Flyers, speed merchants, bulldozers, wrecking balls and genuine tryscorers.
These are all words we have used to describe the great wingers of the modern era.
This includes names such as such as Ben Tune, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Inga Tuigamala, Joe Roff and of course the dominant Jonah Lomu.
But what might be the best fit for the two wingers in my predicted Wallabies XV to play the Lions?
Is it important to match your opponents strengths or is it better to define how your team will play?
I think the Wallabies have a lot to choose from, with genuine flyers like Lachie Turner, Tom Kingston, Henry Speight coupled with strong runners such as Israel Folau, Digby Ioane, Joe Tomane, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Cooper Vuna and Peter Betham.
Throw into that mix playmaking wingers such as James O’Connor and potentially Jesse Mogg and there are some important decisions to be made.
In some ways this exercise of selecting players one by one is a bit of flawed process, because each player needs to be viewed in context.
For example, two powerful wingers might not be necessary where strength already exists in the centres to carry the ball forward.
In my view the front runners at the moment are Ioane (on past performances) and James O’Connor (on form and past performances).
The much maligned three amigos still offer significant strike-power to this Wallabies team – should they get functioning.
With this said, there is still a lot of rugby to play, and excuse the pun, I would not be surprised to see some bolters come through and push for selection.
Roarers, who do you think makes the best fit in 11 and 14?
AG
Guest
15. JOC, 14. Ioane, 11. Mogg: JOC provides second distributor and always beats the first tackler and gets over the advantage line, ioanes work rate is best in the world and defensively very good, mogg is a bolter and provides an excellent left boot, incredibily fast and excellent finisher, back 3 would complement one another perfectly and would be hard to stop given time and space. given that your also player 2 'fullbacks' would provide a lot of options on the counter.
Gaffa
Guest
Mafi is austrlaian...
JDP
Roar Guru
Jayden Hayward is a kiwi isn't he? A Naki lad I thought?
JDP
Roar Guru
not sure if Mafi is Australian? As for Cummins, very valid point, he had a great EOYT and rightfully deserves consideration. Just difficult now when he is out injured.
JDP
Roar Guru
Agree that is a well worked combination, although I have to say I find Digby a bit two dimensional (however still destructive). I would prefer someone with his linebreaking capacity and size but with the ability to pass, kick and step off both feet (eg Folau).
JDP
Roar Guru
apologies, I am definitely not a Waratahs apologist. Drew Mitchell bounced back well on the weekend - looks like the dropping from the 22 did him some good.
JDP
Roar Guru
Certainly looking like a good pick, given the recent fracas with Beale. Mogg looks electrifying at the moment. However do Roarers think there is a question mark defensively?
Benny A's Tackle
Guest
If Speight was eligable he would be a definite. His form has been outstanding both last year and this year, and has all the requiste skills. Ioane has the form, the experience and is one of our best backs. He will have 11 on his back. I put JOC on the other wing, he can offload ans his foot work and acceleration at the line is exceptional. Nobody else in Aus rugby can match him for that. His defence is easily good enough. He can also jump in the line in broken play and create for those around him. He also provides cover in the backline if injury forces a reshuffle. Sorted
Hightackle
Guest
It will be Ioane and Mitchell or perhaps Shipperly. It wont be Vuna, Turner, Speight, Betham or Kingston.
barbz
Guest
What a joke. As if we don't have enough Waratahs in the Wallabies already. For only two spots up for grabs, you suggest 4 waratahs and even still, miss out the most capped one (Drew Mitchell). You also you forgot about last year's wingers; the honey badger and Shipperley (forget when he comes back from injury). I'd hate to see what you would suggest for the centre positions. Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Israel Folau and Adam Ashley Cooper right?
Crazy Horse
Guest
11 and 14 are different positions although both called wing. Very few can play both with equal effectiveness. For my money a fit Ione is the best 11 by a long way. I would have Cummins at 13 and if he regains his pre injury form, Mitchell at 14. Mogg is easily the standout Fullback so far this season. For my money JOC plays 10 or 12 or not at all. The problem for him is that on current form he is no where near the first pick for either position. Ne to watch is Jayden Hayward who is showing a lot of promise. He can kick too so would be a hNdy back up if the first choice kicker is injured.
Crazy Horse
Guest
JOC is one of those players who is playing badly. He had no trouble standing out when with the Force. I do not think he is anywhere near the player he was pre injury. He seems to have lost his agiity and he is way to small for the outside backs. He never was a speciList winger. Coaches used to the classic strategy of the junior coach faced with a selfish who often refused to pass but was too brilliant to leave out of the team. Put him on the end of the line where he has no one left to pass too. However there are a string of capped talented specialist wingers in the que ahead of him for wallabies selection. Not to mention the up and comers from the current season.
AdamS
Roar Guru
^ Pretty hard to look good in a team playing as bad as the rebels...
Crazy Horse
Guest
You left out Nick Cummins, who has it all, speed, strength and a tough of the mongrel when nneded. Although he can play 13 equally as well so maybe you have him in there. He's a far better winger than JOC ever was. Then there is Alfi Mafi who on current form would have to be at least looked at by any competent selector. I agree about Mogg in at 15. Mafi on the bench would be a great back up because he can play 15. On current form, not used to be or reputation, current form, JOC should be lucky to get on the bench. He just doesn't have it at the moment. I think he may have overdone the weights and in the processvlost his principal weapon, his agility.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Depends on who the 10 is. If its Cooper, he needs Digs, if someone else? How do people of lat manage to inject Izzies name into every lions selection post? Baffling...
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Turner isn't a speedster anymore. He has been toweled up a few times in the last couple of games.
PM
Guest
I can't believe that you mention uncapped players like Kingston, Betham, Falou and Chris Feauai-Sautia who have no hope of being selected for the Lions series yet you do not mention Drew Mitchell who actually has a strong chance and even Dom Shipperley who would be ahead of the guys you've mentioned. If picked now I suspect that Deans will go for Ioane and JOC.
bluerose
Guest
it will be Digby and Tomane with Mogg @ Fullback.
atlas
Guest
I thought 'Ozzie' Henry qualified in June, ie for Lions, but you are right, Brumbies site says "he will be eligible for the Wallabies at the conclusion of 2013."
Rockin Rod
Guest
Speight isnt eligable yet, it will be Diggers and JOC