Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[Brumby Runner]

To'omua, Foley, Folau. It would be nice to have a better kicker in the wingers, so advantage Bieber.

Savea doesn't kick and he's the best winger in the world.

Unfortunately, Folau again showed yesterday that he shouldn't kick. Mystifying that. But he is out and out one of the best No 15s in world rugby and must be retained in that spot.

On the subject of kicking, I really do think Foley has a much better and longer kick than he is given credit for in these forums. The distance he gets with penalty kicks for touch is more than adequate.

 

[wamberal]

On the subject of kicking, I really do think Foley has a much better and longer kick than he is given credit for in these forums. The distance he gets with penalty kicks for touch is more than adequate.

His kicking is inconsistent.

 

[BDA]

Some timely performances from some of the Reds players. Simo showed his class, Genia looked good and JOC (James O'Connor) really stood out. Even Horwill should be back in the selection discussion. He was great in all facets of the game I thought.

However the one guy I'm hoping Cheika noticed in this game was Holmes. He and slipper absolutely dominated in the scrums in the first half, despite giving up some weight to the cheetahs tight 5.for the record I thought PAE was also quality for the rebels. Nice to see some THPs putting up their hands

 

[Ruggo]

1/ Slipper
2/ Moore
3/ Kepu
4/ Skelton
5/ Simmons
6/ Fardy
7/ Pocock
8/ Palu

Only problem with that pack is lineout balance. It is the problem with taking Skelton. He does a bit of lineout work but he is just to big to put up on a regular basis. That said he is playing the Rugby that should see him earn selection. Palu looked back to his best vs the Canes and adds to the dynamic. He does lineout work but nothing exceptional. Three solid options should be mandatory in any test pack. Selecting Higgers over Palu fixes the lineout issue but it also changes the dynamic of the pack.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Some timely performances from some of the Reds players. Simo showed his class, Genia looked good and JOC (James O'Connor) really stood out. Even Horwill should be back in the selection discussion. He was great in all facets of the game I thought.

However the one guy I'm hoping Cheika noticed in this game was Holmes. He and slipper absolutely dominated in the scrums in the first half, despite giving up some weight to the cheetahs tight 5.for the record I thought PAE was also quality for the rebels. Nice to see some THPs putting up their hands

Yeah - PAE was well on top of JP Smith but things evened out and were a little in the Brumbies' favour I thought when Alan Ala'alatoa belatedly came on.

Holmes is certainly making a case for himself.

 

[topgun]

Yeah - PAE was well on top of JP Smith but things evened out and were a little in the Brumbies' favour I thought when Alan Ala'alatoa belatedly came on.

Allan is recognised as the one of best young scrummagers in Australia. in a couple of years he might just be discussed in this thread. it is a real shame that PAE is going to Stade next year, yet the rebels retain Laurie bloody Weeks...??? Australian rugby was made to disappoint me I'm afraid...

 

[Wilson]

1/ Slipper
2/ Moore
3/ Kepu
4/ Skelton
5/ Simmons
6/ Fardy
7/ Pocock
8/ Palu

Only problem with that pack is lineout balance. It is the problem with taking Skelton. He does a bit of lineout work but he is just to big to put up on a regular basis. That said he is playing the Rugby that should see him earn selection. Palu looked back to his best vs the Canes and adds to the dynamic. He does lineout work but nothing exceptional. Three solid options should be mandatory in any test pack. Selecting Higgers over Palu fixes the lineout issue but it also changes the dynamic of the pack.

It's the team I'd go with atm, though simo still needs a bit more game time and the better Palu plays the more likely it seems he's going to be ruled out with injury by the rugby gods. Lineout balance isn't too bad with Skelton actually a bit of an option at 2 these days. Would be much more comfortable if they brought in a specialist lineout coach to really drill them and maybe work some different tactics to make the most out of those guys.

 

[topgun]

It's the team I'd go with atm, though simo still needs a bit more game time and the better Palu plays the more likely it seems he's going to be ruled out with injury by the rugby gods. Lineout balance isn't too bad with Skelton actually a bit of an option at 2 these days. Would be much more comfortable if they brought in a specialist lineout coach to really drill them and maybe work some different tactics to make the most out of those guys.

A pack of

1. slipper
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Jones
5. Skelton
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. Palu

Can be easily justified until Simmons and Carter turn up with some form. Luke Jones' stats so far show that he gets though a massive load of work. I find it hard to leave Michael Hooper out of the starting line up as well as considering Pocock's touch and go game last night. Timani gets blooded in the RC he could be considered on the bench, if not, as I mentioned before Dave Dennis is your reserve Lock with McCalman on the bench for Palu.

 

[BDA]

Simo has looked good in his two games back.



Comparing some weekend stats for the locks Jones and Simmons are fairly similar in terms of what they are used for on the field. Neither are major ball-runners for their team, both make a lot of tackles. Jones work-rate on the weekend was marginally better (2 more tackles, 1 more run) but Simo's line-out work was superior. I counted 3 steals.

If we're going to start Skelton and Palu, I'd want Simo on the field.

 

[wamberal]

There is absolutely no possibility of Jones and Skelton starting a Test for Australis in the forseeable future.


Two rookies? No thanks.

 

[Braveheart81]

If a test was played next weekend my pack would be:

Slipper
Moore
Kepu
Simmons
Skelton
Fardy
Hooper
Palu

TPN
Robinson (Sio if he was healthy)
Holmes
McCalman
Pocock

It's a little risky with Fardy being the replacement lock but that's the reality of picking Pocock and the regulation 5 forward reserves.

 

[Bairdy]

If a test was played next weekend my pack would be:

Slipper
Moore
Kepu
Simmons
Skelton
Fardy
Hooper
Palu

TPN
Robinson (Sio if he was healthy)
Holmes
McCalman
Pocock

It's a little risky with Fardy being the replacement lock but that's the reality of picking Pocock and the regulation 5 forward reserves.

Better off relying on Simmons to cover 6, and having a lock reserve like Carter, Jones (or even Horwill if you're so inclined) tbh over McCalman - if Pocock, Fardy or Hooper can cover 8 adequately. Don't want Fardy packing down behind our substitute front row if the game is in the balance.

 

[KOB1987]

I'm not convinced of the merits of having two specialist 7's (which is my no means a criticism of either of them) so I'd be inclined to go with Bairdy's point of view except I'd have that extra lock over Pocock.

 

[BDA]

i think the least risky approach is a 6:2 bench. By and large, reserve backs are a luxury more than a necessity. Our campaign will live and die on the performance of our pack, so we want as many fresh legs in the pack as possible. bench backs are useful for added impact, but 9 out of 10 times your backs can play 80 minutes with no issues. Out of all the backline positions halfback is really the only one that you'd prefer to sub before the end of the game.

Put a reserve half back and an outside back on the bench we'll be fine. You can easily cover an injury 10-15. If you're unlucky enough to suffer 2 injuries to your outside backs you can move Phipps or Genia to the wing. If you're ridiculously unlucky and you suffer 3 backline injuries, you move Hooper to centre.

 

[topgun]

There is absolutely no possibility of Jones and Skelton starting a Test for Australis in the forseeable future.
Two rookies? No thanks.

If you are picking on form rather than reputation Skelton and Jones should have no problem. I'd rather have hungry rookies than burnt out, underperforming old heads.

 

[BDA]

My pack after this round

1.Slipper
2.Moore
3.Kepu
4.Simo
5.Skelton
6.Fardy
7.(Hooper or Pocock)
8.Palu

16.TPN
17.Sio
18.Holmes
19.Carter (Horwill if his form is decent)
20.McCalman / Timani
21.(Hooper or Pocock)

I'm really hoping Horwill can string a few good games together before the WC (thought he was good last night), because he's probably our best option in terms of a bench lock. If you're planning on finishing the game with 2 no.7s, you probably want Simo and Horwill on together running the line-out. It's also a strong scrummaging lock pairing.

 

[Gnostic]

Since everyone else is having a team of the round I'll have a go, but this is my team so far, not just on this round. Purely on form and covering all the skills sets.

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Skelton
6. Jones
7. Hooper
8. Palu

9. Phipps
10. Foley
12. To'omua
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (If Kurindrani is fit he could push AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) out, but he needs form and it will change the balance of the wingers as we need at least three who can kick)
11. Speight
14. ? Nobody has impressed me really, but I want somebody at the back who can kick so Morahan.
15. Folau

16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Holmes
19. Fardy
20. McMahon - I don't see the need for two specia;ist 7s in the match day 23, but McMahon has been very very good from 6 and could make a huge impact off the bench.
21. Stirzacker
22. Horne/Kurindrani
23. as with 14, I want another kicker and I just can't pick Beale. So JOC (James O'Connor).

In an extended squad with 3rd ranked players in I'd be looking at,

Locks:- Carter & Coleman
Props - PAE, Weeks
Hooker:- Latu
backrow:- Pocock, Gill, Vaea, Higgers
H/back - Genia
10. - QC (Quade Cooper)
other backs :- Inman, Harris, Betham, Kerevi.

 

[Dave Beat]

Since everyone else is having a team of the round I'll have a go, but this is my team so far, not just on this round. Purely on form and covering all the skills sets.

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Simmons
5. Skelton
6. Jones
7. Hooper
8. Palu

9. Phipps
10. Foley
12. To'omua
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (If Kurindrani is fit he could push AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) out, but he needs form and it will change the balance of the wingers as we need at least three who can kick)
11. Speight
14. ? Nobody has impressed me really, but I want somebody at the back who can kick so Morahan.
15. Folau

16. TPN
17. Sio
18. Holmes
19. Fardy
20. McMahon - I don't see the need for two specia;ist 7s in the match day 23, but McMahon has been very very good from 6 and could make a huge impact off the bench.
21. Stirzacker
22. Horne/Kurindrani
23. as with 14, I want another kicker and I just can't pick Beale. So JOC (James O'Connor).

In an extended squad with 3rd ranked players in I'd be looking at,

Locks:- Carter & Coleman
Props - PAE, Weeks
Hooker:- Latu
backrow:- Pocock, Gill, Vaea, Higgers
H/back - Genia
10. - QC (Quade Cooper)
other backs :- Inman, Harris, Betham, Kerevi.

Well constructed, out of interest if Giteau & Drew Mitchell were available how would they fit in, plus all this talk about JOC (James O'Connor) being a must have a couple of years back he isnt getting much of a mention at the moment?

 

[BDA]

The Reds wouldn't have won on the weekend if it wasn't for JOC (James O'Connor). He's struggled a bit this season with some lingering injuries and has been a member of a static backline. Certainly showed his class against the Cheetahs. I'd have him down as a certainty.

 

[BDA]

If Giteau was eligible I'd have him in the squad in place of a third halfback, mostly for his versatility/experience, but he wouldn't make my starting side.

Drew Mitchell would be no where near the my squad. If you're an outside back you need to prove you can match it in Super Rugby with the heavyweights. He hasn't done that for years.