Waiting for the announcement on the 23rd September is driving me to distraction. How about some thoughts on Sure Things, Probables, No-ways, and Bolters to chew on?
Realistically, if I were picking the tour squad I’d like to know a lot more than I do about players outside of the current Wallabies and Super 14 rosters.
A good number of the Wallabies would make my selection, but beyond that it gets very fuzzy as none of the local competitions show on Setanta Sports or online on MediaZone here in the US. So, I look forward to hearing from those fortunate enough to be familiar with the wider pool of players.
My Selections:
SURE THINGS (19)
Props: Robinson, Sheperdson,
Hookers: Moore, Polota-Nau,
Locks: Horwill, Mumm
Backrow: Smith, Brown, Pocock, McMenimen,
S’Half: Burgess,
5/8-IC: Giteau, Barnes, Tahu,
OC: Cross,
11/14/15: Hines, Mitchell, AAC, Turner
PROBABLES (9)
Props: Baxter (I’d rather leave home)
Hookers: Faingaa
Locks: Kimlin
Backrow: Hoiles,
S’Half: Holmes,
5/8-IC: Beale, Cooper
OC: Mortlock (I’d rather leave home)
11/14/15: Tuquiri (I’d rather leave home)
NO-WAYS
Props: Dunning
Hookers: Frier
Locks: Vickerman, Sharpe
Backrow: Waugh
S’Half:
5/8-IC:
OC:
11/14/15:
BOLTERS: (5)
Props: Daley (scores tries)
Hookers:
Locks: Timani (big!)
Backrow: Houston
S’Half: Lucas (can also play 5/8)
5/8-IC:
OC:
11/14/15:Nasiganiyavi (big!)
There it is, 33 travelers. Hack away!
ozxile
Roar Pro
Dave74, actually I had already changed my mind about P'Nau before this this got posted. I posted a different selection elsewhere on the Roar.P'Nau has had his chances for this year. I agree about Holmes S14 but still think he'll go. You may think Frier is the second best hooker (thrower?) but you may be the only one - we'll see. As for Sharpe, he is so hot and cold and cold and cold that it is a total waste of time to select him. He has had a hot match so we can expect a tour of cold if he does go. No one picks any position based on try scoring only - did I say that? Norton-Knight? You need to get out more. He has been mentioned elsewhere but not often. Correct, he could be a back-up - but he will always be a back-up. Is that how you pick teams? Finally, players who are generally seen as a year or more away, or not even in the picture is the definition of bolter. We'll see on Tuesday.
Dave74
Guest
Ozxile, Shepherdson and TPN are anything but 'sure' things. Think TPN will be told to stay home and practise lineout throws all day over the summer. Fainga'a, Holmes, Beale and Cooper are more unlikely than probables. Fainga'a needs another year of S14 before he is ready, Holmes had a shocking S14 so won't be selected, Beale needs to learn how to tackle and how to kick off his left foot before he will be selected whilst Cooper needs to learn to control a game better - all of them are at least another year away, possible longer. There is no way (unless injured) that Freir (second best hooker in Oz) and Sharpe will not tour, unless injured. Sharpe will be there in the abscence of Vickerman so that Robbie will have the option of going with experinece if needed. As for your bolters, you don't pick pops because they score lots of tries, you pick them on scrummaging ability and workrate alone. One bolter no-one has mentioned who I think may make the cut is Sam Norton-Knight who could go to back up Gits and Barnes.
mudskipper
Guest
Deans saying some unexpected players as one or two perhaps outside the Wallabies and Australia A squad. My guess for outside is Kimlin, Chisholm, Brown, Chapman, Rathbone, Hoiles, and Shepherdson. Another halfback in Lucas or Holmes or both. Timani needs a good off-season training with the Brumbies to get ready for next February.
Blinky Bill - Bellingen
Guest
This is the big chance that Robbie has been waiting for. it's time for him to clean out the dead wood & bring in the next generation. On that I think we would all agree. However, whilst acknowledging that we should always tour with the intention of winning every game, I would not at all mind seeing Robbie take a few risks with new starters - some of which will undoubtedly not work - even if it costs as wins. Time for Robbie to surprise us all with a few selections from left field and bring on someone his spotted at club level.
True Tah
Guest
Homer, I would rather see Salvi come in for Houston, personnally.
Mr Mac
Guest
Deans did say on "inside Rugby" last night that there would be definatley be some unexpecteds - I wonder?
Homer
Guest
Sheperdson has got less than no chance. Holmes or Kepu are more likely to go with Robinson Baxter, Alexander and Dunning. The only bolters are likely to be Lucas (Cordingly is off to Grenoble) and Pocock. Beale or Quade Cooper may be slotted in to cover Gits and Barnes. Timani can't even get a run with a S14 side. If Palu and Lote are out it will be interesting to see who is called in. Houston could be an absolute outsider.
ozxile
Roar Pro
TB. Actually I very much like Chisholm. But, as I have said before, I really wish he'd have a hard look at becoming a big prop.
Taylor Bridge
Guest
Ben Lucas and Mark Chisolm are starters in my book. Scott Staniforth if he is fit should go but I cant see why Polota- Nau should be selected unless he is chosen as other than as a line out thrower. The man has had many chances but has failed consistently to come up with the lineout accuracy skills needed when the pressure is on. Maybe a season at Basketball. Palu has a problem with active cover defence and lateral vision. He appears to be more a second rower than a number 8 and lacks the dynamite needed except when he has ball in hand or about to do a mammoth tackle. Maybe we could swap him for Mark Chisolm or Stephen Hoiles.
ozxile
Roar Pro
G'day all. Yes this looks a lot like Roger's earlier post with 41 responses at last count - including mine. However, when I submitted it Roger was not posted. Then when I returned to the Roar it was only to find I'd been nipped at the post. Whatever. Perhaps the way I organized things will make a few responses worth your time. Thanks to Roger for getting the ball bouncing - I just needed to be more patient.