Pick the greatest Wallabies team of the Super Rugby era: Bench

But Mitch Rogers was an Aus Schoolboy rugby union player

I liked Rogers. So rare that a leaguie comes to Union and looks like a thinker. But I have rose coloured glasses when it comes to JOC coz he was a shining light in the Force back line - and that was the only live super rugby I'd watched.

He was always a pretty handy winger - reeled the clock back for that effort in 2011.

I've got pretty rose coloured glasses when it comes to Rogers. That last season for the Tahs could have been anything if he hadn't gotten injured.

I thought about Folau to come on as a winger who could score tries but I wanted a proper fullback cover who had pace so I went Drew M

Samo was fabulous. Played good rugby at 100 years old too. I wondered what the heck the coach was thinking starting him on the wing against the USA but he did okay.

Jez if you went Rogers you should have gone JOC instead. I went 5/3 so my impact backrower was actually Hooper with the spot going to a reserve lock. I wanted Hooper's pace to chase a game and figured if Smith got injured I wanted a real 7 and if someone else got injured then Smith could cover 6 or 8. I went Arnold because I remember him better and because he's a lineout tower. Harrison is also a lineout tower though so he may have been a better choice. I wanted a lineout tower - again to chase a game. Reserve front I went Slipper (steady and work rate), TPN (scrum and physicality/power - he adds a lot of drive) and Noreiga (but could have gone Alan A coz he can scrum and has a very high work rate).

Giteau and JOC can both fake it at 10 without being top class but I left them out in favour of QC on the basis that I'd be chasing points. Probably a mistake on my part and I should have gone JOC to cover everywhere like Peter K did. JOC can manufacture points from nothing. Probably smarter to trust Larkham to survive and pick a non specialist back up 10. Barnes and Flatley can both play 10 and 12 as well. I just like the idea of unleashing QC to try win a game and to cover 10. Matt Rogers could cover 10 and 15 but I left him out.

I'm similar Peter I tried to select impact off the bench. so I had Genia as the back up 9 but I'd have picked him as Gregan's back up anyway. I went Quade for 10 because I figured if you are chasing a game you need a nutter and if the first choice 10 goes down Quade to play long minutes is still a pretty good option. I should have gone JOC for versatility and his ability to come up with a get out of gaol free card but I wanted an outside back with genuine pace who could cover full back so I ended up with Drew Mitchell. So somehow I managed to leave out Giteau, JOC and Dan Herbert! all of whom are good enough for a run on start. For the fowards I went solidity in the props with Slipper (steady and no worse than Sio) and Noreiga for his scrummaging. But nearly Alan A who can scrum and work hard. Thought about Holmes to anchor the scrum but any Noreiga over Alan A but without any confidence. TPN for back up hooker coz he could inject some drive and physicality. Arnold to cover lock and Hooper as the back up loosie for his sheer pace and work rate. George Smith can play 6 or 8 if needs be but Pocock is only 7 I'd trust to play 8 (although McMahon would be good as an impact player). Pocock is immense and the best choice to close out a game if you need a defensive wall but if I was chasing points you get more zip by injecting Hooper.

Gitaeu was never a better 10 than Quade. He was good a 12. QC Larkham and Flatley are the only true class 10 s we have had since Lynagh retired in 1995.

Ok then.

Wasn’t Os a LH?

Nah, Joost was great, du Preez was greater

With Pollard at 10 there’s no good reason to pick Percy over Joubert

Not many of them current though sadly

Actually I went Giteau for 9/10 cover

I don’t remember Larkham being injury prone. On the contrary I recall him playing miles above his size and being very tough and brave. Has my memory failed me?

Same except Slipper for Sio and Foley for TPN. If I didn’t consider him a destabilising element I might have swapped IF for JOC on talent alone. But a team can’t have a tool thinking he’s more important than the rest

He has played back three for the Wallabies and in the UK

Love Giteau and he’s not out of place in the 23 by any stretch, but he’s never played back 3, can realistically play only 9, 10, 12. JOC is the most versatile, competent at all of 10-15.