Wallabies 31 Man Squad

[Richo]

Biggsy as the voice of reason.

Maybe Deans really will select Cooper in the last 6.

 

[Lindommer]

Righto, you've all blown off quite a lot of steam, let's get back to what we've got, 25 players who'll run out in green and gold. This is how I see them:

LHP: Robinson, Alexander, Slipper, Kepu
hooker: Moore, Fainga'a
THP: Slipper, Kepu, Alexander
LH lock: Horwill, Simmons, Dennis
TH lock: Timani, Horwill
6: Higginbotham, Mowen, Dennis
7: Gill, Hooper
8: Palu, Higginbotham, Mowen
halfback: Genia
five-eight: JOC (James O'Connor), Barnes, Leali'ifano
inside centre: Leali'ifano, Horne, Barnes, JOC (James O'Connor)
outside centre: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Horne, Cummins
winger: Ioane, Cummins, JOC (James O'Connor), Tomane, Folau, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
fullback: Folau, JOC (James O'Connor), Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

I've ranked players in every position they can play in order to give a full picture of depth in each spot. Those in red can play where listed but are definites elsewhere. JOC (James O'Connor), is he really a monte for the 10 jumper? For me, four things stand out when the squad's set out like this:

1. If a specialist THP (Palmer) isn't selected in the Birmingham Six we'll get mullered in the scrums. WE MUST PICK OUR BEST SCRUMMAGING FRONT ROW.
2. Why Dennis? As much as I admire his work at the Tahs this year we need Douglas and/or MMM in this Wallaby squad rather than Dave.
3. Oz rugby's a bit skinny for 13s this year.
4. Burgess only has to lace on his boots to get picked.

 

[Richo]

Digby is surely the back-up's back-up 13, then the Badger.

As for JOC (James O'Connor), Deans has said that he's got the jumper, but I think we'll see a fair bit of Barnes in there from 15.

 

[fatprop]

Digby is surely the back-up's back-up 13, then the Badger.

As for JOC (James O'Connor), Deans has said that he's got the jumper, but I think we'll see a fair bit of Barnes in there from 15.

I would not be surprised to see Horne being considered back up 13, but luckily AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is very durable

 

[USARugger]

To clear things up - I still support the Wallabies and our players 100%. I absolutely hate Deans as a coach and a human being but this will never alter my faith in or dedication to the G&GR.

I know I come off as excessively negative at times but I think that may just be me. I was raised to always look for ways to improve, to me pointing out areas of poor performance isn't negativity. I understand why some feel this way though.

Which back three do you guys think we are going to see? Digby doesn't seem so confident about his knee and the Stormers will be incredibly physical if he does play, they will target him. I think Barnes is almost definitely going to be the 15 now if JOC (James O'Connor) is locked in as 10, otherwise we could see a back three of three non-kickers..just don't see that happening. Thoughts?

 

[Richo]

I would not be surprised to see Horne being considered back up 13, but luckily AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is very durable

For sure. That's why I said Digby was the back-up's (Horne, in Lindo's post) back-up.

 

[Braveheart81]

The logic behind Dennis seems to be so we can carry a backup 7 on the bench and still play 3 back reserves.

Robbo, Moore, Alexander
Horwill, Timani
Higgers, Palu, Gill

Reserves:
Slipper
Fainga'a
Kepu
Dennis
Hooper

MMM is clearly a better option but isn't available at this stage. Dennis is the backup 6 and lock and would also go to 6 if Palu came off and Higgers went to 8 (at a pinch Dennis can play 8 as well).

This gives us the option of playing a backrow of Gill, Higgers, Hooper in the last half an hour.

If you have a lock on the bench instead of Dennis (or MMM if fit) then I don't think you can also have Hooper or Gill. If your 6 or 8 had to come off early you wouldn't want to play a small backrow of Gill, Higgers and Hooper were most of a match.

 

[fatprop]

1. If a specialist THP (Palmer) isn't selected in the Birmingham Six we'll get mullered in the scrums. WE MUST PICK OUR BEST SCRUMMAGING FRONT ROW.

Palmer needs to lift his game to be selected, he is coming to the time of year where he has fallen apart over the last couple of seasons.

He needs to get on the field and put in, even his scrummaging hasn't been particularly dominant over the last 6 weeks, despite getting games off

 

[Braveheart81]

Palmer needs to lift his game to be selected, he is coming to the time of year where he has fallen apart over the last couple of seasons.

He needs to get on the field and put in, even his scrummaging hasn't been particularly dominant over the last 6 weeks, despite getting games off

I still don't see who else we pick as the final prop aside from Palmer.

Paddy Ryan is certainly superior around the field but Palmer is a much better scrummager. Sio and Cowan are both LHP.

 

[biggsy]

I have big wraps on palmer. I also see him also as a good scrummager. But haven't watch to of his games this year.

 

[Braveheart81]

I have big wraps on palmer. I also see him also as a good scrummager. But haven't watch to of his games this year.

That's his problem this year. His scrummaging has really fallen away from being dominant to being above average. He no longer has the scrum dominance that lets you forget his average play around the field.

That said, the only contender at THP still outside the squad is Paddy Ryan who is definitely weaker in the scrum than Palmer (but a great ball runner). I think Palmer will be picked.

 

[fatprop]

I still don't see who else we pick as the final prop aside from Palmer.

Paddy Ryan is certainly superior around the field but Palmer is a much better scrummager. Sio and Cowan are both LHP.

agreed, and hopefully Palmer starts against the Blues and tears them a new one playing a good stack of minutes

 

[Lindommer]

Props? I was a back, what would I know. I still can't work out what numbers go best on Alexander and Slipper. I THINK Kepu's best spot is THP, but I'm not sure.

Can one of the resident fatties please give us his opinion on the props selected. And those not selected.

 

[Braveheart81]

Robbo is the obvious starting LHP and is much, much better than any other option.

Slipper is the best THP and probably plays better at THP (even though he has said previously he prefers LHP). He is in great form and is stronger in the scrum than Alexander at THP. I suspect he'll be on the bench though.

Alexander is probably a better LHP but is pretty decent at THP. His scrummaging isn't as strong as Slipper's. Generally he's been preferred to Slipper so I expect he'll start. He is excellent around the field (but so is Slipper).

Kepu plays both sides of the scrum well but is probably a little better at THP because that is where he's had to play a lot in the last couple of years. He is weak around the field which mostly would seem to be due to laziness. He can be a bit of a spectator sometimes. His scrummaging is strong though.

Palmer is a THP and last season was the dominant THP in Australia at scrumtime. This year his scrummaging has fallen away and he wouldn't be much better than Slipper, Kepu or Alexander at scrum time. He is weak in general play.

Paddy Ryan is a THP and is improving at scrum time but is still pretty green. He can produce an excellent scrum but does give away penalties, particularly after first arriving on the field. He is excellent in general play, particularly with his ball running. He has great acceleration and can bust a tackle which makes him a threat with crash ball in midfield.

Scott Sio is a LHP only. He has been great this year but is still very green at scrum time but is strong around the field, particularly his ball carrying.

Pek Cowan is a LHP only. Solid player but too far down the pecking order right now.

Greg Holmes and Salesi Ma'afu play THP but neither are close to being selected.

 

[scaraby]

To clear things up - I still support the Wallabies and our players 100%. I absolutely hate Deans as a coach and a human being but this will never alter my faith in or dedication to the G&GR.

I know I come off as excessively negative at times but I think that may just be me. I was raised to always look for ways to improve, to me pointing out areas of poor performance isn't negativity. I understand why some feel this way though.

Which back three do you guys think we are going to see? Digby doesn't seem so confident about his knee and the Stormers will be incredibly physical if he does play, they will target him. I think Barnes is almost definitely going to be the 15 now if JOC (James O'Connor) is locked in as 10, otherwise we could see a back three of three non-kickers..just don't see that happening. Thoughts?

Folaus a pretty good kick....he just chooses it as a last option opposed to a first(what a revelation)...as for the wings i think fatprop probably has a better "raking boot" "(different form of raking I bet). Barnes may still prop up at 12 if JOC (James O'Connor) gets a bit flighty. The beauty of Barnes is he can play nearly anywhere so you would think they might possibly go with 3 flyers then go to plan "B for Barnes" off the bench if it doesnt work.

 

[USARugger]

Kepu's scrummaging has been inconsistent lately. He has had a few scrums this year where he would be fine in one scrum, get absolutely blown up in the next, then be fine again for the following scrum, then get blown up again. Really weird and I have had some issue finding any other causes than in one of them where Tafu slipped up and nearly nose-dived into the pitch.

scaraby

My only real concerns about Folau's kicking are A) accuracy and B) doing it under pressure with Lions forwards/Mike Phillips going for the charge down

 

[fatprop]

Kepu's scrummaging has been inconsistent lately. He has had a few scrums this year where he would be fine in one scrum, get absolutely blown up in the next, then be fine again for the following scrum, then get blown up again. Really weird and I have had some issue finding any other causes than in one of them where Tafu slipped up and nearly nose-dived into the pitch.

I think when Kepu gets tired he loses technique, both at scrummaging and around the field (his lazy penalties)

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

I think most people are on the money with who the next 6 will be, I'm going to throw in a few smokeys for fun, people that deserve a crack but won't get one due the perceived need for conservative experienced picks to face the lions. I think a few up and comers given the chance would play out of their skin against the lions.

Likely / Possible / Smokey (if there is one)

Prop
Palmer / Ryan / Sio

Hooker
Hanson (seriously, who else is there?)

Lock & desperate times 6 cover
MMM / Douglas / Pyle

Scrummy
Burgess / White / Daylight

Inside back
McCabe / Taps / Godwin

Outside back
Beale / Mitchell / Mogg

Right or wrong I don't think QC (Quade Cooper) will come into the squad unless there are multiple injuries. Dingo has made him a pariah.

 

[USARugger]

I think when Kepu gets tired he loses technique, both at scrummaging and around the field (his lazy penalties)

What concerned me the most was that the particular set of scrums I'm referring to came against the Kings. Not the worst scrummaging side in the world but hardly the BIL either.

 

[BDA]

I believe I read a comment from Kafer in an article on the weekend which suggested Palmer is carrying an injury. Can anyone enlighten us?

If its true, I would say that is the reason we has not yet been chosen and he will be the final prop added to the group.