1 Slipper
2 Kaitu’u
3 Tupou
4 Phillip
5 Rodda
6 Seru
7 Hooper
8 Valetini
9 McDermott
10 James O'Connor
11 Koroibete
12 Kerevi
13 Ikatu
14 Kellaway
15 Banks
16 Fainga'a
17 Bell
18 AAA
19 Swain
20 Harry Wilson
21 Nick White
22 Quade Cooper
23 Jordan Petaia
Looking at it from a cohesion perspective.
Slipper and Taniela have played enough rugby together so that FF (Folau Fainga'a) doesn't need to start and Kaitu'u has been around the squad for a year or two to help gelling. Poreki needs another year of consistent rugby before leaping frogging both and more time with Bell and the wider Wallaby squad.
Rodda has played enough rugby with Slipper, Kaitu'u and Tupou to further build on the 'cohesion' idea, same with Philip.
Seru is probably the weakest choice/link 'cohesion' wise in this squad as he's completely new.
There's no discernible difference between James and Quade. Same with the rest of the backs, that 12/13 combination will probably be what goes to the WC, so you're better off building around it. There's enough 'minor' joins between the 10-15 that there's no real glaring omission here.
FF (Folau Fainga'a), AAA and Swain have played enough rugby together to allow a less experienced Bell.
You could easily switched any of the bench for anyone who's been left out and you'll probably end up with a similar cohesive squad.
Reasons why for some of the more 'contentious' picks;
Kaitu'u and FF (Folau Fainga'a) over Poreki - the latter needs more games under his belt at this level. There's not much between the three though
No Frost - Similar to the hookers, there's not much between them Philip/Rodda/Swain have all been playing well enough with Swain needing to ensure his brain farts are kept to a minimum.
Seru - Leota hasn't played enough this year, Swinton is busted and I think Uru's heads up rugby + pick and go rugby has been great.
Hooper over McReight - Fraser has played well enough to start for the Wallabies at 7. It's as simple as, Hooper hasn't played badly enough to lose it. Gamble doesn't make it because Fraser has performed consistently at this level for three? seasons now.
No Holloway - Simple as, 'Jack of all trades, master of none'. He either plays instead of Uru or he doesn't make the 23.
Wilson over Samu - Samu appears to exceed when he's giving a roaming role in the outer channels. Harry's running game off the 9/10 has been fantastic and would ensure the Wallabies don't miss a beat if Seru or Bobby V comes off. Samu causes a dramatic change to the way the Wallabies would have to play.
James over Quade - there's not much in it and James gets the nod because Quade's kicking is considerably hot and cold. I.e. look at the differences between to two Springbok games.
Banks over Jordan - Jordan just hasn't played enough rugby this year just yet to fully dislodge Banks. I like what JP brings to the table at 15, just need to see more of it, consistently.
Kellaway over Wright - I think Andrew's rugby brain is something the Wallabies have missed out wide since Roff/Tune/Latham/Burke were out there. Wright is a better athlete but does some stupid shit.
No Perese - runs extremely hard at the line, hard hitter in defence, but I'm struggling to see what he brings to the team that Kerevi and Hunter don't? He needs to add more to his game before he dislodges those two (Len is miles ahead due to his all round game).
No Hodge - for some reason people seem to pick Hodge for his kicking ability, but he's failed to come up clutch in recent memory to understand why he should be picked for his boot alone. His form for the first half 2/3 of this year's competition has been woeful/been suspended.
Which probably accurately reflects the Super table from a representation perspective, leaning towards the Brumbies;
Brumbies = 8
Force = 2
Rebels = 2
Reds = 6
Waratahs = 2
O/S = 3
