With so many Wallabies departing the Australian rugby scene after the World Cup in November I decided to try and identify the next breed of Wallabies by selecting an uncapped Wallabies XV.
Players can come from Super Rugby, NRC or club rugby, must be eligible to play for Australia and must be uncapped.
Coaches are still the same, with Michael Cheika at the helm and Stephen Larkham and Nathan Grey as his assistants. As a result, I favoured players whose style of play fits into Cheika’s game plan.
1. Toby Smith 2. Pat Leafa 3. Sam Talakai Reserves 16. Tolu Latu 17. Fangeese 18. Jeremy Tilse
I’ll kick this off with the front rowers. The Reds and Rebels are doing well with their recruiting and blooding of front rowers, and I believe that these two teams will lay the foundation for the Wallaby scrum over the next few years.
4. Dave McDuling 5. Rory Arnold Reserve 19. Sam Jeffries
Second row depth in Australia is really starting to pick up again, as injuries to older players have provided younger players the opportunity to gain Super Rugby experience. Rory Arnold has been particularly strong for the Brumbies alongside another young second rower, Sam Carter.
6. Lopeti Timani 7. Jarrad Butler 8. Ita Veua Reserve 20. Angus Cottrell
Back row stocks in Australia have unenviable depth at the moment and this bodes well heading into the future. Not only do we have some powerful runners in Lopeti Timani and Ita Veua but we also have the hard grafters in the likes of Chris Alcock, Jarrad Butler and Angus Cottrell.
9. Nic Stirzaker Reserve 21. Nick Frisby
Scrum-half is another position that is looking strong for Australia going forward. In Nic Stirzacker and Nic Frisby we have two very good attacking halves that have a good passing, running and defending games.
10. Jack Debreczeni
Flyhalf is a position with not as much uncapped depth as others. One concern for all Super Rugby teams besides the Rebels is that they have not spent the last two years blooding players at flyhalf. This is especially the case at the Reds and Waratahs, with the coaching staff preferring to use utility players, such as Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor, as backups. The Rebels have led the way in the area by developing rising players Jack Debreczeni and Bryce Hegarty.
12. Samu Kerevi 13. Kyle Godwin Reserve 22. Mitch Inman
The Australian franchises are slowly developing some depth in the centre position, with Mitch Inman and Samu Kerevi making big inroads this year. Kyle Godwin is another talented youngster and other players worth a mention are Sam Johnson (Reds) and Jim Stewart (Sydney Stars).
11. Cam Magnay 15. Jonah Placid 14. Chris Kuridrani Reserve 23. Robbie Coleman
The fullback and wing positions have been a breeding ground for young talent over the past few years and these players are certain to push for Wallaby selection in the coming years. Chris Kurindrani and Campbell Magnay are both players of the future and have shown considerable improvement this year despite playing for a struggling Reds side.
Taqele Naiyaravoro of the Waratahs is starting to look more comfortable on the rugby field and will be better for a season under his belt. Dom Shipperley has been good for the Rebels however he earned his first Wallaby cap in 2012 so is ineligible for this team. I’m also really looking forward to seeing Jonah Placid and Karmichael Hunt out on the field for their respective teams.
Thanks for reading Roarers! Please submit your own teams for discussion.
Brian USA
Guest
1. Smith 2. Latu 3. Talakai 4. Arnold 5. L Timani 6. Cottrell 7. Butler 8. Vaea 9. Stirzaker 10. Debricini 11. C Kuridrani 12. Godwin 13. Kerevi 14. Naiyaravoro 15. Hunt 16. Lefea 17. Fangeese 18. Alo Emile 19. Wykes 20. Browning 21. Frisby 22. Carraro 23. Placid Some minor differences, but overall pretty similar opinions
Rugby stu
Guest
I would really love to see a team like this picked. Makes me realise whatever happened to the "Australia A" team it really added so much depth to the wallabies having a second string team that toured.
Birdy
Guest
I suspect the 'next generation' of Wallabies are currently playing in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and NZ.
cashead
Roar Rookie
A failure to retain players would also probably be symptomatic of the financial woes that has plagued the ARU for some time now. It wasn't just top-level players leaving, but also the depth as well.
pick & go..!!
Guest
1. Mike Alaalatoa 2. Pat Leafa 3. Sam Talakai 4. Adam Coleman 5. Sam Lousi/Lopeti Timani 6. Angus Cottrell 7. Jarrad Butler 8. Ita Vaea 9. Nick Frisby 10. Jack Debreczeni 12. Jono Lance 13. Samu Kerevi 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro 14. Tom English 15. Cam Crawford
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for the post Karl. Cool question. I would like to see Wykes form as a WB.
AndyS
Guest
That's what happens when they scrap the Aus A program and have to cap a player to see if he has what it takes.
Nabley
Guest
I think you indirectly highlight the real problem with the Wallabies have, is that too many have been capped and quickly discarded.
Joeys 78
Guest
Wrong again, you are talking about his brother who now plays his football in France.
Joeys 78
Guest
Kellaway, brilliant schoolboy fullback from Scots, who now has a rookie contract with the Tahs. A true talent.
Joeys 78
Guest
Godwin, Aussie Schools reserve fly half 2009, same side that included Jones, Gill and Stirzaker. I recall he was renowned for being selected from WA, but really wasn't any great shakes even then. Under the current regime at the Force is destined to only to be a serviceable provincial player. The John Weatherston of the modern game (though Weatherston did manage a test match !)
Not Bothered
Guest
Carraro at 13 and Inman at 12.
Not Bothered
Guest
He isnt a 12, hes a much better 13 imo. Could develop into a good outside centre in a few years but hes a long way off international standard imo. He was taken as a developmental player in 2014 on the NH despite having many better players ahead of him and I feel he will be surpased by others and struggle to get much of a go in gold, especially at 12.
Raytah
Guest
1. Smith 2. Siliva Siliva 3. Alo Emile 4. Arnold 5. Neville 6.Cottrell 7. Faiinga 8. Timani 9. Stirzaker 10. Debraczeni 11.English 12. Godwin 13. Kerevi 14. Naivalu 15. Hunt 16. Alaalatoa A. 17. Talakai 18. Latu 19. Coleman 20. Vaea 21. Butler 22. Frisby 23. Inman
BlueBlood
Guest
1)Gillespie 2) Latu 3) ??? 4) Arnold 5) Timani 6) Cottrell 7) Butler 8) Vae 9) Stirzaker 10) Debrecini 11) Coleman 12) Godwin 13) Innman 14) Kellaway 15) Placid
Sammy
Guest
It seems that our future Wallabies are going to be from players who have shifted to Australia due to lack of opportunities in their own countries. I have nothing against that but what's happened to our grass roots development that we can no longer produce players. After all we won the World Cup in 1991 with a fully amateur base and locally developed players. That's my thought for the day. Off to the races!
Karl K
Guest
Nice team Selector! I'd forgotten about the Aalatoa brothers. How great has the NRC already been for aus rugby depth? Not only has it uncovered new talent to shine, but also laid the groundwork for the Rising to continue their form into Super rugby. Fair point eaglejack, Godwin did originally start as a flyhalf I think?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Agree with your names, but would have Godwin at 12. He is simply not a 13, and the sooner this little experiment known as a "Michael Foley special" ends, the better it will be for Godwin's development in the long run.
Selector
Guest
Smith Latu Alo Emile Arnold Timani Cottrell Butler Vaea Stirzaker Debrecini Kurindrani Godwin Kerevi Placid Hunt Leafa Alaatoa Talaki Coleman Gray Frisby Inman Naiyaravaro
boonzie
Guest
Nic Stirzaker must be getting close! his service looks pretty sharp