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Australian Squad for Wales Games

There was an article in the excellent blog Green and Gold Rugby (http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com) about the Aussie front row. Personally, I think they're a bit too optimistic, but here's what they say:
With the June Test around the corner we thought it was time to look at the contenders for wallaby spots in each game. We have Tests against Scotland on Tuesday the 5th and Wales on the 3 following Saturdays. The make up of the first test side will be strongly influenced by the Super Rugby schedule with the Reds and the Force both having byes on the weekend before the match. Further complicating things is the need to field a competitive side 4 days later for the Welsh test.
Firstly lets look at the contenders for the positions.
The Contenders:

From The Reds:
Ben Daley, James Slipper, Greg Holmes
Saia Faingaa, James Hanson
From the Force:
Pek Cowan, Salesi Ma’afu, Kieran Longbottom
Nathan Charles
From the Waratahs:
Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu
Tatafu Polota-Nau
From The Brumbies:
Ben Alexander, Dan Palmer
Stephen Moore.
From The Rebels:
Rodney Blake
Adam Freier
That’s a pretty big list! But not all of these players will be in the mix for a spot in the tests for various reasons. A test prop needs a good range of skills across all the front row disciplines and also needs to contribute around the field. Some of the guys above are not up there on one or more of the essentials.
The Incumbents.

James Slipper, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Salesi Ma’afu started the last test match against Wales on 3 December 2011. Of these three only Slipper has the weekend before the first test off, but he is also a possibility for the game day squad on Saturday against Wales.
Let’s look at how the candidates are going.
Firstly the props.
June Tests Props

[TABLE="class: wp-table-reloaded wp-table-reloaded-id-84, width: 617"]
<tbody>[TR="class: row-1 odd"]
[TH="class: column-1 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Players[/TH]
[TH="class: column-2 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Ave
Mins[/TH]
[TH="class: column-3 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Runs (No)[/TH]
[TH="class: column-4 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Runs (m)[/TH]
[TH="class: column-5 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Pen
Conceded[/TH]
[TH="class: column-6 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Ruck &
Maul[/TH]
[TH="class: column-7 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Tackles
Attempted/Made[/TH]
[TH="class: column-8 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Tackles
Made (%)[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-2 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]Ben Daley[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]48.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]3.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]14.86[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]1.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]3.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]8.14/7.85[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]97.57%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-3 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #E7EDBE"]Greg Holmes[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]40.71[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]3.29[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]15.43[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.71[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]2.57[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]6.57/6[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]91.57%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-4 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]James Slipper[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]73.71[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]4.43[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]14.57[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]1.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]4.43[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]8.42/7.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]86.86%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-5 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #E7EDBE"]Pekahou Cowan[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]70.88[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]5.63[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]21.75[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.63[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]6.25[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]9.5/8.37[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]90.88%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-6 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]Salesi Ma'afu[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]46.50[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]3.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]8.38[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]1.38[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.88[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]5.37/4.25[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]79.25%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-7 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #E7EDBE"]Benn Robinson[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]78.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]4.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]11.29[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]1.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]3.86[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]9.71/8.28[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]85.43%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-8 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]Sekope Kepu[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]62.71[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]8.57[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]1.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]9.42/8.14[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]85.29%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-9 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #E7EDBE"]Ben Alexander[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]71.33[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]5.67[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]20.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.83[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]5.17[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]14/12.16[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]85.67%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-10 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]Dan Palmer[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]63.20[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]6.60[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.60[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.20[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]11.6/9.8[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]84.80%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-11 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #E7EDBE"]Rodney Blake[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]37.57[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]3.29[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]14.86[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.86[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]2.86[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]5.57/4.42[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]80.57%[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

I’m going to pick my front row for the Scottish test by ignoring the players I think will line up against Wales. So Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Stephen Moore Will sit out this game. Robinson and Kepu are still our best props and as long as Deans leaves Kepu on the tight head side he will do fine. The third props spot is between James Slipper and Ben Alexander. I think Alexander will get the nod here. He is playing a tighter game this year and I think his work rate is hard to ignore and the temptation of playing Slipper against the Scots will prove too strong to resist.
Which means Slipper is my first prop for the Scots. I think Dan Palmer is a chance for the second spot. The Brumbies have a Friday night game and the Aussie coaches will be keen to see how he goes. I’m picking a dark horse for the third propping spot. I think they will go for an old head for this spot. Someone who just gets the job done. So I’m saying Greg Holmes fits that description nicely.
Scrums - Who's got it and who hasn't
​
James Hanson and Nathan Charles are both great young hookers and this is a good chance to see how they look at the next level. I think at least one will feature in the Scottish test along with Saia Faingaa who has returned from injury with a bang.. As for the Welsh test I think Stephen Moore will start and Tatafu Polota-Nau will be on the Bench.
June Test Hookers

[TABLE="class: wp-table-reloaded wp-table-reloaded-id-94, width: 617"]
<tbody>[TR="class: row-1 odd"]
[TH="class: column-1 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Player[/TH]
[TH="class: column-2 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Average Mins[/TH]
[TH="class: column-3 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Runs (No)[/TH]
[TH="class: column-4 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Runs (m)[/TH]
[TH="class: column-5 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Ruck/Maul[/TH]
[TH="class: column-6 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Penalties conceded[/TH]
[TH="class: column-7 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]T/Over[/TH]
[TH="class: column-8 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Lineouts Thrown[/TH]
[TH="class: column-9 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Lineouts Lost On Throw[/TH]
[TH="class: column-10 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Lineouts Not Straight[/TH]
[TH="class: column-11 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Tackles Attempted[/TH]
[TH="class: column-12 sorting_disabled, bgcolor: #728557"]Tackles Made %[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-2 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]Stephen Moore[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]74.50[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]7.60[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]30.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]7.50[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.60[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]1.90[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]9.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-9, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.90[/TD]
[TD="class: column-10, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.40[/TD]
[TD="class: column-11, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]13.20[/TD]
[TD="class: column-12, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]89.40%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-3 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #E7EDBE"]James Hanson[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]63.55[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]4.73[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]20.91[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]4.55[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.18[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]1.64[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]8.91[/TD]
[TD="class: column-9, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.45[/TD]
[TD="class: column-10, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.45[/TD]
[TD="class: column-11, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]8.27[/TD]
[TD="class: column-12, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]87.36%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-4 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]Nathan Charles[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]75.91[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]3.00[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]12.09[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.64[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.27[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]1.09[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]13.36[/TD]
[TD="class: column-9, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.45[/TD]
[TD="class: column-10, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.09[/TD]
[TD="class: column-11, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]7.73[/TD]
[TD="class: column-12, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]73.45%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-5 odd"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #E7EDBE"]Tatafu Polota-Nau[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]61.70[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]4.10[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]28.30[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]3.30[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.50[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]1.30[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]7.90[/TD]
[TD="class: column-9, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.20[/TD]
[TD="class: column-10, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]0.60[/TD]
[TD="class: column-11, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]7.50[/TD]
[TD="class: column-12, bgcolor: #E7EDBE, align: center"]83.90%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row-6 even"]
[TD="class: column-1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]Adam Freier[/TD]
[TD="class: column-2, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]31.13[/TD]
[TD="class: column-3, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.75[/TD]
[TD="class: column-4, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]4.63[/TD]
[TD="class: column-5, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]2.63[/TD]
[TD="class: column-6, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.88[/TD]
[TD="class: column-7, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.75[/TD]
[TD="class: column-8, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]4.63[/TD]
[TD="class: column-9, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.38[/TD]
[TD="class: column-10, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]0.13[/TD]
[TD="class: column-11, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]5.75[/TD]
[TD="class: column-12, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]63.63%[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

So there you have it. I think it couldn’t be clearer. I believe it’s entirely possible for Australia to field 2 completely unique front rows for the first 2 tests and still be very competitive. In fact if you look at the players running around Super Rugby this year it’s hard to think of a time where our front row stocks have been better. So have I forgotten someone? Let me know where you think I’ve got it wrong. But I’m right I know I am!
Click to expand...
I think it tells a lot that among all those statistics, the only one related to scrummaging, is penalties conceded...
 
40 man squad announced today. (I'd guess it will eventually be cut down to 30)

Props:
Ben Alexander
Benn Robinson
Selope Kepu
Salesi Ma'afu
Dan Palmer
James Slipper

​
Hookers:
Stephen Moore
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Saia Faingaa​

Locks:
Nathan Sharpe
Rob Simmons
Cadeyrn Neville
Hugh Pyle
Sitaleki Timani​

Backrow:
David Pocock
Dave Dennis
 Kane Douglas
Scott Higgginbotham
Michael Hooper
Ben McCalman
Wycliff Palu​

Halfbacks:
Will Genia
Nick Phipps
Nic White​

Fly Halves:
Berrick Barnes
 Kurtley Beale
Quade Cooper​

Centres:
Anthony Faingaa
 Mike Harris
Rob Horne
Pat McCabe
​

Outside Backs:
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Bernard Foley
Digby Ioane
Jesse Mogg
Luke Morahan
Dom Shipperley
Joe Tomane
Cooper Vuna

​
 
I can't understand (I think no-one can) Deans' love for Ma'afu. Holmes should have been selected ahead of him (and, btw, then you would have the full frontrows of the Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs).
Ben Mowen, Ben Tapuai and Ben Lucas (the Red Bens) could/should have made the squad.
I expect some aussie media uproar on McCalman's selection, though I rate him personally.
 
Ben Lucas is pretty average... Will do an ok job at Super Level (though that's not really good enough for a 10), but I don't think he'll add anything to the Oz backline. Tapuai and Faainga are very similar players, in my opinion, so Deans looks to have gone for a more rounded set of centres with Faainga, Harris and McCable all offering different skill sets. Horne sort of sits in the middle of them all.
 
ZeFrenchy said:
I can't understand (I think no-one can) Deans' love for Ma'afu. Holmes should have been selected ahead of him (and, btw, then you would have the full frontrows of the Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs).
Ben Mowen, Ben Tapuai and Ben Lucas (the Red Bens) could/should have made the squad.
I expect some aussie media uproar on McCalman's selection, though I rate him personally.
Click to expand...

I'm not a huge fan of Ma'afu personally, but his scrummaging has improved a lot over the last year or so.
Ben Mowen must have been close (though I don't know which loosie I would have dropped to include him). Ben Tapuai is out injured (broken collar-bone), and I'm surprised
Ben Lucas wasn't included, though he has missed the last couple of matches with injury - I wonder whether his injury is serious?

Horwill is a big loss, and I'm surprised to see Cadeyrn Neville included given he has only played 3-4 games of Super Rugby! Not too surprised to see Mike Harris included (considering the injury problems they have at 10...). The only other surprise to me is Bernard Foley, as I think they already have plenty of fullback cover.
 
how is mike harris eligible? he's a kiwi and only been here since 2011.

I would have also gone luke jones over cadeyrn neville, ben mowen should have been picked and simmons is useless
 
ZeFrenchy said:
I can't understand (I think no-one can) Deans' love for Ma'afu.
Click to expand...

Me either. Ma'afu wont even get in the 22 though, so not much point worrying about it. I'd say he is just there in case we get like 4 injuries, in which case we have an experienced prop to bring in rather than a newbie.

McCalman's selection was odd but predictable, Deans seems to like him. Probably because he is relatively young, has good strength/size, gets over the advantage line and knows the wallabies set up. So do a lot of other players though, so who knows...
 
Last edited:
InsaneAsylum said:
how is mike harris eligible? he's a kiwi and only been here since 2011.

I would have also gone luke jones over cadeyrn neville, ben mowen should have been picked and simmons is useless
Click to expand...

Yes! Absolutely!

But maybe he's touring with U.20 alongside with Gill?
 
madflyhalf said:
Yes! Absolutely!

But maybe he's touring with U.20 alongside with Gill?
Click to expand...

Nah, Jones is too old for the under 20's this year (turned 21 last month). Can't say I've seen a lot of Neville, but he is huge, and a genuine tight-head lock who plays a very tight game. In contrast Luke Jones plays a much loser game (he is equally capable at 6) - like others I would have liked to see Jones involved, but I can only assume that Neville is the style of lock they are looking at.
 
I think if the Aussies go for Beale at 10 they will be in safe hands

my understanding is that Horwill is also out of the series.
 
Bloody hell. Looks like Barnes and Cooper will be in the mix. Maybe Harris or Foley as backup. Forwards are going to need to win us these tests for once.
 
No clue about the pack, but this is what I am thinking will be Aus' first choice backline (how they choose the handle the two quick matches, I do not know).
9 Genia
10 Barnes
11 Tomane
12 McCabe
13 Horne
14 Ioane
15 Ashley-Cooper

My reasoning for shifting AAC to fullback is due to the other options. Foley, Morahan, and Mogg are all good prospects, but fullback demands experience. I'd rather put a debutant on the wing than at fullback. I understand that Barnes/McCabe as the five eighths isn't the popular choice, but with O'Connor and Beale out, and Cooper returning from injury, what else can be done. Mike Harris is also an option, but I would put him on the bench with Phipps and perhaps Fainga'a.
 
Draggs said:
No clue about the pack, but this is what I am thinking will be Aus' first choice backline (how they choose the handle the two quick matches, I do not know).
9 Genia
10 Barnes
11 Tomane
12 McCabe
13 Horne
14 Ioane
15 Ashley-Cooper

My reasoning for shifting AAC to fullback is due to the other options. Foley, Morahan, and Mogg are all good prospects, but fullback demands experience. I'd rather put a debutant on the wing than at fullback. I understand that Barnes/McCabe as the five eighths isn't the popular choice, but with O'Connor and Beale out, and Cooper returning from injury, what else can be done. Mike Harris is also an option, but I would put him on the bench with Phipps and perhaps Fainga'a.
Click to expand...

Same backline that I was thinking of, though I'm not sure who I would put on the wing (whether it be Morahan/Shipperly/Tomane/AN other)
 
Yeah, that last position in the back three was tricky. Browsing GaGR, they seem to want to see Tomane in. My biggest issue with that is that he an Ioane, while undoubtedly powerful players, are quite similar. Ashley-Cooper, every time I see him, seems to have a good skillset. He would be a good pick either at wing or fullback. I prefer him at outside centre, but Rob Horne is in good form and AAC is more versatile. I thought Tom Kingston could be in the training squad, but they have other good options. Some have mentioned Foley on the wing, but it would be a poor choice. Good fullbacks don't necessarily make good wings.
 
If James O'Connor and Beale are uninjured AAC will be the winger, he is a very solid test winger. But because he is so consistent we seem to just throw him wherever we are weakest at the moment.
 
If QC will be fit, I think Dingo should go with both Barnes and Cooper on the field, it was working well in 2010 and in the only RWC game they played this way.

Others midfield combos (McCabe & Horne and McCabe & AAC, even McCabe & Fainga'a) don't work well, because the 2 players are too similar, would be both straightners, with McCabe barely delivers 2 passes per game!

IMO centre pairing AAC@12 and Horne 13 is not working badly at the 'Tahs, which have problems elsewhere (decision makers and leadership?)...


For Scotland test I'd go with:

1 Robinson
2 Moore
3 Palmer
4 Neville
5 Sharpe
6 Dennis
7 Pocock
8 Higginbotham
9 Genia
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Harris
13 Horne
14 Morahan
15 Ashley-Cooper

16. Fainga'a 17. Kepu 18. Simmons 19. McCalman 20. White 21. Barnes 22. Foley/Mogg


I think McCalman can be there against Scotland, Sharpe can be there for lineout duties, with White and Foley/Mogg in if things goes good.
But this is my idea, probably Fainga'a is going to start (to rest more Brumbies players as possible), and we can see Slipper and Kepu as well.

For Wales it's gonna be a team much closer to the RWC ones, bar injuries and off-form players.
 

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