As the time fast approaches for Michael Cheika to select his Wallaby 31 for the World Cup, let’s discuss a realistic squad based on Cheika’s comments, style and selection history.
Many Roarers believe Cheika will select Waratahs players over those from other Australian teams. Firstly, I am certain Cheika will pick who he thinks will best fit his style, regardless of which team they play for.
There is however a danger that Cheika will select a Waratahs’ player over another simply because he is more familiar with them. This is entirely understandable and simply human nature.
I would strongly suggest to him that, should it be a 50/50 call, he should select the non-Waratah player!
A front row of James Slipper, Stephen Moore and Sekope Kepu is the obvious selection, with a backup of Scott Sio, James Hanson and Josh Holmes. Cheika has spoken highly of the Reds’ scrum, despite their poor season, and this has largely been due to their front row.
Tatafu Polota-Nau is an obvious third hooker due to his experience, should he remain injury free.
It’s pretty clear to me that Cheika really wants Will Skelton in the team, and to be fair Skelton has played well this year. This means the other lock needs to be a lineout guru, and there needs to be a further two lineout options in the run on side. So Rob Simmons, Carter and Jones make the list as locks.
In games where Skelton is in the run on side, we will need Scott Fardy at 6 and Scott Higginbotham at 8 to cover at lineout time. Palu’s experience will see him in the squad as the other primary ‘8′. The back up ‘6′ to Fardy might be covered by players who are not specialist ‘6s’, including McCalman.
Which leads us to the 7 debate. The debate brings way too much parochialism.
Firstly, both Mike Hooper and Dave Pocock will be in the 31-man squad. As for who starts in the crucial games, I think it is clear! Australian rugby fans always talk about how great their backs are. Well if they are that great they don’t need to add to this awesome capability with a forward playing a backs role!
And, if you want your magnificent backs to play with the ball, you need your forwards to win and control the ball. For these reasons Pocock is the one to start in the crucial games.
To jump to the second most important question, the ‘10′ debate. My reading of Cheika is that he wants a very creative 10, and the most creative ones currently playing in Australia are Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper. With these two in the squad any further back ups will probably be more conservative players who can also play other positions.
Which leads us to the number ‘12′. Perhaps in the future the Wallabies will have a big ‘12′, but I don’t see it at this World Cup as there is not enough time to prepare someone. The main candidates here are then Matt Toomua and James O’Connor.
The ‘13s’ in the squad should be Tevita Kurindrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rob Horne. With wingers Horne, O’Connor, Henry Speight and Ashley-Cooper.
So the 31 man squad as I see it (with positions covered):
1. Slipper 1/3
2. Moore 2
3. Kepu 3
4. Simmons 4/5
5. Skelton 4/5
6. Fardy 4/5/6
7. Pocock 7/6
8. Higginbotham 8/6
9. Genia 9
10. Cooper 10
11. JOC 11/14/15/12/10
12. Toomua 12/10
13. Kurindrani 13/11/14
14. Horne 14/11/13
15. Folau 15/11/14
16. Sio 1
17. Hanson 2
18. Holmes 3
19. Carter 4/5/6
20. Palu 8
21. Hooper 7
22. White 9
23. Ashley-Cooper 15/14/13/11
24. Foley 10
25. McCalman 8/6
26. Jones 4/5/6
27. Prop 1/3
28. Polota-Nau 2
29. CLL 10/12
30. Speight 11/14
31. Phipps 9
Don’t focus on the hypothetical starting 15. This is just an example of a team for a crucial match against a team with a strong forward pack. Also the positions covered by players are not in any specific order.
So this is the most balanced and capable squad I can come up with.
Scott
Guest
The big danger now is who is the back up Fullback? Surely it cannot be Beale! Could it be Mitchell?
Scott
Guest
UPDATE: As a result of the semi finals, and other influences, it is time to update my Wallaby 31 for the RWC: Tomane in for Speight (with Mitchell now a serious possibility) Giteau in for White and Toomua, even though Phipps and Foley are playing worse Dennis or Arnold in for Carter
ben
Guest
I have my glass half full so after the Brumbies win in Cape Town and Wellington and travel to Sydney to contest the Final Cheika’s mind will focus on 45 Wallabies for the RC Springboks, Argentina and All Black games and then 31 for the RWC squad. Injuries apart a Wallaby RWC Squad could be- Forwards - Slipper, Moore, Kepu, Skelton, Simmons, Fardy, Hooper, Higgenbotham, Backs - Phipps, Foley, Tomane, Toomua, Kurandrani, Ashley-Cooper, Folau. Bench - Sio, Hanson, Smith, Jones, Pocock, White/Genia(unconvinced), Horne, Speight. Add the mix in track suits and as tackle bags – Latu (not TPN), Carter (injured), McCalman (injured), Palu (indifferent), Genia (weary), Kerevi (green), Leali’ifano (talented), O’Connor (if he can find his “mana”) An unconventional call could see Giteau and Mitchell replace Genia/White and O’Connor. I also see a dependable Leali’ifano surviving a two pronged challenge from Cooper and Beale's somewhat indifferent form. Could be adios three amigos see you in Brazil. Only 10 of the above would have started in the last test against England. The addition of Moore, Skelton, Fardy, Higgenbotham, and Toomua to any starting team augers well. Meanwhile some on the bench may well push for starting spots particularly Pocock, Sio and Horne. Alias Smith and Jones may well be overlooked but the replacements will not greatly alter the 31 team dynamic. Alo-Emile, Holmes McMahon and Arnold are outside chances.
Golden
Guest
You do realise that they play on different wings don't you? Speight always plays on the right and Tomane always plays on the left. I don't think they're competing for the same spot in the Wallabies line-up.
Joeys 78
Guest
Again what is the fascination with Horne. Tamane has just scored a hat trick in a final, a player who picks out opportunities like no other and is a true attacking wing. By contrast Horne is a slow, small defensive wing. I just don't get your reluctance to select the better player.
Western Rog
Guest
In addition, at 12 GIteau+ Beale ignores many good players. I think Giteau gets there as a multi position back up and possible starter, but Beale is not good enough to get there, been very poor this year. Kerevi, Godwin, Inman all deserve a spot on the squad as players in better form and with two way play and a brighter future than Beale. I think Haylett-Petty deserves a spot as a back up full back/wing/centre as well. Played very well this year - bright spot in a dull group. Not sure about 18 forwards and 13 backs as the split - seems a little forward heavy
Western Rog
Guest
I think you take Hooper over Hodgson as a back up 7 at your peril. It will happen as he seems to be everyones favourite, but there is no way he is a 7
Scott
Guest
I would add that Moore is one of the best all-round Hookers in the game!
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
The problem with the Wallabies, is there is only one player in all the 31 that can say they are one of the best/are the best in their position, and that is Pocock. No other Wallaby can say that.
Scott
Guest
I think it is close between Tomane and Horne, but for the reasons I have previously mentioned think Horne will get there. Personally I like the Badger, but no form this year.
Joeys 78
Guest
Thanks thoughtful response but can't agree. Tomane is bigger, stronger and quicker than Horne, is also a natural who scores tries (same number as Horne this season. Ok defensively if you remember his form against the British Lions, he missed a tackle or two but that was two years ago and is rarely seen now. Whatsmore, we haven't spoken about Horne's discipline or lack thereof. His recent effort (3 week ban) was unforgiveable, Tomane unlikely to do a similar think. To be frank I prefer Betham to Horne, but then hey my Joeys bias would really be showing up !
Birdy
Guest
I suppose some of the questions will be answered in the RC, Ken. Although, I'm not sure the ABs have a particularly dominant scrum (although always competent) and we don't know what sort of team the Boks and Arg will put out. To me seeing how the Aussie pack shapes up is probably the most interesting aspect of the whole RWC build-up process. I'm less confident than you, Mike and RF that they're going to tear it up come RWC time, but that's the beauty of the tournament - we'll all know as there's no hiding place.
Birdy
Guest
Yeah; I'm not a Barnes 'fan', Muzzo, just think he's a reasonably good ref in the toughest era ever for being a ref. The question is why is there such a perception of ref weakness in general. I do think a lot of it is the speed of the game and the fact that there is a camera up everyone's nose with every decision replayed about a 1,000 times. I'm sure refs with stellar reputations from the past would be slaughtered if they tried to ref the game today. Lots of wrong decisions were simply not seen or recognised in the past. The issue of Aussie refs is weird. There's no reason that I can think of why Australia shouldn't produce its share of top referees. I haven't thought about it much before, but I'm struggling to think of a good Aussie ref even going back. Dickinson, I never really rated. You're in a much better position and much more experience than me in coming up with persuasive reasons, but it's got me stumped looking at it from afar.
Muzzo
Guest
@ Birdy Really mate Barnes is not as well respected as you might think he is, as he does have a reputation of being a little bit of a show pony. OK he did shaft the Kiwi's in 2007, but that is not the only time he has stuffed up, as there are others & not only against New Zealand. I don't rate him, but hopefully with these seminars, World Rugby are putting in place pre World Cup, has some effect, as now a days we do have the technology in place.You were referring to the weakness, in SH refereeing. Do you think that could be directed to the weakness in Australian refereeing, seeing none have selected for the World Cup? I think so, as some of the decision making by Australian ref's over this last season, has not been, classed as good. It's about time Pulver, used his weight & start the procedure of getting the ref's up to scratch. It really has been a problem for quite a few years, as I myself experienced in a Sydney Union management back in the 90's.
Scott
Guest
Thank you Tony. The big question is will Cheika select the three overseas players? Smith, as great as he is, has more competition than Mitchell and Giteau. I can see Giteau coming in to replace say White and CLL. Not so certain about Mitchell.
Tony O'Donoghue
Guest
probably the most clear-sighted prediction I've seen so far. don't agree with all of them, but respect the vision. that's a pretty good team. probably the best we have fielded (including reserves) since 2003
Ken
Guest
I agree i think the Wallabies " FINALLY "will have it`s best set piece since 2001...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Horwill was one of the best locks in the world 2010-2013
Scott
Guest
I think Timani would be a great 8/6, hopefully next year. Unfortunately for this squad I don't see him displacing Palu, Higginbotham, McCalman or Fardy.
mess
Guest
you can't trust these stats.. i once read ina pre match program that richie grey was 6ft 3... nayone that knows will tell you Richie Grey is about 6ft 11... i've met Horne and he's definitely tall enough to be regarded as a big man... i'd say 6ft 2/3 and he looks bigger than 92kgs... if he's not 100kgs i'd be surprised.. he's definitely 95kg+