I’m sure many Roarers have started to pick their ideal squads for the World Cup.
I had come up with lots of players I thought should be part of the squad, then I made a list.
Unfortunately, we can only take 31 players, not the 40 or so that I seriously considered.
Not only did putting the names down on paper help me make the tough calls, it also helped me to focus on my core 23 – the team that you want to select for the hardest games.
I then rounded out the squad with a further eight players who would give those critical players in the first 15 a break in the slightly less important games.
I don’t subscribe to the view of picking two separate teams plus one extra player to arrive at a 31-man squad.
I also looked at the Wallabies’ squad for 2015. Four years ago, coach Michael Cheika – as the sole selector – took two hookers, five props, ten other forwards (back five), two halfbacks, two straight-out stand-offs, and ten other backs.
(AAP Image/Darren England)
I don’t recall any discussion about why we only took two hookers, but I do recall the argument over only selecting two halfbacks was settled because Matt Giteau could also do the job.
I have used the terms ‘other forwards’ and ‘other backs’ because many of the players can fill a variety of positions, and trying to label all the permutations will get messy.
My squad is based largely on form displayed so far this Super Rugby season, with some exceptions.
I have included some players who shouldn’t be picked but will go, and excluded some players that should be selected but won’t be.
I have gone with a different split to the 2015 squad, with two hookers, five props, ten other forwards (back five), three halfbacks, two straight-out stand-offs, plus nine other backs.
So here is my squad.
Hookers: Folau Fainga’a, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, with Tatafu Polota-Nau on standby.
Props: James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Scott Sio, Sekope Kepu.
Other forwards: Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jed Holloway, Luke Jones, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Lachlan McCaffrey.
Halfbacks: Will Genia, Nic White, plus one of Joe Powell, Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott.
Stand-offs: Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley.
Other backs: Matt Toomua, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Sefa Naivalu, Tom Banks, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, plus one other.
The extra back I am looking for is a No.13 who is a good one-on-one defender, can organise the outside defence, and can pass both ways.
I really can’t decide on the last position. Can you help me Roarers?
Josh Miller
Guest
Izzy Folau
Adrian
Guest
I'm not sure why Sam Carter is not in this list. Is he not available for the world cup? Looking at his stats - 3rd in super rugby for lineout wins and 2nd in tackles won just behind Hooper (as at date of writing). Very good size and a constant performer for a very good Brumbies outfit. Izack Rodda is not better than this bloke at this point in season.
Rugby101
Guest
Good to see CLL in the Wallaby camp. Appreciate it is an extended group but better to be than not. Also nice to see Valentini and Petaia invited.
Mick
Guest
cinque I like that team a lot, but i`d have Tiny Boned Tommy Robertson at loosehead and KHunt at 12.
cinque
Roar Rookie
Cheika's run-on for the the World Cup Final "We are looking for consistency, combinations and core skills, with our toughest super team to provide a solid core: 1. Sio/Slipper Can't split them, go with the incumbent. 2. FitzPatrick/Latu Tough choice. World's best thrower vs best jackal in the free world. TOLU LATU. Now that's a name I can spell, unlike the others we've tried. 3. Kepu Maturing like a good wine. Did you see that pass to Folau against England? 4. Simmons Best jumper, best caller. I'm told he's also the best scrummager. No contest. 5. Rodda Youth and power, like a young Brad Thorn. Go the mongrel. 6. Hanigan Lineouts will be crucial, need 3 prime targets. One needs to be a lightweight, who can be thrown higher. 7. Hooper Captain courageous. 8. Holloway When too much aggression is barely enough. 9. Phipps/Gordon Like Gibbo, I can't decide who to send out first. Genia? I like Will but he seems to be shirking his core role of standing a no man's land and scything down Laumape and Savea. 10. Foley Vice-captain courageous. World's best converter from the left side tramlines. 11. Hodge Combinations again! Foley to make the very short kicks and Hodge the long ones. 12. Kerevi Youthful exuberance must be rewarded! 13. Ashley-Cooper Need to blend with the wisdom of the previous generation. 14. Folau With that leap, he's Nureyev reborn! 15. Beale Chek and the headless Chook, the old firm.
Rugby101
Roar Guru
Thanks everyone for your comments. A consolidated reply: - I like Meakes just don't see him being selected. However didn't know he can play 13, which might change things. - Personally I'd go with CLL instead of Foley, just can't see that happening. - I think some of Cheika's "Preferiti" won't get selected because: results have been so bad and Cheika's future employment is on the line, there are (supposedly) other selectors now, and players are now available that weren't previously. - I think Matt Philip would do well, but again don't see him being selected. Can he play 6 as well? if so replaces Salakaia-Loto . - If Hodge can get extended time at 13 he may be the answer as he is a better distributor than Kuridrani and I want his boot on the field from the start, not in the last 20 or so. - I don't think Koroibete deserves to be selected. - Feauai-Sautia could well be there. Has some flexibility. - No problems with Uelese if he can show form in a limited time, but no Latu - I think English is a very good 13 with the skills I am looking for, just don't see him being selected. - Petaia would have been in my squad but for injury. - I think Rangi deserves selection, but again just don't see that happening.
Felix
Guest
I agree. White should never be in this mix!!Maddocks & English are very good three quarters & can fill in at different positions. I would love to see Meeks somewhere!!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I have never seen Billy play at 13 and I think he is great at 12.
Reedy
Guest
I don't think Samu Kerevi is safe from Cheikas axe.He has dropped him before for no reason when he was doing well. Remember Cheika really likes Hunt and AAC. Beale may even play 12.Samu is always on shaky ground when you have fellows that have to be picked (Beale) Throw in Toomua Kurindrani Hodge Petaia and Foley( Cheika played Foles at 12) and things look worse for Samu.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Morning RD Not disputing your team composition, but might need a new coach. KP
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Can anyone tell me? Roughly how many of 2018 Fijian Drua team are likely to be in Japan? The Drua host (regardless of whether they participate) 2019 National Championships final. That's scheduled for last weekend October. Could be, Fiji a top spot, to watch Wold Cup semis! Cheers KP
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Most seem to agree on 1 - 3 and reserve props. Rodda, Genia and Kerevi look Certain as well. All other posirions remain open wirh multiple choices avaulable. Hopefully the Selecrors pick on form
Rugby wizard
Guest
While the debate about who gets on the plane continues,I will be the first too make a bold prediction and say Fiji will be the surprise package of the tournament and reach the semi's, maybe too bold but progress out of the pool at least.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I see Hunt making his way into the team. The guy has played everywhere outside 9 and is just a solid allrounder who has big game experience. When injuries strike a coach will feel comfortable just throwing Hunt into the deep end. Maddocks will be in the picture but I think he is more a work in progress for the next world cup. That Reds 13 who got injured at the start of the season could also be a bolter but I think Hunt will get that spot.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I agree. I see no point in having Quade plus Foley. They both struggle behind a forward pack going backwards and D is both of their weak points. Matt Toomua is the physical number 10 to come on when we need it. Plus he covers 12 and 13 with a good boot. Personally, it is Cooper. People will argue between Cooper and Foley but it can not be denied that Genia is a better player with Cooper outside him. This alone is why Cooper is the best option.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Most go for Foley or QC at 10,CLL will be my pick right now.
For your 13 what about Chris Feauai-Sautia has been playing well especially in combo with Kerevi and can play winger as well
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Rob W Great stuff. Apart from mere typo (Joe Powell) your's is as good selection as I've seen this year. Your Wallabies "A" v Wallabies "B" teams could put on a very interesting trial game. Sad to see CLL/Rangi/others miss out, but inevitable some good players will. Cheers KP
Ryan
Roar Rookie
1; Scott Sio 2; Folau Fainga'a 3; Sekope Kepu 4; Adam Coleman 5; Rory Arnold 6; Michael Hooper (c) 7; David Pocock 8; Lachlan McCaffrey 9; Will Genia 10; Quade Cooper 11; Marika Koroibete 12; Samu Kerevi 13; Billy Meakes 14; Henry Speight 15; Kurtley Beale 16; Tatafu Polota-Nau 17; Allan Ala'alatoa 18; James Slipper 19; Rob Simmons 20; Isi Naisirani 21; Jake Gordon 22; Bernard Foley 23; Tom Banks
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I would leave out Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and include Matt Phillips ..... Salakai-Loto has hands like concrete and when he does hold onto the pill his upright style leads him open to being held up or stripped. I like McCaffery but have doubts about him being injury prone in a tournament situation. I would leave him out and include Hanigan because he is a lineout target, covers lock, Blindside flank and No 8 and he can go for 80 minutes, making him an ideal tournament player. Many pundits here will refuse to admit it but his play has improved a lot so far this year. My two 10s are QC and Foley, no Toomua. My half backs are Genia, Gordon and McDermott. My fullbacks are Beale and Hodge. My wingers are Niaivalu and Maddocks (although Maddocks defence worries me). My centres are Kerevi, Meakes, Kurindrani and Petaia (if fit) and English.