Rugby season for Australia is over, Christmas is approaching, and Scott Allen has retired… so it’s understandable that traffic on The Roar is trickling down into slender stream.
Encouraged by the general non-negativity and somewhat healthy opinions voiced on my first post on the Wallabies of 2014, I thought I would try to energise the crowd with a hypothetical (and almost impossible) emergency scenario for 2015.
Part of the reason for this would be for the pure fun of it, another that as someone outside of Oz, I really don’t have much opportunity to get to see the non-Wallaby contenders in action outside of limited Super Rugby matches on TV.
I hope that those who have a much better insight into the rugby scene in Oz can share their views on the up-and-coming players in Australia. Finally, I hope it might add a little positivity to the generally negative atmosphere surrounding the Australian rugby scene, to perhaps give some thought on the increased player depth and availability.
So here goes… What if the all the starting 23 on the Wallabies’ 2014 end-of-year tour became unavailable for the 2015 Test season due to injuries or other reasons?
Despite such an unprecedented disaster, Australia would still need to be represented during the Rugby Championship and the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Who would you include in your Emergency Wallabies 23?
The following is my offering, based on my limited information and the simple rule that the players who played any minutes during the 2014 EOYT would not be available for selection.
1. Scott Sio
I’m cheating a little here, assuming that he returns to full fitness and form. Don’t think many would disagree that he would be a handy loosehead prop to have.
2. Stephen Moore (c)
Definitely cheating here. Who wouldn’t want him back at 2?
3. Greg Holmes
I personally think he is the most solid tighthead prop in Australia, despite the Reds’ failings at other aspects of forward play in 2014.
4. Sam Wykes
Thought he was one of the more impressive performers in the Force’s strong pack in 2014.
5. Cadeyrn Neville
Another lock that has been talked about as an option for Australia in recent years. Put in some very good performances for the Rebels and Spirit.
6. Tala Gray
I have been hearing a lot about him, and with experience in France as well, would be interesting to see how he performs.
7. David Pocock
Hooray!
8. Fotu Aelua
Would love to see how he performs at Test level.
9. Nic Stirzaker
What is it with scrum halves and the name Nic(k)? I would definitely love to see how he performs. Fast, penetrative, good kicking. I think he has the potential to fight into the actual first 23.
10. Jack Debreczeni
Built so differently from the normal Australian number 10… so looks like a solid prospect. And that boot!
11. Luke Morahan
One of those unlucky ones, not given much opportunity to show what he is capable of.
12. Kyle Godwin
Finally a chance to show what he is capable of on the Test stage?
13. Samu Kerevi
Really exciting and looks like a potential to emulate Tevita Kuridrani.
14. Chris Feauai-sautia
Another who has shown glimpses of what he is capable of on the Test stage in the past, but always unfortunately injured at the wrong time.
15. James O’Connor
Say what you want, but he has always been one of Australia’s best backs on the pitch. Also a much better kicker, catcher and sprinter than the 2014 back three alternatives.
16. Tolu Latu
Unfortunately missed his chance to show what he can do at Test level in 2014.
17. Pek Cowan
Can do better than the glimpses we saw early in 2014.
18. Laurie Weeks
Missed the end-of-year tour, but would be welcome back into the team.
19. Stephen Hoiles
I thought he was really solid during Super Rugby. I would have him over Dave Dennis.
20. Liam Gill
Come on Liam, we know you can perform! Remember that line-out take against the BIL in 2013 in his limited time on the field?
21. Nick Frisby
Has been showing what he can do at NRC and Super Rugby level. Would be interesting to see how Will Genia fights him off at the Reds in 2015.
22. Bryce Hegarty
I thought he did pretty okay in Super Rugby. And he is really, really fast. I remember a couple of try-saving situations with his chasing back.
23. Jessie Mogg
Incredible pace and big boot. Just needs to be more consistent and lose the meltdowns.
There you have it. What would be your Emergency Wallabies 23?
Bfc
Guest
A talent laden back line...but as with most rugby we need the pack to dominate first. But crikey, a back line of Hunt, JOC, F-Sautia, Kerevi, Tapuai outside of QC, Genia/ Frisby certainly is a 'mouth watering' prospect.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers jez Adsa. Would good to see JOC & Special K in action. I will be watching the pack too
Loxie
Guest
Imagine having a15 who can actually kick more than 15m. He has the potential to fix the issue of getting out of our own red zone and we can finally get Izzy playing where he belongs, on the wing. Here's hoping he quickly finds his feet.
LikesRugby
Guest
Hi Adsa, nice choices. Considered quite a few of them as well. I didn't include Hanson, Jones because they played on EOYT.
LikesRugby
Guest
High Peter, just for a bit of fun. If Oz really lost the first 23, there is no way (probably) they would be able to perform at TRC or RWC.
LikesRugby
Guest
Yikes, I completely forgot about Betham! But... I shall stick to my choices.
Adsa
Guest
1. Pek Cowan 2. James Hanson 3. Laurie Weekes 4. Luke Jones 5. Cadyn Neville 6. Liam Gill 7. Angus Cotterel 8. Tala Grey 9. Nick Frisby 10. CLF 11. Robbie Coleman 12. Luke Inman 13. S Kerevi 14. Luke Morahan 15. JOC
Adsa
Guest
Jez Graham signed JOC as a winger. RobC Thanks for posting that, can't wait to see SpecialK in action for the Reds.
Trev
Guest
G Holmes is ahead in his recovery and will be ready for trials
jeznez
Roar Guru
Good stuff, they seem to be looking at him for FB. Has there been any indication yet, where JOC will play?
RobC
Roar Guru
Looks like Hunt has a handy boot. Kicked crossfield from his own 20m and hit the 5m from tryline on the other side! http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/karmichael-hunt-makes-strong-impression-in-first-hit-out-for-queensland-reds/story-fnii0ksb-1227163050908
peter hughes
Guest
good team - would probly do ok in the Super comp but not against any of the top 10 rugby nations imo
RobC
Roar Guru
Kotze is good, but 7cm too short and 15kg too light for internationals as the monster guy
ethan
Guest
Definitely not Haylett Petty at 15. He is a better wing, because there he doesn't have to worry about passing or kicking much. When he tries those things he makes too many errors. I can see what you like about him, but he is far too streaky.
ethan
Guest
Reds have a big scary monster lock in the form of Kotze. A big damaging south africa bloke. Was excellent in the NRC. Probably only 4th in the pecking order atm though, behind Simmons, Horwill and McDuling. Not to mention O'Donoghue, who is quality as well. Kotze the only bloke of the bunch that could possibly fit the scary monster lock description. Could he be the Reds Potgeiter?
ethan
Guest
Great list! A bit of fun. From your list I would eliminate: Tala Gray (solid form in NRC but yet to show his wares in Super Rugby). I'd place Hoiles, Cottrel and Alcock ahead of him. While I like the look of Lopeti Tomani equally as much, if not more so than Gray. Nic Stirzacker (fast, strong running game, decent pass, but a horrendous kicking game. I have Burgess ahead in the pecking order). Jack Debreceni (a solid NRC performance in a winning. looks to run the backline well, and that boot! but still a little timid in the contact zones and was poor in his super rugby showings. plenty of room for growth in the physicality and confidence areas, but I still have Bryce Hegarty ahead of him) Jessy Mogg (no no no no no no. Fast and with a big boot. But the big boot isn't always accurate, and he is still very weak in contact. Didn't even look like he belonged at NRC level this year. I'd pick anyone in the position ahead of him. anyone.)
Karl K
Guest
Id have Talakai, Moore/ Siliva, Holmes, Coleman, McDuling, Robinson, Gill, Timani, Frisby, Debracini, Morohan, Tapuai, Kerevi, Betham, JOC Leafa, Tessman, Weeks, Wykes, Butler, Stirzacker, Harris, CFS
Drongo
Guest
What about Paul Alo Emile - everyone has been singing his praises for yonks. Surely given the gap between Kepu and Alexander this guy deserves a shot? Also like the idea of Jesse Mogg at wing. Apparently he is the fastest Wallaby and we need some speed on the flanks.
RobC
Roar Guru
And btw no means, am I critisizing AAC. He's good on the pitch and not pleased about his departure. I wished he was able to step up into the Cap position when the opportunity arose. I guess it wasnt on.
RobC
Roar Guru
Billy, CFS is by no means perfect, as has learnt enough at his tender age. - He was 19yo when running wide vs Scotland. - If you have seen the match, you may recall there were two sets of lines on his side of the pitch. - CFS mistakenly chose the wrong lighter line. But I stand by CFS: - CFS is similar to JOC, with ball in hand. - Killer finisher and try scorer. - Elusive, runs good lines, and hard to bring down - Defence is solid, esp at 13. His main issue is injury - Fortunately, wing stocks is not the issue for WBs Another mistake CFS made as a 19yo was letting in WLR for a soft try on his wing. But he's not the only one who makes mistakes. AAC, along with many WBs, has had his fare share of fubars. Dropped balls with open field, missed tackles. The Auckland match was a classic example.