Robbie Deans has again failed to grasp the selection nettle despite lots of threats in the lead up to the Wallabies squad announcement. But it is not all bad.
Elsom and Barnes are good choices as Captain and Vice captain respectively. They must be encouraged to do it their way and create their dynasty and culture in the way that Border, Taylor and Steve Waugh did.
This includes standing up to the more selfish members of the squad (i.e. Giteau) until they get the message that rugby is a team game, and driving the lazy (i.e. Mitchell, Chisholm) and motivate the tired (i.e. Smith and Mortlock) until replacements rise up, and lead the team with passion, determination and brains.
However, behind the scenes, Deans has issued a stern message to Giteau, while dodging the toys flying out of the Giteau cot: “You are too big for your boots. You are not the captain or fly half you think you are.”
But unfortunately injuries on top of thin resources at lock have dictated that Chisholm gets an undeserved reprieve.
Dean has allowed Mitchell, Smith, Giteau, Mortlock and Chisholm to survive. While each player has a different set of circumstances, you get the sense that the Wallabies are desperate and have no alternative but to keep selecting them.
There were eight dropped players: Al Baxter, Ben McCalman, Damien Fitzpatrick, Josh Valentine, Nathan Sharpe, Nick Cummins, Phil Waugh, Stephen Hoiles.
Fitzy got bumped by Cowan being able to play Hooker, but I would have taken him as a 7, Fitzy that is. But he is young and we have coverage at two. Kingi looks very quick, and may end up as a Williamsesque winger.
I am most disappointed for Fitzy and Cummins. Hoiles is obviously not seen to be the answer at 8, but who is the answer and who can be relied upon to be consistent at 8? Not Palu I hope.
My starting team for Tokyo would be:
1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Horwill
5. Mumm (Cometh the time, cometh the man)
6. Elsom
7. Pocock
8. Palu (if he is fired up)
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Turner
12. Giteau
13. AAC
14. Ioane
15. O’Connor
16. Moore
17. Dunning
18. Chisholm
19. Smith
20. Burgess
21. Cross
22. Beale/Cooper
Playing strategy required from all players FOR 80 MINUTES:
1. Water tight defence.
2. As a minimum: Achieve parity at the breakdown and set pieces.
3. Use every opportunity that is created.
4. Select attacking plays based on field position and defensive line position and personnel.
a. e.g. 22-50 metres: forwards live up to their names: Go forward with Palu, Elsom, TPN, Robinson, Horwill and Mumm (in that order of priority) then close inter-passing to other forwards on the burst.
b. 50+ backline runs direct, ball in hand, multi option runners and backrow support and clean out.
5. Attack through the backs with structured plays from set pieces.
6. Counter attack as first choice by backrow and other backs getting back to support.
7. Backs always run straight and hard, into gaps, and so as to isolate and force defender to make a choice!
8. Kick possession away only as the last resort.
9. Support play from all players all the time.
10. Be patient in attack and defence.
11. Use ALL bench players for at least 25 minutes.
How would you rate Deans’ squad?:
1. Got it right
2. Okay, but not as radical as I would like
3. Another missed opportunity
4. Disrespectful to the senior players
5. Disregards the benefits of youth
Justin
Guest
Thanks for the update on Shep, I rate him and thought he may have had more injury issues. How long before JOC starts to put pressure on Gits for 12? He was very good for the Force at 12 as you said. I like playing kids if they are good enough (and he is easily) but play them in their spot. How much 15 has he ever played? I am tipping bugger all and he has to learn it at Test level. Hardly fair...
Justin
Guest
Tend to agree. mainly as I dont see the reason to persist with Cross. At his age he isnt going to be around much longer than Mortlock and he is very sus in defence at times.
TommyM
Guest
Cameron Shepherd is having yet another surgery (ankle I think) in order to be fully fit for next year. Would imagine he'll be back in the mix next year if he can stay fit. I would think he'll be back in 15 too as JO'C really wants to play 12 and has been fantastic for the Force there.
TommyM
Guest
Not sure how JO'C would feel about being the reserve hooker!! ;-)
Gary
Guest
Good squad generally. Mitchell is a waste of space. A greatly over rated player. The Force are well rid of him. Whatever happened to Cameron Shepherd? A great wing / fullback and an outstanding long range kick. Gits need to be put back in his place. Maybe a few games not in the starting 15 might bring him back to earth. Got to feel sorry for Nick Cummins. He finally gets the call up only to miss out through injury. Hopefully Robbie will give him a chance next year.
Damo
Guest
Well so far, that is before a game has been played, we fans seem to be happier. WE feel more confident. Maybe that will filter through to the boys on the paddock. We are expecting green and gold havoc or at least 1 more point than the other teams each game. Or death in the attempt. That can't be too much to ask from these kids, can it? I don't remember having this sort of pressure when I played for Australia* though. They are playing for the whole code's 'survival' which is more than earlier Wallabies ever had to deal with. We've got to remember these young blokes have to have fun. I remember John Eales repeating when complimented for his serious contribution to the Wallabies "I had a lot of fun". Of course there' blood and pain involved but it has to be fun too. We older fans all have a ton of hindsight and I for one speak out of a lack of foresight that I had in the last game I played. P.S. *I Never got past reserve grade in Sydney comp. But that got you thinking, didn't it?
Dexter William
Roar Guru
Good Captain and VC choices IMO. Plus 3 for Dingo. Keeping on with pussy footing around his star player Giteau - minus 1 for Dingo. By vacillating on the 10 or 12 position, Deans is making a new side more unsettled than necessary. It complicates backline moves too much for it to be efficient. It makes the halfback think too much rather than being instinctive as to who he is passing the ball to. Also Barnes is never going to be a great 12 because he lacks speed to be great in that position. Giteau performance at 10 in this year 3N is pretty poor. He is a fine weather 10 - under pressure he crabs across field screwing up the backline movement. Why is Burgess, Mitchell and Cross going on tour? They had plenty of opportunities, and they have shown themselves to be too flawed to be picked again. Can you imagine a winning RWC champion team having these 3 aboard in your wildest dream? Minus 1 for Dingo. 1 Robinson 2 Moore 3 Alexander 4 Horwill / Mum 5 Chisholm / Dennis 6 Rocky 7 Smith / Popcock 8 TPN / Kepu (Palu to be given a chance to see if he is worth persevering with - I doubt it) 9 Genia / Kingi 10 Barnes / Cooper 11 Turner 12 O'connor (select Giteau if he does not behave like king shit, else show him the door) 13 Mortlock / AAC / Horne 14 Ioane 15 Hynes / O'Connor (Maybe Beale) Our biggest weakness is in our locks. If Horwill and one other do not fire up, it is unlikely that we can win the RWC. Locks are vital in the modern game. As for our problem at 8, I think if Deans try TPN or Kepu at No 8, we may get a solution quickly.
Dexter William
Roar Guru
Good Captain and VC selection. Deans is making backline play more difficult and unsettled if he continues with not selecting a permanent 10. Barnes is not a 12 at all because he is too slow there to be great. He is our best 10 and Deans should make him 10 rather than 10/12. If Giteau wants to be pig headed about wanting to be 10, show him the door. He has been given ample time at 10 and he actually played badly throughout the 3N this year. He is a fair weather 10, but when the going gets tough he crabs across field screwing up the backline play. It is a mystery about why Burgess, Mitchell and Cross are going on tour. They had plenty of opportunities, they are average at best. I can't see them as being valuable assets at the next RWC. Give someone else a go Dingo! 1 Robinson 2 Moore 3 Alexander 4 Horwill / Dennis 5 Chisholm / Mum 6 Rocky 7 Smith / Popcock 8 TPN / Kepu (Palu to be given bench spot to see if he is worth persevering with - I doubt it) 9 Genia / Kingi 10 Barnes / Cooper 11 Tuner 12 O'Connor (leave Giteau out if he wants to be king shit) 13 Mortlock / AAC / Horne 14 Ioane 15 Hynes / AAC The No 8 position is easier to solve than the locks. If Horwill and someone else do not step up, it is unlikely that we can win the RWC. Locks are crucial in the modern game.
Dexter William
Roar Guru
How right you are: Mitchell and Burgess should not be selected, based on their performance this year.
Ed
Guest
Don't tempt fate. We could lose 30-nil in every tri-nations game next year... or the brits could get their act together and it could happen sooner.
Chunks
Roar Pro
The only concession is that barnes needs to be given full control of the backline. He needs to be able to use giteau, mortlock, ioane, hynes or aac whenever he wants to. If giteau or mortlock get too precious about not getting ball then heaven help us. They need to know that a decoy runner is just as important as a runner.... particularly when a decoy runner may well be the highest paid footballer in australia.
Chunks
Roar Pro
1. Robinson 2. Moore 3. Alexander 4. Horwill 5. Mumm 6. Elsom 7. Smith 8. Palu 9. Genia 10. Barnes 11. Hynes 12. Giteau 13. Mortlock 14. Ioane 15. AAC 16. JOC 17. Turner 18. TPN 19. Chisholm 20. Dunning 21. Brown 22. Pocock Seriously, if we could get that 15 on the field then other teams are going to be scared. The backline is scary - Barnes could have a field day.
San Jorje
Guest
7s voted into the the Olympics, woot woot!!!! Bring on the AOC funding and kids joining up to play rugby and have the chance of winning olympic gold
cookee
Guest
PLAGIARISATION has worked a treat for wallies so far LAS ;PLEASE LET THE S14 TEAMS DEVELOP own style otherwise we get plain vanilla.did carter miss selection?
tarpo
Guest
Spot on, Hynes is the most consistent, reliable 3/4 in the country.
tarpo
Guest
Leftie, Rather than Kepu as a running 8, why not TPN? Keep Moore as hooker, (can throw the ball straight) Fitzie as backup, TPN has all the atributes of a good 8. Come to think of it, isn't that where he used to play?
Roy Kneebone
Guest
Going to Europe you need specialists line out jumpers. Is Ben Hand or Van Humphries injured also? I heard Ben Hand was exceptional for the brumbies on their european tour and Van Humphries is like 6 foot 10.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Losing Hope, I can only think that he is a fav of Deans. He has selected him regularly. Like Hynes, he is a unspectatular pro that you can rely on. the 15 being the last line of defence is a myth. 15's make about 1 tackle on average a game, according to the stats. mostly, the linebreaker comes with support or the try is scored through a forwards drive. Yep, vicks is value is increasing all the time. so, he comes back at the end of the 2010 season, has a good off season, s15, 3N, BC and RWC..............
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Stuff and SMI, yea, its not as tho there are lots of guys jumping out, but that will make Elsom and Barnes jobs easier. more listeners and less talkers.... the above goes for Mumm as well. he is really a 6 but, there's not many locks left standing. Yea, Waugh has had his time but he can focus on Tahs. caldwell could have been handy all right.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Well, palu is 120kgs and 194cms. Kepu is 125 and 188cms and plays 80 as a prop and he doesnt appear to be a chubb chubb type of prop.