Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
June? Who's she?
The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
- Start date
June? Who's she?
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
I see two likely players coming into Wallaby frame from the Force- Coleman and DHP.
Hodgson is a maybe at 7 if there are injuries. McCalman is a maybe at 8 if he comes back into form. Tet Faulkner is a maybe as a utility prop if he comes back into form (Cheika had him as a prop on the 2014 Spring Tour IIRC). It sounded like Cheika spoke to Morahan recently but I don't think he is in the top 5 or 6 wingers at the moment.
Hodgson is a maybe at 7 if there are injuries. McCalman is a maybe at 8 if he comes back into form. Tet Faulkner is a maybe as a utility prop if he comes back into form (Cheika had him as a prop on the 2014 Spring Tour IIRC). It sounded like Cheika spoke to Morahan recently but I don't think he is in the top 5 or 6 wingers at the moment.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
As per the last page.......
I can't recall the injury status of TPN and Horne, but they'd both be on the bench if fit........
There's not a lot of great outside backs running around right now, so DHP might get a look in........
Right now I'd play Tomane and Beale on the wings, and bring Lilo onto the bench to cover 10/12 (with To'omua starting at 12).........
Still looking weak at TH prop if we don't bring Kepu back from Europe.........
Carter should replace Douglas in the starting lineup, and Arnold would be a more useful bench lock than Skelton at this stage..........
Smokies could include Holloway, Vaea, DHP, and Ala'alatoa (doubtful with LH prop stocks).
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Half back reserve is a huge problem. If Stirzaker doesn't manage to come back to his best, then I think there's no choice but to bring Genia back from O/S. Nick Frisby is not showing any evidence of being up to test match standard.
THP is another spot with some difficulty. Greg Holmes to start, but after that it would be a choice of one of the younger brigade or to bring Kepu back with Will.
I really don't see any benefit in having both Simmons and Carter as the starting locks. They are too similar in my view. ATM I'd see the second spot being a choice between Coleman and Arnold with one of Simmons/Carter on the bench.
There is a distinct dilution in wing stocks also, so I'd be inclined to go with Horne/DHP on the right wing and Tomane on the left. In fact, in the backline, as of this moment, I'd have Phipps, Horne/DHP and Folau in their spots to complement the remainder of the Brumbies backline.
THP is another spot with some difficulty. Greg Holmes to start, but after that it would be a choice of one of the younger brigade or to bring Kepu back with Will.
I really don't see any benefit in having both Simmons and Carter as the starting locks. They are too similar in my view. ATM I'd see the second spot being a choice between Coleman and Arnold with one of Simmons/Carter on the bench.
There is a distinct dilution in wing stocks also, so I'd be inclined to go with Horne/DHP on the right wing and Tomane on the left. In fact, in the backline, as of this moment, I'd have Phipps, Horne/DHP and Folau in their spots to complement the remainder of the Brumbies backline.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
That's yesterday's news as far as I'm concerned. When he realises the dire straits we're in at half back, he could well have a swift change of mind.
T
TOCC
Guest
I agree on the reluctance for a Carter-Simmons lock pairing, it just doesn't sit well for me given their strengths and weakness are far too similar... Carter isn't a natural replacement for Douglas.
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Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
Coleman or Arnold?
Re: halfbacks, little red, barring further injuries, will have 6, hopefully 7 starts before England to cement that backup spot to Phipps.
Re: halfbacks, little red, barring further injuries, will have 6, hopefully 7 starts before England to cement that backup spot to Phipps.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Hope you're right about Stirzaker.
Difficult choice between Coleman and Arnold. Coleman seems to make more impact with ball in hand, but has often suffered handling errors. Arnold is very strong in defense and has exceptional hands for a lock. Both are very good at lineout, so not much between them.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I would expect Cheika to go with Carter in the starting XV with Douglas out........
Arnold would have the advantage over Coleman right now having being involved in the Wobs squad last year (and the meeting a few weeks ago)..........
I'd much rather see Coleman in the squad over Mumm and Skelton though.
Arnold would have the advantage over Coleman right now having being involved in the Wobs squad last year (and the meeting a few weeks ago)..........
I'd much rather see Coleman in the squad over Mumm and Skelton though.
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
Cheika has already said that the only player he would consider to bring back for England tests would be Genia, due to the limited playing time he has had due to injury. He won't be as burnt out as the others. Would be good to have him and Phipps, with probs stirzaker as the 3rd. Would be to risky IMO to have only phipps and then +2 rookies.
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
I reckon he will go with Holmes, with a rookie and a experienced but passed it option.....like.....Talakai & Weeks, or Taavao & Alexander sort of thing. Keep Kepu for Rugby Championships
I'd be surprised if Kepu is brought back for the June tests. One of the reasons he went to France was to reduce his travel and be able to spend more time at home with his family. I think Cheika will be aware of that and won't want to push him. Trying to get him just for the Rugby Championship seems like a better option. You wouldn't want to create a situation where Kepu retires from international rugby to avoid being selected.
Dumbledore
Dick Tooth (41)
If Matt Lucas is the answer at scrumhalf then we're in worse trouble than I thought.
T
TOCC
Guest
Disagree, we need to be competitive first..
Establishing a winning culture will serve the Wallabies better then throwing young players to the wolves. You can blood new players whilst still maintaining experience, it doesn't have to be one or the other.
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
Best way to 'blood' new players is to have them apprentice behind the best available. You don't blood them by allowing them to be ripped to pieces in teh deep end with no safety net. ..
Eg....Lets Say THP. Best available is Kepu, a reliable experienced backup is Holmes...and a rookie to be blooded with an eye to the future would be.....talakai.
Mccaw had Cane
Carter had Cruden & Barrett
Woodcock and crocket had Moody
Franks and Faumoina have Laulala
Williams and Thorn had Whitelock and Rettalick
Kaino has Luatua
They didn't just wipe the slate clean and shove a bunch of rookies into the firing line. They gradually introduced them, involving them in wider squads, travelling squads, 31 man squads, then some bench positions, then the occasioanl run on against a weaker opposition or in the case of an injury emergency, in which case, it would be only the 1 rookie on the field. Like imagining Cane getting to debut next to Kaino and Read...makes life easier.
Eg....Lets Say THP. Best available is Kepu, a reliable experienced backup is Holmes...and a rookie to be blooded with an eye to the future would be.....talakai.
Mccaw had Cane
Carter had Cruden & Barrett
Woodcock and crocket had Moody
Franks and Faumoina have Laulala
Williams and Thorn had Whitelock and Rettalick
Kaino has Luatua
They didn't just wipe the slate clean and shove a bunch of rookies into the firing line. They gradually introduced them, involving them in wider squads, travelling squads, 31 man squads, then some bench positions, then the occasioanl run on against a weaker opposition or in the case of an injury emergency, in which case, it would be only the 1 rookie on the field. Like imagining Cane getting to debut next to Kaino and Read...makes life easier.