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Injured Wallabies trio Wycliff Palu, Sekope Kepu and Drew Mitchell have all been named for the final Bledisloe Cup Test of the year next Saturday.
Their inclusion is a further boost to the Wallabies who will also have the services of impressive utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper, who missed last week’s 25-19 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina with concussion.
Mitchell and Palu have both endured horror stretches with injury, with the winger who has managed just four matches in the past two season making a return after injuring his ankle in the first Test of the season against the All Blacks in August.
Palu has not represented Australia since he suffered a shoulder injury in last year’s World Cup, while Kepu returns from a knee injury to be ready for the Suncorp Stadium showdown.
Veteran Nathan Sharpe, who put his retirement on hold for the Spring Tour, will again captain the team in the absence of injured skippers James Horwill, David Pocock and Will Genia.
The 30-man Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday October 20:
Backs: Mike Harris, Nick Cummins, Drew Mitchell, Dominic Shipperley, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Fainga’a, Pat McCabe, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Brett Sheehan.
Forwards: Wycliff Palu, Radike Samo, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Liam Gill, Dave Dennis, Rob Simmons, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Paddy Ryan, Ben Alexander, James Slipper, Benn Robinson, James Hanson, Saia Fainga’a, Tatafu Polota Nau.
(with AAP)
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October 13th 2012 @ 12:38pm
Jiggles said | October 13th 2012 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Drew Mitchell…. What?
October 13th 2012 @ 12:51pm
Dasher said | October 13th 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Exactly.
October 14th 2012 @ 8:36am
kingplaymaker said | October 14th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Mitchell was running again ten days after his last injury which was far less bad than initially thought.
October 13th 2012 @ 2:11pm
DJW said | October 13th 2012 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
My thyoughts exactly. Absolutly no lessons learnt from rushing him back early. Plus what has he done to displace Cummins/Shipperlyy?
October 14th 2012 @ 10:26am
mikeylives said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:26am | Report comment
Shipperly was a 3/10 in SA and was dropped for Arg. I’m not saying he isn’t going to cement his spot in the team, but his inexperience showed at Loftus.
October 14th 2012 @ 7:33am
ozusa said | October 14th 2012 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Double what ??
October 14th 2012 @ 1:31pm
Cliff (Bishkek) said | October 14th 2012 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Jiggles,
Exactly — same with Palau & Kepu. Who determined their fitness and where is their Match Fitness — have they been subjected to one on one bash at training and tackling, etc.
Typical of the BS that surrounds this Wallabies Management — There is no need for Mitchell and there is no need for Palau. Palua is one of the biggest pussies to pull on a Wallabies Jersey — goes missing and is not tough enough.
We get what we expected — I am afraid Deans is a man of many good points but I am having trouble finding them. Talent spotter – YES! Coach and Able Selector and Manager – No!
It will be interesting to see the final team selection and runon side and bench
October 15th 2012 @ 1:54am
Jiggles said | October 15th 2012 @ 1:54am | Report comment
mate, dont get me started. Shit is what shit does..
October 15th 2012 @ 11:51am
Mantis said | October 15th 2012 @ 11:51am | Report comment
Correct about Palu. Has to come off the bench at best. He hasn’t been any good for years.
Drew Mitchell should not be anywhere near this game. Why bring him back for a dead rubber? Obviously I want us to win, but putting a doubtful Drew Mitchell on the park won’t win us the game, and judging from his past few runs, there is no way it is worth the risk. He has to be fully fit for a good amount of time, then play his way up through club footy, super rugby, and then eventually back into the Wallabies (if he gets that far).
Maybe a stint in the ITM cup or Currie Cup would be a good way for him to come back.
October 16th 2012 @ 11:07pm
Mungrel said | October 16th 2012 @ 11:07pm | Report comment
What about Palu is soft to you? Did you watch the 3 tests against Wales? Or are you judging him from performances years ago..
October 13th 2012 @ 1:18pm
Markus said | October 13th 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
So 4 wingers, 5 centres, 1 flyhalf and no fullback?
October 13th 2012 @ 2:13pm
Don't worry said | October 13th 2012 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
Mike Harris has played most of his rugby at flyhalf and Pat McCabe a lot of his at fullback. I’d like to see Nick Cummins at centre and Adam Ashley-Cooper back at fullback.
October 14th 2012 @ 12:40am
Parisien said | October 14th 2012 @ 12:40am | Report comment
If AAC is at full back, who will do the goal-kicking as Harris would drop out? Beale?
If AAC goes back to 13, and its McCabe at 12, its the same old combination that won’t really pose problems to the ABs. This is probably what Deans will go with, this or Tapuai-McCabe and AAC at fullback.
But Deans could try maybe Tapuai – Cummins or Tapuai – AAC, which would be interesting, with McCabe or Harris at fullback.
All shall be revealed. I don’t think the Wallabies can win with this team. I hope its a good match anyway.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:38pm
Mike said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:38pm | Report comment
Why couldn’t Harris play at 12?
October 13th 2012 @ 2:55pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | October 13th 2012 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
Technically it’s one fullback and no flyhalf, but I take your point.
October 13th 2012 @ 1:23pm
Justin2 said | October 13th 2012 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Why does Mitchell need to be in the squad? He shouldn’t even tour Europe. He should be in Sydney getting fit as a fiddle for 2013. Seriously the decisions are baffling. What footy has he played since his last test 6 weeks ago?
October 13th 2012 @ 9:37pm
Chivas said | October 13th 2012 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
He hasn’t forgotten how to play in 6 weeks and getting fit while running with the team and remaining familia with team patterns, is pretty important. What do you do if a winger goes down and you have your best option floatig around in club rugby. I think everyone then would be howling how there is no planning. These guys are not in the picture fo the AB’s but they probably will be by the time the EOYT rolls around and I for one want to see them back in the group. It will be a tough and important tour.
October 14th 2012 @ 1:40am
Ben.S said | October 14th 2012 @ 1:40am | Report comment
I don’t know the medical ins and outs of his injury problems, but given he has suffered quite a bit recently perhaps it would make sense for him to not tour or train with the Wallabies, but rest and then get a proper pre-season under his belt. Does Deans have such little faith in Shipperley and Cummins?
October 14th 2012 @ 8:38am
Chivas said | October 14th 2012 @ 8:38am | Report comment
You are right and I am no doctor or even understand his injury. But i think s doctor gives advice to both patient and coach. This is not a cortisone injection to get on the field. If I were Mitchell, I’d be screaming to get back in and not be benched for a whole season. A year is a long time if it is just sitting out for no good reason. I’m fit, I want in.
Also it has nothing to do with Cummins and Shipperly. They are good, but Mitchell is better and the incumbent. We may as well leave Kepu and Palu out too. And Horwill has been out for a while, leave him out too. My point is simply if the doctor and the player and the coach are good, how come others think they know better. Fans are doctors now and know best how to manage individuals injuries without knowing anything about them.
It’s funny, people don’t want key players back when they are fit, blame the coach for the crap team and the way they play. And when he can bring back some fit players into the playing group, he’s wrong again. Thank god the fans aren’t running the show.
But after all that, I hope he is genuinely strong and fit, because I want to see him back to his best. Pretty sure those closest to him, like his doctor, coach and family do too.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:36am
Ben.S said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:36am | Report comment
I don’t think the situation with Kepu and Palu is comparable, as both featured in the Wales Tests. Mitchell has been beset by injury for a while now, and professional rugby is cursed by coaches wanting to get their players on the field regardless of their condition. If you don’t believe that then read Bernard Jackman’s story and also consider why Mitchell was rushed back into action recently when he clearly wasn’t up to it.
In any case, you miss my point. I never suggested I knew better than any doctors, hence the caveat ‘I don’t know…’. I repeat: this is an opinion site, which is the entire point – people proffer suggestions, so no need for the rant.
October 14th 2012 @ 12:03pm
Justin2 said | October 14th 2012 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Well it hasn’t worked for quite a umber of players like Beale, JOC and Mitchell being just three examples of coming back despite thinking they were fit and ready. We are simply saying if you want these guys back at their best then give them the required opportuni to get fit.
If they are not at their peak I don’t believe they need to play and tour.
October 14th 2012 @ 1:37pm
Cliff (Bishkek) said | October 14th 2012 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
Chivas,
Where has there FITNESS COME FROM. No Club Rugby – assumed, no hard running – canot train hard carrying an injury? So it is all down to a Doctor’s passing the injury and a fitness test that is not based on hard enough qualifications — as everyone knows the PLAYERS ARE NOT MATCH FIT.
And as for your statement — “Mitchell is better” === WRONG === “Mitchell was Better”
Cheers
October 14th 2012 @ 2:39pm
Chivas said | October 14th 2012 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
I agree about match fitness, and without it the risks of getting injured are higher, but imo I would have them back in the squad and preparing for the EOYT. I don’t think they have gone to fat
, but match fitness can be gained coming off the bench.
Mitchell is better when fit and mobile and would be an automatic choice would he not?, Either way the point is there is not much difference and your point that he is not coming in with any sort of form is a good one. However, it does stick a rocket up the current wingers to work there A off while the window is open and in my experience players perform better, when they are under pressure to put their stamp on a game and the position and not hold back worrying about tommorrow. And also if Mitchell wants back in he can see what is in front of him. When he is hot, he’s pretty handy and I would like to see him back.
So in terms of establishing a culture and putting everyone on notice to perform, I think the move has validity.
October 14th 2012 @ 12:01pm
Justin2 said | October 14th 2012 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
He might be fit as in his injury is OK but he looked far from peak fitness in his last outing. I don’t see any point in rushing a guy who basically hasn’t played in 2 years. Let him go back to the Tahs and get super fit and hungry for 2013, a massive year for the Tahs and Wallabies.
October 14th 2012 @ 2:07pm
Chivas said | October 14th 2012 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
The point is a valid one on both counts, that he does need to be 100% fit and heathy as well as the tendency of coaches and players to rush back into the mix.
My point is simply; Drew Mitchell won’t want to sit on the sidelines if he is fit. And I see no reason why he should be made to be. Also I don’t know anyone who is deserving of a wallaby jersey who is missing out. It’s the wallaby team, not a high performance development centre, for training the next level of rugby players.
Anyway Deans is a bad coach, so you wouldn’t want to expose young players to that
. But seriously, I would like to see the Wallaby team evolve into a playing force as key players slowly return to fitness. Everyone takes a game or two, before they hit full form, so getting them into the squad is a start. I actually think giving players a run in the national jersey that haven’t earned it, actually weakens both your team and the brand.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:00pm
Ben.S said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:00pm | Report comment
A game or two before they hit full form? That strikes me as wildly optimistic.
‘I actually think giving players a run in the national jersey that haven’t earned it, actually weakens both your team and the brand.’
Has Mitchell earnt it?
October 15th 2012 @ 7:39pm
Chivas said | October 15th 2012 @ 7:39pm | Report comment
To be honest Ben, I don’t know if he deserves it. But that being said he is a Wallaby and has performed in the gold jersey. That is why he gets the chance.
It may be wildly optimistic, but I would like to think players at this level are willing to work extremely hard to be fit both physically and mentally to play in the gold jersey. Meaning of he is genuine and he has always come across as a pretty honest player to me, that I think he will make a real fist of it. Add to this his skills and class, I am hoping to see him show it where it counts every opportunity he gets. If not then he will find himself on the outer I imagine.
So optimistic, yes I am, but it’s just because I think he has something special when he’s firing and I’m hoping that he can get back into that headspace sooner than later. And the positive energy his return adds is useful.
That said, I would also like to see more of Shipperlty and the honey badger
October 15th 2012 @ 9:41pm
Ben.S said | October 15th 2012 @ 9:41pm | Report comment
Personally I believe in going with the form players, with injured players needing to prove themselves. I’m assuming Deans will try and get Mitchell back in ASAP because this is the most important set of games in his Wallaby career to date.
October 13th 2012 @ 1:29pm
Red Block said | October 13th 2012 @ 1:29pm | Report comment
I’m trying really hard not to be negative….. but yet again players who are not fit and nowhere near match fit are in line for selection against the best side in the world.
The ABs have been playing a game based around spreading defences around and using their speed, size and abundant skill to create holes, so only fit players should be selected. Ones who can keep up.
A few Roarers have posted before that Nonu has not challenged to move sideways yet. With Cruden and Nonu playing together, there are weaknesses that need to be exposed. If the team can playing them can execute with speed, then it doesn’t matter who you are, the pressure will build.
But picking players who have not played in months would be suicidal.
October 13th 2012 @ 7:13pm
Stanley grella said | October 13th 2012 @ 7:13pm | Report comment
Its a 30 man squad. We will probably be taking 35 players to Europe. Why wouldn’t you pick guys that might be on the EOYT to get them into camp and get soe fitness and u doers tanking of game plans?
It here is no rugby going on outside of the wallabies, it’s not like there getting fitter & more usefull outside of camp. If they get selected in he macthday 22 then WTF? But otherwise it’s just forward planning.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:36pm
Mike said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:36pm | Report comment
You are probably right Stanley. A 30 man squad is not needed for a one-off match. The preparation for end of year tests has started.
October 15th 2012 @ 8:57am
krill said | October 15th 2012 @ 8:57am | Report comment
Your bang on stanley. Mitchel has not been selected for this game and people are losing their minds. Its a train on squad for the european tour.
October 13th 2012 @ 2:22pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | October 13th 2012 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
So presumably we can expect to see Phipps, Beale, Ioane, McCabe, Tapuai, Shipperley, and Ashley-Cooper lining up in the backs? Or are we going to shoehorn Drew Mitchell into that backline at the expense of a player who actually deserves to be there?
October 13th 2012 @ 4:49pm
Rob said | October 13th 2012 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
I’d have cummins in over shipperly. I can’t see Mitchell getting a starting spot. It’s a shame higginbotham is such a twat. Much to my surprise drew was shaping into our best winger in a while. He was killing it. Will never get back to that though. We need palu back to full fitness big time. He is out only world class 8. Samo just doesn’t cut it. Unfortunately with all his injuries, I’m not sure cliffy has it in him either. Why do we have 3 great up and coming 7s and no 6 or 8.
October 14th 2012 @ 12:31am
Shahsan said | October 14th 2012 @ 12:31am | Report comment
Palu is a waste of time as a professional rugby player. What is the longest stretch of games he has completed for the waratahs or wallabies? He should preserve his body and go do something else. Even when fully fit he has never been that good, aside from one or two rampages per match.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:36am
mikeylives said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:36am | Report comment
Shahsan, you left home without your guide-dog again.
Palu has been unlucky with injury, but you may have noticed that when he has been in the team, our pack is dominant in collisions and moves forward. He makes yards with every carry and is good for a few big hits and key bursts per match as well.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:39am
Ben.S said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:39am | Report comment
The entire pack is dominant when Palu is fit? How does that work?
October 14th 2012 @ 1:06pm
Jiggles said | October 14th 2012 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
“our pack is dominant in collisions and moves forward. He makes yards with every carry and is good for a few big hits and key bursts per match as well.”
Thats simply not true. Palu has a history of going missing in big games. He has only performed consistently for the national team on the 2009 EOYT.
He was bashed around by the English in the RWC QF 2007, and he has been bashed around by the Boks and the AIGABs since.
October 14th 2012 @ 5:06pm
kingplaymaker said | October 14th 2012 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
That’s simply not so. Until the 2010 EOYT yes, but since them he has been consistent and excellent the admittedly few times he has played.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:03pm
Ben.S said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:03pm | Report comment
‘That’s simply not so. Until the 2010 EOYT yes, but since them he has been consistent and excellent the admittedly few times he has played.’
In every Test since the 2010 EOYT Palu has been consistent and excellent. Somebody needs to revisit their rugby history methinks… or just watch it at the time.
October 14th 2012 @ 10:50pm
Akann said | October 14th 2012 @ 10:50pm | Report comment
Jiggles, that’s Adidas/AIG AB’s to you my friend.
October 15th 2012 @ 1:57am
Jiggles said | October 15th 2012 @ 1:57am | Report comment
Jesus lets just revisit history!
and I apologize it is the AIG All blacks.
October 14th 2012 @ 1:42pm
Cliff (Bishkek) said | October 14th 2012 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
Shahsan may have left home without his Guide Dog — but your blinkers are covering your frontal vision.
Palau has never been good — a player whose Mother has to kick his backside and tell him to get tough. He is weak and goes missing.
October 14th 2012 @ 2:46pm
Chivas said | October 14th 2012 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
Harsh, but true. If only you could put Justin Harrisons head inside Palu’s body. But if you had a choice, you’d put him in the team and then work on ways to make him angry.
His attitude is soft, but his game and ability is not. There must be a way to motivate him. Surely long term the leaders in the forward pack can kick his arse, like Pocock, Horwill, Genia (when they are fit)…
October 15th 2012 @ 9:02am
Mike said | October 15th 2012 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Cliff,
“Palau” is an island north of New Guinea. “Palu” is an Australian rugby player who seems to stimulate controversy on the Roar.
October 14th 2012 @ 5:34pm
Shahsan said | October 14th 2012 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
Some people are unlucky with injuries; or to put it another way, their body is just fragile. Not being disparaging — some people never get injured, some get injured too much, like Brett Papworth, Nigel Melville — all great players but fragile. Palu is like them. And another thing: sounds like all he can do is cart the ball up. I would hope for a lot more from my number 8. He is like sione lauake but without the skills and workrate, those who remember that guy will know how disparaging I am being. I just don’t rate Palu, sorry.
October 14th 2012 @ 1:45pm
Cliff (Bishkek) said | October 14th 2012 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
Rob,
Can you explain the statement that “it’s a shame that higgenbotham is such a twat”. On his last outing I belvie he gave us his good side. I would have Higgenbotham over Palau anytime of th week.
October 13th 2012 @ 2:33pm
formeropenside said | October 13th 2012 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
More stupid decisions from Deans. I would not even take those guys on the EOYT, let alone Bled III.
October 14th 2012 @ 12:36pm
mick-e said | October 14th 2012 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
See Slipper get carted around by the Argies formeropenside? Scrum was much more solid when Robinson was on. If the other selections yoiu criticize are a mistake then sure as heck Slipper is.
October 14th 2012 @ 1:08pm
Jiggles said | October 14th 2012 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
Thats because Slipper has played the entire year at THP and Deans played him at LHP. Of course he is going to get catered.
October 14th 2012 @ 4:29pm
Lats said | October 14th 2012 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
Thats been Dingo’s predeliction for a while now.. playing guys out of position.. the Irish scrum destroyed us last RWC when the starting props where both playing on the opposite side from where they spent the whole S15. Hope Deans has learnt his lesson… Its hard to keep defending a guy when he continues to make selections like that.
October 15th 2012 @ 2:04am
Jiggles said | October 15th 2012 @ 2:04am | Report comment
eh, the master coach has had five years to learn his lesson…
October 13th 2012 @ 2:46pm
SandBox said | October 13th 2012 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
some early injuries is a tactic now
October 13th 2012 @ 2:54pm
CeeCee said | October 13th 2012 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Mate, has someone told the coach it is the All Blacks not the All Sorts who are coming!
October 13th 2012 @ 3:16pm
bluerose said | October 13th 2012 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
hopefully it will not be the end of Tapuai and Cummins.
October 13th 2012 @ 3:39pm
ibika said | October 13th 2012 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
I think its fair enough to have them all in the 30 man training squad.. that makes sense.
I doubt if more than one or two of them will be in the match day 22…possibly only kepu.. But if palu is fit ( a big if) he would be worth a place on the bench.