Over the past two weeks, we’ve asked you to pick the Wallabies team for whenever it is they next play, including the starters, the bench, and the captain. It’s time now to reveal that full side.
We ran through the starting XV earlier in the week, but for those who missed it, here it is, with their share of the vote for their position in brackets:
- Scott Sio (50%)
- Folau Fainga’a (70%)
- Allan Alaalatoa (60%)
- Izack Rodda (80%)
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (40%)
- Peter Samu (40%)
- Michael Hooper (68%)
- Harry Wilson (48%)
- Nic White (45%)
- Matt To’omua (41%)
- Marika Koroibete (89%)
- James O’Connor (48%)
- Tevita Kuridrani (47%)
- Henry Speight (24%)
- Tom Banks (71%)
The reserve props to back up Sio and Alaalatoa were hardly a contest. James Slipper was picked by 81 per cent of the thousand people who voted on the bench, while Taniela Tupou was pretty much a unanimous selection with 97 per cent of the vote.
Folau Fainga’a’s backup was a more close-run thing. Both Anaru Rangi and Alex Mafi were picked in 29 per cent of the sides, but it was the oft-injured but much-talented youngster Jordan Uelese (41 per cent) who nabbed the no.16 jersey.
With a clear majority (71 per cent) opting for a back-heavy 5-3 bench split, there were only two more available spots for reserve forwards. Liam Wright (48 per cent) was the most popular selection there, his versatility in the back row clearly playing into his hands.
Michael Hooper and Liam Wright. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
The Queensland skipper was closely followed by Melbourne lock Matt Philip on 46 per cent, while his Rebels teammate and incumbent number 8 Isi Naisarani fell just short on 43 per cent.
Rob Valetini (28%), Caderyn Neville (18%), Jack Dempsey (17%), Fraser McReight (11%) and Harry Hockings (10%) were the other forwards to finish in double-digits.
At scrumhalf, Tate McDermott easily won the race to back up Nic White with 61 per cent, comfortably ahead of Brumbies halfback Joe Powell (25%).
The other two bench spots for the backs went to Melbourne fullback and occasional Wallabies winger Dane Haylett-Petty (35%) and young centre Jordan Petaia (34%).
Jordan Petaia. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Haylett-Petty’s Rebels teammate Reece Hodge fell just 21 votes short of Petaia, despite his ability to cover pretty much every position in the backline. Noah Lolesio (19%) and Kurtley Beale (15%) were the next-best backs.
The only remaining task was to choose a captain from the 15 starters, and it was Michael Hooper who won that poll with 42 per cent of the vote, comfortably clear of Allan Alaalatoa on 26. Matt To’omua (11%) was the only other potential skipper to get a double-digit portion of the vote, and Izack Rodda (9%) wasn’t far behind him.
And so, that leaves us with a Wallabies team which looks a little something like this:
- Scott Sio
- Folau Fainga’a
- Allan Alaalatoa (vc)
- Izack Rodda
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
- Peter Samu
- Michael Hooper (c)
- Harry Wilson
- Nic White
- Matt To’omua
- Marika Koroibete
- James O’Connor
- Tevita Kuridrani
- Henry Speight
- Tom Banks
Bench
- Jordan Uelese
- James Slipper
- Taniela Tupou
- Matt Philip
- Liam Wright
- Tate McDermott
- Jordan Petaia
- Dane Haylett-Petty
Dave Rennie, you’re welcome. Now all we need is some rugby to see these guys in action together.
Spotton
Guest
I must have missed something. Is Pockok playing in Europe, or retired. Just asking because he didn't even make the bench and he is the turnover king.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Fair enough
Cheikmate
Roar Rookie
Personally, this would be my team: 1. Slipper 2. Fainga'a 3. Alaalatoa 4. Rodda/Philip 5. LSL 6. Liam Wright/Samu 7. Hooper 8. Wilson 9. White 10. JOC 11. Koroibete 12. To'omua 13. TK 14. Banks 15. DHP 16. Mafi/Rangi 17. Tupou 18. Sio 19. Philip/Rodda 20. Samu/Liam Wright 21. McDermott 22. Harrison 23. Hodge
Cheikmate
Roar Rookie
I think everyone is referring more to the fact that we need to develop a young 10 for the next RWC. To'omua and JOC will both be in their mid-30s by then
Cheikmate
Roar Rookie
Of the 3 reserve 9's (McDermott, Louwrens, and Powell), I would go with Tate on the bench. He's an 'impact player', the kind of guy who comes off the bench when the defense is tired and catches them napping. In other words, he's more exciting and eyes-up. To pick a starter though, I'd go Powell (if White wasn't in the mix) as he has the most well-rounded game IMO and has more experience than the others.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
Jordan Uelese isn’t good enough to nail down a starting spot at the Rebels why would he be in line for even a bench spot with the wallabies??? Rangi is a far better option and should be pushing for a starting wallabies spot.
Hollywood
Roar Rookie
Rodda a standout. Consistently reliable. Glad to see the vote recognises his contribution.
Lamu
Roar Rookie
Really PK
Roby Roy
Guest
Cannot understand Speight's incluson. As good a player as he is, I don't believe he has the skill set required of a Wallaby.
frisky
Roar Rookie
Preferential voting may have produced a different result. Sometimes splitting ones votes means both of ones favourites miss out.
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
This is a good squad but I don't like the final two on the bench, 2 full backs? I understand the hybrid concept but not sure it will work here. Looking at the age group, why not bring someone like Lolesio for the final spot and drop DHP? Player development and get him in. There is no Centre off the bench. You only have a S/H At least have something to cover all areas.
Luke Ringland
Guest
I don't see Speight getting the nod. He was in decent form for the reds, but I just don't see Rennie going for him. I'd have no problem with a back three of Koroibete L, Banks, DHP. There's real balance there, and a combination of all the right ingredients. The one question is bank's defending at wing or not. In any case, I think DHP is where the Roarers have got it wrong. He's an underrated player because he doesn't have electric pace or feet. But he's a creator, finds gaps and is good under the high ball. He's also a proven test performaner when selected at 15. So either he and Banks together, or Banks to inject pace off the bench. In either case, I don't see Speight getting picked. Someone left field perhaps.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Mate, always good to have a shot at the low hanging fruit but more importantly having the Tahs squeal, something guys are good at.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
It’s what we picked and not far off the Mark. Speight is a winger who can play 13. He understands the game. I can’t understand Petaia being selected. He really hasn’t done much. Far better Lolesio and Wright that the flat tyres Toomua and Hooper. Beale is still a far better player than most of those mentioned. The best Captain by far has been DHP. Banks is a better fullback. I’d have them both. Hooper is not a leader. McDermott is behind Powell and Lonergan. Billy Meakes is under rated he does a lot of work. I rate him above OC and Toomua.
hammertime
Roar Rookie
I've been watching lots of replays recently and the one thing that stands out to me is how on earth did Phipps get to play for the Wallabies and how could I not have seen it at the time? Sure there were rumblings but Foxtel are only showing our wins at the moment and even in our victories he was appalling. God knows how bad he was when we were thrashed.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Well coached , this team Would have been playing a semi at RWC. just one Waratah and a good blend of youth and experience. I like it.
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Valid but we have 3 of them and they are all just pups. Of these I think Harrison is the one to develop on the bench. He is the game manager and importantly the best goal kicker. Great defender. Picking DHP at FB and Banks at 14 allows you to pick a fly half on the bench as JOC plays everywhere and Toomua can move to 12 in need.
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Good points. The side has been picked as the first passed the post, in each position. Which combinations were most popular I wonder., particularly for back row and back three. The teams within the team rely on balance second row, back row, mid field and back three all need un-alike players to be most effective. Combinations, dare I say!
pm
Roar Rookie
I'm kind of astonished we're picking Spate to start, and Wilson, who do I like a lot, ahead of Naisirani. I thought Naisirani had a very strong start as a Wallaby. I feel Slipper should be ahead of Sio just now to.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I don’t know, I’m hoping it will be a very, very tiny minority. I don’t think we will see too many Tahs over the next few seasons, and those that I suspect to see I think will deserve it (Bell, Harrison, Hooper, Nawaqanitawase, Maddocks, Ramm).