ZeFrenchy
First XV
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2011
- Messages
- 1,786
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In 2001, Australia was in the midst of what is arguably their golden age in rugby union. After having won the World Cup two years earlier, John Eales, Toutai Kefu, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Joe Roff, Matt Burke and others were joined by younger blood like George Smith, in what is now considered by some the peak of that golden era. Twelve years later, mixed results, an unwated coach and more off-field incidents than needed, some of us thought that Australians would not be as enthusiastic this time. Well, they sold out the ridiculously overpriced tickets in only a few minutes.
After a few hundred pages of Lions squad threads, I think the Australian squad deserves a thread too. I admi not having watched much Super Rugby this year, so I'll just throw in a few names from what I have seen previously or read in the press (or basically just writing the names from the Australian franchises).
Props: Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Pek Cowan, Sekope Kepu, Paddy Ryan, Greg Holmes, Ben Daley, James Slipper, Salesi Ma'afu.
Hookers; Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Hanson, Saia Fainga'a, Nathan Charles.
Locks: Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Hugh Pyle, Caidern Neville, Luke Jones, Sitaleki Timani, Kane Douglas, James Horwill, Rob Simmons.
Backrowers: George Smith (yeeeaaahhhh!!!), Michael Hooper, Liam Gill, Fotu Auelua, Ben Mowen, Scott Higginbotham, Dave Dennis, Wycliff Palu, Jake Schatz.
Halfbacks: Will Genia.
Fly-halves: Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Christian Lealifano.
Centres: Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Ben Tapuai, Mitch Inman, Ant Fainga'a.
Outside backs: Drew Mitchell, Nick Cummings, Digby Ioane, Jesse Mogg, James O'Connor.
I went for a large pool of players, but please add the ones you think stand a chance of playing. Most of the Aussies will be discussing this on a different forum, but the Australians here, Kiwis and South Africans, that watch the players more often, it would be very useful if they could give their input.
After a few hundred pages of Lions squad threads, I think the Australian squad deserves a thread too. I admi not having watched much Super Rugby this year, so I'll just throw in a few names from what I have seen previously or read in the press (or basically just writing the names from the Australian franchises).
Props: Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Pek Cowan, Sekope Kepu, Paddy Ryan, Greg Holmes, Ben Daley, James Slipper, Salesi Ma'afu.
Hookers; Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Hanson, Saia Fainga'a, Nathan Charles.
Locks: Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Hugh Pyle, Caidern Neville, Luke Jones, Sitaleki Timani, Kane Douglas, James Horwill, Rob Simmons.
Backrowers: George Smith (yeeeaaahhhh!!!), Michael Hooper, Liam Gill, Fotu Auelua, Ben Mowen, Scott Higginbotham, Dave Dennis, Wycliff Palu, Jake Schatz.
Halfbacks: Will Genia.
Fly-halves: Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Christian Lealifano.
Centres: Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Ben Tapuai, Mitch Inman, Ant Fainga'a.
Outside backs: Drew Mitchell, Nick Cummings, Digby Ioane, Jesse Mogg, James O'Connor.
I went for a large pool of players, but please add the ones you think stand a chance of playing. Most of the Aussies will be discussing this on a different forum, but the Australians here, Kiwis and South Africans, that watch the players more often, it would be very useful if they could give their input.