Well, we’re not quite halfway in the competition and it’s too early to legitimately speculate on Wallaby squads but – what they hey – it’s always fun and let’s admit we’ve all been doing it mentally since Round 1. So let’s illegitimately speculate, shall we?
As this is an opinion site, below are unabashedly my opinions on each Wallaby spot. I’ve started with the backs in a vain attempt to hide my ignorance regarding the relative merits of front rowers until the end.
FULLBACK
My pick: Kurtley Beale
Other contenders:
– Adam Ashley-Cooper
– Cameron Shepherd
– Mark Gerrard
Beale hasn’t had the best season so far. He’s trying. But it seems like desperation a lot of the time. For mine there usually hasn’t been enough lead up work to break the defence up a bit. He’s still easily the best fullback in Oz at the moment, plays well with the likes of Cooper and O’Connor and definitely has that X-factor.
Cameron Shepherd is tenth in linebreaks and seventh in linebreak assists. Also tenth in kicking metres, so he is making a case for himself as handy backup to either fullback or wing.
WINGS
My picks:
– Digby Ioane
– Drew Mitchell
Other contenders:
– Lachlan Turner
– Rod Davies
– James O’Connor
– Cameron Shepherd
– Nick Cummins
– Adam Ashley-Cooper
Ioane is first in the competition in linebreaks and Drew Mitchell seventh (but the third highest Aussie behind Ioane and Quade Cooper). He is also sixth in offloads. Ioane has more run more metres than any other Australian player and fifth most overall.
Mitchell has the most tries of any Aussie (admittedly only three) and third most linebreaks of any Aussie (behind Quade and Ioane and seventh overall).
I think, therefore, Mitchell and Ioane have got to be in the starting side. Drew obviously on the wing. Ioane either at wing or 13 but I have other ideas for 13 – see below.
OUTSIDE CENTRE
My pick: Stirling Mortlock
Other contenders:
– Digby Ioane
– Adam Ashley-Cooper
– Rob Horne
Ioane I’ve mentioned previously. Interestingly none of the others mentioned above features in any of the top 20 lists in terms of linebreaks, assists, runs, metres, etc.
Given the youth and, shall we say, exuberance of the rest of this team, I think you need an old head somewhere in the backs. And what better old head than Mortlock? I wouldn’t have called this earlier in the season, but I have completely flipped around on this one – Mortlock for the 13 jersey and to captain the side. C’mon!
INSIDE CENTRE
My pick: James O’Connor
Other contenders:
– Matt Giteau
– Berrick Barnes
– Stirling Mortlock
– Adam Ashley-Cooper
– Digby Ioane
O’Connor is third best of all the Aussies in terms of running metres (behind Ioane and Pat McCabe) and is kicking them between the posts pretty regularly now which further enhances his claim for a starting spot. Question is, where?
He features in the top 20 in terms of linebreaks but not in terms of linebreak assists or offloads. That’s probably a case for not putting him at 12 and instead on the wing, I know, but his passing looks a lot better to me after watching him at 10 so far this year. And he tackles like a demon so I’m one of the ones calling for him to play in the 12 jersey.
FLYHALF
My pick: Quade Cooper
Other contenders:
– James O’Connor
– Berrick Barnes
– Matt Giteau
Surprisingly for a guy more known for his running and passing game, Cooper is the second most prolific kicker in the competition (behind only Danny Cipriani) and is third highest in kick metres (behind Cipriani and Morne Steyne). But he is also third in try assists, third in linebreaks and fourth in linebreak assists.
He does have a high number of turnovers too – fourth in the comp – and you know he is going to have the odd brain explosion but he also definitely has that X factor and if fit has got to be the Wallaby 10.
The rest are warring for who is Quade’s backup, to be honest. The winner is probably O’Connor, but I think he has got to be given a starting spot in some other position so perhaps the actual guy on the bench is instead Barnes?
HALFBACK
My pick: Will Genia
Other contenders:
– Nick Phipps
– Luke Burgess
He didn’t have the best start to the season but has really found form again the last couple of games. In any case, I don’t think I need to quote stats or anything to convince anyone that Genia is still the number one halfback in Australia at the moment, do I?
The question then is, who is his backup? Phipps has had good games the last couple of weeks but will need to continue to show form in order to oust Burgess.
NUMBER 8
My pick: Ben McCalman
Other contenders:
– Wycliff Palu
– Ben Mowen
Obviously we haven’t seen much of Palu yet this season. McCalman has the third most runs of any Aussie, so he’s obviously making an effort. Neither Mowen nor Palu feature in the top 20 lists this season for different reasons, so for mine it has to go to McCalman. Only other alternative is to pick a player like Higginbotham or Saffy, but I’d like my No.8 to have been playing No.8 before I stick him in the Wallaby squad.
FLANKERS
My picks:
– Jarrod Saffy
– David Pocock
Other contenders:
– Richard Brown
– Matt Hodgson
– Ben McCalman
– Julian Salvi
– Ben Mowen
– Scott Higginbotham
– Rocky Elsom
– Beau Robinson
Okay, now I know we haven’t seen much of Pocock. But you know if he’s fit, he’s going to force himself into the squad, don’t you? And almost certainly in the No.7 jersey. So that leaves the No.6 jersey…
I don’t think Elsom will overtake the other contenders. Saffy has made more tackles than any other player in the competition. And he is eighth in terms of number of offloads. He’s earned himself a shot at the No.6 jersey as far as I’m concerned. So long as he keeps it up of course.
LOCKS
My picks:
– Nathan Sharpe
– James Horwill
Other contenders:
– Sam Wykes
– Alister Campbell
– Hugh Pyle
– Mark Chisholm
– Dean Mumm
– Adam Wallace-Harrison
– Rob Simmons
Sharpe continues age like fine wine. He has made the most runs of any player in the competition. As I mention below, Ged tops the competition in the number of pick and drives but Sharpe is the only other Aussie in the top 10 – although Wykes is 11th – the rest are all New Zealanders!
For mine, Sharpe and Horwill are the standout locks. Wykes is pushing his case but, as with all newcomers, needs to continue to show a consistency if not improvement in form.
LOOSEHEAD
My pick: Benn Robinson
Other contenders:
– Pek Cowan
– Ben Alexander
I don’t think any of the props have set the world on fire. I’m not going to profess to know too much about this area and have stuck with a name I know, but views to the contrary are welcome.
HOOKER
My pick: Tatafu Polota-Nau
Other contenders:
– Stephen Moore
– Saia Faingaa
– Ged Robinson
Nobody is going to seriously argue with Tatafu as first choice hooker, are they? I know he has had issues with lineouts in the past, but he seems to have been put those days behind him.
I’m going to hope and assume that Stephen Moore returns to his best and he’d be my backup. Ged tops the competition in number of pick and drives and he’s been playing very well. He does have high number of turnovers too though – second in the comp.
TIGHTHEAD
My pick: Dan Palmer
Other contenders:
– James Slipper
– Sekope Kepu
– Salesi Ma’afu
Toss up between any of the top three here. At a guess, I’d pick Palmer or Slipper, but more educated views welcomed.
So from the comfort of my armchair the team I think I would deploy for the World Cup for the Wallabies barring injury is:
– Kurtley Beale
– Digby Ioane
– Drew Mitchell
– Stirling Mortlock
– James O’Connor
– Quade Cooper
– Will Genia
– Ben McCalman
– Jarrod Saffy
– James Pocock
– Nathan Sharpe
– James Horwill
– Benn Robinson
– Tatafu Polota-Nau
– Dan Palmer
Reserves:
– Stephen Moore
– James Slipper
– Sam Wykes
– Wycliff Palu
– Luke Burgess
– Berrick Barnes
– Adam Ashley-Cooper
Have I gone mad? Have I lost the plot with my forwards selections? Comments?
flying hori
Guest
The Tr-nations will show how good the selections are, and that will be for the ABs and the Boks as well. We are fortunate in the SH that we have this comp. at the right time of the RWC year. Thats not to say that who ever wins it will win the RWC but it will certainly give these 3 teams a platform to launch from in regards to combinations and whos holding their hand up. Interesting selections though
Funk
Guest
Yeah because Digby was injured. He also breaks tackles regularly which if you have the players backing up, creates plenty of forward momentum, something the Wallabies lacked a bit of last season!
Crouch, Touch , Pause-Engage
Guest
As a kiwi I like your forward pack and inclusion of Mortlock at centre. Also selections like Vuna in the 30 man squad in the centres are spot on. Robbie is in a really tough spot as there is good competition in the backs but up front if you lose Tatafu its all over and the quality of props is not strong. All good though.
Damage
Guest
Here is my thoughts regarding a 33 Man squad... 1) Robinson 2) Poluta Nau 3) Slipper 4) Horwill 5) Sharpe/Vickerman (pending V-Man's comeback) 6) Elsom 7) Pocock 8) Palu 9) Genia 10) Cooper 11) Mitchell 12) O'Conner 13) AAC 14) Ioane 15) Beale 16) Moore 17) Alexander/Kepu 18) McCalman 19) Higgimbotham 20) Burgess 21) Horne 22) Gerrard R Charles R Alexander/Kepu R Palmer R Douglas R Chisholm R Saffy R Robinson R Kingi R Giteau R Vuna R Davies
KTinHK
Roar Pro
To have any hope of winning the WC, we're going to need a BIG pack. That means Radike Samo should be in the mix for number 8. McCalman has been a bit disappointing in his second season, and it is questionable whether he is big enough at test level. Palu and Samo interchanging as the number 8's would be an awesome combination. Pocock is the first choice number 7, but Phil Waugh, if fit, must be the 2nd; the time for developing new players is over and there is no-one tougher than him. Elsom has no peer at number 6. That leaves Australia's perpetual achilles heal -- the front row. If Rodney Blake scrummages well for the rest of the SuperRugby season, he has to be in the mix.
Chris of Vic
Roar Pro
G'day Bush, I will requalify everything I'm about to write as being from someone who has no experinece with forwards, but a keen observer and I try to read widely. l I think we are kind of agreeing, Horwill and Sharpe are both 200+ish centimetres, Rocky is 197cm, that is three genuine jumpers. I know McCalman does jump and I read last week that Saffy is working on it, but they definitely give away 5-10 cm (2"-4" in the old money) which is quite a bit at test level. Rocky, McCalman and Saffy all weigh within a couple of kg of each other (106-108 kg), so physicality wise are likely to bring similar punch. You are righ Palu is the 1st choice 8 , but as I poorly explained above I think McCalman is his back up, Rocky at 6 with Saffy pushing for a bench spot. If you could only have 1 loose forward on the bench McCalman would get the nod for mine, but it will be interesting to see if Saffy can develop and potentially play 6 or 7. Sharpe weighs about 114kg from memory, has developed into a world class jumper and as you say does heaps around the park, but is 'easily' stopped when taking it to the advantage line so I would rate both Saffy and McCalman as bigger hitters in both attack and defence, therefore I think a combination of TPN, Palu, Rocky/Saffy/McCalman could really add some starch to the forwards, without expecting Sharpe to do this. Furthermore as Saffy is just returning to the game and McCalman is only 23 both have potential to improve further ie. McCalman by 25/26 should be 110kg+ and Saffy's game awareness should get better.
jameswm
Guest
Hanson played better than SFaingaa has been too.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
Palu totally outplayed McCalman this weekend so I'll concede swapping them around. If AAC keeps playing like he has been all season he will make it into the broader squad and be tried at some lead up games but on form would not it into the side.
wobbly
Guest
Good post by Rhys I suspect they may include 3 hookers but only 2 half backs in the squad of 30. My current selection would be: Beale, Ioane, Mitchell, AAC + two of these 4: Turner, Davies, Shepherd and Gerard Barnes, JOC, Mortlock, Horne, Giteau Cooper, Genia, + either Burgess or Phipps Palu, McCalman, Elsom, Pocock + one from Hodgson, Higgenbotham, Mowen, Saffy and Robinson sharpe, Horwill, Simmons + Vickerman if ready, otherwise Wykes, Douglas, Wallace-Harrison or god forbid Mumm or Chisholm! Slipper, Robinson, Palmer, Alexander TPN, Moore, S Faingaa
Dexter William
Roar Guru
Melon Digby is a great player at S15. At RWC, especially in the quarters and up, opportunities for scoring tries are few and far. Even if Digby blows one with his wayward passing and catching, it is one too many. He is also like a mini Nonu, where if he breaks a tackle and got too far forward, he does not know how to link and create the next phase. I like JOC on one wing and Michell on the other. Huhhh, isn't that what Deans also liked last season? We will be lethal on both wings.
jameswm
Guest
A few commens: - you cannot discount AAC's form of las year. He's getting no decent ball but he is class, strong, an excellen tackler etc. MOrlock is too slow - Ioane can only play wing. He can' pass. Inside centre? I wouldn't even consider him at outside centre. - Palu is coming back. He's no back to his best yet, but he looks fit. - Elsom should not be considered automatic. He has to do something. Fortunately for him no one else has really put their hand up. Mowen, Saffy, Dennis, Higgo are all contenders - I think we all have the right front row in Robinson, SLipper, Palmer, Alexander (ranked 4th right now), TPN and Moore. I'd have Kepu 5th at prop right now and pushing Alexander. - Houston - you must be kidding
pinoy kiwi
Guest
Totally agree with comments. Horwill repeats himself to much, probably likes listening to himself...not a good leader or captain.
pinoy kiwi
Guest
Houston the only true no#8 apart from Palu , must be there, with the Reds he has to be committed to being tight as the pack is very loose in tight play , when in the back line the ball always by-passes him due to the stars who want to shine give him the ball and he will break through , cannot look good without the ball. Genia has an arm chair ride at the back of the scrum with him there, what it should be as a no# 8.
GRumblebum
Guest
* 1. Robinson 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Slipper 4. Sharpe 5. Horwill 6. Higginbotham 7. Pocock 8. Palu 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11 O'Coonnor 12. Mike Harris 13. Ioane 14. Mitchell 15. Beale 16. Moore 17. Alexander 18. Simmons 19. Mcalman / (All can play 6,7,8) 20. Burgess 21. Barnes / Giteau 22. Gerrard Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | Yesterday | Report comment I for one sure like the look of that team Melon. :) It’s a given that for the RWC a squad is required that has that all important Experience to calm the troops and think their way out of dire looking situations as well as that youthful exhuberance that suddenly pulls off the unexpected in a glorious way. With that in mind I see Stirlo being invaluable at 13 for his experience & sheer presence. When to play him & when to rest him would be my next question. As in …..are there any games that aren’t ‘must wins’? Your selections for backs have provided us with a lively lot of attacking backs that if given enough ball are capable of scoring plenty of tries. Defensively they seem as good as we’ve got when you balance attacking flare for defensive liabilities. Kurtley sure has that X factor. Trouble is to me he also has the ‘why’ factor. His real value will come when he knows when to for example chip kick and when to take the safer more conservative option, especially in a RWC. But I remain optimistic about him. To be honest I know close to zero about the pack & even less than that about the front row, as in I can’t figure why the ref penalises this prop over another prop (especially on our feed). However I do feel that the Wallabies can’t afford to give Refs a ‘get out of gaol free card’ with the likes of Al Baxter & the feeling that they can penalise our guys on reputation alone rather than what actually happened at scrum time. Therefore your props look okay in my eyes & hopefully the eyes of the Refs. This should be a good read and I’m interested in what others have to say, especially those blokes who understand the front row. ;) Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers formeropenside said | Yesterday | Report comment No one is really putting their hand up at 13, so that certainly means its wide open. At the moment, I’d be tempted to use Digby at 13 and Davies and Mitchell on the wings, with JOC at 12 and QC at 10. Beale at the back – for all I have concerns about his defence – and Genia at 9. In the forwards, the backrow is interesting due to injuries and no one has really grabbed any spot with both hands. In the tight 5, it does look like Horwill, Sharpe, Slipper, TPN/Moore (whichever is not injured) and Benn R. After the Reds scrum ripped up the Lions on the weekend, I thought maybe Holmes would get a shot at 1, but he is out of the squad this week: maybe injured. I assume Link knows what he is doing. I have also been impressed with Adam Wallace-Harrison in the second row in the time he has had. He seems to have developed some mongrel and effectiveness which he lacked at the Brums. Houston could be anything as an 8, but just never quite puts two consistent games – or even halves – together. He had a real chance to show off his skills this season with Palu out injured, and just…didn’t. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply o BooCheers Mary-jane said | Yesterday | Report comment I think Houston struggle with fitness. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply o BooCheers ooaahh said | Yesterday | Report comment You Queenslanders make me laugh. Seriously Davies???? Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers View Jiggles's Roar profile Jiggles said | Yesterday | Report comment Can’t argue with much of that. Phipps has been my favourite Australian of the year so far, he is just getting the job done and he executes the fundamental half back skill, the pass, with precision. if burgess doesn’t lift his game he wont be there come RWC 2011. Higginbotham needs to put his hand up this weekend or else he will be a pretender rather than a contender. like wise with Alexander, his form has been woeful. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers soapit said | Yesterday | Report comment beale didnt do a great deal for the waratahs last year and then kicked on for the wallabies. he needs a few other playmakers in the team to take the heat off him. this is one huge benefit cooper gives that is often forgotten. so beale will be fine in at 15. like some others i’d be tempted to go for 13 ione. tempting in that we could get a backline that really was a threat from 9-15 and see how many points we could score. might not win the cup but would be great fun supporting them. not sure about the forwards as i havent seen enough games (you need to watch more than the highlights to see who’s playing well in the forwards, not like the show pony backs). and i cant see them dropping elsom unless he was playing abysmally. once ur captain you get a bit of leeway. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers Decs said | Yesterday | Report comment Beale Mitchell Ashley-Cooper O’Connor Ioane Cooper Genia Palu Pocock Elsom Sharpe Howill Palmer Tatafu Robinson Bench: Alexander Moore Vickerman – has everyone forgotten he will be back Hodgson Giteau Barnes Gerrard Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply o BooCheers Big Steve said | Yesterday | Report comment I think your very close Decs. I think slipper will be there instead of Palmer and Phipps or burgess for Gerrard, Barnes or Giteau coming on and oconner moving to the back 3 if there is an injury there. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers Edgo said | Yesterday | Report comment I can’t see how Hynes can be picked when he’s been injured and was not in starting team last year. Also as much as I admire Davies he hasn’t been tested at test let alone rwc level pressure so I think he’s too much of a risk thus year. I also worry about Mitchell in the big games but would still pick him based on his improved consistency last year. As has been said before though it’s about getting the forwards right that’ll determine our chances come rwc. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers The Other Reds Fan. said | Yesterday | Report comment Beale doesn’t shine because he plays in a rubbish team with a rubbish backline. I feel sorry for him and one day we will lose him to league because of that. Thanks alot NSW. Fortunately he will be selected on his form last year with the Wallabies. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers johnny-boy said | Yesterday | Report comment Australia just can not afford to carry Ben Alexander’s arrogant indulgences any longer like it carried Al Baxters for so long so it looks like Kepu and Palmer would do better. Would love to know why Weekes isnt getting a run at Rebels, he was a real goer with the Reds. Is he injured ? Ben Daley looks promising but needs to start making an impact with his play and not just be a participant. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers Who Needs Melon said | Yesterday | Report comment Thanks for all the comments guys. I understand that Elsom, AAC and Giteau might get picked just on reputation but in my opinion they shouldn’t. Isn’t Deans always going on about no special treatment and they start with a blank page every time? My team actually looks very, very similar to PeterKs form side. That’s no coincidence. I’d rather have the guys who are in form even if they are new and hungry then an incumbent who is on the slide and perhaps not mentally in the right place. Contrast this with Mortlock. If he’s sliding anywhere it’s UP this season. I’m not picking him on reputation or just because I think he would make a good captain- I actually think he is the best form outside centre in Australia at the moment. And PeterKs work seems to suggest I’m not alone there. I agree you would play some horses for courses during the tournament and sub him on and off wisely. But… We desperately NEED a good captain on the field during the World Cup – one who can fire they boys up at the right time, calm them down at the right time, etc. Mortlock is that guy but he’s not going to be on the field anything like 80 minutes times however many matches they will be playing. So another interesting question is, who would be vice captain? I have a vision of us waving goodbye to Mortlock, the World Cup winning captain, as he rides off into the sunset just after he has handed the badge to the fresh eyed youngster, Pocock. But does this mean you have Pocock as VC during the Cup? Or do you have Horwill? Or Genia? Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply o BooCheers Big Steve said | Yesterday | Report comment I would be hesitant with Horwill and Genia as VC or C. It might create more issues if one is the C at Queensland and the other for Australia when they will both be expected to play in both sides. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers Worlds Biggest said | Yesterday | Report comment well done WNM, I would be happy with this side. In saying that I’m still not convinced McCalman is a Number 8 at the next level. Happy for him to come off the bench to cover the backrow. I’d like to see how Elsom goes at Number 8 with Saffy and Pocock rounding it out. I know Elsom wont get a look in there however we don’t ahve a lot to choose from in this position. There is a big push for Mortlock and I’m on that bandwagon pending his form warrants selection. Everyone has seen the Monsters Inc pairing at the Crusaders, Jacque Fourie, Mike Tindall et al and the consensus seems to be we need some size in the centres. AAC had a great season last year at 13 however he may have to settle for a bench spot if they feel size is required. Not a bad bloke to bring off the bench. Mortlock and Digby bring some real physicality to the backline. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers RebFan said | Yesterday | Report comment Where do you find the stats for Super Rugby? Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply o BooCheers Who Needs Melon said | Yesterday | Report comment Here’s a good site for some stats: http://www.thescore.com.au Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply + BooCheers RebFan said | Yesterday | Report comment Ah cheers WNM. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers RedAnt said | Yesterday | Report comment Melon, I’m really liking snorky and rabbit in the centres. Snorky is steadily getting back to his form of a couple of years ago and his defence is outstanding – in my opinion he is probably the only centre in oz who could cope with the likes of sbw and fruen. Rabbit needs to be closer to the action and he, QC and Beale standing behind an attacking scrum or lineout would have to make a few opposition defences nervous. I agree with just about all your other selections too, with the exception of schmoo who seems to go missing when things get tough. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers hotdog said | Yesterday | Report comment This is tough, especially the captain (because I love Rocky but he’s not a settling captain), but its my best guess at the team to win the RWC final against the blecks: Beale Mitchell Ashley-Cooper O’Connor Ioane Cooper Genia (vc) Palu Pocock Elsom Sharpe (c) Vickerman Slipper TPN Robinson Bench: Alexander Moore Horwill McCalman Phipps Barnes Gerrard Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . You should also vote down poor comments, this will hide them on the page and inform others about what's appropriate Enter the text shown: CAPTCHA image Reply * BooCheers Fairplay said | Today | Report comment What makes up the yardage given for Ioane- he spends a lot of his time when in possession of the ball unning across the field like a hermit crab rather than forward: he also very selfish and doesn’t like passing the ball. Shepard is a better bet than him. Genia has shown he is a better Captain than Horwell and the improvement for Queensland this season started when he was Captain again.Elsom was nothing speciald last season and as he hasn’t played yet this season should be left out. Please add a note on why the comment is inappropriate, and click the button below to send to our moderators. . If you'd like a response, please include your name and email address. We welcome constructive feedback, but ask that you do not abuse us . 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Fairplay
Guest
What makes up the yardage given for Ioane- he spends a lot of his time when in possession of the ball unning across the field like a hermit crab rather than forward: he also very selfish and doesn't like passing the ball. Shepard is a better bet than him. Genia has shown he is a better Captain than Horwell and the improvement for Queensland this season started when he was Captain again.Elsom was nothing speciald last season and as he hasn't played yet this season should be left out.
hotdog
Guest
This is tough, especially the captain (because I love Rocky but he's not a settling captain), but its my best guess at the team to win the RWC final against the blecks: Beale Mitchell Ashley-Cooper O’Connor Ioane Cooper Genia (vc) Palu Pocock Elsom Sharpe (c) Vickerman Slipper TPN Robinson Bench: Alexander Moore Horwill McCalman Phipps Barnes Gerrard
hotdog
Guest
Agreed, You need AAC at outside centre, you need Elsom on the blind and you need Slipper at tight head. Other than those three in the run on team, the rest are pretty spot on I reckon.
Bear
Guest
There is no way that "Can't Catch" is slower than Turner "the fastest footballer in australia". Some lead up facts - Rod Davies won the GPS open 100 meter sprint. That puts him at the top of the crop. Who did the "fastest footballer in australia"beat to get that title? Greg Inglis - 20kg over weight. Jarred Hayne, Josh Morris, some Eastwood dude. a cronulla fullback and some soccer player. Not exactly stern competition.
RedAnt
Guest
Melon, I'm really liking snorky and rabbit in the centres. Snorky is steadily getting back to his form of a couple of years ago and his defence is outstanding – in my opinion he is probably the only centre in oz who could cope with the likes of sbw and fruen. Rabbit needs to be closer to the action and he, QC and Beale standing behind an attacking scrum or lineout would have to make a few opposition defences nervous. I agree with just about all your other selections too, with the exception of schmoo who seems to go missing when things get tough.
ooaahh
Guest
You Queenslanders make me laugh. Seriously Davies????