The Bledisloe Cup starts on August 19 in Sydney, with the Wallabies looking to take out their first crown against the All Blacks since 2002. Here at The Roar, we want you to tell us who Michael Cheika should pick for the first Test.
The Wallabies announced a train-on squad for the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship, which gives us a decent indication of the players in the frame for selection (which isn’t good news for fans of one Quade Cooper).
Of course, yesterday it was announced that Michael Hooper will become the new Wallabies captain, taking over from Stephen Moore, who stepped down from the role before his retirement from international rugby at the end of 2017.
So the team has a captain, but not a line-up, and that’s for you to decide in our form below. We’ve based most of the options on the train-on squad selections, although there are a few additions in there (which is better news for any Quade fans out there).
The rules are pretty simple; choose one player per position, or two in the case of props, locks and wingers. There are a few players who are options in multiple positions, but it really would be marvellous if you only pick them once.
Other than that, it’s up to you. Reckon Israel Folau should switch from fullback to somewhere else in the backline? Or that Reece Hodge is due for a starting gig after coming off the bench in June? Both options are available to you.
How about the front row – is Stephen Moore still the best option at hooker? And if so, which props should line up alongside him up front?
Have your say below, and be sure to let us know your preferred team in the comments section below. We’ll post the result closer to the start of the first Test, giving you the chance to compare and contrast The Roar’s team with Cheika’s.
Vava'u
Guest
Higginbotham used to be one of our best #6 before he was transform into 8, if only Mr Cheika can bring him back to the squad for 6, hopper at 7 and Timani at #8, what a great combination, try Billy Meakes on 12 jersey, he will suprise us, used to play with him ,he knows where to runs ,where and when to pass, very good vision and can read the games well which he can be the answer to help our #10, I like Beale on 15, try Folau back to wing Game on Boys
Vava'u
Guest
Mate we need very strong and Physical players to oppose the all blacks momentum, and 100%, we don't need Ned Hanigan to be there,he is not even should be in the team, especially against the men in black, Adam Korczyk will be much better
Vava'u
Guest
. Higginbotham,. Cooper Naivalu they are not even in the Squad chicken head
Vava'u
Guest
Your are right, very silly
Mitchell Cormack
Roar Rookie
I agree that Timani will start however it wouldn't be a bad idea to have him coming of the bench into second row. Arnold and Coleman are a great pairing but replacing them with someone like Rob Simmons or Kane Douglas will have a dramatic affect in favour of the all blacks. Yes, Ned Hanigan is still a baby but he's the best we've got in favour of the strategy I've contemplated + he can be used in line outs.
Vava'u
Guest
Sean McMahon the allblack will smash him like a baby, Timani will start, and Sean McMahon comes in secondhalf. Ned Hanigan is still a baby, the men in black will eat him for dinner, need someone stronger
Vava'u
Guest
Higginbotham is not even in the squad are blind
Mitchell Cormack
Roar Rookie
1. Scott Sio (Only if Kepu was a no.1) 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Nobody better sadly) 3. Allan Alaalatoa (Selects himself) 4. Rory Arnold (Influence in the Brumbies has proved his selection) 5. Adam Coleman (Selects himself) 6. Ned Hanigan (Bit worried with such inexperience in the gold jersey but is the best option we have) 7. Michael Hooper (Selects himself) 8. Sean McMahon (Speed, strength and aggression will be useful) 9. Will Genia (Selects himself + nobody better) 10. Bernard Foley (Selects himself) 11. Reece Hodge (Speed and defence will prove worthy against the likes of NZ wingers) 12. Kurtley Beale (Undoubtedly the best selection for 12 however Sonny Bill will be no easy feat) 13. Samu Kerevi (Strongest attack in the world before his injury, therefore, selects himself) 14. Dane Haylett-Petty (He who is to be opposite Reiko Ioane must show strong defence, hence his selection) 15. Israel Folau (Out of the question) 16. Jordan Uelese (Would like to see anyone but Stephen Moore... He gives me anxiety watching him play) 17. Sekope Kepu (Watching Tom Robertsons attack is distressing so Kepu will be attacking for the both of them) 18. Tom Robertson (Simply selections for his Scrum work) 19. Lopeti Timani (Versatile, experience, strong ball runner + better than having Rodda, Douglas or Simmons in reserve) 20. Adam Korczyk (Can play at either flanker or no.8 = great no.20) 21. Joe Powell (TJ Perenara will likely run circles around Phipps) 22. Tevita Kurindrani (Perfect substitute for Kerevi hands down) 23. Curtis Rona (Fantastic finisher as we have seen in his dog days. Would be great to see him run on in the green and gold jersey)
Vava'u
Guest
Quad Cooper is not in the Squad 15 Kurtley Beale 14 Isreal Folau 13 Samu Kerevi 12 Reece Hodge/ Billy Meakes 11 Henry Speight 10 Bernard Foley 9 Will Genia 8 Lopeti Timani 7 Michael Hooper (c) 6 Sean McMahon 5 Adam Coleman 4 Rory Arnold 3 Allan Alaalatoa 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Scott Sio 16 Stephen Moore 17 Tom Robertson/Pekahou Cowan 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Kane Douglas 20 Ned Hanigan 21 Joe Powell 22 Tevita Kuridrani 23 Dane Haylett-Petty
Sammy Salsa
Guest
Timani
Big Steve
Guest
He does seem to have pace but not top level. As a second kicking and passing option with another speed winger he could definitely have a future there. Mortlock started on the wing, and wasn't especially fast and Hodge has some similarities to him at this stage of his career.
Big Steve
Guest
Thanks Mitch, Im starting to feel for him a bit. he seems to have talent but coaches haven't learnt from what happened to JOC. He never found a position and it may have made it harder from him to fit in a team, although he clearly had other issues.
MitchO
Guest
Sure. I'm an Aussie and would have to play for Australia if given the opportunity. The only alternative would be if i was pretty ordinary (actually bettter than I was) moved to Japan, married into a Japanese family, made good money and wanted to put into my new community. Maybe three years plus is enough time for him to feel a connection to NZ. It seems that the Crusaders are the team and the community which gave him an opportunity. He's probably got a pretty good life over there. it is not all gangs and cold weather. There's some good people and good fishing.
marto
Guest
^^ Two uncles festers.Good grief!!
marto
Guest
:) hehe
Karl K
Guest
1. Alaatoa 2. Uelese 3. Tupou 4. Rodda 5. Coleman 6. McMahon 7. Hooper 8. Higginbotham 9. Genia 10. Cooper 11. Folau 12. Hodge 13. Kerevi 14. Perese 15. Beale 16. Polota-Nau 17. Sio 18. Kepu 19. Arnold 20. Timani 21. Powell 22. Foley 23. Naivalu/Haylette-Petty
Armchair Sportsfan
Guest
you know what...you can actually pick a pretty hand team without any tahs at all too.... DHP Speight Kerevi Meakes Naivalu Hodge/Lance Genia Timani Higgers Mamahon Arnold Coleman Sio Polota-Nau Allatoa ...
Earl
Guest
The best that I could come up with
Fin
Guest
I think Hodge is a bit quicker than he looks.
Fionn
Guest
What does being the best matter? Honestly, ask yourself, as an Australian would you feel any patriotic connection with playing for the All Blacks? As far as I am aware MAA is in no way a Kiwi, nor is he a Pacific Islander who emigrated when he was young and grew up there. If I moved there and got good I would of course move back to Australia and play for the Wallabies because it would simply be meaningless for me to play for NZ at a patriotic level. Perhaps Michael feels differently, but I would be surprised given he was already an adult when he moved there.