Australia have locked in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final against England this weekend, but no one is too sure right now about the team Michael Cheika will trot out for the must-win clash.
The Wallabies have used three different starting flyhalves in their four pool games (and four 10-12-13 combinations), and there remains some debate as to who the best option to start at scrumhalf is.
With an error at the selection table an entirely unappealing prospect ahead of such an important match, there’s only one suitable solution: in true Roar fashion, ask you who should be in the run-on side.
We want you to pick your preferred starting XV for the England quarter-final from the 31-man World Cup squad.
You all know how this works – simply select your preferred player (or players) under each position, and we’ll reveal the most popular side based on the results ahead of the official team selection later in the week.
We’ve kept the options limited to the players most likely to play in each position, but if you want to go left-field and pick someone who’s not listed in that particular spot, go for it.
For the sake of the exercise, we’re assuming everyone is fit and available for selection, including Kurtley Beale, who has started three out of four matches this tournament at fullback but picked up a head knock in the first half against Georgia and is in doubt for Saturday’s match.
So, go on Roarers. Put your selector hats on to come up with the best Wallabies side from the World Cup squad, and we’ll publish the fan-voted XV on Thursday morning.
Rolando
Guest
How does Petaia go under the high ball and at returning long kicks? The Poms are going to keep kicking us back to our end of the field. That’s where Hodge’s boot come in handy.
Bearrr
Roar Rookie
With what we have there, no, picking a bunch of players weeks, months out , putting them on contract then saying reach higher each game doesn't happen. The best players weren't picked in the first place. There used to be Country week at Eastwood. All regional sides competed to pick a country side to play City.We saw players who don't necessarily live in the city. These present guys play to get the contract, then rest on their laurels. Along with that, class prejudice interferes with selection, no private school, no selection.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Agree Zenn.IMO with the squad selected JOC is a 12, and as much as I was dismayed as to the squad selection of Simmons he’s there. My 23 would probably be Hodge. :thumbup:
Lazer
Roar Rookie
Yip Poideven for his aggression and work rate.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Three 7s?
Lazer
Roar Rookie
15. Mat Burke 14. Joe Roff 13. Daniel Herbert 12. Tim Horan 11. David Campese 10. Mark Ella 9. Nick Farr-Jones 8. Toutai Kefu 7. George Smith 6. David Pocock 5. John Eales 4. Simon Poideven 3. Ewan McKenzie 2. Phil Kearns 1. Tony Daly
Mike Hod
Guest
3 things 1. anyone that wouldn't have Hooper and Pocock in the starting line up to both play 80min must have rocks in the head! They'd both be just about first picked in any side in the world (perhaps Hooper misses out to Savea for the AB's but then again perhaps not actually) 2. James O'Connor? Our patience for him to truly influence games should be run out and we should be going for Kuridrani to add power to the midfield. If JOC gets one more chance and it comes off I'll be happy though as I can see what thinking is. 3. Kerevi should be the best player in the world... but he is a liability. Why he can't be coached to carry the ball in 2 hands is beyond me. 2 hands are stronger than 1 in contact as well. His tendency to lose the ball in contact and also to not long-place when tackled (because he holds in one hand) has done more harm to us than is being recognised. For me he is a player that would've dominated so much at juniors he would've never needed to listen to coaches advice and be more precise in this aspect of ball carrying. His bad habits have and will continue to cost us. Problem is for every time he's cost us he's also backed it up with his signature power runs which only he is capable of in world rugby. So again I understand the temptation to play him. I just wish the coaches could correct the way he carries the ball before and after contact this by the weekend.
Paul
Roar Rookie
I suspect Hodge will come straight back into the 23 but I think Petaia needs first bite on the wing.
pm
Roar Rookie
Against the poms can impact late more off the bench against more tired tacklers. Backs have to move the ball well if we're going to have any chance. But in most games is he in the best 15 and does his tackle breaking outweigh his weaknesses? for sure i'd say. If it were me i'd consider not playing him for this one though.
pm
Roar Rookie
surprises me with McCaffrey, he never looks big enough for the position to me.
pm
Roar Rookie
yep, avoiding errors is the key to their chances. obvious in a way, but more so the key against England than usually
pm
Roar Rookie
great team, but i think give Tupou the chance to start. less steady but when he's playing well he can do more than Aalaatoa can
Bobby
Roar Rookie
He'll be there! But he needs to pass the ball and have better ball security
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Toomua is very highly rated in England. Ford raves about him.
SD
Guest
Simmons and Dempsey are proven powderpuffs.The Poms will destroy those two.Kerevi is the only bloke in the backline who gets us on the front foot.He will be there.
PiratesRugby
Guest
God bless you OJ.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Nah, for an old pom like me no team would be complete without Baxter and Dunning.
BK
Roar Rookie
I agree 100% here Zenn, this is the team I was going to post. I like the forwards but I just wish the backs had a dozen more games in this formation. I think then they could play with confidence and freedom rather than being so structured and safe at the moment scared that a mistake might cost them their spot. I think Cheika has no idea with the backs and has undermined the whole team with his last 3 years of selection process and an inability to develop younger players.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
1. Sio 2. Latu 3. Alaalatoa 4. Arnold 5. Rodda 6. Pocock 7. Hooper 8. Naisarani 9. White 10. Lealiifano 11. Koroibete 12. O’Connor 13. Kurindrani 14. Petaia 15. Haylett-Petty 16. Uelese 17. Slipper 18. Tupou 19. Simmons 20. Dempsey 21. Genia 22. To’omua 23. Ashley-Cooper
Norm de plume
Guest
You blokes are cruel. Cant believe Manny Edmonds can’t crack a possie. A reserve, perhaps...