With Ewen McKenzie set to announce his squad in the next couple of weeks for the upcoming Tests in June, I thought I would select my match day 23.
I do believe Link will stick with players tried in the past (at least early on) in effort to get unity and a familiarity similar to what has been used by the Queensland Maroons in the State of Origin.
My team looks a little like this:
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
Has been outstanding for the Reds in a losing team. His work rate around the field is probably the best in world rugby in his position, and although he isn’t the best scrummager, he is a known favourite of Link and will be there when announced.
2. Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies)
Moore has continued his terrific form from the spring tour over to the Brumbies this year, and has been one of the most consistent Wallaby forwards. He will be one of the first picked.
3. Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
This was a tough decision because of the continued development of Paddy Ryan at the Waratahs. I do believe Ewen will stick with Alexander due to his combination with Moore, however I do not believe this to be a safe position and Alexander will have to perform from the get-go
4. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
Another tough decision cause I do believe Simmons’ work rate is the worst out of all forwards in the Wallabies set-up. However, his line out prowess with the Reds has been outstanding.
He really is the guru at line out time and McKenzie will want a solid set-piece to unleash his back.
5. James Horwill (Queensland Reds) (c)
Another tough choice due to the lack of success of the Reds but Horwill has been working his guts off and I’ve never seen a top flight player with more passion for the Wallabies and Reds.
I feel like Will Skelton is coming but maybe a year or two off a starting berth. I do not consider Kane Douglas or Hugh Pyle due to their decision to go overseas. Horwill will be there and he will be Skipper.
6. Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies)
Burst onto the International scene last year and has continued good form with the Brumbies, adds another lineout jumper for the Wallabies and his pilfering ability will be very helpful. Certain choice.
7. Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs) (vc)
I don’t think I even need to write anything about this guy. Will be one of the first picked.
8. Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)
Unlucky to miss last year with a shoulder injury but has been great since coming back. Wallabies will need his ball running and is a fourth option in the line out.
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
Another really tough choice. I think Mckenzie will give Genia first crack at the job but don’t be surprised if Nic White quickly takes over if Genia cannot gain some form fast.
10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
McKenzie’s favourite son will no doubt be at 10. Don’t be surprised if Quade hits some form. McKenzie seems to know how to get the best out of Cooper and will trust in this ability when choosing his side.
11. Nick Cummins (Western Force)
Damaging ball running, strong defensively and yeah, he’s the Honey Badger. Will definitely be picked avoiding injury.
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies)
Has been outstanding this year leading the Brumbies around. Will be a perfect foil outside Cooper with calmness and kicking accuracy key.
13. Tevita Kirundrani (ACT Brumbies)
Hard ball runner and continues improver when entrusted with duties. Will be a solid defender. We can expect big things from him this year.
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
Mr Consistent. Mr Versatile. Mr Wallaby… whatever you call him, this guy is there. One of the first picked for the wallabies without a doubt
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)
The freak as I’ve started calling him. Everything he touches turns to gold. He is an Athletic freak. He is key to wallabies success this year.
Interchange
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. Paddy Ryan (NSW Waratahs)
18. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
19. Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs)
20. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
21. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)/Christian Le’alifiano (ACT Brumbies)
22. Nic White (ACT Brumbies)
23. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
My bench consists of impact players, guys who are going to come on and make an impact. Ball running aggression from Palu and Ryan, powerful defence from Polota-Nau and Skelton, while the silky skills of Le’alifano who the x-factor of Kurtley Beale will be needed.
I’ve got Matt Hodgson and Christian Le’alifano going up against the French as they’re always physical and Link might want to take an extra forward.
My team is almost identical to the one that finished off last year, and I do believe that is who McKenzie will first go with. However if their Wallaby form cannot differ from club form for some of these players, do not be surprised if many are dropped.
Firstxv
Guest
If there's ever a time a coach needs to depart from past loyalty its now. 5 of the starting 15 is from the Reds? A side that is getting hammered week after week, and largely due to those 5 players. Horwill's after match speeches alone are reason enough that he shouldn't be anywhere near the W's side. Link just has to go elsewhere...and now. Genia and Cooper are having horrors, the rest not a lot better. If all 5 are in the starting lineup, the W's will be lucky if they're at all competitive this year. Honestly can't see why more on these boards aren't hugely concerned with the form of the likely starting W's players.
ozinsa
Guest
Must admit my view on Simmons is very different. I view his work rate as fine - that is lacking is the physicality to go with it. Otherwise it looks like the team that finished last year so you're mostly ignoring 2014 form. It's probably how EM will go but may not be the best option.
Digby
Roar Guru
Personally, i would give this a nudge 1.Slipper 2.Moore (c) 3. Longbottom 4. Fardy 5. Horwill 6. McCalman 7. Hooper (vc) 8. Palu 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Badge 12. McCabe 13. Kuridrani 14. AAC 15. Folau 16. Sio 17. Weekes 18. Hansen 19. Jones 20. Higgs 21. White 22. Toomua 23. Beale
DB
Guest
My team mixes youth with experience and form with class. The one thing I will say upfront is that I would love Slipper to be tried at tighthead again so we could have a mobile and working front row with Squeak and Sio. In any event Alexander just gets the nod. This is for the French series only, as it gives younger players - Sio, White, Skelton, Jones exposure. We know what Simmons and co can do and we can retain them for the RC if things go pear shaped but we need to build depth if players keep leaving and to be brutally honest, my selections are in better form in my opinion. 1. Sio 2. Moore 3. Alexander 4. Horwill 5. Jones 6. Fardy 7. Hooper 8. Palu 9. White 10. Cooper 11. Cummins 12. Toomua 13. Ashley-Cooper 14. McCabe 15. Folau 16. Slipper 17. Kepu 18. TPN 19. Skelton 20. Higganbotham 21. Hodgson 22. Genia 23. Beale Horwill to call the lineout as he has done for QLD at times. Sio to start because I think combinations are important and I think he is a specialist loosehead, which allows Slipper and Kepu to cover both. I know I said combinations are important but I picked Genia on the bench as his form is not better than Whites (pretty even) and if I were to rate which player has the potential to make more impact off the bench then its Sanchez with his running game. I have decided that the backline is extremely flexible and can cover multiple positions, as can Beale, so I went with an extra forward. If things turned ugly, Higgers or Hoops could always shift to the wing in dire straights, but bringing a fresh Higgers and Skelton on would add plenty of impact, as would TPN to some degree.
Daz
Guest
You know what I'd love to see? I'd love to see our SR players polled to pick our test team. Who they think is the best player in each position. Who they would like in the trenches beside them. Who they think would do us proud. That's a pretty radical concept I know. A bit like asking your customers what sort of car they want to buy instead of Ford or GM executives in Detroit dictating to Australia what car should be built so no one buys it. It's easy for us keyboard warriors to select a team based on the expert opinion of one. Or for the coach and selectors to pick a team based on the expert opinion of three or four. I'd really love to know who the players think are the best and I think we'd get some surprising results. I think we'd get to see a bigger picture. We tend to look for "world class players" but I think there's more to it than that. What do you think?
Riccardo
Guest
I reckon the French series offers your boys an opportunity to experiment a little. How about: 1) Toby Smith, 2) Moore, 3) Slipper, 4) Jones, 5) Horwill, 6) Fardy, 7) Hooper C, 8) Higginbotham, 9) White, 10) Toomua, 11) Kuridrani, 12) Lealifano, 13) McCabe, 14) Cummins, 15) Folau 16) Sio, 17) TPN, 18) Kepu, 19) Skelton, 20) Palu, 21) Genia, 22) Cooper, 23) AAC. OK, rip it to pieces...
Buzzard
Guest
1. Sio 2. Moore 3. Slipper 4. Jones 5. Horwill 6. Fardy 7. Hooper 8. Higs 9. Genia 10. Toomua 11. Badger 12. Inman 13. Kurandrani 14. Folau 15. Beale QC, White, Lealiifano. Kepu, Charles, Palu, Skelton & Alexander. Inman is my smokey. Australia need a big center combo.
Hammer
Guest
Why do we keeping picking the same locks. There past it now. I would love skelton and colemon/Jones in the future. Simmons is soft as butter. Horwill tries
Uncle Argyle
Guest
I like your squad but I would like; 1. Sio 2. Moore (c) 3. Slipper 4. Simmons 5. Horwill 6. Fardy 7. Hooper 8. Palu 9. Genia 10. Cooper (vc) 11. Cummins 12. Toomua 13. Kurindrani 14. McCabe 15. Folau 16. Kepu 17. Alexander 18. Charles 19. Jones 20. Higginbotham 21. White 22. Lealiifano 23. Ashley-Cooper
Rhino
Guest
Exact run on team I would pick too. Maybe Kepu on bench instead of Ryan and possibly Jones for Skelton. McCalman unlucky to miss out on bench spot.