With the Lions tour fast approaching, certain players of Wallaby-calibre are getting no spotlight.
This may be due to featuring in a less prominent team or having ‘gernation next’ (Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, James O’Connor) playing in their position.
Kyle Godwin
Godwin been a revelation at the Force, coming through the ranks of the Australian schoolboys and then rising to represent the Australian under 20s.
The flyhalf/inside centre/fullback will have his versatility tested in his second year of Super Rugby.
Another great running flyhalf in the making, with the ability to draw defenders and make space wide, as well as the ability to make a fantastic offload with his deceptive runs.
Hugh McMeniman
Already boasting 21 Test caps, the lock/No.6 has been hampered with injuries. He looked to be plagued again this year, but scans revealed he will only need six weeks rest, hopefully returning for Round 14 in the Super Rugby.
He brings powerful running and distribution skills, dominant defence, can be an extra jumper in line outs and, most importantly, brings ‘mongrel’.
Would love to see him back in time for the Lions tour, we will surely need him.
Caderyn Neville
A talented rower who joined Manly RFC to play as a hobby with his mates. Neville debuted mid way through the 2012 season and has been quick to establish himself as one of the top lock forwards within Australia.
A fantastic set piece taker who is able to cause chaos in any lineout.
Mitch Inman
Inman debuted with the Western Force and then joined the Rebels to link up with ex-Sydney Uni Coach Damien Hill.
Inman is the ideal outside centre – pace, hard running angles that are sure to bend opposition defence and dominant defence of his own.
Beau Robinson
Phil Waugh’s ‘mini me’; tough, brave and courageous are the words that jump to mind. A formidable character, who brings mongrel to the breakdown and dominance in defence.
Beau was overshadow by Waugh’s dominance in the No.7 sky blue jersey. In 2011 he moved to the Reds and, after a lot of hard work, formed a great pilfering partnership with Liam Gill.
It’s poor timing for him, with our stocks very high in the openside department.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Agreed with the Brumbies #13
Blind Freddy
Guest
Inman is certainly under-rated. He has been a good player for years in Sydney comp and is now showing that he is very capable in Super rugby.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Agreed.
Blue Blood
Guest
Hear, hear. Deans has wasted years of this guys potential and yet he is still Mr Consistent. He also shone when head to head with the current Deans/Media favourites (Gill and Hooper). Think of he versatility of having Smith and Jodgson in the squad.
Mike G
Guest
Godwin & MMM yes, the others no. In terms of bolsters though, the #13 for the Brumbies has impressed all year.
NJK
Guest
What have you been watching for the past 6 months DJW, Inman is the only player in the rebels back line that can tackle. When he gets given the ball, he will use that 105kg quick mobile frame of his to get over the advantage line eg last week against the blues 2 tries and a try assist when he got the ball against one of the best centers in the game renne ranger. Also, he is the only outside center in Australia with decent size being 6ft 3 and 105kg. His hands arnt bad either something that McCabe, Faingaa seem to forget to bring on the field every time they play as they seem to have tunnel vision. He should be considered before McCabe, Faingaa at any time of the week. AAC and horn still have the outside center position covered before him though.
Mike D
Guest
Good points regarding Hugh, Elisha. Sadly I think MMM is more Bruce Reid than Glenn McGrath. As much as I would love to see him come back and take a Wallabies spot I can't see him managing to stay on the paddock consistently. More than happy to be proven wrong though.
Mike D
Guest
This. Was great to see him notch up 100 for Queensland. He's playing at a much more consistent and better level than he ever did when he was selected in the Wallabies.
Rob9
Guest
You would have thought that with a higher blood alcohol level he would have had a bit more gumption to throw himself into the Tuilangi challenge. I haven’t seen many more deer in the headlight moments on an international rugby field since Percy stepped aside for Jonah. I guess Percy came back from that low point to have a somewhat successful international career so maybe there’s hope for Davies yet.
jameswm
Roar Guru
And he's primarily a fullback really.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Take Godwin on the EOYT. I think that's the place for Tomane, Godwin, Mogg, Pyle, Saffy, Foley, Quirk, Shipperley etc.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Rob9 any Reds player in the Wallabies that day should be excused for their performance. They would've all been playing with a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit. Coming down off the party high post S15 final would have been pretty tough. Still, I'm not sure Davies is up to test level.
AdamS
Roar Guru
His ability to run in Lone Ranger tries is a neat trick at SXV level. But his defense is pretty poor, he seems to go out of his way to avoid contact. Fragile.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
I think Crawford is in waiting. Great to see some size back on the wings. And has a great boot!
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
ADC - Thats why i've titled it 'forgotten' Wallabies. If we were ever plagued with injuries, who would we replace our current crop of players with.
DJW
Guest
Mitch Inman?????? He shouldn't even be in the Rebels starting 15. He is hopeless.
Don
Guest
Hodgson is better than Robinson, and far more unlucky in the WB rep stakes.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree with that. beau Robinson, Inman, Neville are SR journeymen at best but no international. Take B. Robinson; Gill, Hooper and Smith are miles ahead and might not all be selected. How could he make the team then? Godwin would be my bolter, maybe.
Elisha Pearce
Guest
Good piece mate. Good to highlight some out of the spotlight types. I think MMM should get a run at the Wallabies team if he's back and fit soon enough. Hopefully he is. Early form at the Force was great - he was the best second row in Australia until he went out. Robinson will get into the squad for scrummaging. He's been somewhat revived in the last month or so. Still wary of him though; lots of hardwork from him is a bit too good to be true!
Elisha Pearce
Guest
If Godwin isn't a Wallabie one day its because of injury or poor selection. He's been the form Super Rugby inside centre this year. Taps and LiLo probably had slightly better peaks but have both had periods of lacklustre play. Godwin has been consistently great week in, week out. Not saying we should pick him now, but if he's not one day then something has gone very wrong.