 hours. So as said above,the risk is a pregame injury

 

[Strewthcobber]

Double post

 

[Braveheart81]

They can - but can only join the squad if someone is out for good + they need to wait 48 hours.

That's the other reason why you want someone who can fill that third halfback role in your original squad.

If your first or second halfback has a one week injury you don't want to have to remove them from your squad for the whole tournament just so you can field a reserve halfback in the next game.

 

[Pete King]

As muh as the form of some at super rugby level trumps him I believe Higgers should be the starting 8 with Palu his cover on the bench. Higgers offers the most of any Australian backrower (excluding the 7s). He has the ability/ aggression to be world class and Id be banking on him to come of age in the Cup.

 

[Braveheart81]

As muh as the form of some at super rugby level trumps him I believe Higgers should be the starting 8 with Palu his cover on the bench. Higgers offers the most of any Australian backrower (excluding the 7s). He has the ability/ aggression to be world class and Id be banking on him to come of age in the Cup.

When have we ever seen that at test level? He's had some reasonable impact off the bench and a couple of good games at 6 early in his test career (where I think he is better suited for test match rugby) but I don't think he's had a single really strong game starting at 8.

I don't think he's been one of the Rebels stronger forwards this year either. I reckon he'll miss out on the RWC squad unless there are injuries to some of his competitors.

 

[fatprop]

This is how I would break up the squad

3-THPs
2-LHPs
3-Hookers
3-Locks
1-Lock/6
1-6s
2-7s
1-6/eight
1-eight
3-Nines
2-10s
2-12s
2-13s
3-Wings
2-15s

 

[Highlander35]

Don't mind that too much FP, but I'd drop a back for an extra loose forward, or go for a genuine lock and a genuine 6/8 rather than a hybrid.

 

[Pete King]

When have we ever seen that at test level? He's had some reasonable impact off the bench and a couple of good games at 6 early in his test career (where I think he is better suited for test match rugby) but I don't think he's had a single really strong game starting at 8.

I don't think he's been one of the Rebels stronger forwards this year either. I reckon he'll miss out on the RWC squad unless there are injuries to some of his competitors.

Well we saw quite alot of it in 2012 in wallably gold then he was injured for duration of 2013 and I believe had some really good impact and involvements in 2014,. as I suggested in original post form hasnt been great but I believe he offers more ability aggression wise then others. Palu at times in his career has been in diabolical form

 

[qwerty51]

I really can't see 3 exclusive 9s going. 2 9s + Giteau

 

[fatprop]

Gits ain't a nine, playing as a quite average 9 several years ago is not a useful selection for a RWC, now if 2 9s go down on game day, it is a make do, but that is like throwing Phipps on the wing.

But that is all

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[fatprop]

so .......................

3-THPs - Kepu, Holmes, Alexander
2-LHPs - Slipper, Sio
3-Hookers - Moore, Latu, Nau/Hanson
3-Locks - Simmons, Skelton, Coleman
1-Lock/6 - Dennis/Jones
1-6s - Fardy
2-7s - Hooper, Pocock
1-6/eight - McCalaman
2-eight - Palu
3-Nines - Phipps, Genia, White
2-10s - Foley, Cooper
2-12s - To'omua, Lilo\Giteau
2-13s - Kuridrani, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
3-Wings - Speight, Horne
2-15s - Folau, Beale\ Mogg\Haylett-Petty

 

[Braveheart81]

^ I think that is really close to the squad that Cheika will be looking at.

I think Jones is very likely at this point and certainly ahead of Coleman and Dennis in the running.

I think Giteau and Lilo could both go and Genia or White could miss out at this point.

I also agree that Horne is becoming more of a certainty every week.

The last back spot is really up for grabs and it's a battle between the experienced but low on form players like Beale and JOC (James O'Connor) in my opinion. I completely agree that their form doesn't warrant selection but I can't see neither making the cut. They do provide a point of difference that has proven to win matches in the past. I think most coaches like a player like this on the bench as one of their back reserves. Given their form I can definitely see one of them missing out on the squad though.

 

[Chris McCracken]

so .........

3-THPs - Kepu, Holmes, Alexander
2-LHPs - Slipper, Sio
3-Hookers - Moore, Latu, Nau/Hanson
3-Locks - Simmons, Skelton, Coleman
1-Lock/6 - Dennis/Jones
1-6s - Fardy
2-7s - Hooper, Pocock
1-6/eight - McCalaman
2-eight - Palu
3-Nines - Phipps, Genia, White
2-10s - Foley, Cooper
2-12s - To'omua, Lilo\Giteau
2-13s - Kuridrani, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
3-Wings - Speight, Horne
2-15s - Folau, Beale\ Mogg\Haylett-Petty

This is sane - perhaps even likely.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

This is sane - perhaps even likely.

It's a squad that'd give Lancaster & esp. Gatland pause for thought. Coupla points though: numbers to the left add up to 32, 18 forwards & 14 backs so you'd need to lose a back somewhere. Also from the names (& assuming those in bold are either/ ors), you're short a backup 8 & a proper wing so gotta lose another utility back or convert another midfielder.

EDIT: just seen earlier post #3232 where the numbers add up to 31 & which has a really good balance IMO. Just gotta be a little more ruthless in fitting the names into that structure............