The Wallabies Thread

[Brumby Runner]

Wasn't To'omua one more head knock away from retirement? Thought that was one of the reasons he effectively retired from internationals

I can't say that I recall him ever retiring from internationals. He had some head issues but his form since moving to England would indicate he is over them. Or do you subscribe to the idea that rugby in England is not as tough as rugby in Australia?

 

[Braveheart81]

I will go on record here to say that I'd like to see a backrow of Samu, Pocock, Timu for the June tests. MH on the bench to come on with around 20 minutes to go.

The Tahs backrow with Miller and Hooper looks great at Super Rugby level. Smaller backrows and smaller locks tend to go far better at Super Rugby level. I don't think it transfers to test level.

You'd drop Hooper and Beale and probably a bunch of other players everyone would pencil in very early on the team sheet

 

[Derpus]

Surely Samu doesn't start regardless. I think Timu has earnt his place. I'd rather have Samu coming off the bench than Hanigan.

 

[liquor box]

^^^^
He can. Cheik said he won't be picked unless he's playing Soup. He opted not to.

but he could play overseas and play for the Wallabies?

I would not pick someone that is not playing at a high level personally but find it funny that we have a player who wants to be a one team (in Australia) player and he gets punished for wanting to work his way back into the team, however unlikely it is.

Isn't this exactly what we want from all of our players, loyalty to the team and an eagerness to work hard to earn a spot in the team?

 

[Derpus]

but he could play overseas and play for the Wallabies?

I would not pick someone that is not playing at a high level personally but find it funny that we have a player who wants to be a one team (in Australia) player and he gets punished for wanting to work his way back into the team, however unlikely it is.

Isn't this exactly what we want from all of our players, loyalty to the team and an eagerness to work hard to earn a spot in the team?

Yeah i guess so. And perhaps when he actually works his way back into the team he'll be duly rewarded with international rugby?

Bit cart before horse mate.

 

[Braveheart81]

but he could play overseas and play for the Wallabies?

I would not pick someone that is not playing at a high level personally but find it funny that we have a player who wants to be a one team (in Australia) player and he gets punished for wanting to work his way back into the team, however unlikely it is.

Isn't this exactly what we want from all of our players, loyalty to the team and an eagerness to work hard to earn a spot in the team?

It isn't a question of whether he's eligible or not. He's eligible wherever he plays.

He won't be selected because he is playing club rugby. He wouldn't be selected if he was playing at club rugby level overseas somewhere.

Loyalty is important but we also want our best players seeking to maximise their opportunities. It helps no one if players are content to wait for years behind better players for example rather than moving somewhere else to get more opportunity.

Cooper is entitled to do exactly what he is doing and if he is happy doing that, that's fine. Anyone thinking his chances of playing for the Wallabies should be unchanged because it isn't his fault Thorn isn't selecting him for the Reds is crazy though.

 

[Tomikin]

He's not. People who give Foley a pasting for his kicking game would have a field day with To'omua. Academic anyway, he chased the money up north.

Lealifano is the only other test quality 10 we have and he could get chosen in the squad purely for the reason several others will be chosen, experience.

Lealifano has ruled him self out of the June tests, he has had a very good tour of South Africa recently though, finally getting his grove back..

 

[RugbyReg]

Tetera Faulkner on the Wallaby promotion campaign for Yenda (alongside Coleman and Genia) so he's an inclusion in the squad. Probably not surprising considering issues at LHP

 

[KOB1987]

Lealifano has ruled him self out of the June tests, he has had a very good tour of South Africa recently though, finally getting his grove back..

OK thanks

 

[Strewthcobber]

I can't say that I recall him ever retiring from internationals. He had some head issues but his form since moving to England would indicate he is over them. Or do you subscribe to the idea that rugby in England is not as tough as rugby in Australia?

I subscribe to the idea that test rugby wherever you play it is tougher than Premiership or Super Rugby.

A 33 test player heading OS on a three year contract has effectively retired from internationals while he is OS

 

[Up the Guts]

Tetera Faulkner on the Wallaby promotion campaign for Yenda (alongside Coleman and Genia) so he's an inclusion in the squad. Probably not surprising considering issues at LHP

Ah, so these days hopeful players wait excitedly to see if they’re included in beer ads rather than a call from the coach letting them know they’ve made it.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Yeah i guess so. And perhaps when he actually works his way back into the team he'll be duly rewarded with international rugby?

Bit cart before horse mate.

Mate judging by last years from I'd rather have you coming off the bench than Hanigan, although he's looked at lot more effective at Super Rugby this year.

 

[Braveheart81]

Here's my revised 33 man squad.

Props (6): Sio, Robertson, Faulkner, Kepu, Tupou, Ala'alatoa
Hookers (3): Uelese, BPA, Latu
Locks (4): Coleman, Rodda, Simmons, Arnold
Backrow (6): Hooper (c), Pocock, Timu, Samu, Cottrell, Hanigan
Halfbacks (3): Genia, Phipps, Gordon
Fly half (1): Foley
Centres (4): Beale, Kuridrani, Kerevi, Rona
Outside Backs (6): Folau, Koroibete, DHP, Hodge, Banks, Naiyaravoro

 

[Zero_Cool]

Ah, so these days hopeful players wait excitedly to see if they’re included in beer ads rather than a call from the coach letting them know they’ve made it.

Well I'm pretty sure Simmons is in the side because he's been in that ASIC ad and a few others.

I still can't get my head around Cheika saying 'Hooper is my captain for the next world cup' last year, it looks to me like it's a bit of Rafferty's rules with all that squad announcement stuff.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Here's my revised 33 man squad.

Props (6): Sio, Robertson, Faulkner, Kepu, Tupou, Ala'alatoa
Hookers (3): Uelese, BPA, Latu
Locks (4): Coleman, Rodda, Simmons, Arnold
Backrow (6): Hooper (c), Pocock, Timu, Samu, Cottrell, Hanigan
Halfbacks (3): Genia, Phipps, Gordon
Fly half (1): Foley
Centres (4): Beale, Kuridrani, Kerevi, Rona
Outside Backs (6): Folau, Koroibete, DHP, Hodge, Banks, Naiyaravoro

Not calling for it, but with all the injuries and what not I wouldn't be surprised to see Douglas in the conversation for a locking position. (Also that Arnold you have listed -- Richie or Rory?)

Also not sure about Latu (or Ready), over the other guys regularly playing Super. Edit: What about Hugh Roach?

 

[Braveheart81]

Rory Arnold.

 

[fatprop]

Not calling for it, but with all the injuries and what not I wouldn't be surprised to see Douglas in the conversation for a locking position. (Also that Arnold you have listed -- Richie or Rory?)

Also not sure about Latu (or Ready), over the other guys regularly playing Super. Edit: What about Hugh Roach?

Fitzpatrick is more likely than Roach or Ready

 

[Joe Blow]

Is Hanigan not injured and most likely not available for the series?

 

[Braveheart81]

Is Hanigan not injured and most likely not available for the series?

He is injured but the initial expectation was that he would only be out for the first test. If he is still on track to be available for the last two tests I think he will make the squad.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The Tahs backrow with Miller and Hooper looks great at Super Rugby level. Smaller backrows and smaller locks tend to go far better at Super Rugby level. I don't think it transfers to test level.

You'd drop Hooper and Beale and probably a bunch of other players everyone would pencil in very early on the team sheet

I would drop Hooper to the bench for very good, practical reasons. We have a better performing No 7 in Pocock and one who allows a better balanced backrow to be assembled. Hooper would be almost unstoppable for 20 minutes late in the game, playing anywhere in the backrow.

I would be tempted to drop Beale altogether for his poor defensive qualities. I think, against top class opposition, he is more of a liability in defense than an asset in attack. And I did like the indications that Kerevi is expanding his gameday skills in the match v the Highlanders.

I would seriously consider playing Folau on the wing but would not drop him from the 15.

I think Kepu has not been the dominant THP this year and is being seriously challenged by both AAT and Tupou. TT is probably a bit inexperienced at this stage to take the starting spot, but any combination of the three will work for the Wallabies.

I would not have Rob Simmons in the 23. His day is done. We have a good selection of locks nowadays who are very proficient at lineout and scrum time, and who are worth multiple Simmons in general play.

I would also leave Phipps out of the 23. He is becoming no more than an urban legend in terms of his supposed quickness to the ruck and swiftness of ball delivery. Gordon and Powell are more worthy backups to Genia imo, based on form this year (actually over the last couple of years).

On the other side of the equation, I would not mind seeing Robertson retain the bench LHP spot based on his latest form. I would also probably have Rona challenging TK for the 13 spot. I am also confident that Dempsey's return from injury, and hopeful that Holloway will return to his best form and force a change in the backrow considerations. Good signs last weekend in my view. If Latu can reproduce his previous form and regain the support of the coaching staff, he would also be a probable inclusion in the 23 atm.

I am not biassed against the Tahs. I just have a quite different opinion about the form and worth of a couple of them who seem to get an unchallenged run in the Wallabies most of the time.

Unlike some on this site, I am not advocating for wholesale inclusion of Brumbies as others do for the selection of Tahs players. If a few had their way, the Wallabies would have even more Tahs in the side than are there at present, some advocating for the likes of Wells and Naiyaravoro FFS.