Australia RWC 2011

[Larksea]

Mortlock's got tons of experience, Leadership and a huge amount of respect in NZ (we hate him)

But he does look a bit lethargic at times, I really dont think he will be what Deans is looking for. Deans hasn't really used experienced and respected players like Mortlock, Phil Waugh or George Smith. They have really been pushed aside for young Blood.

 

[superprop]

I'd love to see Pyle and Morahan in the 3 nations. As Pyle is one of the most dynamic locks in the s15 and Morahan for a young guy has great lines of running, fantastic balance and blistering pace. Obviously based on the 3nations they should be reassessd and could make great additions to the bench. Otherwise the team pretty much picks itself.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I'd be shocked if either Baxter or Dunning got near the Wallabies RWC squad. Deans has made it pretty clear that he is no longer interested in picking them by excluded them from the Australia and Australia Barbarians (effectively Australia 'A') squads last year in favour of a whole host of younger players (Slipper, Kepu, Daley, Cowan, Ma'afu et al.). I think the first 3 props (Alexander, Slipper, Robinson) are pretty easy to select, with the 4th prop likely to be between Kepu, Daley, and Ma'afu.

If Mortlock is fit (a big if) I think it will be a two-way choice between him and Faingaa for the back-up midfield option. Faingaa is a very solid player, and has the advantage of having a good combination with Quade Cooper going. He also played 4 tests for the Wallabies last year, and personally I think he has shown better form this year than Mortlock, though he has been playing in a much better backline.

For the fourth prop, I really don't think it will be Ma'afu. He has been horrible for the Wallabies, he is not that young (he's 28, Kepu is 25, Slipper is 21 and Daley is 22) and he had been dropped from the Brumbies' starting squad before getting injured. Daley plays mostly 1 in a scrum that hasn' been too dominant, so a second tighthead is necessary (we all know how Robinson did as starting THP). I think Kepu and Cowan will be given a shot in the 3N and Kepu will be most likely the fourth prop (I think he's been very good this season).
For the most fought for positions (i.e. three locks, three or four backrows, a reserve centre ad a reserve outside back) I think there is not much point in saying anything before the 3N has started.

 

[madflyhalf]

I was thinking about Pek Cowan as a possible reserve at prop, but he's injuried and he really needed a lot of game to show what he's capable of, Super Rugby included; he has to wait for the 3N. And I'm not sure we'll see him there...

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I was thinking about Pek Cowan as a possible reserve at prop, but he's injuried and he really needed a lot of game to show what he's capable of, Super Rugby included; he has to wait for the 3N. And I'm not sure we'll see him there...

How's Fairbrother doing? I haven't seen the Force this season.

 

[madflyhalf]

Today he packed pretty well against a much more experienced Hurricanes front row!
But in today's match, also Dunning did well from the bench.

Both Force second rows, Sharpe and Wykes are performing good (MOM to Sharpe this morning, even though he was on the losing side), and Cameron Shepherd raised his hand too for a spot in Wallaby's squad!

 

[Darwin]

For the fourth prop, I really don't think it will be Ma'afu. He has been horrible for the Wallabies, he is not that young (he's 28, Kepu is 25, Slipper is 21 and Daley is 22) and he had been dropped from the Brumbies' starting squad before getting injured. Daley plays mostly 1 in a scrum that hasn' been too dominant, so a second tighthead is necessary (we all know how Robinson did as starting THP). I think Kepu and Cowan will be given a shot in the 3N and Kepu will be most likely the fourth prop (I think he's been very good this season).
For the most fought for positions (i.e. three locks, three or four backrows, a reserve centre ad a reserve outside back) I think there is not much point in saying anything before the 3N has started.

I generally agree re: Ma'afu. The only reason I mentioned him was that he was given quite a few caps for Australia last year, so Deans and co. obviously rate him reasonably highly. Personally I don't rate him at all; if Dan Palmer (who I do think is a very promising young player) wasn't injured I'd expect Ma'afu would still be stuck on the Brumbies bench behind him.

Daley is at a disadvantage because of his inability to cover the tight-head position, so would be unlikely to make it as well. I'd hadn't considered Cowan, but you are right, he probably will come into contention. I don't rate him very highly at all, and he appeared to drop behind a number of other props in the Aussie pecking order by the end of last year. However he does have experience, and can cover both sides of the scrum.

Personally I can't see the Aussie selectors going away from Robinson, Alexander, Slipper, and Kepu... I suppose we will know a lot more come Tri-Nations time.

 

[madflyhalf]

Based (also) upon recent SUPER XV performances:

So the 30-men squad:

Hookers: Moore, Polota-Nau, Fainga'a

Props: Alexander, Robinson, Slipper, [STRIKE]Baxter[/STRIKE] or [STRIKE]Dunning[/STRIKE] (ok I know, but they need some experienced tighthead)

Locks: Sharpe, Horwill, Chisholm, Mumm or Vickerman if ready

Backrows: Elsom (c), Hodgson, Pocock, McCalman, Higginbotham

Scrum-halves: Genia, Burgess, Phipps or Sheehan

Fly-halves: Cooper, Barnes

Centres: Ashley-Cooper, Giteau, Mortlock, O'Connor

Full-backs/Wings/Utility backs: Mitchell, Ioane, Beale, Turner

Here are 29, so 1 slot's still available, to me is for: Beau Robinson for another pure openside; if Mitchell won't be fit, add also Cameron Shepherd / Ryan Cross / Mark Gerrard (here in my order of preference)

Ok.
Putting aside the prop back-ups problem: today Beau Robinson made a statement to Robbie Deans.
Hoping his injury is not serius, I think he's going to have his spot in the Wallaby RWC squad.

I think Hodgson won't make the cut...

 

[Darwin]

Ok.
Putting aside the prop back-ups problem: today Beau Robinson made a statement to Robbie Deans.
Hoping his injury is not serius, I think he's going to have his spot in the Wallaby RWC squad.

I think Hodgson won't make the cut...

If I was selecting the Wallabies I would definitely pick Robinson, as he is clearly the second best 7 in the country. Two things count against him (1) His complete inexperience at test level (2) His lack of versatility (he is a specialist 7).
It will really depend on whether they think they have room in their squad for two specialist 7's... if so Robinson will go, if not Hodgson (who can play 6,7, and 8 equally well) will go.