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Last men standing

Matt Rowley December 2, 2008 11

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The kid gets a run out

The kid gets a run out

For weeks we’ve had an idea of just how tasty this Barbarians outfit was looking. What we’d hoped was that it would be high performing shell of a Wallabies team with a few wild cards in to spice things up that they’d be playing. With the Australia team announced today though, the team selection policy looks closer to “whoever’s left”.

At the bottom are the teams head to head. I’ve put the names in bold of who in those match ups I reckon will have the edge in terms of quality and form (no bold means equal). While there’s a fair bit of promise in the Wallaby line up, there’s a heap of experience in the BaaBaas. By my reckoning, in the run on 15 there are only two names that shade it for Australia and to many they’d be arguable.

On the up side I look forward to seeing some of the bright stars of the future like O’Connor and Cooper face a real test and show their stuff. On the down side this may never have a  chance of happening if the scrum takes a mauling at the hands of Pucciarello (plays for Munster & Italy), Smit and Johnson (who got the better of Sheridan).

I’m looking forward to being at a great game tomorrow night, but I fear it’s going to be a tough lesson for a young Wallaby team.

15. James O’Connor vs Percy Montgomery (RSA)
14. Lote Tuqiri vs Bryan Habana (RSA)
13. Ryan Cross vs Rico Gear (NZ)
12. Adam Ashley-Cooper vs Jean De Villiers (RSA)
11. Digby Ioane vs Joe Rokocoko (NZ)
10. Quade Cooper vs Francois Steyn (RSA)
9. Brett Sheehan vs Fourie DuPreez (RSA)
8. Richard Brown vs Jerry Collins (NZ)
7. George Smith (Captain) vs Richie McCaw (NZ)
6. Dean Mumm vs Schalk Burger (RSA)
5. Hugh McMeniman vs Johann Muller (RSA)
4. Mark Chisholm vs Bakkies ‘Baby Eater’ Botha (RSA)
3. Matt Dunning vs Federico Pucciarello (ITA)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau vs John Smit Captain (RSA)
1. Sekope Kepu vs Census Johnson (Samoa)

Run on reserves:
16. Adam Freier vs Mark Regan (Pom)
17. Ben Alexander vs Rodney Blake (Aus)
18. Peter Kimlin vs Chris Jack (NZ)
19. David Pocock vs Nick Koster (Western Province)
20. Luke Burgess vs George Gregan (Aus)
21. Lachie Turner vs Ollie Smith (Eng)
22. Drew Mitchell vs Shane Williams (Wales)

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POSTED IN » Barbarians, Wallabies
About the author: Matt Rowley View all posts by
Matt started G&GR just before the 2007 Rugby World Cup and has been enslaved ever since. Follow him on twitter: @MattRowley

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Discussion »

  • http://rugbymadblog.blogspot.com/ Rugby Mad

    It is a shame that the Wallabies ain’t putting out a stronger team, but they didn’t put out their strongest team against the Welsh either!

    Should be a great night whatever.

  • Ed

    Why is chris jack not starting? Perhaps a bit of bias from jake white in favouring Johann Muller.

    I think this game could end up being very embarrasing. Although who knows, as o’connor and cooper can be brilliant at times.

  • Patrick

    We really lack depth in the centres!!

  • Wagga Magpie

    Cue the huge midfield garryowens from Steyn for O’Connor. Can’t wait to see if the bloke has the metal to stand firm with Rocokoco zeroing in him. I hope the reports on him being a cockhead on tour are just a media beat up. Still, confidence and arrogance are easily confused.

  • Patrick

    Having seen him play in RSA for the force I am relaxed about him having the ‘metal’.

    More worried about his decision-making and execution once he gets it.

  • Wagga Magpie

    Could be a replay of Giteau’s debut v England Patrick? I suppose that those qualities only come with gametime

  • http://myhaka.blogspot.com sesenta y cuatro

    I cannot believe that you are calling for a clear openside flanker win for Australia and still, the BaaBaas winning!

    Of course, many people think George Smith cannot match McCaw (me included, I hope you’ll forgive me) but what I think we all agree is that it is at the breakdown that games are won or lost today, don’t we?

    Australia will fare well if, as you foresee, Smith wins the openside flanker battle.

  • http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/ Gagger

    would be great if one man could win the game, but unfortunately it takes more than 1 man to even win a breakdown! We should Know!!!!

    Also, refs ignoring holding on and being preoccupied with going off feet has disadvanteged fast fetcher play

  • http://www.nursedude.blog.com Nursedude

    So the Wallabies put out some second choice players for a run against the Baa-Baa’s? The All Blacks and Munster both had some second choice players in that game, and you cannot tell me that affected what a fun game that ended up being to watch.

  • http://myhaka.blogspot.com sesenta y cuatro

    Gagger, you are right, but when it is professionals that we are speaking of, they are all bloody good; an individual performance can win a game. Just watch Januarie’s brilliance in the 28-30 win by South Africa in Dunedin this year.
    And to me, the 7 and 10 positions are key. That’s why I find so difficulto to imagine the Wallabies losing if they win the openside battle.

  • jasper

    well australia wins and worlds best players lose. GO THE WALLABIES!

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