Will Cooper and Mitchell be back in time for Wallaby selection?
Columnist By David Lord, 17 May 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
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- Australia rugby, Drew Mitchell, Quade Cooper, robbie deans, Rugby Union, scotland rugby, Wales rugby, wallabies, Will Genia
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Wallabies player Quade Cooper. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
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The imminent return of frontline Wallabies Quade Cooper and Drew Mitchell from long-term injuries will dramatically change the selection landscape for the one-off Test against Scotland, and the three-Test series against Wales.
Cooper hasn’t played since the game against Wales at the Rugby World Cup last October when he suffered a serious ACL joint injury. Mitchell hasn’t played since the Rugby World Cup game against Russia, also in October, with a severe hamstring tear on top of an ankle injury.
Cooper will have just two Super Rugby games to press his claims – the Lions at home, the Brumbies away (and a bye) – before the Wallaby teams to meet Scotland in Newcastle and the first Test side to play Wales will be named.
Mitchell will have three games – Stormers and Cheetahs both away, and the Hurricanes at home.
The big question – will Cooper and Mitchell be match-fit enough to be considered?
If not, there’s a whole series of selection options.
Leave Scotland out of the equation for the moment as the best Wallaby side won’t play in back-to-back Tests just four days apart.
That being the case, Wallaby coach Robbie Deans’ biggest problem in naming his team to meet Wales at Suncorp on June 9 is not who to pick in the backline, but where, if Cooper and Mitchell aren’t considered.
On the proviso they are all fit for June 9 at Suncorp – Will Genia, Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, and Pat McCabe will figure prominently at the selection table.
Not overlooking two outside-centres in Rob Horne and Andrew Smith, fly-half Ben Lucas, who along with winger Dom Shipperley have genuine claims.
Genia will obviously be half-back, and McCabe at inside-centre if he gets the nod. But the rest could be found anywhere in the backline, bar 9.
Beale at 10, or full-back, O’Connor at 10, inside-centre, or wing, Ashley-Cooper at outside-centre, wing, or full-back, Ioane at wing, or outside-centre, and Barnes at 10, or inside-centre.
By comparison, the pack is pretty settled with Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, skipper James Horwill, David Pocock and Scott Higginbotham, leaving just one lock spot and blindside flanker available.
All up, that makes the 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 jerseys – basically half the side – up for grabs with options.
The 4: Rob Simmons, Nathan Sharpe, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle, and Scott Fardy.
The 6: Rocky Elsom, Beau Robinson, Matt Hodgson, David Dennis, and Fardy.
The 10: Beale, O’Connor, Barnes, and Lucas.
The 12: O’Connor, McCabe, Barnes, and Horne.
The 13: Ashley-Cooper, Ioane, Horne, and Smith.
And the 15: Beale, O’Connor, and Ashley-Cooper.
Realistically, leaving Cooper and Mitchell out of contention for the first Test against Wales, the Suncorp side could look like this:
15 – Ashley-Cooper
14 – Shipperley
13 – Ioane
12 – Barnes
11 – O’Connor
10 – Beale
9 – Genia
8 – Higginbotham
7 – Pocock
6 – Hodgson
5 – Horwill
4 – Simmons
3 – Alexander
2 – Moore
1 – Robinson
The major selection would be Ioane at 13, where he’s closer to the action, will make the breaks, and be the perfect feeder for finishers O’Connor and Shipperley, with Ashley-Cooper chiming in from behind.
It will be a vastly different line-up if Cooper and Mitchell are both match-fit and raring to go.
Cooper to 10, Beale from 10 to 15, Ashley-Cooper from 15 to 13, Ioane from 13 to 14, Mitchell to 11, O’Connor from 11 to 12, with Barnes and Shipperley to miss out.
No matter where you look, it won’t be easy. The permutations seem endless.
May 17th 2012 @ 12:37pm
Selector said | May 17th 2012 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
35 Man + 10 shadow
Props: Robinson, Alexander, Kepu, Palmer Slipper – Daley
Hooker: Moore, Poluta Nau, Hanson – Fiangaa
Locks: Horwill, Pyle, Timani, Simmons, Sharpe – Carter
Backrow: Higgimbotham, Pocock, Palu, Alueua, Hooper, Dennis, Mowen – Hodgson, Elsom
Scrum Half – Genia, Lucas, Phipps – Kingi
Fly Halfs – Cooper, Harris – Barnes
Centre’s – O’Conner, McCabe, Ashley Cooper, Fiangaa – Horne
Wings – Ioane, Gerrard, Shipperley, Tomane – Mitchell
FB – Beale, Morahan – Mogg
v Wales
Robinson, Moore, Alexander
Horwill, Pyle
Higgimbotham, Pocock, Palu
Genia, Cooper
Ioane, O’Conner, Ash Cooper, Gerrard
Beale
Kepu, Poluta Nau, Timani, Alueau, Lucas, McCabe, Morahan
May 17th 2012 @ 2:47pm
rl said | May 17th 2012 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
Until little JOC learns to add reliable one-on-one defence to his brand, he can ply his trade on the wing. Deans already needs a body-guard at 12 to cover for Cooper, he doesn’t need another liability. I actually think JOC can be a 12, but you don’t want him still working on his defensive technique in tests – just like Horne, show us you can do it consistently at S15 level first.
Gerrard – great player, lovely kicking game, but he was too slow even at the height of his powers.
May 17th 2012 @ 4:37pm
Markus said | May 17th 2012 @ 4:37pm | Report comment
Can’t agree with you omitting the form Aus scrumhalf (Nic White) for one who has had an overall poor season (Phipps) and two players who aren’t even playing at scrumhalf (Kingi, Lucas).
Besides that, some very good squad picks. Personally I wouldn’t pick Auelua yet, until he can deliver dominant performances against top teams (the Rebels and Lions were poor).
May 17th 2012 @ 11:01pm
Sabe said | May 17th 2012 @ 11:01pm | Report comment
Selector, I’m glad your not picking the Aus squad, you missed the obvious choice to all in Nic White as the form scrum half, how could you pick Kingi & Lucas in front of him, Lucas & Kingi don’t even play no 9 ( have done but don’t ) & why would you pick utility players for a specialist position. I can only assume you know White & don’t like him. Shame as I rate him, he’s young but has an awesome future.
May 17th 2012 @ 12:42pm
kingplaymaker said | May 17th 2012 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
PeterK agreed. With TPN in the middle those three are good in the scrums and good in the loose too. Slipper, Palmer, Moore provide pleasant cover from the bench.
May 17th 2012 @ 2:00pm
Jack said | May 17th 2012 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
Elsom based in his from for Leinster?
May 17th 2012 @ 2:31pm
ted said | May 17th 2012 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
Sharpe is passed it…..Palu never was….why does Horne get all these chances when his form is so ordinary?
May 17th 2012 @ 4:51pm
The Bush said | May 17th 2012 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
Don’t like your team at all Mr Lord;
15 – Ashley-Cooper – tried, tested and to be honest, currently found wanting. I loved AAC, but others now deserve a chance to shine.
14 – Shipperley – good pick.
13 – Ioane – has been shown up at 13, both defensively and more importantly in attack (cannot pass). Besides, you don’t weak a position to try and strengthen another. He’s one of the best wingers we have and lets start him there.
12 – Barnes – I prefer big and direct insides, but at least he can tackle (falls under same category as AAC too, had his day, someone elses chance to shine).
11 – O’Connor – if we must (but god I hate him).
10 – Beale – obviously can play anywhere, but I just loved him at fullback in 2010. If he can recapture that form he shouldn’t play anywhere else but at full back.
9 – Genia – found form at the right time (luckily).
8 – Higginbotham – jury’s out at Test level at No8.
7 – Pocock – obvious.
6 – Hodgson – no, no, no, no, no. I’d rather Higgers at blindside or anyone else. He’s had his chance, give it to someone new.
5 – Horwill – captain, so obvious pick.
4 – Simmons – may be worth perserving with, but gee there are some other big second rowers going around.
3 – Alexander – I swear I see him playing loose head at super leavel. Surely that is all we need to say about this dumb selection.
2 – Moore – good choice.
1 – Robinson – good choice.
May 17th 2012 @ 10:51pm
mattamkII said | May 17th 2012 @ 10:51pm | Report comment
Bush, Alexander is almost 100% a lose head at super level….thats why his for at TH over the last few seasons has been off.
May 18th 2012 @ 11:02am
Blue Blood said | May 18th 2012 @ 11:02am | Report comment
Hodgson has had limited chances and bar a game where every single player sucked and he got no support at the breakdown, he has been a standout. His tackle and pilfer stats in 15-20 mins of coming off the bench were equal to or comporable to that of Rocky and other Forwards who played 60mins. He has won player of the match twice in mid week games when the sides have been bulging with established Wallabies. He has been tested and looks solid. What he has never had is the opportunity to get established, get combinations going and get the top level confidence he has needed. Pocock looks best playing with him tag teaming the breakdown. Higgers can’t play 6 as he doesn’t love the breakdown enough. Pocock wont get the support he needs from a winger like Higgers.
May 17th 2012 @ 6:49pm
dcnz said | May 17th 2012 @ 6:49pm | Report comment
what happens if Quade comes back and is a little shy of the physical stuff, post-injury and all?
We have seen Dan Carter look after himself a little in the collision, i wonder how QC will go…
just asking the question, no grudges to be had here….if he is placed as last line of defence it could be a problem for Robbie…
Oh and Robbie take some risks and get rid of the old cattle…
May 17th 2012 @ 7:17pm
Fetus said | May 17th 2012 @ 7:17pm | Report comment
My ideal backline would be
9. Genia
10. Beale
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. McCabe
14. Mitchell
15. JOC
I know McCabe has played limited rugby in the centres and no time at outside but I think his style of play is more suited one out.
I also think Andrew smith has been safe for the brumbies and deserves his spot. Kpm I’m sorry but your days of preaching size are numbered Any of the players you have named go missing in big games Palu has shown this time and time again against the all blacks.
I would pick a team based on heart and determination with pride in the gold jumper. Fundamentally that will bread success
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May 17th 2012 @ 10:08pm
Cattledog said | May 17th 2012 @ 10:08pm | Report comment
Only if they’re bakers, Fetus
May 18th 2012 @ 1:30am
PeterK said | May 18th 2012 @ 1:30am | Report comment
Beale is at best a stop gap 10. He was tried for many seasons for the tahs there and only had limited inconsistent success.
Basically he plays more for himself, good running game, but does not have a long passing game , also passing left to right is weak.
He is a world class full back, leave him there.
If Cooper doesnt come back quick enough then I would use JoC at 10, and if he is still injured then probably go for Lucas since he has a good understanding with Genia.
I would use Beale as a stop gap ahead of Barnes who totally stifles the attack.
May 18th 2012 @ 3:39pm
Jonny Boy Jnr said | May 18th 2012 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
This would be my 22 picked on a criteria of form, ability and combinations and balance with a few split decisions:
1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Kepu
4. Horwill
5. Fardy
6. Higginbotham
7. Pocock
8. Palu/Aulueua
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. O’Connor
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. Tomane
15. Kurtley Beale
16. Polota-Nau/Hansen
17. Slipper
18. Pyle/Simmons
19. Dennis
20. White
21. McCabe
22. Shipperley/Mitchell
I have been a Robbie Deans fan up until last season when he lost the plot with tactics and selection. The most irritating for me personally was him playing front rowers on opposite sides of the scrum from where they have played all season and not going into the cup with a back up 7. There are some players in this list playing in positions differing from their super teams (Higginbotham, O’Connor & Ashley-Cooper) but these players have shown to have excelled in these positions before. McCabe is on the bench in case the smaller inside backs get found out in defense & I’ve gone with Cooper again because he used to struggle against the strong teams in Super rugby in his first few seasons and learned to perform at a higher level. He might be able to find his feet against the All Blacks soon enough. if he does….look out!