With the ARU policy of only selecting stay-at-home Wallabies under scrutiny, let’s check out the talent lying cloistered away in various clubs throughout the world.
I’ve put together a squad comprised solely of overseas, ineligible Aussies – both former Wallabies and those performing at a level to warrant selection.
Since the current selection policy appears to have discounted those players who have announced their intention to play overseas next season, I have included such players in this team.
What to call the team? The ineligible Wallabies? The overseas Wallabies? The exiled Wallabies? The mercenary Wallabies? The illegitimate Wallabies may be a bit too personal, although some Roarers might well warm to a variation of that descriptor for some of the players named here.
15 James O’Connor (London Irish)
14 Drew Mitchell (Toulon)
13 Andrew Smith (Munster)
12 Matt Giteau (Toulon)
11 Digby Ioane (Stade Francais)
10 Brock James (Clermont Auvergne)
9 Richard Kingi (Stade Francais)
8 Leroy Houston (Bath)
7 George Smith (Suntory Sungoliath)
6 Peter Kimlin (Grenoble)
5 Kane Douglas (Leinster)
4 Mark Chisholm (Bayonne)
3 Salesi Ma’Afu (Northampton Saints)
2 James Hilterbrand (Edinburgh)
1 Ben Whittaker (Biarritz Olympique)
16 Huia Edmonds (Gloucester)
17 Dayna Edwards (Grenoble)
18 Keiran Longbottom (Saracens)
19 Dean Mumm (Exeter Chiefs)
20 David Lyons (Stade Francais)
21 Brett Sheehan (Wasps)
22 Berrick Barnes (Panasonic Wild Knights)
23 Alfie Mafi (Brive)
Remaining squad
Sitaleki Timani (Montpellier), Julian Salvi (Leicester Tigers), Henry Vanderglas (Grenoble), Jono Jenkins (Narbonne), Patrick Phipps (London Irish), Blair Connor (Bordeau Begles), Brackin Karauria-Henry (NTT Shining Arcs)
Coaches
Les Kiss (Ireland) – Head
Matt Taylor (Scotland) – Defence
Phil Mooney (Panasonic Wild Knights) – Skills
Patricio Noriega (Bayonne) – Forwards
Who would captain? How would this team go against the stay-at-home Wallabies? I found it difficult to find hookers and props. Did I overlook any players?
Kiwis have a much more difficult task selecting a team of exiled players and could probably put together two or three different teams. But could they put together a team that could beat the mighty Wallaby exiles?
Hoges
Guest
Dear God!!!!! With a name like Moreton Bait surely you cannot suggest giving a gold jumper to Leroy Houston again!!! Ever!!!! even as present!!! David Lyons may be a thousand years old, but I'd take him in a heartbeat.
Rugby is Life
Guest
Now there is a good game. AB v Wallaby exiles. Just needs a promoter.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Those leaving NZ often do it for money and job security Dan. Im pretty sure that Boks, ABs, Wallabies and other fringe players have turned their backs on the national jersey to go overseas. People like you just like to think that anyone going overseas is no good. Thats wrong.
Argyle
Roar Guru
I am who I am. To those would be lady killers in Hong Kong knowing that The Truth is about to hit their shore - I Pity the fools ;)
expathack
Guest
Given Timani was a perrenial starter for the Wallabies, yet can't even seem to make your match day 23, I'd say all our best locks are overseas. Or someone has got their selections wrong (you or dingo) Still can't believe Ma'afu is starting prop for England's premiership winning team!!!!
Gasparin
Guest
Dr Love and The Truth, hey? Who are you Uncle Argyle? Who are you, goddamnit!? Only the women of Hong Kong will benefit from his absence.
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Thanks Scrumman, I completely missed him. He must be playing in French Div 2 But he'd obviously go into the starting XV and Whittaker to the bench or cover for Prop Thanks. Let me know if you find any Props.
Scrumman
Guest
Cannot understand the Hooker selections. Having spent the last 6 months in UK and Europe you cannot go past John Ulugia (Former Waratahs) at Borg En Bresse (just signed with Clerment) as the absolute standout Australian Hooker playing overseas.
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Sheehan was signed by London Wasps and been there for the past 6 months. http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps34271.ink I think Johannson is back in Melbourne
Denby
Roar Rookie
It is a real shame. Alofa is extremely talented but it is tough to get a gig as an outside back in Australia. The Tahs have Crawford, Horne, Izzy, Volavola, Betham and that new massive Fijian unit.
Scrumpoacher
Guest
an ok team but still, don't let it happen ARU. Brett Sheehan has retired hasn't he?
Denby
Roar Rookie
Excellent article. What about Lloyd Johanson? Not sure if he is still playing. He was going to be the next Mortlock, then close lined the real Mortlock & left for Europe. I saw him for the Rebels but he looked very out of shape.
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Richie, I don;t think he did either. Thanks for that link Rob. What a terrific, insightful article by Clyde!!
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Yes there are few more around, but not too many that I could find on this exercise. Ben Hand, Cam Treloar, Tyrone Smith, Josh Valentine Rocky Elsom is recovering at Narbonne and I don't think has played for a long time. Of course the numbers are constantly changing.
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Leroy Houston has had a good season at Bath. Herer's a quotation from a recent article: "Houston, 27, has proven himself to be one of the most destructive ball carriers in the Premiership during a fine first season at Bath." Read more: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Number-Leroy-Houston-sees-European-power-shift/story-21093888-detail/story.html#ixzz33v7jJ4kO Ma'Afu has anchored the scrum of the team that won the Aviva premiership this year. I'll say that again!! An Australian tight head prop played the season in English conditions against Northern scrums in the scrum that won the premiership.
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Thanks snowman and Toby. Sorry I did originally leave Mowen out but have updated the list at the top of the thread. I have put Sita Timani in as a sub behind Douglas and Kimlin. I saw him come on as a sub recently for Montpelier and perform in a less-than-devastating manner……but he remains a damned BIG unit!
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Yes seems that there will be about half a dozen good potential players ineligible. Probably will remain the case for the next few years and as the playing base expands the number of ineligibles will increase .
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Yes the money is obviously a big consideration. Also some of these players enjoy the game and find new friends, lifestyles and build very successful careers doing what they love. Julian Salvi is very highly regarded and has been nominated as best British player of the year for a couple of years Brock James has become almost a legend in french rugby George Smith is legend wherever he plays Fame , fortune, plaudits, adulation can be found, and re-found, by some players
Argyle
Roar Guru
If Charlie Brazier is still playing in Singapore I reckon he could be a smokey... I also hear that Dan Petrie is moving to Hong Kong and Dr Love may he New Zealand bound. These gents could give the exiles some Blue Giant class.
Rebel
Guest
Wow, you are a long time retired. Maybe he will do a Vickerman. Welcome back down at the rebels any time.