Which fringe players are putting together a resume that Robbie Deans needs to seriously consider this Wallabies season?
Are there players coming from even further back in the pack to make their case this year?
The chances are that Robbie Deans will stick with the players he already knows best for the Lions Tour, but there may be people who sneak into the side with outstanding play in Super Rugby.
For others, a fantastic year in their provincial side could still be rewarded with Rugby Championship caps.
I’m just going to start with a few names who warrant consideration.
Jesse Mogg
We’ll start with the most obvious player asking to be nominated. Mogg has been outstanding every time he’s played for the Brumbies this year. Their first loss coincided with his absence this week after sustaining an injury during the Sharks match.
Every time he touches the ball he’s shown class in 2013.
Mogg has four tries already this year, the top in that category for the side. He’s backed that up with numerous line breaks and great passes to put others through holes.
What makes is game suited to the international arena is that he’s fantastic receiving kicks. His speed enables him to get into great position.
Mogg also has a long booming punt himself – the closes thing to a Latham boot we’ve had since his retirement.
Ben Mowen
The captain down in the ACT is having a great year for the second year in a row.
Some would have pointed to his play last year and said he deserves a call up to the highest level. I would argue he’s playing better in 2013.
Mowe has always had the ability to impact the game on a few occasions each week. What has improved this year is his work rate and ability to get around the park.
He looks just as big as he always has been, so I think it’s just a matter of everything coming together between the ears rather than a drastic improvement in bulk or speed for Mowen.
Not many Wallabies forward pack incumbents have started the year very well and Mowen may well make someone pay.
Alfi Mafi
This may appear a little left-field for some, but Mafi has been one of the stand out performers on a Force team that hasn’t had much go their way this year.
He knows when to follow the ball and back up, he also has a thirst for getting involved.
Mafi is quick, he’s strong and he takes the ball into contact very well.
As some on The Roar have pointed out, Tomane and Speight of the Brumbies often reduce their own momentum going into contact while trying to step and jink around (I’d put the Reds’ Chris Feauai-Sautia in this group). Mafi is always driving through contact and is therefore much harder to bring down and is able to place the ball for his team to access it easily.
So, rugby fans, don’t snooze on the Force this year. Tune in to see one of Australia’s better wingers.
Kyle Godwin
I’ll admit that this nod is probably more looking toward the Rugby Championship or even the Spring Tour, but Godwin really is a player of the future.
Last year was Godwin’s first in a Super Rugby set up and he came onto the scene for a side decimated by injuries. He made a name for himself in the famous almost-win against the Crusaders.
Godwin possesses a wonderful build for a young inside centre. He’s tall, quick, has long powerful legs and a very serviceable pass.
I hope that someone doesn’t make the silly decision to move him in one spot to 10 because at inside centre he has skills that set him apart from most others.
While you are up late watching the West Australian time-zone matches see if you can predict where the game is moving before Godwin does. He seems to know where gaps are about to open and when to follow the ball and burst through them.
Peter Kimlin
Australia isn’t exactly bursting at the seams at the lock position. I’d put to you that Kimlin is a strong candidate to boost that area.
Kimlin is a work-horse who goes about his business with a minimum of fuss. He also covers blindside flanker of the pack when the coach needs him to, adding a good level of versatility.
He is aware of his duties as well. At blindside he appears more often on the stat sheet for tackles and runs. When in the second row, Kimlin tends to roam the centre of the field to clean out and drive over the opposition ball which isn’t always as noticed.
Measureable or not, Kimlin is always doing his job.
Mowen and Fardy are often the more targeted lineout options for the Brumbies, but Kimlin is there every week providing a very secure alternative when needed – as has been the case in the last two weeks.
Add to all this is the fact that only against the Sharks, when the match was well and truly won, has he come off the field before the final siren. That dependability is an asset any coach would love.
Who else is warranting consideration?
Matt
Guest
Brumby players must be rewarded. Sio Moore Alexander Horwill Douglas Gill Kimlin Mowen Genia Tamoa Leiliafano AAC Falau Ioane Mogg And I'm a Reds supporter
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I can't see that happening tbh. The Lions tight five will (at this juncture) include players who are very good over the ball. Plus Gill (or whomever) will be reliant on the tight five to do their job.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I genuinely don't think any of those players compare to Higginbotham in the air. Higginbotham was also one of the few Australian players to provide any real grit against the All Blacks last year too (also overstepping the mark). I don't think he's used correctly by the Wallaby coaches tbh. If he plays then there needs to be a forward like Nick Easter who used to play much tighter to allow Tom Croft (read Higginbotham) to roam. I'm a fan of Ben Mowen, but in terms of athleticism players like him and Kimlin aren't going to intimidate anybody.
Denby
Roar Rookie
Higginbotham is a seagull. He has improved slightly but not enough to wear the gold jersey.
Denby
Roar Rookie
Alcock is very good, we have an abundance of talented opensides at the moment. All fast, mobile and aggressive at the breakdown. I am unsure if Alcock will be able to leap frog Gill and Hooper. Smith would also stand in his way, but it is unlikely he will be eligible.
Denby
Roar Rookie
I like blind racism, it adds spice. okay, people with curly hair are always offside!
Denby
Roar Rookie
Isn't Holmes a prop not a loose forward?
Pick & go..!!
Guest
*Sorry I meant wre01..
Pick & go..!!
Guest
Crazy horse that's a pretty solid team. But would start with Palu cause impact is best needed at the start of a game. & I would have Drew on the wing for Ioane just cause I think Drew can kick where Ioane & the Honey Badger are not noted kickers. & I think Ioane is struggling with form ATM. Other than that I like your squad.
wre01
Roar Guru
CrazyHorse I think McMeniman has to be pickedm to start, probably ahead of Mowen and Higginbotham at 6. His inclusion would allow Horwill and Timani to start and Douglas on the bench. A very confrontaional combination and allot of bulk for scrummaging. Higginbotham would be a bench player for me. I'd start Mowen at 8, bringing on Palu for impact (great to come on with Higgers with 25 to go). I also think Deans has to go with Cooper at 10 but I think Lealiafano would be a great addition at 12 and would combine well with Cooper and AAC. You'd have wingers like Cummins and Ionane to get over the advantage line rather than relying on McCabe. Mogg could then play 15 with two big wingers like that I would have thought. So aside from Mogg, McMeniman, Mowen and Lealiafano, I can't see any other bolters.
Pick & go..!!
Guest
Crazy Horse, I like the Brumbies 9, 10, 12, also Mafi IMO since the start of the super season has been the form winger out of the Aussie conference. Also so QLD 6,7 & I to like the honey badger & think his best position is 13 also. What I like about him the most is his work at the break down he is like an extra flanker which is one attribute you want at 13.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Thanks to everyone for the various teams but the article is about those on the fringe who should be included. The Force player who has not been mentioned is Sam Wykes who was odds on for a Wallaby call up last year until a season ending injury in 2012. He made a brief appearance last week, but once fully fit will be in there. Sam's housemate Nick Cummins (the incumbent 14 so not really a fringe player) is injured but will be fit by the time of the Lions tour and has to be included in any of the outside back positions. His best position is 13 but he can also play 11, 12 or 14. He is a line breaker who is big, fast and tough. More than capable of mixing it up with the best forwards, he is also dynamite in defence. I absolutely agree about Maffi. He is a must. As is Mogg. Godwin will be a very big asset to the Wallabies but maybe the spring tour is the time to bring him in.
Bananas
Guest
Keen to keep an eye on Ben Sio as well
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I think Horwill and Douglas will be the locks and if MMM gets a run then it will be at 6 or on the bench. My pack right now would be Robinson, Moore, Alexander, Horwill, Douglas, MMM, Hooper/Smith, Mowen with the reserves being Ryan, Hanson, Kimlin and the Brumbies 8 from last weekend (not sure of his name)
Hoy
Roar Guru
Who is a better 12 over the last two years?
Pacific Islander
Guest
Is your comment an individual thing, specific to three individuals who happen to be Pacific Islanders? Or is it time to open the Pandora's Box of blind racism within rugby. Blind racism is my term for people who are racist but don't know that they are.
JDP
Roar Guru
Further to this MMM leads the competition thus far in pick and drives - good workrate. Where does Higginbotham lead? You guessed it, in the most penalised count.
mania
Guest
if an openside isnt leading the penalty count then either he's having a perfect day or isnt playing at his utmost and pushing the boundaries.
JDP
Roar Guru
Yeah not sure about taking the third most penalised player in Super Rugby this season into the cauldron of the lions. Not for me.
JDP
Roar Guru
He's not that good.