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The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
He sure is. Coleman and Arnold are both 50+ cap Wallabies. As is Skelton if he gets his act together.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
For a tall fellow he isn't half bad on the deck either. He has picked up a turnover per game in the last few he has played.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Can't believe they cut Gill.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
So unlucky. He would make any other national team in the world. Pocock and Hooper are too good.
Any? Tad hyperbolic. He's bloody good, but he isn't "best in world" good, which is really what that implies.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
Maybe, but apart from New Zealanders, are there any 7s you would select ahead of him?
Marcelo
Ken Catchpole (46)
South Africa: Francois Louw, Jaco Kriel, Jean-Luc du Preez
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Louw maybe.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think he's better than Hooper and plays in a way that could be of benefit to the Wallabies over Hooper.
He is a different 7 to Hooper, Hooper plays like a 12.
Is he better than Hooper if you're not attacking every breakdown trying to pilfer?
If you're limiting breakdown numbers in defence and only going for it when there's a real opportunity on, Gill's effectiveness decreases.
The contest between Hooper and Gill has been run and won long ago. As a former captain and current vice captain with 50+ tests, Hooper is very well entrenched in the core of the side.
This is my guess for next week after seeing the squad
1.Scott Sio
2.Stephen Moore
3.Greg Holmes
4.Rob Simmons
5.James Horwill
6.Scott Fardy
7.Michael Hooper
8.David Pocock
9.Nick Phipps
10.Bernard Foley
11.Rob Horne
12.Christian Lealiifano
13.Israel Folau
14.Luke Morahan
15.Dane Haylett-Petty*
16.Tatafu Polota-Nau
17.Sekope Kepu
18.James Slipper
19.Will Skelton
20.Dean Mumm
21.Sean McMahon
22.Nick Frisby*
23.Tevita Kuridrani
1.Scott Sio
2.Stephen Moore
3.Greg Holmes
4.Rob Simmons
5.James Horwill
6.Scott Fardy
7.Michael Hooper
8.David Pocock
9.Nick Phipps
10.Bernard Foley
11.Rob Horne
12.Christian Lealiifano
13.Israel Folau
14.Luke Morahan
15.Dane Haylett-Petty*
16.Tatafu Polota-Nau
17.Sekope Kepu
18.James Slipper
19.Will Skelton
20.Dean Mumm
21.Sean McMahon
22.Nick Frisby*
23.Tevita Kuridrani
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Never thought they would keep Colemand AND Arnold as 2 of the 4 2nd rowers usually in a squad....but then to have 6 2nd rowers picked and not include him...seems odd. I think he'll get his chance Spring Tour
This will be the last season in Gold for Horwill and Mumm, and I'm confident that with the return of Douglas, then Arnold and Coleman will leapfrog Carter in 2017.
But that still leaves 5 - Simmons, Douglas, Skelton, Coleman & Arnold....with Carter still young and around the edges, I hope we don't lose Coleman overseas and to Tonga.
This will be the last season in Gold for Horwill and Mumm, and I'm confident that with the return of Douglas, then Arnold and Coleman will leapfrog Carter in 2017.
But that still leaves 5 - Simmons, Douglas, Skelton, Coleman & Arnold....with Carter still young and around the edges, I hope we don't lose Coleman overseas and to Tonga.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
I think your pretty close for that for at least 1 of the games (Folau @ 13 and HP @ 15, though I think it will be the 2nd game, IF we win the 1st game. Apart from the obvious Slipper as 17 and Kepu 18........I'd swap out Mumm for Mccalman/Palu.
My 1st game team is pretty traditional with big impact off the pine, considering all are fit and available.
1. Sio 2.Moore 3.Holmes
4. Simmons 5. Horwill
6. Fardy 8. Pocock 7. Hooper
9. Phipps 10. Foley 11. Horne 12.Lealiifano 13. TK 14. HP 15. Folau
16. TPN 17. Slipper 18. Kepu 19. Skelton 20. Mcmahon 21. Frisy 22. Kerevi 23. Naiyaravoro
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
It was never run because at the crucial time Gill got injured. Unfortunately, Gill's ship has sailed - but I know where he sits in my pecking order.
I have to wonder at the impartiality of Cheika: Palu is so far past it is embarrassing and Naiyaravoro is not up o real test football, but since he's backed both in the past they get to stay.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
If CL is still waiting for the birth to happen, and Hunt is carrying an injury so that he can't make the first test side, next week could see Hodge in at 12. Otherwise, I believe Upthereds has probably got the starting side pretty right.
Personally, I think the second row is a bit of a gamble, with Horwill's form having to be taken a bit on faith and (for the only time in my memory, I agree with Kearns) Rob Simmons has not been showing particularly good form. Apart from his lineout calling, he really offers little in open play compared with either Arnold or Coleman who are both more accomplished at those aspects of play.
Whatever side Cheika runs with, if they win the first test I expect to see an unchanged side for the second, injuries permitting. I'd think that any experimenting will be confined to the third test if we are two up by then. Expect some changes though, if we lose the first test.
Personally, I think the second row is a bit of a gamble, with Horwill's form having to be taken a bit on faith and (for the only time in my memory, I agree with Kearns) Rob Simmons has not been showing particularly good form. Apart from his lineout calling, he really offers little in open play compared with either Arnold or Coleman who are both more accomplished at those aspects of play.
Whatever side Cheika runs with, if they win the first test I expect to see an unchanged side for the second, injuries permitting. I'd think that any experimenting will be confined to the third test if we are two up by then. Expect some changes though, if we lose the first test.
Palu did stuff in that chiefs game that others don't, I think cheika wants that kind of aggression and leadership in and around the squad
Of the wingers selected who would be most likely to get to the goal line from 30m through a couple of defenders? Again, Naiyaravoro does stuff the others don't and gives cheika a different option
I'm afraid I can't disagree more. If Cheika is picking Palu on those few moments in one game he is forgetting the dire moments hes had earlier in the season and his performance at the RWC. The 60 second clip posted on GAGR's facebook page supposedly showed why Palu was picked in the Wallaby squad. To be fair it was also his season highlights.
His ship has sailed and he shouldn't be in the squad in my eyes, and was lucky to make the 40+ squad.
This is just another case of a rep coach picking a player because he knows a player rather than the player deserving it.