Wallabies Trinations Squad

[Groucho]

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.

Yep. And Ioane is most effective with a roving commission. That's a bit harder to achieve from 13.

 

[Joe Blow]

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.

If the Wallabies start with
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Ioane
12.Giteau
13.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14.JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

then there is absolutely no need to have a back-up 5/8 on the bench as there is already 3 other 5/8s on the park.
The two reserve backs could be Burgess and an outside back, maybe Turner or McCabe.
This would allow Deans to go with 2 X backrowers and a specialist second rower on his bench.

 

[drewprint]

If the Wallabies start with
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Ioane
12.Giteau
13.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14.JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

then there is absolutely no need to have a back-up 5/8 on the bench as there is already 3 other 5/8s on the park.
The two reserve backs could be Burgess and an outside back, maybe Turner or McCabe.
This would allow Deans to go with 2 X backrowers and a specialist second rower on his bench.

Good point, that'd work nicely too.

 

[Joe Blow]

They could then have a bench of

TPN/Moore
Alexander/Slipper
Vickerman
Samo
Hodgson
Burgess
McCabe

It's a pretty decent looking bench!

 

[Skippy]

If there is a 3rd halfback selected, I'm pretty sure Deans will take Richard Kingi. With Burgess out for the pre 3 nations friendlies, Kingi will get some time off the bench behind Genia. I think Deans will take Kingi as he has been in the system for one year or two and I think Deans will limit where possible (except in case of injuries etc) 'new' players. Phibbs is too slow for me and whilst his passing is pretty good he can't break away from the base of rucks like Genia and Burgess. Kingi also brings a degree of versatility to the team and when coming off the bench in WC pool games whilst Burgess starts, he can always cover wing or fullback if required.

 

[kiap]

If there is a 3rd halfback selected, I'm pretty sure Deans will take Richard Kingi. With Burgess out for the pre 3 nations friendlies, Kingi will get some time off the bench behind Genia. I think Deans will take Kingi as he has been in the system for one year or two and I think Deans will limit where possible (except in case of injuries etc) 'new' players. Phibbs is too slow for me and whilst his passing is pretty good he can't break away from the base of rucks like Genia and Burgess. Kingi also brings a degree of versatility to the team and when coming off the bench in WC pool games whilst Burgess starts, he can always cover wing or fullback if required.

Kingi? Maybe, although did you mean Phibbs (Brumbies and Buckleys) or Phipps (Rebels and starting ahead of Kingi)? Another option: maybe Lucas, if fit.

 

[Skippy]

Yeah sorry, Phipps the Rebels 9. Kingi 3rd no 9 ahead of Phipps. If a 3rd 9 is taken.

 

[Slim 293]

Phipps went on the EOYT last year... so he's already been in the Wallaby setup...

And he's well ahead of Kingi...

 

[Anyaussiesidewilldo]

It took me half hour to find it as I am not up to speed with Twitter, but Drew Mitchell posted that he completed his 1st boxing session. Anyone have any more reliable news on his re-hab progress?

 

[fatprop]

Kingi? he hasn't played 9 for ages.

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Kingi? Maybe, although did you mean Phibbs (Brumbies and Buckleys) or Phipps (Rebels and starting ahead of Kingi)? Another option: maybe Lucas, if fit.

I would only have Lucas behind Genia and Burgess. He offers a lot at 15 and is solid at 9. Kingi won't be anywhere near the squad.

 

[DPK]

He's got potential, VRF, but it's pretty unlikely Deans will pick someone who hasn't already been part of a Wallaby squad during his tenure.

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Good point. However, Lucas is sort of like those ponies that they use to calm down race horses. He keeps QC (Quade Cooper) calm, particularly when defending. :lmao:

 

[Slim 293]

Patrick Phibbs should be third choice halfback based on his form in the last few weeks...









Not really, but since every other team is having someone suggested we may as well have a turn...

And at least Phibbs has played the position this year... so he has more of a chance right?

Seriously, it'll be Genia/Burgess/Phipps with only injuries allowing anyone to even get a look in...

 

[Swarley]

To be honest, I only want people in World Cup Contention playing against Samoa. Sure, both Phibbs and Phipps have had good seasons, but I'd rather have Giteau start at #9. Not only is Deans considering using him as a back-up halfback, but he's also played there before and it gives us an opportunity to test out our fringe inside backs.

On a side note, picking a Red-less team sure makes the Wallabies look pretty average. For Samoa, my team would be:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. Dean Mumm
6. Rocky Elsom (c)
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Matt Giteau
10. Berrick Barnes
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. James O'Connor
13. Pat McCabe
14. Lachie Turner
15. Kurtley Beale
-------------------------
16. Huia Edmonds/ Nathan Charles
17. Al Baxter/ Ben Alexander
18. Dan Vickerman
19. Matt Hodgson
20. Dave Dennis
21. Nick Phipps
22. Cameron Shepherd

Who else is there?

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

It's still a pretty decent team.

 

[Slim 293]

You keep saying he's considering playing Giteau at halfback, but he's never considered that before, and made no indication he's going to...

It would be absolutely mad as Giteau is required for 12/10, and we've already gone through the halfback experiment with average results...

And we've already got 3 quality scrumhalves...

We really don't want Giteau covering halfback from the bench... if he's not starting at 12 he'll be covering 10/12 off the bench, and Burgess will be needed to offer that spark like last year...

Edmonds is out for the year...

 

[DPK]

Swarley, I know that's not your preferred side, but that team had me cringing and grimacing.

 

[Swarley]

Swarley, I know that's not your preferred side, but that team had me cringing and grimacing.

I know. Think about all the Reds and injuries missing from that side:

2. Polota-Nau
3. Slipper
5. Horwill
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Mitchell
14. Ioane

18. Simmons
20. Burgess


They'd all walk into the 22

 

[Groucho]

If the Wallabies start with
9.Genia
10.Cooper
11.Ioane
12.Giteau
13.AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14.JOC (James O'Connor)
15. Beale

then there is absolutely no need to have a back-up 5/8 on the bench as there is already 3 other 5/8s on the park.
The two reserve backs could be Burgess and an outside back, maybe Turner or McCabe.
This would allow Deans to go with 2 X backrowers and a specialist second rower on his bench.

The question then becomes what to do if Mitchell is fit. A horrible conundrum. Horrible.