Wallaby Squad Predictions 2010!

[Godfrey]

1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Hynes
15. O'Connor

16. Daley
17. Moore
18. Chisholm
19. Hodgson
20. Kingi
21. Barnes
22. Turner

 

[Spook]

Mumm has been fairly poor thus far.

My side presuming Jimmy Horwill is fixed

1. FATCAT
2. Moore (TPNs throwing regressed a bit on the weekend)
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill
6. Rocky
7. Pocock
8. Palu

9. GENIA
10. QC (Quade Cooper) (what an acronym for this bloke)
11. Mitchell
12. GITS
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Ioane
15. Hynes

16. TPN
17. Kepu
18. Chisolm on form/Mumm potentially
19. Hodgson
20. Valentine/Burgess
21. Barnes
22. Turner

 

[Langthorne]

Wallaby Squad Predictions - are we talking about:

Starting 15?
Match Day 22?
Training Squad (or whatever Deans calls it)?


I'm going to just go with my preference, rather than trying to guess what Deans will do


1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Giteau
11. Hynes
12. O'Connor
13. Mortlock
14. Ioane
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

16. Moore
17. Baxter
18. Cooper (BTW QC (Quade Cooper) is not an acronym)
19. Barnes
20. Hodgeson
21. Mumm
22. Turner


The 'bolters' and exceptional young s14 players (Lealifano, Wykes, Weekes, Faingaas, MaCabe, Turner, Beale, Horne etc) should join the training squad, plus maybe a couple of old stagers such as Waugh.

The big problem is the form of Mortlock at 13, and that Ioane isn't playing in that position with the Reds....but it could all change by the end of the s14 season (injuries and form)

 

[CanadianRugby]

I think the forwards pick themselves largely.
1. Benn Robinson, Greatest Prop Ever To Play Rugby In The History Of Rugby......well, pretty good at least.
2. TPN/Moore. I'd say TPN at the moment, but who would really be upset at Moore starting and TPN coming on later
3. Ben Alexander.
4/5. This one is tough. I like Caldwell and Chislom. But I would like a lineout forward in there. Sharpe and Chislom for me
6. Rocky
7. Pocock. Who else would it be. Even though I'm a big fan of Waugh, he looks a step behind right now. Smith is out. Hodgson?
8. Palu.
9. Genia
10. Gits. I can't see him going anywhere else. Cooper has shocked me by how much better he has been, but he still doesn't control the game, but he is getting closer. That was hard for me to say.
11. Hynes
12. JO'C
13. Diggers
14. Davies (I think this guy is really good)
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

Hear me out. My bias here is A) Don't move people out of position as much as possible. B) I am a big fan of the two fullback/Winger strategy. I think Diggers has to play 13 just because I like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) better at 15 than JO'C. Gits and JO'C looked good at that combo last year. Two players makers, plenty of runners.

 

[rsea]

Spook - I've borrowed yours and added my own touches

1. FATCAT
2. TPN (Throwing has improved. Beats the gain line consistently)
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Horwill
6. Rocky
7. Pocock
8. Palu

9. GENIA
10. QC (Quade Cooper)
11. Mitchell (is having a good season IMO. Boot is huge now)
12. GITS
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (Needs game time here with Brumbs)
14. Ioane
15. Hynes (Is looking good with reds and FB)

16. Moore (Hasn't been the same player since leaving the reds)
17. Kepu
18. Mumm (Picked for mobility late in the game)
19. Hodgson / Mowen (pick on late season form)
20. Burgess (has been better last 2 rounds)
21. Barnes / Fainga'a (Barnes for his kicking game if he pulls his shit together)
22. Turner / Mortlock (Mortlock for his experience if he pulls his shit together)

 

[fatprop]

Assuming they pick a squad

LHP
Robinson
Kepu

THP
Alexander
Baxter or Weekes

Hooker
TPN
Moore

Locks
Sharpe
Mumm
Chisolm
Hockings

6s
Elsom
Mowen

7s
Hodgson
Pocock

8s
Palu
?? Higgenbottom maybe, if he can be taught to hit contact less upright

9s
Genia
Burgess or Sheehan (if he continues to keep his discipline)

10s
Cooper
Gits

12s
JOC (James O'Connor)
Barnes

13s
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Cross

Back Three
Ioane
Hynes
Mitchell
Turner

 

[the gambler]

8 is a big concern, especially when you hear reports about Palu going to Japan before the World Cup. Would like to see McCalman get some game time there for the Force.

 

[en_force_er]

?? Higgenbottom maybe, if he can be taught to hit contact less upright

Not to mention he needs to not blast over rucks and leave the ball exposed.

 

[Jethro Tah]

I honestly don't think much will change from last year. Deans will be looking for consistency and combinations in preparation for Rocky lifting THAT trophy in RWC2011. We will get a few changes in the extended squad but not the run on squad. I would be very happy with the following, which is a direct cut and paste from Gagger's blog for the run on side for the Wales game last year:

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
14. Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)
13. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
12. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
11. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
10. Matt Giteau (Brumbies)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
7. David Pocock (Western Force)
6. Rocky Elsom (Brumbies, captain)
5. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)

Run on reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. Matt Dunning (Western Force) Kepu instead maybe
18. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies)
19. George Smith (Brumbies) Hodgson instead
20. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
21. James O’Connor (Western Force)
22. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs) Barnes instead

 

[fatprop]

?? Higgenbottom maybe, if he can be taught to hit contact less upright

Not to mention he needs to not blast over rucks and leave the ball exposed.

Yeah, 8 is our big issue, to me, Higgenbottom has the most potential, although Mowan is really an 8

 

[en_force_er]

?? Higgenbottom maybe, if he can be taught to hit contact less upright

Not to mention he needs to not blast over rucks and leave the ball exposed.

Yeah, 8 is our big issue, to me, Higgenbottom has the most potential, although Mowan is really an 8

I rate Brown still.

 

[DPK]

Browns rep has been tainted by the number of yellows and the knock ons from last years Trinations, but i still think he's got a lot of potential. Just needs his voice to break...

 

[RugbyReg]

This my team to play England - so strongest possible (no Horwill). Plus the A team to play England mid week.
Wallabies

15 Peter Hynes
14 Drew Mitchell
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper
12 Matt Giteau
11 Digby Ioane
10 Quade Cooper
9 Will Genia
8 Wycliff Palu
7 David Pocock
6 Rocky Elsom [c]
5 Nathan Sharpe
4 Mark Chisholm
3 Ben Alexander
2 Stephen Moore
1 Benn Robinson

16 Tatafu Polata-Nau
17 Laurie Weeks
18 Dean Mumm
19 Matt Hodgson
20 Luke Burgess
21 Berrick Barnes
22 James O'Connor

Australia A

15 Lachlan Turner
14 Rodney Davies
13 Ryan Cross
12 Christian Lealiifano
11 Luke Morahan
10 Daniel Halangahu
9 Josh Valentine
8 Leroy Houston
7 Stephen Hoiles
6 Ben Mowen
5 Adam Byrnes
4 Tom Hockings
3 Al Baxter
2 Saia Fainga'a
1 Ben Daley

16 Pek Cowan
17 Sekope Kepu
18 Luke Douglas
19 Scott Higginbottham
20 Richard Kingi
21 Kurtley Beale
22 Rob Horne

 

[Ash]

18. Cooper (BTW QC (Quade Cooper) is not an acronym)
19. Barnes
20. Hodgeson
21. Mumm
22. Turner

I thought that Biffo would've been all over that one.

For the people who didn't get the amusing reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronym
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen's_Counsel

Curious numbering for your bench too, and no halfback replacement.

 

[Viking]

Well heres my pick of what id would like to see.

15 Hynes
14 Mitchell
13 Ashley-Cooper
12 Giteau
11 Ioane
10 Cooper
9 Genia
8 Palu
7 Pocock
6 Elsom [c]
5 Sharpe
4 Horwill
3 Alexander
2 Polata-Nau
1 Robinson

16 Moore
17 Weeks
18 Mumm
19 Hodgson
20 Burgess
21 Barnes
22 O'Connor

Australia A

15 Pat McCabe
14 Fainifo
13 Horne
12 Lealiifano
11 Luke Morahan
10 To'omua
9 Kingi
8 Leroy Houston
7 Stephen Hoiles
6 Ben Mowen
5 Adam Byrnes
4 Tom Hockings
3 Kepu
2 Saia Fainga'a
1 Ben Daley

16 Pek Cowan
17 Baxter
18 Luke Douglas
19 Scott Higginbottham
20 Valentine
21 Kurtley Beale
22 A Fainga'a

However i think DEANS will pick this side: Pretty sure he wont move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) from fullback, or Giteau from flyhalf. Im sure barnes will eventually find form by the end of season and Deans will pick him ahead of Cooper even with Coopers new found maturity.

15 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14 Mitchell
13 Ioane
12 Barnes
11 Hynes
10 Giteau
9 Genia
8 Palu
7 Pocock
6 Elsom [c]
5 Sharpe
4 Horwill
3 Alexander
2 Polata-Nau
1 Robinson

 

[the gambler]

I wouldnt pick Cooper as it would be a distraction from the squad. Let him play the Super 14 and then he can be considered for national honours once his case is completely done and dusted. Best for all parties concerned.

 

[PhucNgo]

Agreed however I think the follow also
Definately TPN (absolutely)

Still think Barnes will be in there - and Robbie will get him playing so well we will all wonder if Hickey slipped him a mickey...

Losing? I don't think Deans is one for sentiment. If that's the case - Morty will have played his last test.

I still think Frankie Fainifo deserves a spot and could be a bolter.

And given that Digby is on the wing for the Reds - I really think the ARU should get it's act together and sign Gaz and get him straight into the squad.

You've got to be joking. If the ARU sign Gasnier it will demonstrate that they've learned nothing, nudda, absolutely zip, from the Tiquiri experience. IMHO Gasnier is not and will never be an international quality rugby player. FFS he's flat out holding down a spot on the wing for Stad.

 

[Biffo]

18. Cooper (BTW QC (Quade Cooper) is not an acronym)
19. Barnes
20. Hodgeson
21. Mumm
22. Turner

I thought that Biffo would've been all over that one.

Nah, too busy trying to work out who that McQueen bloke might be (can you help?) and wondering why so many Australians play there rugby over their, thus loosing eligibility for the Wallabies.

 

[CanadianRugby]

Really? Everyone thinks Cooper for 10?

Does everyone want to move AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 13 because there is no one else?
What does that work for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) but not Digby?

 

[topo]

Leroy Houston Number 8 in the "A" side. Wow I didn't think our stocks were that depleted. Is Hoiles that much on the nose? I'd rather go with him or McAlman as a smokey.