Australian Squad for Wales Games

[Darwin]

Who do you think will start at standoff, Darwin?
I can't see beyond Cooper myself. There really are so many potential backline combinations, when you look at AAC and Barnes in the mix.

Against Wales? I'm not sure myself - Cooper has only just got back from serious injury, but Barnes hasn't exactly been in great form (he has been poor to be honsest) - whenever he gets the ball his first instinct seems to be to kick it regardless of where he is on the field! I'd probably pick Cooper simply because the Wallabies best chance to win against Wales is to play an attacking gameplan - I don't think they have the forward pack to match it with Wales in a more structured game. However if O'Coonor, Beale or even Lealiifano had been fit I would have started them at 10 ahead of Cooper (I'd even consider Ben Lucas at 10). There are certainly plenty of options in the backline - with Beale out I'd start Ashley-Cooper at fullback and pair McCabe and Horne in the centres, but really have no idea what Deans is thinking.

 

[Draggs]

The Australian inside backs will benefit from the lack of Jamie Roberts.
Cooper/Barnes is a tough call, for the reasons you have stated. I want to see how Ben Lucas will figure in this backline, that will determine quite a bit I feel.

 

[Darwin]

Aussie team for Scotland named:

15-Luke Morahan, 14-Joe Tomane, 13-Anthony Fainga'a, 12-Mike Harris, 11-Digby Ioane, 10-Berrick Barnes, 9-Will Genia, 8-Scott Higginbotham, 7-David Pocock, 6-Dave Dennis, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-Sitaleki Timani, 3-Dan Palmer, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-James Slipper.
Replacements: 16-Saia Fainga'a, 17-Ben Alexander, 18-Rob Simmons, 19-Michael Hooper, 20-Nick Phipps, 21-Pat McCabe, 22-Adam Ashley Cooper.

I've started a match thread for this match too.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

So now I think we could have a better idea. Players that didn't have the bye on the weekend and then played a full game are Moore and Barnes. They should probably be rested, but they are actually the best options by a mile in their positions. At hooker, there is TPN, who could do but in general is better used as an impact sub. And at fly-half, there is actually no-one else besides Barnes. The next options would be the second and third choice Reds' FH's (Lucas and Harris), but none of them is actually a fly-half. Plus, I don't think Harris will be wearing gold for a little while. My guess is the following:

1. Robinson
2. Moore (if fit, if not, TPN)
3. Kepu (wishful thinking, it will actually be Alexander)
4. Pyle
5. Sharpe
6. Mowen
7. Pocock
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Ioane
12. McCabe
13. Horne
14. Tomane
15. AAC

16. TPN
17. Palmer (or Kepu if not starting)
18. Simmons
19. Higginbotham
20. Hooper
21. Lucas
22. Morahan/Fainga'a

 

[Darwin]

So now I think we could have a better idea. Players that didn't have the bye on the weekend and then played a full game are Moore and Barnes. They should probably be rested, but they are actually the best options by a mile in their positions. At hooker, there is TPN, who could do but in general is better used as an impact sub. And at fly-half, there is actually no-one else besides Barnes. The next options would be the second and third choice Reds' FH's (Lucas and Harris), but none of them is actually a fly-half. Plus, I don't think Harris will be wearing gold for a little while. My guess is the following:

1. Robinson
2. Moore (if fit, if not, TPN)
3. Kepu (wishful thinking, it will actually be Alexander)
4. Pyle
5. Sharpe
6. Mowen
7. Pocock
8. Palu
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Ioane
12. McCabe
13. Horne
14. Tomane
15. AAC

16. TPN
17. Palmer (or Kepu if not starting)
18. Simmons
19. Higginbotham
20. Hooper
21. Lucas
22. Morahan/Fainga'a

Don't think that prediction will be too far off. Simmons might start at lock, as I think a Pyle/Sharpe pairing might be a bit loose (though I wouldn't mind seeing Pyle...). I'd predict they will start Higginbotham at 6, assuming he is still in good condition after last nights match. With Cooper back with the Reds I think they will have to stick with Barnes at 10. Not sure who will start on the right wing - I'd probably go with either Shipperly (who should at least be fresh) or Morahan. I wouldn't be surprised with a 5/2 bench as you suggest, with Lucas covering 9,10, and 15.