My Wallabies team to tour South Africa and Argentina

By Rugby Fixation / Roar Guru

Ewen McKenzie has released his 28-man squad for the tour of South Africa and Argentina, with the players set to prove that the narrow wins at home were deserved.

I was delighted to read Will Genia is back in the squad, as he is our best scrumhalf when fit, as well as the return of Benn Robinson, who was unlucky to have been omitted from the initial squad.

The omission of Will Skelton was a surprise to some, but his match fitness isn’t as tried and tested as other options, and he provides limitations in the lineout.

But there are still far too many familiar faces missing – both from the Test and Super Rugby scene.

With that in mind, I put together my best 23 to face the Springboks and Argentines.

My team and its reserves can consist of any current wallaby, any injured players (e.g. Stephen Moore, David Pocock), any players currently overseas (e.g. Matt Giteau, Digby Ioane) and any player who just hasn’t made the squad through supposed lack of talent (e.g. Jake Schatz, Kyle Godwin).

When considering injured players, think back to their form in their last full game.

1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Kane Douglas
5. James Horwill
6. Michael Hooper
7. David Pocock
8. Ben Mowen
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. James O’Connor
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Henry Speight
15. Israel Folau
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Scott Sio
18. Ben Alexander
19. Will Skelton
20. Scott Higginbotham
21. Nic White
22. Matt Toomua
23. Tevita Kuridrani

Firstly, honourable mentions to Charles, Simmons, Fardy, Palu and McCalman in the forwards. They all had their moments this year, but not enough to warrant selection compared to some others.

Skelton I like for his impact, especially against two big packs, and the locks are easily the biggest headache as I struggled to settle for two that I’d want starting.

For the backs, Bernard Foley was hard to omit, but he isn’t as exciting or dangerous as Cooper or as versatile as Toomua. Same with Nick Phipps – although he has shown dramatic improvement from the player who first hit the big time at the Rebels.

On the wings Nick Cummins and Ioane could have made the pick, but O’Connor is a lot more unpredictable than either and what he lacks in direct running is more than made up for with Speight. Not to mention O’Connor’s overseas appearances eclipsing the skills that Ioane has showcased in France.

To the starting team, the backline is fairly self-explanatory, with a large onus on previously established combinations.

To the forwards, Douglas was chosen for his exceptional form in Super Rugby. He would be starting if he hadn’t headed to Leinster. As for Hooper at 6, this is merely because his presence is so vital to the go-forward ball in the forwards that he had to make the team somewhere, and Pocock obviously fits the bill of a 7 a lot more concisely.

Over to you, Roarers, what team would you pick and why?

The Crowd Says:

2014-09-19T00:39:55+00:00

MARTO

Guest


+1

2014-09-19T00:37:22+00:00

MARTO

Guest


Harry Kearns Daly Eales Giffin Finegan Smith Kefu Farr Jones Larkham Campo Horan Little Roff Burke Mackenzie Foley Crowley Googy Harrision Willy O Latham Lynagh Mortlock

2014-09-19T00:30:05+00:00

MARTO

Guest


KHUNT, KEREVI & F-SAUTIA will be in the MIX for the WALLAS 2015 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP best 23 ... Dont worry about that !!... ...

2014-09-18T12:49:53+00:00

Silver Sovereign

Guest


Kuridrani is a much stronger runner and tackler than AAC nowadays. And he actually looks to pass occasionally. If Ashley Cooper wants a spot in the 15, its on the wing only. Once Tomane and Speight are back and fit, he will move back to the bench.

2014-09-18T08:51:03+00:00

Realist

Guest


Douglas had his chance in Wallaby gold and was terrible. His outing against the Lions in the 3rd test has been listed as the worst performance by a lock in rugby history. Potgeiter on the other hand ........

2014-09-18T08:47:30+00:00

Realist

Guest


It's amazing to see how quickly people forget Pocock's heroics. He is a far more dominant player than Hooper who plays lite. Pocock can completely diffuse the opposition's attack by slowing the ball or stealing it - he's like a rock against the tide. His ability to turn defense into attack is what the Wallabies also need. Hooper does not do this. Pocock's general skill set is also completely underrated (offloads and good hands). I've never seen him done for pace either. He a is much better option than Hooper for test rugby. Hooper has been treated like a ragdoll by SA and NZ and is becoming a liability in defense. He needs to prove he is up to it against the best. Pocock has achieved this, Hooper has not.

2014-09-18T04:49:34+00:00

Train Without A Station

Roar Guru


In attack I rate Beale better for the team. But in contact and in defense I consider him a total liability now. Able to be hidden at Super Rugby level but at test level there's too many strong options, the further out you hide him, the further isolated he is from any support and it only magnifies his weakness. My reasoning behind no Pocock is you should never carry a reserve 7. Your reserve loosie is better being able to cover 2 of the back row positions which a 6 or 8 can, than only 1. In addition a 7 almost always plays 80 minutes. Secondly whilst a quality player himself, I consider him a both a little one dimensional and not suited to how we want to play. We are trying to play like the Reds in 2011 and the Waratahs in 2014 and I don't think he would have fit in either team. So back to my view that he is one dimensional as a player. I don't anybody can argue this, he only has one style he can employ to effect and the issue arises with the inconsistency in officiating. You get a Bryce Lawrence in like in the 2011 RWC QF and he can go to town and be very influential. But then as we saw in 2012 when officials were harder on defending teams at the breakdown he no longer has the same effectiveness. He is by no means a passenger, but he lacks a strength and point of difference to offer. Compare this too Hooper who has shown he can play a strong attacking and support game but also make a lot of pilfers when the conditions suit, he is a bit more flexible in his play and a bit broader in what he offers.

2014-09-18T04:36:03+00:00

Crazy Grey

Guest


Have to pay that comeback. Much better team. I just have a thing for pocock at his best and prefer beale to oconnor on the bench

2014-09-18T03:26:04+00:00

Issac MAw

Guest


QC and KB at 10 and 12 where are you going to hide them when it comes to defense

2014-09-18T02:40:31+00:00

linz22

Guest


I really have no problem with your team, or any of your opinions, just the way you present them. Your team actually looks like a solid well rounded team, so no real disagreement here. The players that i would change are pretty 50/50 in my mind so can't really dispute their inclusion.

2014-09-18T02:21:48+00:00

Rhino

Guest


Good team TWAS. Maybe Higgers for Fardy and Genia for Phipps (swapping run-on and bench roles) but hard to argue with the 23 you've gone with.

2014-09-18T02:17:49+00:00

Rhino

Guest


Nice one pformagg!

2014-09-18T01:22:54+00:00

Smiggle Jiggle

Roar Guru


1. Michael Hooper 2. Michael Hooper 3. Michael Hooper 4. Michael Hooper 5. Michael Hooper 6. Michael Hooper 7. Matt Hodgson 8. Michael Hooper 9. Michael Hooper 10. Michael Hooper 11. Michael Hooper 12. Michael Hooper 13 .Michael Hooper 14. Michael Hooper 15. Michael Hooper 16. Michael Hooper 17. Michael Hooper 18.Michael Hooper 19. Michael Hooper 20.Michael Hooper 21. Michael Hooper 22. Michael Hooper 23. Michael Hooper Because he plays everywhere except at number 7

2014-09-18T01:13:25+00:00

Pugger

Guest


1. James Slipper 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Rob Simmons 5. James Horwill 6. David Pocock 7. Michael Hooper 8. Wycliff Palu 9. Will Genia 10. Quade Cooper 11. James O'Connor 12. Adam Ashley-Cooper 13. Israel Folau 14. Henry Speight 15. Kurtley Beale 16. Stephen Moore 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Will Skelton 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Nick Phipps 22. Bernard Foley 23. Tevita Kurirdani -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.

2014-09-18T00:48:38+00:00

Train Without A Station

Roar Guru


You pick a tight forward on set piece before you pick your 8 on set piece. Really? Are they two different 7s? One more skillful and a better running player, one more of a breakdown centric player. Neither a line out option. That could very well describe Waugh and Smith or Pocock and Hooper. I'm actually writing one now. Feel free to go to town if you can find holes in it. You know what, just for you I will pick my absolute best team. 1. Slipper - No contest really 2. Moore - Ditto 3. Kepu - He's our strongest scrummaging prop, the most important element of a tight head prop. He has imposed himself on games more in the last 12 months and has more work to do, but ultimately is our strongest current option 4. Simmons - he's our strongest line out lock and gets through a lot of work. His involvements and impacts have improved over the last year too.The LH lock is the less physical of the two. He has improved his game in the last 12 months also, though to ever get to number 1 for the Wallabies, he needs to improve further or somebody needs to overtake him. 5. Horwill - I thought Carter was the best option at the start of the season though now I disagree as he has struggled to show form consistently at international level. 6. Fardy - Fardy is in a team to do a role and he does it well. He's a strong line out option, competes heavily at the breakdown, is able to run in the wider channels and is a strong defender. 7. Michael Hooper - Hooper has the ability to be strong at the breakdown (most pilfers of all test players in 2013) but also can play a different style like in 2014 when he has run the ball more as we need him too. A strong and dominant defender and a high work rate player. Could be stronger over the ball, but as he is playing that role less in 2014, this appears to be a coaching instruction to do it less. 8. Palu - I've almost given up on him due to injury but no option has presented his consistency at any level. Higginbotham was poor at times during Super Rugby and when significant time off the bench on the weekend against our weakest opposition, he had his worst performance. 9. Phipps - As a Queenslander I almost leant towards Genia but his form was bad at times this season and his attitude a lot worse. Phipps gets the ball out fast and puts it in front of the man. For all the flack he cops about his pass, he put less to ground than White did. 10. Cooper - I consider him our best 10 available. Has all the attributes and is a more dominant playmaker and leader than Foley 11. Henry Speight - Now this is an uncertainty to me as we have never seen Speight perform at test level. Carter was our best lock and failed to perform so what's to say that won't happen to Speight? I'm opting for him anyway. 12. Matt To'omua - Our strongest kicker in general player, our strongest backline defender and a good straight running option. In addition he has the skills to already have played test footy at 10. Was lethal in combination with QC. 13. Kuridrani - Gets go forward, makes hits, gets over the line. AAC was better in Super Rugby but the bigger bulk is needed in the centers at test level when we don't have any large 12's pressing a strong claim. 14. AAC - Plays with even more enthusiasm on the wing. A leader and solid performer. Also provides a cool head 15. Folau - Not a lot of contest here 16. TPN - 2nd best hooker easily 17. Sio - 2nd best loosehead easily 18. Alexander - Longbottem was close in 2014, but Alexendar has consistently been our second best. I would possibly consider Greg Holmes too. 19. Jones - One of the strongest performing locks in 2014 after a strong 2013. Will only get better. Ultimately may be a starting 6 option down the track but has the ability to play tight and loose at times, is a good line out option without being great. Also has the flexibility to play at lock or 6 allowing for 2 back row subs if the locks are performing well. FYI Skelton would currently be my 4th choice lock and Carter my 5th choice. 20. Higginbotham - Probably our most athletically talented forward. Lacks in work rate at times but makes up for it in the impact he can have. Doesn't do enough breakdown work to compete with some of the other 6 options in world rugby. 21. Genia - Probably our best overall halfback and can offer a lot off the bench. 22. Foley - Beale's defense is not adequate to be on a test rugby field. No matter where he is hidden he can be found and exploited as we found out in Auckland. CAN offer a lot with ball in hand, can also be prone to moving laterally too much and cramping space. Foley showed a lot as a sub in 2013 and 2014 and performed strongly as an individual last game but lacked play making instincts at times. 23. O'Conner - More talented than most in the starting team but at times I think he looks good individually at the expense of the team collectively. I haven't considered Douglas and Mowen, not just because they are leaving/have left but because they simply didn't show they were anything more than back up options in 2013 anyway. Douglas has performed a little better but was terrible against the Lions in his last starting chance and Mowen has probably been less influential than he was last year. If I was going to consider any other overseas players it would be Peter Kimlin.

2014-09-18T00:15:28+00:00

linz22

Guest


You come across as a tad pretentious. One minute you are criticising the lack of line out options/experts, and the next you are having a go at Mowen playing at 8? Love the way you state the obvious as though its some pearl of wisdom that only you are privy to, i mean who knew Hooper did not play 6? Sure the two 7s option did not work in the past, but these are two very different 7s. let me know when you write an article so i can start my comment with a "haha that will just about do me" because there is nothing wrong with a bit of fun speculation on an off week.

2014-09-18T00:10:18+00:00

Tommo

Guest


OK, yes interesting; perhaps it would have been more interesting to do a best current team, without including injured players and focussing on form a bit more... would of definitely been more relevant; in which case (if european and japanese selection were allowed) i think the team would go down as such: 1. Slipper 2. Hanson 3. Kepu 4. Douglas 5. Horwill 6. Higginbotham 7. Hooper 8. McCalman (Mowan's only played 2 games so far...) 9. Phipps 10. Foley 11. Cummins 12. Giteau 13. AAC. 14. Tomane 15. Folau 16. Fiangaa 17. Sio 18. Longbottom 19. Simmons 20. Mowan 21. White 22. Beale 23. O'Connor Thats about the best I can think of, except maybe replacing O'connor with someone else, for the simple fact that he's a tosser who has never played for a successful team (in all seriousness, Force, Rebels and Irish were all crap, Toulon struggling without wilkinson, and have only won 1 game when O'connor has played more than 30 mins ;) )

2014-09-18T00:08:08+00:00

Really

Guest


Woah, for allowing the option of picking every wallaby player ever that is a terrible team. Half the forward pack are passengers who hang out in the backs more often then in the contact area. In addition to that none of the backs are strong enough to penetrate a test level defense. So you have a team unable to penetrate the opposition defensive line, that constantly loses the ball at the breakdown (when pocock isn't there), has no understanding of tactical kicking and has mostly poor fundamentels Also no matt Giteau is a huge omission given that he can play 9 10 12 and 15 to test standard That team would be destroyed by every top 6 team in the world

2014-09-17T23:58:21+00:00

Simon Bedard

Roar Pro


I get the wishlist approach, and it is fun to dream......how much is lotto this weekend? BUT...what is your suggested team with who is available? Personally I think having AAC back is a good thing, but I am really glad to see Robinson given a go, and Tomane back in the team. Tomane was excellent on the tour last year, and his last hit out for the Brumbies was awesome. He's big, strong, and runs hard. Linking up with Kurindrani could be really dangerous in attack. I have every belief that the Wallabies have the talent and the game plan to win in SA. But of late the inability to manage basic skills and execute on the game plan sees them falling well short of their potential (see Scott Allen's latest article). My tip is SA to win by more than 15.

2014-09-17T23:17:11+00:00

Magic Sponge

Guest


A tah less pack will see the boks slaughter this side. Boks by30

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