[2014 EOYT] Australia

[Jaguares]

Schedule:

Week 1 vs Barbarians in Twickenham
Week 2 vs Wales in Cardiff
Week 3 vs France in Saint-Denis
Week 4 vs Ireland in Dublin
Week 5 vs England in Twickenham

Wallabies Squad

Props:

Ben Alexander
Tetera Faulkner
Sekope Kepu
James Slipper
Benn Robinson

Hookers:

Saia Fainga'a
James Hanson
Josh Mann-Rea

Locks:

Sam Carter
Luke Jones
James Horwill
Rob Simmons
Will Skelton

Backrows:

Scott Higginbotham
Matt Hodgson
Michael Hooper (c)
Ben McCalman
Sean McMahon

Halfback:

Will Genia
Nick Phipps
Nic White

Flyhalf:

Quade Cooper
Bernard Foley

Centres:

Kyle Godwin
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Rob Horne
Tevita Kuridrani
Christian Leali'ifano
Matt Toomua

Outside Backs:

Israel Folau
Tom English
Henry Speight
Joe Tomane

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Wow, Aussie have a tough tour skipping Scotland and particularly Italy and that coming off two losses. Hope the injured players come good and brining in Speght should add some fire power out wide; Kuridrani 13, Speight 14, Folau 15 should be potent if allowed to run.

 

[MojoPin]

It's a good squad as always but will be a tough tour for the Aussies this year. Here's hoping the politics and blame-game take a back seat - we've got enough of that over here! Always enjoy watching Wallabies games (as long as I ignore the scoreboard, anyways...) and I'm sure this year will be no different. Big expectations on McKenzie's shoulders. Good luck to them but I'll be cheering Wales all the way!

 

[profitius]

Judging by some articles it seems McKenzie is under pressure already. He has something like a 52% success rate. Are Aussie fans too demanding?

 

[Gavin]

I think the problem is with the forwards and a lack of planning in the back. Seeing as they are coming up north they should give Toulon a call and ask for Giteau and O'Connor.

An idea backline for me would consist of: Genia, Cooper, O'Connor, Giteau, Kuridrani, Speight, Folau

with White, AAC and Beale on the bench

 

[SomeOke]

I hate to say this but don't underestimate the Wobblies, they mayhave ended the RC badly but they started strong I really think this is a better side than we've seen in a couple years.
I also think Foley is a far better option than Cooper, who just doesn't have the consistency or the temperament to be an international fly-half, at least these days. Getting dominated upfront will always be the concern but if they can manage to hold it together in the forwards they will be lethal.

Most of the NH sides seem to be taking a win for granted and perhaps they are right but I'm not so sure.

 

[Jaguares]

Judging by some articles it seems McKenzie is under pressure already. He has something like a 52% success rate. Are Aussie fans too demanding?

Yeah, Aussies always compare Wallabies and Kangaroos. In this comparison Wallabies will always lose...

 

[RoosTah]

Judging by some articles it seems McKenzie is under pressure already. He has something like a 52% success rate. Are Aussie fans too demanding?

Australian Rugby fans understand the situation I think, but the reality is the sport is increasingly niche here and is being bashed all to hell by Rugby League in its heartlands right now (and frankly for the foreseeable future, such is the incompetence of the ARU).

This creates a bit of a problem for the Wallabies, as the more zealous pro-league papers - the Murdoch ones - seem to really enjoy bagging the crap out the Wallabies when they're doing bad and have effectively labelled them Australia's worst national team of any major sport in recent weeks.

I think things are pretty dire for the Wallabies, McKenzie and Australian rugby in general right now. The new and extremely poorly thought out Super Rugby model has proven an utter turn off for Australian broadcasters, who have effectively offered the ARU LESS money this time for what is supposed to be an expanded comp with more content.

 

[Jaguares]

Most of the NH sides seem to be taking a win for granted and perhaps they are right but I'm not so sure.

I think the only European team that is the favorite against Australia at the moment is England. The Irish were crushed by a similar Wallaby team last year and the Welsh lost the last 9 tests against Aussies, even against weaker Wallabies teams.

 

[Draggs]

Probable squad

Forwards: James Slipper, Saia Fainga'a, Sekope Kepu, James Hanson, Sam Carter, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Luke Jones, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Scott Higginbotham, Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander.

Backs: Nick Phipps, Will Genia, Nic White, Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau, Rob Horne, Kyle Godwin, Henry Speight.

Bolded are those I question as being international quality.
Of those, I would say Douglas, Timani, Mitchell, Giteau, O'Connor would be better suited to international rugby.
Moore would replace Fainga'a, leaving issues at scrum half. Said it weeks ago, and the performances have proven it, Nick and Nic aren't international scrum halves.

 

[Guilty]

Nothing other than a complete clean sweep will be an acceptable result. I'm still reeling from the loss to the Puma's. A complete embarrassment. Losing to Wales, Ireland or Italy would be the nail in the coffin as rugby union is at an all time low in Australia.

I really don't think the non-Australian members of TRF community understand just how much pressure the ARU is under at the moment. This is really all a sympton of the culture here and what happens when an Australian team loses. Australians are used to seeing their teams winning at sport and being number 1 in the world. Not just in one sport either but all major sports played in Australia. I'm sorry if that sounds in anyway arrogant but it is simply the way things are (trying to explain and give context here). Coming second is not acceptable for a national side and the public demands success. It's the same with the Olympics - a non top 5 finish on the medal count is a failure which is kind of crazy with our population being only 23 million. The Wallabies are a clear third and have been for a decade, now they have just lost to Argentina. I would say they can get away with losing to a non-Tri Nations side once every two years in the eyes of the public. I don't agree with this attitude but unfortunately this is the reality of the situation.

This may sound extreme but I genuinely feel as though one of the next two WC's must be won by Australia and the Bledisloe returned and retained for rugby union to stay relevant or it will go the way of tennis. I know the Kiwis will never agree but I actually think it is in NZ's interest to lose a Bledisloe or two. If union dies here and therefore the Wallabies fade, it will only weaken the All Blacks in the long run. Again, I doubt the Kiwis will agree as there is some bizarre thing (hatred?) against Australian sport in general in NZ for some reason. Just something I have observed..

McKenzie is under serious pressure of removal and a loss to NZ in a fortnight could actually do it.

Very sad watching this unfold before my eyes while watching all the talent in rugby league that could have been... Sorry if this comes across as too negative. Just really disappointed with what I am seeing.

*Sad Face*

 

[TheSaffycen]

Bolded are those I question as being international quality.
Of those, I would say Douglas, Timani, Mitchell, Giteau, O'Connor would be better suited to international rugby.
Moore would replace Fainga'a, leaving issues at scrum half. Said it weeks ago, and the performances have proven it, Nick and Nic aren't international scrum halves.

McCalman I would argue is international quality, just he has a horrible platform to play from. I would rather have him than Palu or Fardy in the back row, though a different player to Fardy in style. I think that Fardy is very overrated based a couple of good performances of which his level has never come close to again. Also Toomua ? I think the guy is one of the most promising 12s in the world.

 

[Gavin]

Australia has the players but it appears they can't perform consistently. Losing Deans was a big mistake especially as he had a good record but couldn't beat NZ (who can really).

I also think a few players have been hung out to dry because of the fall from grace of the Wallabies and this doesn't help team culture.

 

[Jaguares]

Nothing other than a complete clean sweep will be an acceptable result. I'm still reeling from the loss to the Puma's. A complete embarrassment. Losing to Wales, Ireland or Italy would be the nail in the coffin as rugby union is at an all time low in Australia.

I really don't think the non-Australian members of TRF community understand just how much pressure the ARU is under at the moment. This is really all a sympton of the culture here and what happens when an Australian team loses. Australians are used to seeing their teams winning at sport and being number 1 in the world. Not just in one sport either but all major sports played in Australia. I'm sorry if that sounds in anyway arrogant but it is simply the way things are (trying to explain and give context here). Coming second is not acceptable for a national side and the public demands success. It's the same with the Olympics - a non top 5 finish on the medal count is a failure which is kind of crazy with our population being only 23 million. The Wallabies are a clear third and have been for a decade, now they have just lost to Argentina. I would say they can get away with losing to a non-Tri Nations side once every two years in the eyes of the public. I don't agree with this attitude but unfortunately this is the reality of the situation.

This may sound extreme but I genuinely feel as though one of the next two WC's must be won by Australia and the Bledisloe returned and retained for rugby union to stay relevant or it will go the way of tennis. I know the Kiwis will never agree but I actually think it is in NZ's interest to lose a Bledisloe or two. If union dies here and therefore the Wallabies fade, it will only weaken the All Blacks in the long run. Again, I doubt the Kiwis will agree as there is some bizarre thing (hatred?) against Australian sport in general in NZ for some reason. Just something I have observed..

McKenzie is under serious pressure of removal and a loss to NZ in a fortnight could actually do it.

Very sad watching this unfold before my eyes while watching all the talent in rugby league that could have been... Sorry if this comes across as too negative. Just really disappointed with what I am seeing.

*Sad Face*

I think like you, a weak Australia is counterproductive to our sport. Australia is one of the most important markets in the world. For example, USA is interested in the Australian market, in recent years they took their best baseball and NFL players to Australia for marketing, baseball and american football are the two most popular American sports, basketball is far below them. This shows that the Australian market is very important and coveted in the world's, the most powerful economy (USA) is interested in that market:

And it's certainly one of our most important markets, Australia is 5 times bigger than NZ population. The loss of Australia would be terrible for our sport because other world powers such as: USA, Canada or Italy aren't really interested in rugby. If we lose to Australia, it will be a very big loss for the Union and this will be a loss for everyone. All Blacks will lose much prestige if lost of the Australian market.

IRB should help Australia, OMFG! It's a market that USA wants, and we're letting you go. IRB is wasting time to try to win exotic markets like China, but we can't maintain what we have. Australia should be a priority for the IRB. We must capitalize on the popularity of League in this country, after all they aren't as different sports, you need a good marketing campaign. The problem is that Australia is a big commonwealth country and many commonwealth countries have resentment towards them, Kiwis and Saffers wouldn't be happy if the IRB invests money in Australia.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I see the Barbarians side to face Aussie at Twickenham has a strong SA feel to it. I am particularly interested in 20 year old Sharks prop Thomas 'the tank engine' du Toit. Holding thumbs that with him there in any case that he'll link up with the touring Bok squad.

 

[RoosTah]

Nothing other than a complete clean sweep will be an acceptable result. I'm still reeling from the loss to the Puma's. A complete embarrassment. Losing to Wales, Ireland or Italy would be the nail in the coffin as rugby union is at an all time low in Australia.

I really don't think the non-Australian members of TRF community understand just how much pressure the ARU is under at the moment. This is really all a sympton of the culture here and what happens when an Australian team loses. Australians are used to seeing their teams winning at sport and being number 1 in the world. Not just in one sport either but all major sports played in Australia. I'm sorry if that sounds in anyway arrogant but it is simply the way things are (trying to explain and give context here). Coming second is not acceptable for a national side and the public demands success. It's the same with the Olympics - a non top 5 finish on the medal count is a failure which is kind of crazy with our population being only 23 million. The Wallabies are a clear third and have been for a decade, now they have just lost to Argentina. I would say they can get away with losing to a non-Tri Nations side once every two years in the eyes of the public. I don't agree with this attitude but unfortunately this is the reality of the situation.

This may sound extreme but I genuinely feel as though one of the next two WC's must be won by Australia and the Bledisloe returned and retained for rugby union to stay relevant or it will go the way of tennis. I know the Kiwis will never agree but I actually think it is in NZ's interest to lose a Bledisloe or two. If union dies here and therefore the Wallabies fade, it will only weaken the All Blacks in the long run. Again, I doubt the Kiwis will agree as there is some bizarre thing (hatred?) against Australian sport in general in NZ for some reason. Just something I have observed..

McKenzie is under serious pressure of removal and a loss to NZ in a fortnight could actually do it.

Very sad watching this unfold before my eyes while watching all the talent in rugby league that could have been... Sorry if this comes across as too negative. Just really disappointed with what I am seeing.

*Sad Face*

To be honest mate, I fundamentally disagree with the "Wallaby must be a success" approach and I think for a long time the success of the national team has merely covered up a deeper malaise within the sport here.

It would be good if we could compete more with the Kiwis at the representative level, but the very fact we rely on that is a poor reflection for how the sport is managed here. Soccer is actually showing the way somewhat in terms of balancing club and country - the socceroos suck, but people the increasing success of the A-League means it doesn't matter where once the socceroos were the only way the game generated interest here.

The NRC is notionally a good idea, but it suffers from two major issues: first is that the teams themselves have only just been established and the game lacks decent coverage and promotion, but more importantly is that it's a third tier tournament... Super Rugby crowds were up this year, but ratings overall apparently fell 10%. To me it's at Super and NRC level that needs the majority of attention.

The ARU has barely any cash, so this will be a challenge, but it desperately needs people to become way more attached to their clubs and Super Rugby teams. It has definitely gotten better in NSW and Qld - the Waratahs games I went to in this year's finals were 10 times more loud and passionate than the Wallabies games I went to. If that sort of momentum can be built and maintained, then rep success will come.

 

[welshglory]

I do wonder how a comp like the NRC would do if it was the top 2nd tier comp.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Barbarians squad:

Adam Thompson, Francis Saili, Frank Halai, Tim Nanai-Williams, Patrick Osborne, Fumiaki Tanaka, Mo Schwalger, James Parsons, Nic Cummins, Marnitz Boshoff, Matt Stevens, CJ van der Linde, Coenie Oosthuizen, Thomas du Toit, Michael Rhodes, Jacques Botes, Heinrich Brussow

Glad to see Boshoff, Brussow, Du Toit, Botes, Thomson and Tanaka there. Some of my favorite current non-test (for now other than Tanaka) players. More to come. SBW? Some Saffa locks probably..

 

[ratsapprentice]

Very strong looking squad!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Barbarians squad:

Adam Thompson, Francis Saili, Frank Halai, Tim Nanai-Williams, Patrick Osborne, Fumiaki Tanaka, Mo Schwalger, James Parsons, Nic Cummins, Marnitz Boshoff, Matt Stevens, CJ van der Linde, Coenie Oosthuizen, Thomas du Toit, Michael Rhodes, Jacques Botes, Heinrich Brussow

Glad to see Boshoff, Brussow, Du Toit, Botes, Thomson and Tanaka there. Some of my favorite current non-test (for now other than Tanaka) players. More to come. SBW? Some Saffa locks probably..

Can't wait to see them play Leicester, although it may be one sided.

Hopefully it can be like the South African game.