The starting side has been chosen, now it’s time to move onto the reserves in our greatest Wallabies team of the Super Rugby era.
Today’s poll sees all the players who missed out on a spot in the first XV get a second shot at making this side via the bench.
First up, we need to decide on a bench split – six forwards and two backs, or five forwards and three backs (yes, we know most of this era was played with seven reserves, with the eighth replacement only coming in at the end of 2012, but we’d rather have the larger, modern bench so as to fit more of these great players into the side).
From there, pick your replacement front-rowers, scrumhalf and suitable number of remaining forwards and backs depending on which split you opted for.
As for the options for each position, it’s the same group of nominees from each of the individual polls we’ve run over the previous week, minus those who were chosen in the starting XV (and yeah, that means you can figure out the run-on side if you want, but we’ll be holding back how each player polled until the full side is revealed).
The one obvious exception there is halfback, where we’ve added in some new names so as to avoid having only one option for you to choose from.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick your reserves, let us know who’s on your bench, and we’ll reveal the full side, complete with the voting numbers for each position, this time next week.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But Mitch Rogers was an Aus Schoolboy rugby union player
MitchO
Guest
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.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He was always a pretty handy winger - reeled the clock back for that effort in 2011.
jeznez
Roar Guru
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.
MitchO
Guest
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
MitchO
Guest
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.
MitchO
Guest
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).
MitchO
Guest
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.
MitchO
Guest
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.
Gary
Guest
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.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Ok then.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t Os a LH?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Nah, Joost was great, du Preez was greater
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
With Pollard at 10 there’s no good reason to pick Percy over Joubert
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Not many of them current though sadly
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Actually I went Giteau for 9/10 cover
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
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?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
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
Olly
Roar Rookie
He has played back three for the Wallabies and in the UK
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
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.