Now that the Australian teams’ involvement in Super Rugby is complete the Wallabies Rugby World Cup 31-man squad is due to be named.
I would like to show what such a squad based only on Super Rugby form would look like.
Of course in reality other considerations are more important, like consistently good international form and the skills to implement the coaches desired game plan.
However this exercise is useful to help gauge how many of the players chosen in the final squad were in good Super Rugby form.
I have used The Roar posters’ ratings in determining form over the season and not my personal evaluations.
The squad is of 31 players. I am assuming it will be 18 forwards and 13 backs broken up as follows.
The forwards: 5 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks, 2 blindside flankers, 2 openside flankers, and 2 no 8s.
The backs: 3 halfbacks, 2 fly-halves and the best in every other position, with the remaining 3 players chosen covering more than 1 position.
All the players per position will be listed in order of their player scores for their form.
Forwards
Tighthead props – Sekope Kepu, Greg Holmes, Paul Alo-Emile. Kepu and Holmes are very close in scores the difference is negligible
Loosehead props – Scott Sio, James Slipper. Sio and Slipper are very close in scores the difference is negligible
Alo-Emile was chosen as the fifth prop as the next best of either tighthead or loosehead props.
Hookers – James Hanson, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polotau-Nau. The only hooker in form is James Hanson, all others have relatively low scores.
Locks – Will Skelton, Luke Jones, Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold. Coleman and Arnold are very close in scores the difference is negligible and if Rob Simmons was chosen for his experience and set piece skills either could be dropped.
Lopeti Timani is rated second but since he did not make the train-on squad he has been excluded.
Blindside flanker – Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fardy. Note Higginbotham did play 8 but on scores we ended up with 3 no 8’s on form and 1 blindside flanker and since Higginbotham plays 6 as well he was moved.
Openside flanker – David Pocock, Liam Gill.
No 8 – Ita Vaea, Wycliff Palu. Note if Matt Giteau was chosen as the third halfback, and a utility and a 19th forward was chosen, Sean McMahon would be the next forward chosen by ratings.
Notable exclusions – Benn Alexander, Benn Robinson, Lopeti Timani, Rob Simmons, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, Ben McCalman
Backs
Scrum halves – Will Genia, Nic White, Nick Phipps. The only halfbacks in form are Will Genia and Nic Stirzaker, all others have relatively low scores
Nic Stirzaker is rated second but since he did not make the train-on squad he has been excluded.
Fly-halves – Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley.
Inside centre – Samu Kerevi, Christian Lealiifano
Outside centre – Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper
Fullback – Israel Folau
Wing – Joe Tomane, Rob Horne
Utility – James O’Connor
The last remaining spot is very close in score between Taqele Naiyaravoro, Henry Speight and James O’Connor. I chose James O’Connor because he is a utility player and a goal kicker. He is also a good kicker in general play.
If Matt Giteau was chosen as the third halfback and as a utility player, then one of these wingers could be chosen, or an extra forward.
Notable exclusions – Nic Stirzaker, Matt Toomua, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Henry Speight
steve
Guest
Bazza, your not serious. Based on current form Hansen is better than Moore and I couldnt see Hansen in the squad, let alone 1stXV. Pocock...possibly, so I will give you that. Cooper wont make the Aussie team so wouldn't even be in the squad. Holmes...unfortunately the best choice for Aust...but this only shows how weak we've become. In 1991 there were 8 Wallabies that would have made the All Black team. In 1999 there were 6 Wallabies. 2015 there is 1 (possibly 2). To go with this, on both '91 and '99 we had coaches that were focused solely on the Wallabies and the World cup. There was no other distractions such as State Rugby team. This is why we are kidding ourselves if we think we have a chance.
bazza
Guest
Moore would make it.. New zullannd doesn`t have any world class hookers, Pocock would make it easily..Cooper is better than the turnstyles playing now Barrett and Carter etc etc..Holmes would make it at tighthead ..the list goes on and on and on.
bazza
Guest
He threw in the towell after one year at the REDS.. He is a quitter
Shane D
Roar Rookie
After a 72 hour stand down so Giteau could be your reserve halfback at any stage. It's not the major injury that worries me though & it's this scenario that seems to get forgotten. What if Genia picks up a 2 week injury early in the pool round? A common injury like a hammy or a head knock. Do you rely on a part timer in Giteau to cover 9 while Genia recovers so he is available for the knock out rounds? Remember who is in your pool, every game is going to be important. Or do you replace Genia with another specialist 9 & therefore lose him for the knock out rounds even though he will have recovered by then?
Brian USA
Guest
My team: 1. Slipper 2. Moore 3. Kepu 4. Skelton 5. Simmons 6. Fardy 7. Pocock 8. Higgers 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Horne 12. Toomua 13. Kuridrani 14. JOC 15. Folau 16. Hansen 17. Sio 18. Holmes 19. Horwill 20. Hooper 21. Phipps 22. Foley 23. Giteau
Brian USA
Guest
There was an article a few weeks back where it asked people from NZ and SA to pick the best Wallaby squad. Nearly every single response had Cooper over Foley. After I tallied up the votes, the squad picked by people from NZ/SA was: 1. Slipper (Sio was next with 9 less votes) 2. Moore (TPN was next with 10 less votes) 3. Kepu (Holmes was next with 13 less votes) 4. Skelton 5. Simmons (Coleman and Arnold had the next highest vote count with 2 votes each) 6. Fardy (Higgers was next with 4 less votes) 7. Pocock (Gill was next with 15 less votes) 8. Higgers (Palu had one less vote, but Higgers had a lot of votes at 6) 9. Genia (Phipps was next with 14 less votes) 10. Cooper (Foley was next with 12 less votes) 11. JOC (Horne only had 1 less vote) 12. Giteau (Toomua had 3 less votes) 13. Kuridrani (Was 1 vote away from being unanimous) 14. Speight (AAC 4 votes behind) 15. Folau (JOC 13 votes behind) Most of these players were the majority leaders by a good margin.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
I would much rather Phipps in the squad than Nic White. In the high pressure tests he turns into a kicking and passing nightmare
steve
Guest
THE QUESTION IS: How many Wallabies would make the All Black 1stXV. Folau...end of story. What chance do you really think we have. END OF STORY
RF
Guest
Paul, I used to live in the republic as an expat. Trust me, bok supporters don't give a rats about Foley. The only issue with cooper is, is that he's fragile and I wouldn't recommend MC to play him for the whole game.
RF
Guest
Why not Giteau at 10? I think he's a genuine test number 10 that can execute the basics all day.
RF
Guest
If Hooper get's anywhere near that starting line up we're screwed, same goes for if beale and the benn's get in squad. You could probably add Phipps to that list as well - bloke can't pass. the thing is we know what we're going to get with simmons. He's going to be a powderpuff and give away lazy penalties but he's technically a good forward. I think giving him the right partner will hide a lot of his shortcomings
George
Guest
Based on form you cannot pick the following: Ben Alexander Kurtley Beale James O'Connor The above are drastically out of form & do not merit selection.
SPS
Guest
My team is as follows: Slipper Moore Holmes Skelton Simmons Gill Pocock Higginbotham Genia Cooper Horne Kerevi AAC JOC Folau Reserves: Hanson Kepu Sio Horwill Hooper Giteau Kurandrani Mogg
Sluggy
Roar Guru
"While we on Naiyaravoro why doesn’t Australia try him at 12" Because he has the turning circle of the USS Iowa?
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'd really like to see Kerevi tried out during the RC at 12. He played most of the S15 out of position at centre with a half back as his first five and a hopeless forward pack and was still outstanding. Kuridrani or AAC at centre. Kuridrani has been quiet since his shoulder injury so having the rest before RC should do him good. Same for Speight with his suspension, can get the hand and shoulder injury sorted. Halfback has to be Genia and Cooper at 1st. I like Horne on the wing and possibly AAC/Speight as I think they will be fielding a lot of bombs and will need to be safe. Folau at FB. Wallabies also need to work on their tactical kicking which has been hopeless all around. When the NZ teams hoist a bomb to the wing their is always a contest for the ball whereas when the Oz teams hoist a kick (can't be classified as a bomb) there is almost always either no chasers or no pressure on the receiver. That is why I would prefer Cooper who has a variety of kicks.
Wombat
Guest
I know the squad is hypothetical There's no way that hooper will miss out I can't believe Genia was rated as best 1/2 back either? Beale?? Thinking we probably won't get past pool stage to be honest
Funk
Guest
Ask Reds fans about his character or if he's respected respected.
HandsOffBlack7
Guest
I think Toomua would be the best Wallaby 10. I'm not a big fan of Foley (as well as cooper). I can't see how Quade could have possible scored well against the Tahs, with the flogging they had. He scored a try late in the game, and made a few tackles. Otherwise, I'm not convinced. Hats off to you for replying to comments on your articles too, PeterK! It's good to see!!! cheers.
Akari
Roar Rookie
"He was just a poor character and not respected." On what basis, steve? As far as I know, Eddie Jones have had coaching stints in Japan (currently) and elsewhere (including SA, Italy(?) since he left the Wallabies. He wouldn't have gotten these jobs/appointments if he was of "poor character and not respected".
The Sheriff
Guest
If he can sing and play the guitar he is in like Flynn.