The Rugby Championship 2016

[Braveheart81]

Wycliff Palu has announced his retirement from international rugby.

I wonder if this means he is heading to Japan for their season?

Or there was one too many set of stairs yesterday?

Regardless, an outstanding servant of Australian rugby. 58 test matches and 136 caps for the NSW Waratahs.

 

[Viking]

How's Timani's line-out skills going?

Looking at him, he could cover 4,5,6, and 8. That's pretty damn handy provided his set-piece is solid enough.

 

[Braveheart81]

Giteau is joining the squad next week.

 

[Braveheart81]

Wallabies 36-man train-on squad

Allan Ala'alatoa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Drew Mitchell, Luke Morahan, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Lopeti Timani, Matt To'omua

 

[Braveheart81]

Christian Leali'ifano left out?

Greg Holmes has been released to join Exeter. Surprised by that.

Rory Arnold is injured. Sam Carter has been dropped.

No Taqele Naiyaravoro which won't disappoint many.

 

[Slim 293]

Good to see Robertson get the nod with Holmes gone..........

 

[Highlander35]

Roughly by position and Club (2015-2016 Europe or 2016 Super Rugby)

Props (6)
Allan Ala'alatoa (Brumbies)
Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux)
Tom Robertson (Waratahs)
Scott Sio (brumbies)
James Slipper (Reds)
Toby Smith (Rebels)

Hookers (3)
James Hanson (Rebels)
Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)

Locks (6)
Adam Coleman (Force)
Kane Douglas (Reds)
Dean Mumm (Waratahs)
Rob Simmons (Reds)
Will Skelton (Waratahs)
Lopeti Timani (Rebels)

Backrowers (5)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Ben McCalman (Force)
Sean McMahon (Rebels)
David Pocock (Brumbies)

Scrum Halfs (3)
Nick Frisby (Reds)
Will Genia (Stade Francais)
Nick Phipps (Waratahs)

Fly Halfs (2)
Quade Cooper (Toulon)
Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

Centers (5)
Matt Giteau (Toulon)
Reece Hodge (Rebels)
Samu Kerevi (Reds)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Matt To'omua (Brumbies)

Wings (4)
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Bordeaux)
Rob Horne (Waratahs)
Drew Mitchell (Toulon)
Luke Morahan (Force)

Fullbacks (2)
Israel Folau (Waratahs)
Dane Haylett-Petty (Force)

Waratahs - 9
Brumbies - 7
France - 6
Reds - 5
Rebels - 5
Force - 4

 

[Slim 293]

The only surprise selection for me is Timani, who hasn't really done anything of note..........

 

[Braveheart81]

Kepu is a Waratah again now.

Since Quade has been released by Toulon is his side Souths in Premier Rugby until he signs with the Reds (presumably)?

 

[dru]

Christian Leali'ifano left out?

Suggests Quade for the bench? Or maybe it's a juggle with Giteau.

Thought there'd be room to get Ready watching from the broader squad. Not surprised but I note no Hunt.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm not surprised Lilo doesn't make the cut with Quade back...........

Lilo also hasn't done himself any favours this year.

 

[Viking]

Quade hasn't signed for a super xv side so how is he even eligible? Not that I don't think he should be in the team I just thought that was the law.

What if no super xv team sign's him.

 

[Viking]

I'm not surprised Lilo doesn't make the cut with Quade back.....

Lilo also hasn't done himself any favours this year.

Absolutely. I'm a Brumbies fan and I even agree that both Lilo and Carter don't deserve to be in the team.

 

[Highlander35]

Kepu is a Waratah again now.

Since Quade has been released by Toulon is his side Souths in Premier Rugby until he signs with the Reds (presumably)?

Standard way NH sides say which club the players are from though. Until the next season starts, they're a member of their previous one.

9 players who were Tahs for the 2016 season, 7 who were brumbies in the 2016 season, 6 based in France for the 2015/2016 season etc.

I like it that way, but the other way is fine too I guess,

 

[Viking]

I'm not sure their is a point to having 3 Hookers and 3 Halfbacks for a comp that is half played mostly domestically.

I would have liked to see Ready get the nod over Hanson with the eye on getting him to first choice by next RWC.

Mumm and Skelton are lucky to make the squad once again, I guess their aren't a lot of other options.

 

[Braveheart81]

Quade hasn't signed for a super xv side so how is he even eligible? Not that I don't think he should be in the team I just thought that was the law.

What if no super xv team sign's him.

He signed with the ARU. He just hasn't signed a Super Rugby component.

 

[Slim 293]

Absolutely. I'm a Brumbies fan and I even agree that both Lilo and Carter don't deserve to be in the team.

Carter is unlucky considering they went with Timani, but I think he needs to do more than just be a 'workhorse'............

 

[Viking]

He signed with the ARU. He just hasn't signed a Super Rugby component.

So the law is that a player only has to sign with the ARU and not a super xv franchise?

So he can play club rugby if no super xv team signs him (unlikely but you never know) and still play wallabies?

 

[Viking]

Carter is unlucky considering they went with Timani, but I think he needs to do more than just be a 'workhorse'....

Agreed. But I think Timani has benefited from Palu retiring and the fact he mostly plays 6 and 8. I think he's probably seen more as a back-rower then a lock. Look at how many locks are already in the team.

 

[Braveheart81]

So the law is that a player only has to sign with the ARU and not a super xv franchise?

So he can play club rugby if no super xv team signs him (unlikely but you never know) and still play wallabies?

Sure, but we all know he's about to sign with a Super Rugby team and it will almost certainly be the Reds.