Wallabies train-on squad for The Rugby Championship

Brumby Jack July 16, 2012 53

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has today announced a provisional train-on squad to contest the inaugural Rugby Championship.

The squad is:

Backs: Kurtley Beale (Rebels), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Drew Mitchell (Waratahs), Lachie Turner (Waratahs), Nick Cummins (Force), Cooper Vuna (Rebels), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Mitch Inman (Rebels), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Berrick Barnes (Waratahs), Nick Phipps (Rebels), Nic White (Brumbies).

Forwards: Ben Mowen (Brumbies), David Pocock (Force), Michael Hooper (Brumbies), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Kane Douglas (Waratahs), Cadeyrn Neville (Rebels), Hugh Pyle (Rebels), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Paddy Ryan (Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs).

Due to the Queensland Reds’ involvement in the finals of the Super Rugby tournament, no Reds have been picked at this stage.

The other notable omission is Nathan Sharpe, who is being rested from the first camp.

One as yet un-named outside back and two loose forwards from the national Academy programme will be invited to join training at the first camp.

Players not considered because of injury: Salesi Ma’afu (Force), Dan Palmer (Brumbies), James Horwill (Reds), Ben McCalman (Force), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), James O’Connor (Rebels), Joe Tomane (Brumbies).

Wallabies games for The Rugby Championship (all times AEST):

August 18 v. New Zealand, ANZ Stadium Sydney, 8:05pm
August 23 v. New Zealand, Eden Park Auckland, 5:35pm
September 8 v. South Africa, Patersons Stadium Perth, 8:05pm
September 15 v. Argentina, Skilled Park Gold Coast, 8:05pm
September 30 v. South Africa, Loftus Versfeld Pretoria, 1:00am
October 7 v. Argentina, Rosario Argentina, 9:10am

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A Canberra born and bred Rugby tragic brought up on a diet of Canberra Kookaburra and ACT Brumbies Rugby. It was a choice between politics and Rugby, with Rugby the obvious winner.

Discussion »

GoForGold

lol Vuna
- GoForGold
  
  Just to add – there is nothing to take out of this as almost every Australian rugby player has been named. It will matter once it gets boiled down to the final playing squad.
  - Brumby Jack
    
    Participation ribbons for all?
    - Fin
      
      if your mum and dad paid your rego fees you should get a ribbon
  - Braveheart
    
    They need to name plenty of people in the squad otherwise it is really hard to do opposed training.
    
    If they split the squad between “Wallabies Squad” and “Training Monkeys” I don’t think they’d create a lot of squad cohesion nor a good training environment.
jay-c

im at a loss to explain how kingston was dropped for turner at the tahs and now i see hes been named here? wtf am i missing?
is kicking away every attacking opportunity a virtue thats held in high regard these days?
- johnny-boy
  
  Spot on Jay-C. Kingston is one the few waratahs that shows any real spark.
- Brumby Jack
  
  Leaving out Australia’s fastest footballer would be a tough call…
  - vidiot
    
    I’m just happy they left out Davies. Tina Turner I can live with, for all that he (like Mitchell) is still at 3/4 pace.
Thierry Dusautoir

So we pick nearly every waratah even though they had a terrible season? Timani,douglas and ryan? WTF?
- jimmy
  
  It’s only a training squad and these guys are all good, young footballers. I don’t have an issue with them being picked. Better them than Dean Mumm or someone like that.
TahMan

FFS
TahMan

Salesi Ma’afu not considered because of injury or because of his epic shitness?
- http://www.mudchooks.com Steve Timms
  
  It’s a Deans squad, it would have to be injury.
  
  His shitness levels have never changed, neither has his selection status.
- JimmyC
  
  Best player signing for the brums when he signed with the force
muffy

That had me going at first, the old blood pressure was rising and I was about to get quite stern with the keyboard about NSW conspiracy etc…. until I read the bit about Reds in the finals.

I am glad to see both Inman and Cummins there, I think the old HB has had his best season … insert rabid rant here:
Seb V

Shouldn’t there be 6 games for the Rugby Championship? When is the 2nd NZ test?

Also is there a 3rd test against NZ for the bledisloe cup?
- Brumby Jack
  
  Yes, you’re right. The Eden Park one is missing.
  - CraigB
    
    if only getting rid of Eden Park Test matches was that easy….
tigerland12

I hope to god Alexander and Ryan get replaced by Slipper and Holmes.

Interesting as to who the National Academy players will be.
- murph
  
  I don’t think Deans knows who Greg Holmes is
  - johnny-boy
    
    He probably thinks he’s a Project Builder ….
nowared

Can Scott Allen make himself available to take part in the selection process – they obviously have no computer or hi-tech gear – how else do you explain the inclusion of a log like Timani ( and I say that even knowing it’s a very broad train on squad)
The Other Dave

I should be more excited, but I know that invariably Deans will go with the same midfield, and we’ll be playing crashball or kicking aimlessly again.
- murph
  
  McCabe will be picked 100% and will make Cooper look like shit because he provides no options other than a crash ball
  Ant Faingaa might get a run but he will be dropped after one or two games in favour of Rob Horne, who will get another 7 chances to demonstrate how good he is whilst inadvertently proving to everyone once again how utterly shit he is
  - theiguana
    
    Murph,
    
    On the subject of McCabe I can’t agree more. Against the background of the Brasses, Horans, Mortlocks etc etc, he ain’t got it. Sure he is willing and more power to him but geez he wouldn’t strike fear in the defence of an average first grader. I mean this with the greatest respect to the man. Willing, but too one dimensional to honestly be taken seriously (not forgetting the trucking it up against ABs in WC when shovelling to Digby likely would give us the try)…………….
Wilson

Sorry to see that Pek Cowan didn’t get a call up. He has been going strong for the Force and has been playing beside some really inexperienced front rowers and holding their own, in NZ in particular.

Cummins has potential so good to see him get an opportunity. He has been in camp before so let’s see if he can get further this time. Better wear a name badge Cummo. If you aren’t Pocock Deans wont know who you are being from the Force. He made it to 2 home games all season. Good to see you have an unbiased view on being a national coach Deans. Great investment in providing feedback to fringe players throughout the year to make sure they are on target for the Wallabies. I hope he is only paid part time for the work he puts in for 8 months a year.

Other Force Wallabies: Maafu (broken arm and terrible form all year), McCalman (nerve damage in shoulder, solid form), Hodgson (Ankle and shoulder recon but played more consistantly than Pocock for over half the season), Brown (has yet to find form after double shoulder recons), Wykes (Knee Recon).
- Antony
  
  I accept he probably has a NSW/QLD bias, but considering he has four other Australian teams to split his time between, attending two home games out of eight doesn’t seem that bad.
murph

Typical squad with twice as many Tahs as deserved. Andrew Smith misses out again, yet the regulars get a run. Ridiculous.
- I’m no maths wiz but..
  
  Whilst stats don’t always tell the whole picture and can often be misleading, its hard to argue for Inman based on the following (or Horne for that matter).
  
  I’m not saying I think Smith would make a final 22 or even squad, but to be overlooked completely is a bit harsh. Doesn’t send the right message around form being rewarded and is the kind of thing that forces these guys overseas at 27/28 when they’ve got some good years ahead of them.
  
  Andrew Smith
  75 runs (4 tries, 29 tackle busts, 11 offloads, 8 linebreaks)
  92% made tackles (119 made, 10 missed)
  
  Rob Horne
  72 runs (4 tries12 tackle busts, 9 offloads, 3 linebreaks)
  80% made tackles (123 made, 31 missed)
  
  Mitch Inman
  70 runs (0 tries, 18 tackle busts, 11 offloads, 1 linebreaks)
  86% made tackles (103 made, 17 missed)
  
  Anthony Faingaa
  30 runs (0 tries, 8 tackle busts, 1 offloads, 0 linebreaks)
  82% made tackles (71 tackles, 15 missed)
  
  Whilst stats don’t always tell the whole picture and can often be misleading, its hard to argue for
  - Patrick
    
    The logical outcome from those stats is drop Horne for Smith, which is an outcome that I’d expect to be pretty widely appreciated!
  - Pedro
    
    Totally agree Smith has been the brums most consistent back all season.
    - muffy
      
      Not to mention the fact that (according to the Brums Site) he is 104 Kgs….
      
      Adds some size and weight to our back line.
  - Colin
    
    Hey where do you get your stats from?
    
    Great analysis there, was going to look into other players that hopefully your source has
  - AJ
    
    Good lord that is damning.
    
    I’d really like to see Link in ASAP.
Redsfan1

This squad fills me with no confidence. It’s frustrating that instead of being pumped at the naming of the squad I’m annoyed.
Rusty

Deans has got to be kidding. The waratahs have forgotten how to win. Just disgusting that these players who have rolled over in the last eight games will keep their spots. Get rids of deans and the waratahs.
JimmyC

What is with all the tah hate? I know they were shit but the players who played in the June test series all did well. 9 players in that final 22. The only new one is Ryan and he is there because Palmer is injured.
Horne wasn’t at his best but will get in because JOC is out and Two Dads will play on the wing rather than 13.
- Red Kev
  
  Tapuai is a better centre than both. Hopefully he gets some time in the finals to show everyone the form he had before being injured.
  If Deans doesn’t select Genia-Cooper-Barnes-Tapuai as his midfield it’s clear he doesn’t really want to win. McCabe is a midfielder you pick when you don’t want to lose, not when you want to win.
  - johnny-boy
    
    Tapaui by miles. Barnesy’s gotta retire tho, quickly. McCabe is the guy you bring on when you are 22 points up in the last 10 minutes and want to shut the game down.
    - JimmyC
      
      Mate some one has to get up in Nonu’s face and knock him over. The backline you picked weighs in at a combined 43kgs. We need some bigger bodies. McCabe doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Taps has also been out for 2 months and he will be riding the pine. How is a guy the best option for a country but not his state?
- Wrecker
  
  I thought 13 was the wing?
bar macca

how did mitch inman get 18 tackle busts but only 1 line break?

WTF?
bar macca

re tahs selections:

brumbies are shit players with a great coach. missed the finals. suck a fart. all brumbies players from nsw anyways.

suck another fart.
- murph
  
  All from NSW hey? Except for the blokes who are born and raised in ACT like Kimlin, and Moore, Mogg, Mowen from Queensland.
  
  Have another drink. It might wash away some of that bitterness.
  - theiguana
    
    Murph,
    
    Steady the Buffs old boy.
    
    I simply make this statement – which, when you consider the size of NSW, is this: there are a huge number of NSW “offcuts” rubbing NSW administrators’ noses in it, by playing out of there skins for other provinces.
    
    Thinking about it NSW has the
    invidious situation of trying to spot talent early and moving others on. These “others” invariably come back to bite us on the bum, but what do you do, but do your best?
Hooper for 12

Yet again, the involvement of Berrick Barnes is a straight, direct negative to Australian Rugby. Can we please send this crazily over-rated nancy boy back to Bogan Ball???
BarneySF

Is Tomane still injured? Or did he get re-injured?
- JimmyC
  
  Relapse of his ankle injurA after about 15mins in Saturday’s game
Rusty

It’s not Tah hate. Just a bit of common sense.
MaxT

..and where’s Fardy?
CT Hong Kong

I know it’s a train-on squad and doesn’t include the Reds due to Super XV commitments, but why has Deans yet again picked Vuna?? The guy has enthusiasm, sure he’s eager, but his positional play is asbolutely non-existent. Dom Shipperley made him look schoolboy in the Reds v Rebels game, was clearly better than Vuna leading into the Internationals and couldn’t even get a look at the training paddock. Geez Robbie, if you persist with this bloke, you’re confirming to all and sundry that you have no idea how to pick a squad.
mad italian flyhalf

I still don’t understand why leaving out Andrew Smith and picking Inman who is a waste of kilos, he uses his weight awfully!!

btw, with the add of Reds players, my 30:

Props: Alexander, Kepu, Robinson, Slipper
Hookers: Moore, TPN… Hanson (Fainga’a out?!)
Locks: Sharpe, Simmons, Samo, Pyle/ Neville
Backrows: Dennis, Pocock, Gill, Higginbotham, Hooper, Schatz
SH: Genia, Phipps, White
FH: Barnes, Cooper
Centres: McCabe, AAC, Horne, an other, dunno who, FTA and Smith not included, (Inman IMO is terrible), maybe JOC if he can recover
Outside backs: Ioane, Mitchell, Turner, Beale