Wallabies 2019 Thread

[Brumby Runner]

If Pocock is fit I think it makes it hard. Not sure we want a squad with Pocock, Hooper and Samu all
In it. I guess they can only pick 3 specialist locks + LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto).

Edit: Agree on his quality though. In great form.

With the quality available in the back row, that's exactly what I'd be doing if I were selecting the Wallabies. In my view, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is at least as good as any lock after Arnold, Rodda and Coleman and possibly Philip. On current form, he is better than Coleman too.

 

[Derpus]

Coleman really shouldn't be in the squad.

 

[Tex]

Coleman has been a passenger when he's played, albeit one who makes a couple big tackles in defence. If you're going to pick the best Rebels lock it's Phillip by a country mile.

 

[Derpus]

Yeah but he'll make it because 'experience' even though hes been horrendous (first Ireland test aside) since the start of last year.

 

[Tex]

Byword for rewarding mediocrity. Instill some more hunger and competition for spots

 

[Strewthcobber]

Cheika wasn't afraid of ditching James Horwill last time around.

 

[Derpus]

I dont like the idea that you can be picked for the Wallabies if you are signed to an overseas club next year.

Why is it that you can earn the honor to play for your country only if you promise to play domestically in Australia the following season but can announce your intention to abandon Australian domestic rugby after the glory of a World Cup position and still get picked.

BTW, I would not pick White anyway.

Samu covers 8 and 6. Don't really see any issue with taking him in the squad as well as Poey and Hoops. The issue would be starting all 3 at once, but that wont happen.

I'd say the odds of Poey going at this point are slim and getting slimmer.

 

[Joe Blow]

Dempsey, Hanigan, Jones and Valentini also cover 6 and 8 as well as bringing a bit more size and lineout ability.
We don’t need to revert to the midget backrow model of past years. We can actually put out a big bruising well balanced back row for the first time in a while. Samu is a very similar player to McMahon and Pocock
I would not take Samu if both Hooper and Pocock are fit and going to Japan.

 

[BDA]

I thought Powell last week was outstanding. If he can help the Brumbies to a win this weekend, it's becoming increasingly difficult to leave him out of the squad instead of Phipps or White. I've really not seen White play since he left Australia so I can't comment on whether he brings anything to table. Phipps is probably not even the best halfback at the Tahs.

I think I'd prefer to see Powell get that 3rd spot, if for no other reason than to give him the experience of being part of a world cup squad, otherwise we'll go to the next world cup with 0 halfbacks having any experience at a world cup

 

[Slim 293]

Dempsey, Hanigan, Jones and Valentini also cover 6 and 8 as well as bringing a bit more size and lineout ability.
We don’t need to revert to the midget backrow model of past years. We can actually put out a big bruising well balanced back row for the first time in a while. Samu is a very similar player to McMahon and Pocock
I would not take Samu if both Hooper and Pocock are fit and going to Japan.

We did take all 3 of Pocock, Hooper and McMahon to the last RWC, and McMahon played a major role with Pocock missing a couple of matches...

Samu should definitely go on form alone, and there's no guarantee at this stage that Pocock will be fit enough to get through the entire tournament.

And despite his size, Samu has more physicality and tackle busting ability than a few of the larger players named above.

Hanigan shouldn’t even be in the conversation.[/broken record]

 

[Joe Blow]

We did take all 3 of Pocock, Hooper and McMahon to the last RWC, and McMahon played a major role with Pocock missing a couple of matches.

Samu should definitely go on form alone, and there's no guarantee at this stage that Pocock will be fit enough to get through the entire tournament.

And despite his size, Samu has more physicality and tackle busting ability than a few of the larger players named above.

Hanigan shouldn’t even be in the conversation.[/broken record]

I like Samu as a player. He definitely goes if Pocock does not. Last world up we did not have the backrow options that we have now and Cheika was fully committed to the Pooper even if one of them was not available.
Essentially Samu is a 7 who can play 6 and 8. I guess we will know more after the RC.

 

[Derpus]

I thought Powell last week was outstanding. If he can help the Brumbies to a win this weekend, it's becoming increasingly difficult to leave him out of the squad instead of Phipps or White. I've really not seen White play since he left Australia so I can't comment on whether he brings anything to table. Phipps is probably not even the best halfback at the Tahs.

I think I'd prefer to see Powell get that 3rd spot, if for no other reason than to give him the experience of being part of a world cup squad, otherwise we'll go to the next world cup with 0 halfbacks having any experience at a world cup

God i love your pic.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

God i love your pic.

Me too. I so hope that bloke goes the shoulder charge for the hundredth time in a WC game this year and gets a red. Just about my least favourite rugby player on the planet.

 

[Derpus]

My confidence in the Wallabies has been shredded before the first kick off. Probably a good thing.

 

[KOB1987]

My confidence in the Wallabies has been shredded before the first kick off. Probably a good thing.

Depth has always been our issue, and the Jags (Pumas) had a massive home advantage. This might just hose down a few peoples’ expectations of the Brumbies representation in the side though, they didn’t respond to the pressure at all well.

I’m not talking across the board, just a few of the mooted fringe selections, and only because it’s a RWC year. Foley is still the preferred 10 I’d say.

 

[wamberal]

God i love your pic.

Owen Farrell's dad, Andy, was a league international, of course. No doubt Owen played some himself as a kid, I reckon.

Bring back the biff!!!

 

[whitefalcon]

So what now? The Brumbies have the week off, do their end of year thing and then the Brumbies contingent of players join the rest late this week/early next?

When do we expect the first squad to be announced vs players just training with the wallabies?

 

[Viking]

I dont like the idea that you can be picked for the Wallabies if you are signed to an overseas club next year.

Why is it that you can earn the honor to play for your country only if you promise to play domestically in Australia the following season but can announce your intention to abandon Australian domestic rugby after the glory of a World Cup position and still get picked.

BTW, I would not pick White anyway.

I have no issues with players being pick coming straight from overseas - form permitting. Given the standard may be slightly lower then super XV they should have outstanding form before being considered.

I haven't heard a thing about White's form which makes me think it's average - plus even before leaving he only had 1-2 solid games in gold.

Only players I heard were killing it oversea's are Fardy and Skelton - maybe these guys should be considered - everyone else unless proven Test players (McMahon) gets to the end of the pecking order.

Anyone have a brief summary of how well the oversea's guys are going?

 

[Derpus]

I have no issues with players being pick coming straight from overseas - form permitting. Given the standard may be slightly lower then super XV they should have outstanding form before being considered.

I haven't heard a thing about White's form which makes me think it's average - plus even before leaving he only had 1-2 solid games in gold.

Only players I heard were killing it oversea's are Fardy and Skelton - maybe these guys should be considered - everyone else unless proven Test players (McMahon) gets to the end of the pecking order.

Anyone have a brief summary of how well the oversea's guys are going?

I asked a few English lads how White had been doing. Summary was - smart player, usually makes the right decisions, can't box kick.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The Brumbies front row should still form the Nos 1 - 3 and 17 for the Wallabies. Arnold should still get a start at No 4. Valetini, I think, showed enough to say that he is still in the running for a squad backrow spot. McCaffrey blotted his copy book with some hair brained efforts like his grubber kick the first time, or thereabouts, the Brumbies had possession. He generally didn't have a strong game.

Powell and Lealiifano were pretty average with Christian taking some very poor options that had the ultimate punishment attached to them. But on the whole no worse than any of the competition for spots have had over the season.

Kuridrani and Banks were fairly average but again are the front runners for their respective spots based on form over the season.

Pulu in particular did little to nothing to enhance his chances of further selection.

Samu and Pocock were sorely missed. The sole pilfer I can remember from the Brumbies was by Speight in the 79th minute.

I think there was a touch of reality in the game and result, but it's not all doom and gloom. The best of the rest when added will raise the bar. Rodda will help shore up the lineout. Hooper will add to the defense and probably pull off a pilfer or two as a bonus. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (or Jones) and Naisarani will add height and jumping ability to the lineout as well as giving more go forward in the thick of the action.

Kerevi will certainly provide go forward in the backline attack, while hopefully some other wingers will find some form for the upcoming tests.