Last week, we asked you to pick a starting XV for whenever it is the Wallabies next take to the field. Today, it’s time to finish the job by filling out the bench and selecting a captain.
First, let’s take a look through the run-on side, which was picked after well over 1500 votes were entered into last week’s poll.
There were three positions in particular which, while not unanimous selections, it’s clear there’s a consensus on who should play there: Tom Banks at fullback, Folau Fainga’a at hooker and Michael Hooper at openside flanker all received around 70 per cent of the vote in their respective positions.
In the second row and on the wings there were even more clear-cut first options, with Marika Koroibete on the wing and Izack Rodda at lock picked in 89 and 80 per cent of teams respectively, but their partners were far closer contests.
Henry Speight (24%) edged out Andrew Kellaway and Dane Haylett-Petty (both 20%) to take the second winger’s spot, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (40%), used to playing at no.6 for the national team, was the second-favourite second-rower ahead of Matt Philip (36.4%).
Running through the rest of the side, the centre pairing was clear-cut, with Tevita Kuridrani (47%) preferred to the currently injured Jordan Petaia (37%) at 13 and James O’Connor (48%) picked ahead of Matt To’omua (31%) at 12. it was then To’omua picking up 41 per cent of the flyhalf vote ahead of O’Connor’s 35 to take the no.10 jersey.
Nic White is the first-choice scrumhalf, picked in 45 per cent of teams, but Tate McDermott of the Reds had a surprisingly high portion of the vote with 38 per cent. And it was another young Queenslander, Harry Wilson, who got the nod at number 8 with just under half the vote, well ahead of incumbent Isi Naissarani’s 37 per cent.
Pete Samu (40%) was chosen to partner Michael Hooper as the blindside flanker, comfortably preferred to club teammate Rob Valetini (25%), while it was no surprise to see two more Brumbies in jerseys 1 and 3, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa filling out an all-ACT front row.
Sio was picked in half the teams to get past James Slipper (38%) at loosehead prop, while Alaalatoa (60%) and Taniela Tupou (40%) were the only two tightheads to garner any significant support.
So, that’s our run-on side, now you just need to decide who’ll be on the bench. First, choose your preferred forwards-backs bench split: either 6-2 or 5-3. You’ll then have to pick dedicated back-ups in each of the front-row positions and halfback, as well as the remaining reserve forwards and reserve backs.
To finish things off, pick a captain from the 15 starters, hit submit, and then let us know your selections in the comments below.
Cheikmate
Roar Rookie
Yeah he did and I think 11 too... classic
numpty
Roar Rookie
I think you pick Banks or DHP, not Banks and DHP in the 15. Neither are good enough defensively or in terms of positioning on the wing, because they don't play there. Need a specialist winger like Speight imo, or maybe even Wright/muirhead. WBs let in 5 tries against the boks last year with a back 3 of Hodge, DHP and Banks at 15.
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
I’ m hearing you Numpty, but my reasoning is that of all the skills, Banks is first an attacker, kicker, kick receiver, and if he has a weakness it is his defender. DHP strength is game management but his list has attack (as a winger) listed last IMO. So it is logical that DHP plays 15 or is out of the 23 and if you pick DHP and MK, you then pick Banks as the other winger.
Gav
Guest
Hooper has never been good at the ruck. I have stated this many many times and have been told " but but but he makes the most tackles and run meters in super rugby history by a forward ".His ground game is his massive weakness. David Wilson, Smith and Pocock when playing 7 or 8 were always strong at the ruck.
Gary
Guest
Didn`t Clown select him at 10 12 13 14 and 15? Correct me if i`m wrong.
Gary
Guest
If I had to pick a test team to play this Saturday. Only availability and current form will get you in it. 1 Slipper 2 Rangi 3 Thor (AAA broken arm ) 4 Philip 5 Neville ( Rodda injured and his form has suffered ) 6 Valentini 7 Samu 8 Wilson 9 Powell ( White overseas) 10 JOC ( Toomua starts or is left out altogether ) 11 MK 12 Simone ( Form 12 ) 13 TK 14 Kellaway ( Rewarded with form) 15 DHP 16 Uelese 17 JP Smith 18 ? 3rd best tight head 19 LSL 20 Isi Naisarani 21 McDermott 22 Speight 23 Banks
Matt
Guest
JP Smith and Slipper are the form LHP`s. I`d pick them. Sio is off the boil.
numpty
Roar Rookie
How can you say DHP is a fullback only in one breath (I agree), but then suggest banks should be on the wing in the next (also a FB only)? JOC and Toomua have both been pivotal to their SR sides this year, and the WBs looked markedly better when each player joined the fold last year - JOC as 13 and Toomua as 10. Slipper head and shoulders above any of his rivals this season.
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Ageee DHP at fb adds to the leadership strength and Banks gives a kick receiving and kicking winger- you just can’t play Speight bad MK together. Banks would have played 20 tests by now had they picked him as a winger a couple of years ago
numpty
Roar Rookie
The stats suggest he is playing very well. I think he should've been on the plane to Japan last year considering mk was the only specialist winger in the whole squad! I don't think he is a world beater, but he is a smart footballer that gets through alot of work. Underrated imo and rarely turns in a bad one.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I gather the stats suggest Speight is playing well, which no doubt he is. I was just saying that he didn’t seem to be in the frame as a realistic pick for the WBs, so strong support from north of the Tweed seemed a good explanation for getting the most votes in this poll. But maybe people all over have been particularly impressed with Speight ‘s play.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
This side would not take us forward. We can only pick a side based on form so far this year. Some points. DHP is not a winger. He is in form at 15 and outstanding as a Captain. JOC and Toomua have done little this year or last year. Banks and Speight are the form wingers. Meakes the form 12. The front rows are all of similar value. Rhodda is not that good.
Matt
Guest
I don't rate Toomua at all. What do people see in him ? He was only ever a reasonable 12 at his peak. ( 3 years ago) He is slow has a limited passing game and has a terrible kicking percentage.
Azza
Guest
Ealesy was already world class at 21. Enough of the wait wait till etc etc. Simmons was already better than Rodda at 21 years of age. Rodda is over rated and will not get any better.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I personally believe that Rodda will become one of the best locks in world rugby. Please remember he is still only 24 years old.
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Surprisingly believable team given that teams are not picked this way! Or are they? Typical Aussie focus on attack with LSL, Wilson, Speight and Banks in the starting XV. But the game has lineouts, rucks, tackles, high balls etc ....and penalty goals. Goal kicking is a major issue with Toomua at 66% being no Hayden Parker (92%).
Richard lacey
Guest
We have some exciting players conning through!
Manic
Guest
I really fell strongly that Hooper does not captain this new look team. We have had an awful history under his captaincy and I feel someone like Toomu’a could step up and provide a level head and diplomacy. This will make the transition from Hooper to Wright a smoother transition in the near future.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yeah okay, it's definitely not his role there but I think he's got unrealised ability to. Will be interesting to see what Rennie ends up going with on the wing across from Koroibete you'd think, a few options definitely
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Toomua, as ineffective as he has always been, handy first grader , ordinary super and test player. You guys have no idea what makes a 5/8 or inside centre in first class rugby.