Wallabies Trinations Squad

[light]

That's the point of playing him at 9 against Samoa. If he's hopeless and we aren't doing well, move him to 12 and make appropriate changes

 

[qwerty51]

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

That's the idea, let's find out in a nothing match..

 

[tigerland12]

I don't mind the idea of Giteau as a 3rd choice cover of halfback. BUT it won't happen, I justcan't see Deans using him in that role. Plus he has been in great form at 10/12, why use him elsewhere. Fact is, Genia will play at least 70 minutes a game anyway

 

[JimboJoe1006]

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.

I think it is pretty clear Genia and Cooper have developed a combination now. I wouldn't say waste, but it would certainly lose an excellent opportunity for either of these two stars to develop a combination with another halve combo. Australia may not be quite as lucky as QLD in regards to the fitness of these two.

 

[light]

You're missing the point. Using Giteau as a backup 9,10,12 allows room for another forward on the bench, which we need. Our backs are fit and thankfully not injury prone (exception of Barnes) so ideally Giteau would not even need to step on the field. But why have a scrumhalf and an inside back on the bench if neither go on, rather have only one taking a seat and use the extra forward. Logic, he may not be world class number 9, but we need mobile/impact forwards off the bench, and he has experience that I would trust him coming on with 10mins to go against the AB's, more so than Burgess or Phipps anyway.

Play McCabe as #22, that way if Giteau has to go on for Genia and Barnes/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)/Ioane/Mitchell/Beale go down, you have a utility back. Only problem is if we lose both Genia and Cooper in the one game, Gits would have to go to 9, JOC (James O'Connor) to 10, McCabe 12, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 13, Ioane 14, Beale 15

 

[vidiot]

I can see where you're coming from, but IMO 9 is not the back to compromise.

Look at the tests last year. The starting 9 was subbed with significant time left pretty often, as I recall, and it is the time where the match is there to be won or lost.

Tests are faster and harder than super rugby, and the wallabies play with width. Getting to every ruck, covering chips and bombs, and tackling, esp next to QC (Quade Cooper), works over the starting 9 - usually Genia.

Being able to bring on a fresh 9 is such a simple way of igniting something that Deans was doing it every match, usually after the Ma'afu/Slipper shuffle but often before other forwards.

Might have to go back through the games and see exactly was getting mor time, and who was more often unused/underutilised - Burgess or the forward reserves.

I also dislike the backline shuffle of moving Gits from 12 to 9 in a crunch situaton late in the game - it just amplifies the disruption.

 

[light]

Just thought I'd put it out there. I know the Fainga'a debate is long over, as is the Tom Carter and Stirling Mortlock argument. But is there any arguement for Ioane playing 13 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 14. Is AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) that far ahead of Digby for OC, I wouldn't mind seeing it as AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) has been playing a fair bit of wing for the Brumbies and he certainly has the finishing ability.

Not only that but with Beale at the back we already have one broken play kick returner, is there a need for Ioane to be back there, he's defensively solid and doesn't have a big kick. Could we go with Mitchell, Beale, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). All can kick, all have incredible speed and are safe under the high ball.

I guess it comes down to one question. Is Ioane's tackling good enough to combat the likes of Fruen, SBW, O'Driscoll. Ioane can read QC (Quade Cooper)'s mind, why not have him in the centres to make that a solid connection. I wouldn't like making these changes the night before a world cup final, but this could be a better option than blooding a new winger. If Mitchell is still out we could always go with McCabe, seem to have a lot of cover for 13 so I say focus on 11 and 14 first.

 

[No4918]

Ioane's days as an OC are over. It was a somewhat successful experiment but his form this year on the wing should have shown everyone where his best spot is. Let him rove and pop up anywhere behind Quade and Genia. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s best position on the other hand is probably OC. He is a better defender and can read the play better than Ioane. Still if you want to pick on form he isn't even in the side.

 

[TOCC]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a far better defender then Ioane at centre from what we have seen...
Why not just play Ioane on the wing and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at centre where they are both tried and tested?

 

[light]

Sorry, just being suggestive. It could be an option while we wait for Drew Mitchell to come back and need quality wingers. I wouldn't be against both Ioane and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) on the wings and McCabe or Fainga'a at OC for our warmup games against Samoa and the like. It's important we give guys who are in form and have deserved jerseys a chance to show they have something to offer. It wouldn't change our gameplan too much and if everything goes helter skelter just move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) inside.

 

[TOCC]

After watching highlights of last years tests matches and spring tour, i think Deans will go with JOC (James O'Connor) as one winger and im guessing Ioane will be the other winger.

 

[No4918]

Yep with Barnes and Mitchell outside shots at being a big part of the WC i don't think Deans will do much different from last year, as good as OConnor is moving him to 12 going into a WC with only a few tests there is risky. He will have to wait for next season with no Gits in the mix. This is what i believe the selectors will go with and isn't what i would pick.

Genia
Cooper
Ioane
Giteau
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
OConnor
Beale

Only position i would change is bringing Fainga'a in at 13, maybe even 12. IMHO he has earnt his chance in the 22 and believe Gits and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) offer more coming off the bench.

 

[BDA]

he has experience that I would trust him coming on with 10mins to go against the AB's, more so than Burgess or Phipps anyway.

Agree completely. I'm not a big Giteau fan to say the least. But I would feel more than comfortable having him cover 9, 10, and 12 on the bench in the big games this year. He brings experience and leadership and it is easy to forget that he is actually one of those players that can turn a game when on song.

 

[cyclopath]

Usually, I wait for Lindommer or Lee Grant to chastise us all for debating the back line make-up (pun intended), while the pigs are the problem. But seriously, what are we really debating here? If fit, 9,10,11,14 and 15 are a lay-down misere, and really, does anyone truly believe AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) won't be 13, and most likely Giteau at 12?
Funny how we all come up with ideas of moving XYZ from this position to that, when there is really no need.
Anyway, just an observation.
As you all were.

 

[DPK]

Cyclo, lately any discussion about the pigs has been painful, mostly due to provincialism.

Also, forwards are just inherently boring. Espicially some props.

 

[cyclopath]

Cyclo, lately any discussion about the pigs has been painful, mostly due to provincialism.

Also, forwards are just inherently boring. Espicially some props.

Well, yes. And I see what you did there.

 

[Slim 293]

Deans has never played Giteau at 9 and has never indicated he's going to...

Giteau is not a 9... Its been trialled before...

His position is at 10/12 and that's where he's needed..

Genia can't be expected to play 80 mins every game, and if it's like last year we'll need someone like Burgess to cone on towards the end to ignite the attack...

5/2 splits are only needed when there aren't the players to cover positions...

I know Higginbotham plays most of his game on the wing, but old rather have a back fill a backline spot....

 

[light]

Cyclo, I think Berrick Barnes would have a very good case for the 12 jersey. He's a freakish talent and one of our main hopes against the Kiwi's, I'd rather him play 50mins, guide the team with his tactical kicking and solid defence and go off with a headache than have Giteau defending at 10 and 12 for a whole 80mins (who would you suggest as Giteau's replacement at 12. I assume Fainga'a?).

Giteau's utility value may in fact be his downfall, Deans will see that as quite useful off the bench I imagine. Depends on Genia's fitness, but I'd like to see him on the full 80 just cause he's our only real world class 9, Burgess isn't there unfortunately and I would have to consider switching off my tv if he ran on the field against the Bokkies or AB's in the tri-nations decider.

 

[drewprint]

No, a 5/2 split can be willingly used to create a whole new playing approach and dynamic.

Deans probably won't use Giteau in such a role, but I think it has merit and is definitely worth discussing.

 

[Groucho]

I can see where you're coming from, but IMO 9 is not the back to compromise.

Look at the tests last year. The starting 9 was subbed with significant time left pretty often, as I recall, and it is the time where the match is there to be won or lost.

Tests are faster and harder than super rugby, and the wallabies play with width. Getting to every ruck, covering chips and bombs, and tackling, esp next to QC (Quade Cooper), works over the starting 9 - usually Genia.

Being able to bring on a fresh 9 is such a simple way of igniting something that Deans was doing it every match, usually after the Ma'afu/Slipper shuffle but often before other forwards.

Might have to go back through the games and see exactly was getting mor time, and who was more often unused/underutilised - Burgess or the forward reserves.

I also dislike the backline shuffle of moving Gits from 12 to 9 in a crunch situaton late in the game - it just amplifies the disruption.

I think Burgess was very well used. Hr really made a difference in the games where he came on, and Genia played through the rest.