Viking
Mark Ella (57)
2009 was full of injuries, youngsters debuting, Older players finding form, Positioning switches/experiments, So considering everyone being fit for next year whats your wallabies team and why?
Heres my team:
1. Benn Robinson -If anyone else gets picked here besides big ben they need to be shot
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau - Love his big hits, Solid everywhere else just has to get his throwing right
3. Ben Alexander - Will have to have a good super 14 season tho, think we have some quality props out there.
4. Dean Mumm - Horwill hasnt given me much, Mumm is getting better and is showing he's hungry for games!
5. Nathan Sharpe - His line-out work and experience is key
6. Rocky Elsom - Not really any other candidates who can match rocky, But still hoping he will get back too top form n take more control as captain.
7. Pocock / Smith - Its going to have to come down to their super 14 performance to pick between them.
8. Palu - IMO was one of the best players of the spring tour, when he's at his best he's world class
9. Will Genia - Solid player, do think he's overrated though, no-where near gregan's level yet. But Solid.
10. Berrick Barnes - Also very solid, doesnt have the larkham flair (or cooper flair for that matter) and never will. But is solid and consistant. Our best tactical kicker which has been a problem for us lately. Will make the right decision (only thing missing is that "x" factor that creates gaps n wins games, but imo wallabies need stability n consistency which berrick has. If he's not injured)
11. Digby Ioane - Dont think he should be 13 cos AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is better at it. Had a few missed tackles in the spring tour. Think he's a good tackler but maybe his reading of play is a bit off. At wing he'll go looking for work plus adds a bit of power out wide.
12. Matt Giteau - IMO Plays his best at 12. We've debated this topic over and over so no need to argue about it anymore
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper - Also believe he plays his best at 13. And i also believe he could be one of the best 13's we've had, IMO he is the only person who has the potential to match one of the all time great wallabies (mortlock). AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will always get over the advantage line, he runs good lines (try vs boks in 3N), and he is a bloody good defender. And put on some bloody good hits. His best assets are underused at 15. 15 makes him look like an average player when he clearly is more then that.
14. Mitchell - Can be used as a second fullback, skill-full all round. Bit tentative at times but im sure he'll be over that by now
15. Cameron Shepard - I think he's the only specialised fullback Oz has at the moment.
Run on reserves:
16. Stephen Moore
17. Sekope Kepu - This one will surely come down to the super 14 form.
18. James Horwill
19. Smith / Pocock
20. Richard Kingi - Lets just say i have high hopes for the guy
21. Quade Cooper - Can cover 10.12
22. Kurtley Beale - Can cover 10. 12. 15. and Wing!
Heres my team:
1. Benn Robinson -If anyone else gets picked here besides big ben they need to be shot
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau - Love his big hits, Solid everywhere else just has to get his throwing right
3. Ben Alexander - Will have to have a good super 14 season tho, think we have some quality props out there.
4. Dean Mumm - Horwill hasnt given me much, Mumm is getting better and is showing he's hungry for games!
5. Nathan Sharpe - His line-out work and experience is key
6. Rocky Elsom - Not really any other candidates who can match rocky, But still hoping he will get back too top form n take more control as captain.
7. Pocock / Smith - Its going to have to come down to their super 14 performance to pick between them.
8. Palu - IMO was one of the best players of the spring tour, when he's at his best he's world class
9. Will Genia - Solid player, do think he's overrated though, no-where near gregan's level yet. But Solid.
10. Berrick Barnes - Also very solid, doesnt have the larkham flair (or cooper flair for that matter) and never will. But is solid and consistant. Our best tactical kicker which has been a problem for us lately. Will make the right decision (only thing missing is that "x" factor that creates gaps n wins games, but imo wallabies need stability n consistency which berrick has. If he's not injured)
11. Digby Ioane - Dont think he should be 13 cos AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is better at it. Had a few missed tackles in the spring tour. Think he's a good tackler but maybe his reading of play is a bit off. At wing he'll go looking for work plus adds a bit of power out wide.
12. Matt Giteau - IMO Plays his best at 12. We've debated this topic over and over so no need to argue about it anymore
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper - Also believe he plays his best at 13. And i also believe he could be one of the best 13's we've had, IMO he is the only person who has the potential to match one of the all time great wallabies (mortlock). AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will always get over the advantage line, he runs good lines (try vs boks in 3N), and he is a bloody good defender. And put on some bloody good hits. His best assets are underused at 15. 15 makes him look like an average player when he clearly is more then that.
14. Mitchell - Can be used as a second fullback, skill-full all round. Bit tentative at times but im sure he'll be over that by now
15. Cameron Shepard - I think he's the only specialised fullback Oz has at the moment.
Run on reserves:
16. Stephen Moore
17. Sekope Kepu - This one will surely come down to the super 14 form.
18. James Horwill
19. Smith / Pocock
20. Richard Kingi - Lets just say i have high hopes for the guy
21. Quade Cooper - Can cover 10.12
22. Kurtley Beale - Can cover 10. 12. 15. and Wing!
(If Quade gets through his current problem).
