The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Pick The Roar's Wallabies XV and Reserves to play France

Ewen McKenzie kept a tight ship when it came to Wallaby player behaviour. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
30th May, 2014
59
3600 Reads

With the final round of Super Rugby until the International series break upon us, it’s time to evaluate who’s done enough to earn a spot in the Australian team for the first Test against France.

The Wallabies team announcement is just around the corner, and we’re opening up the floor to Roarers to pick their own team that will run out against the French. We’re giving you the chance to be Ewen McKenzie for the weekend. Go on! Pick a winning Wallabies side and we’ll announce who made the cut on Monday.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie (the real one) has narrowed his selections down to a squad of 32 players, but who occupies those positions when it comes time to run out at Suncorp Stadium is another issue altogether.

Quade Cooper is the most notable omission from the squad, with the Reds fly half likely to miss this series and the remainder of the Super Rugby tournament.

That leaves a couple of Waratahs battling it out for the number 10 jersey, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley, that’s if you believe Ewen McKenzie’s categorisation in his squad details.

There’s no doubt that the Brumbies Matt Toomua would do a good job in that jersey as well, but he’s been listed as a centre, and will battle Christian Lealiifano for the 12 jersey.

The only outside centre listed it Tevita Kuridrani, with Adam Ashley-Cooper his strongest competition for the spot.

In the forwards, there are a number of props who could all push for the spot, including 22-year-old Brumby Scott Sio.

Advertisement

Concerns in the front row for Ewen McKenzie, and the armchair selector, include Ben Alexander’s relegation to the bench and the Reds’ horrible form to go with James Slipper’s suspension. Are his past performances enough to see him earn a call-up to the Wallabies?

The locking position is another point of contention. Many think James Horwill hasn’t done enough to keep a spot in the side, and his competition will come from youngsters Luke Jones and Sam Carter. Rob Simmons has also suffered a drop in form at the Reds, which will bring hulking Waratah Will Skelton into the mix.

Who are the bankers in this squad? Well, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who could shift Israel Folau from the 15 jersey. He’s possibly the best player in the Super Rugby competition this year and is an invaluable attacking asset. He has already equalled Peter Hewat’s record for most tries scored for the Tahs in a year, and will surely look to break it in the coming weeks of Super Rugby.

Stephen Moore will also be hard to shift from the hooking spot. The only question with him is whether he will also be handed the captaincy, with Horwill’s position under threat.

Michael Hooper has been on fire for the Waratahs so far this season, but Western Force skipper Matt Hodgson has been possibly the most influential player in Super Rugby this year. Will this earn him a recall to Wallaby gold?

But now it’s up to you. Pick who you think should make it into the Wallabies side for the France Tests, and we’ll announce The Roar’s Wallabies XV results after the weekend.

Advertisement
close