One of the advantages of the anonymity of this column is that it provides me with the platform to write what I think.
This is opposed to the more restricted and somewhat ‘sanitised’ version view point that is sometimes required for many who are involved in our great game, in order to ensure that one doesn’t upset those who have control over one’s future!
This includes coaches; hence the rare opportunity ‘The Insider’ provides to offer some personal selection thoughts, and pick my own team based on what I have seen from the opening half of Super Rugby.
Given it’s all a bit detailed to swallow in one sitting, I’ve broken my deliberations into three parts over the coming days. Part one starts with the outside backs:
Fullback – It’s hard to go pass Jesse Mogg at the moment.
While his dodgy shoulder is an issue, and is a hassle he has had for a while, Jesse is an x-factor player. The first couple of games at the Brumbs, where he conjured up tries out of nothing, showed that.
On such acts, tight Test matches are won, hence Jesse gets my nod. His big boot, lightning pace off the mark (which is Christian Cullen like) sound positional sense (a notable improvement in his game this year) and surety on the tackle complete the package.
If there was to be a worry, it’s his size and physicality but you can counter that by putting a few bigger blokes around him.
Israel Folau is going really well, and will only improve. He could be a squad option, given he’s a big bugger with a great skill set, but he’d only be a bench option at best I reckon, and even then only if he keeps improving as he learns.
Look out for Jono Lance too. He’s going to be the complete package I’d say and has a big future.
Berrick Barnes and Mike Harris have played too little this year to be considered.
Wings – Given I’m going Mogg at fullback, we will need experience around him.
Digby Ioane and Drew Mitchell obviously fall into that category and would both make my squad, but Joe Tomane has really impressed me.
He has the size I’m looking for, and knows how to use it. It was unfortunate when Joe got injured after last year’s Scotland Test, because he’d done well that night.
Henry Speight would come into contention if he was eligible, and I’m sure ‘The Honey Badger’ (Nick Cummins for the uninitiated) will put himself in the picture once he gets back out there. Both he and Joe give us the size we need at the back to help support Jesse.
Dom Shipperley is another one on the radar and looks to have kicked on from last year’s Test experience.
Outside centre – Adam Ashley-Cooper is best at number 13, and that’s where I’d play him.
Like a lot of the guys who played most of the Wallaby games last year, he’s taken a while to hit his best in 2013, but is starting to get there.
Fearless defensively and a hard guy to take down given that he’s not the biggest bloke; Adam is the backline rock.
Anthony Fainga’a is a great guy for the squad being one of the nicest blokes on the planet, unless he’s hammering you in the tackle.
Rob Horne would also make my squad, probably as a back-up 12 or 13. He’s quick, direct and has made a big difference to NSW since he returned from injury.
I like Mitch Inman, although I reckon the Rebels should use him closer to the ruck at inside centre as he’s a hard bloke to tackle.
Inside centre – Pat McCabe, who is probably the toughest guy in Australian rugby as he just keeps giving, is on the comeback trail, which is great.
If I was picking this team in a month, he’d probably be in it, as his direct running, alongside Adam Ashley-Cooper, is just the type of impact we will need against the Brits.
Ben Tapuai is a different sort of player, he’s a slippery guy to pull down, has great game sense and a useful left boot. ‘Taps’ really grew on last year’s tour; he was outstanding against the Poms, and you can see now he believes he belongs at Test level, he’s brought that confidence back to the Reds.
He’d be my 12, with Christian Leali’ifano vying both for that spot and flyhalf.
Christian does it all, although playing Taps outside him would provide important tactical kicking support.
The thing I like about Christian is his ability to attack the line, draw in defenders and create gaps for others. He has worked really hard on his game in the last couple of years, stepping out of his comfort zone with some time playing for Waikato in the New Zealand NPC.
That extra time has been worth it as he was ready to make the most of the chance when Matt Giteau left Canberra.
In many ways, he is the almost complete prototype of what is needed from a 10/12 in the modern game. I can see him having a long Wallaby career.
Up next will be the flyhalves, halfbacks and loose forwards.
frisky
Guest
He is expressing commonly held public opinion, albeit in a melodramatic and exagerated way. Preferable to the PC bul…t from the ABC. He was a successful coach, you can’t take that away from him.
Julius
Guest
Why does everyone keep rating Digby - he has become the most predictable player to defend against.
I would suggest 38 missed tackles would indicate it was not only one player that pummeled the Sharks.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Tell that to the Sharks, who he destroyed in one half of rugby. I'd have him on the bench, he only needs to last 20 minutes.
Handles
Guest
McCabe is a certainty, if he can put one foot in front of the other at selection time. He is a Deans favourite.
TembaVJ
Guest
Big Merv, Cooper plays full back at least 50% of each match, so he has plenty experience there
Red Menace
Guest
Totally agree. You forgot to mention Rob Horne.
Tembavj
Guest
Ptah I actually think CL and Ginia compliment each other. I would love to see them play in a 9-10 combo. CL and Ginia will leave a 2 man overlap each time. No one thinks cooper will take the line on, he might get tackled and ruin his hair. I have always believed Ginia needs a solid 10 outside him to let him play his natural game. Also on turnover ball CL will be there in support not hiding behind te posts.
Justin2
Guest
Plenty of censorship at the Roar.
matthew
Guest
9- Genia 10- Q Cooper 11- Ioane 12- O Conner 13- A Cooper 14- Folau 15- Beale
Ra
Guest
The dude is brett mackay. Coverz all bases and diplomatic; oh and al.most got it right too. JOC in Mogg cover just how Dagg was blooded
boris
Guest
I like this, players in form not on reputation 9 Genia 10 Cooper 11 Digby 12 Lilo 13 Taps 14 Mafi 15 O'Connor Bench - White, AAC, Mogg
HighTackle
Guest
9) Genia 10) Beale 11) Ioane 12) Tapuai/McCabe 13) AAC/Faingaa 14) Tomane/Shipperly/Mitchell 15) JOC/Barnes 21) White/Phipps 22) Cooper 23) Lealiifano/Mogg Nobody else will play.
GWS
Guest
Nothing in it
GWS
Guest
Don't care if he walked on water last year
GWS
Guest
Beale who?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I think we could all agree to some extent that only 3 backs are certs. Genia, AAC and Ioane. The rest is wide open although I would have Taps at 12 just ahead of CL.
Hughster
Guest
OK I know Beale has done his best to put fans offside but in all honesty can you suggest that any backline to face the Lions would excite as much as one with an in-form Beale at 15? If he gets his act together he has to be given a chance. I like the conjecture about JOC. Has to be in the squad somewhere. If we stop thinking about his utility value and start thinking about his skill (and composure under pressure) then hard to imagine him not in the run-on squad. Question is where? Being an older fan one of the disappointments about modern rugby is the obsession with the blockbusting number 12. In past years players like Wright, Papworth, Walker and Horan have left indelible impressions through quick feet, great ball skills and pace (ok Walker struggles here). Not convinced that the game can't accommodate an agile ball playing number 12 with success. Obviously they need to be supported inside and out. How about: 9: Genia 10. Lealiifano/Toomoua 11. Ioane 12. JOC 13. Tapaui 14. Mogg/Cummins/Tomane (I have assumed Speight unavailable but right in the mix if available) 15. Beale And for a total roughy........Betham. AAC a candidate for O/C but suggest its time to move on. While players like McCabe, Barnes and Horne have had their moments......we need more x factor. Can't see us troubling the Lions playing "solid" players. Fainga'a doesn't offer enough in attack. By all means pick defenders if tackling is your focus and you value your chances through wins off the boot. Would love to have Cooper there but too inconsistent over the last 18 months to give any confidence other than a role off the bench. Bring it on...........
Stin
Guest
Then who Red Kev?
Benny A's Tackle
Guest
Geez it gets moany in here quickly, it sounds like a girls locker room! McCabe this Barnes that ad infinitum... Firstly, good article insider; god knows the Wallablies backline is the hardest 6 players to pick (I don't say 7 because Genia is a gimme). Second, last seasons backline and play was geared to the cattle Dean's had available. 2011 was much more expansive and dynamic backline selection and play (3 amigos in form). Dean will pick the backline and style according to what he sees in the squad and what he expects from the Lions. Now for the most part the hypothetical backlines posted have looked sensible. With about 6 weeks tillthe squad goes off to training camp here are my backline candidates: 9. Genia , White ** Genia no doubt 10. Cooper , Toomua ** Toomua in good form but probably too green, Cooper if confident (though if he has a bad one we are doomed) 12. Lealiifano (also 10) , Tapaui ** Both will need to tackle, back em both to handle it 13. AAC , McCabe , Fainga'a ** All three offer similar styles, all three tackle. McCabe will run 13 for Brumbies, don't close your minds 11. Ioane , Tomane ** Ioane paying $1.05 to get his wing 14. JOC (also 10, 12, 15) , Mafi , Shippers , Cummins (also 13) ** Tough to say, Speight if available, I'd go JOC 15. Mogg (also wing) , Barnes (also 10, 12) , Folau ** Mogg, need his boot and maybe Beale if he gets his head straight