The Wallabies will be back in action this June with three big Tests at home against Ireland. Here at The Roar, we want you to tell us who should be picked in Michael Cheika’s team for the series.
The rules are simple – choose one player per position, or two in the case of props, locks and wingers. There are a few players who we have listed as options in multiple positions, but it would be much better if you didn’t have the same player in your side twice.
Other than that, it’s up to you.
Do you think Israel Folau should be the fullback? Or should Michael Chieka go straight out of left field and take a youngster like Jack Maddocks into battle?
Speaking of Folau, the age-old question of which position he is best suited to, both for himself and team balance, remains. There is almost no doubting he will be in the side somewhere, but is it at the back, on the wing or at outside centre?
And how about in the halves? Bernard Foley and Will Genia have been the long-term selections for Chieka, but others are knocking at the door.
Jake Gordon and Joe Powell will both consider themselves a shot of being selected at halfback, particularly with Genia battling injury, while Reece Hodge and (say it quietly) Quade Cooper possible alternatives to Foley at fly-half.
The retirement of Stephen Moore, and Cheika’s revelation that he won’t be picking Tatafu Polota-Nau for the June matches, also opens the door for a change at hooker.
Then you’ve got the rest of the forward pack (is it time for the Wallabies to go full ‘Pooper’ again?) and the remaining backline positions.
So who makes your team? Have your say by using the form below, and let everyone know your preferred Wallabies XV in the comments section.
Wallabies vs Ireland fixtures
1st Test: June 9 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
2nd Test: June 16 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
3rd Test: June 23 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Olly
Guest
Agree but for one problem. He has no playmaking ability. Modern day fullbacks need this. When you can't hold down the run on spot in your super team, you are not ready for test rugby.
Horseflesh
Guest
Has Raelene Castle taken subliminal fashion inspiration from Neil Prakash? What's with the black bandana?
Jasper
Guest
" 10. Foley (Hodge to cover Foley/Beale/DHP and Folau)… Maddocks in the squad " No wonder we have been pumped for the last 4 years when this bloke is a walk up start at 10.
scubasteve
Guest
this was hard to do without having a reserves bench to choose from: Scott Sio Damian Fitz Jake Gordon Reece Hodge Rory Arnold
Jasper
Guest
' Cheika & co must pick the strongest available team " That is an oxymoron if ever i`ve heard one.
scubasteve
Guest
this was hard to do without having a reserves bench to choose from: Scott Sio Damian Fitz Jake Gordon Reece Hodge Rory Arnold
Fionn
Guest
MitchO, the one thing I would warn about is ruck security if we start Simmons, Hooper and Higginbotham. If that was the case then we would definitely need to play the Pooper. The problem is that none of Simmons, Hooper and Higgers are super good at cleaning out. This is why I think that 4. Simmons, 5. Coleman, 6. Higginbotham, 7. Pocock, 8. Timu might be the best starting back row against the Irish. Means we have a chance in the line out and have a chance at protecting our own ruck ball.
MitchO
Guest
They need to start Simmons at lock. He is good defensively, good in the scrum and our best lineout forward. He has to start even if I don't like his style. The other lock places can go to say Coleman and Rodda and tell em to just go hard. Rodda is still young so he's the one on the bench. We are going to struggle in the scrums (questionable loosehead side) but in any event lineout ball is critical. Since we will go the Pooper and we will have an inexperienced hooker throwing in we do need Simmons to start.
PeterK
Roar Guru
so to break the record it would be against USA
Matt
Guest
Any reason Michael Hooper is not listed in the blindside list?
Derm
Roar Guru
Italy, Argentina, NZ and USA are the November tests for Ireland.
Derm
Roar Guru
You’re a bit late.... Ireland already won tour series in 1967 and 1979.
Cuw
Guest
identity crisis ? or schizophrenia ? funny - was just having a chat with a friend about the song " Starry Starry Night " and Vincent Van Gogh - who suffered from schizophrenia and killed himself at a very young age ...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHnRfhDmrk
Cuw
Guest
2 names that is missing - GOROMARU and TUI ( former Reds - right?) . i wonder what became of them? Japan squad Forwards: Shintaro Ishihara, Keita Inagaki, Atsushi Sakate, Yusuke Niwai, Shota Horie, Takuma Asahara, Koo Ji Won, Genki Sudo; Samuela Anise, Wimpie van der Walt, Uwe Helu, Shinya Makabe; Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Masakatsu Nishikawa, Amanaki Lelei Mafi, Michael Leitch, Shunsuke Nunomaki, Kazuki Himeno Backs: Fumiaki Tanaka, Keisuke Uchida, Yutaka Nagare; Yu Tamura, Rikiya Matsuda; Kenki Fukuoka, Akihito Yamada, Lomano Lava Lemeki, Sione Teaupa; Harumichi Tatekawa, Ryoto Nakamura, Timothy Lafaele, William Tupou; Kotaro Matsushima, Ryuji Noguchi
Cuw
Guest
Highlander is right - after the aussy series comes the November series Italy , Aries and NZ.
Cuw
Guest
not yet becoz this squad was just named. but maybe the final between Leinster and Scarlets will have some say ....
Cuw
Guest
one of many lists out there certainly not the definitive list - like Forbes list of richest people or the Billboard top 100 :D
Baz
Guest
Young is correct but has potential. Not ready for a Wallaby jumper yet. Too inconsistent. Yes Latham like in his running style for sure.
ThugbyFan
Guest
G'day Andrew, R.Arnold is out suspended so he will be in the pub sinking Guiness and watching the tv. I think Rodda would be a special to partner A.Coleman in the 2nd Row. I do like your reserves of L.Tui and C.Timu, but I don't think L.Tui (covers lock and #6) will be selected as I haven't seen him on the field for weeks. Is he wounded or out of favour? I would say Rob Simmons will be the reserve lock as he is a lineout specialist and in great form. He may be seen as soft in contact but tackles well and has a large motor. I don't particularly like the Pooper but with M.Hooper always chatting to the OC, then you need a powerful #8 and a blindside flanker to remain in the middle getting their shorts dirty and contesting the rucks. Most of the blindsides seem wounded so I would go with D.Pocock and S.Higginbothem with SH under orders to stay tight. C.Timu (returns on bench against Highlanders) may be considered too green to start against the irish but is great cover at #6 and #8. As Olivia Newton John sings, "it's gonna be physical" so I would say a 6:2 bench. This allows M.Cheika to keep another speedy backrower or reserve lock-blindside hybrid like Ross Haylett-Petty. S.Kerevi and T.Kuridrani to toss a coin to see who drops out. :)
Laurence King
Guest
I know it won't happen, but I'd make Hooper and Pocock co-captains. And only play one at a time most of the time.