Ewen McKenzie is soon to announce his Wallabies squad to take on the French in the June internationals. With one eye on the future and another on the present, I self-indulgently present to you my match-day squad.
Rob’s team for the first Test against France
1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Nic White
10. Matt Toomua (vc)
11. Nic Cummins
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Pat McCabe
15. Israel Folau
16. Nathan Charles
17. Scott Sio
18. Kieran Longbottom
19. Luke Jones
20. Scott Higginbotham
21. Will Genia
22. Bernard Foley
23. Robbie Coleman
>> Full Wallabies squad, positions and news
Hooker
By most metrics, Nathan Charles has been in better form than Polota-Nau and he deserves the opportunity. From the bench, of course .
Tighthead Prop
Ben Alexander’s form has been awful. He has been in and out of the Wallabies squad over the years, but who would pick him this year?
Kieran Longbottom has performed decently for the Force without playing the house down. He gets a shot from my bench because hell, it couldn’t hurt.
Number 8
Perhaps this might be seen as a contentious choice, but it shouldn’t be.
If form matters for anything, then McCalman has to start. His workrate this season is absolutely phenomenal, with 138 attempted tackles for 10 missed, 120-odd runs for six line breaks, only four errors and five long-arm penalties in 786 minutes of rugby.
It’s an outstanding record, and unparalleled among Aussie back-rowers.
Needless to say the numbers aren’t anywhere near as good for Palu, even factoring in for the time that he spent on the sidelines.
I don’t doubt that Cliffy has been a better Number 8 over the course of his career, but if you’re being fair dinkum you have to put McCalman ahead of Palu at least for the first Test.
Scrum-half
Will Genia has inspired deep devotion from Aussie fans, but White is outperforming him in practically every respect.
With Cooper injured, there is little justification to be starting Genia ahead of White. None that I can see, anyway.
Fly-half
It’s another no-brainer for me, although I have no doubt that there are proponents of a Foley-Toomua axis out there.
For me, that concept is too early and too untested. Foley can make an impression from the bench instead.
Outside backs
I doubt if anyone would question Cummins’ or Folau’s places in the squad, and I feel that McCabe would be the best choice for the other spot.
His form is too good to ignore, even if Brumbies Coach Stephen Larkham has been squandering it on the bench). If McCabe is not starting on the wing, then he should be starting at 12. He has to be in there somewhere.
Some might wonder how Robbie Coleman made it into my squad, but I’d turn the question around and ask you why he shouldn’t be there. Tries, linebreaks, plenty of runs – several of his key stats for the season thus far have virtually mirrored those of a certain Adam Ashley-Cooper.
He has some talent as a playmaker as well, so he’s not a bad fit for the James O’Connor mold of winger.
Captaincy
I have picked two younger guys who I feel not only have a very strong grip on their spots, but also the respect of their peers. Both players lead by example and have great temperaments under pressure.
With older heads in the squad to bounce ideas off, I am confident that my captain and vice-captain would achieve some successes.
Nearly made the cut
Matt Hodgson is very unlucky. He could well take Higginbotham’s spot on the bench and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. If Hooper wasn’t to be asked to play 80 minutes then Hodgson would definitely be in.
Will Skelton has made an impact, but Luke Jones has been more consistent and knocking on the door for longer. I like consistency.
Tevita Kuridrani is not really a bench player, and is not outperforming Ashley-Cooper. Kuridrani also needs to find consistency.
Gasparin
Guest
It wasn't directly stated that Simmons was out of form, but certainly inferred. "Dont think we can afford two out of form locks".............."Simmons needed for line out so I would drop Horwill". If that's not leading to the conclusion that Simmons would reluctantly be selected for his line out work, then there's a subtext that I'm missing. Furthermore, it is suggesting that of the two "out of form locks", he would drop Howill. Jiggles' comment was completely justified and accurate, regardless of the semantics.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Hi Tim, thanks for the response. Henry Speight is not eligible for the Wallabies until the 11th of September, at which time I imagine he will waltz into the squad in much the same way as he has repeatedly waltzed over the tryline in recent seasons.
Whakatane
Guest
Mate read the comment again. In no way did Chris suggest that Simmons is out of form. He agreed with the choice. Not the first time you've made blind accusations.
Jake Waitsman
Roar Rookie
Great team
Aussie in London
Guest
When I saw the team my first though was 'no Palu at 8?!?!', bet then, I really can't argue with you reasoning. I just think because of the timing of his injury's he's been unable to prove at test level.
Jerry
Guest
Wait a second - "Maul: Where you go shopping" Wait a damn second, unless you're talking about Pall Mall, everyone pronounces Maul and Mall the same. Joke fail.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
KIWI Rugby Dictionary: Ruck: Abbreviation of Richard, a popular boy's name Bull: What you play the game with Tickle: Bringing another player to the ground Sickened 5: Positioned after the 1st 5 And Thumb: National song sung before match Peck: The 8 forwards involved in the scrum Backs: Abbreviation of Rebecca, popular girls name Pash Nut: Love of the game Skulls: Ball handling ability Maul: Where you go shopping Gull: Points scored by kicking Rough: Umpire Troy: Worth 5 points Ketch: Receiving the ball the
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Perhaps Combesy - because its usually used in the contact of 'Gracious in Defeat' something the ABS (to keep it on a rugby theme) don't have much experience of - as opposed to.....
Jerry
Guest
You're looking in the wrong bit, it's under 'gruyshush'.
Combesy
Roar Guru
and ive always wondered why the word gracious was omitted from kiwi dictionaries...
Jerry
Guest
I always wonder why people posting about rugby on a rugby message board use the 'All you've got is rugby" gambit.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Naaa,!! we still got Phar Lap, Neil Finn, Dragon, Lorde, Sir Ed Hillary, Sir Ernie Rutherford, the soccer team that made the world cup once, the americas cup boys and round the world yachtsmen, etc etc the list goes on and on....just about in every field you can think of...
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
If they do they will be maintaining the status quo - lucky this is a rugby blog - who knows what jibes we would be getting over the cricket corruption - ruins our 'high and mighty' stance....
Kitanogaijin
Guest
Where did anyone say Simmons was out of form? What am I missing?
Combesy
Roar Guru
yep, im glad he has made the decision to try and keep the frame of last years EOYT team. thoughts on cowan over smith and/or robinson?
Combesy
Roar Guru
must be a hard life only having one team and one thing to brag about...
Toomuaforpresident
Guest
McCabe is seen as a winger more than a centre which i tend to agree with. Tough choice between Cummins, AAC and him. I was wrong about Mike Harris being in the squad. No Angus Cottrell, Adam Coleman, Dave Dennis, Sean McMahon, Colby Faingaa, Paul Alo-Emile, Toby Smith as some people suggested. I dont think anyone suggested Benn Robinson lol so we will all be pleased.
Justin3
Guest
Looks like Link firmly believes Toomua is a 12, which I think is right. I think Foley is a better team player than Beale, especially at 10 where you must bring others into the game. Who knows what he will do.
Dirk
Guest
I'm sure they're getting advice from the NZ league and cricket organisations in an effort to better understand and cope with futility.
Combesy
Roar Guru
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: FWDS: Alexander, Cowan, Kepu, Sio, Slipper, Charles, Moore, Polota-Nau, Carter, Horwill Jones, Simmons, Skelton, Fardy, Higginbotham, Hodgson, Hooper, McCalman, Palu BACKS: Genia, Phipps, White, Beale, Foley, Kuridrani, Leali’ifano, Toomua, Ashley-Cooper, Cummins, Folau, Horne, McCabe. Four players will also train with Wallabies squad; winger Henry Speight, prop Paddy Ryan, lock Cadeyrn Neville and winger Tom English. Interesting, Mckenzie has named Beale as flyhalf contender and named Toomua in the centres. Sam Carter the bolter of this squad and well done to the four upcapped players added