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The 2015 Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom is only six months away, and for some players the current Super Rugby season could make or break their chances for selection in the Wallabies squad.
The team needs to be a mixture of both youth and experience. More importantly, it needs to be filled with players who have the tenacity to compete, and those who are proud to wear the green and gold.
No flashy plays, but confidence. No silly penalties, but passion.
The Wallabies can capture the Webb Ellis Cup this year. Australia has the right components, they just need to be utilised correctly.
A 30-man squad will be selected going into the World Cup later this year. As of today, this would be my squad:
Forwards
– James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
– Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
– Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
– Scott Sio (ACT Brumbies)
– Stephen Moore © (ACT Brumbies)
– Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
– Lopeti Timani (Melbourne Rebels)
– Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
– Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies)
– Luke Jones (Melbourne Rebels)
– Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
– Liam Gill (Queensland Reds)
– Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies)
– Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels)
– Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)
– Ben McCalman (Western Force)
Backs
– Nic White (ACT Brumbies)
– Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
– Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
– Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies)–
– Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies)
– Christian Lealiifano (ACT Brumbies)
– Kyle Godwin (Western Force)
– Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
– Henry Speight (ACT Brumbies)
– Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
– Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
– Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)
– James O’Connor (Queensland Reds)
– Nick Cummins (Western Force)
Best XXIII
1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore (c)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rob Simmons
5. Sam Carter
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben McCalman
9. Nic White
10. Bernard Foley
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Israel Folau
16. Scott Sio
17. Benn Robinson
18. Tatafu Polota-Nau
19. Luke Jones
20. Sean McMahon
21. Will Genia
22. James O’Connor
23. Nick Cummins
This team covers all areas needed to be the best in the world.
Tenacity
Every forward is a niggler who gives their all to dominate the breakdown and slow the ball for the opposition. The possibility of adding David Pocock to the mix is even better.
Experience
Led by Stephen Moore, there is an exceptional amount of experience in the side, ranging from the forwards to the backs.
Goal-kicking
Fewer and fewer games these days are won by tries. It is now vital teams not only have a solid goal-kicker, but preferably two.
Nic White (touch-finder, left-footed, long-range penalty taker), Bernard Foley (goal-kicker) and James O’Connor (back-up kicker) enable Australia to cover all areas of kicking. Additionally, Toomua playing 10 throughout the Brumbies season adds an extra dimension in attack.
Youth
Kuridrani, Speight, Folau, O’Connor, McMahon, Hooper and Sio – solid youth will build our squad up for the future. Providing them with World Cup experience will become invaluable in prepare for subsequent tournaments.
Some notable omissions include former Wallaby captain James Horwill, Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps, Saia Fainga’a, Ben Alexander, Wycliff Palu, Karmichael Hunt, David Pocock and Jake Schatz.
1. David Pocock
The Michael Clarke of the Wallabies – one Australia’s best players, but is he too much of a risk? Injury has damaged Pocock’s once-bright career.
Can he make the team? Yes, but will he be able to play every game?
2. James Horwill
Gone from being Australian captain to the player who gives away the most unnecessary penalties. I just cannot find any room for him, his current form does not warrant it.
3. Quade Cooper
Many would remember Cooper for ‘that pass’ in our 2011 Rugby World Cup exit against Ireland. We’ll most likely select two flyhalves for our squad, and I see them as Foley and Toomua.
4. Karmichael Hunt
Karmichael Hunt should not be selected based on recent misconduct.
Furthermore, in his first game he got dominated. It’s to soon for him to be selected.
Many whom I cannot fit into the squad still have the capability to make the roster, but need to prove themselves by way of health and fitness, along with age and form.
What do you think? Is this the squad that will take us to World Cup glory?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.