Many of us have strong opinions on who should be selected in the Wallaby line-up.
To change things up I’ve decided to put forward what the Wallaby line-up will be, rather than what I think it should be.
So who will Michael Cheika select come just after lunch Thursday?
The answer is to start by accepting that Stephen Moore as captain will obviously start at hooker and that both his deputies will be in the starting XV somewhere.
I think we then need to draw parallels with the style of side selected at the Waratahs and to then see which players from other franchises better suit the role or indeed are currently in better form.
In the case of a few it may be that they have the potential to be better rather than outright better at the moment.
Someone like Matt Giteau, if selected, will be chosen on a leap of faith. For others they are lucky that a couple of the incumbent Waratah playmakers finished on a bad note in their semi-final.
This is what I’ve come up with as the most likely side that Michael Cheika will name.
1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore (c)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Will Skelton
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper (vc)
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Rob Horne
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc)
15. Israel Folau
At the end of the day all that matters is that Cheika picks the guys he knows will produce the performance he wants under his game plan. We all know what it will be because his style has changed very little since his days at Leinster.
The side above will most likely be the side he believes will carry out his plan against South Africa at Suncorp come Saturday.
We can’t be certain that this is the side Cheika will go with or continue to go with in 2015 but at this stage it seems the most likely.
The only thing we can be certain of is that the three leaders are locked in as starting XV players for 2015 so long as they stay fit.
Realist
Guest
"This is what I’ve come up with as the most likely side that Michael Cheika will name." Sure you came up with that. Classic Essa narcissism
Gonzo
Guest
You mistake objectivity for negativity. You hear only what you want to hear, and dismiss the rest.
Jerry
Guest
It's so they can recreate that "Doctor? Doctor." etc scene from Spies Like Us but with captains.
Gonzo
Guest
I'm confused as to why there are so many damn captains. The ABs have a leadership group, which I suspect the Wallabies have as well. Why formalise it? Just strange.
Gonzo
Guest
I'm the only Gonzo on here mate.
Gonzo
Guest
LOL. Michael is just offering up so much bait in his justifications. I feel bad having a dig but the logic is just... woeful. Folau: "Horne, you got the back mate, I'm going to have a dig up front" Horne: "Gits, cover me mate, Folau needs me up front" Giteau: "I'm covering blind, so I can run at Matfield" AAC: "Fellas, pass me the damn ball will ya" Cooper: "Hell no bro, you never give it back" Folau: "Who's at the back?" Greg Clark: "....and Habana has chipped the defensive line, regathered and raced 60m untouched, what a debacle". Kearns: "Oh, Owens has had a SHOCKING MATCH"
Harry Jones
Expert
I think your posts are gold, Sheek!
Not Bothered
Guest
I cant believe Cheks had a different opinion to you. You seemed so confident that the Wallabies were doomed unless they picked your team.
Not Bothered
Guest
Shheesh
Not Bothered
Guest
So what? So Hooper has excelled at international level. This is an international. Im glad to be of service. Im glad to see that the "if the coach thats paid 7 figures and is highly thought of in elite rugby circles doesnt pick who I think is best, well, clearly hes not a good coach" wisdom that prevails on the Roar is still going strong. Real geniuses.
Not Bothered
Guest
Name players that came back after 4 years. But yeah Taylorman, form is perminent right? Why must you say ridiculous things like that? Sure he was out of form but form isnt perminent is it? No, so dont pretend it is. Anyone who wasnt good enough 4 years ago, cant be good enpugh now. Its impossible. Or maybe thats absurd.
Not Bothered
Guest
HE PLAYS 13!!!!! Why oh why is everyone so determined to say Kerevi plays 12 only. He plays 13 and thats whete he will likely play for the Wallabies.
Not Bothered
Guest
Nonu kicks. Carter kicks. Dagg kicks. B.Smith kicks. A.Smith kicks. Julian Savea is a better kicker than Folau and Horne imo. He chips, grubbers, up and unders. Folau and Horne dont.
Not Bothered
Guest
Rubbish. Folau is easily the worst kicking fullback in the top 20 or so rugby nations. His kicking is not good, it isnt and Im sick of hearing that its good when its been proven time and time again to be slow, inacurate and inconsistent.
jemainok
Guest
Every wing in super rugby, you choose one and their probably faster.
MJB
Guest
Well he's got to get 100 comments somehow...
Jerry
Guest
Not quite 4 years (more like 3) but Percy Montgomery was a better player when he returned from France.
Taylorman
Guest
Name one player who got better than they were after four years absence from test rugby.
Taylorman
Guest
Oh that's right. Oz are a side where everyone does everyone else job because they can't do their own.
Rebel
Guest
oh the irony