[2014 Mid-Year Tests] Australia

[ratsapprentice]

Could affect his passing in the future too - his comfortable range of motion will probably be significantly reduced.

 

[goodNumber10]

Could affect his passing in the future too - his comfortable range of motion will probably be significantly reduced.

His passing style is generally front on (he tends to run an accelerator arc and turn into those big long passes). It might have an impact on those backdoor passes - of course like you say, all depends on how bad the injury is and how well they can repair it.

Shame, hate seeing people get injured like this.

 

[ratsapprentice]

It might have an impact on those backdoor passes

Those are exactly what I think he'll find difficult - I have a grade II/III SS myself and I can tell you that movement can be very painful.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

aaah, I dunno, maybe they were just saying this to make it suspenseful and blurry and all and then BAM ! He comes storming out of the crowd at the 56th minute and runs in a try after stealing the ball from the French scrum.

Yes, in your head, but in reality no.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9318518,00.html

Another Wallaby to miss the WC; Kane Douglas is moving to Leinster next year.

 

[Big Ewis]

Yes, in your head, but in reality no.

...........what a followup by The_Blindside !! Standup material, I tell you !.....

 

[Jaguares]

If I were Ewen McKenzie, I'd bet on a consolidated duo, perhaps Waratahs or Brumbies:

10- Bernard Foley and 12- Kurtley Beale

or

10- Matt Toomua and 12- Christian Leali'ifano/Pat McCabe

or perhaps a mixture: 10- Toomua / 12- Kurtley Beale

Aussies have many options in these positions

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9318518,00.html

Another Wallaby to miss the WC; Kane Douglas is moving to Leinster next year.

Old news but thanks bud!

 

[Draggs]

The Douglas news was rumoured but only confirmed today, so it's fine.
I like Toomua at inside centre, more than Beale to be honest. Foley-Toomua would be my first choice. Ashley Cooper might go out on the wing with Kuridrani in midfield.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Wallabies squad to face France:

Forwards: Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Matt Hodgson, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Luke Jones, Sam Carter, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Scott Sio, Pek Cowan, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Charles.

Backs: Israel Folau, Nick Cummins, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Rob Horne, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Nic White, Nick Phipps.

Source: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9320890,00.html

 

[Darwin]

Largely predictable Aussie squad.

A few thoughts:
- Good to see Charles selected as the 3rd choice hooker - he's been consistently performing for the last couple of seasons (and I think he is better than either Hanson or Fainga'a).
- I'm a bit surprised to see Benn Robinson miss out on selection. I don't rate him that highly (nor think he has been in great form), but I don't think Pek Cowan is much better. I was almost expecting to see Toby Smith included.
- Skeleton's name is no surprise. I don't think he is ready he is quite ready for test rugby (yet) - he needs to improve his work-rate a lot - but he certainly has a pile of potential. Great to see Jones and Carter included too, as I rate both highly.
- Interesting to see Hodgson included among the loose-forwards. I certainly think he deserves to be included as he's in fantastic form, but the Aussie selectors have never really given him a good chance in the past.
- No Luke Burgess. I don't think his passing is good enough, but I thought he might get the nod ahead of Phipps as he offers a point of difference from the other options
- In the release from the ARU Beale and Foley were listed as the only two 10's. I'm not sure if we can read anything into this, but it may suggest they are the main to contenders for the 10 jersey (with Toomua starting at 12).
- There are plenty of midfield backs, but only 2 specialist outside backs (Folau and Cummins)! Obviously there are others who can cover the wing/fullback - Ashley-Cooper, Beale, and Foley are the obvious ones, but Horne looks to be a wing option too (as he's been playing there for the Tahs), and perhaps McCabe is an option...

 

[Tahman15]

From this squad it looks like McKenzie going with:

1. Slipper/Sio (Sio been very good so Link might put him at 1 and move Slip to 3)
2. Moore
3. Slipper/Alexander
4. Simmons/Jones (interesting to see what Link does, does he go with out of form experience or exciting youngsters, personally I would give Simmons and Horwill a chance to prove themselves and if they're rubbish give Skelton or Jones a go)
5. Horwill/Skelton
6. Fardy
7. Hooper
8. McCalman/Palu/Higger (Could be anyone)
9. White or Genia (White could get the nod due to his boot and form)
10. Foley (looks like he's our 10, wouldn't trust his boot so White will probably get picked as well)
11. Cummins
12. Toomua
13. Kurindrani (with AAC getting named as a winger it looks Kurindrani is the 13)
14. AAC
15. Folau

 

[goodNumber10]

I'm a huge fan of Foley - he's been my go to 10 in fantasy rugby, he's the only person keeping me in touch with the leaders (and that's just barely)

 

[The big Kangaroo]

Largely predictable Aussie squad.

A few thoughts:
- Good to see Charles selected as the 3rd choice hooker - he's been consistently performing for the last couple of seasons (and I think he is better than either Hanson or Fainga'a).
- I'm a bit surprised to see Benn Robinson miss out on selection. I don't rate him that highly (nor think he has been in great form), but I don't think Pek Cowan is much better. I was almost expecting to see Toby Smith included.
- Skeleton's name is no surprise. I don't think he is ready he is quite ready for test rugby (yet) - he needs to improve his work-rate a lot - but he certainly has a pile of potential. Great to see Jones and Carter included too, as I rate both highly.
- Interesting to see Hodgson included among the loose-forwards. I certainly think he deserves to be included as he's in fantastic form, but the Aussie selectors have never really given him a good chance in the past.
- No Luke Burgess. I don't think his passing is good enough, but I thought he might get the nod ahead of Phipps as he offers a point of difference from the other options
- In the release from the ARU Beale and Foley were listed as the only two 10's. I'm not sure if we can read anything into this, but it may suggest they are the main to contenders for the 10 jersey (with Toomua starting at 12).
- There are plenty of midfield backs, but only 2 specialist outside backs (Folau and Cummins)! Obviously there are others who can cover the wing/fullback - Ashley-Cooper, Beale, and Foley are the obvious ones, but Horne looks to be a wing option too (as he's been playing there for the Tahs), and perhaps McCabe is an option...

Burgess is injured. I would say Beale has the 10 jersey as he is more like Quade than Foley. Shame about quade I would not have been that surprised if he was named wallaby captain when you think about the competition for there spots with the other candidates come WC time Genia/White Hooper/Pocock I think it will be horwil despite the media saying its going to be hooper.

 

[Draggs]

It would be a mistake to play Beale at standoff. He has played inside centre for the Waratahs, and they must not shift players from pillar to post like Australia likes to do. I think he will though, with Toomua at inside centre. Foley-Beale-AAC; Leali'ifano-Toomua-Kuridrani... Keep the trio together based on the club!

 

[lynam1104]

It would be a mistake to play Beale at standoff. He has played inside centre for the Waratahs, and they must not shift players from pillar to post like Australia likes to do. I think he will though, with Toomua at inside centre. Foley-Beale-AAC; Leali'ifano-Toomua-Kuridrani... Keep the trio together based on the club!

I would go with either of these too personally. Maybe mix them up later in the year.

 

[Jaguares]

Wallabies squad to face France:

Forwards: Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Matt Hodgson, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Luke Jones, Sam Carter, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Scott Sio, Pek Cowan, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Charles.

Backs: Israel Folau, Nick Cummins, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Rob Horne, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Nic White, Nick Phipps.

Source: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9320890,00.html

A strong squad, I welcome calls from Will Skelton, Matt Hodgson, Luke Jones and Sam Carter, interesting players who can help this team. It also makes me happy returns of players like Scott Higginbotham, Wycliff Palu and Kurtley Beale.

The problem is still the same, the front row but is impossible fix it in few years. Despite this McKenzie can make a very strong team capable of beating any team, except ABs, but maybe this year can beat ABs, nothing is impossible.

My team:

1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. James Slipper
4. Luke Jones
5. Will Skelton
6. Scott Fardy / Scott Higginbotham
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben McCalman
9. Will Genia / Nic White
10. Bernard Foley
11. Nick Cummins
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau

 

[Big Ewis]

Wallabies squad to face France:

Forwards: Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Matt Hodgson, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Luke Jones, Sam Carter, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Scott Sio, Pek Cowan, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Charles.

Backs: Israel Folau, Nick Cummins, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Rob Horne, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Nic White, Nick Phipps.

Source: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9320890,00.html

yikes !! ^_^

So who's going to tease the crap out of me or vice/versa when either team drops a pounding on the other here ?! Where teh Aussies at ?!!

 

[Jaguares]

All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens says Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley must be considered for the Wallabies No.10 jersey this year:

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...d-foley-as-wallabies-no10-20140504-zr483.html

 

[goodNumber10]

I suggest anyone who thinks Beale should play 10 in this series watches Scott Allen's assessment of the Wallaby 10's ahead of last year's Lions test series.

He is not a 10.

 

[Darwin]

Burgess is injured. I would say Beale has the 10 jersey as he is more like Quade than Foley. Shame about quade I would not have been that surprised if he was named wallaby captain when you think about the competition for there spots with the other candidates come WC time Genia/White Hooper/Pocock I think it will be horwil despite the media saying its going to be hooper.

Oops my mistake. I didn't see his name listed under the 'not considered due to injury', so he probably wouldn't have been picked in any case (as presumably the Wallabies consider the ability to pass a pre-requisite for selection).

I suggest anyone who thinks Beale should play 10 in this series watches Scott Allen's assessment of the Wallaby 10's ahead of last year's Lions test series.

He is not a 10.

He's not a 12 either. The only way I could see him being successful at 12 at test level would be if Toomua was inside him at 10, and Ashley-Cooper was on the wing and able to switch positions with him on defense. I feel 10. Foley, 12. Beale would not be a good option for the Wallabies - it is fine for the Waratahs in expansive games, but that combination has struggled in the tight matches.

Personally I would still go 9. White, 10. Toomua, 12. McCabe, but it doesn't look like that will happen....