The Wallabies Thread

[RugbyReg]

IMO Talakai should be considered to be there or there abouts. Has been a quality performer on a weekly basis, with Holmes being the dominant THP the Reds don't lose much when he comes on. Probably gain a bit more around the pitch but certainly no less at the set piece.

To be fair both Roberts and Taavao have been starting for their team. Talakai hasn't started once and his minutes have been way down. Can't see Cheika picking specialist reserves.

Unfortunately I don't think Sam has played as well as in recent years either. But that's probably a result of the minutes thing.

I think, at his best, he's close to the next best 3 but I wouldn't have him in the squad now.

 

[Brumby Runner]

OK, so if starting at your Super Rugby side is a major qualification, then Benny A must be almost a shoo-in. Has started most games in a dominating scrum - certainly one better than the Tahs' scrum. Other starters from time to time have been Ruan Smith and Les Makin, both of whom seem to make the Brumbies' scrum even stronger while Smith must be also the most mobile THP in the country and has very good ball skills as shown by a couple of his passes leading to tries (one reversed for a prior error) in a recent game.

On form in Super Rugby to date, I'd have any one of the three before Taavao in the Wallabies set up.

 

[Scrubber2050]

But Seb, I believe you have missed the importance of the EOYT. It is after all a "Grand Slam" tour is it not? Much too important to be blooding new players.* Let's just stay with the 2015 RWC squad right through to the 2019 RWC.

* I don't believe this, but am anticipating the arguments to come from known recalcitrants.

BR - we did very well at RWC 2015, BUT we came second !!!!!!!

I don't like coming second

 

[Brumby Runner]

Exactly @Scrubber, and that's why we need to take opportunities as they present to blood promising new comers who are standing out at Super Rugby level, like Holloway, Kerevi, etc. Persisting with players who have been tried and found wanting will never get us to the pinnacle.

 

[Viking]

Just caught the Rebels v. Chiefs match last night before bed. If Harris maintains that form into the next round surely he's got to be a bolter for the squad and possibly a bench option?

He's always been a solid, reliable utility back but he was on fire against a very good Chiefs side. His running game appears to be on another level right now and that was probably the main thing that's held him back in the past.

If I was selecting the side today he'd be in over Hunt. I rate Harris more as a playmaker and he provides another goal kicking option. Hunt still has fundamental positioning issues at the back on defense that the Reds have been punished for this season and I don't think he's really done much special on attack. Sure, he's had some moments - but you'd expect most Super Rugby outside backs to show some flash at least a few times a season.

Everything else aside Harris also has already spent time with the Wallabies, is two years younger than Hunt, and is far less likely to be hopping to another code before the next RWC (not to mention that Karmichael would be 32-33 years old by the next RWC).

TL;DR - Harris > Hunt

I haven't seen many of the rebels game this year. What position is Harris playing? I always thought 12 was his best position. Not sure about him as a fullback.

I remember his breakthrough year at the Reds when he scored a few nice solo tries off the bench. Glad to hear his running game is back. Plus I think he has the best goal kicking technique in Aus.

I certainly wouldn't be against seeing him in Gold again.

 

[Highlander35]

Harris played the opener, went off injured and came back game before last, and has played fullback in all 3.

He's supposedly to play fly half this week with TT having lost patience with Jack D.

I reckon he'd do well as the backup in the absence of To'omua, Beale and Gits, with Foley and Lilo starting.

 

[RebelYell]

Barbarian has obviously been reading my posts and has put up the following squad in his article on the front page...




We're clearly struggling at depth at TH prop and the outside backs to have Alexander and Hunt in the 23...

This is near perfect in my opinion. I would have Toby Smith as the backup THP before Alexander, and regardless to what you guys are saying he was at the Cockatoo Island camp and is a Cheika favourite, and I would have either Talakai or Robertson in the squad as the 5th prop.

I would also swap Mike Harris for Karmichael Hunt in this squad, though I would have Reece Hodge in the 23 before Mike. And I still think Taqele will be in there somewhere, watch this space...

 

[Viking]

Most are predicting DHP for the wing spot. What do you guys think about Morahan as a smokey for winger / fullback cover?

I still have his British and Irish Lions game in the back of my mind. A beautiful display of attacking and defending ability against the highest of opposition.

 

[RugbyReg]

he's a big chance I hear

 

[Sword of Justice]

Most are predicting DHP for the wing spot. What do you guys think about Morahan as a smokey for winger / fullback cover?

I still have his British and Irish Lions game in the back of my mind. A beautiful display of attacking and defending ability against the highest of opposition.

Exactly what I have been thinking. The best players step up when the competition gets harder and he did that. Very good option to balance the back three.

For me Horne and Tomane should not start together when Tomane returns as we lack kickers and genuine pace in this backline. I see Horne as a great sub option capable of covering 11-14.

 

[topgun]

Fox sports reporting Tim Alphabet is back in NSW:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/t...w/news-story/e34060bbf19c245b9f6d2098f6ced8ca

 

[Groucho]

BR - we did very well at RWC 2015, BUT we came second !!!!!!!

I don't like coming second

Unfortunately, if you base your selection policy around winning major tournaments, you might never field your best team. Then the enterprise will burn to the ground as you try to find players with a non-losing record against the ABs, starting with Super Rugby rookies, then progressing to club players, then schoolboys, then schoolgirls, then babies, then primal ooze. That's why coaches pick based on performance.

 

[Groucho]

Fox sports reporting Tim Alphabet is back in NSW:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/t...w/news-story/e34060bbf19c245b9f6d2098f6ced8ca

If Alphabet can get properly fit then he could be really good.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Unfortunately, if you base your selection policy around winning major tournaments, you might never field your best team. Then the enterprise will burn to the ground as you try to find players with a non-losing record against the ABs, starting with Super Rugby rookies, then progressing to club players, then schoolboys, then schoolgirls, then babies, then primal ooze. That's why coaches pick based on performance.

Agree - but performance at what level. I generally agree with the incumbent doctrine as long as the incumbent is still performing. If another non-incumbent is performing better then he should get the gig.

Otherwise we are being totally reactive and not proactive.

 

[Groucho]

Agree - but performance at what level. I generally agree with the incumbent doctrine as long as the incumbent is still performing. If another non-incumbent is performing better then he should get the gig.

Otherwise we are being totally reactive and not proactive.

Completely agree. I certainly don't recommend sticking with incumbents because they're incumbents. I just want to see replacements earn their places. The ABs are better at this than we are. They routinely put in-form young players into settled teams to try to extract extra performance from the team, and in the process extract extra performance from those players. They'll blood a batch of 'who?' players this year and next year they'll be better than our players.

 

[Viking]

So Greg Martin thinks Leroy Houston will be announced in the squad. Interesting choice especially if it comes at the expense of Holloway.

But then again it is coming from Martin so it's probably B.S.

 

[Highlander35]

Thought they had to land in Australia and have already signed a 2 year contract with a Super Rugby side? Ah well

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Some utterly useless/ meaningless but fun information: Leroy Houston's father Scotty coached the mighty 'nua back in the early 1990's & launched the career of a then-future Waiopehu Old Boy by the name of Carlos Spencer. And should Leroy be the Wobbly bolter Marto & others are predicting, there could be three 'nua boys involved in the Bleds this year (Houston, Dane Coles & Codie Taylor): we've previously had two in Carlos & Cullen & prior to that Cowboy Shaw & Gary Knight but three would surely be a first.

 

[RugbyReg]

Thought they had to land in Australia and have already signed a 2 year contract with a Super Rugby side? Ah well

the word is he's signed for the Reds

 

[Highlander35]

the word is he's signed for the Reds

Look, he clearly wants to and it's been in discussions on both sides of the ditch, but I guess from my perspective it's a little bit odd when there's been nothing from Bath, the Reds or the ARU on the matter, particularly given Bath's season ended ~2 weeks ago and he's technically contracted for the 2016/17 season as well.