Wallaby 31 players for 2015 RWC

[fatprop]

Isn't that just Bob's opinion of where he should play?

I like the 2 "15s" approach to the back three, but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a better, safer option

Beale's defensive issues can be really exploited with him standing there lonely on the blindside, against a decent scrum, he could end having to make some rather difficult decisions around slowing down a rampaging Savea one on one

Plus his kick return has been shit for a couple of years

 

[KOB1987]

Having AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) as the 2nd 15 is essentially the existing structure. It's solid and much safer in defense but having Beale there would be more as an attack strategy. His boot is better as well. Needs to be tested IMO.

 

[barbarian]

This is the problem when we have three weeks with no rugby.

We fly off the handle at every little tidbit of leaked 'information' about overseas players, or starting combinations, because it's all we've got to talk about.

So everything is taken to the extreme. Kane Douglas is not only returning, but going to start for the Wallabies AND drain the ARU bank account to get him there. Kurtley Beale is not just starting, but starting on the WING.

And eventually we will have a XV announced, which will probably be very close to the EXACT team we all knew would be announced all along, with no Dean Mumm or Kane Douglas anywhere to be seen. But we will still fly off the handle because we don't have adequate 13 cover on the bench or some shit.

It's great, and what this forum thrives on. But you do have to take a deep breath every now and again.
.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Douglas issue is just another distraction.

Is he that instrumental to our RWC chances for the ARU to chick $370,000 to get him. Personally, I don;t think so.

We have sime good locks - go with what we have !!!!!

 

[fatprop]

Douglas issue is just another distraction.

Is he that instrumental to our RWC chances for the ARU to chick $370,000 to get him. Personally, I don;t think so.

We have sime good locks - go with what we have !!!!!

and he will only become a "Red", so meh

 

[Wilson]

Starting Beale on the wing doesn't look like a particularly good idea with any of the backlines were shaping to have but if he's going to be a bench utility training on the wing is probably worthwhile. I'd rather he wasn't being looked at at all though.

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[dru]

Comments here can be like a pendulum. We start with selections which are criticised for being "safe". Then move on to "we have to do something different to have a chance at the RWC". Resulting in creative selections and the criticism that initial selections are "safer"

For me the enjoyment is watching what Cheika (and Larkham) come up with. It's fabulous the little snippets they are letting out. Seems to me they truly understand the predicament that we all see.

Can't wait for the first team selection and the debate as to what is being tested and what is being banked for the RWC.

For now, I like what I am seeing, all the way from speculation on possible lock returns through to a seemingly insane set of playmaker selections.

After a really dour Reds 2015. This is fun!

 

[Scrubber2050]

and he will only become a "Red", so meh

Happy to have him

 

[KOB1987]

Starting Beale on the wing doesn't look like a particularly good idea with any of the backlines were shaping to have but if he's going to be a bench utility training on the wing is probably worthwhile. I'd rather he wasn't being looked at at all though.

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I think you are on the money here. With 3 of copper, foley, giteau, lilo and To'omua going to miss out on a start, if Beale is to be used off the bench it is most likely to be as #23, and therefore he needs to get some training on the wing. If that's the case we will no doubt see it, whether he starts there is another matter entirely.

And great post @dru, I agree whole heartedly.

 

[qwerty51]

I agree, if we want a 6:2 bench with a halfback that's not Giteau, out of the options of To'omua, Lealiifano, Giteau, Cooper, Foley and Beale I'd put Beale on the bench for most versatility.

 

[Brumby Runner]

So much controversy about Douglas. Rules broken. Rules not broken. Fair. Not fair. It's all bollocks. What matters is whether he provides an option, and if he does, then whether it improves our chances of winning the trophies on offer this year. The bloke might not even be fit to play. We have to set provincialism aside if we're to survive with our sanity intact.

Happily set provincialism aside and welcome Luke Jones into the Wallaby fold.

 

[Tomikin]

Comments here can be like a pendulum. We start with selections which are criticised for being "safe". Then move on to "we have to do something different to have a chance at the RWC". Resulting in creative selections and the criticism that initial selections are "safer"

For me the enjoyment is watching what Cheika (and Larkham) come up with. It's fabulous the little snippets they are letting out. Seems to me they truly understand the predicament that we all see.

Can't wait for the first team selection and the debate as to what is being tested and what is being banked for the RWC.

For now, I like what I am seeing, all the way from speculation on possible lock returns through to a seemingly insane set of playmaker selections.

After a really dour Reds 2015. This is fun!

Didn't the Reds do that most of the season ?

 

[dru]

Didn't the Reds do that most of the season ?

Now now. I'm trying to leave all of my nightmares on another thread. ;-) just can't explain the stress relief in actually getting excited about a HC again.

 

[Marcelo]

I think the inclusion of Samu Kerevi helps the NRC marketing. That will encourage NRC players to strive more because the dream of international rugby is not so distant. And also will motivate the NRC fans

 

[qwerty51]

What about Naiyaravoro? He had just as much impact in the NRC as Kerevi.

Don't forget Arnold too.

 

[TOCC]

What about Naiyaravoro? He had just as much impact in the NRC as Kerevi.

Don't forget Arnold too.

Did he really?



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[emuarse]

Further to that, I would love to see him signed for the Reds - I reckon he has plenty of quality and having Brad Thorn around him can't can help.

Fixed

 

[emuarse]

So when the numbers are pared down tomorrow (from 39 to 30?), who's up for the axe:

Arnold
Ashley-Cooper
Beale
Cooper
Dennis
Hanson
Fardy
Faulkner
Folau
Foley
Genia
Giteau
Higginbotham
Holmes
Hooper
Horne
Horwill
Kerevi
Kepu
Kuridrani
Leali'ifano
Moore
Mitchell
McCalman
Mumm
Naiyaravoro
Palu
Phipps
Pocock
Polota-Nau
Sio
Simmons
Skelton
Slipper
T.Smith
Speight (Cummins)
To'omua
Tomane
White

 

[Viking]

Hopefully Beale is axed when it gets cut down, but unfortunately I highly doubt it.

I'm guessing Naiyara, Mumm, Kerevi, T Smith, Faulkner and Arnold will be the first to go.

 

[qwerty51]

What do you mean tomorrow? This is the squad for the first two games isn't it? They'll probably be a new 35? for the two NZ games and then a RWC squad.