The first Wallabies squad under the three-man selection panel of Michael Cheika, Michael O’Connor and Scott Johnson was announced yesterday, now we want you to tell us who should make the starting XV on July 20.
As always, there were plenty of talking points in the squad – Christian Lealiifano, Nic White and James Slipper are back in the Wallabies mix, there are three potential debutants in Isi Naisarani, Rob Valetini and Liam Wright, and there wasn’t any room for the likes of Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps and Ned Hanigan.
The touring party leaves the selectors with two or three options for each position on the field, and multiple possible combinations in both the backline and forward pack.
So with 34 players to choose from, who would you like to see in the starting line-up against the Springboks in Johannesburg?
Choose your preferred XV in the form below, and we’ll have the results of the poll with the consensus side up next week!
Chris
Guest
There is No chance Mcreight or anyone else for that matter will play for the Wallabies in the next 5 years unless they are playing 6. Hooper has a 5 year contract worth $6 million. RA have to play him at 7 every game to get value for their massive investment.
Zado
Guest
Robertson is rubbish. Saying his name in same sentence as Thor an insult.
piru
Roar Rookie
That’s your opinion but this team wont be ranked 7th in the world. No, they wouldn't be
piru
Roar Rookie
Phipps isn’t in the squad Nor should he be, now or ever.
Broudy
Guest
I think you forgot hooper's greatest talent... Skylarking on the wing
glenn
Guest
Well you can count at least with Hooper, but there are two HB (Genia and White) and two 10/12 (Lealiifano and Toomua). Oh and yes On the bench change Hooper for Wright. Forwards heavy against SA.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Shame that the Poll results have nor been collated. It seems to have been a wasted effort and time by those who participated! Aw well !
Double Agent
Guest
How could anyone pick Beale at 15? He just gets worse every season. He'd struggle in the Shute Shield!!
Double Agent
Guest
I share your outrage Rhys. AAC? Really??
numpty
Roar Rookie
No henry speight option??
Brian
Guest
I would think Simmons is a better starter and Rodda better on the bench for a more solid start and high energy finish. Against Boks. Against ABs maybe different. Salakaia-Loto or Jones? Banks is FB? Maddocks Is the wing? Would prefer CLL to distribute to the centres. No point having a running 10 with 2K centres pairing.
Number 12
Guest
Interestingly, we’re picking wingers with little gas, who don’t chase kicks, can’t kick themselves & carry the ball on the wrong side - basic skills. Bagging QC because he only does well when his forwards are on the front foot yet BF & CLL have been shown to be pedestrian shufflers in the same situations with little chance of opening defences. We have little appreciation of an ensemble approach to the game & a defensive pattern that has been shown to be flawed. An intrenched coach with a myopic approach to selections combined with a very limited game plan & surprisingly a support base feeling disenfranchised- ya gotta luv ya rugby!
Rugby wizard
Guest
Mcreight is everything you would want from a 7. If he starts for the Reds he will be a hit and Wright possibly will have too be shifted too 6. I have said this before in my opinion he can be better than Smith and Pocock. England saw the talents of Curry and didnt hesitate why is the 7th ranked team and coaching staff not seeing the obvious that Mcreight is a complete 7.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Bobby, there are a lot of colours in the ‘IMO’ box.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ken, agree totally, except for your last line (IMO).
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The validity of your post became total rubbish to me when you advocated Mozza.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Rohan, “I’m a QC fan but over the last 5-8 years he has played himself out of the WBs with dumb errors and not turning up for the tough matches. ” There is a bit here to chew on but I won’t. Except to say that there were plenty of tough tests over numerous years that Cooper did nothing in. He wasn’t picked. And incorrectly imho.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
So Eds, could I be so bold and ask for the poll results? (Not that any mob should decide).
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Is sheer number of tackles more important than the number of tackles missed and the strength of those tackles?. Hooper missed more tackles this season than Pocock has missed in his entire Super Rugby career.
Rolando
Roar Rookie
Slipper worries me at international level. The guy was a hinge at scrum time. I’d like to think Arnold has added some grunt, skill and speed otherwise he was also ineffective at international level. Maddox and Banks can come into the mix as wingers to add to Koro although not neither are world standard yet. Unfortuneatly doesn’t look like Morahan is in the picture. I’m a QC fan but over the last 5-8 years he has played himself out of the WBs with dumb errors and not turning up for the tough matches. Therefore Foley and CLL. Pooper needs to be entertained if Pockock fit as long as a fit pilfering 6 can be added. Jones probably. Where the hell is McMahon? Fardy attracted penalties and I assume must not have been a team player as that was Chieka’s chief criterion post Link.